Patents by Inventor Robert Santos

Robert Santos has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12611583
    Abstract: A system and method for circulating water in a swim spa. A recessed chamber formed in the shell of the spa defines a space to hold at least a portion of a first, upper horizontal water propulsion device and at least a portion of a second, lower vertical water propulsion device. The first, upper horizontal flow of water is combined with the second, lower vertical flow of water to create a third, horizontal flow of water. The resulting turbulence is lower, creating a more laminar flow and better user swimming experience. Jet bodies with side intakes may maximize capacity of the water propulsion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane
  • Patent number: 12329715
    Abstract: A reinforcing system for a vessel that can contain water. The system includes a shell for containing water, the shell having one or more jets extending therethrough from an inside of the shell to an outside of the shell, and a structural support layer on an underside of the shell. The structural support layer can include: an inner layer of rigidizer applied to the underside of the shell, a central low density core, and an outer layer of rigidizer applied to the central low-density core. The structural support layer can extend from a bottom side of the underside of the shell, across at least one sidewall of the underside of the shell, and form at least one rib along the sidewall of the underside of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane, Eric Hales, Michael Adams
  • Publication number: 20250090924
    Abstract: A system and method for circulating water in a swim spa. A recessed chamber formed in the shell of the spa defines a space to hold at least a portion of a first, upper horizontal water propulsion device and at least a portion of a second, lower vertical water propulsion device. The first, upper horizontal flow of water is combined with the second, lower vertical flow of water to create a third, horizontal flow of water. The resulting turbulence is lower, creating a more laminar flow and better user swimming experience. Jet bodies with side intakes may maximize capacity of the water propulsion devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane
  • Patent number: 12232598
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a hammock for a user to rest thereon in the water of the spa. The hammock may include a proximal end with head support portion and one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell, and a distal end with one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell. One or more lateral coupling members may couple the hammock to the lateral sides of the spa, and one or more longitudinal coupling members may couple the hammock to a front side and/or back side of the spa. The longitudinal and lateral coupling members may support the hammock in the water to give the user a unique flotation experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos, Richard Eddington
  • Patent number: 12064661
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an exercise bar for a user to use for rowing or other exercises in the water of the spa or adjacent to the spa. The exercise bar may comprise a central hub, and two sides, each with a first inner tube attached to opposing side of the central hub and a an outer tube in telescoping connection with the inner tube, and a handgrip in connection with the first outer tube. A connector may be mounted to the central hub, the connector to enable the exercise bar to be connected to one or more resistance cables. The exercise bar may be adjustable from a first, shorter length for use with exercises in which a user's hands are positioned closer together and a second, longer length for use with exercises in which a user's hands are positioned father apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BULLFROG INTERNATIONAL, LC
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos
  • Publication number: 20240074941
    Abstract: A reinforcing system for a vessel that can contain water is described. The system includes a shell for containing water, the shell having one or more jets extending therethrough from an inside of the shell to an outside of the shell, and a structural support layer on an underside of the shell. The structural support layer can include: an inner layer of rigidizer applied to the underside of the shell, a central low density core, and an outer layer of rigidizer applied to the central low-density core. The structural support layer can extend from a bottom side of the underside of the shell, across at least one sidewall of the underside of the shell, and form at least one rib along the sidewall of the underside of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane, Eric Hales, Michael Adams
  • Patent number: 11813226
    Abstract: A system and method for reinforcing a spa shell includes a structural support layer on an underside of the spa shell. The structural support layer may include an inner layer of rigidizer, a central foam layer, and an outer layer of rigidizer. The structural support layer may extend from a bottom side of the underside of the spa shell, across at least one sidewall of the underside of the spa shell to a lip of the spa shell, the structural support layer forming at least one rib along the sidewall of the underside of the spa shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane, Eric Hales, Michael Adams
  • Publication number: 20230329425
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a hammock for a user to rest thereon in the water of the spa. The hammock may include a proximal end with head support portion and one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell, and a distal end with one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell. One or more lateral coupling members may couple the hammock to the lateral sides of the spa, and one or more longitudinal coupling members may couple the hammock to a front side and/or back side of the spa. The longitudinal and lateral coupling members may support the hammock in the water to give the user a unique flotation experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos, Richard Eddington
  • Patent number: 11672732
    Abstract: A system for supporting a spa shell may include a structural support paddle. The paddle may include a base portion and a paddle portion, connected to each other through an articulating joint such as a ball-and-socket. The top side of the paddle portion may include one or more pieces of cushioning material, such as EPF foam. The structural paddle assembly may be placed between the base of the spa and the spa shell. Typically, 5 or more paddle assemblies are placed in a spa for support, such as in the lowest areas of the spa shell and/or concavities, or convexities, of the spa shell. Compared to typical large blocks of foam used to support a spa shell from beneath, the structural support paddles provided increased room below the spa shell for ease of maintenance and installation, and more directly controlled support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Nathan Tulett, Eric Hales, Creed Larsen, Robert Santos
  • Publication number: 20230142127
    Abstract: A system and method for reinforcing a spa shell includes a structural support layer on an underside of the spa shell. The structural support layer may include an inner layer of rigidizer, a central foam layer, and an outer layer of rigidizer. The structural support layer may extend from a bottom side of the underside of the spa shell, across at least one sidewall of the underside of the spa shell to a lip of the spa shell, the structural support layer forming at least one rib along the sidewall of the underside of the spa shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Santos, Richard Alex Eddington, Evan Smail, Mark McLane, Eric Hales, Michael Adams
  • Patent number: 11638475
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a hammock for a user to rest thereon in the water of the spa. The hammock may include a proximal end with head support portion and one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell, and a distal end with one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell. One or more lateral coupling members may couple the hammock to the lateral sides of the spa, and one or more longitudinal coupling members may couple the hammock to a front side and/or back side of the spa. The longitudinal and lateral coupling members may support the hammock in the water to give the user a unique flotation experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos, Richard Eddington
  • Publication number: 20230073056
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an exercise bar for a user to use for rowing or other exercises in the water of the spa or adjacent to the spa. The exercise bar may comprise a central hub, and two sides, each with a first inner tube attached to opposing side of the central hub and a an outer tube in telescoping connection with the inner tube, and a handgrip in connection with the first outer tube. A connector may be mounted to the central hub, the connector to enable the exercise bar to be connected to one or more resistance cables. The exercise bar may be adjustable from a first, shorter length for use with exercises in which a user's hands are positioned closer together and a second, longer length for use with exercises in which a user's hands are positioned father apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos
  • Publication number: 20220400838
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a hammock for a user to rest thereon in the water of the spa. The hammock may include a proximal end with head support portion and one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell, and a distal end with one or more attachment means for connection to an anchor on the spa shell. One or more lateral coupling members may couple the hammock to the lateral sides of the spa, and one or more longitudinal coupling members may couple the hammock to a front side and/or back side of the spa. The longitudinal and lateral coupling members may support the hammock in the water to give the user a unique flotation experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Hales, Mark McLane, Robert Santos, Richard Eddington
  • Publication number: 20220233401
    Abstract: A system for supporting a spa shell may include a structural support paddle. The paddle may include a base portion and a paddle portion, connected to each other through an articulating joint such as a ball-and-socket. The top side of the paddle portion may include one or more pieces of cushioning material, such as EPF foam. The structural paddle assembly may be placed between the base of the spa and the spa shell. Typically 5 or more paddle assemblies are place in a spa for support, such as in the lowest areas of the spa shell and/or concavities, or convexities, of the spa shell. Compared to typical large blocks of foam used to support a spa shell from beneath, the structural support paddles provided increased room below the spa shell for ease of maintenance and installation, and more directly controlled support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan Tulett, Eric Hales, Creed Larsen, Robert Santos
  • Patent number: 11304873
    Abstract: A system for supporting a spa shell may include a structural support paddle. The paddle may include a base portion and a paddle portion, connected to each other through an articulating joint such as a ball-and-socket. The top side of the paddle portion may include one or more pieces of cushioning material, such as EPF foam. The structural paddle assembly may be placed between the base of the spa and the spa shell. Typically 5 or more paddle assemblies are place in a spa for support, such as in the lowest areas of the spa shell and/or concavities, or convexities, of the spa shell. Compared to typical large blocks of foam used to support a spa shell from beneath, the structural support paddles provided increased room below the spa shell for ease of maintenance and installation, and more directly controlled support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Bullfrog International, LC
    Inventors: Nathan Tulett, Eric Hales, Creed Larsen, Robert Santos
  • Publication number: 20210100720
    Abstract: A system for supporting a spa shell may include a structural support paddle. The paddle may include a base portion and a paddle portion, connected to each other through an articulating joint such as a ball-and-socket. The top side of the paddle portion may include one or more pieces of cushioning material, such as EPF foam. The structural paddle assembly may be placed between the base of the spa and the spa shell. Typically 5 or more paddle assemblies are place in a spa for support, such as in the lowest areas of the spa shell and/or concavities, or convexities, of the spa shell. Compared to typical large blocks of foam used to support a spa shell from beneath, the structural support paddles provided increased room below the spa shell for ease of maintenance and installation, and more directly controlled support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan Tulett, Eric Hales, Creed Larsen, Robert Santos
  • Patent number: 8756723
    Abstract: A water jet suitable for use in a water recreational apparatus has (a) a body defining a body interior passageway between a body inlet opening and a body outlet opening, the body having (a) a light well with an open external end and a closed transparent internal end, and (b) an insert disposed largely within the body, the insert defining an insert interior passageway between an insert inlet opening and an insert outlet opening, the insert defining a flange cover at the proximal end of the insert. The insert is moveable within the body between a water open position and a water closed position. The insert is also moveable within the body between a light on position and a light off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lloyds IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Casey Loyd, Robert Santos, Pedro Vargas
  • Publication number: 20120174312
    Abstract: A water jet suitable for use in a water recreational apparatus has (a) a body defining a body interior passageway between a body inlet opening and a body outlet opening, the body having (a) a light well with an open external end and a closed transparent internal end, and (b) an insert disposed largely within the body, the insert defining an insert interior passageway between an insert inlet opening and an insert outlet opening, the insert defining a flange cover at the proximal end of the insert. The insert is moveable within the body between a water open position and a water closed position. The insert is also moveable within the body between a light on position and a light off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Casey Loyd, Robert Santos, Pedro Vargas
  • Patent number: D635519
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hoffman, Robert Santos
  • Patent number: D650756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hoffman, Robert Santos