SPA

Abstract

A spa includes a shell including a plurality of water ports configured for emitting water therefrom, a first water well, and a second water well. The first and second water wells each are configured for receiving water from at least one of the plurality of water ports and for holding water therein. The second water well is separate from the first water well.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/976,918, entitled “HOT TUB WITH SUNBATHING PLATFORM”, filed Oct. 2, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to spas in the nature of heated pools, more commonly referred to as “hot tubs”.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional heated spas, also known as hot tubs, provide certain health benefits to users. Such spas include primary benefits of soft tissue massage, increased pulmonary circulation, and increased relaxation. Hot tubs may be constructed as permanent structures which are set into an elevated platform or floor. Hot tubs for home use are typically constructed as stand-alone units which may be set on a concrete pad or the like at a selected location. The hot tub shell itself is typically vacuum formed to a desired shape, and a plurality of holes are formed in the shell to receive a number of differently configured jets. The shell is supported on a frame, which also supports insulated sidewalls and a floor. The electronics, pumps, heaters, and plumbing are all positioned within the frame, out of view behind the sidewalls. For a conventionally configured hot tub as described above, the vacuum formed shell typically is formed with a number of predefined upright seats, each accommodating a different user during operation.

What is needed in the art is a spa having a shell with separate water wells, configured for functions beyond traditional seats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a spa having a shell with separate water wells, one of the water wells having a scooped configuration and being formed by a sunbathing platform formed integral with the shell.

The invention in one form is directed to a spa including a shell including a plurality of water ports configured for emitting water therefrom, a first water well, and a second water well. The first and second water wells each are configured for receiving water from at least one of the plurality of water ports and for holding water therein. The second water well is separate from the first water well.

The invention in another form is directed to a method of operating a spa. The method includes the steps of: providing a shell including a plurality of water ports, a first water well, and a second water well, the second water well being separate from the first water well; emitting water from the plurality of water ports; and receiving water in the first and second water wells from at least one of the plurality of water ports and holding water therein.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a hot tub with a sunbathing platform.

Another advantage is that the sunbathing platform is separate from the main water well of the hot tub.

Yet another advantage is that the sunbathing platform includes a water well separate from and shallower than the main water well, thus allowing the water in the sunbathing platform water well to have a warmer temperature than the water in the main water well.

Yet another advantage is that the sunbathing platform water well has a scooped configuration which can accommodate a user lying down, in shallow water, on the sunbathing platform.

Yet another advantage is that a waterfall can be formed falling from the elevated sunbathing platform to the main water well, which can be aesthetically pleasing to users of the hot tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spa of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of parts of the spa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spa of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the spa of FIG. 1, the water in the spa not flowing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the spa of FIG. 1, the water in the spa flowing; and

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the spa of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5, the details of the bottom portion of the spa not shown.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a spa 10 (also known as a hot tub 10) which generally includes a skirting 12, a plurality of internal parts, and a shell 14. Skirting 12 provides a handsome outer covering to spa 10, as well as easy access to internal parts of spa 10 for maintenance. These internal parts can include: a filtration system 21 for cleaning the water; at least one pump 16 for pumping water into the water-holding portion of shell at relatively high flow rates and for recirculating water in shell 14 passed a heater 18 and back into the water-holding portion of shell 14; at least one heater 18 for providing heated water pumped into the water-holding portion of shell 14, plumbing system 20 (i.e., pipes) for carrying the water to a plurality of water ports 38, 40, 42, 43 of shell 14, electronics (not shown) for providing electrical power to pumps 16, heaters 18, a plurality of lights 22 and/or for controlling water temperature, insulation (not shown), framing 65 (shown in FIG. 6), and reinforcements (not shown). The location of pump(s) 16 and heater(s) 18, as well as the design of plumbing system 20, can vary from what is shown in FIG. 2.

Shell 14 includes a main portion 24, a sunbathing platform 26, and water ports 38, 40, 42, and 43 each of which emits water therefrom into water-holding portion of shell 14. Main portion 24 includes a first water well 28, which is the main water well of hot tub 10. Main water well 28 receives water from at least one of water ports 38, 40, 42, or 43 and holds water therein. Main water well 28 includes a plurality of user seats 30 and a number of water ports 43. One or more water ports 43 can eject a water stream through the air into main water well 28, and several other water ports 43 of main water well 28 can produce water jets to massage, for instance, the body of a user.

Sunbathing platform 26 is positioned at one end of shell 14 and is adjacent main portion 24 of shell 14. Sunbathing platform 26 includes an integral second water well 32, which has a scooped configuration. Sunbathing platform 26 is an elongate platform and is configured such that a user lies crosswise along one end of hot tub 10. Sunbathing platform 26 also includes two headrests 34 positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of sunbathing platform 26. As such, a user may lay in either orientation, depending upon the position of the sun or desires of the user.

Second water well 32 receives water from at least one of water ports 38, 40, or 42 and holds water therein. Second water well 32 is separate from first water well 28. As such, first and second water wells 28 and 32 can be separately filled and can hold water independent of each other, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

Sunbathing platform 26 includes horizontal waterfall slots 38 along a longitudinal side 36 of sunbathing platform 26, as well as a plurality of water ports 40 between two horizontal waterfall slots 38. Water from slots 38 adds to the visual attractiveness of sunbathing platform 26, as shown in FIG. 5. Water downwardly discharged from ports 40 can be visually observed by a user, which may be aesthetically appealing to some users. Along these same lines, sunbathing platform 26 can also include at least one water port 42 that directs an arching stream of water 45 over at least a substantial portion of sunbathing platform 26 and into main water well 28, as shown in FIG. 5.

Sunbathing platform 26 includes an intervening wall 44 forming at least part of a longitudinal side of sunbathing platform 26 which is opposite longitudinal side 36. Main water well 28 and sunbathing platform water well 32 are positioned relative to each other such that sunbathing platform water well 32 holds water which communicates with water in main water well 28 when water in sunbathing platform water well 32 flows over intervening wall 44, as shown in FIG. 6. Sunbathing platform water well 32 is elevated relative to main water well 28 and is configured for forming a waterfall 48 from sunbathing platform water well 32 to main water well 28. In being elevated relative to main water well 28, sunbathing platform water well 32 has a bottom extent (the lowest extent of well 32) which is positioned above a bottom wall 50 (or floor 50) of main water well 28 and an upper water level 49 which is positioned above an upper water level 47 of main water well 28.

Intervening wall 44 in part separates sunbathing platform 26 from main water well 28. During operation of hot tub 10, when sunbathing platform water well 32 is filled to the extent that the height of the water held by sunbathing platform water well begins to exceed the height of intervening wall 44, water of sunbathing platform 26 spills over intervening wall 44 and into main water well 28. Between intervening wall 44 and main water well 28, the water can free-fall through space to main water well 28 and/or descend down, at least partly, a ramped wall joining intervening wall with main water well and into main water well 28. FIG. 5 shows water flowing out of horizontal slots 38 and in an arching stream out of port 42. Further, lines 51 in FIG. 5 show where water flows over intervening wall 44 when water in water well 32 flows over wall 44; it is understood, however, that water in well 32 has not yet reached a height to flow over wall 44. To further define and focus waterfall 48, intervening wall 44 can include a first upper surface 56 and a second upper surface 58. First and second upper surfaces 56, 58 are formed integrally with one another; as such, first and second upper surfaces 56, 58 are monolithic relative to one another. Intervening wall 44 actually has two second upper surfaces 58; the two second upper surfaces 58 are spaced apart from one another with first upper surface 56 therebetween. First upper surface 56 is lower than second upper surfaces 58 so as to allow water to flow from second water well 32 to first water well 28. Alternatively, upper surfaces 56 and 58 of intervening wall 44 can be level with one another (not shown) such that neither upper surface 56 or 58 is lower than the other upper surface 56 or 58.

Shell 14 can further include a first wall 60 and a second wall 62, first and second walls 60, 62 converging toward one another as each of first and second walls 60 and 62 runs from sunbathing platform 26 to main water well 28. Walls 60 and 62 can mirror one another. First and second walls 60 and 62 can appear as rounded ridges formed on shell 14, as shown in the drawings. First and second walls 60 and 62 can be higher than intervening wall 44 and form part of the water barrier (in addition to intervening wall 44), near longitudinal ends of sunbathing platform 26, between sunbathing platform 26 and main water well 28. First and second walls 60 and 62 can also form space dividers 60 and 62 between sunbathing platform 26 and seats 30 in main water well 28 adjacent sunbathing platform 26, thus providing in part an element of personal space or privacy to sunbathing platform 26 and these seats 30 in main water well 28. First and second walls 60 and 62 each can also form a guide 60, 62 for guiding water of waterfall 48 as water falls to main water well 28. FIG. 6 shows waterfall 48 striking guide walls 60 and 62 and being guided thereby. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 6 omits the bottom portion of hot tub 10 but shows the outer contour of this bottom portion in broken lines.

Shell 14 can further include a plurality of lights 22. Lights 22 can be formed from light emitting diodes (LED). Lights 22 can, for instance, be colored and provide an aesthetically pleasing environment to the hot tub user, as well as illumination to the user.

Shell 14 can further include a digital panel 64. Digital panel 64 can display various functions of hot tub 10 with scrolling text, reminding the user to check water chemistry, clean a filter, change water, and the like.

Shell 14 (such as main portion 24 of shell 14) can further include a water outlet 66 associated with filtration system 21 of hot tub 10. As such, water can exit main water well 28 through water outlet 66 and proceed to be filtered via filtration system 21 and ultimately recirculated back into the interior of shell 14 to be enjoyed by a user.

