Patent Application
20060112482
In spas, hot tubs or swimming pools (referred to generically herein as “spa”), accent lighting has become a ubiquitous feature. Access lighting illuminates user controls, as well as improves aesthetic qualities of a spa. With respect to user controls, such as knobs controlling valves, etc., accent lighting assists the user in locating controls in low light conditions, as well as providing an attractive accent. Conventional access lighting mechanisms for user controls consist of an acrylic ring with tubes descending from the ring for receiving light from a light source.
Conventional access lighting designs have several inherent problems. First, acrylic material transmits light too efficiently, usually causing a brighter light than is desired for a quiet accent, particularly in low-light environments such as night-time. Instead of a low glowing accent effect, the individual light sources are too easily perceivable, and can be quite bright.
Another, more significant problem is that the use of an acrylic ring requires an additional and separate gasket at the junction between the user control and the spa shell. Added to problems sealing the spa shell against the acrylic ring, the conventional designs typically require drilling multiple holes in the spa shell to anchor the additional gasket, which creates more sources for possible leaks. One solution has been to cut an oversized hole in the spa shell to accommodate the light source tubes. However this causes its own sealing difficulties.
A gasket for a spa shell is disclosed. In an embodiment, the gasket includes a body formed of an at least partially translucent material and having a top ring configured to abut a top surface of the spa shell and a bottom ring configured to abut a bottom surface of the spa shell. The gasket can also include a middle ring disposed between the top ring and the bottom ring.
In accordance with another embodiment, a user control system for a spa includes a user-operable control interface configured for placement on a top surface of a spa shell, and a controller configured for extending below the spa shell. The system further includes a gasket comprising a body formed of an at least partially translucent and elastomeric material and having a top ring, a recessed middle ring, and a bottom ring. The gasket is further configured for placement around the controller and between the control interface and the top surface of the spa shell.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.
FIGS. 2A-E show various views of a gasket in accordance with one embodiment.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
This document discloses an elastomeric gasket having light-carrying capacities for illuminating a control feature of a spa. The gasket is preferably formed of a unitary body capable of being inserted into a hole in the spa shell, to abut both the top surface and bottom surface of the spa shell.
The control interface 102 and/or controller 104 interfaces with the spa shell via the gasket 106. Spa shells are typically no greater than 0.25 inches thick. The elastomeric gasket includes a recessed middle ring 111 that is adapted to the thickness of a spa shell and which fits into a hole provided in the spa shell. The recessed middle ring 111 is formed between a top ring 107 and a bottom ring 109. The top ring 107 is adapted to abut against the top surface of the spa shell, while the bottom ring 109 is adapted to abut against the bottom surface of the spa shell. The top ring 107 and bottom ring 109 are further adapted to inhibit the passage of water or other objects past the recessed middle ring 111. While the top ring 107, bottom ring 109 and recessed middle ring 111 can be rounded, they may also be squared or any other shape having an aperture therethrough.
The gasket 106 is formed of a elastomeric material, including but not limited to, natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, silicone RTV, fluorosilicone, or other elastomer. In one embodiment, the gasket 106 is formed of a unitary piece of material. In an alternative embodiment, the gasket 106 is formed of two or more pieces, which can have variable relative elasticity. The gasket 106 is also preferably translucent, or has light-carrying characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, a light source 108 such as a light emitting diode (LED) can be placed next to or into the gasket 106 to illuminate the gasket 106.
In the example spa control 100, the gasket 106 can be secured in place against the top and bottom of the spa shell, via top and bottom rings 107 and 109 respectively, by application of a nut 110 or other tightening mechanism. The nut 110 can be threaded onto threads provided on the controller, in one example. The spa control 100 can include a valve tee 112 for connection of the spa control 100 to another part of the spa.
FIGS. 2A-E show various views of a gasket in accordance with one embodiment.
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.
