Lighted panel system for hot tub, spa, or pool installation
First Claim
1. A lighted panel system for installation in a tub wall, comprising:
- a) a light diffusing panel including a front surface and a rear surface;
b) a light source including a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps mounted between said front and rear surfaces, said LED lamps oriented to direct light principally parallel to said rear surface to illuminate said panel; and
c) a mounting structure for coupling said light diffusing panel to the tub wall, said mounting structure including at least one conduit integrally formed with said light diffusing panel and extending rearwardly from said rear surface for coupling said light diffusing panel to the tub wall,wherein said light diffusing panel and said at least one conduit together define at least one channel, and said at least one channel extends between said front and rear surfaces of said light diffusing panel, andwherein said plurality of LED lamps are operably disposed inside said at least one channel between said front and rear surfaces.
18 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lighted panel system for a tub wall comprising 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. The light diffusing panel comprises a formed transparent or translucent sheet to which the light source is mounted. The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diode lamps mounted on a circuit board protected by a circular rubber boot that attaches to a rear surface of the light diffusing panel such that light rays are dispersed in a principally lateral direction, parallel to the wall of the tub. A plurality of the lighted panel systems are preferably installed side by side along the length of a tub wall at the water line, an arrangement that allows for continuous lighting coverage and creates a new ambient effect.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A lighted panel system for installation in a tub wall, comprising:
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a) a light diffusing panel including a front surface and a rear surface; b) a light source including a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps mounted between said front and rear surfaces, said LED lamps oriented to direct light principally parallel to said rear surface to illuminate said panel; and c) a mounting structure for coupling said light diffusing panel to the tub wall, said mounting structure including at least one conduit integrally formed with said light diffusing panel and extending rearwardly from said rear surface for coupling said light diffusing panel to the tub wall, wherein said light diffusing panel and said at least one conduit together define at least one channel, and said at least one channel extends between said front and rear surfaces of said light diffusing panel, and wherein said plurality of LED lamps are operably disposed inside said at least one channel between said front and rear surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lighted panel system for installation in a tub wall, comprising:
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a) a light diffusing panel including a front surface and a rear surface, said front surface having at least one groove defining a plurality of integrated tile portions along said front surface, and said rear surface having a recess running along an outer perimeter of said rear surface; b) a light source comprising two light emitting diode (LED) lamps oriented opposite each other, said light source located between said front and rear surfaces in alignment with one of said grooves such that each of said two LED lamps is directed to illuminate a tile portion on either side of a respective groove; and c) a mounting structure at which said light diffusing panel is adapted to be coupled to the tub wall, said mounting structure including at least one conduit integrally formed with said light diffusing panel and extending rearwardly from said rear surface for coupling said light diffusing panel to the tub wall, wherein said light diffusing panel and said at least one conduit together define at least one channel, said at least one channel extending between said front and rear surfaces of said light diffusing panel, and wherein said plurality of LED lamps are operably disposed inside said at least one channel between said front and rear surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A lighted panel system for installation in a tub wall, comprising:
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a) a rectangular light diffusing panel including a front surface and a rear surface; b) a light source including a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps mounted between said front and rear surfaces to illuminate said panel; c) a plurality of tubular conduits provided at said rear surface and extending rearwardly therefrom, said tubular conduits each including an external threaded portion; and d) a plurality of nuts that engage with the respective threaded portions of said tubular conduits to clamp said panel relative to said nuts about the tub wall, wherein said plurality of LED lamps are operably disposed between said front and rear surfaces inside channels defined by said plurality of tubular conduits and said panel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A tub, comprising:
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a) a tub having a tub wall which holds water; b) a skimmer along said tub wall at water level to skim from a surface of the water; c) a plurality of lighted panel systems coupled to said tub wall in horizontal alignment with said skimmer, each said lighted panel system comprising a light diffusing panel with a front surface and a rear surface, and a light source having a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps mounted between said front and rear surfaces, said LED lamps oriented to direct light principally parallel to said rear surface; and d) mounting structure for coupling said plurality of lighted panel systems to the tub wall, said mounting structure defining at least one channel, wherein said plurality of LED lamps are operably disposed inside said at least one channel between said front and rear surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification