U.S. patent application number 10/702198 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for curvilinear spa.
Invention is credited to Pflueger, Timothy P., Walker, Victor Lee.
Application Number | 20040088785 10/702198 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34590704 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040088785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker, Victor Lee ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Curvilinear spa
Abstract
A curvilinear spa shell includes a top edge defining four
rounded concave corners and four convex side walls in a "clover
leaf" like arrangement. Each rounded corner has a radius that
exceeds twelve inches. The top edge is substantially symmetrical
about an axes that extend through the center of opposing side walls
as well as through the center of opposing corners. The curvilinear
spa shell can accommodate a water feature for generating a pleasing
rushing water sound. The water feature includes a ridge in an
interior area of the spa and having a top disposed near a water
line of the spa. The water feature utilizes a water inlet adjacent
to the ridge opposite a main body of water area in the interior
area. The water inlet is placed lower than the top of the ridge.
The water feature also includes a slope descending from the top of
the ridge in the direction of the water inlet. The slope includes a
patterned top surface configured to interact with water flowing
over the ridge, down the slope and toward the water inlet to
produce the pleasing rushing water sound.
Inventors: |
Walker, Victor Lee;
(Murrieta, CA) ; Pflueger, Timothy P.; (San Diego,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON, PC
12390 EL CAMINO REAL
SAN DIEGO
CA
92130-2081
US
|
Family ID: |
34590704 |
Appl. No.: |
10/702198 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10702198 |
Nov 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
10279379 |
Oct 23, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/0188 20130101;
E04H 2004/0068 20130101; A61H 33/02 20130101; E04H 4/0037 20130101;
E04H 4/005 20130101; A61H 33/601 20130101; A61H 33/0087
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00 |
Claims
1. A water feature for a spa, comprising: a ridge in an interior
area of the spa and having a top disposed near a water line of the
spa; a water inlet adjacent to the ridge opposite a main body of
water area in the interior area, the water inlet being placed lower
than the top of the ridge; and a slope descending from the top of
the ridge in the direction of the water inlet, the slope having a
patterned top surface configured to interact with water flowing
over the ridge, down the slope and toward the water inlet.
2. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a first water inlet and a second water inlet disposed on opposite
sides of the slope.
3. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, wherein the water
inlet is adjacent to a side wall of the spa, and wherein the slope
descends to the side wall at a position lower than the top of the
ridge.
4. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ridge
is curved, and at least partially curves around the water
inlet.
5. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slope
includes one or more protrusions.
6. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slope
includes one or more grooves.
7. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, wherein an angle
of the slope is adjustable.
8. The water feature in accordance with claim 5, wherein a size of
at least one of the one or more protrusions is adjustable.
9. The water feature in accordance with claim 1, further comprising
a light feature disposed at or near the top of the ridge, and
configured to provide light to the water flowing over the ridge
and/or down the slope.
10. The water feature in accordance with claim 9, wherein the light
feature includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
11. The water feature in accordance with claim 9, wherein the light
feature includes one or more colors.
12. A method of providing an audibly pleasing sound with water in a
spa, the method comprising: flowing water over a top of a ridge in
an interior area of the spa and disposed at or below a water line;
flowing water down a slope descending from the top of the ridge to
a level below the top of the ridge, the slope having a patterned
top surface configured to interact with water; and interacting
water with the patterned top surface to produce a flowing water
sound.
13. A curvilinear spa shell, comprising: a top edge defining four
rounded concave corners each having a radius that exceeds twelve
inches, and four convex side walls connecting two of the concave
corners; wherein the top edge is substantially symmetrical about an
axis through the center of opposing side walls; and wherein the top
edge is substantially symmetrical about an axis through the center
of opposing concave corners.
14. The curvilinear spa shell in accordance with claim 13, further
comprising a water feature.
15. The curvilinear spa shell in accordance with claim 13, further
comprising a filter section that extends from one side wall between
two concave corners and toward the center of the top edge.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/279,379, filed Oct. 23, 2002.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Typical spas are designed around dimensional lumber and are
usually very linear in shape. Some deviations do occur in certain
models but only on one or two sides. Spas with very linear shell
shapes require very linear frames that are easily constructed with
dimensionally-squared lumber, like standard two-by-four or
two-by-two lumber. As a consequence, traditional spas are very
squared or rectangular. In a square or rectangular spa, rounded
seating space is sacrificed as it is fit as best as possible into
squared corners.
[0003] Typical linear spas are very plain looking, especially when
the cover is on and they are not in use. Linear spas are not
architecturally pleasing and are usually not a focal point for the
customers' landscape architecture. Accordingly, many spa owners
hide their spas with landscaping or put them inside structures such
as gazebos.
[0004] The typical spa is designed with primarily with only
hydrotherapy in mind. Some spa designs do provide an additional
water feature, which usually entails a plumbing device to pump out
water into the main body of water of the spa. These waterfalls are
for mostly for visual effect, typically lit with lights or other
optic features, and achieve a very artificial sound. Other spas
also provide sound systems such as stereos, but these systems are
also unnatural and can detract from the therapeutic aspects of the
spa.
[0005] Another limitation in most spa designs is ingress and
egress. Spas rarely have internal steps because they sacrifice too
much seating area. Coupled with the awkward seat configurations
found in most linear spas, ingress and egress for a user of a
typical spa is difficult. Yet another limitation in typical spa
designs is the placement and functionality of the filter bucket.
Most filter buckets occupy a "dead area," i.e., an area of the spa
that cannot be utilized for hydrotherapy or other uses. Because of
their single function of continuously receiving large amounts of
water for filtering and pumping, filter buckets are not conceived
of as an aesthetic element of the overall spa design.
SUMMARY
[0006] A curvilinear spa shell provides for an aesthetically
pleasing and functionally efficient spa form. In one embodiment, a
curvilinear spa shell includes a top edge that defines four rounded
concave corners and four convex side walls connecting two of the
concave corners. Each of the rounded corners preferably have a
radius that exceeds twelve inches. The top edge of the spa is
substantially symmetrical about an axis through the center of
opposing side walls, as well as through the center of opposing
concave corners.
[0007] The curvilinear spa shell improves the seat placement
efficiency, ingress and egress to and from the spa, and
accommodates various therapeutic devices such as visual and audio
therapy features. In one example, a water feature that may, but
without limitation, be provided in the curvilinear spa and
extending from one side wall into the interior of the spa for being
a focal point for users of the spa.
[0008] One example water feature includes a ridge in an interior
area of the spa and having a top disposed at, or just below or
above a water line of the spa. The water feature also includes a
water inlet adjacent to the ridge and opposite a main body of water
area in the interior area. The water inlet is disposed in the spa
at a depth lower than the top of the ridge. The water feature also
includes a slope descending from the top of the ridge in the
direction of the water inlet. The slope includes a patterned top
surface configured to interact with water flowing over the ridge,
down the slope and toward the water inlet, to produce a pleasing
running water sound. The water feature may also include a light
feature that illuminates water on or near the slope to enhance the
therapeutic effects of the water feature.
[0009] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,
objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and
drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] These and other aspects will now be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a curvilinear spa.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a curvilinear spa frame.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the top rail of the spa frame.
[0014] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
curvilinear spa
[0015] FIG. 4B is an isometric view of a box section with panel and
interlocking groove.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a box section with truss.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of a curvilinear spa shell.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a spa shell to
illustrate a filter section.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a water feature.
[0020] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a curvilinear spa 2.
Curvilinear spa 2 has an inner shell 4 that can hold water and
includes support for spa users while experiencing the benefits of
hydrotherapy. Bar top 6 substantially follows the contour of the
curvilinear spa outline formed in part by the decorative siding
22.
[0022] FIG. 2 depicts a curvilinear spa frame 8 that supports the
curvilinear spa shell 4. As depicted in FIG. 2, the curvilinear spa
frame 8 includes a top rail 10 and a bottom rail 12. The top rail
10 and bottom rail 12 substantially mimics the contour of the
curvilinear spa 2. The top rail 10 and bottom rail 12 can be made
of any material suitable for supporting the weight associated with
the use of the shell 4, for example, wood, metal, composite
materials like fiberglass, etc. The top rail 10 can be
substantially the same shape as the bar top 6 and can support the
weight associated with the bar top 6. During assembly, the top rail
10 can be aligned with and become an anchor for the bar top 6.
[0023] As depicted in FIG. 2, the bottom rail 12 can be supported
by a bottom pedestal 14 or similar support structure. The bottom
pedestal 14 is used to give additional stability to the frame and
like the top and bottom rail, can be made of any material capable
of supporting the weight of the spa, like wood, metal, composite
materials like fiberglass, etc. For additional rigidity, bottom
beam 16 can be secured to the opposing sides of the bottom pedestal
14. Other similar fastening techniques can be utilized as well to
secure the bottom rail 12, top rail 10 and bottom pedestal 14 in a
predetermined manner in order to facilitate assembly and
rigidity.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, between top rail 10 and bottom rail 12
is a plurality of box sections 18. Box sections 18 provide rigidity
to the frame structure in addition to providing support to the top
rail 10. Box sections 18 are substantially linear and can be spaced
intermittently substantially within the confines of the outer
diameter of the curvilinear frame 8 thereby alleviating the need
for more complex shaped support structures that follow the complex
contours of the curvilinear spa frame 8. Box sections 18 can be
prefabricated and made of any material capable of supporting the
weight associated with the spa 2, like metal, wood, composite
materials like fiberglass, etc.
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the top rail 10. Top rail 10
can be formed as one piece, or alternately, can be formed from a
multiplicity of pieces, e.g., fabricated using a CNC machine. When
the pieces are fastened, the top rail 10 is formed and becomes a
structurally sound support member for the bar top 6 (not shown). If
a multiplicity of overlapping pieces are utilized to fabricate top
rail 10, glue, staples, or other known fasteners can be used to
create an integrated top rail 10 member.
[0026] FIGS. 4A and B depicts another embodiment of the curvilinear
spa frame 8 that is easy to assemble and sufficiently rigid. As
seen in FIG. 4A, the box sections 18 include a sheet 24 fastened in
any known fashion to a rectangular structural member 26. As
depicted in FIG. 4B, use of the sheet 24 not only improves
rigidity, but also assists with alignment of curvilinear spa frame
components, e.g., the top rail 10 and bottom rail 12. As depicted
in FIG. 4B, the sheet 24 interlocks into notches in the top rail 10
and bottom rail 12. As a result, box section 18 can be readily
inserted into the appropriate position between top rail 10 and
bottom rail 12 thereby facilitating alignment of the top rail 10
and bottom rail 12. The notches can be located in various
combinations of the top rail 10 and bottom rail 12, as long as the
box section 18 assists alignment of the spa frame curvilinear
components, e.g., the top rail 10 to the curvilinear bottom rail
12. Other fastening techniques can be utilized, e.g., predetermined
placement of holes in the top and bottom rails with associated pegs
on the top and bottom of the box section 12 (not shown).
Additionally, strategic use of any modern fasteners, e.g.,
predetermined placement of pieces of sheet metal also may be used
to ensure that corresponding box sections 18 are secured at
corresponding predetermined locations in the curvilinear spa frame
during assembly, thereby facilitating alignment of the curvilinear
spa frame components. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the
fact that many different types of interlocking construction can be
utilized, e.g., pegs and holes, interlocking sheet material and
notches, etc. The interlocking construction can be located on any
and/or all curvilinear frame components to improve rigidity and
increase ease of assembly. As depicted in FIG. 4A, additional
supports 28, in this case 2.times.2s, can be included in the
curvilinear spa frame 8 as needed to increase rigidity.
[0027] To further increase structural rigidity, FIG. 5 depicts the
use of truss plates 20 on box section 18. If more rigidity is
desired, additional truss plates 20 can be added. Typically, truss
plates are made of sheets of galvanized steel and are secured into
the box sections using pressure during fabrication. Moreover,
increasing the strength of the box sections 18 may advantageously
reduce the number of box sections 18 required to maintain the
rigidity associated with the spa 2. To further reduce the number of
box sections 18 required, additional supports 28 as depicted in
FIG. 4A can be added.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a two-dimensional, top-down view of a curvilinear
spa shell 60. The spa shell 60 can be substantially the same size
as a conventional square linear spa. The general contours of the
spa shell 60 are defined by a top edge 68 that includes four
substantially identical rounded corners 62 that are concave
relative to an interior of the spa shell 60. The four corners 62
are connected to seamlessly form four side walls 64 that are convex
relative to the interior of the shell 60. The contour of the spa
shell 60 is symmetrical about both the x and y axes (i.e. through
the middle of opposing side walls 64), as well as symmetrical along
an axis through the middle of opposing corners 62.
[0029] The rounded corners 62 are formed with large interior radii,
each radius preferably exceeding twelve inches, which produces a
more efficient and effective seat design. Each rounded corner 62
can include a large seat 66 that can have many different
configurations for accommodating various therapeutic devices and/or
various sizes of users. Further, the location and orientation of
each seat 66 within its respective corner 62 promotes multi-user
alignment for increased social interaction, yet maximizes the space
between the seats.
[0030] The seat arrangement also provides easier ingress and egress
from a spa constructed with the spa shell 60. For instance, the
side walls 64 between the corners 62 provide a large area for a
user to enter or exit the spa, and one or more of the side walls 64
may include one or more internal steps or ridges. Alternatively,
one or more side walls 64 may include a small seat (not shown).
Such a small seat can be positioned in the spa shell 60 such that
it is more shallow than the large seats 66, thereby acting as a
step to assist ingress and egress.
[0031] The top edge 68 defines the overall shape and form of the
curvilinear design. The top edge 68 defines the four concave
rounded corners 62 as well as the four convex side walls 64, and
can receive a similarly-shaped spa cover (not shown) that continues
the clover-leaf shape. The spa shell 60 below the top edge 68 can
accommodate a number of contoured seats 66, and other spa features
such as therapy jets, heater outlets, filter inlets, user controls,
etc. The spa shell 60 can be made of a unitary layer of resilient
material, such as thermoformed plastic or fiberglass. Thus, the spa
shell 60 below the top edge 68 can have an outer surface that
maintains the overall general curvilinear contours defined by the
top edge 68, as well as an inner surface that fits within the
general contour but provides the various spa features.
[0032] A filter section 70 having one or more water inlets 71
extends from one side wall 64 between two corners 62 and out toward
the center of the spa shell 60. The water inlets 71 lead from the
spa's main body for holding water to the spa's plumbing and/or
filtering system. Thus, a filter (not shown) can be placed in front
of a water inlet 71 from the perspective of the interior of the
spa. The filter section 70 is disposed so as to be a focal point
within the interior of the spa shell 60. The location and
orientation of the filter section 70 in the spa shell 60 allows the
filter section 70 to host, for optimal placement and use, one or
more water features 72, such as a fountain or a "babbling brook" as
described below. The filter section 70 may also host a light or
array of lights, user controls, or a stereo control or other audio
system.
[0033] This particular curvilinear design of the spa shell 60 can
use a number of the same shell components in different areas
because of its symmetry, and thus simplifies the manufacturing and
component inventory control processes. Further, the design provides
an agreeable aesthetic that is not provided by conventional spa
designs. Thus, a spa that utilizes the curvilinear spa shell 60
will be an architectural and aesthetically-pleasing feature in
addition to being therapeutically beneficial.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a spa shell 60
showing a filter section 70 that also includes a water feature 72.
The filter section 70 includes one or more water inlets 71, i.e. an
inlet to a filter or a pump, etc. The water inlets 71 are disposed
along a side wall 64 of the spa shell and separated from the spa
interior by a ridge 74. The ridge 74 may be linear or curved, and
may be at or below or above a water line defined for the spa shell
60. The ridge 74 may extend at least part way around the water
inlets 71. The water feature 72 is disposed adjacent to the one or
more water inlets 71. In one example, the water feature 72 includes
a slope 78 descending from the ridge 74 to the side wall 64 at
which the slope 78 is lower than the top of the ridge 74. The slope
78 may include grooves and/or a number of protrusions 79, such as a
number of various sizes of bumps. In the example, one water inlet
71 is positioned on either side of the slope 78 between the ridge
74 and the side wall 64.
[0035] In operation, water is either drawn in to the water inlets
71, or provided by an outlet (not shown) on the ridge 74, causing
the water to travel over the ridge 74 and down the slope 78, and
interact with the protrusions 79 and/or grooves to create a natural
"babbling brook" sound. The length and angle of the slope 78 can be
adjustable or varied in order to produce different sounds. The
water flow rate may also be varied by, among other techniques,
adjusting the flow rate into the water inlets 71, adjusting the
height of the ridge 74, and/or adjusting the number and size of the
protrusions 79 or grooves within the slope 78. The water feature 72
can also include a light feature 76 such as an array of LEDs or the
like. The light feature 76 illuminates an area around the water
flowing over the ridge 74 and down the slope 78 for a pleasing
visual effect.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows a perspective of a slope 78 having a patterned
top surface 80 in the form of a number of raised bumps 79 and
curved grooves 82. The bumps 79 can be any size or geometry, such
as squared, rounded, or angular. The grooves 82 can be any size,
depth, length, or shape. The patterned top surface 80 of the slope
78 therefore can have a random "natural" look, or have a more
ordered arranged look, depending on aesthetic preference. The
feature 72 can create a calming sound of running water as it
interacts with the patterned top surface 80 of the slope 78. The
light feature 76 can create a pleasurable visual effect that can be
experienced by a user whether or not the user is actually looking
directly at the light feature 76.
[0037] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *