Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a pump case and a rotatable impeller disposed within the pump case. A central aperture is defined within the rearward wall of the pump case to facilitate the connection of an impeller drive shaft to the impeller. A drive shaft seal is disposed within the central aperture to seal the impeller drive shaft to the pump case. At least one or more grooves are defined in the rearward wall of the pump case to carry liquids to and from the drive shaft seal. One or more radial ridges are disposed on the rearward side of the impeller to encourage liquids to flow within the grooves to and from the drive shaft seal to continuously wash away precipitates around the seal and to cool the seal.

Abstract: A rotating spa jet has a body and a nozzle. The body has an upstream end, a downstream end and a flow path defined between the upstream end and the downstream end. The nozzle is disposed within the flow path proximate to the downstream end of the body. The nozzle is rotatable about a pin and is not supported in any way by ball bearings.

Abstract: A water recreational apparatus, such as a portable spa, hot tub, above ground pool, a recirculating bath tub has a water recirculation system wherein water from the basin of the apparatus is recycled through a pump in water jets disposed in the side walls of the basin. At least one water input valve for controlling the flow of water into one or more of the water jets is controllable by a remote controllable motor. A control panel for controlling the remote controllable motor is disposed proximate to at least one of the seat locations within the water basin.

Abstract: A water recreational apparatus has a water basin, a filter and a pump. The side walls of the water basin have side doors to allow the flow of water from the water basin to the filter. A spring or other biasing means is provided to bias the side wall doors to a closed position when the pump is not operating, but allowing the side doors to open when the pump is operating.

Abstract: A barbecue grill has a heating compartment and a plenum chamber disposed proximate to the heating compartment. The plenum chamber has a central vent for providing access to the central portion of the heating compartment and a pair of opposed side vents to provide access to the two opposed side portions of the heating compartment. A recirculation fan is disposed proximate to the central vent. The recirculation fan is adapted to draw hot gases from the central portion of the heating compartment into the plenum and drive those gases via the plenum into the side portions of the heating compartment via the pair of opposed side vents.

Abstract: A variable speed electrical AC induction motor has windings and a rotor disposed within a motor housing. A switch for varying the speed of the rotor is disposed at a location external of the motor housing. The variable speed electrical AC induction motor is ideal for use in a water recreational combination, such as a spa, hot tub or recirculating bath tub. Because the AC induction motor has a switch which is external to the motor housing, repair or replacement of the switch is conveniently and easily accomplished without having to take apart the electrical motor.

Abstract: A water jet having a housing, a flow tube and a strainer. The housing has an open forward end. The flow tube is disposed within the housing for conducting a stream of water through the open forward end of the housing. The strainer is operably disposed within the flow tube to filter out entrained solid material within a stream of water flowing through the flow tube. The water jet is ideal for use in a water recreational combination such as a spa, hot tub or recirculating bath tub.

Abstract: A water recreational combination has a water basin and a water recirculation system. The water recirculation system includes an ozone generator for injecting ozone into recirculated water. Piping within the water recirculation system includes an ejector for drawing air into recirculated water. The air input opening for the ejector is disposed within the interior portion of the water basin so as to draw off any accumulated ozone above the water level when the basin is covered.

Abstract: An assembled hip roof includes a plurality of roofing panels as well as the rafters of the underlying structure that support those panels. Ridge caps preferably extend over the panels at the hip rafters. In a preferred embodiment, a set of metal roofing panels is designed and shaped for use on a specific hip roof configuration, using a minimal number of separate panels. In a preferred embodiment especially suitable for larger area roofs, a plurality of the panels interlock with one another. The panels are preferably coated on one or both sides for protection against scratching during handling and assembly. One or more of the panels preferably include decorative relief, such as the appearance of overlapping wooden boards. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the panels are manufactured from rolled steel.

Abstract: A controller housing for a water pool apparatus has two separate enclosures disposed back-to-back. The two separate enclosures are electrically connectable by electrical connectors disposed in the adjoining walls of the two enclosures. The electrical connections are aligned with one another so that pressing the two enclosures towards one another automatically places the two enclosures into electrical communication. In one embodiment of the invention, the two enclosures are attached to one another by a pair of disengageable hinges.

Abstract: A water pool apparatus, such as a portable spa, pool, hot tub or recirculating bath tub having a double seal configuration. The water pool apparatus has a water recirculation system which includes a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump has a double seal which includes a seal housing and a pair of spaced-apart seals. The seal housing defines an enclosed reservoir chamber. By the invention, any liquids which are successful in leaking past the first seal are trapped within the reservoir chamber. As the reservoir chamber accumulates liquid, the liquid can be recycled back into the water recirculation system by a drain conduit running between the reservoir chamber and the suction side of the pump.

Abstract: An assembled hip roof includes a plurality of roofing panels as well as the rafters of the underlying structure that support those panels. Ridge caps preferably extend over the panels at the hip rafters. In a preferred embodiment, a set of metal roofing panels is designed and shaped for use on a specific hip roof configuration, using a minimal number of separate panels. In a preferred embodiment especially suitable for larger area roofs, a plurality of the panels interlock with one another. The panels are preferably coated on one or both sides for protection against scratching during handling and assembly. One or more of the panels preferably include decorative relief, such as the appearance of overlapping wooden boards.

Abstract: An assembled hip roof includes a plurality of roofing panels as well as the rafters of the underlying structure that support those panels. Ridge caps preferably extend over the panels at the hip rafters. In a preferred embodiment, a set of metal roofing panels is designed and shaped for use on a specific hip roof configuration, using a minimal number of separate panels. In a preferred embodiment especially suitable for larger area roofs, a plurality of the panels interlock with one another. The panels are preferably coated on one or both sides for protection against scratching during handling and assembly. One or more of the panels preferably include decorative relief, such as the appearance of overlapping wooden boards. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the panels are manufactured from rolled steel.

Abstract: A pool, spa, hot tub or the like having a basin capable of retaining water, a first pump for recirculating a portion of the water within the basin to inlet jets within the side walls of the basin and a second pump for recirculating water from the basin to additional inlet jets in the side walls of the basin. Both the first pump and the second pump are driven by a single double-shaft electric motor.

Abstract: An instrument pick is constructed with a finger grip portion and a multiplicity of narrow elongate pick members. Typically, between about 5 and about 30 pick members are used in the instrument pick. The pick members are generally of uniform thickness of between about 0.05 cm and about 0.2 cm. The pick members are generally between about 0.5 cm and about 2.5 cm in length.