Lighted elastomeric gasket

Abstract

A gasket for a spa shell includes a body formed of an at least partially translucent material. The gasket includes a top ring configured to abut a top surface of the spa shell and a bottom ring configured to abut a bottom surface of the spa shell. In one embodiment, the gasket includes an indentation configured to receive light from a light source for transmission through the body. The gasket may be formed with an elastomer.

1 . A gasket for a spa shell, the gasket comprising: 
 a body formed of an at least partially translucent material and having a top ring configured to abut a top surface of the spa shell and a bottom ring configured to abut a bottom surface of the spa shell.    
   
   
       2 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a recessed middle ring disposed between the top ring and bottom ring.  
   
   
       3 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising at least one indentation for receiving light from a light source.  
   
   
       4 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the indentation is formed in the bottom ring.  
   
   
       5 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the body is a planarized disk.  
   
   
       6 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the bottom ring is less than a diameter of the top ring.  
   
   
       7 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein a diameter of the recessed middle ring is less than the diameter of the bottom ring.  
   
   
       8 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least partially translucent material includes an elastomer that is selected from group consisting of: natural rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyurethane, silicone RTV, or fluorosilicone.  
   
   
       9 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the top ring, recessed middle ring, and bottom ring form a uniform middle aperture.  
   
   
       10 . A gasket in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the top ring, recessed middle ring, and bottom ring form a notched middle aperture.  
   
   
       11 . A user control system for a spa, comprising: 
 a user-operable control interface configured for placement on a top surface of a spa shell;    a controller configured for extending below the spa shell; and    a gasket comprising a body formed of an at least partially translucent and elastomeric material and having a top ring, a recessed middle ring, and a bottom ring, the gasket being configured for placement around the controller and between the control interface and the top surface of the spa shell.    
   
   
       12 . A system in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising a light source for illuminating the gasket.  
   
   
       13 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the gasket includes at least one indentation for receiving light from the light source.  
   
   
       14 . A system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the top ring is configured for abutting the top surface of the shell, and wherein the bottom ring is configured for abutting a bottom surface of the spa shell.  
   
   
       15 . A system in accordance with  claim 14 , further comprising a nut configured to secure the bottom ring to the bottom surface of the spa shell.  
   
   
       16 . A system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein a diameter of the top ring is greater than a diameter of the bottom ring.  
   
   
       17 . A system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the diameter of the bottom ring is greater than a diameter of the recessed middle ring.  
   
   
       18 . A system in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the recessed middle ring has a height that substantially corresponds with a thickness of the spa shell.  
   
   
       19 . A spa, comprising: 
 a spa shell;    a user-operable control provided on a top surface of the spa shell; and    a gasket for placement in a hole in the spa shell, the gasket including a body formed of an at least partially translucent elastomer material and having a top ring, a recessed middle ring, and a bottom ring, wherein the top ring is configured to abut the top surface of the spa shell in proximity to the user-operable control, and wherein the bottom ring is configured to abut a bottom surface of the spa shell.    
   
   
       20 . A spa in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a light source positioned to illuminate the at least partially translucent material.