NZ747505B2 - Water spraying device for above ground pool - Google Patents

Abstract

An aeration nozzle for spraying water infused with air into an above-ground water cavity defined by a wall. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body having at least a first conical portion including an upstream end and a downstream end, the downstream end being smaller than the upstream end, a water way extending through the first conical portion of the nozzle body, an air way extending through the nozzle body, the air way intercepting the water way within the nozzle body downstream of the first conical portion. The aeration nozzle further comprises a sock (38, figures 2 & 4) disposed on the wall and covering an external surface of the aeration nozzle which aids in providing a watertight seal between the aeration nozzle and the wall.

Description

WATER SPRAYING DEVICE FOR ABOVE GROUND POOL CROSS NCE TO D APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to the following ations, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: A lication N0.

CN 3028032 May 12, 2015 CN 201-5209450776 November 24, 2015 FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention s to a water spraying device comprising at least one aeration nozzle, more specifically to a water spraying device comprising at least one aeration nozzle configured to provide massaging water infused with air to a water cavity without the use of an air pump.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE ent swimming pools, hot tubs and/or bathtubs are known to spray water into a water cavity to serve as massaging water. Furthermore, it is known to incorporate air while spraying the water to enhance the overall massaging effect. In general, air is incorporated into spraying water by way of an air pump. However, it would be beneficial to have a movable water cavity with a water spraying device which provides massaging water, wherein air can be incorporated into the massaging water without the use of an air pump.

SUMMARY The present disclosure provides a water spraying device including at least one aeration nozzle for providing massaging water infused with air to a water cavity.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an aeration nozzle for spraying water d with air into an above—ground water cavity defined by a wall ses a nozzle body having at least a first internal conical portion, the first internal conical portion including an upstream and a downstream end, the downstream end being smaller than the upstream end, a water way extending through the nozzle body and the first internal conical portion, an air way extending through the nozzle body, the air way intercepting the water way within the nozzle body downstream of the first internal conical portion, and a check valve disposed along the air way that permits air to be pulled through the air way and into the water way by way ofa vacuum force caused by water flowing within the water way through the first internal conical portion and prevents water from entering the air way.

In one aspect of the aeration nozzle, the nozzle further includes a spraying portion coupled at a downstream end ofthe nozzle, at least a n of the nOZzle body is located l0 externally ofthe wall and the spraying portion is located internally ofthe wall and inside the water .

In r aspect ofthe on nozzle, the air way includes an air inlet positioned vertically higher than at least a portion ofthe nozzle body.

In a further aspect ofthe aeration nozzle, the air inlet is positioned above a filled water level within the water cavity.

In another aspect ofthe aeration . the air inlet is positioned below a filled water level within the water cavity.

In another aspect ofthe aeration nozzle, the air way includes a narrow n hole downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the water way.

In a further aspect ofthe aeration nozzle, the nozzle body further includes a second internal conical n, a smaller, upstream end ofthe second internal conical portion being congruent with the ream end of the first internal conical portion.

In another aspect of the on nozzle, the intersection between the air way and the water way is substantially perpendicular.

In another aspect of the aeration nozzle, the wall is supported by an upper rack, and the water way and the air way both extend through the wall at a location vertically beneath the upper rack.

In another embodiment ofthe present disclosure, an above-ground pool ses a wall defining a water cavity and supported by an upper rack, and a water spraying device coupled to the wall. The water spraying device generally includes at least one aeration nozzle including a nozzle body having at least a first internal l n including an upstream end WO 81209 and a downstream end, the downstream end being smaller than the upstream end, a water way extending through the first internal conical portion ofthe nozzle body, and an air way extending through the nozzle body and intercepting the water way within the nozzle body downstream of the firSt internal conical portion, the water way and the air way both extending through the wall at a location vertically beneath the upper rack.

In one aspect of the above—ground pool, the on nozzle further includes a check valve disposed along the air way to permit air to be pulled through the air way and into the water way by way ofa vacuum force caused by water flowing within the water way and to prevent water from entering the air way. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"

[00016] In another aspect of the above—ground pool, the air way includes a narrow n hole along a downstream end of the air way.

