Abstract: A spa shell with integrated umbrella system includes a spa shell portion for containing a liquid and having a receptacle formed in a wall of the spa shell. An umbrella system is removably interfaced into the receptacle. The umbrella system includes a mast that is removably interfaced to the receptacle and an umbrella portion that is interfaced to the mast. The spa shell provides ballast to the mast and to the umbrella portion of the umbrella system.

Abstract: A spa with integrated folding table has a spa shell portion for containing water and a table that is hingedly connected to an upper inside surface of the spa shell. When the table is not being used, the table hinges down, the table lies against an inside surface of the spa shell (e.g. substantially beneath a surface of the water). When the table is in use, the table hinges outward from the upper inside surface of the spa shell in a horizontal plane. A support has a first end hingedly connected to a lower portion of the spa shell and a distal second end for connecting to an underside surface of the table. The support provides structural support to the table when the table is extended (hinges outwardly).

Abstract: A cushion for a hot tub or spa is molded in a rotational molding process. The cushion includes a decorative outer surface made from a plastic material (e.g., an outer wall and side walls, etc.). The cushion includes a a back surface for interfacing with a hot-tub shell or spa shell with at least one projection extending from the back surface towards the decorative surface. The at least one projection is for supporting the force of an object that is resting on the cushion. The cushion if formed in a rotational molding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a substantially laminar flow of water in a swim spa is includes providing a basin holding a fluid. The method includes circulating water from the basin through at least one laminar flow swim spa jet, creating a substantially laminar flow of the fluid directed from one end of the swim spa. Each of the at least one laminar flow swim spa jet comprises a plurality of parallel, cylindrical tubes that reduce turbulence from the fluid as the fluid passes through the plurality of parallel, cylindrical tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tubular orifice formed/added to a wall of a molded product such as a tub, spa, hot tub, boat hull, tank, vat, trough, etc. The resulting tubular orifice has a smooth, regular, tubular inner wall that seals well with accessories that have tubular interface sections that fit within the tubular orifice and seal using one or more o-rings. The orifice is formed around an insert that is removably held to an inside wall of a mold by, for example, magnets during rotational molding, thereby enabling extraction of the molded product from the mold as the inserts separate from the inside wall as the molded product is extracted.

Abstract: A spa/tub jet is disclosed including a jet base portion and a face portion and having a channel extending through the jet base portion and through the face portion at a fluid exit. A plurality of side-directed fluid orifices is included. Each of the side-directed fluid orifices is in fluid communications with the channel. To reduce pain to a user who moves their body too close to the spa/tub jet, as the user's body impedes a flow of water out of the fluid exit orifice, water pressure is directed out of the side-directed fluid orifices.

Abstract: A system for removably connecting plumbing to a device includes a flange, one end of which is configured to bond to the plumbing. An insertion area at a distal end of the flange is sized and shaped to fit within a port of the device. An o-ring seat is cut/formed across a perimeter (e.g. outer circumference) of the insertion area of the flange. An o-ring is positioned around/in the o-ring seat such that, after insertion of the insertion area of the flange into the port, the o-ring provides a seal between the insertion area and an inner surface of the port. A retention device such as a retention nut holds the insertion area within the port.

Abstract: An accessory for installation in an orifice of a wall of a molded product has a base portion that has an interface area. The orifice of the molded product has side(s) protruding into the molded product inwardly away from the wall of the molded product. A cross-sectional shape of the interface area is substantially the same as a cross sectional shape of the orifice. The cross-sectional dimensions of the interface area is substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimension of the orifice, thereby the interface area of the base portion fits into the orifice (either loosely or tightly fitting). There is at least one seat circumscribing the interface area and each seat contains a closed-loop elastomer seal. A feature portion (e.g. a spa-jet face) interfaces to the base portion and the feature portion holds the interface area within the orifice.

Abstract: A filter system includes a conduit for fluidly interfacing to a pump and a shroud adapted to be in fluid communication with a body of water in a spa/tub. A stand pipe has a first end structurally affixed to a bottom surface of the shroud. The first end of the stand pipe is fluidly interfaced to the conduit for transference of water to a pump. A distal second end of the stand pipe has a bypass valve and the stand pipe is sized and positioned within the shroud for holding and supporting a filter media.

Abstract: A portable boat and related method of manufacture. In one embodiment the boat includes first and second hulls and a deck member, each configured to be securely interlocked to another to assemble the boat. The deck member includes: at least one tenon extending outward from the starboard side for connection with the first hull and at least one tenon extending outward from the port side for connection with the second hull. Each of the hulls includes at least one slotted opening for receiving one of the tenons to connect the hull to the deck member, so that when at least one tenon is inserted into one of the hulls, the hull is securely fastened to the deck member with the aid of a fastener extending from the hull into the deck tenon.