Patent Application
20150283400
Not Applicable
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to control systems for hot tubs and whirlpools, and also to light therapy for treating symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hot tubs and similar devices are used for recreation, exercise, and physical therapy. Hot tubs are often employed for treating sore muscles or for relaxation after exercise or rigorous physical activity.
Use of hot tubs often occurs out of doors and after dark. For reasons of safety and convenience, lighting systems are often mounted in hot tubs. Such lighting systems help to create a positive atmosphere or ambience, which may change as a function of the brightness of the lights, the types and colors of the lights, the number of light sources, and the location of the light sources relative to the users.
Lighting systems in hot tubs or pools have historically involved placing point light sources slightly above the water line within the main body of the tub, generally in water tight fixtures that either slightly protrude from the walls of the hot tub or pool, or, more commonly, are recessed within a niche formed into the walls to which they are mounted. Light is typically supplied from an incandescent light bulb or a light emitting diode (LED) lamp placed in the fixture.
The lighting systems in the art generally involve one or more point light sources of varying brightness placed below the water line. These light sources propagate light into a body of water in a direction principally perpendicular to the wall on which the light source is mounted.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,712,913 discloses a lighted panel system for use in hot tubs, swim spas, and swimming pools that is mounted to the wall or lining of a tub. The lighted panel system comprises a light diffusing panel, a light source that illuminates the light diffusing panel, and a mounting structure that couples the light diffusing panel to the tub wall. Diffusers are preferably provided to the light diffusing panel in line with the light source and mounting structure to decoratively hide such components and further diffuse the light.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,204,602 discloses an LED light assembly, the light assembly comprising a reflective plate comprising a plurality of perforations formed therethrough the reflective plate, a plurality of LED bulbs wherein each LED bulb protrudes through a respective perforation of the plurality of perforations, and a control circuit selectively operable to produce a plurality of colored lights through the plurality of LED bulbs wherein the control circuit comprises a switch which when activated a defined number of times produces a plurality of at least light colors and light patterns wherein each of the plurality of at least light colors and light patterns are selected based on the defined number of times the switch is activated.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,517 discloses a lighting system suitable for chromatherapy includes a plurality of light fixtures mounted through walls of a tub basin to project different color light into the water in the tub. The light fixtures are operated by a central control unit and each includes a housing having a concave internal surface. An array of light emitting diodes that project different color light is mounted under a cap covering one end of the housing. A lens is threaded onto the opposite end of the housing from within the tub basin to secure the light fixture to the tub. The concave surface has the different color light projected on it, and reflects light out the light fixture in mixed fashion.
The present general inventive concept encompasses, in some of its several example embodiments, a system that electronically connects Light Emitting Diode (LED) perimeter lights installed around the upper inward-facing wall of a hot tub or whirlpool bathtub to an external control panel, allowing an occupant or user of the hot tub or whirlpool bathtub to dim or brighten the LED lights utilizing a button or dimmer switch on the external control panel. This system is employed, for example, in a housing containing individual light therapy LED bulbs that can be adjusted to illuminate up to nine different modes of different colors and different levels of nanometers designed to aid in specific medical conditions and assist in maintaining healthy skin. It is designed to be installed in tanning beds and hot tub products at angles directly aimed at the facial region.
In some embodiments, a therapeutic light emitting diode lighting system for installation in a hot tub wall includes a light source comprising light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, said LED bulbs capable of being adjusted to illuminate in up to nine different modes of different colors and different wavelengths, whereby light emitted by said LED bulbs in said different modes is adapted to aid in specific medical conditions and assist in maintaining healthy skin, and a housing to hold said LED bulbs, said housing configured to angle said LED bulbs to direct light at the facial region of a person using the lamp.
In some embodiments, a therapeutic light emitting diode lighting system is installed in a raised molded area slightly above the main body of the hot tub, designed so that the lights are substantially at face level so that therapeutic lighting is directed at the facial areas of persons using the tub.
The above features, and other features and aspects of various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, will become more apparent from examination of the drawing figures, in which:
The present general inventive concept encompasses, in some of its several example embodiments, a system that electronically connects Light Emitting Diode (LED) perimeter lights installed around the upper inward-facing wall of a hot tub or whirlpool bathtub to an external or topside control panel, allowing an occupant or user of the hot tub or whirlpool bathtub to dim or brighten the LED lights utilizing a button or dimmer switch on the topside control panel. This system (hereinafter a “dimmer switch control system”) is employed, for example, in a housing containing individual light therapy LED bulbs that can be adjusted to illuminate up to nine different modes of different colors and different levels of nanometers designed to aid in specific medical conditions and assist in maintaining healthy skin. It is designed to be installed in tanning beds and hot tub products at angles directly aimed at the facial region.
In some embodiments, a therapeutic light emitting diode lighting system for installation in a hot tub wall includes a light source comprising light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, said LED bulbs capable of being adjusted to illuminate in up to nine different modes of different colors and different wavelengths, whereby light emitted by said LED bulbs in said different modes is adapted to aid in specific medical conditions and assist in maintaining healthy skin, and a housing to hold said LED bulbs, said housing configured to angle said LED bulbs to direct light at the facial region of a person using the lamp.
Turning to the Figures,
In some embodiments, a therapeutic light emitting diode lighting system is installed in a raised molded area slightly above the main body of the hot tub, designed so that the lights are substantially at face level so that therapeutic lighting is directed at the facial areas of persons using the tub.
In some embodiments, a therapeutic LED bulb system is capable of nine different modes, including:
In some embodiments, a molded manifold for installation into the plumbing water line in a hot tub or whirlpool bathtub is fabricated from PVC or a similar polymer material.
Turning specifically to the dimmer switch control system, in some embodiments the system is wired and programmed into a main control pack that is used to operate every other function of the hot tub or whirlpool bathtub. Thus the occupant can use the same topside control to adjust the lighting level. In some embodiments, variable settings for the perimeter LED lighting controlled by the dimmer switch control system range from “off” to the highest intensity setting capable for the particular LED components in use.
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a system for controlling the intensity of perimeter lighting in a hot tub or whirlpool bathtub includes a series of Light Emitting Diode (LED) perimeter lights installed around the upper inward-facing wall of a tub, a control module for adjusting the intensity of light emitted by said series of LED perimeter lights, said control module being in electronic communication with said LED perimeter lights, and an external control panel in communication with said control module, said external control panel being in electronic communication with said control module.
In some embodiments, the external control panel includes a button.
In some embodiments, the external control panel includes a dimmer switch.
In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a therapeutic light emitting diode lighting assembly with control system for use with tub includes a light source comprising light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, said LED bulbs capable of being adjusted to illuminate in different modes of different colors, different wavelengths, and different intensities, whereby light emitted by said LED bulbs in said different modes is adapted to aid in specific medical conditions and assist in maintaining healthy skin, a housing to hold said LED bulbs, said housing configured to angle said LED bulbs to direct light at the facial region of a person using the lamp, and a control system for adjusting the intensity of the light emitted by said LED bulbs, said control system including a control panel with a user interface, said control panel with a user interface being positioned on a top surface of the tub.
In some embodiments, said control system includes a button.
In some embodiments, said control system includes a dimmer switch.
The present general inventive concept thus provides a means for changing the setting of the lights themselves, for example, from a low-lighting to a higher-lighting setting. The present general inventive concept, in some of its several embodiments, allows for the creation of a custom environment for the occupant or user of the hot tub or whirlpool bathtub.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/982,539, filed Apr. 22, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This Application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/266,312, filed Apr. 30, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/817641, filed Apr. 30, 2013. All of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61982539 | Apr 2014 | US | |
| 61817641 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14266312 | Apr 2014 | US |
| Child | 14693467 | US |
