EP2761114B1 - Water basin with illuminated edge stones - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a pool of water, e.g. a swimming pool, consisting of a water-fillable tub and arranged on the edge of the tub, juxtaposed curbs and lighting, which extends in the region of the edge.

For water basins, such as e.g. Swimming pools in gardens, parks, public baths, cruise ships or other places require lighting at twilight and in the dark when e.g. a swimming pool should also be used at these times of the day. In addition, lighting is also a design means, e.g. in order to visually highlight the water basin in the darkness and to accentuate its silhouette by illuminating the edge area.

The state of the art describes the utility model DE 20 2010 003 733 a "wall edging strip" that must be walled into the side wall of a swimming pool. The strip contains a groove into which a strip-shaped light source, such as an LED strip can be inserted.

The disadvantage is that the masonry of the tub of the pool must be adapted by matching stones or a structure of numerous, very small stones or by chiselling or by milling a corresponding slot to the profile of the Wandabschlussleiste.

Another disadvantage is that the light source must either be resistant to the water itself and ozone or chlorine contained therein or other germ killing and cleaning agents or that in the opening of the groove of the Wandabschlussleiste a disc must be fitted permanently sealing. These adjustments require many manual labor hours that involve the risk of potentially fluctuating quality, especially tightness.

Against this background, the invention has taken on the task to develop for the illumination of the edge region of a swimming pool or other pool elements that can be integrated with little effort in adjustment work in the edge of a swimming pool and can be sealed quickly and easily. In an expansion stage, the electrical connection should be created essentially in the same operation.

The invention is a water basin according to claim
1. Document DE19642897 discloses a pool of water with
the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is based on the fact that a pool of water differs from a pool or a bathtub usually by curbs, which are arranged at the edge of the tub, which receives the water. These curbs are used for mechanical attachment of the shore of the pool. They prevent inadmissibly large amounts of water from entering the surrounding soil. At the same time they are a mechanical stabilization of this zone, which must often even be dimensioned so that people can be on this edge area and even jump from there into the water.

Since any lighting fixtures mounted in this area may either be subject to considerable mechanical stress or even to be resistant to the water and any germicide or cleaning agent contained therein, it is the basic idea of the invention to deprive the lighting fixtures of these influences in that they are arranged inside the curbs. There they are protected with reasonable effort both from the burdens of people staying or jumping there as well as from the influence of the water and its components.

In order for the light rays to emerge from the interior of the curbs, they must at least partially consist of transparent or translucent material. The light source must be arranged so that its light rays can escape through these areas. If e.g. a curb is equipped in a very simple design only with a single light source, which should shine upwards, so should be arranged in the current linguistic usage as an "underfloor light", it is sufficient if the curb a hollow body made of concrete or Ceramics is, in which a light source is used and covered at the top with a disc, this disc is sufficiently mechanically strong and sealed against water.

In another embodiment, the entire curb may consist of transparent or translucent material in the interior of which at least one light source is arranged. In this case, the only light source or at least one light source within the curb both upwards, as well as to the side, so approximately parallel to the water surface, shine.

In the design of the entire water basin, the curbs offer the possibility to illuminate the edge completely circulating. For this purpose, in a very splendid variant, each curb has at least one light source. This clearly highlights the outline of the pool from a distance. In the vicinity of the edge, safe use of the pool is possible even in the absence of daylight.
In more cost-effective embodiments, only every second or every third curb or another, regular sequence of curbs each have at least one light source.
Another design parameter of the invention is the direction of the light rays. You can illuminate the water surface from the narrow side of the curbs. But you can also emerge about the top. Then they act like a "underfloor light", for example; At a very narrow light exit angle, persons or posts located at the edge will light up decoratively from below.

In an interesting embodiment, the curbs collar beyond the edge of the tub, so are located in part above the water surface. In this shaping, light rays can also escape from the part of the outer surface of the curb facing the water surface and cast their light on the water surface. A variant embodiment is conceivable in which light beams emerge exclusively in this direction toward the water surface. In other variants, the light rays may also radiate to the water surface in addition to other light sources.

In a further embodiment variant, at least one curb may protrude beyond the edge of the trough, that is to say in part above the water surface. Then it is possible that in this part of the outer surface of the curb facing the water surface, a groove is inserted into which a light source is inserted, such as e.g. a LED strip. Of course, this LED strip must then be protected against splashing water or high sloshing water, e.g. in which it is embedded in a waterproof medium or by the groove is sealed watertight to the outside. In this variant, a very long light source, such as e.g. a light tube that extends over several curbs, be used.

In any case, however, a curb contains a light source. This light source can be introduced into the curb stone according to two different principles. In a first variant, the curb is a hollow body and all light sources are introduced into this cavity. In a fundamentally different variant, the curb is made of solid material that completely surrounds the light sources. If the curb is e.g. is poured from a liquid plastic, it is conceivable that the light sources are poured into this plastic block. Of course, they must be able to endure the melting temperature of this material with certainty.

Alternatively, the curb may for example consist of two halves, in each of which cavities are formed which are designed to be complementary to the light sources. To install the light source is inserted into one of the two complementary "beds" and then glued on the other half of the curb or otherwise firmly connected.

An always to be solved task is the electrical connection of each curb stone. In a very simple variant protrudes from each curb a "cable tail" out, which is electrically connected to a central energy source and possibly also a central control.

In a more sophisticated embodiment, however, the electrical connection of the curbs is miterstellt already during their laying. For this purpose, each curb on the respective first, pointing to an adjacent curb outer surface, an electrical plug have, which protrudes from this surface. At the second, facing the other adjacent curb outer surface, an electrical junction box must be formed, which is designed to be complementary to the aforementioned electrical connector and also produces an electrical contact by plugging the can with such a plug. Within each curb then each of the electrical connector and the electrical junction box and all the light sources in the curb are connected in parallel.

As a result, even when laying the curbs the electrical wiring - so to speak automatically - are created by each newly applied curb is plugged together with the still free junction box or with the still free electrical connector.

Of course, every electrical connection must be protected by a suitable seal against the ingress of moisture. This is possible for example by a flexible seal, which is compressed by the pushing together of two curbs. It is even a locking connection conceivable, with a noticeable snapping lets the installer know that now a proper sealing effect has been achieved.

In practice, there will be applications in which the light source (s) emit their light rays at a very narrow angle, e.g. in extreme cases, the light fingers of a laser, which is arranged inside a curb.

In many other applications, it may also be desired that the surface of the curbs is illuminated as evenly as possible. For this, e.g. Electroluminescent films are inserted in the transparent or translucent curbs. By applying an alternating voltage with a frequency between approximately 100 to 2000 hertz, these foils light up, whereby the light emission is distributed with almost perfect uniformity over the surface. It should be noted that the achievable light levels are relatively low, the price of the film is relatively high and for power supply with electrical energy always a separate power supply is required, which provides the required frequency with sufficient power.

Therefore, various types of incandescent lamps - e.g. with a filling of halogens to extend the life - suitable, as well as Leuchtdi or, also in the execution as OLED, which stands as an abbreviation for organic light emitting diode because of the layers of organic material.

All these light sources emit their light mostly in a more or less limited angle. To evenly distribute these rays of light on at least part of the outer surface of a curb, proposes an embodiment to connect to the light source in each case glass fibers or moldings made of Plexiglas, which evenly distributed by at least one reflection, the light rays of the light source at least on a part of the outer surface of a curb.

Such light guides are known in principle in numerous variations. They can be inserted as an additional assembly between the light source and the inner wall of a hollow curb. From there they rise up to the light source.

Another alternative to directing the light is a reflector, such as e.g. a metal foil that deflects some of the light rays by reflection. In particular, in the case of light bulbs and other light sources which radiate their light rays over a particularly large angle, they can be used e.g. Beams are used that would otherwise illuminate only the non-visible surfaces of a curb.

Alternatively or additionally, optical fibers in a smaller version than prisms or lenses can be molded onto the outer skin of a curb in order to ensure a uniform distribution of the light rays there.

In a further variant, the outer surface of at least one curb is coated with a lacquer containing metal elements with a shiny and reflective surface. These metal elements serve in a dual function once to increase the slip resistance and on the other hand, the generation of reflections, which are available in the aesthetic design as another parameter.

Another embodiment is the coating with phosphorescent material. It contains elemental, white phosphorus, which can glow after exposure to ultraviolet light, also called black light, for up to several hours.

When coated with fluorescent material, the selection of the fluorescent material allows a variety of different colors, which can be activated by irradiation with a common and the same ultraviolet light rays for all surfaces.

A curb can also be a hollow body made of glass, which has at least one opening through which the light sources can be inserted into the cavity. Glass has the advantage that its raw materials are available in very large quantities and can be processed at low cost. Archeology proves that the life of glass parts can extend over centuries. As glass blocks they are known and proven in buildings.

In order to insert light sources into the hollow glass body, it must have corresponding openings. It is recommended that the openings close well after insertion, so that the light sources located in the hollow body are optimally protected.

For this purpose, circular openings are proposed, which are provided with a thread. Dahinein complementary shaped cover can be screwed in and poured a sealant in the gap between the inner and outer threads or it presses an overhanging lid a round cord seal on the edge of the hollow body.

Through this cover through the electrical connection can be made. If the connection consists of two wires, it is advisable to wind them in opposite directions before screwing them into the thread, so that they are unraveled again after screwing in the cover and are therefore relatively far apart again.

In a series of curbs, it may be an optical design feature that the brightness and / or the color of the light sources are changeable individually or in groups from a central control. Or the entire lighting of the pool edge can be changed together in their brightness or their color or their coloring.

Alternatively, a "running light" can move around the edge of the pool, which consists of a series of abruptly switched on and off light sources. Alternatively, the "wandering" light pulses can also be generated by the stepped or even step-less dimming of the individual light sources, as long as the dimmer responds accordingly quickly.

An additional parameter is the respective color of the light sources. Thus, e.g. Multicolor light-emitting diodes are known which are formed by embedding light-emitting diodes with different colors in a single housing.

To control these or other light plays each light source or each group of light sources either by means of its own Connection cable are connected to the controller, or it can be assigned to each light source or each group of light sources, a receiving and control module. This block receives commands from the controller, which are either transmitted via a separate bus system. Alternatively, they can also be transmitted by pulses that are modulated on the supply voltage. Denkbär even sends these control commands wirelessly via electromagnetic waves from a central control. The advantage is that then no extra information connection must be created as physically existing line. In any case, the instructions communicated by the control to the respective module for the control of the light sources or the groups of light sources are implemented.

For water basins, in particular for swimming pools, it makes sense that at least at a part of the curbs in the surface of which a channel is formed at the edge of the water surface, which adjoins the gutter of at least one adjacent curb adjoins. These channels absorb excess water. The total channel formed from all channels in the individual curbs can be connected to a connecting pipe or to a connecting channel. In this way, e.g. the overflowing water is led into a collecting basin and is led from out of or directly to a filtration or purification plant.

In the case of water basins with a completely arbitrary outline, for example curved in multiple alternating directions, the row of curbs can only consist of mutually different specimens. In practice, however, the majority of use cases is expected to be limited to a modular system with a limited number of different types of curbs to use.

In the curbs of this kit, the profile in the direction of the edge is identical or at least can be combined with the adjacent curb. The length in the direction of the edge is different in each case, e.g. Curbs with full or half or quarter standard length and a very short correction piece.

The horizontal outline of the curbs can - for the formation of grades - be approximately rectangular. For polygonal curves of the edge, a trapezoidal outline can be used well. Arcs along the edge can be put together by circular ring segments.

Figur 1

Schnitt durch ein Wasserbecken mit erfindungsgemäßem, beleuchteten Randstein

In the following, further details and features of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an example. However, this is not intended to limit the invention, but only to explain. It shows in a schematic representation:

FIG. 1

Section through a water basin with inventive, illuminated curb

In FIG. 1 the section through a trough (2) is drawn, which is filled with water (1) and on the edge (21) a curb (3) is placed. The curb (3) is made of a translucent or transparent material, which in FIG. 1 it can be seen that the rear edge between the vertical side walls is also visible through the curved surface.

In FIG. 1 the curb (3) in one embodiment is shown as a hollow body, which is evident in the cut walls. On the lower side of the cavity a total of three light sources (4) can be seen. From these light sources (4), the middle and the left radiate upward and the right downward.
In FIG. 1 the light rays (41) of the left and the middle light source (4) radiate outwards through the upper cover surface of the curb stone (3). The light beams (41) of the right-hand light source (4) radiate downward through the overhanging part of the curb (3) to the water surface (11) underneath. In FIG. 1 is not shown, but easily understandable, that thereby the light rays (41) on the water surface (11) can break and reflect and thus is given a further parameter to the aesthetic design of the pool edge.
The left two light sources (4) are secured in this embodiment by a respective adjacent bead in the base of the pool edge stone.

As a further embodiment, a groove (5) is shown in the overhanging part of the pool edge stone (4). In this groove (5) can from below a - in FIG. 1 not drawn - light source (4) are inserted. From there it emits - as well as the right next to the groove (5) drawn light source (4) - down to the water surface (11).
In FIG. 1 the electrical connections of the light sources (4) are not shown. Likewise, the possible connector between adjacent curbs (3) with the possibility of an outstanding plug on the one parting surface of a curb (3) a complementary socket to connect to the adjacent end face of the next curb (3) not shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Water, fillable in tub 2

11

water surface

2

tub

21

Edge of the tub 2

3

Curb on the edge 21 of the tub 2

4

Light source, inside a curb 3

41

Light rays of the light source 4

Claims (13)

1. A water basin such as a swimming pool, consisting of

   - a tank (2) which can be filled with water(2), and

   - edge stones (3) arranged in a row one against the other at the edge (21) of the tank (2), and

   - illumination means which extend in the region of the edge (21),

   wherein

   - at least one of the edge stones (3) consists at least partially of a transparent or translucent material, and

   - inside it there is arranged at least one light source (4), the light rays (41) of which exit through the transparent or translucent areas of the edge stone (3),

   characterized in that
   at least one edge stone (3) is a hollow body, inside which the light sources (4) are arranged.
2. A water basin according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the at least one light source (4) is a light-emitting diode or an OLED.
3. A water basin according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that
   prisms or lenses which ensure a uniform distribution of the light rays (41) are formed into the exterior surface of at least one edge stone (3).
4. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   the edge stones (3) are configured and adapted to illuminate the water surface from the narrow side of the edge stones (3) and/or to shine upward.
5. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   the edge stone (3) is configured and adapted so that, when set in the ground, it protrudes at least partially beyond the edge (21) of a tank (2) of a water basin.
6. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   light rays (41) exit from the part of the exterior surface of the edge stone (3) pointing toward the water surface (11) of the tank (2) and throw their light on the water surface (11), wherein in particular the light rays (41) exit exclusively in the direction of the water surface (11) and/or radiate onto the water surface.
7. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   the edge stone (3)is configured and adapted so that, when set in the ground, it protrudes beyond the edge (21) of a tank (2) of a water basin and therefore is partially located above the water surface (11), and in this part of the surface of the edge stone (3) a groove is formed into which a light source (4), in particular an LED strip, is inserted.
8. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   the exterior surface of at least one edge stone (3) is coated with a paint containing metal elements which can have a shiny and reflecting surface.
9. A water basin according to any of the above claims, characterized in that
   the edge stones (3) are hollow bodies made of glass which have at least one opening through which the light sources (4) can be inserted into the hollow space.
10. A water basin according to Claim 9, characterized in that
    the openings are circular and are provided with a thread into which, in each case, a closing lid can be screwed, and wherein the electrical connection can be integrated into a lid.
11. A water basin according to any of the above claims, comprising an arrangement of
    edge stones (3) arranged one against the other for a swimming pool or water basin, wherein at least one of the edge stones (3) is an edge stone (3) according to any of the above claims, characterized in that the colour of the light sources (4) can be changed individually or in groups by means of a central control.
12. A water basin according to Claim 11, characterized in that

    - the edge stones (3) each have a projecting electrical plug on the first exterior surface facing towards an adjacent edge stone (3), and

    - an electrical socket is formed in each case on the second exterior surface facing towards the other adjacent edge stone (3),

    - which socket is designed to complement the electrical plugs, and

    - said sockets can be electrically connected to said plugs, and

    - within each edge stone (3)

    - the electrical plug and

    - the electrical socket and

    - the light sources (4)

    are electrically connected in parallel to one another, and

    - in at least one edge stone (3), a parallel connection can also be made to an electrical power source.
13. A water basin according to Claim 11 or Claim 12, characterized in that
    the row of edge stones (3) consists of a small number of different types, in each case identical to each other,

    - the profiles of which are, in each case, identical in the direction of the edge (21) or can at least be combined with the adjacent edge stone (3), and

    - the length of which differs in each case in the direction of the edge (21), and

    - the horizontal contour of which can be approximately rectangular in order to form straight lines or it is shaped as a trapezoid or as an annular segment in order to form curves.

Images