Shell can further include at least one lever 68 for controlling, for example, water ports 40 and/or 42.

In use, water ports 38, 40, 42, 43 can be activated such that sunbathing platform water well 32 and main water well 28 each receives and holds water from corresponding water ports 38, 40, 42, 43. A user can lie in sunbathing platform water well 32. Water from sunbathing platform 26 can flow over intervening wall 44 of sunbathing platform 26 such that waterfall 48 is formed between the upper surface 56 of intervening wall 44 and main water well 28.

The present invention further provides a method of operating spa 10, the method including the steps of providing, emitting, and receiving. The providing step provides shell 14 including water ports 38, 40, 42, 43, first water well 28, and second water well 32, second water well 32 being separate from first water well 28. The emitting step emits water from water ports 38, 40, 42, and/or 43. The receiving step receives water in first and second water wells 28, 32 from at least one of the water ports 38, 40, 42, 43 and holds water therein. Shell 14 includes sunbathing platform 26 including second water well 32, which has a scooped configuration. The method can further include the step of communicating water in second water well 32 with water in first water well 28 when the water in second water 32 well flows over intervening wall 44 of sunbathing platform 26. The method can further include the step of forming a waterfall 48 from second water well 32 to first water well 28, second water well 32 being elevated relative to first water well 28. Shell 14 can include first wall 60 and second wall 62, first and second walls 60, 62 converging toward one another as each of first and second walls 60, 62 runs from sunbathing platform 26 to first water well 28, first and second walls 60, 62 guiding water of the waterfall 48. Sunbathing platform 26 includes intervening wall 44, which can include first upper surface 56 and second upper surface 58, first upper surface 56 being lower than second upper surface 58 so as to allow water to flow from second water well 32 to first water well 28. Water ports can include a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots 38 which are associated with sunbathing platform 26. The method can further include the step of directing an arching stream of water 45, using at least one water port 42 of the plurality of water ports 38, 40, 42, 43, over at least a substantial portion of sunbathing platform 26 and into first water well 28.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. 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 invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A spa, comprising:

a shell including a plurality of water ports configured for emitting water therefrom, a first water well, and a second water well, said first and second water wells each configured for receiving water from at least one of said plurality of water ports and for holding water therein, said second water well being separate from said first water well.

2. The spa of claim 1, wherein said shell includes a sunbathing platform including said second water well, said second water well having a scooped configuration.

3. The spa of claim 2, wherein said sunbathing platform includes an intervening wall, said first and second water wells being positioned relative to each other such that said second water well holds water which communicates with water in said first water well when said water in said second water well flows over said intervening wall.

4. The spa of claim 3, wherein said second water well is elevated relative to said first water well and is configured for forming a waterfall from said second water well to said first water well.

5. The spa of claim 4, wherein said shell includes a first wall and a second wall, said first and second walls converging toward one another as each of said first and second walls runs from said sunbathing platform to said first water well, said first and second walls each forming a guide for guiding water of said waterfall.

6. The spa of claim 2, wherein said sunbathing platform includes an intervening wall including a first upper surface and a second upper surface, said first upper surface being lower than said second upper surface so as to allow water to flow from said second water well to said first water well.

7. The spa of claim 2, wherein said plurality of water ports includes a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots which are associated with said sunbathing platform.

8. The spa of claim 2, wherein said plurality of water ports includes at least one water port configured for directing an arching stream of water over at least a substantial portion of said sunbathing platform and into said first water well.

9. A method of operating a spa, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a shell including a plurality of water ports, a first water well, and a second water well, said second water well being separate from said first water well;

emitting water from said plurality of water ports; and

receiving water in said first and second water wells from at least one of said plurality of water ports and holding water therein.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said shell includes a sunbathing platform including said second water well, said second water well having a scooped configuration.

11. The method of claim 10, further including the step of communicating water in said second water well with water in said first water well when said water in said second water well flows over an intervening wall of said sunbathing platform.

12. The method of claim 11, further including the step of forming a waterfall from said second water well to said first water well, said second water well being elevated relative to said first water well.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said shell includes a first wall and a second wall, said first and second walls converging toward one another as each of said first and second walls runs from said sunbathing platform to said first water well, said first and second walls guiding water of said waterfall.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said sunbathing platform includes an intervening wall including a first upper surface and a second upper surface, said first upper surface being lower than said second upper surface so as to allow water to flow from said second water well to said first water well.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said plurality of water ports includes a plurality of horizontal waterfall slots which are associated with said sunbathing platform.

16. The method of claim 10, further including the step of directing an arching stream of water, using at least one water port of said plurality of water ports, over at least a substantial portion of said sunbathing platform and into said first water well.