U.S. patent application number 11/351346 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for hot tub assembly.
Invention is credited to James M. Prescott, Paul Douglas Van Stone.
Application Number | 20060218716 11/351346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36791520 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060218716 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prescott; James M. ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Hot tub assembly
Abstract
A hot tub assembly and associated methods for adding desirable
features to portable hot tub systems. The hot tub assembly can
include a base pedestal and flexible liner for creating a desired
seating configuration within a portable hot tub. The base pedestal
can comprise a ring-like design wherein the ring can function as a
seat while an inner portion can function as a foot well. The base
pedestal can further function so as to increase the overall
capacity or volume of the portable hot tub. The base pedestal can
comprise a number of molded seats as part of the ring so as to
define a comfortable seating arrangement. The base pedestal and
flexible liner can be provided in kit form for converting an
existing flat-bottomed portable hot tub into a portable hot tub
assembly with seating features.
Inventors: |
Prescott; James M.;
(Victoria, MN) ; Van Stone; Paul Douglas; (Mound,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
36791520 |
Appl. No.: |
11/351346 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60651767 |
Feb 10, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 2201/0157 20130101;
A61H 33/0087 20130101; A61H 33/6063 20130101; A61H 2201/0161
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/10 20060101
A47K003/10; A47K 3/00 20060101 A47K003/00 |
Claims
1. A portable hot tub assembly comprising: a tub body having a
perimeter wall defined between a top opening and a bottom surface,
the bottom surface including a bottom body opening; a support
platform having an upper platform surface and a lower platform
surface, the upper platform surface having an upper platform
opening, wherein the upper platform opening is smaller than the
bottom body opening; and a liner positioned to define a water
retention area within the tub body and the support platform when
the tub body is positioned on the support platform, the water
retention area extending from the top opening to the lower platform
surface.
2. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 1, wherein the perimeter
wall of the tub body comprise a unitary perimeter wall.
3. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary
perimeter wall comprises a flexible, foam wall.
4. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 1, wherein the support
platform includes at least two disassemblable platform
sections.
5. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 1, wherein a seating area
is defined on the upper platform surface when the tub body is
placed on the support platform.
6. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 5, wherein the upper
platform opening is selectively configured to define a foot well
for the seating area.
7. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a
pump assembly having a recirculation pump, a water supply circuit
and a water return circuit, the water supply circuit fluidly
interconnected with at least one jet positioned in the water
retention area and the water return circuit fluidly interconnected
with at least one return port in the water retention area.
8. The portable hot tub assembly of claim 7, wherein the pump
assembly is operably mounted within the support platform.
9. A method for assembling a hot tub comprising: positioning a
support platform at a desired location, the support platform
defining an open platform portion in an upper support surface;
placing a tub body on the support platform, the tub body having a
perimeter wall defining an open body portion, the open body portion
having a larger cross-sectional area than the open platform portion
so as to define a seating area on the upper support surface; and
installing a liner within the open body portion and the open
platform portion to define a water retention area within the
support platform and the tub body.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: installing a pump
assembly, wherein a supply flow circuit is fluidly coupled to a jet
and a return flow circuit is fluidly coupled to a return port, the
jet and the return flow circuit both being in fluid contact with
the water retention area.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein positioning the support platform
comprises positioning a plurality of support sections into abutting
relation to define the support platform.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: filling the water
retention area with water.
13. A kit for adding seating features to a portable hot tub
comprising: a support platform having an upper platform surface and
a lower platform surface, the upper platform surface having an
upper platform opening, wherein the upper platform opening is
smaller than a tub opening in a bottom tub surface on a portable
hot tub; and a liner positioned to define a water retention area
within the upper platform opening and the tub opening when the
portable hot tub is placed on the support platform, wherein
placement of the portable hot tub on the support platform results
in the upper platform surface defining a seating feature and the
upper platform opening defining a footwell.
14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the seating feature is selected
from the group consisting essentially of: one or more individual
seats, a reclined seat and combinations thereof.
15. The kit of claim 13, further comprising: an exterior cover for
exterior placement over the support platform and the portable hot
tub, the exterior cover having a draw string for snugly retaining
the exterior cover over the support platform and the portable hot
tub.
16. The kit of claim 13, further comprising: a pump platform for
placement adjacent the support platform, the pump platform having
an upper platform surface for supporting a pump assembly of the
portable hot tub; the pump platform vertically positioning the pump
assembly for fluid connection to the portable hot tub when the
portable hot tub is positioned on the support platform.
17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the upper platform surface is
larger than the bottom tub surface such that an exterior step is
defined for providing access into the water retention area.
18. The kit of claim 13, wherein the support platform comprises one
or more additional features within the upper platform opening, the
additional features selected from the group consisting of: a water
jet, an air bubbler and optical lighting.
19. The kit of claim 13, wherein the support platform comprises a
friction element on the upper platform surface for retaining the
position of the portable hot tub on the support platform.
20. The kit of claim 13, wherein the support platform comprise a
plurality of disassemblable platform sections cooperatively
defining the support platform.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/651,767, filed Feb. 10, 2005, and
entitled, "HOT TUB ASSEMBLY," which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of hot tubs.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to an assembly
for providing increased functionality and features to a portable,
disassemblable hot tub system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Residential hot tubs are well known and have been available
for many years. While a small percentage of residential hot tubs
are custom designed, built and configured based upon the unique
requirements of a homeowner, the vast majority of residential hot
tubs comprise standard models and configurations that are
manufactured off-site, shipped and installed in selected locations.
Generally, these standard models and configurations can comprise
rigid hot tub systems utilizing a one-piece polymeric shells, rigid
barrel-style tubs with flexible, sheet like liners or portable,
disassemblable hot tubs using flexible, sheet-like liners.
[0004] Portable, disassemblable hot tubs have a number of design
advantages. First, they are easily transportable such that the hot
tub is never permanently located in a set location. Second, their
disassemblable nature allows them to be placed and assembled in
locations wherein rigid hot tubs cannot be located such as, for
example, squeezing them through stairwells for placement in an
otherwise inaccessible location. Third, their disassemblable nature
requires that these hot tubs be flexible with respect to utility
requirements such that the rigid piping and dedicated electrical
circuits commonly associated with rigid, non-portable hot tubs are
not required. Finally, as portable, disassemblable hot tubs must be
flexible with respect to utility requirements, there is generally
no site-preparation required prior to assembling the portable hot
tub and the use of professionals such as, for example,
electricians, carpenters and plumbers can be avoided entirely.
[0005] While portable hot tub systems have a number of advantages
over their rigid counterparts, some of the seating features and
configurations commonly found within rigid hot tubs are not
presently available with portable hot tubs. As such, it would be
advantageous to be able to provide owners of portable hot tub
systems with such features for both existing portable hot tub
systems as well as being available at the time of purchase of new
portable hot tubs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present disclosure addresses a hot tub assembly for
adding desirable seating features, such as, for example, seating
features commonly found in rigid hot tub designs, to portable hot
tub systems. Generally, a kit of the present disclosure can
comprise a base pedestal and a flexible liner for creating a
desired seating configuration within a previously, flat-bottomed
portable hot tub. The base pedestal can comprise a ring-like design
wherein the ring can function as a seat while an inner portion can
function as a foot well. The base pedestal can further function so
as to increase the overall capacity or volume of the portable hot
tub. In some representative embodiments, the base pedestal can
comprise a number of molded seats as part of the ring so as to
define a comfortable seating arrangement. The kit of the present
disclosure comprises a portable kit such that the portable nature
of the portable hot tub is maintained.
[0007] In one aspect, an assembly for retrofitting a portable hot
tub comprises a base pedestal and a liner adapted to conform to
said base pedestal. In some representative embodiments, the base
pedestal can comprise integral features such as, for example,
molded seats. In some representative embodiments, the assembly can
provide for an increase in the seating capacity and/or volume of
the hot tub.
[0008] In another aspect, a method for adding features to a
portable hot tub is disclosed. In some representative embodiments,
the method for adding features can comprise adding a base pedestal
and liner such that features such as, for example, integral seating
arrangements are added to the hot tub.
[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a
portable hot tub having integral seating features.
