Apparatus Facilitating Application of Customized Portable Spa Surrounds by End Users
A spa shell having an outer perimeter panel and an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of the spa shell, the side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/107,686, filed Apr. 22, 2008 and incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND1. Field
This disclosure relates to water containing vessels such as spas, hot tubs, whirlpools, pools and the like and more particularly to a portable spa shell having an unfinished side surface applied around it to which decorative façades or surrounds may be applied by an end user/purchaser.
2. Description of Related Art
Portable spas have become quite popular as a result of their ease of use and multiplicity of features such as varied jet and seating configurations. Typically, such portable spas have been self-contained, above-ground units shipped from the factory complete with their decorative exterior surfacing or “surround” in place.
SUMMARYThe following is a summary description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is provided as a preface to assist those skilled in the art to more rapidly assimilate the detailed design discussion which ensues and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims which are appended hereto in order to particularly point out the invention.
According to one illustrative embodiment, an outer perimeter side surface is provided about a spa shell to create a spa unit or “cabinet” which is then sold to an end user of the spa such as, for example, a homeowner. The end user may then select and apply any of a number of various decorative façades or surrounds to the outer perimeter side surface.
In effect, according to illustrative embodiments, the end user is provided with a blank canvas on which to apply siding, surrounds, or façades of his or her choice. In this manner, the end user, landscape architects or contractors, and/or others may customize the appearance of a spa to coordinate with ‘or integrate into’ any selected backyard landscape design or motif or to create any desired appearance. Thus, the pluase “end user applied façade” as used herein refers to any façade, surround, siding, or other decorative surface treatment applied to a spa unit or perimeter side surface by an end user and/or those assisting the end user in such application such as, without limitation, landscape architects, landscape contractors, general contractors, installers, tradesmen, and other individuals.
Façades which may be installed by an end user may include, for example, wood siding, faux or real brick, faux or real slate rock, teak wood, tile, aluminum, brushed steel, flagstone, stucco, or wood or plastic decking.
A spa unit or cabinet as just described further has the advantage that it facilitates embodiments comprising custom spa installations below, or partially below ground or deck level. In embodiments of such installations, the unfinished side surface resides, for example, below deck and the portion above deck may be provided with a decorative façade or surround. Dealers, resellers, and contractors may of course also purchase spa units or cabinets constructed according to the illustrative embodiments and apply decorative façades thereto, for example, for resale to consumers.
Thus, illustrative embodiments may comprise a spa unit design which allows a customer to experience the benefits of hydromassage as delivered by a more traditional above ground portable spa, while facilitating integration of the spa into a larger outdoor landscaping scene, whether by adding some external façade and/or by recessing the spa fully or partially under ground. Various embodiments also better accommodate applications and installations identified by a landscape architect or general contractor or other outdoor construction designer.
In an illustrative embodiment, the outer perimeter side surface of the spa unit is supported by a frame structure disposed between the side surface and the spa shell, which frame structure encompasses the spa shell and may be held in place with respect thereto, for example, by urethane foam.
In certain embodiments, the end user may decide to employ a decorative surround kit as further described herein to create a decorative surround or façade. Such a kit may include a plurality of decoratively surfaced side panels, and a front step dimensioned to integrally mount adjacent a selected side of the surround. In some embodiments, such a kit may further include side rails for mounting about the upper edge of an enclosed spa to create a ledge about the spa perimeter.
The features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
According to an illustrative embodiment, as shown in
The wood facing 65, 66 facilitates end user application of decorative façades to the spa unit 51, for example, such as a decorative panel surround spa kit 11 as illustrated in
The kit 11 of
Each of side panels 13, 15, 17, 19 of the decorative surround kit 11 is generally rectangular in shape and has tongue and grooved side edges, e.g. 37, 39. The front panel 19 is of a height “h1” less than that of the other three side panels 13, 15, 17 to accommodate insertion and attachment of the front step 35 beneath its lower edge 44. The front panel 19 also has an opening 45 formed therein to facilitate access to a spa control panel 63 (
The panel 19 further has a lip 46 formed at the top edge thereof, which is recessed back from the front face 48 of the panel 19. In an illustrative embodiment, the lip may be, for example, 0.88 inches high, 0.75 inches wide and recessed 0.75 inches from the front face 48. In one embodiment, the lip 46 fits up and behind the overlapping edge 101 of a spa shell 50 when the front panel 19 is installed in the manner as shown in
Each of the corner panels 21, 23, 25, 27, of the decorative surround kit 11 has tongue and grooved side edges, e.g. 41, 43 and is radially curved or arched through ninety degrees so as to mate at each end in tongue and groove fashion with a respective edge, e.g., 37, 39, of one of the side panels 13, 15, 17, 19. In an illustrative embodiment, the two front corner panels 21, 27 are shorter in height “h2” than the height of “h3” of the rear corner panels 23, 25, again to accommodate insertion of the front of step 35 into its assembled position. The height “h2” of the front corner panels 21, 27 is also less than the height “h1” of the front panel 19 in order to accommodate the width of the side rails 29, 33 in the embodiment under discussion. The various heights h1, h2, h3 and their relationship to one another may differ in various embodiments.
Two of the side rails 29, 33 of the decorative surround kit 11 have respective curved ends, 55, 57, 59, 61, two of which curve into and abut respective ends 58, 60 of the back side rail 31. Each of the rails 29, 31, 33 is of a width “w” selected to extend beyond the lip 101 of a spa shell, e.g. 50,
All of the components of the decorative surround kit 11 illustrated in
In an illustrative embodiment shown in
The manner of installation of the illustrative spa surround kit is further illustrated in
As further shown in
Next, the side rails 29, 31, 33 are each installed, beginning, for example, with attachment of the right side rail 33 and then the left side rail 29, as illustrated in
After installation of the side rails 29, 31, 33, the remaining panels, 21, 13, 23, 15, 25, 17, 27 are successively installed beginning, for example, with the left corner panel 21 (
Each of the vertical frame members 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249, 251 is rectangular in shape and positioned between and fastened to the upper and lower horizontal frame members 229, 231. In an illustrative embodiment, the upper and lower horizontal frame members 229, 231 may respectively be “1×1¾” and “1×2” lumber, respectively, and of the same length, e.g. 67¼ inches. An additional horizontal rectangular member 258 is attached for protection during transportation, and is removed thereafter.
In the illustrative embodiment, five of the vertical frame members 235, 241, 243, 245, 251 may comprise identically shaped “1×3” lumber parts of a selected height, e.g. 30 inches. The vertical frame members 237, 249 may be, for example, 1″×6″×30″ lumber, while the vertical members 239, 247 may be 1″×3″×30″ lumber. In an illustrative embodiment, the front face, e.g. 253, of each of the vertical frame members 235, 237, 239, 241, 243, 245, 247, 249, 251 is fastened flush with the front edges 254, 255 of the respective horizontal frame members 229, 231, thereby providing co-planar front surfaces 253 on which to attach the first and second plywood panels 261, 263 shown in
The horizontal frame members 227, 233 may be 2″×4″ and 2″×2½″ lumber pieces, respectively. The frame member 227 provides a “kick plate” at the bottom of the spa unit 51, while member 233 comprises a bull nose shaped to mate with the interior contour of the bar top 382 of the spa shell 50 (e.g.
In the illustrative embodiment, the back panel 215 may be constructed in the same fashion as the side panels 211 utilizing the same horizontal and vertical frame parts, with the exception that the horizontal frame parts corresponding to members 229, 231 are longer in length, for example, 74⅜ inches.
The first plywood panel 273 further has an oblong opening 279 formed therein suitably located to provide access to the spa control panel of a spa unit 51 positioned within the frame structure. The region 264 around the control panel opening 279 is preferably painted black to provide a suitable background for the panel, and control panel protecting braces (1″×3″) 280, 282 are attached to the front of the panel 273.
The front panel frame 271 includes 6 horizontal members 281, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287 and 10 vertical members 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301. As with the side panels 211, the horizontal members 281, 285, 286 fasten directly to the vertical members 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301. The vertical members 292 and 299 are recessed, and receive screws attaching the decorative front panel 19 to the unit 51. As in
In an illustrative embodiment, the vertical members 290, 291, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298 may be 1″×3″ wood pieces, the cross-members 283, 284, 2″×2″ lumber parts, and the vertical members 292, 299 1″×6″ lumber parts. The top and bottom horizontal frame members 281, 285 may be 1″×3″ lumber parts cut down to 1″×2″, while member 286 may be a 1″×3″ lumber part. The additional horizontal frame member 287 is fastened across the bottom edge of the structure to provide additional support and may be, for example, a 2″×4″ lumber part. A horizontal member 288 is again provided for protection during shipping and thereafter removed.
As illustrated in
As may be appreciated, four corner panels 217, 219, 221, 223 are also employed in the illustrative embodiment and comprise flat plywood faces like panel 66 shown in
A front panel frame structure 221 is illustrated in
The fourth corner piece frame 223 of
It will be appreciated that the four corner frames 217, 219, 221, 223 and attached plywood facing are used in the illustrative embodiment to appropriately match the contour of the particular spa shell 50 enclosed by the frame structure, which may be, for example, a HotSprings® “Grandee” model, as manufactured by Watkins Manufacturing Corporation, Vista, Calif. Various other embodiments need not employ such corner pieces and may be constructed to conform to any one of numerous geometric or other shapes.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1. The apparatus comprising:
- a spa shell having an outer perimeter; and
- an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of said spa shell, said side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a frame structure positioned between said spa shell and said outer perimeter side surface, said out perimeter side surface being attached to and supported by said frame structure.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said spa shell is attached to said frame structure by urethane foam.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said outer perimeter side surface comprises a plurality of flat, vertically disposed panels.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said frame structure comprises front, side, and back generally rectangular frame structures each comprising a plurality of vertical frame members attached to a plurality of horizontal frame members.
6. The apparatus comprising:
- a spa shell having an outer perimeter;
- an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of said spa shell, said side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade; and
- a decorative façade attached to said outer perimeter side surface.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a frame structure positioned between said spa shell and said outer perimeter side surface, said out perimeter side surface being attached to and supported by said frame structure.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said spa shell is attached to said frame structure by urethane foam.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said outer perimeter side surface comprises a plurality of flat, vertically disposed panels.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said frame structure comprises front, side, and back generally rectangular frame structures each comprising a plurality of vertical frame members attached to a plurality of horizontal frame members.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said decorative façade comprises:
- first, second, third and fourth side panels, each having a decoratively surfaced outer face;
- first, second, third and fourth corner panels so shaped and dimensioned as to integrally mate with said side panels to form an enclosure about a spa or pool, said corner panels further each having a decoratively surfaced outer face; and
- a front step dimensioned to integrally mount adjacent a selected side of said enclosure.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first side panel mates with said first and second corner panels and wherein the height of said first side panel and said first and second corner panels is selected to be less than that of each of the outer side and corner panels to facilitate mounting of said front step adjacent said enclosure.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 further including first and second side rails and a rear side rail for mounting about an upper edge of an enclosed spa or pool.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each said side rail has a width selected to extend beyond the outer edge of the spa or pool to form a ledge about the spa or pool.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein, in an installed position, each said rail fits up against the side of the spa between an outer edge of said spa or pool and the upper edge of each of a respective one of said side panels.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said side panels is generally rectangular in shape.
17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said corner panels engages a respective pair of said side panels in tongue and groove fashion.
18. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said decorative façade comprises a plurality of mating panels each having a decoratively surfaced outer face, the panels being shaped to follow said outer perimeter side surface.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a front step dimensioned to mount adjacent a selected side of said outer perimeter side surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 further including a plurality of side rails for mounting about an upper edge of said outer perimeter side surface.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein each said side rail has a width selected to extend beyond the outer edge of the spa shell unit to form a ledge about the shell.
22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of said panels mates with another of said panels in tongue and groove fashion.
23. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a portion of said spa shell and a corresponding portion of said side surface are positioned out of view and wherein said decorative façade is applied to a portion of said side surface which remains in view.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the portion positioned out of view lies beneath the surface of a deck.
25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the portion out of view lies beneath the ground.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2008
Publication Date: Oct 22, 2009
Inventors: Jake Dragovich (Vista, CA), Steve M. Hammack (Encinitas, CA)
Application Number: 12/185,742
International Classification: A47K 3/02 (20060101);