Ribbon flow waterfall for spas
A flat ribbon-shaped waterfall for a portable spa is caused to flow out of the top rim or top side of a spa. A narrow elongated spout forms the output end of a plenum chamber that has a water inlet. The plenum chamber is constructed to baffle surges in the inlet water flow. A light source is placed close to the mouth of the elongated spout to light the ribbon of water flowing from the spout in multi-color, if desired.
1. In combination with a spa having a container ( 20 ) for holding water with a top rim ( 15 ) the improvement being a waterfall structure comprising:
a plenum chamber ( 23 ) having walls ( 24 , 26 ), a water inlet ( 39 ) and a water outlet ( 30 ), the outlet being formed from the walls ( 24 , 26 ) of the plenum chamber;
a spout ( 13 ) formed from the walls ( 24 , 26 ) of the plenum chamber as a continuation of the water outlet ( 30 ), the spout ( 13 ) passing through the top rim and having a narrow and elongated mouth ( 14 ) and a top ( 17 ) and bottom ( 16 );
a mounting plate ( 25 ) bordering the top and the bottom of the spout where the spout passes through the top rim; and
a light source ( 43 ) attached through the mounting plate at the bottom ( 16 ) of the spout ( 13 ) to inject light directly into water falling out of the spout ( 13 ).
2. The waterfall of claim 1 wherein the plenum chamber has a baffle ( 27 ) to prevent pressure surges.
3. The waterfall of claim 1 wherein the water inlet ( 29 ) of the plenum chamber ( 23 ) is larger in cross-section than the water outlet ( 30 ).
4. The waterfall of claim 1 further comprising a bezel ( 21 ) attached to the mounting plate ( 25 ) and encompassing the spout and the light source.
5. The waterfall of claim 4 wherein the light source ( 43 ) is a flat fiber-optic array.
6. The waterfall of claim 5 wherein the flat fiber-optic array directs light in a direction parallel to water flow through the spout to intersect the water falling out of the spout.
7. The waterfall of claim 1 further comprising a bezel ( 21 ) shaped to fit over the spout after it is mounted.
8. The waterfall of claim 1 wherein the water inlet ( 29 ) is a separate structure from the plenum chamber ( 23 ) that fits into and is permanently fastened to the walls ( 24 , 26 ) of the plenum chamber ( 23 ).
9. The waterfall of claim 8 wherein the water inlet ( 29 ) has an inlet orifice ( 39 ) and water pipe connector ( 37 ).
10. The waterfall of claim 1 wherein the water inlet ( 29 ) has a baffle plate ( 27 ) mounted some distance from and over the inlet orifice ( 39 ), causing water flowing through the inlet orifice to strike the baffle plate and flow around it.
11. The waterfall of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is formed from the walls ( 24 , 26 ) of the plenum chamber.