[0010] The above summary of the various representative embodiments
of the disclosure is not intended to describe each illustrated
embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The figures in
the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify
these embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention may be more completely understood in
consideration of the following detailed description of various
embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable, disassemblable
hot tub of the prior art.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the portable, disassemblable hot tub
of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable, disassemblable
hot tub including a hot tub assembly of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support
platform of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4b is a top view of an embodiment of a support platform
for the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of a hot tub body
being positioned on the support platform of FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a hot tub body
positioned on a support platform of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a hot tub body
positioned on a support platform of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a liner placed within
the tub body and support platform of FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support platform having a
friction enhancing element.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a section view of a hot tub assembly of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of a support
platform.
[0024] Figure 11a is
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top view of an embodiment of an empty hot tub
assembly.
[0026] FIG. 13a is a top view of an embodiment of an empty hot tub
assembly.
[0027] FIG. 13b a is a top view of an embodiment of an empty hot
tub assembly..
[0028] FIG. 14a is an exploded, section view of an embodiment of a
unitary assembly comprising an outer cover and a liner.
[0029] FIG. 14b is a section view of an embodiment of a unitary
cover.
[0030] FIG. 15a is a top, partially hidden view of an embodiment of
a support platform.
[0031] FIG. 15b is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hot tub
assembly of the present invention.
[0032] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and
alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should
be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the
invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] A portable, disassemblable hot tub 100 of the prior art is
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Generally, portable disassemblable
hot tub 100 comprises a tub body 102 and a pump assembly 104. A
representative example of portable, disassemblable hot tub 100
comprises the line of hot tubs available from Softub Inc., of
Valencia, Calif. . Tub body 102 generally comprises a body wall
106, a body floor 108, a liner 110 and an outer cover 112. Tub body
102 generally defines a perimeter 114 typically having a generally
circular configuration.
[0034] Tub body 102 is generally fabricated to be a single,
integral component. Body wall 106 can comprise an interior support
material such as, for example, a suitable foam or foam-like
material to provide strength and shape to the tub body 102. Liner
110 and outer cover 112 can then be operably attached over the
interior support material to define the body wall 106 and body
floor 108. Liner 110 is generally fabricated of a polymeric,
sheet-like material suitable for retaining hot water. Outer cover
112 is generally fabricated of a sheet-like material having
properties such as, for example, being waterproof and/or having
ultraviolet resistance, such as vinyl. Tub body 102 can be
fabricated such that water circulation means such as, for example,
piping, jets, valves and the like are contained within the interior
support material. The interior support material is fabricated such
that an inner wall 115 of the tub body 102 is substantially
vertical from a top 116 of the tub body 102 to the body floor 108.
Interior support material is also fabricated such that body floor
108 is substantially flat and coplanar.
[0035] Pump assembly 104 generally comprises a portable housing 118
comprising a pump 120. In addition, pump assembly 104 can comprise
a control panel 121 having control component for operating items
such as, for example, flow switches and flow sensors, heaters and
water treatment means such as, for example, chlorine or ozone based
treatment systems. Pump assembly 104 is generally fluidly coupled
to tub body 102 with a supply line 122 and a return line 124 such
that pump 120 can continually recirculate heated and treated water
to the tub body 102.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a hot tub conversion kit of the
present invention can comprise a support platform 202, a pump
platform 203 and a liner 204 for use in conjunction with tub body
102 and pump assembly 104 to form a hot tub assembly 205. It will
be understood that hot tub conversion kit 200 can be used to both
retrofit existing portable, disassemble, hot tubs as well as being
used integrally during the manufacture and configuration of newly
manufactured portable, disassemble hot tubs. Pump platform 203 can
comprise an enclosure for lifting the pump assembly 104 to a proper
height for coupling the supply line 122 and return line 124 to tub
body 102. In some alternative embodiments, pump platform 203 and
pump assembly 104 can be integrally fabricated as a single
enclosure.
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 5, support platform 202
can be fabricated to have a platform perimeter 206 that in some
presently preferred embodiments, substantially resembles the
configuration of perimeter 114. Support platform 202 comprises a
platform height 208. Support platform 202 can comprise a single
unitary support structure 210 as illustrated in FIG. 4a or can
comprise a plurality of platform sections 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d
as illustrated in FIG. 4b. Though support platform 202 is
illustrated with four platforms, it will be understood that any
number of sections can be selected based on characteristics such
as, for example, ease of set-up, shipping and manufacturing.
Furthermore, sections 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d can comprise
interlocking features that help to ensure proper positioning during
the installation process. The use of a sectioned configuration
including sections 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d can prove advantageous
during the packaging and shipment of hot tub assembly 205 as
existing packaging components for hot tub 100 can be utilized as
platform sections 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d can be positioned
within tub body 102 during shipment. As best seen in FIG. 4b,
support platform 202 further comprises a platform width 212 that
defines a central open portion 214. Platform width 212 can be
uniform around the central open portion 214 or can vary so as to
provide alternative configurations for central open portion 214.
Support platform 202 can be fabricated such that central open
portion 214 has any desirable depth, diameter and consequently,
volume. Support platform 202 can be fabricated of a internal
material 215 for use with portable, disassemblable hot tub 100 such
as, for example, foam or foam-like materials such as those used in
fabricating tub body 102 or other lightweight materials such as,
for example, polystyrene. Support platform 202 further comprises an
external cover 216, for example a single unitary cover or
alternatively, a sectional cover individually covering platform
sections 210a, 210b and 210c. External cover 216 can be fabricated
of the same or similar materials used in fabricating outer cover
112. In some presently preferred embodiments, external cover 216 is
selected to have the same color as outer cover 112.
[0038] To use hot tub conversion kit 200, support platform 202 is
arranged as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Support platform 202
can be placed inside in a three or four season room or squeezed
down a stairway into a basement or outside on a deck or patio. If
support platform 202 comprises multiple sections such as, for
example, platform sections 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d, the
individual sections are arranged to form the support platform
202.
[0039] Next, tub body 102 is prepared for placement on top of the
support platform 202. As illustrated in FIG. 5, body floor 108 is
at least partially cut-away and removed to form a floor opening 126
corresponding the size and configuration of central open portion
214. Tub body 102 is then placed on top of support platform 202
such that the central open portion 214 and floor opening 126 are
substantially aligned as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. A plurality
of water jets 128 integral to inner wall 115 of tub body 102 remain
untouched. In some presently preferred embodiments, platform
perimeter 206 and perimeter 114 can define a substantially coplanar
vertical wall while in alternative embodiments, platform perimeter
206 can exceed the perimeter 114 so as to define an exterior step
217 for providing easy access into the tub body 102 as illustrated
in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, support platform 202 can comprise
means for retaining the position of tub body 102 on the support
platform 202 such as, for example, a friction enhancing member 219
on support platform 202 as illustrated in FIG. 9 so as to reduce
the potential for tub body 102 being slidably dislodged from
support platform 202.
[0040] Following the placement of tub body 102 on support platform
202, liner 204 is positioned within tub body 102 as illustrated in
FIG. 10. Liner 204 generally comprises a tear-resistant, polymeric
sheet-like material such as, for example, vinyl or like materials
suitable for retaining hot water. Liner 204 can be selected to have
desired colors and/or visual patterns or pictures. Liner 204 is
generally defined by a first vertical surface 218, a first
horizontal surface 220, a second vertical surface 222 and a second
horizontal surface 224. First horizontal surface 220 can comprise a
plurality of fittings 226 or openings corresponding to the position
and number of water jets 128. In general, first horizontal surface
220 is configured to conform to the shape and size of inner wall
115, first horizontal surface 220 is configured to conform to the
shape and size of the remaining portion of body floor 108 and/or
platform width 212 while the second vertical surface 222 and the
second horizontal surface 224 are configured to conform to the
shape and size of central open portion 214.
[0041] Once liner 204 is positioned with respect to tub body 102
and support platform 202, fittings 226 are sealingly, fluidly
connected to water jets 128 and supply line 122 and return line 124
are operably interconnected between the preexisting connections on
tub body 102 and pump assembly 104. Liner 204 is then filled with
water 227 and pump assembly 104 can be activated so as to begin
recirculating and heating water. When filling liner 204, it will be
noted that the volume of water within liner 204 is increased as
compared to liner 110 due to the inclusion of second vertical
surface 222 and the second horizontal surface 224 corresponding to
central open portion 214.
[0042] Once filled, hot tub assembly 205 comprises a number of
benefits and features not available with portable, disassemblable
hot tub 100. First, the overall water capacity of hot tub assembly
205 is substantially increased as described above. Secondly, hot
tub assembly 205 provides for a seating area 227 and footwell 228
providing comfort and convenience not associated with body floor
108 of portable disassemblable hot tub 100 Finally, hot tub
assembly 205 can utilize the existing pump assembly 104 and
integral pumping components of tub body 102 such that no plumbing
or electrical changes are required to form hot tub assembly 205.
Alternatively, hot tub assembly 205 can utilize a new pump assembly
including additional integral features such as, for example,
supplemental piping for supplying jets and/or bubblers in footwell
228 and additional electrical connections for supplying items such
as optical lighting in footwell 228.
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 11, 11a, 12 and 13a and 13b, support
platform 202 and correspondingly, liner 204 can be fabricated to
provide a variety of suitable seating features to hot tub assembly
205. For example, platform width 212 can be variable such to
provide seating suitable for different size users, such as, for
example, adults and children as illustrated in FIG. 11. In another
configuration, body floor 108 can be substantially cut-away such
that support platform 202 is essentially acting as the support for
seating area 226. As illustrated in FIG. 11a, support platform 202
can comprise a variable height seating arrangement having seat
levels 230a, 230b, 230c such that users can select their level of
submersion within the water or to provide seating suitable for
children and adults. Seat levels 230a, 230b, 230c can also function
as step to make entry and exit from the hot tub assembly 205
convenient and safe. In another alternative arrangement, body floor
108 can again be substantially cut-away such that support platform
202 acts as the support for seating area 226. Support platform 202
can comprise an elongated seating feature 232 wherein a user can
submerge themselves in a substantially, reclined position as
illustrated in FIG. 12. In other alternative configurations,
support platform 202, liner 204 and tub body 102 can cooperatively
defined configurations for hot tub assembly 205 that are generally
found only in rigid hot tubs making use of rigid outer shells. For
instance, hot tub assembly 205 can comprise an octagonal
configuration 234 as illustrated in FIG. 13a or a rectangular
configuration 236 as illustrated in FIG. 13b. Other representative
configurations can comprise ovals, hexagonal shapes, triangular
shapes and other fanciful shapes and combinations thereof.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 14a, support platform 202 can
comprise a perimeter positioning ring 238 corresponding to a
perimeter gap 240 on a bottom surface 242 of tub body 102. Tub body
102 can be positioned on top of support platform 202 such that
perimeter positioning ring 238 resides within perimeter gap 240.
The interface between positioning ring 238 and perimeter gap 240
helps to confirm that tub body 102 has been properly positioned on
support platform 202 and assists the assembly process by retaining
the tub body 102 on support platform 202 as the outer cover 112 and
liner 204 are installed.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 14b, outer cover 112 and liner 204
can comprise a unitary assembly 242 as illustrated in FIG. 13a.
Outer cover 112 can comprise a draw string assembly 244 for snugly
conforming and attaching the outer cover 112 over the tub body 102
and support platform 202 by tightening the draw string assembly 244
under the support platform 202.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 15a and 15b, support platform 202
can be fabricated and configured to provide additional features
such as, for example, integral distribution piping 246 for
supplying footwell jets 248. In addition, support platform 202 can
include other integral components such as, for example, electrical
connections and wiring. In various embodiments, integral
distribution piping 246 can be configured to connect to either pump
assembly 104, pump platform 203 and pump assembly 104, or
alternatively, a pump assembly 250 as illustrated in FIG. 14 which
can serve a dual function as both the pump assembly and as a step
252 in an integral step arrangement 254 for providing access to tub
body 102. Pump assembly 250 can further comprise additional
features such as, for example, a drain connection for emptying hot
tub assembly 205, sanitization and/or chemical injection systems,
filters, additional heating capacity, specialized controls such as
for controlling features such as massage and foot jets and other
similar features.
[0047] The present disclosure describes aspects of one presently
preferred embodiment of a hot tub assembly for adding desirable
features to existing or new, portable, disassemblable hot tubs. It
will be understood by one of skill in the art that additional,
alternative embodiments are contemplated and would not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *