Abstract: A snap-fit connection assembly for use in a pool filtration system. The connection assembly includes a first connection receptacle, a second connection receptacle for insertion into the first connection receptacle, one or mores fingers extending circumferentially from the second connection receptacle, and one or more openings in the first connection receptacle for engaging the finger(s).

Abstract: An anchor assembly for supporting a post and a base plate for the assembly. The assembly includes a tubular anchor body with an arcuate interior area. The anchor body is configured to receive a post having an arcuate exterior profile and a hollow lower end. The base plate is for connection with the anchor body. The base plate has an arcuate portion shaped congruently to the anchor body. The base plate has an arcuate conical portion that has a cross-sectional area that is complementary to the hollow lower end of the post and that has a greatest radial dimension at a base of the conical portion. The greatest radial dimension is greater than a complementary dimension of an interior surface of the post to cause the interior surface to slide over the conical portion and the conical portion to frictionally engage the post to prevent lateral movement of the post.

Abstract: The lighting fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A color-changing electric light assembly is provided in the interior cavity. The light assembly emits a plurality of different colors of light through the transparent cover and cycles through the plurality of different colors of light to sequentially emit each of the plurality of different colors of light. A synchronization circuit responds to a timed interruption in the power for synchronizing the color-changing electric light assembly with a color-changing electric light assembly of another underwater lighting fixture connected to the same power.

Abstract: A non-slip platform for location adjacent to a body of water providing a person with traction despite the presence of water on the platform, wherein the platform includes an upper portion; a fluid-draining topography at the upper portion that channels the water to minimize water contact with the person on the platform; and a non-slip surface coating on the fluid-draining topography for traction, said non-slip surface coating including an abrasive layer. The present invention is also directed to a method of making the non-slip platform for location adjacent to a body of water, the method including the steps of forming a fluid-draining topography at the upper portion of the non-slip platform, preparing the fluid-draining topography to support an abrasive layer, depositing the abrasive layer on the prepared fluid-draining topography, and providing a topcoat to the fluid-draining topography.

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a wall of a swimming pool. The lighting fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A color changing electric light assembly is provided in the interior cavity. The light assembly emits a plurality of different colors of light through the transparent cover and cycles through the plurality of different colors of light to sequentially emit each of the plurality of different colors of light. An electrical conductor extends through the housing into the interior cavity for delivering power to the color changing electric light assembly. A synchronization circuit responds to a timed interruption in the power for synchronizing the color changing electric light assembly with a color changing electric light assembly of another underwater lighting fixture connected to the same power.

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a wall of a swimming pool. The fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A plate is mounted within the housing defines an opening. The plate has a first side facing the transparent cover and a second side opposite the first side. An electric light source includes a reflector positioned at the opening on the second side of the plate so that the reflector is directed toward the transparent cover. A color wheel within the housing is mounted for rotation and has filter segments. A driver mechanism within the housing rotates the color wheel, sequentially positioning successive filter segments to the opening of the plate. An electrical conductor extends through the housing into the interior cavity for delivering power to the electric light source and the driver mechanism.

Abstract: A through-flange for attaching a pipe to the curved sidewall of a vessel. A flange portion of the through-flange is contoured to match the curvature of the sidewall and thus can be glued directly to the sidewall. A retaining ring also being contoured to match the sidewall is inserted over a tubular portion of the through-flange.

Abstract: A circuit used to control the brightness of a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an array, such that the color and brightness of the light produced by the array may be varied. The circuit is optimized to operate at high efficiency, permitting its use in confined spaces with poor cooling. The circuit permits a variety of configurations of LEDs to be controlled and driven from a range of line voltages. The circuit is further optimized to use few components to achieve its function.

Abstract: A variable speed pumping system and an associated method for moving water of an aquatic application. The variable speed pumping system includes a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water. A variable speed motor is operatively connected to drive the pump. A sensor senses a parameter of the operation performed upon the water. A controller controls speed of the motor in response to the sensed parameter of operation.

Abstract: A snap-fit connection assembly for use in a pool filtration system. The connection assembly includes a first connection receptacle, a second connection receptacle for insertion into the first connection receptacle, one or mores fingers extending circumferentially from the second connection receptacle, and one or more openings in the first connection receptacle for engaging the finger(s).

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a wall of a swimming pool. The lighting fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A color-changing electric light assembly is provided in the interior cavity. The light assembly emits a plurality of different colors of light through the transparent cover and cycles through the plurality of different colors of light to sequentially emit each of the plurality of different colors of light. An electrical conductor extends through the housing into the interior cavity for delivering power to the color-changing electric light assembly. A synchronization circuit responds to a timed interruption in the power for synchronizing the color-changing electric light assembly with a color-changing electric light assembly of another underwater lighting fixture connected to the same power.

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a wall of a swimming pool. The lighting fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A color changing electric light assembly is provided in the interior cavity. The light assembly emits a plurality of different colors of light through the transparent cover and cycles through the plurality of different colors of light to sequentially emit each of the plurality of different colors of light. An electrical conductor extends through the housing into the interior cavity for delivering power to the color changing electric light assembly. A synchronization circuit responds to a timed interruption in the power for synchronizing the color changing electric light assembly with a color changing electric light assembly of another underwater lighting fixture connected to the same power.

Abstract: A circuit used to control the brightness of a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in an array, such that the color and brightness of the light produced by the array may be varied. The circuit is optimized to operate at high efficiency, permitting its use in confined spaces with poor cooling. The circuit permits a variety of configurations of LEDs to be controlled and driven from a range of line voltages. The circuit is further optimized to use few components to achieve its function.

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a lamp receiving recess in the wall of a swimming pool. The fixture includes a lamp housing having a pair of reflector-mounted incandescent lamps mounted therein. A plate having a pair of a apertures is mounted in the housing with the apertures mounted in alignment with the lamps. A pair of secondary reflectors are mounted to face the plate apertures and are provided with light-transmitting portals. A color wheel having dichroic filter segments is mounted so that identically colored pairs of segments pass the portals when the color wheel is driven by a motor. The motor is controlled by a circuit by disconnecting power to an input of the circuit, reconnecting power to the input to control the motor to move at a first speed. The control circuit stops the motor when the driven element reaches an index position.

Abstract: An underwater lighting fixture adapted for installation in a wall of a swimming pool. The fixture includes a housing having an interior cavity and a transparent cover. A plate is mounted within the housing defines an opening. The plate has a first side facing the transparent cover and a second side opposite the first side. An electric light source includes a reflector positioned at the opening on the second side of the plate so that the reflector is directed toward the transparent cover. A color wheel within the housing is mounted for rotation and has filter segments. A driver mechanism within the housing rotates the color wheel, sequentially positioning successive filter segments to the opening of the plate. An electrical conductor extends through the housing into the interior cavity for delivering power to the electric light source and the driver mechanism.

Abstract: A pool cleaner debris bag includes a body having a debris collection cavity, an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the pool cleaner to receive debris from the pool ejected by the cleaner into the bag. The bag further includes a float positioned outside the debris collection region of the bag.

Abstract: A spa jet for delivering water from an upstream source of water under pressure to the interior of a spa, the spa jet having a housing with an inlet tube communicating with the source of water and a chamber wall defining a generally cup shaped chamber. A retaining ring is connected to and inside of the chamber wall. A form having an annular upstream portion is fixed against axial movement between the chamber wall the retaining ring. The form has a downstream portion extending from the annular portion in the form of a shaft aligned with the axis. The spa jet also has a rotor with a generally cylindrical body concentric with the axis, the body having a bearing surface extending around the shaft which supports the body for rotating. At least one nozzle passage extends through the rotor which collects water from the inlet tube and directs the water as a water jet into the spa at an angle sufficient to impart a turning moment to the rotor about the axis.

Abstract: A check valve is provided having a valve body and a sealing assembly within the valve body. The sealing assembly is biased, via a biasing force, in a seated position against a valve seat adjacent or surrounding an inlet port of the valve body. The sealing assembly includes an armature that has a proximal end and a distal end, and a sealing member that is pivotally attached to the distal end of the armature at a seal pivot joint. The proximal end of the armature is pivotally attached to the inner wall surface of the valve body at a wall pivot joint. Thus, the armature is a dual-hinged armature, providing at least two degrees of freedom, one translational and one rotational, for the sealing member to be properly seated against the valve seat. Effective sealing is thus achieved despite potentially imperfect alignment between the valve seat and the sealing assembly, and also despite a non-perfectly smooth valve seat.