HOT TUB PLATFORM

Abstract

A platform for a hot tub includes a substantially rectangular panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of peripheral edges. A plurality of slits radially extend from a central opening, which allow the tub's water jets to freely project water toward a bather positioned above the platform. The lower surface of the panel includes radially-extending reinforcement ribs, each positioned between adjacent pairs of slots to enhance the structural integrity of the device. Accordingly, when the device is positioned on the tub's raised seating area, the effective depth of the foot well is reduced to safely accommodate children or pets.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of provisional application number 61/232,154 filed on Aug. 7, 2009, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a safety platform that reduces the effective depth of a hot tub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Hot tubs, such as those commonly marketed under the trademark Jacuzzi®, typically include a shallow, peripheral seating area and a deeper, central foot well. Children who fall or leap from the seating area into the foot well can easily drown, particularly if the children are unsupervised. Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that allows children to more safely use a hot tub. The present invention addresses this need by providing a platform that is superimposed onto the seating area of a hot tub to reduce the effective depth thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a platform for a hot tub including a substantially rectangular panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of peripheral edges. A plurality of slits radially extend from a central opening, which allow the tub's water jets to freely project water toward a bather positioned above the platform. The lower surface of the panel includes radially-extending reinforcement ribs, each positioned between adjacent pairs of slots to enhance the structural integrity of the device. Accordingly, when the device is positioned on the tub's raised seating area, the effective depth of the foot well is reduced to safely accommodate children or pets.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a platform that allows children to more safely use a hot tub.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a platform that safely reduces the effective depth of a hot tub.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a typical hot tub.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hot tub depicted in FIG. 1 with the platform according to the present invention installed therein.

FIG. 3 is an isolated, top view of the platform.

FIG. 4 is an isolated, bottom view of the platform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a platform for a hot tub 1 such as that commonly marketed and sold under the trademark Jacuzzi®. The tub includes a peripheral, raised seating area 10 bordering a central foot well 11. The platform includes a substantially-rectangular panel 2 having an upper surface 15, a lower surface 16 and a plurality of peripheral edges. A plurality of slits 3 radially extend from a central opening 4, which allow the tub's water jets to freely project water toward a bather positioned above the platform. The central opening allows water from the hot tub's water jet to be projected upwardly through the platform to create a fountain effect. The lower surface of the panel includes radially-extending reinforcement ribs 5, each positioned between adjacent pairs of slots to enhance the structural integrity of the device. Preferably, the upper surface is formed with a roughened, frictional layer to minimize slippage.

A strap 6 secured to one of the peripheral edges may be grasped to install or remove the platform. Accordingly, when the device is positioned on the raised seating area, the effective depth of the foot well is safely reduced for children or pets.

The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. For example, though the device has been primarily depicted and described as being designed for a hot tub, it may also be used with small pools. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A platform for a hot tub comprising:

a panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and at least one peripheral edge, said panel having a plurality of slits radially extending from a central opening which allow a hot tub water jet to freely project water toward a bather positioned above said panel.

2. The platform according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of radially-extending reinforcement ribs on the lower surface of said panel, each of said ribs positioned between adjacent pairs of slots to enhance the structural integrity of the device.

3. The platform according to claim 2 wherein said upper surface is formed with a roughened, frictional layer to minimize slippage.

4. The platform according to claim 3 further comprising a strap secured to the peripheral edge of said panel that is grasped to install and remove the platform.

5. In combination with a hot tub having a peripheral, raised seating area bordering a central foot well, a safety platform comprising:

a panel superimposed on said foot well and resting atop said seating area, said panel having an upper surface, a lower surface and at least one peripheral edge, said panel having a plurality of slits radially extending from a central opening which allow a hot tub's water jets to freely project water toward a bather positioned above said panel.

6. The platform according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of radially-extending reinforcement ribs on the lower surface of said panel, each of said ribs positioned between adjacent pairs of slots to enhance the structural integrity of the device.

7. The platform according to claim 6 wherein said upper surface is formed with a roughened, frictional layer to minimize slippage.

8. The platform according to claim 7 further comprising a strap secured to said peripheral edge that is grasped to install and remove the platform.