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.

1 . 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 comprising: 
 an eyeball adapted to be retained within the housing and having an axial passage therethrough;    a first connector attached to said eyeball;    a hose having a free end and a fixed end; and    a second connector attached to said fixed end of said hose and adapted to matingly engage said first connector to provide fluid communication from said axial passage through said hose.    
   
   
       2 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first connector includes a first threaded surface and said second connector includes a second threaded surface, and wherein said first threaded surface engages said second threaded surface to connect said first connector to said second connector.  
   
   
       3 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second connector includes a hose clip circling said hose.  
   
   
       4 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first connector and said second connector include respective halves of a push-fit connector.  
   
   
       5 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first connector and said eyeball are molded together and form a single unit.  
   
   
       6 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said free end of said hose includes a weight for causing said free end to sink in water  
   
   
       7 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said weight comprises a diffuser.  
   
   
       8 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said eyeball includes a partially spherical outer surface, and wherein said first connector includes a central passage in fluid communication with said axial passage.  
   
   
       9 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said axial passage defines an exterior opening, wherein said first connector comprises a threaded tube having a distal end, and wherein said distal end is attached to said exterior opening.  
   
   
       10 . The water circulation apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said threaded tube is adhesively attached to said eyeball.  
   
   
       11 . A kit for retrofitting a swimming pool water return line to provide for an extended water circulation apparatus, the water return line having a wall-mounted housing for receiving water from a pump and for discharging the water into a pool, the kit comprising: 
 an eyeball adapted to be retained within the housing and having an axial passage therethrough; and    a first connector attached to said eyeball,    wherein said first connector is adapted to matingly engage a second connector on a hose to provide fluid communication from said axial passage through said hose.    
   
   
       12 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising said hose and said second connector.  
   
   
       13 . The kit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said second connector includes a hose clip circling said hose.  
   
   
       14 . The kit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said free end of said hose includes a weight for causing said free end to sink in water.  
   
   
       15 . The kit as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said weight includes a diffuser.  
   
   
       16 . The kit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said hose comprises a garden hose.  
   
   
       17 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said first connector includes a first threaded surface and said second connector includes a second threaded surface, and wherein said first threaded surface engages said second threaded surface to connect said first connector to said second connector.  
   
   
       18 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said first connector and said second connector include respective halves of a push-fit connector.  
   
   
       19 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said first connector and said eyeball are molded together and form a single unit.  
   
   
       20 . The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said eyeball includes a partially spherical outer surface, and wherein said first connector includes a central passage in fluid communication with said axial passage.  
   
   
       21 . The kit as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said axial passage defines an exterior opening, wherein said first connector comprises a threaded tube having a distal end, and wherein said distal end is attached to said exterior opening.  
   
   
       22 . The kit as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said threaded tube is adhesively attached to said eyeball.