U.S. patent application number 11/002477 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for lighted elastomeric gasket.
Invention is credited to Timothy P. Pflueger, Angelo Vito JR. Pugliese, Victor Lee Walker, Garth T.W. Weber.
Application Number | 20060112482 11/002477 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36565941 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060112482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Victor Lee ; et
al. |
June 1, 2006 |
Lighted elastomeric gasket
Abstract
A gasket for a spa shell includes a body formed of an at least
partially translucent material. The gasket includes 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. In one
embodiment, the gasket includes an indentation configured to
receive light from a light source for transmission through the
body. The gasket may be formed with an elastomer.
Inventors: |
Walker; Victor Lee;
(Murrieta, CA) ; Weber; Garth T.W.; (Fallbrook,
CA) ; Pugliese; Angelo Vito JR.; (Vista, CA) ;
Pflueger; Timothy P.; (Escondido, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON, PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
36565941 |
Appl. No.: |
11/002477 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/60 20130101;
A61H 2033/0083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/10 20060101
A47K003/10 |
Claims
1. A gasket for a spa shell, the gasket comprising: 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.
2. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a
recessed middle ring disposed between the top ring and bottom
ring.
3. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least
one indentation for receiving light from a light source.
4. A gasket in accordance with claim 3, wherein the indentation is
formed in the bottom ring.
5. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body is a
planarized disk.
6. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, wherein a diameter of the
bottom ring is less than a diameter of the top ring.
7. A gasket in accordance with claim 6, wherein a diameter of the
recessed middle ring is less than the diameter of the bottom
ring.
8. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least
partially translucent material includes an elastomer that is
selected from group consisting of: natural rubber, polyisoprene,
polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, silicone RTV, or
fluorosilicone.
9. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top ring,
recessed middle ring, and bottom ring form a uniform middle
aperture.
10. A gasket in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top ring,
recessed middle ring, and bottom ring form a notched middle
aperture.
11. A user control system for a spa, comprising: a user-operable
control interface configured for placement on a top surface of a
spa shell; a controller configured for extending below the spa
shell; and 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 being
configured for placement around the controller and between the
control interface and the top surface of the spa shell.
12. A system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a
light source for illuminating the gasket.
13. A system in accordance with claim 12, wherein the gasket
includes at least one indentation for receiving light from the
light source.
14. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the top ring is
configured for abutting the top surface of the shell, and wherein
the bottom ring is configured for abutting a bottom surface of the
spa shell.
15. A system in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a nut
configured to secure the bottom ring to the bottom surface of the
spa shell.
16. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein a diameter of the
top ring is greater than a diameter of the bottom ring.
17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the diameter of
the bottom ring is greater than a diameter of the recessed middle
ring.
18. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the recessed
middle ring has a height that substantially corresponds with a
thickness of the spa shell.
19. A spa, comprising: a spa shell; a user-operable control
provided on a top surface of the spa shell; and a gasket for
placement in a hole in the spa shell, the gasket including a body
formed of an at least partially translucent elastomer material and
having a top ring, a recessed middle ring, and a bottom ring,
wherein the top ring is configured to abut the top surface of the
spa shell in proximity to the user-operable control, and wherein
the bottom ring is configured to abut a bottom surface of the spa
shell.
20. A spa in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a light
source positioned to illuminate the at least partially translucent
material.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
SUMMARY
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other aspects will now be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a spa control including a
gasket formed of an at least partially translucent, elastomeric
material.
[0009] FIGS. 2A-E show various views of a gasket in accordance with
one embodiment.
[0010] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] 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.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one type of spa control
100, a valve assembly, including a gasket 106 formed of an at least
partially translucent, elastomeric material. The spa control 100
includes a control interface 102, such as a user-operable
cap/handle that is mountable on a controller 104 such as a valve
body. In the example, the cap/handle can be operated by a user for
positioning the valve body for controlling a spa feature such as a
pump, jet, light or fountain. Other interfaces 102 include data
readouts, buttons, touch-sensitive controls, etc. The controller
104 extends below a spa shell (not shown), and can include a flange
105 for abutting against a top surface of the spa shell.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-E show various views of a gasket in accordance with
one embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a top view of a gasket 200 and a top
ring 207 that forms an aperture 202. The top ring 207 is formed
with a ridge 208. The top ring 207 propagates light energy out
through its surfaces, and in particular the ridge 208 which is
adapted to be viewed by a user operating a spa control to which the
gasket 200 is connected. The ridge 208 is illuminated to contrast
at least slightly with the rest of the top ring 207 for
prominence.
[0017] FIG. 2B is a front view of the gasket 200 as a planarized
disk. The gasket 200 includes the top ring 207, a bottom ring 209,
and a recessed middle ring 211 therebetween. The top ring 207
preferably includes the ridge 208 formed at an angle between 10-80
degrees from the top surface of the top ring 207. The middle ring
211 has a depth that is adapted to correspond with a thickness of a
spa shell to which the gasket is to be attached. The bottom ring
209 is substantially planar, and preferably (though not
necessarily) has a diameter than is slightly less than the diameter
of the top ring 207 for ease of installation, and due to the
relative greater importance of the top ring 207 forming a
watertight seal against the spa shell to prevent water or other
matter from entering the spa shell from its top surface past the
middle ring 211.
[0018] FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the gasket 200 illustrating the
bottom ring 209 and its preferred relative size against the top
ring 207. The bottom ring 209 may include one or more indentations
204. The indentations 204 can be used to receive light from a light
source (not shown), such as an LED, or to receive the light source
itself. The light source can illuminate the entire gasket 200 which
propagates light energy out of the top ring 207 for being viewed by
a user of the spa. The indentations 204 can be a cavity, aperture
or notch (as shown) formed into the bottom ring 209. The bottom
ring 209 may also include one or more holes 206 for receiving an
anchoring and positioning mechanism, to anchor and/or position the
gasket 200 relative to another part of the spa.
[0019] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the gasket 200,
illustrating the uniform formation of the center aperture 202. The
holes 206 may also extend through the top ring 207, while
indentations 204 may be provided only to the bottom ring 209. The
gasket 200 is shown as substantially circular, but can be squared,
triangular, or any shape. Likewise, the gasket 200 is shown as
having a uniform center aperture 202, although such aperture 202
may be ridged or rifled. FIG. 2E shows a cross-sectional view of a
gasket 200, in a view of line A-A shown in FIG. 2C, i.e. top ring
207 down.
[0020] 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.
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