U.S. patent application number 10/990063 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for pressure controlled multi-state fountain for spas.
Invention is credited to Richard Kunkel.
Application Number | 20060101570 10/990063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36384558 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060101570 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kunkel; Richard |
May 18, 2006 |
Pressure controlled multi-state fountain for spas
Abstract
Apparatus and methods relating to pop-up fountains for spas
where the fountain includes a fountain head that has a first set of
orifices and a second set of orifices, and at least two operating
states. The first orifice set is active, and the second orifice set
is inactive, when fountain head is in a first operating state. The
second orifice set is active when the head is in a second operating
state. The fountain head transitions between the first operating
state and the second operating state in response to a change in
position and/or a change in fountain head pressure.
Inventors: |
Kunkel; Richard; (Murrieta,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SNELL & WILMER LLP
600 ANTON BOULEVARD
SUITE 1400
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Family ID: |
36384558 |
Appl. No.: |
10/990063 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/507 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/0087 20130101;
B05B 17/08 20130101; A61H 33/6063 20130101; B05B 17/085 20130101;
A61H 33/6015 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/507 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. A fountain comprising: a fountain head having a first set of
orifices and a second set of orifices; the first set of orifices
being active, and the second set of orifice being inactive, when
the fountain head is in a first operating state; and the second set
of orifices being active when the fountain head is in a second
operating state.
2. The fountain of claim 1 wherein the fountain head transitions
between the first operating state and the second operating state in
response to a change in position of the fountain head and/or a
change in fountain head pressure.
3. The fountain of claim 2 wherein the fountain transitions between
the first operating state and the. second operating state in
response to a change in fountain head pressure which causes a
change in fountain head position.
4. The fountain of claim 3 wherein the second orifice set comprises
a sheeting manifold.
5. The fountain of claim 4 wherein the first orifice set is active
while the fountain assembly is in the first operating state and
while the fountain assembly is in the second operating state.
6. The fountain of claim 5 wherein the first orifice set comprises
a plurality of jets positioned and oriented to direct water upwards
and away from the fountain head.
7. The fountain of claim 6 wherein the fountain is positioned in or
on an upper surface of a portable spa where the upper surface
surrounds a cavity sized and dimensioned to receive a person.
8. The fountain of claim 7 wherein the fountain is fluidly coupled
to a circulation system of the portable spa.
9. The fountain of claim 8 wherein the circulation system comprises
one or more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump.
10. A fountain for a spa comprising: a pop-up mechanism including
an adjustable width sheeting manifold.
11. The fountain of claim 10 wherein the pop-up mechanism includes
a cover that can be rotated to block at least a portion of an
outlet of the sheeting manifold where the amount that the cover is
rotated affects how much of the sheeting manifold outlet is
blocked.
12. A pop-up fountain for a portable spa, comprising: a fountain
head located in the side of the spa, the fountain head including at
least one orifice set that directs water issuing from the orifice
set upwards and away from the fountain head.
13. The fountain of claim 12 wherein the fountain is coupled to a
circulation system of the spa, the circulation system comprising
one or more of a heater, a filter, and a jet pump.
14. A method of operating a fountain comprising: causing the
fountain to enter a first operating state wherein water flows
through a first orifice set but not a second orifice set by causing
water to flow into a fountain head at a first pressure; causing the
fountain to enter a second operating state wherein water flows
through the second orifice set by causing the water to flow into
the fountain head at a second pressure which differs from the first
pressure.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the second pressure is higher
than the first pressure.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein water flows through both the
first and second orifice sets when the fountain is in the second
operating state.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising using a jet pump
causing water flow through one or more jets to pump water through
the fountain.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising: obtaining water from
a seating cavity of the spa; and heating the water after it is
obtained from the seating cavity, but before it flows through
either the first or the second orifice set.
19. The method of claim 14 further comprising: obtaining water from
a seating cavity of the spa; and filtering the water as or after it
is obtained from the seating cavity, but before it flows through
either the first or the second orifice set.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to fountains for
spas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A fountain is a structure from which a jet or stream of
water issues. A fountain head, as used herein, is a component of a
fountain from which the jet or stream of water issues. A spa is
sometimes defined as tub for relaxation or invigoration, usually
including a device for raising whirlpools in the water. A fountain
for a spa is a fountain positioned such that the water from the
fountain exits the fountain head, flows through the air, and flows
into the spa.
[0003] In some fountains, a fountain head extends from the fountain
("pops up") when a jet or stream of water issues from it, and
retracts when it is not in use. An example of a pop-up fountain
assembly for installation in a swimming pool can be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,722,816 (the '816 patent). In the '816 patent, a
fountain assembly extends upward from the bottom of a swimming pool
when water flows through it, and retracts into the bottom of the
pool when the fountain is turned off and the pool is to be used for
swimming. An example of a spa with a pop-up waterfall apparatus can
be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,435 (the '435 patent). In the '435
patent, a waterfall apparatus pops up when a stream of water issues
from it in the form of a waterfall, and retracts into the side of
the spa when not in use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods
relating to pop-up fountains for spas. In one preferred embodiment
a fountain includes a fountain head that has a first set of
orifices and a second set of orifices, and at least two operating
states. The first orifice set is active, and the second orifice set
is inactive, while the fountain assembly is in a first operating
state. The second orifice set becomes active when the fountain
assembly is in a second operating state. The fountain transitions
between the first operating state and the second operating state in
response to a change in position of the fountain head and/or a
change in fountain head pressure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects
and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from
consideration of the following specification in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is perspective partial cutaway view of a spa
including a fountain for the spa in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the head of the fountain of
FIG. 1 retracted into a side of the spa.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view showing the pattern of water issuing
from the fountain of FIG. 1 while the head is retracted.
[0009] FIG. 4. is a schematic side view illustrating movement of
the head of the fountain of FIG. 1 between a retracted position and
an extended position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the head of the
fountain of FIG. 1 extended from a side of the spa.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the pattern of water issuing
from the fountain of FIG. 1 while the head is extended.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of water flow through the spa and
fountain of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of water flow through the spa and
fountain of FIG. 1 when the fountain is in a first operating
state.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a schematic view water flow through the spa and
fountain of FIG. 1 when the fountain is in a second operating
state.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative
fountain head.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second alternative
fountain head.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of water flow through an
alternative fountain head.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating an oscillating fountain
head.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a third alternative
fountain head.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a top view illustrating a first water pattern of
the head of FIG. 14.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a top view illustrating a second water pattern of
the head of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of
the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in
conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood
that these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention. On
the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the present invention. However, it will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well
known methods, procedures, components, circuits and/or other items
have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily
obscure the important aspects of the present invention.
[0023] When designing a fountain for a spa, it is not necessary to
utilize multiple fountain heads to be able to vary the pattern of
water flowing from the fountain. Instead, one or more multi-state
fountain heads can be used. In a multi-state fountain head, the
pattern of water flowing from the fountain head changes as the
operating state changes. Such changes may be accomplished in a
variety of ways, but in a preferred embodiment described herein,
operating state changes are obtained through a change in fountain
head position resulting from a change in the pressure of the water
flowing into the fountain head.
[0024] In FIG. 1, a portable spa 1 includes a water filled cavity 2
that functions as a fountain pool because the spa 1 includes a
fountain assembly 11 that issues water into the cavity 2. The
fountain assembly 11 is mounted to an upper surface 3 of a body 4
of the spa 1, and is coupled to a circulation system 5 of the spa 1
that includes a cavity outlet 6, conduits 7, components 8, 10, and
12, and a controller 9. The fountain assembly 11 does not contact
or protrude from the sides of the water cavity 2. The components 8,
10, 12 may comprise a jet pump, filter, and heater, or may be any
other combination of circulation system components.
[0025] Water within the cavity 2 enters the circulation system 5
via the cavity outlet 6, passes through the conduits 7 and the
components 8, 10, and 12, and exits the circulation system 5 via
the fountain assembly 11. The controller 9 is used to control the
circulation system 5, and facilitates turning the system on and off
and adjusting the pressure at which water is introduced into the
fountain 11. Water is introduced into the fountain assembly 11 at
at least two pressure levels, a higher level and a lower level. As
shown in FIG. 1, water is being introduced into the fountain
assembly 11 at the higher level such that a fountain head of the
fountain assembly 11 is extended from the surface 3 of the body
4.
[0026] In FIG. 2, a head assembly 13 of the fountain 11 is shown
retracted into a head assembly receiving cavity 15 that extends
into the surface 3 of the body 4 of the spa 1. As can be seen in
FIGS. 2-7, the head assembly 13 is moveable relative to the cavity
15 such that the head assembly 13 can be retracted and extended.
When retracted as shown in FIG. 2, more of the head assembly 13 is
positioned within the cavity 15 than when the head assembly 13 is
extended as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Extending the head assembly 13
is sometimes referred to as causing the head assembly 13 to
"pop-up".
[0027] As best seen in FIG. 7, the head assembly 13 includes a head
17 and a riser 19. The riser 19 includes at least one fluid inlet
21, and at least one fluid channel 23 extending between the fluid
inlet 21 and two orifice sets 25 and 27 of the head 17. As best
seen in FIG. 2, the orifice set 25 includes a plurality of nozzles
29 positioned and oriented to cause water flowing through the
nozzles 29 to form jets of water projecting upwards from the head
17. The orifice set 27 includes a sheeting manifold 31 positioned
and oriented to cause water passing through the manifold to form a
waterfall. The flow of water issuing from orifice set 27 is
designated as F1, and the flow of water issuing from orifice set 29
is designated as F2. FIG. 3 illustrates the flow F1 from the active
orifice set 25 when the head assembly 13 is retracted, and FIG. 6
illustrates the flows F1 and F2 from the active orifice sets 25 and
27 when the head assembly 13 is extended.
[0028] The head assembly 13 and the cavity 15 cooperate to inhibit
water flow through the orifice set 27 when the head assembly 13 is
retracted into the cavity 15, and to allow water to flow through
the orifice set 27 when the head assembly 13 is extended from the
cavity 15. The head assembly 13 moves between a first, retracted
position and a second, extended position in response to changes in
water pressure at the fluid inlet 21 and the fluid channel 23. When
water at lower pressure passes through the head assembly 13, water
exits the head assembly 13 through the orifice set 25 as jets, but
not through the orifice set 27 (see FIG. 3) because the orifice(s)
of the orifice set 27 is/are within the cavity 15. The sides of the
cavity 15 inhibit water flow through the orifice(s) of the orifice
set 27. Once the pressure of water entering the head assembly 13
exceeds a threshold value, the head assembly 13 extends from the
cavity 15, and water flowing through the head assembly 13 exits the
assembly through both the orifice set 25 and the orifice set 27 as
flows F1 and F2 (see FIG. 6).
[0029] The orifice set 27 is activated by changes in pressure of
water entering the head assembly 13 in that water is less inhibited
from flowing through the orifice(s) of the orifice set 27 at higher
pressures than at lower pressures. Although the method by which
orifice sets are activated or deactivated may vary between
embodiments, the orifice set 27 is activated by increased pressure
and corresponding movement of the head assembly 13.
[0030] Although it is preferred that no water flow through inactive
orifices, it is contemplated that in some instances there will be
leakage such that some water may pass through an orifice set when
it is inactive. As such, water flowing through an orifice set is
not always a reliable indicator of whether the orifice set is
active, although lack of water flow is a good indicator of
inactivity. In some embodiments an orifice set can be said to be
active or inactive depending on whether the head is positioned to
facilitate or inhibit flow through the orifices of the orifice set.
In some embodiments a particular orifice set may be determined to
be active or inactive because some other mechanism is facilitating
or inhibiting water flow through the orifice set. In some
embodiments, an orifice set is active if the fountain is in a state
where water flow through the orifice set is desirable and inactive
if flow through the orifice is not desirable.
[0031] In the assembly of FIG. 1, the orifice set 27 is activated
as a result of the movement of the head assembly 13 out of the
cavity 15. However, it is contemplated that other embodiments may
be activated using a different mechanism, in response to something
other than a change in pressure, and/or in response to a change in
pressure without a change in position or movement of the head
assembly 3. As an example, a flow path to the orifice set 27 might
include a pressure valve set to open at a pre-selected pressure. In
such an instance, if the water entering the head assembly 13 is
below the pre-selected pressure, the valve would remain closed and
water would issue from the head assembly 13 only through the
orifice set 25. However, at pressures above the threshold pressure,
the valve would open and water would issue from both the orifice
set 25 and the orifice set 27.
[0032] In some instances a fountain may be said to comprise
multiple operating states with at least one operating state
corresponding to each unique combination of active orifice sets. As
such, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two operating states of the spa 1.
In a first operating state as shown in FIG. 8, only the orifice set
25 is active, and in a second operating state as shown in FIG. 9,
the two orifice sets 25 and 27 are active. As shown, in FIG. 8,
water from the fountain assembly 11 exits the assembly through the
orifice set 25 as flow F1, flows into the cavity 2, is circulated
by the circulation system 5 and re-enters the fountain assembly 11.
The same thing occurs in FIG. 9 except that water flows from the
fountain assembly as flows F1 and F2 through orifice sets 25 and
27. I
[0033] Although embodiments have been described in relation to two
orifice sets, alternative embodiments may comprise additional
orifice sets. As such, an embodiment might comprise three orifice
sets and seven operating states with each of the at least seven
operating states corresponding to a unique combination of the three
orifice sets. As with the fountain of FIGS. 1-7, activation and
deactivation of orifice sets may be caused by pressure changes,
movement of one or more pressure heads, and/or some other
mechanism.
[0034] The number , type, position, and/or orientation of orifices
in each orifice set may vary between embodiments. As an example,
some embodiments may only include jets in orifices sets and/or may
only include sheeting manifolds, rather than having one set include
jets and one set include a sheeting manifold as shown in FIG. 1. It
is contemplated that it is advantageous to have the flow from at
least one orifice set project upwards and outwards from the center
of the fountain head. In the fountain head 13 of FIGS. 1, the flow
F1 from the orifice set 25 projects upwards and outwards.
[0035] FIGS. 10 and 11 depict flow head assemblies 13' and 13''
comprising orifice sets 27' and 27'' from which a flow F3 is issues
as shown in FIG. 12. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the flow F3 issues
upward and outward from the flow head 13', as it would with flow
head 13'' as well. The head assemblies 13' and 13'' differ in that
the assembly 13' provides a more laminar flow than the head
assembly 13'' as the head assembly 13'' is intended to produce a
patterned flow.
[0036] In some instances flow head assemblies may move in a manner
that changes the direction of the flows issuing from the flow head
assemblies, but does not result in any orifice sets being activated
or inactivated. As an example, FIG. 13 shows a flow head assembly
13' oscillating around a center axis to move the flow F3 first
towards one side 41 of a spa 43 and then towards another side 45 of
the spa 43.
[0037] In some embodiments, a head assembly may be manually or
automatically configurable such that the size, number, position,
and/or orientation of one or more orifices can be adjusted to
change the pattern of water issuing from the head assembly. In some
instances, a fountain may comprise one or more mechanisms which are
not part of the head assembly for manually configuring the pattern
of water issuing from the fountain. In FIG. 14, a head assembly 51
comprising an orifice set 53 and a rotatable cover 55 is shown. The
cover 55 can be rotated to completely or partially cover the
orifice set 53. As such, in some instances the flow F4 from the
orifice set 53 is narrow as shown in FIG. 15, while in other
instances it is wider as shown in FIG. 16. It is contemplated that
such adjustability allows a single embodiment of a flow head
assembly to be used in a corner of a spa as well as along a side of
a spa.
[0038] At least some of the fountains described herein may be said
to embody the following method of operating a fountain: (a) causing
the fountain to enter a first operating state wherein water flows
through a first orifice set but not a second orifice set by causing
water to flow into a fountain head at a first pressure; and (b)
causing the fountain to enter a second operating state wherein
water flows through a second orifice by causing the water to flow
into the fountain head at second pressure which differs from the
first pressure. In some instances, the fountains embody such a
method where: (a) the second pressure is higher than the first
pressure, and/or (b) water flows through both the first and second
orifice sets when the fountain is in the second operating
state.
* * * * *