Swimming pool lamp frame lock

2,906,863

Sept. 29, 1959

K. RITTER

SWIMMING POOL LAMP FRAME LOCK

Filed Oct, 28, 1957

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2,906,863

Patented Sept. 29, 1959

United States Patent Office

2,906,863

SWIMMING POOL LAMP FRAME LOCK

Kurt Ritter, Campbell, Calif.

Application October 28, 1957, Serial No. 692,595

Claims. (CI. 240—-26)

This invention relates to lens frames for lamps and more particularly to a lock for such frames and fixtures associated therewith.

The, embodiment of the present invention is most suited for swimming pool lighting fixtures or the like adapted to. be built into, the wall of a pool below the water level therein. It is a principal object of the invention to provide a simple yet effective locking means between a lens frame and the fixture in such a manner as to enable removal of the lens when the light globe is to be removed and replaced.

Heretofore much difficulty was encountered in, places ment of swimming pool light fixtures and in. the securing thereof in a manner facilitating ready removal thereof for repairs.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a novel locking means between a mounting frame on the pool wall and a lens frame on the light fixture itself. The object here is to provide a simple yet effective locking means, by which the fixture cannot be pulled out or removed by children or swimmers, yet with the use of a simple tool the locking means can be disconnected to free the. fixture for removal.

Swimming pool lights are usually a waterproof unit adapted, to be submerged and inserted into a recess in the wall of the pool to water cool the fixture.

Another object is to provide in a two part lens frame structure, a novel interlocking means employing yieldableresilient means for maintaining, the interlocking features in; locking engagement with each other unless or until an outside force is applied in a particular manner to release 45 the same.

More, specifically the invention entails the provision of a stationary frame having an opening into which a lens must be placed and a removable, lens frame adapted to fit the opening in the stationary frame together with diametrically opposed locking tabs and bolts affording quick connection, and/or disconnection of· one from the other.

These, and. other objects and advantages, of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the two principal parts of the. lamp structure embodying the present invention. 60

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view showing the two. parts of Fig. 1 in relation to each other.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged foreshortened: detail section of the parts, of Figs. 1 and 2. in locked relation to each other.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, of Fig. 3 taken along line 4-—4 thereof showing the locking means in elevation from the inner side of the assembly.

As best illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, the present invention is embodied in two main pieces 10 and 11. One piece 10- is adapted· to be secured to a permanent structure whereas, the piece 11 is movable relative to the first piece.

The two pieces 10 and 11 are each of annular shape, the part 10 being so configurated as to receive a portion of the part 11. In the specific embodiment of the drawing piece 10 consists Of a mounting flange adapted to be 5 embedded in. cement mixture during the pouring thereof so as to become anchored and firmly secured in the resulting concrete 12 to form a frame around an opening O. This opening O is so formed as to provide a mouth for a recess R in the concrete 12 for the reception of a light10 ing fixture F.

The lighting fixture which may be of any well known design consists of a water tight shell H housing a socket S for receiving a light globe G. Waterproof connections and conduits of the flexible type connected to the socket 15 S, convey electrical current thereto from a power line, not shown, under the control of a switch,, likewise not shown.

The fore or open end of the shell H is secured to the piece 11 in such a manner as to become movable therewith. To this end' the piece 11 comprises an annular frame, for a lens 16 covering, the open end of the shell H. Suitable seals 17 and 18 are provided between the flange 19 of the shell and a flange 20 on the frame piece 11 to prevent water from entering the shell housing H.

The mounting flange piece 10 is preferably of L shape in cross section, the leg 21 of the piece 10 forming a cylindrical portion and the foot 22 of the piece 10 constituting an inner flange, the heel or outer portion 23 of which becomes embedded or anchored in the concrete 12. The extreme end or outer face 24 of the leg 21 is disposed flush ³⁰ with, the face 25. of the pool wall, i.e., the concrete. 12. As seen in Fig, 3, this wall, may be faced with tile if desired in which case the leg 21 extends beyond the rought concrete a distance to compensate for the thickness of tile tile and the mastic by which it adheres to the ³⁵ concrete 12.

The lens frame piece 11 consists, of an outer fascia 26 the outer diameter of which is comparable to·, the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the mounting flange 10, so as to overlie the extreme end or outer face 24 of the leg 21 which constitutes the cylindrical portion.of the mounting flange.

The inner extremity of this fascia 26 is the flange: 20, herein previously mentioned. This flange 20 forms an opening comparable in diameter to· the open, outer end of the shell housing H of the fixture F. This inner extremity of the lens frame 11 is the flange 20 against which the lens 16 is pressed.

The lens frame piece 11 is substantially of T shape in cross section, the fascia 26 forming the cap of the T shape 50 while the leg- portion 28 thereof extends inwardly (see Fig. 1) toward the fixture F a depth, sufficient to receive, the lens 16 and the. two sealing rings 17 and 18, previously mentioned.

As best seen, in Fig., 3. the-sealing ring 17 lies against 55 the flange 20, the lens 16 having its outer extremity overlying the ring 17 itself being overlaid by the sealing ring 18.. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the flange 19 at the open end of the shell H is embedded in the sealing ring 18= and the latter is pressed toward the lens 16 by a securing ring 29.

The securing ring 29 has an inner diameter such as to fit oyer the shell H from its inner end and to circumscribe the shell adjacent its flange 19. This ring 29 extends beyond the base end 30 of- the. leg portion 28- of the T 65 shaped lens, frame piece 11. The ring 29 also has a plurality of ears 31. at spaced intervals around its perimeter to overlie bosses 32 similarly spaced around the cylindrical face of the leg portion 28 of the frame piece 11. The ears 31 are bored to receive headed machine screws ⁷θ 33 and the bosses 32 are bored and tapped to receive the threaded ends of the machine screws 33. By tightening

2,906,863 ³ the screws 33 into the tapped bores of bosses 32 the ring 29 is pressed firmly against the sealing ring 19. In this manner the lens 16 is likewise pressed against the sealing ring 18 and the sealings rings being preferably of rubber are compressed so as to establish a good water tight seal.