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  Water circulation apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060282943Title: Water circulation apparatus Abstract: A water circulation apparatus for a swimming pool or hot tub. The water circulation apparatus includes an eyeball connector and an extension hose. The eyeball connector includes a spherical eyeball and a first connector. The extension hose includes a second connector for coupling to the first connector. The eyeball connector fits within a water return line housing in the sidewall of the swimming pool or hot tub. Heated water returned to the pool through the water return line is routed through the eyeball connector into the extension house and is expelled in the pool through the free end of the extension hose. The extension hose may include a weighted free end to ensure that the heated return water is expelled at the bottom of the pool. The weighted free end may include a diffuser. (end of abstract)
Agent: Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, LLP - Charlotte, NC, US Inventor: Bill Vandecamp USPTO Applicaton #: 20060282943 - Class: 004507000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Pool Type, Construction Details, Including Water Inlet Or Outlet Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060282943. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a water circulation apparatus for use with a swimming pool water return line, which can be used to direct water flow, through a tube, toward the bottom of the swimming pool. BACKGROUND [0002] Swimming pools, hot tubs, and the like provide for water circulation by drawing water from the pool, heating the water, and pumping the heated water back into the pool through a return outlet. The water return outlet is typically mounted on the wall of the pool or tub. A typical water return outlet includes an eyeball assembly. The eyeball assembly provides for a limited range of rotational motion. This allows for the jet of returning water to be pointed in a selected direction. [0003] The eyeball assemblies are typically mounted near the surface of the water in the swimming pool or tub. When heated water is expelled through the eyeball assembly into the upper portion of the swimming pool, the heated water tends to remain at the surface and the more dense cold water remains at the bottom. This results in an undesirable temperature gradient from the bottom of the pool to the top. [0004] Heat is also more readily lost through evaporation at the surface into the surrounding air. Accordingly, the energy expended in heating the water that is returned to the pool may be quickly lost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention provides a water circulation apparatus for a swimming pool or hot tub. The water circulation apparatus includes an eyeball connector and an extension hose. The eyeball connector includes a spherical eyeball and a first connector. The extension hose includes a second connector for coupling to the first connector. The eyeball connector fits within a water return line housing in a wall of the swimming pool or hot tub. Heated water returned to the pool through the water return line is routed through the eyeball connector into the extension house and is expelled in the pool through the free end of the extension hose. The extension hose may include a weighted free end to ensure that the heated return water is expelled at the bottom of the pool. [0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a water circulation apparatus for use with a swimming pool water return line having a wall-mounted housing for receiving water from a pump and discharging the water into a pool. The water circulation apparatus includes an eyeball adapted to be retained within the housing and having an axial passage therethrough and a first connector attached to the eyeball. The apparatus further includes a hose having a free end and a fixed end and a second connector attached to the fixed end of the hose. The second connector is adapted to matingly engage the first connector to provide fluid communication from the axial passage through the hose. [0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit for retrofitting a swimming pool water return line to provide for an extended water circulation apparatus. The water return line has a wall-mounted housing for receiving water from a pump and for discharging the water into a pool. The kit includes an eyeball adapted to be retained within the housing and having an axial passage therethrough and a first connector attached to the eyeball. The first connector is adapted to matingly engage a second connector on a hose to provide fluid communication from the axial passage through the hose. [0008] Other aspects and features of the present application will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, an embodiment of the present invention, and in which: [0010] FIG. 1 shows, in diagrammatic form, a profile view of a swimming pool having an embodiment of an extended water circulation apparatus according to the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an eyeball assembly with an eyeball connector; [0012] FIG. 3 shows an exploded, perspective view of the eyeball assembly with eyeball connector; [0013] FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of an extended water circulation apparatus; [0014] FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of an extended water circulation apparatus; [0015] FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of an extended water circulation apparatus; and [0016] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a portion of an embodiment of the extended water circulation apparatus. [0017] The same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same or similar components DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows, in diagrammatic form, a profile view of a swimming pool 10. The swimming pool 10 includes sidewalls 12 and bottom surface 14. The swimming pool 10 contains water 16 having a top surface 18. [0019] The swimming pool 10 includes a first water return outlet 20 and a second water return outlet 22. The water return outlets 20 and 22 receive heated water (indicated generally as 24) from a pump (not shown) in a water circulation system. The heated water 24 is expelled into the swimming pool 10 through the water return outlets 20 and 22. The water return outlets 20 and 22 are mounted in the sidewalls 12 proximate the top surface 18 of the water 16. Continue reading... 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