# US 2013/0155651 A1 · Plumbing fixture with light pipe illumination > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0155651 A1 - Document ID: US20130155651A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/749,806 - Filed: 2013-01-25 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2008-08-22 - Inventors: Kip CARTER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155651A1 ## CPC - F21V 33/00: Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for - A61H 33/02: Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths {(A61H33/6026 takes precedence)} - A61H 33/6063: {Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls} - F21S 8/00: Lighting devices intended for fixed installation (F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00) - A61H 2201/10: with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy - A61N 2005/0662: {Visible light} - F21S 8/02: of recess-mounted type, e.g. downlighters (specially adapted for vehicle exteriors F21S41/00-F21S45/00) - F21V 15/01: Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts (F21V15/02 takes precedence {housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04}) - F21W 2121/02: for fountains - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A plumbing fixture using an integrated light pipe wherein a multi-shot method of injection molding is used to apply transparent, light channeling plastic completely or partially over surface areas of parts used above and below the waterline in the spa, pool or recreational water industry. Light is provided to the transparent over-molded portion of parts via a lighting element that can be molded onto the specific parts to be lit or assembled as a separate component to a part. All parts to be lit are directly or serially wired to a power supply mounted within the major appliance housing and are operated by an appropriate control device. This unique multi-shot manufacturing method and approach to illuminating targeted components and/or features provides lighting effects in a way that is simple and rugged and well suited to the rigorous environment of recreational uses of plumbing fixtures and illumination. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A continuously submerged illumination device, comprising: a molded substrate forming a part of an exposed surface shape of said fixture; a translucent light transmitting layer molded so as to overlie said molded substrate, said light transmitting layer including a light piping element in photo connection with a translucent over-molded surface shape portion; a lighting element providing light to said light piping element and over said exposed surface shape of said molded substrate, said lighting element being in photo connection with said translucent light transmitting surface; and a power supply connected to and providing electrical power to said lighting element, wherein when said lighting element is lit, light spreads through said light piping element and over said fixture exposed surface through said over-molded translucent light transmitting layer illuminating said fixture over-molded exposed surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1, wherein: said substrate is translucent. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1, wherein: a decorative layer is applied to said molded substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The fixture of claim 3, wherein: said decorative layer is colored film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The fixture of claim 3, wherein: said decorative layer is a graphic applied using a water immersion technique. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The fixture of claim 3, wherein: said decorative layer is a graphic applied using a sublimation technique. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The fixture of claim 3, wherein: said decorative layer is painted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1, further comprising: a PC board for controlling operation of said lighting element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1, wherein: said lighting element is a molded integrally to said light piping element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fixture of claim 1, wherein: said lighting element includes more than one light source. ### Claim 11 A continuously submerged illumination device comprising: a molded substrate adapted to be submerged in water, said molded substrate having an exposed surface adapted to face a body of water and an inside surface sealed from said body of water; a translucent light transmitting layer molded so as to overlie a portion of said substrate, said light transmitting layer defining a complimentary shape matching a shape of said molded substrate and adapted to be submerged in water; a lighting element providing light to said light transmitting layer over said exposed surface of said molded substrate, said lighting element being mounted at said inside surface and providing light to said light piping element and over said exposed surface of said molded substrate, wherein the lighting element passes through said inside surface and in photo connection with said translucent light transmitting surface; and a power supply connected to and providing electrical power to said lighting element, wherein when said lighting element is lit, light spreads through said light transmitting layer and over said exposed surface of said molded substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein said molded substrate is translucent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising a decorative layer is applied to said molded substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein said decorative layer is a graphic applied using a water immersion technique. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, wherein: said decorative layer is a graphic applied using a sublimation technique. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising a PC board for controlling operation of said lighting element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein said lighting element is a molded integrally to said light piping element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein said lighting element includes more than one light source.