Ornamental lighting apparatus for pool using reflectors on a curved surface

• US 5,934,796 A
• Filed: 12/22/1997
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Benjamin H. Quereau
• Original Assignee: Benjamin H. Quereau
• Inventors: Quereau, Benjamin H.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/995,931
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/35, 362/101, 362/158, 362/184, 362/185, 362/234, 362/241, 362/247, 362/297, 362/346, 362/348, 362/477, 362/806
• US Class Current: 362/318
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

An ornamental lighting apparatus for a pool uses reflectors on a curved surface wherein the curved surface is preferably a hemisphere with a plurality of mirrors mounted on its outer surface. The hemisphere is connected to one or more lights which are directed at the mirrors on the hemisphere. Although movement of the lighting apparatus and/or the water in the pool is sufficient to create a varying light pattern on the sides and bottom of the pool, in a preferred embodiment, the mirrored hemisphere is rotated with respect to the lights to create a moving pattern of light on the pool walls and bottom. The lighting apparatus may be positioned such that a base unit is resting on the bottom of the pool with the connector between the light containing base unit and the hemisphere being of adjustable length. Alternatively, the entire lighting apparatus may float within the pool and the connector may be of fixed length. The hemisphere may be formed to be a closed container with a resealable opening and the buoyancy of the apparatus may be adjusted by adding selected amounts of water to the hemisphere. The lighting and the motor for rotation, if used, may be powered by a low-voltage rechargeable battery.

Claims

1. Apparatus for creating a lighting display in a pool of water, comprising:

a curved surface adapted to be mounted below the surface of said pool of water;

a plurality of reflectors mounted on a convex side of said curved surface;

said curved surface being connected to a base unit by a connector; and

said base unit being provided with at least one light, said light being adapted to direct light at said plurality of reflectors.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for moving said curved surface with the reflectors thereon with respect to said light of said base unit.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connector is a rigid member.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said curved surface rotates with respect to said base unit.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reflectors are mirrors.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said curved surface is the shape of a hemisphere.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said hemisphere is provided with adjustable buoyancy.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said hemisphere is a closed container having a resealable opening therein, said adjustable buoyancy being achieved by adjusting the amount of water in said hemisphere.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, including a motor, said motor being caused to provide said rotation.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said motor and said light are operated from a rechargeable battery providing a voltage of less than 30 volts.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base unit is provided with three lights.

12. An apparatus for creating a lighting display in a pool of water, comprising:

a substantially hemispheric shaped member;

a plurality of reflectors mounted on an outer surface of said hemispheric shaped member;

a base unit adapted to be mounted on a bottom surface of said pool;

a substantially rigid, adjustable length connector connecting said hemispheric shaped member to said base unit, said length of said connector being adjustable such that an upper end of said hemisphere is substantially near the surface of the pool of water;

said base units including a plurality of lights adapted to be directed at said plurality of reflectors mounted on said hemispheric shaped member; and

motor means for causing said connector to rotate causing rotation between said hemispheric shaped member and said base unit.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said base unit is in the shape of a tripod.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said base unit includes three lights.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said motor is located in said base unit, and further wherein said lights and said motor are powered by a rechargeable battery.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said substantially hemispheric shaped member is provided with a substantially flat upper surface to form a closed container in the form of a hemisphere.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said substantially flat upper surface is provided with a resealable opening such that buoyancy may be adjusted by adding water.

18. An apparatus for creating a lighting display in pool of water comprising:

a substantially hemispheric shaped closed container having a resealable opening;

a plurality of reflectors mounted on an outer surface of said hemispheric shape of said closed container;

a base unit, said base unit including a plurality of lights;

a connector connecting said substantially hemispheric shaped closed container and said base unit; and

whereby buoyancy of said substantially hemispheric shaped closed container may be adjusted by adding water to said hemispheric shaped container through said resealable opening such that said hemispheric shaped container and said base unit will float and the length of said connector is selected such that the base unit does not contact a bottom of said pool.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 including a motor for causing rotation between said hemisphere and said base unit.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 19 wherein said base unit is substantially cylindrically shaped.

21. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said connector is a cable.

22. An apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said lights are powered by a rechargeable low voltage battery.