Floating electronic platform for swimming pools and spas

• US 20040092181A1
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaxx LLC
• Original Assignee: Aquatron Incorporated (Fluidra, S.A.)
• Inventors: Porat, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 441/136
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/24 container type, i.e. having provision for the storage of material

Abstract

A stable, manually portable floating electronic platform for use in pools and spas is equipped with recesses for receiving beverage containers and is equipped with any of a variety of electronic audio/visual entertainment devices that are powered by an on-board battery, or a remote rechargeable battery or a conventional remote low-voltage power supply unit via a power cable. Solar power collector panels on the platform provide a recharging current to on-board or remote batteries via a power cable.

Claims

1. A stable, manually portable floating electronic platform for use in swimming pools and spas comprising:

a buoyant housing, said housing having an upper surface that is configured with recesses to receive one or more articles of predetermined shape and dimensions;

a power source selected from the group consisting of one or more on-board batteries, a plug and a jack, where the plug and jack are adapted to receive the end of a power cable connected to a source of electrical power remote from the platform; and

one or more water-resistant electronic devices that are electrically connected to the power source.

2. The floating platform of claim 1, wherein the electronic devices are selected from the group consisting of audio and visual entertainment communication devices, and solar power collector panels.

3. The platform of claim 2, wherein the entertainment devices are selected from the group consisting of lights, radios, tape and CD players, televisions, DVD players, speakers, water fountains, and combinations thereof.

4. The floating platform of claim 1, wherein the electronic devices are removably contained in one or more water-protected compartments.

5. The platform of claim 1, wherein the power source is one or more rechargeable batteries.

6. The electronic platform of claim 1, wherein the surface recesses include retainers for cups and beverage containers.

7. The electronic platform of claim 1, wherein one or more of the recesses includes a watertight manually-releasable closure.

8. The platform of claim 1 which further comprises at least one handle for manually lifting the platform.

9. The platform of claim 8 which includes a pair of handles disposed at opposite ends of the platform and projecting from the surface.

10. The platform of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a molded polymer.

11. The platform of claim 1 which further comprises a buoyancy controlling material positioned proximate the housing.

12. The platform of claim 1 which further comprises ballast positioned proximate the housing.

13. The platform of claim 5, wherein the one or more batteries is located on board the platform.

14. The platform of claim 1, wherein the power source is remote from the platform and the platform further comprises at least one connector for mating with a power cable connected to the remote power source.

15. The platform of claim 14, wherein the remote power source is selected from the group consisting of one or more rechargeable batteries and a low-voltage power supply unit.

16. The platform of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is one or more solar panels and the platform further comprises circuitry for conducting a recharging current to the power source.

17. The platform of claim 16, wherein the collection surfaces of the solar panels are oriented in different directions.

18. The platform of claim 16, wherein the solar panels are adjustably positioned on a surface of the housing.

19. The platform of claim 1 which further comprises a photocell switch in a circuit with the lights, whereby the lights receive power after dark.

20. The platform of claim 1 which further comprises a power shut-off safety switch that is responsive to water and/or a predetermined change in position of the platform from the horizontal.

21. The platform of claim 13 which further comprises a power output connector mounted on the exterior of the housing and connected to the one or more on-board batteries, the power output connector configured to receive a power cable from a submerged self-propelled robotic pool cleaner, whereby the pool cleaner receives its motive power from the platform.