. In a further aspect of the above—ground pool, each aeration nozzle r includes a spraying portion coupled at a downstream end of the aeration nozzle, the spraying portion being positioned within the water cavity. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[00018] In another aspect ofthe above—ground pool, the air way includes an air inlet positioned within the water cavity and above a filled level of water within the water cavity.

] In another aspect of the above~ground pool, the air way includes an air inlet positioned outside ofthe water cavity and at least one of above and below a filled level of water within the water cavity.

] In a funher aspect of the above—ground pool, the air way includes an air inlet and a narrow n hole, the narrow suction hole being oned vertically below the air inlet.

] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a water spraying device comprises at least one aeration nozzle. The at least one aeration nozzle includes a nozzle body having at least a first internal conical portion including an upstream end and a downstream end, the downstream end being smaller than the upstream end, a water way extending through the nozzle body, and an air way extending through the nozzle body and intersecting the water way downstream ofthe first internal conical portion, air being present within the air way by a vacuum force caused by water flowing within the waterway, the air way including an air inlet and a narrow suction hole such that the air inlet is in direct communication with t air and air is drawn into the air way without an air pump by a vacuum force cause by water flowing within the water way.

In one aspect of the water ng device, the air inlet is positioned outside ofa water cavity defined by a wall and below a filled level of water within the water cavity.

In a further aspect of the water spraying device, the aeration nozzle further includes an air inlet valve positioned along the air way, the air inlet valve being downstream of the air inlet and upstream ofthe narrow suction hole, In another aspect ofthe water spraying device, the air inlet is positioned above a filled level of water within a water cavity defined by a wall and at least one ofintemal or external of the water cavity.

In a further aspect of the water ng device, the waterspraying device further comprises a housing enclosing at least a portion of each ofthe at least one aeration nozzles.

In another aspect of the water spraying device, the water spraying device includes three aeration nozzles.

In another aspect ofthe water ng device, the at least one aeration nozzle includes a check valve disposed along the air way upstream of the narrow suction hole such that air may be drawn into the air way and the water way and water may be precluded from entering the air way.

BRIEF PTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more nt and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments ofthe invention taken in ction with the accompanying drawings, n: is an exploded side view of an embodiment ofa water spraying device of the t disclosure; s cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of coupled to a wall ofa water cavity; is a perspective view ofthe water spraying device of from an outer surface of the wall of the water cavity; is an ed side view of r embodiment ofa water spraying device of the present disclosure; 2016/000633 is a cross-sectional view of the water spraying device of coupled to a wall ofa water cavity; is a perspective view ofthe water spraying device of from an interior surface of the wall of the water cavity; is a perspective view ofthe water spraying device of from an outer surface ofthe wall ofthe water cavity; is an exploded side view of another ment ofa water spraying device of the present disclosure; is a cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of coupled to a wall ofa water cavity; ] is a perspective view of the water ng device of from an outer surface of the wall of the water ; is an exploded side view of another embodiment ofa water spraying device ofthe present disclosure; id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40" id="p-40"

[00040] is a cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of coupled to a wall ofa water cavity; ] A is a perspective view ofthe water spraying device of from an interior surface of the wall of the water cavity; B is a perspective view of the water spraying device of from an outer surface of the wall of the water cavity; is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment ofa water spraying device ofthe present disclosure; is an ed ctive view of the water spraying device of and a wall of a water cavity; is a cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of including a check valve in an open position; is a cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of including the check valve in a closed position; A is a cross—sectional view ofa main pipe ofthe water spraying device of including an air inlet valve in an\open position; B is a cross-sectional view of the main pipe of A wherein the air inlet valve is in a closed position; is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofa water spraying device ofthe present disclosure including a check valve in an open position; is a cross-sectional view ofthe water spraying device of wherein the check valve is in a closed position; is an exploded view of the water spraying device of ; is a perspective view of another embodiment ofa water spraying device of the present disclosure; id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53" id="p-53"

[00053] is a cross-sectional view of the water spraying device of ; is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an air inlet pipe of a water ng device ofthe present disclosure coupled to a wall ofa water cavity. wherein an air pipe ofthe water spraying device is disposed at an inner surface ofthe wall ofthe water cavity; is a cross—sectional view of an embodiment of an air inlet pipe ofa water spraying device ofthe present disclosure coupled to a wall ofa water cavity, wherein the air pipe is disposed at an outer surface of the wall of the water ; is a cross-sectional view of another ment of an air inlet pipe ofa water spraying device of the present disclosure, n the air pipe is disposed in a float at an inner surface of a wall of a water cavity; id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57" id="p-57"

[00057] is a cross—sectional view of r embodiment of an air inlet pipe ofa water spraying device of the present disclosure, wherein the air inlet pipe is coupled about an upper surface of a wall of a water cavity from an or portion of the water ; and is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an air inlet pipe ofa water spraying device of the t sure, wherein the air pipe is coupled about an upper surface of the wall of the water cavity from an interior portion of the water cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a water spraying device 10 ofthe present disclosure comprises at least one aeration nozzle 1 I coupled to a water pipe 12 for providing massaging water infused with air to a water cavity 13 of an above-ground pool. The pool may be a heated spa. In certain embodiments, the pool may be e as opposed to being permanently WO 81209 installed. Also, the pool may be at least partially inflatable. The illustrative water cavity 13 is defined by a wall or liner 4 and ns water having an upper surface level 5 when filled.

Support structures are provided to support the pool above the ground. The illustrative support structure includes an upper pipe rack 62 that extends horizontally and annularly around the water L]! cavity 13 with the wall 4 wrapped around and ing downwardly from the upper pipe rack 62. The support structures may also include vertical support structures (not shown) extending downwardly from the upper pipe rack 62 to the .

The water spraying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1—3 is r to the water spraying device 10 shown in FIGS. 4-6, with like reference numerals indicating like ts. For brevity, the following description focuses on water spraying device 10 of FIGS. 1-3. However, unless otherwise noted, the following description is also applicable to water ng device 10 . 4-6.

Aeration nozzle 1 1 of water spraying device 10 generally includes a nozzle body 17 wherein at least a portion of an air way 14, at least a portion ofa water way 15, and a conical hole 16 are all formed by an internal surface of nozzle body 17. In various embodiments, nozzle body 17 may have a variety ofinlet and/or outlet diameters. For instance, in an illustrative embodiment. the outlet diameter of nozzle body 17 may be flared relative to conical hole 16, such that water way 15 nan‘ows at conical hole 16 of nozzle body 17 and then widens at the outlet of nozzle body 17. Furthermore, in s embodiments, air way 14 may include at least one suction hole 18 and/or at least one air outlet 19. The cross—section ofthe at least one air outlet 19and/or the at least one suction hole 18 may be in the shape ofa circle, an ellipse. an oval, a rectangle, a square or any other shape with an area. The suction hole 18 may be narrower than the rest of air way 14 to pressurize the air before it reaches the air outlet 19.

Furthermore, conical hole 16 is generally configured to speed up the flow of water passing through nozzle 1 1. In general, as water passes h conical hole 16 of water way 15, a vacuum force is created causing air to be sucked into air way 14 through at least one radial air inlet 24 ofa check valve 22 such that air may pass through suction hole 18 bend along an outer surface of l hole 16 to become ntially parallel with water way 15, and leave air outlet 19 to be infused into water flowing through water way 15 in a water—air mixing portion 20 0f nozzle 1 1. In various'embodiments, water—air mixing ponion 20 of nozzle 1 1 may be adjacent to conical hole 16 such that the air may mix with the water as it flows quickly through and/or out of conical hole 16. In an exemplary embodiment, air outlet 19 is arranged adjacent to a downstream, small end opening 27 ofconical hole 16. l hole 16 further includes an am, large end opening 31'opposite small end opening 27. Air outlet 19 may be d at or nt to the small end opening 27 such that air outlet 19 generally ponds with the narrowest portion of water way 15. In various embodiments, the ratio ofthe diameter of small end opening 27 to the er of large end opening 31 is approximately 0.3 to 0.75. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio between the diameters of small end opening 27 and large end opening 31 is approximately 0.4 to 0.6.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the cone angle ofconical hole 16 may be approximately 15 to 45 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the cone angle of conical hole 16 is 21 degrees.

Furthermore, the ratio of the diameter of air outlet 19 or suction hole 18 to the diameter ofthe small end opening 27 is approximately 0.1 to 0.7. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio between the diameter of air outlet 19 and the diameter of small end opening 27 is imately 0.3 to 0.7, or even more specifically approximately 0.5. In general, the Reynolds number ofthe aeration nozzle 1 l is approximately 16000 to 80000, and the water pressure of water pipe 12 is approximately 1 to 114.5 PSI, while the flow rate of water pipe 12 is approximately 300 to 2650 GPH. The formula for calculating the Reynolds number of the aeration nozzle 1 l is: ReD=4qv/(7tDv).

] Still referring to FIGS. 1-6, water spraying device 10 may further include a base 32 coupled to an inner surface 4a ofa wall 4 of water cavity 13 for coupling a downstream end of on nozzle 1 1 to wall 4 of water cavity 13. Base 32 may generally include a head portion 34 and a connector 36.‘ Water pipe 12 and connector 36 are respectively coupled to the upstream and downstream ends of aeration nozzle 1 1 using couplers 29 and 37 tively. When base 32 is coupled to nozzle 1 1, head portion 34 is adjacent to the inner surface 4a of wall 4 of water cavity 13, while connector 36 extends through wall 4 from the inner surface 4a to an outer surface 4b through a through hole 21 of wall 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, aeration nozzle 1 1 is located beneath the upper pipe rack 62. In particular. the portion of aeration nozzle 1 1 that extends through hole 21 in wall 4 (e.g._. water—air mixing portion 20 of aeration nozzle 11) is d beneath the upper'pipe rack 62. Furthermore, wall 4 of water cavity 13 may be disposed '30 with a sock or hem 38 covering an external surface ofthe connector 36 when coupled to nozzle With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, aeration nozzle 1 1 may further include a check valve 22 nt to air inlet(s) 24 of air way 14 to prevent water flowing up into air way 14 and leaking out of aeration nozzle 1 1. In various embodiments, check valve 22 may include a housing 39 and a cover 26 to keep debris from g into and clogging air way 14. In various VI embodiments, cover 26 may take on a variety of different sizes. One or more radial air inlets 24 may be positioned within housing 39 beneath cover 26. Additionally, in various embodiments, air way 14 may be longer and slender (. Alternatively, air way 14' may be shorter and wider (). rmore, air inlet(s) 24 may also be longer and slender or shorter and wider, and may also take on a variety of different shapes, such as a circle, an oval, an ellipsis, a rectangle, a square, etc. In an illustrative embodiment, a string 28 may be coupled to cover 26 to avoid misplacement ofcover 26 when servicing check valve 22 or clearing air way 14. In various embodiments, the other end of string 28 may be coupled to nozzle body 17, base 32 or any other part of aeration nozzle 1 1. Furthermore, check valve 22 and/or housing 39 may be coupled to nozzle body 17 or base 32 (FIGS. 7 and 11). id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66" id="p-66"

[00066] Still referring to FIGS. 1-6, water pipe 12 may generally be coupled between a filtering pump (not shown) and aeration nozzle 1 1 of water spraying device 10. In various ments, water in water cavity 13 may be pumped out and filtered by the filtering pump, and then pumped back into the water cavity 13 through water pipe 12 and aeration nozzle 1 1.

Water pipe 12 is generally coupled to an am end, of nozzle body 17 or base 32 of aeration nozzle 1 1 by way ol‘a coupler 29 such as a locking ring, a nut, a bolt, a screw, or r coupling devices.

In various embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1-6, water spraying device 10 may also include a spraying portion 40 coupled to a downstream end of base 32. In various embodiments, water from water way 15 is infused with air from air way 14 in water-air mixing n 20 to produce ing water, and then the massaging water may be pushed through spraying portion 40 to form and deliver a single stream of massaging water to water cavity 13 through a single outlet hole 41. It is alSo within the scope ofthe present disclosure for spraying portion 40 to include multiple outlet holes and deliver multiple streams of massaging water to water cavity 13. rmore, water spraying device 10 may r include a support arm 42 for supporting aeration nozzle 1 1. In various embodiments, support arm 42 may be d to nozzle body 17. A free end of support arm 42 may rest against wall 4 to hold or support aeration 2016/000633 nozzle 1 1 and/or water spraying device 10 in place. In various embodiments, support arm 42 may take on a variety of different shapes. For ce, support arm 42 may be lly U— shaped against wall 4 (. atively, support arm 42’ may be generally rectangular— shaped against wall 4’ and hollow in construction such that openings are exposed along the Ur edges of both sides of arm 42’ ().

Referring now to FIGS. 7-12, water spraying device 10’ is disclosed which may have various features in common with the described wafiter ng device 10, except as described below. Water spraying device 10’ may include water way 15’ of aeration nozzle 1 1‘, which may further include a flared outlet hole 44 downstream of conical hole 16’. In general, an upstream. small end opening of outlet hole 44 is congruent with the downstream, small end opening 27’ ofconical hole 16’. In addition, in one embodiment, air outlet 19’ and the suction hole may comprise the same hole. In various embodiments. air outlet 19’ may be disposed at the junction of conical hole 16’ and outlet hole 44 such that air enters water way 15’ at its est location and in a direction perpendicular to the flow of water through water way 15’. In an exemplary embodiment, the cone angle of conical hole 16’ is larger than the cone angle ofoutlet hole 44. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of the cone angle ofconical hole 16’ is 41 degrees and the cone angle of outlet hole 44' is l 1 degrees. rmore, in general, nozzle body 17" is assembled within base 32’ with the external surface of the connector 36’ being threaded with a coupler 29’. In an exemplary embodiment, coupler 29’ is a nut. Coupler 29’ generally may be ured to thread onto connector 36’, while spraying portion 40’ may be configured to couple to head portion 34’.

When completely coupled, as shown in wall 4 is clamped between coupler 29’ and head portion 34', while water pipe 12’ is threaded on to an upstream end of base 32’. Additionally, in various embodiments, a washer 33 may be positioned between wall 4 and head n 34’ to help seal the connection. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to have washers 33 on both sides of wall 4. The illustrative ng portion 40’ includes a plurality of outlet holes 41 ’ to deliver multiple s of massaging water.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, water spraying device 10" is disclosed which may have various features in common with the above-described water spraying devices 10. 10’, except as described below. In various embodiments, water spraying device 10" may include a plurality of aeration nozzles 1 1" and a main pipe 48. In an ary embodiment, water spraying device 10" includes three aeration nozzles l 1". Wall 4 of water cavity is disposed with a single through hole 21, wherein an am end of main pipe 48 runs through hole 21.

Coupler 29" may couple to the upstream end of main pipe 48 that extends through hole 21 in wall 4 such that water spraying device 10" is coupled to wall 4, wherein a washer 33 may help seal the tion between wall 4 and main pipe 48. In an ary embodiment, coupler 29" is a nut threaded onto threads about the upstream end of main pipe ,48. Furthermore, the am end of main pipe 48 may include additional threads such that a water pipe (not shown, but similar to the above-described water pipes 12. 12‘) may be coupled to main pipe 48 of water spraying device 10". id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71" id="p-71"

[00071] Each aeration nozzle 1 l" of water spraying device 10" generally includes a nozzle body 17’" having at least a portion of an air way 14", including air inlet 35 of air way 14", at least a portion ofa water way 15", ing water inlet 53 of water way 15", a water- air mixing portion 20’ that connects air way 14" and water way 15" in the imier portion of aeration nozzle 1 l ", and a check valve 22" arranged along suction hole 18" for controlling the direction of air flow through air way 14". Furthermore, in various embodiments,ieach nozzle 11" may further include a spraying portion 40".

Still referring to FIGS. 13 and 15, main pipe 48 lly includes an air inlet valve 25, an air inlet pipe 23, a portion of air way 14" and a portion of water way 15", wherein air way 14" is ted from water way 14" by a wall 50. Air inlet 24" (if air way 14" may be an upstream end of air inlet pipe 23. Air inlet 24" and air inlet pipe 23 are disposed at the outer surface of wall 4, and are positioned lower than the water level 5 of water cavity 13.

Additionally, a water pipe of water spraying device 10" may be coupled to a water inlet 52 of water way 15" of main pipe 48. Air way 14" and water way 15" within main pipe 48 may be separated into separate on nozzles l 1" through suction holes 18" and water outlets 54, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, because air inlet pipe 23 of air way 14" is lower than the water level 5. air way 14" is disposed with air inlet valve 25 to open and close air way 14".

Air inlet valve 25 generally comprises a rotation handle 211, a sealing slide block 212 and a slide guide 213. When rotating rotation handle 211, sealing slide block 212 slides along slide guide 213, so as to close air way 14" (B) or open air way 14" (A). 2016/000633 When the water spraying device 10" is in normal working condition, water flows into water inlet 52 of water way 15" of main pipe 48, and then flows through water outlet 54 of main pipe 48 into a water inlet 53 of each aeration nozzle 1 l" of water spraying device 10". The water then flows through conical hole 16", wherein the speed of the water increases as the water flows therethrough. When water passes air outlet 19", under the work of siphon caused by the increase in water speed, air is pulled into air inlet pipe 23 of main pipe 48. Air then flows through air way 14" and suction hole 18" before entering air inlet 35 of each aeration nozzle 1 1" and being incorporated into the water passing air outlet 19" in air mixing portion 20’.

The water infused with air then flows through outlet hole 44’ to spray out of spraying portion 40" and into water cavity 13 after mixing. In l, water spraying device 10" applies the siphon principle such that it automatically absorbs air during the water spraying. Because of this, no air pump is needed to mix the water and air, and water spraying device 10" can still spray massage water out or cycle and filter the water.

When the water flow to spraying device 10" is turned off, water does not enter the water inlet 52 and air is not pulled into the air inlet 23. Rotating the on handle 21 1 can , close the air way 14", thus preventing water from water cavity 13 from flowing back to the air way 14".

In various embodiments, water spraying device 10" may further include a ng valve 401 disposed within spraying portion 40". Rotating spraying valve 401 can adjust the outlet velocity of spraying portion 40", such as by changing the area of water way 15".

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, in various embodiments, water spraying device 10" may further including a housing 56 surrounding at least portions of aeration nozzle(s) 1 l" and main pipe 48, wherein housing 56 includes a panel 58 and a cover plate 60. In various embodiments, panel 58 may be a deep housing wherein on nozzle(s) 1 1" may be placed ' almost entirely within panel 58.

Furthermore, in various ments, main pipe 48 may be d such that the water way 15" and the air way 14" of each aeration nozzle 11" are used for air inlet 24‘ and water inlet 52’. In addition, water spraying device 10" may further comprise an air pump (not shown) connected to air inlet pipe 23. The air pump may be used to increase the air outlet volume of water spraying device 10".

Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, water spraying device 10’" is disclosed which may have various features in common with the above—described water spraying devices 10, 10", ", except as described below. Water spraying device 10’" may include a main pipe 48’ having an air inlet 24" of air inlet pipe 23‘ which may be higher than the water level 5 ofwater cavity 13. so that water may not flow back to air way 14’". When air inlet 24" is higher than water level 5, it may be unnecessary to include air inlet valve 25 along air way 14‘".

Any ofthe above-described water spraying devices 10, 10’, 10", 10’" may be d to the pool in a variety of different ways, as sed further below.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, water spraying device 10"" may be coupled to a pipe rack 62 oned—along an upper surface of wall 4 of water cavity 13. In various embodiments, water way 15’" may extend through an upward facing e of housing 56’ of water spraying device 10"" and up and over wall 4 such that water inlet 52‘ is positioned outside of water cavity 13. Furthermore, air inlet pipe 23" may extend upward through housing 56’ such that air inlet pipe 23" extends within the interior portion of water cavity 13, wherein air inlet 24’" is above water level 5 within water cavity 13. In one ment, air inlet pipe 23" and water pipe 12" are both upwardly extending through housing 56’ within the interior portion of water cavity 13. Furthermore, in various embodiments, water spraying device 10"" may be coupled to pipe rack 62 along water pipe 12". In an exemplary embodiment, water pipe 12" includes a groove or cuff 64 that may extend about pipe rack 62. Cuff 64 may include a coupling device 66 for tightening water pipe 12" to pipe rack 62. In an exemplary ment, coupling device 66 is a lock block, In an exemplary embodiment, cuff 64 is sleeved on the outer e of pipe rack 62. By rotating a nut of coupling device 66, ng device 66 is abutted against pipe rack 62 to accomplish a locked or fixed coupling between pipe rack 62 and cuff 64.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, water cavity 13 may e a water spraying device 100 having a coupling device 168 for keeping air inlet 124 of air inlet pipe 123 above the water level 5. Water spraying device 100, air inlet‘124 and air inlet pipe 123 may be any of those previously described above. In various embodiments, coupling device 168 may couple air inlet pipe 123 to wall 4 of water cavity 13 at a position higher than the water level 5. Coupling device 168 may be adhesive tape, a nut and bolt. a screw or other similar coupling devices. In addition, in various embodiments, air inlet pipe 123 may be disposed at an inner side () or an outer side () of wall 4 of water cavity 13. 2016/000633 ] Referring now to , coupling device 168’ may be a floating object (e.g., ball), wherein the floating ball allows air inlet 124 of air inlet pipe 123 to remain above the water level 5 so long as the floating ball is above water level 5.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, coupling device 168" may be a fixation rack, wherein the fixation rack is coupled to an upper surface of wall 4 of water cavity 13. In various embodiments, fixation rack 68"may include a lock groove to fix to air inlet pipe 123. Air inlet pipe 123 may be disposed at the inner side () or the outer side () ofthe water cavity 13.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general ples. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this ion pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. An aeration nozzle for spraying water infused with air into an above-ground water cavity defined by a wall that is supported by an upper rack, the aeration nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having at least a first conical portion, the first conical portion ing an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the downstream end is smaller than the upstream end; a water way extending h the first conical portion of the nozzle body; an air way extending through the nozzle body and intercepting the water way within the nozzle body downstream of the first conical portion; and a sock disposed on the wall and covering an external e of the aeration nozzle.

2. The on nozzle of claim 1, further comprising a check valve disposed along the air way to permit air to be pulled through the air way and into the water way by way of a vacuum force caused by water flowing within the water way and to prevent water from entering the air way.

3. The aeration nozzle of claim 1, wherein the air way includes a narrow suction hole adjacent to an air outlet of the air way.

4. The aeration nozzle of claim 1, further comprising a spraying portion coupled to a downstream end of the aeration nozzle, the spraying n being positioned within the water cavity.

5. The aeration nozzle of claim 1, wherein the air way includes an air inlet positioned outside of the water cavity.

6. The aeration nozzle of claim 1, wherein the air way includes an air inlet and a narrow n hole, the narrow n hole being positioned vertically below the air inlet.

7. The aeration nozzle of claim 1, further comprising: a support arm, having a first end d to the nozzle body, and a free end that rests against the wall.

8. The aeration nozzle of claim 5, wherein the air inlet is positioned below a filled level of water within the water cavity.

9. The aeration nozzle of claim 6, further comprising a check valve positioned downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the narrow suction hole in the air way.