Abstract: A spa tub cover lifter includes a first mount which is attached to a spa tub, and a second mount rotatable about a pivot axis on the first mount. A first support is connected to the second mount and is coupled to a first location on a first portion of the spa cover. A connector has a first assembly state in which the connector is movably displaceable relative to a portion of the first support and a second assembly state in which the connector is fixed relative to the portion of the first support. A second support is provided between the connector and a second location of the first spa cover portion. When the first support is rotated about the pivot axis, a lifting force is applied to the first cover portion to lift the first cover portion relative to an upper rim of the spa tub.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second spa cover portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first spa cover portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second spa cover portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second spa cover portions, which face the water at the interior of the spa tub when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second spa cover portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second spa cover portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first spa cover portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second spa cover portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second spa cover portions, which face the water at the interior of the spa tub when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second spa cover portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A hot tub including a straddle chair that allows a user to comfortably sit within the hot tub in a variety of positions while receiving a water massage to various parts of the user's body. The tub includes a floor, an interior, a sidewall projecting upward relative to the floor, an upper rim around the upper perimeter of the tub, a plurality of seats along the sidewall of the tub, the straddle chair, and a hydrotherapy system for applying a water massage to users sitting in the straddle chair and the plurality of seats. The straddle chair has a back support and a straddle seat. The back support protrudes outward from the sidewall to create space between the straddle seat and the sidewall and between the straddle seat and the other seats in the tub, which allows the user to sit in the straddle chair in a wide range of positions and receive a water massage without contacting other seats or users in the tub.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second spa cover portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first spa cover portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second spa cover portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second spa cover portions, which face the water at the interior of the spa tub when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second spa cover portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A spa cover includes first and second portions that are rotatable along a pivot axis. The first portion has a first length traverse to the pivot axis, and the second portion has a second length extending in the same direction as the first length. The first length is longer than the second length. When the cover is moved from a closed configuration into an open configuration, lower surfaces of the first and second portions, which face the spa tub water when in the closed configuration and can become unsightly, are moved into a position in which they face each other, whereas the upper surface of the second portion faces the users in the tub. A lifter is provided for moving the spa cover between the closed and an open configurations.

Abstract: A sound system and a head rest for a spa and a spa having a sound system are disclosed. The sound system includes a head rest mountable to a spa and at least one electronic speaker. The head rest includes sound emitting perforations and is mounted to the spa whereby the uppermost rim of the spa remains at a substantially uniform elevation. The electronic speaker is mounted to transmit audible sound through the perforations in the head rest. The head rest may also include a light-transferring insert that is illuminated to provide an enhanced bathing experience. The head rest may also include a fluid flow device, for example, a nozzle for water. The sound system and head rest can be used to introduce audio to a tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower while imposing little or no impact upon the fabrication, storage, or shipping of the tub, spa, pool, bath, or shower.

Abstract: A lighted panel system for a tub wall comprising a light diffusing panel, a light source that illuminates the light diffusing panel, and a mounting structure that couples the light diffusing panel to the tub wall. The light diffusing panel comprises a formed transparent or translucent sheet to which the light source is mounted. The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diode lamps mounted on a circuit board protected by a circular rubber boot that attaches to a rear surface of the light diffusing panel such that light rays are dispersed in a principally lateral direction, parallel to the wall of the tub. A plurality of the lighted panel systems are preferably installed side by side along the length of a tub wall at the water line, an arrangement that allows for continuous lighting coverage and creates a new ambient effect.

Abstract: A hot tub including a straddle chair that allows a user to comfortably sit within the hot tub in a variety of positions while receiving a water massage to various parts of the user's body. The tub includes a floor, an interior, a sidewall projecting upward relative to the floor, an upper rim around the upper perimeter of the tub, a plurality of seats along the sidewall of the tub, the straddle chair, and a hydrotherapy system for applying a water massage to users sitting in the straddle chair and the plurality of seats. The straddle chair has a back support and a straddle seat. The back support protrudes outward from the sidewall to create space between the straddle seat and the sidewall and between the straddle seat and the other seats in the tub, which allows the user to sit in the straddle chair in a wide range of positions and receive a water massage without contacting other seats or users in the tub.

Abstract: A lighted panel system for a tub wall comprising a light diffusing panel, a light source that illuminates the light diffusing panel, and a mounting structure that couples the light diffusing panel to the tub wall. The light diffusing panel comprises a formed transparent or translucent sheet to which the light source is mounted. The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diode lamps mounted on a circuit board protected by a circular rubber boot that attaches to a rear surface of the light diffusing panel such that light rays are dispersed in a principally lateral direction, parallel to the wall of the tub. A plurality of the lighted panel systems are preferably installed side by side along the length of a tub wall at the water line, an arrangement that allows for continuous lighting coverage and creates a new ambient effect.

Abstract: An assembly of in-ground tub with an attached frame is provided, and a method of installing the same. The tub is mounted within the frame. A lower surface of the tub, which may be inclined relative to the bottom surface of the frame, is retained above such bottom surface so that the bottom surface of the frame can remain horizontal while the lower surface of the tub is inclined. The tub and attached frame are installed by digging a hole in the ground, inserting the tub with attached frame into the hole, pouring a first layer of concrete into the hole, at least partially filling the hole with dirt, and optionally pouring a second layer of concrete to support decking near an entrance to the tub.

Abstract: A fluid flow system for a hydrotherapy tub includes a body adapted for mounting to the hydrotherapy tub. The body includes a water chamber adapted for fluid communication with a water source, an air chamber adapted for fluid communication with an air source, and a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the water chamber and the air chamber. The plurality of outlets is configured to transmit water from the water chamber and air from the air chamber to an interior of the hydrotherapy tub.

Abstract: A valve system for a spa includes a jet manifold which is coupled to all of the water jets associated with a seat in the spa and which is coupled to an individual water pump for the seat. A T-fitting is interposed between the manifold and the pump. A conduit is coupled from the T-fitting to a valve which is coupled to a suction fitting in the bottom of the spa. When the valve is opened, water is diverted from the manifold thereby reducing the volume of water supplied to the jets and thus reducing the pressure of the water streams at the associated seat without affecting the water pressure at other seats. A spa according to the invention includes a plurality of seats, each associated with a group of water jets, each group of jets being coupled to a valve system with an associated pump.

Abstract: A skimmer assembly has an upper housing and a lower housing. The lower housing contains a removable filter cartridge and the upper housing contains a floating cylindrical weir and a floating rotatable member atop the floating weir. The walls of the upper housing are curved and the water entrance includes a vertical slot which allows water to enter in a column, hit the curved wall and cause a whirlpool which causes the rotatable member to spin. The preferred embodiment includes a disposable annular filter disc removably attached to the rotatable member.

Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing and a face plate opening into the housing. The face plate is dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column between it and the housing. In one embodiment, a flexible weir gate is coupled to the face plate and flexes under draw of water by a pump to allow flow of water into the skimmer. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes the face plate into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized.