US3801022A

US3801022A - Swimming pool light system

Info

Publication number: US3801022A
Application number: US00326466A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Cassey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-01-24
Filing date: 1973-01-24
Publication date: 1974-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-02

Abstract

A swimming pool light system including base means adapted to be positioned adjacent the edge of a swimming pool, along either a deck or coping for support thereby and having a light head, supporting an electric light socket and bulb, on the lower end of a tube positionable within the water of the pool adjacent a sidewall surface thereof to illuminate the pool below the water level. Anchored clamp type base means are included and the system is operated preferably by voltage substantially reduced from conventional household voltage or by household voltage current, if protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. A rechargeable battery also may be used as a safe low voltage power supply.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Cassey Apr. 2, 1974 SWIMMING POOL LIGHT SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Harold C. Cassey, 136 Main St.,

Salunga, Pa. 17538 [22] Filed: Jan. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 326,466

Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. Hercus Just [57] ABSTRACT A swimming pool light system including base means adapted to be positioned adjacent the edge of a swimming pool, along either a deck or coping for support thereby and having a light head, supporting an electric light socket and bulb, on the lower end of a tube positionable within the water of the pool adjacent a sidewall surface thereof to illuminate the pool below the water level. Anchored clamp type base means are included and the system is operated preferably by voltage substantially reduced from conventional household voltage or by household voltage current, if protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter. A rechargeable battery also may be used as a safe low voltage power supply.

11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures "ATENTED APR 2 i974 SHEET 1 [IF 2 MENIEDIWR 21914 1,022

sum 2 n: 2

FIG. 8

SWIMMING POOL LIGHT SYSTEM CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION For many years, certain types of swimming pools such as those installed in athletic clubs, country clubs and the like, especially those having tiled sidewalls, have been provided with water-tight arrangements of lights in the sidewalls and/or bottom of such pools, below the water levels therein, in order to illuminate the pools at night. This is desired in order to extend the hours within which pools of such type may be utilized, notwithstanding the use of additional lights at levels above the pool, for nighttime use of the pool. Such illumination of the interior of the pools renders swimming, diving, and other uses of the pool more pleasant under nighttime conditions than if the interior of the pool is not so illuminated. I

Construction of the types of pools referred to above is relatively expensive, particularly in comparison with many types of popular pools installed at present in the yards adjacent individual homes, including pools which are not only of the type installed in the ground but also those which are above ground. Many such pools simply comprise sidewalls formed from various types of sheet material, the pool-side surfaces of which are covered by waterproof plastic sheeting such as vinyl sheet material which, in addition, also usually is extended across the bottom surface of the pool. Such bottom surfaces principally are formed by compacted sand, especially in regard to the construction of so-called in-the-ground pools. The installation of lights below the water level of such pools has been undertaken heretofore but, in general, various problems are encountered such as maintaining the side of the pool waterproof at the area in which the light is installed. Leakage is not infrequently encountered under such circumstances so that, in general, providing pools of such type with illumination below the water level has not been entirely successful or popular. Maintenance also is difficult.

In the several attempts which have been made to provide pools with illuminating lights below the water level, supporting means have been resorted to which, in the example shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,489, in the name of Smith, issued May 21, 1963, utilize a swimming pool ladder which extends into the pool. In this particular construction, the sidewall of the pool appears to be of a substantial type, such as one formed from masonry, and therefore apparently being of expensive nature. Said light uses one of the side rails of the ladder as a conductor for current to the light and the light is of a waterproof nature. This type of mounting for a light restricts the position thereof and therefore provides only limited usefulness, and bulb exchange is difficult.

A more recent U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,103, in the name of Bond, issued July 15, 1969, illustrates a waterproof enclosure adapted to be positioned below the water level of a swimming pool for purposes of containing a pair of sealed-beam type electrical lights such as those used in headlights of automobiles, and a conventional conduit pipe extends upward therefrom and is secured fixedly to a handrail adjacent one side of the pool. The handrail is supported by vertical posts which appear to be of a permanent nature and the structure is largely concerned with rendering the light grounded electrically in the event either the housing or the light bulbs are fractured in any way. Such light is permanently installed at a fixed location and the support for the light bulb is of a fixed nature and incapable of being mounted in a portable manner.

There is a substantial demand at present for a relatively inexpensive and'easily installed type of light for swimming pools which can be installed when the pool is constructed or, if desired, at a later date, which includes electric light bulb assemblies positioned within the pool below the water level thereof, for use in either above-the-ground or in-the-ground types. It is the principal purpose of the present invention to fulfill such a demand by proposing several embodiments of light systems readily capable of fulfilling all reasonable expectations of such type of lighting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool light which includes a minimum number of elements and, primarily, a base means which can be permanently attached to the deck or apron anywhere along a pool edge but, in particular, under the diving board, said base means supporting preferably a substantially L-shaped tube having a horizontal leg clamped by said base member and a longer, substantially vertical let extending into the pool and having a light head with an electric light socket and bulb positioned therein, said bulb being furnished current, preferably of a voltage substantially reduced below normal household voltage, which is carried by insulated wire or conduit extending within the tube, beyond the base means and interconnected to a source of such current, such as reduced by a transformer. Regular house current having a ground fault circuit interrupter protection unit can also be used. Further, battery power may be utilized.

It is another object of the invention to provide the base means with a seat which receives the normally horizontal leg of said L-shaped tube and a readily removable clamping head detachably engaging said leg of said tube when disposed in said seat to secure the other leg of the tube and the light thereon in desired location relative to the side of a pool, below the water level therein. The tube can also be keyed to said support to prevent movement or rotation thereof relative to said seat.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an optional bracket at the under-water light head, to lend stability to and further support said light head, if so desired. One part of this bracket is adapted to be permanently anchored to the pool sidewall at light head level, with folding wing type anchor screws, well nuts, or similar means inserted into relatively small holes made through the vinyl liner and supporting pool side. Adequate rubber gaskets or similar sealing means attached to the bracket or a part of the fastener contacting surface will prevent leakage. lt is further proposed that the light head have a mating attached tongue which is slidable vertically to engage said permanently anchored sidewall bracket.

It is still a further object of the invention to include a voltage transformer in the circuit for the light, preferably remotely located from the pool edge, said trans former being connected to a conventional source of household current and adapted to convert the same to a voltage substantially less than that of the household current, such as of the order of 12 volts or the like, and supply such reduced voltage type of current to said light.

It is still a further object of the invention to use battery power, preferably of the more or less 12 volt range. A rechargeable and portable type battery is preferred for such use. The battery preferably is to be located in an out-of-the-way location, such as under a diving board or similar protected region.

One further object of the invention is to provide a quick detachable plug and socket means perferably adjacent the terminal end of the tube which is supported by the base means, whereby if the tube and light assembly is removed for bulb replacement or maintenance, a quick and convenient disconnect thereby is provided.

One of the most substantial objects of the invention is to provide a light for a swimming pool which is readily removable from the pool, especially to change a bulb, without draining the pool or providing elaborate means to otherwise effect such changing of the bulb without pool drainage. Removal of the lights readily for winter storage also is an added benefit and initial installation is simple.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of installing an underwater lighting system which is practical, easy to install and is economical for existing in-ground installations not presently having underwater lighting.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation of one embodiment of swimming pool light system embodying the principles of the present invention and illustrated in supported relationship with respect to a fragmentarily illustrated portion of a deck adjacent the side of a swimming pool.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the light system shown in FlG.l and illustrating the vertical portion of the tube in foreshortened manner.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the light shell of the system in FIGS. 1 and 2 and being broken away to illustrate details of the mounting for the light bulb within said shell. Also typical tongue mounting is illustrated.

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary side elevation of an alternate light head with shielding and adjustable gimbal support.

FIG. 4 is an exploded front elevation of the base means per se of the system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is asomewhat diagrammatic illustration of an alternate safe position for the voltage transformer or battery from the position illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a vertically foreshortened front elevation of another embodiment of swimming pool light system ing the base means thereof fixedly connected to the deck of a swimming pool and also showing rechargeable batteries therein.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the base means as being of the type which is provided with adequate weight-producing means, such as sand or batteries therein, adequate to enable the base means to be supported by gravity upon a suitable supporting surface such as a deck or coping of a pool.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the base means shown in preceding FIGS. 6-9, but illustrated on a larger scale than employed in said preceding figures, and showing details of the interior of the base means with compartments adapted to contain suitab;e ballast, such as sand or rechargeable batteries.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of lighting system is illustrated in side elevation relative to a fragmentarily illustrated portion 10 of .a deck of a swimming pool. The deck 10 also is intended to be illustrative of any suitable mounting surface adjacent the side of a pool, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the deck 10 also has a coping 12 connected thereto. In connection with the present invention, it is conceivable that the coping can have an upper surface extending away from the body 14 of the pool, which is confined by the sidewall and vinyl liner 16, a suitable distance to provide a support for the base means 18 of one embodiment of light system employing the principles of the present invention. Said base means comprise a base member 20 which may be formed from any suitable material, such as by molding, pressing sheet material between a pair of appropriate dies, or casting within a form of appropriate size and configuration. By way of specific example, the base member may be cast from metal, preferably non-corroding type such as bronze, aluminum, or stainless steel. Alternatively, the base member 20 may be die-cast from suitable metal, such as so-called white" metal, which essentially comprises zinc, or otherwise. If the base is a type, as describer hereinafter, to be attached to the deck or coping of the pool, it may be formed as a suitable shell, by stamping or casting, from appropriate metal or plastics.

In its preferred embodiment, the base member 20 is provided with a lower surface 22 which is adapted to conform and be affixed to the upper surface 24 of the deck 10 or coping 12, if the coping is of suitable width to accommodate base member 20. From FIG 2, it will be seen that the base member 20 may be provided with a central passage 26, if desired, or, as shown in FIG. 4, which is an alternate embodiment from that shown in FIG. 2, the base member 20 may be hollow, particularly if it is desired that the base member shall be used to contain rechargeable batteries or a transformer. Under such circumstances, as shown in FIG. 4, the base member 20 will be formed of appropriate material to provide suitable strength and size to adequately contain said batteries and also have sufficient strength to support the tube 28 and the light shield 30 on the lower end thereof in desired relationship with respect to the water 14 normally confined within the sidewalls of the pool.

As best seen from FIG. 1, the tube 28 preferably is substantially L-shaped, whereby a normally upper, horizontal Shorter leg 32 is supported within a seat 34 which is formed within the upper surface of the base member 20 and is clamped therein by means of a clamping head 36 which preferably has a complementary concavity 38 therein to receive the horizontal portion 32 of tube 28 to secure the same operatively to the base means 18. Appropriate wing screws 40 are threaded into suitable tapped holes 42 formed in the base member 20. Suitable openings in opposite sides of the clamping head 36 receive the screws 40 which secure the clamping head 36 in operative position with respect to the base member 20 by fixedly positioning the horizontal leg 32 of the tube 28 in operative position with respect to the deck and sidewall 16 of the pool 14. By removing wing screws 40, the light tube 28 may be removed and leave only base member 20, without any dangerous projections. An optional key 35 may also be included to resist rotation, as shown in FIG. 4.

In the preferred position of the tube 28 with respect to the base means 18, the curved portion of tube 28 which connects the horizontal portion 32 with the substantially vertical portion 44 thereof either engages or substantially engages the coping 12, for example, of the deck 10, so as to somewhat stabilize the position of the tube 28 with respect to the pool sidewall. It will be understood that the vertical leg 44 of tube 28 extends downwardly into the body of the water of the pool a sufficient distance to illuminate the body of the water, particularly when the pool is used in nighttime conditions. The lower end of the vertical leg 44 of tube 28 supports the light shield 30, within which an electric light 46 and an electric socket 48 are mounted. As seen from FIG. 3, the electric light bulb 46 is, for example, of the sealed-beam type, similar to those employed in automobile headlights. Such illustration is not to be regarded as restrictive, however. The contacts of the bulb 46 are received within the socket 48 which is connected to appropriate wires of an electric conduit 50 which extends upwardly through the tube 28 and, at the terminal end of the horizontal leg 32 thereof, are connected to an appropriate electric plug to which, for example, an electric socket 52, of readily detachable type, is connected. Socket 52 is connected to one end of a short conduit 54, the other end of which is connected to a suitable outlet plug connected in circuit with a voltage transformer unit or battery 56. This is a convenience and safety feature, as when changing the bulb or removing the light for winter storage.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the voltage transformer unit 56 is adapted to be connected by a conduit 58, for example, to a suitable source of conventional household current, for example, of 110 volts. If the unit 56 is a battery, it may be connected to a suitable charger, not shown. The transformer unit 56 is adapted, for example, to reduce conventional household voltage to a relatively safe range of approximately 12 volts, for example. However, such reduction in voltage is not to be considered restrictive but only illustrative. Alternatively, household voltage, such as I 10 volts, may be used ifa ground fault circuit interrupter (G.F.C.I.) is included in the circuit for human safety purposes. Under conditions where the transformer unit 56 is used, although illustrated in FIG. 1 as being mounted directly within the deck 10, it is preferred for safety purposes that such unit should be located at a remote location for as, or example, within a residence or a garage where the source of the household electric current is located and from which current is supplied to the lighting system for the pool by a conduit leading to one or more electric outlets, of the outdoor type, adjacent or within the pool deck. I

It also will be seen from FIG. 3 that the shell 30, which may be formed from any suitable material such as non-corrodible metal, synthetic resin, or otherwise, is connected by a coupling 60 to the terminal end of the vertical leg 44 of the tube 28. Such coupling is of the type which will permit a limited rotation of the shell 30 about the axis of the leg 44 of the tube 28 and thereby permit appropriate orientation at installation. To provide further adjustment of the rays from the electric bulb 46, a gimbal means can be used, as shown in FIG. 3A, in which said bulb fixed mounted preferably within a suitable bracket 62 which, for example, may be in the form of a rim encircling the perimeter of the bulb 46. Said rim is connected at diametrically opposite points by means of pivot screws 64, to opposite sides of the shell Therefore, which is provided with a forward opening 66 through which the rays of the electric bulb 46 are sidewall Tl-Ierefore, it will be seen that the position of the electric bulb 46 is adapted to be adjusted about both a vertical, as well as a horizontal axis and thereby provide substantially universal adjustability of the light bulb 46 so that the rays from the light bulb may be directed to any desired location within the body of the water in the pool 14. An alternate adjusted position of the light bulb 46 is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 3A.

In the foregoing description, it has been indicated, as an alternative, that the base member 20 may be of a portable nature which has sufficient weight that the base member alone will position the light structure in any desired position with respect to the body of the pool. However, it is preferred that the base means 18, including base member 20, be mounted fixedly with respect to the pool, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For this purpose, base member 20 is provided with suitable anchoring means such as laterally extending bosses 68 having openings therein through which suitable lag screws 70 may be extended for threading engagement with appropriate sockets 72 mounted or otherwise formed within the deck 10, for example. If desired, suction cups, not shown, may also be used as an alternate securing means.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, a different embodiment of swimming pool light system is illustrated but the same employing similar basic principles to the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-5. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-l0, the base means 74 essentially comprises a shell 76 and a cover 78. The shell and the cover may be formed from any suitable material such as by being stamped from metal, molded from synthetic resin, or otherwise. The principal purpose of the shell 76 is to contain weight-supplying material 80 as shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 9. Such material 80 may be in the nature of sand, lead shot, or other appropriate material, including gravel or otherwise, or it may be a rechargeable battery 81, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The purpose of the base means 74, in its preferred embodiment, is to provide a storage box means to support the light-supporting tube 82 which, as in regard to the tube 28 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, has a horizontal leg 84 and a substantially vertical leg 85 which, on its terminal lower end, supports a light shield 88.

It will be understood that the leg 86 of the tube 82 will be sufficiently long invention shown permit the disposal of the light shield 88 and the bulb therein, not shown, below the water level of the pool, as in regard to the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIGS. 1-5. Also, the shell 76 of base means 74 is adapted to rest upon surfaces of the deck 10, or upon the upper surface of the coping 90 thereof, if the latter extends horizontally a sufficient distance to permit such support. If desired, the lower surface of the shell 76 may be provided with rubber or plastic buttons 92 which directly engage the upper surface of the coping 10. If desired, however, in lieu of the buttons 92, the same may be suction cups. Further, it is to be understood that the base means 74 may be disposed at any suitable location upon the deck 10, for example, so as to dispose the curved portion of the tube 82, for example, in engagement with the coping 90, if desired, or otherwise.

It also will be understood that the light shield 88 may be of a fied type, which contains a socket and an electric bulb therein, not shown, or said light may be of the type comprising bulb 46 and the supporting means shown in shell 30 of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, if desired. Further, the surface of the light shield 88, if desired, may be provided with an abutment 94 which is adapted to engage the idewall 96 of the pool, if desired. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the shell 30 also may be provided with an abutment 31, for a purpose similar to the abutment 94 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10.

In order to secure the tube 82 and especially the horizontal leg 84 thereof firmly with respect to the shell 76, for example, said shell may be provided with a pair of transversely extending ribs 98 which are provided with seats 100, see FIG. 10, which have complementary clamps 102 adapted to overlie the seats 100 for the purposes of securing the horizontal leg 84 of tube 82 in the operative position desired with respect to the shell 76. Appropriate screws or bolts 104 affix the clamps 102 to the ribs 98.

The cover 78 may be of an appropriate esthetic design, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, and the rim 106 thereof, for example, is adapted to overlie the upper portion of the sidewalls of the shell 76, somewhat in telescoping manner. Also, adjacent sidewalls of the shell 76 and cover 78 are provided with

complementary notches

108, 110, as shown in FIG. 10, through which the horizontal leg 84 of tube 82 extends.

Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the electric conduit, not shown, which extends through the tube 82, terminates in an electric plug, not shown, mounted in one side of shell 76 with which, as shown in FIG. 7, an electric socket 112 connects. Said socket is connected to an electric conduit 114, for example, having an end engageable with an outlet socket of a voltage transformer unit 116, for example, which may be mounted in the deck 10, or positioned otherwise, such as described above with respect to the voltage transformer unit 56 shown in FIG. 5. By such means, in the event the base means 74 should be accidentally kicked or otherwise dislocated from its normal position upon the deck 10, for example, no damage will be sustained by the connecting conduit 114 inasmuch as the socket 112 and the plug frictionally and slidably engaged therein easily may be disconnected as a result of such movement of the base means 74.

Referring to FIG. 8, it will also be seen that if desired, the shell 76 may be permanently located with respect to a deck 10, for example, or otherwiseadjacent the side of a pool. Such permanent connection may be ac complished by means of appropriate lag screws 118, for

example, which may be threaded into appropriate plugs mounted or otherwise formed within the deck 10, for example. Although tube 84 is shown terminating within shell 76, it is to be understood that it may extend beyond the shell and terminate with an electric plug which may be engaged by socket 1 12-, such as shown in FIG. 7.

In conjunction with or as an alternate light securing means, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a socket bracket 122 which is permanently attached to the sidewall 16 of a swimming pool by means of a bolt 124 which is connected to bracket 122 and extends through a leak-preventing, yieldable gasket or washer 126 and also through a small hole in the sidewall 16. Suitable commercial folding wing-type anchor screws or well nuts 128 are extended through the hole in the sidewall and then the bolt 124 is rotated to draw the anchor screw or well nut tightly against the outside surface of the sidewall. The light shield 30 is provided with a prong 130 which is slidably received in the socket of bracket 122 in a manner to effectively attach the light shield against accidental dislodgement from the sidewall 30.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a plurality of embodiments of swimming pool light systems which may be manufactured and installed at far less expense than the types of underwater lights now employed in masonry and other type pools of a relatively expensive nature. In effect, it is only necessary to drop the lights over the side of the pool, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, connect the electric conduit leads to suitable sockets provided either in underground wiring or other similar means provided adjacent the sides of a pool. If the socket bracket 122 and prong 130 type of connection is used, the same are easily coengaged, incident to mounting end 32 of tube 28 in base 20.

If desired, the conduit between the voltage transformer or

battery units

56 and 116 and/or the source of conventional household current may be provided with a master control switch, not shown, which may be mounted within a residence, garage, or otherwise. Due to the fact that the portions of the lights which are disposed below the water level of the pool are only supplied by a battery or current of low voltage value, or include a ground fault circuit interrupter unit, if conventional household voltage is used, there is no reasonably possible source of danger to be sustained by human beings using the pool. This is due primarily to the fact that the resistance of water to the passage of electric current thereto is so much greater than the resistance offered by copper wires, for example, such as used in the conduits of both systems of the invention, that electric current will travel along the wire rather than through the water. Thus, due to this fact, as well as the low voltage, substantial safety is provided bathers using such an illuminated pool.

By way of further example, it is apparent from the foregoing description and the drawings comprising a part thereof that the light systems embodying the principles of the present invention readily may be mounted at suitable locations around the sidewalls of a pool,

and, for example, especially adjacent a diving board which may be associated with the pool. For example, one of the lights may be mounted adjacent the sidewall immediately beneath such diving board and thereby illuminate the area of the water into which a diver will project himself. Similarly, one of said lights may be positioned adjacent stairs or other appropriate means by which a bather either leaves or enters a pool.

As a further convenience and safety feature, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, may have a battery 81, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, mounted within shell 76 and enclosed by cover 78, and element 116 shown in FIG. 7 may be a battery charger connected to a source of charging current such as household voltage. Also, the charger 116 may have a suitable two-way switch 117 connected in the circuit of charger 116 by which, when the switch is in center position, for example, the lights are off; when the switch lever is moved to one side, the battery is connected to the lights to energize them; and when the switch lever is moved to the opposite side, the lights are off and the battery is connected to the charger and the charger is operating to charge the battery.

As an alternative to the foregoing arrangement of switch 117, a special receptacle, not shown, can be used by which, when the lights are off, the battery is being charged by the charger and when the lights are on, the battery is not being charged.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A light for a swimming pool comprising in combination, base means having a supporting surface adapted to directly engage and be supported by a horizontal deck surface at the sides of a swimming pool, means adapted to fixedly secure said base means to said deck surface, said base means having a horizontal elongated recess and clamping means substantially coextensive in length therewith and removably connected to said base means and overlying said recess when clamped thereto, a supporting tube having one end received within said recess of said base means and firmly clamped therein when said clamping means is connected to said base means, said supporting tube having a portion extending downwardly at an angle therefrom and positioned adjacent the sidewall of a pool when said light is clamped to said base means, said downwardly extending tube portion being of adequate length to extend below the level of water in such swimming pool, a light shield connected to the terminal end of said downwardly extending portion of said supporting tube, an electric light bulb and socket within said shield, and an electric conduit connected at one end to and extending from said socket and through said tube to a source of electric current provided adjacent the deck of such swimming pool.

2. The light according to claim 1 in which said base means includes a base member having a substantially rectangular bottom surface engageable with the horizontal deck of a pool and including means adjacent at least opposite sides to receive connecting screws or the like to be connected to said pool deck to provide firm stationary support to said supporting tube and light thereon when clamped to said base member, and said horizontal elongated recess being substantially parallel to'the bottom surface of said base member.

3. The light according to claim 2 in which said horizontal elongated recess is substantially as long as said base member in one direction to provide firm support of said supporting tube by said base member.

4. The light according to claim 1 in which said elongated recess and said one end of said tube have an interfitting key and keyway coengageable to prevent rotation of said one end of said tube within said recess.

5. The light according to claim 1 further including a quick-connectable and disconnectable socket and plug unit in said electric conduit adjacent the end of said one end of said tube, whereby said light can be disconnected readily from said source of current in the event of accidental dislodgement of said base means from the normal position thereof upon said deck of a swimming pool or for bulb replacement or storage.

6. The light according to claim 1 in which said tube is substantially L-shaped, one leg thereof being shorter than the other leg and securely clamped to said base means within said recess and the other leg in normal use extending downwardly into said pool adjacent one sidewall thereof.

7. The light according to claim 1 in which said light shield has abutment means on the surface thereof nearest the sidewall of a pool when installed therein, said abutment being adapted to engage said sidewall to stabilize said light shell. within the pool.

8. The light according to claim 1 further including a disconnectable socket and prong attaching means connectable to said light shield and sidewall of said pool to secure said light shield to said sidewall against accidental disconnection therefrom and permit disconnection of said light shield from said sidewall quickly.

9. The light according to claim 8 in which said quickly operable attaching and detaching means for said one end of said tube being operable when said tube is released therefrom to permit said tube and light containing shield thereon to be lifted upwardly simultaneously to disconnect said prong and socket attaching means for said shield and thereby remove said light assembly from the pool in which it is mounted.

10. The light according to claim 9 in which said prong is mounted on said light shield and extends substantially vertical in use, and said socket being provided in a member attachable to the sidewall of the pool and the axis of said socket extending substantially vertically.

11. A light for a swimming pool comprising in combination base means having a supporting surface adapted to directly engage and be supported by a horizontal deck surface at the sides of a swimming pool, means adapted to fixedly secure said base means to said deck surface, said base means comprising a shell adapted to contain a quantity of weight-supplying material adequate to provide desired weight for said base means to hold it by gravity upon the deck of a swimming pool and said shell having recess formations therein respectively adjacent opposite sides of said shell, clamping means overlying said recess formations and releasably connected thereto, a supporting tube having one end received within said recess means of said base means and firmly clamped therein when said clamping means is connected to said base means, said supporting tube having a portion extending downwardly at an angle therefrom and positioned adjacent the sidewall of a pool when said light is clamped to said base means, said downwardly extending tube portion being of adequate length to extend below the level of water in such swimming pool, a light shield connected to the terminal end deck of such swimming pool.

Claims

2. The light according to claim 1 in which said base means includes a base member having a substantially rectangular bottom surface engageable with the horizontal deck of a pool and incLuding means adjacent at least opposite sides to receive connecting screws or the like to be connected to said pool deck to provide firm stationary support to said supporting tube and light thereon when clamped to said base member, and said horizontal elongated recess being substantially parallel to the bottom surface of said base member.

7. The light according to claim 1 in which said light shield has abutment means on the surface thereof nearest the sidewall of a pool when installed therein, said abutment being adapted to engage said sidewall to stabilize said light shell within the pool.

11. A light for a swimming pool comprising in combination base means having a supporting surface adapted to directly engage and be supported by a horizontal deck surface at the sides of a swimming pool, means adapted to fixedly secure said base means to said deck surface, said base means comprising a shell adapted to contain a quantity of weight-supplying material adequate to provide desired weight for said base means to hold it by gravity upon the deck of a swimming pool and said shell having recess formations therein respectively adjacent opposite sides of said shell, clamping means overlying said recess formations and releasably connected thereto, a supporting tube having one end received within said recess means of said base means and firmly clamped therein when said clamping means is connected to said base means, said supporting tube having a portion extending downwardly at an angle therefrom and positioned adjacent the sidewall of a pool when said light is clamped to said base means, said downwardly extending tube portion being of adequate length to extend below the level of water in such swimming pool, a light shield connected to the terminal end of said downwardly extending portion of said supporting tube, an electric light bulb anD socket within said shield, and an electric conduit connected at one end to and extending from said socket and through said tube to a source of electric current provided adjacent the deck of such swimming pool.