U.S. patent application number 10/670854 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for combination spa and entertainment system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Master Spas, Inc.. Invention is credited to Badiac, Samuel K., Herbert, Elmer C., Lauter, Robert, Valmassoi, Terry M..
Application Number | 20040068786 10/670854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23300165 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lauter, Robert ; et
al. |
April 15, 2004 |
Combination spa and entertainment system
Abstract
A combination spa and electronic entertainment system is
disclosed. The spa includes a tub with an upper edge from which
horizontal surfaces extend. The surfaces have apertures through
which water-tight housings may be raised and lowered. The housings
hold components of the entertainment system and have tops larger in
size than the apertures to form sealing areas engageable with the
horizontal surfaces surrounding the apertures for sealing the
apertures and the water-tight housings. A moving mechanism is
provided to raise and lower the housings. The mechanism has a
platform supported on a carriage movable vertically along a support
column. A motor raises and lowers the platforms through a cable and
pulley system. A motion limiting device having a pivoting arm which
engages sensors communicating with the motor through a control
system shuts the motor off in response to predetermined upper and
lower limits of cable tension.
Inventors: |
Lauter, Robert; (Auburn,
IN) ; Valmassoi, Terry M.; (Fort Wayne, IN) ;
Badiac, Samuel K.; (Fort Wayne, IN) ; Herbert, Elmer
C.; (Fort Wayne, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SYNNESTVEDT & LECHNER, LLP
2600 ARAMARK TOWER
1101 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
191072950
|
Assignee: |
Master Spas, Inc.
Fort Wayne
IN
|
Family ID: |
23300165 |
Appl. No.: |
10/670854 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10670854 |
Sep 24, 2003 |
|
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10286280 |
Nov 1, 2002 |
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60332861 |
Nov 6, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/0087 20130101;
A61H 33/60 20130101; A61H 33/601 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sealing system for safely positioning electronic equipment
proximate to a body of water, said sealing system comprising: a
surface extending substantially horizontally and proximate to said
water, said surface having an aperture therein; and a water-tight
housing defining an interior adapted to hold said electronic
equipment, said housing being positioned in alignment with said
aperture and movable between a first position beneath said surface
and a second position projecting above said surface, said housing
having a top larger in size than said aperture and comprising a
sealing area facing said surface, said sealing area being
engageable with said surface to effect a seal around the perimeter
of said aperture thereby keeping water from said interior when said
housing is in said first position beneath said surface.
2. A sealing system according to claim 1, further comprising a rib
positioned surrounding said aperture on said surface and projecting
outwardly therefrom, said sealing area having a complementary
groove therein sized to accommodate said rib and thereby seal said
aperture when said housing is in said first position beneath said
surface.
3. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein said water-tight
housing comprises a transparent sidewall.
4. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein said body of
water comprises a spa for personal therapy by immersion of a person
in said body of water, said spa comprising a tub adapted to hold
said water and accommodate said person for immersion therein, said
tub comprising a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls having an
upper edge extending around said tub, said surface extending
substantially horizontally from one of said sidewalls proximate to
said upper edge.
5. A sealing system according to claim 4, further including a
mechanism for moving said housing comprising: a support column
positioned beneath said surface; a carriage movably mounted on said
support column for movement in a substantially vertical direction;
a platform mounted on top of said carriage in alignment with said
aperture, said water-tight housing being mounted on said platform
and movable between said first and second positions upon movement
of said carriage on said support column; a motor for raising and
lowering said carriage; and a transmission system linking said
motor with said carriage.
6. A sealing system according to claim 5, wherein said transmission
system comprises: a first pulley rotatably mounted on said support
column; a second pulley rotatably mounted on said carriage; a
rotatable shaft powered by said motor and fixedly mounted beneath
said surface; and a cable fixedly attached at one end to said
support column and engaging said first and said second pulleys,
said cable being attached at another end to said rotatable shaft,
turning of said shaft in one direction winding said cable about
said shaft and drawing said cable over said first and second
pulleys thereby moving said carriage upwardly on said support
column, turning of said shaft in an opposite direction unwinding
said cable from said shaft and allowing movement of said carriage
downwardly under gravity on said support column.
7. A mechanism for raising and lowering a platform, said mechanism
comprising: a first support column; a first carriage movably
mounted on said first support column for movement in a
substantially vertical direction; a first platform mounted on top
of said carriage; a first pulley rotatably mounted on said first
support column; a second pulley rotatably mounted on said first
carriage; a motor; a rotatable shaft powered by said motor; a
control system for controlling said motor; and a cable fixedly
attached at one end to said support column and engaging said first
and said second pulleys, said cable being attached at another end
to said rotatable shaft, turning of said shaft in one direction
winding said cable about said shaft and drawing said cable over
said first and second pulleys moving said carriage upwardly on said
support column, turning of said shaft in an opposite direction
unwinding said cable from said shaft and allowing movement of said
carriage downwardly under gravity on said support column.
8. A mechanism according to claim 7, further comprising: a second
support column; a second carriage movably mounted on said second
support column for movement in a substantially vertical direction;
a second platform mounted on top of said second carriage; a third
pulley rotatably mounted on said second support column; a fourth
pulley rotatably mounted on said second carriage; a fifth pulley
rotatably mounted and fixed in position between said first and
second support columns; and a second cable fixedly attached at one
end to said second support column and engaging said third, said
fourth and said fifth pulleys, said cable being attached at another
end to said first carriage, motion of said first carriage upwardly
drawing said second cable over said third, fourth and fifth pulleys
and moving said second carriage upwardly on said second support
column, motion of said first carriage downwardly allowing movement
of said second carriage downwardly under gravity on said second
support column.
9. A mechanism according to claim 8, further including a motion
limiting device comprising: a first sensor in communication with
said control system and capable of generating a signal indicative
of a cable tension less than a first predetermined level; a second
sensor in communication with said control system and capable of
generating a signal indicative of a cable tension greater than a
second predetermined level; and a movable member engaged with said
cable and movable into a first position in engagement with said
first sensor when tension in said cable is less than said first
predetermined level, and into a second position in engagement with
said second sensor when tension in said cable is greater than said
second predetermined level, engagement of said movable member with
either of said first and said second sensors causing a signal to be
generated and communicated to said control system, said control
system halting said motor in response to said signal.
10. A mechanism according to claim 9, wherein said movable member
comprises: an elongated arm having one end positioned between said
first and second sensors, said arm being pivotally mounted and
allowing motion of said one end in a first direction into
engagement with said first sensor, and in a second direction into
engagement with said second sensor; a biasing member for biasing
said one end of said arm into engagement with one of said sensors;
and a pair of fixed pulleys rotatably mounted in respective fixed
positions adjacent to said arm and a movable pulley rotatably
mounted on said arm, said fixed and said movable pulleys being
adapted to engage said cable at a position between said carriage
and said motor, said cable passing over one of said fixed pulleys,
said movable pulley and the other of said fixed pulleys, whereby
motion of said shaft lowering said housing to said first position
causing tension in said cable to be less than said first
predetermined value allowing said arm to be biased by said biasing
member into engagement with one of said sensors, said one sensor
generating said signal to said control system, said control system
halting said motor in response thereto, motion of said shaft
raising said housing into said second position resulting in tension
in said cable greater than said second predetermined level thereby
pivoting said arm against said biasing member into engagement with
the other of said sensors, said other sensor generating a signal to
said control system, said control system halting said motor in
response thereto.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/286,280, file Nov. 1, 2002, which is based on and claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/332,861, filed Nov.
6, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to aquatic spas for recreational and
therapeutic use and to such spas in combination with an electronic
entertainment system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Spas, also known as hot-tubs, find widespread use in homes,
hotels, gymnasiums and hospitals as a means of relaxation or
medical treatment by providing aquatic massage therapy to the
muscles and joints of a person immersed in a bath of temperature
controlled water. Water is heated and pumped within the spa which
typically comprises a tub having a plurality of nozzles to direct
jets of water wherever desired on the person to relieve tension, as
well as joint and muscular pain.
[0004] Spas have evolved beyond a strictly functional device merely
providing therapy to occupy a position as an appurtenance used in
leisure time and as a vehicle promoting social activity. As such,
it is desirable to incorporate or associate other devices, also
associated with leisure and social activities, with the spa. Such
devices may be broadly classified as an entertainment system and
include, for example, televisions, radios, compact disc players
video tape players and recorders, digital video disc players and
their required accessories such as stereophonic speakers.
[0005] There is a problem in integrating such an entertainment
system with a spa due to the presence of a reasonably large volume
of water in which people are immersed and the fact that such
systems are electronic in nature and require that electricity be
supplied to power them. Unless proper precautions are taken, the
combination of a spa with an entertainment system presents
electrical hazards to the occupants of the spa, as well as
potential damage to the various components of the entertainment
system.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention concerns a combination spa and electronic
entertainment system for personal therapy and relaxation by
immersion of one or more people in a volume of water. The
combination spa and entertainment system comprises a tub adapted to
hold the water and accommodate one or more people for immersion
therein. The tub comprises a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls
surrounding the bottom, the sidewalls having an upper edge
extending around the tub. A surface extends substantially
horizontally from one of the sidewalls and proximate to the upper
edge. The surface has an aperture therein. The aperture is
preferably surrounded by a rib positioned on the surface and
projecting outwardly from it. A water-tight housing defining an
interior adapted to hold a component of the entertainment system is
positioned within the aperture and is movable between a first
position beneath the surface and a second position projecting above
the surface. The housing has a cover projecting beyond the
perimeter of the aperture, the cover comprising a sealing area
facing the surface. The sealing area preferably has a groove spaced
to coincide with the rib on the sealing area. The groove is sized
to receive the rib and contribute to the effectiveness of the seal
when the housing is in the first position beneath the surface. The
combination further includes a mechanism for moving the housing
between the first and the second positions, as well as a control
system for controlling the moving mechanism.
[0007] Preferably, the housing holds a television monitor and has a
transparent cover facing the tub permitting the monitor to be
viewed by the people within the tub. In addition to the housing
holding the monitor, the combination may also include a second
surface extending substantially horizontally from another one of
the sidewalls and proximate to the upper edge. The second surface
has a second aperture therein, the second aperture being preferably
surrounded by a second rib positioned on the second surface and
projecting outwardly therefrom. A second water-tight housing
defining an interior adapted to hold another component, such as an
electronic speaker, is positioned within the second aperture and
movable between a first position beneath the second surface and a
second position projecting above the second surface. The second
housing also has a cover projecting beyond the perimeter of the
second aperture, the top comprising a second sealing area facing
the second surface. The second sealing area preferably has a groove
spaced to coincide with the rib on the sealing area. The groove is
sized to receive the second rib and thereby contribute to
effectiveness of the seal of the second aperture when the second
housing is in the first position beneath the surface. The
combination has a second mechanism for moving the second housing
between the first and the second positions. Preferably, the second
moving mechanism is controlled by the same control system as
controls the first moving mechanism.
[0008] Preferably the moving mechanism comprises a first support
column and a first carriage movably mounted on the first support
column for movement in a substantially vertical direction. A first
platform is mounted on top of the carriage, the platform adapted to
support, for example, a water-tight housing to hold electronic
components. A first pulley is rotatably mounted on the first
support column and a second pulley rotatably mounted on the first
carriage. A motor is operatively associated with the mechanism, the
motor having or being coupled to a rotatable shaft. A control
system is linked to the motor for controlling it. A cable is
fixedly attached at one end to the support column, engages the
first and the second pulleys, and is attached at its other end to
the rotatable shaft. Turning of the shaft by the motor in one
direction winds the cable about the shaft and draws the cable over
the first and second pulleys, moving the carriage upwardly on the
support column. Turning of the shaft in an opposite direction
unwinds the cable from the shaft and allowing movement of the
carriage downwardly under gravity on the support column.
[0009] Multiple mechanisms may be linked together to simultaneously
raise and lower various housings. Preferably such multiple
mechanisms would further include a second support column and a
second carriage movably mounted on the second support column for
movement in a substantially vertical direction. A second platform
is mounted on top of the second carriage, the second platform also
adapted to support a water-tight housing. A third pulley is
rotatably mounted on the second support column and a fourth pulley
is rotatably mounted on the second carriage. In addition, a fifth
pulley is rotatably mounted and fixed in position between the first
and second support columns. A second cable is fixedly attached at
one end to the second support column and engages the third, the
fourth and the fifth pulleys, the cable being attached at another
end to the first carriage. Motion of the first carriage upwardly
draws the second cable over the third, fourth and fifth pulleys and
moves the second carriage upwardly on the second support column,
motion of the first carriage downwardly allows movement of the
second carriage downwardly under gravity on the second support
column.
[0010] The mechanism may also include a motion limiting device. The
preferred motion limiting device comprises a first sensor in
communication with the control system and capable of generating a
signal indicative of a cable tension less than a first
predetermined level and a second sensor in communication with the
control system and capable of generating a signal indicative of a
cable tension greater than a second predetermined level. A movable
member is engaged with the cable and movable into a first position
in engagement with the first sensor when tension in the cable is
less than the first predetermined level, and into a second position
in engagement with the second sensor when tension in the cable is
greater than the second predetermined level. Engagement of the
movable member with either of the first and the second sensors
causes a signal to be generated and communicated to the control
system, the control system halting the motor in response to the
signal.
[0011] It is an object of the invention to provide a spa combined
with an electronic entertainment system.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a spa
wherein the components of an electronic entertainment system may be
raised and lowered between a hidden position beneath the surface of
the spa structure and above the surface for use by persons in the
spa.
[0013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
mechanism for raising and lowering the components of the
entertainment system.
[0014] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
mechanism for raising and lowering multiple components of an
entertainment system.
[0015] It is further another object of the invention to provide a
mechanism for limiting the motion of the mechanism for raising and
lowering the components of the entertainment system.
[0016] It is again another object of the invention to provide a
sealing system for safely positioning electrical and electronic
components proximate to a body of water.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the drawings and detailed
description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination spa and
entertainment system according to the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the internal components
comprising the entertainment system shown in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of a component shown in FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of a component shown in FIG.
2; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of a
mechanism shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the combination spa and
electronic entertainment system 10. The spa portion comprises a tub
12 having a plurality of sidewalls 14 surrounding a bottom 16. The
bottom 16 as well as the sidewalls 14 have a plurality of nozzles
and jets 18 through which heated water is pumped and directed to
impinge upon muscles and joints of people immersed within the
volume of water held by the tub 12. Pumps, piping, heater elements,
valves and other apparatus for running the spa are preferably
positioned beneath and along side the tub and hidden by a skirt 20
extending downwardly from the upper edge 22 surrounding the tub 12.
The components for running the spa are well understood by those of
skill in the art and need not be shown in detail.
[0024] The electronic components comprising the entertainment
system are contained in water-tight housings, such as 24 for
holding a television monitor and 26 for holding a speaker. Each
housing is mounted within an aperture 28 in a respective surface 30
which extends substantially horizontally from one of the sidewalls
14, the upper surfaces 30 being positioned near to the upper edge
22 of the tub 12. As shown in FIG. 2, each housing 24 and 26 has a
mechanism 32 for moving the housings between a first position,
shown in FIG. 2, wherein the housings are substantially beneath the
surfaces 30, and a second position, shown in FIG. 1, wherein the
housings project substantially above the surfaces 30 allowing the
electronic components positioned within the housings to be used by
the occupants of the spa. A preferred form of a moving mechanism is
described in detail below. A control system 34 (shown in FIG. 1 and
schematically in FIG. 2) and a motion limiting device 36 are
operatively associated with the moving mechanism 32 allowing the
occupants of the spa to raise and lower the water-tight housings as
desired. Control system 34 may also be used to control the various
functions of the spa, such as the water temperature, as well as the
operation of the various jets and nozzles 18.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, water-tight housings 24 and 26
each have a respective cover 38 and 40 adapted to enclose the
housing. Covers 38 and 40 are larger in size than the apertures 28
in the surfaces 30 (see FIG. 2) and project beyond the perimeter of
the apertures, the excess cover portion extending outwardly and
forming a sealing area 42 which faces surfaces 30 and will not pass
through the apertures through which the housings move. Each sealing
area 42 preferably has a groove 44 extending substantially around
the cover, the groove being engageable with a complementary rib 46
(see FIGS. 1 and 2) positioned on each surface 30. The ribs 46
project outwardly from each surface 30 and substantially surround
each aperture 28 to present a raised barrier preventing water from
draining into the apertures when the housings are in the second
position extending from the surfaces (FIG. 1). Grooves 44 in the
sealing areas 42 of covers 38 and 40 are adapted to accommodate the
rib and close off the apertures 28 when the housings are in the
first position beneath the surfaces 30 (FIG. 2) to prevent water
from entering the apertures and the water-tight housings 24 and
26.
[0026] Water-tight housing 24 is preferably formed of high-strength
plastic and adapted to hold and protect a television monitor 48
shown schematically in dashed line in FIG. 3. The television may be
connected to a cable network, as well as any other components of
the entertainment system, such as a video tape recorder/player, a
digital video disk system and the like. The television is operated
by a remote control unit by the occupants of the spa. The housing
24 has a transparent cover 50 which faces the tub to permit viewing
of the television 48 by the occupants within the tub.
[0027] Water-tight housing 26, shown in FIG. 4, is preferably also
made of high-strength plastic adapted to hold a speaker 52 shown
schematically in dashed line. The housing 26 has an angled surface
54 which faces a contra-angled surface 56. Both surfaces face the
tub 12. Angled surface 54 has a speaker grating 58 mounted thereon
for protecting the speaker, and the angled surface helps drain
water away from the speaker. Contra surface 56 acts as a reflector
to direct sound from the speaker toward the area of the tub so it
can be heard by the occupants.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, tub 12 comprises a seat 13 for
accommodating a person in the spa 10. Seat 13 faces housing 24
allowing for convenient viewing of the television monitor. Housing
26 is positioned substantially behind seat 13 and is thus
substantially behind a person viewing the television monitor. This
allows the speaker to be readily heard by an occupant of seat
13.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the water-tight housings 24 and 26 are
positioned on a preferred embodiment of the moving mechanism 32
which raises and lowers them above and below the surfaces 30 as
desired by the occupants of the tub 12 through the use of a control
system 34.
[0030] Other embodiments of the moving mechanism, using hydraulic
or pneumatic components, as well as other forms of mechanical
components, are also feasible. The preferred moving mechanism
supporting water-tight housing 24 holding the television 48
comprises a platform 60 mounted on a carriage 62 which is slidably
movable along and guided by a support column 64 which is mounted to
the ground by a base plate 66. A pulley 68 is rotatably mounted on
the carriage 62 and is rotatable about a horizontal axis 69.
Another pulley 70 is mounted on the support column 64 and rotatable
about a horizontal axis 71. A cable 72 has one end 74 fixed to the
support column 64 and is routed over the pulleys 68 and 70. The
other end 76 of cable 72 is attached to a rotatable shaft 78 driven
by a motor 80, preferably electrically powered. The motor is
controlled by the control system 34 through a communication link
82.
[0031] When it is desired to raise the television for viewing, an
occupant of the tub 12 presses a button 84 on the control system 34
which activates motor 80 through the communication link 82. Motor
80 turns and winds cable 72 onto shaft 78. The winding of cable 72
onto the shaft draws the cable over the pulleys 68 and 70 which
rotate about their respective axes causing carriage 62 to slide
upwardly along support column 64 and move the housing 24 containing
television 48 from its position shown in FIG. 2 beneath surface 30
to its position shown in FIG. 1 above surface 30 for viewing by the
tub occupants. To lower the television, the same button may be
pushed to reverse motor 80 which then unwinds the cable from the
shaft 78. The carriage 62 slides downwardly along support column 64
under gravity until the groove 44 in cover 38 engages the rib 46 in
surface 30 to close off aperture 28.
[0032] The limits of motion of the carriage 62 are determined by
motion limiting device 36 best shown in FIG. 2. Motion limiting
device 36 comprises a base 86 having two pulleys 88 and 90 mounted
thereon and rotatable about respective horizontal axes 92 and 94. A
movable member, preferably an arm 96 has one end 98 pivotally
attached to base 86 for pivoting movement about a horizontal axis
100. The other end 102 of arm 96 has a pulley 104 mounted thereon
for rotation about a horizontal axis 106. Pulleys 88, 90 and 104
are positioned in substantially the same vertical plane. A finger
108 extends from end 102 of arm 96 and is engageable with two
sensors, preferably in the form of limit switches, namely, an upper
motion limit switch 110 and a lower motion limit switch 112. The
limit switches are connected to the control system 34 through
respective feedback links 114 and 116. A biasing member, preferably
a compression spring 118, is positioned between ends 98 and 102 of
the movable arm 96, the spring 118 biasing the arm away from base
86.
[0033] Cable 72 is directed from pulley 70 on support column 64
through an idler pulley 120 and loops under pulley 88, over pulley
104 and back under pulley 90 before engaging shaft 78 on motor 80.
The motion limiting device 36 operates as follows. When button 84
is pressed to raise television 48, motor 80 turns shaft 78 to wind
the cable 72 about the shaft. This causes carriage 62 to rise as
described above. When the bottom portion 62a of the carriage
encounters a stop 122 on support column 64, further motion of the
carriage is prevented. The motor continues to turn however and
increases the tension on cable 72 causing arm 96 to pivot
downwardly about axis 100 against spring 118 until finger 108
engages the upper motion limit switch 110. Closing of this switch
is communicated to control system 34 by feedback link 114, the
control system then stopping motor 80 and applying a brake 124 to
the motor or the shaft 78 to hold the carriage in the raised
position. The spring constant of spring 118 is chosen to allow
sufficient tension to develop in cable 72 to raise the television
without tripping the limit switch but will prevent significant
excess tension, which occurs, for example, when the carriage
encounters stop 122 or if a heavy object is positioned on top of
cover 38 preventing motion of the housing 24 above the surface
30.
[0034] When it is desired to lower the television, button 84 is
pressed, releasing brake 124 and reversing motor 80 to unwind the
cable 72 from the shaft 78. The carriage 62 slides downwardly along
support column 64 under gravity and keeps enough tension in the
cable 72 to compress biasing spring 118 and prevent finger 108 from
engaging lower limit motion switch 112 prematurely. Once the
carriage 62 bottoms out and can move no further downwardly, the
motor continues to turn, further relieving tension in cable 72 and
allowing arm 96 to pivot upwardly about axis 100 under the force of
biasing spring 118 until finger 108 engages lower limit motion
switch 112. Closing of switch 112 is communicated to control system
34 by feedback link 116 and the control system shuts off motor
80.
[0035] Moving mechanism 32 also raises and lowers speakers 52 in
housings 26. A housing 26 is supported on a platform 126 mounted on
a carriage 128 slidably movable along and guided by a support
column 130. Support column 130 is mounted on a base 132 and has a
pulley 134 mounted thereon for rotation about a horizontal axis
136. Another pulley 138 is mounted on carriage 128 and is rotatable
about a horizontal axis 140. A cable 142 has one end 144 fixed to
support column 130. Cable 142 is routed around pulleys 138 and 134
to an idler pulley 146 on base 132, the idler pulley being
rotatable about a horizontal axis 148. Cable 142 continues toward
support column 64 and is routed around another idler pulley 150
mounted on base 66 and also rotatable about a horizontal axis. The
other end 152 of cable 142 is attached to carriage 62. Thus, when
motor 80 raises carriage 62 as described above the motion of the
carriage 62 draws cable 142 along pulleys 138, 134, 146 and 150 to
also slide carriage 128 upwardly along support column 130 to raise
speaker 52 in housing 26 above surface 30 simultaneously with the
television. Similarly, when the carriage 62 is lowered carriage 128
will also be lowered as cable 142 is payed out due to the downward
motion of carriage 62. As shown in FIG. 2, multiple speakers 52 may
be raised and lowered by using multiple cables connected to the
carriage 62. It is interesting to note that the speed at which the
speakers rise is approximately half the speed at which the
television rises due to the pulley configuration.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the motion limiting
device 32a wherein the pivot point 154 of arm 96 is positioned
between the spring 118 and the end 102 of the arm engaging the
limit upper and lower motion limit switches 110 and 112. Operation
of the motion limiting device 32a is similar to that described
above for device 32, it being noted that spring 118 is used as a
tension spring in device 32a.
[0037] The combination spa and entertainment system according to
the invention promises to improve the safety and reliability of
operation of the spa and thereby promote it as a form of relaxation
and therapy.
* * * * *