Combinable and interchangeable water features
View Patent ↗Combinable and interchangeable water features used on a standard universal mounting system to create the desired color, style, jet, directional flow, filter, light, return fittings, or other water feature for a pool or spa. Some water features include removably attached and rotatable male receptor and female receiver connections to create a variety of water effects.
1. A pool or spa water feature for an in-ground pool or spa wherein air and water are pre-mixed in a conduit embedded in a lateral wall of the pool or spa so as to be within the ground and mounted parallel to the surface of the ground, the air-water mixture flowing in the conduit a proximal to distal direction into the pool or spa, comprising:
a universal mount comprising:
an annular opening formed on a proximal end of a mount body that extends into an annular opening channel and a cavity formed in the mount body, and wherein the cavity extends to an outlet formed on a distal end of the mount body, the annular opening being configured to receive the air-water mixture and to be in fluid communication with the conduit;
at least one internal locking tab extending into the cavity and configured to lock with at least one external locking tab extending from a water feature faceplate of a faceplate body; and
at least two flanges extending annularly along an outer wall of the mount body;
the water feature faceplate comprising:
a hollow annular-shaped body having an annular shaped opening defining a proximal end of the faceplate body and a faceplate cover containing at least one fluid aperture defining a distal end of the faceplate body, wherein a cavity is formed between the proximal and distal ends of the faceplate body;
and
a female receiver substantially concentrically aligned with the annular shaped opening, formed in the faceplate cover,
a spindle comprising:
a spindle body comprising a partially cylindrical conduit having a diameter less than that of the mount body and freely rotabable therein but not supported thereby, the spindle body having a proximal end defining an annular opening in communication with the spindle body conduit, wherein a main fluid channel extends through the spindle body conduit from the annular opening, the spindle body conduit being axially aligned with the in-ground conduit to receive the flow of air-water mixture;
an egress plane formed on the spindle body, wherein the egress plane contains at least one egress extending from the main fluid channel; and
a male receptor extending from the egress plane, wherein the male receptor is configured to rotatably connect with a press-fit removable connection within the female receiver of the water feature faceplate, and wherein the male receptor is positioned substantially concentric with the annular opening of the spindle body, wherein the spindle is configured to rotate with respect to the water feature faceplate about the rotatably connected male receptor and female receiver, and wherein the press-fit connection supports the spindle.
2. The water feature of claim 1 , wherein the main fluid channel branches into two sub-channels, and wherein each sub-channel extends into a separate egress contained on the egress plane.
3. The water feature of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the main fluid channel extending into the egress resides at an angle with respect to the egress plane.
4. The water feature of claim 1 , wherein the male receptor has a conically-shaped head.
5. The water feature of claim 4 , wherein a rounded apex is formed on the conically-shaped head.
6. The water feature of claim 1 , further including a flange extending from the distal end of the faceplate body.
7. The water feature of claim 6 , further including at least two slots extending through the flange.
8. The universal mount of claim 1 , further including an internal reservoir formed in the annular opening cavity.
9. The water feature of claim 1 , configured such that the air-water mixture entering the annular opening of the universal mount flows into the main channel of the spindle and exits through the egress plane causing the spindle to rotate about the male receptor female receiver connection, wherein a spa jet system is formed.
10. The water feature of claim 9 , wherein the spindle rotates about an axis formed concentrically with the annular opening of the spindle and the male receptor.
11. The water feature of claim 1 , wherein the spindle and water feature faceplate are configured to be removably connected about their respective male receptor and female receiver, and wherein the water feature faceplate and universal mount are removably connected about their respective external and internal locking tabs.
12. The water feature of claim 1 , further including a wall formed at least partially in the annular opening cavity of the universal mount, wherein the wall and an outer mounting wall formed in part around the main channel of the spindle are configured to function as a fluid bearing when fluid flows through the annular opening on the proximal end of the universal mount into the main channel of the spindle.