U.S. patent application number 12/955951 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-09 for spa side wall insulated jacket and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPAJACKET INTERNATIONAL INC.. Invention is credited to Curtis Wade SCOTT, Pamela Michele SCOTT.
Application Number | 20110131722 12/955951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44080522 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110131722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SCOTT; Curtis Wade ; et
al. |
June 9, 2011 |
SPA SIDE WALL INSULATED JACKET AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
An insulated jacket for an un-insulated spa has at least one
insulating material that is enclosed by a cover. The cover has top
and bottom ends and two free side ends. The cover includes means
for securing the ends together when the cover surrounds the side
wall of the spa to form a continuous periphery. The cover insulates
against heat loss for heated water contained in the spa.
Inventors: |
SCOTT; Curtis Wade;
(Ontario, CA) ; SCOTT; Pamela Michele; (Ontario,
CA) |
Assignee: |
SPAJACKET INTERNATIONAL
INC.
LaSalle
CA
|
Family ID: |
44080522 |
Appl. No.: |
12/955951 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61266735 |
Dec 4, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/584 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/584 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/02 20060101
A47K003/02 |
Claims
1. An insulated jacket adapted to surround sides walls of a spa
comprising: a) an insulation material; b) a cover enclosing the
insulation material, the cover being elongated in shape, and having
a top end, bottom end and two side ends, c) means for securing the
cover to a spa to form a continuous outer periphery of the cover
surrounding the spa, d) wherein the cover is sized so that it
exposes a top of the spa and surrounds the side wall of spa to
provide insulation to minimize heat loss through the side walls of
the spa.
2. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the insulation material
is one or more of a fiberglass blanket or batt, preferably R-13 to
up to R-20, a loose fill of insulating material, a sprayable foam,
and a reflective insulation.
3. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the cover is a polymer
material such a vinyl, more preferably a marine quality vinyl with
UV protection.
4. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the securing means
further comprises at least one belt, the at least one belt attached
to the cover along a periphery thereof, the belt ends attachable to
each other for securing the jacket to the spa.
5. The insulated jacket of claim 4, wherein the belts ends are
attached using a mechanical attachment.
6. The insulated jacket of claim 5, wherein one belt end has a
come-along adapted to receive the other belt end for cinching of
the jacket.
7. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the securing means
comprises one or more of buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners,
and rings.
8. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the cover includes
stitching for decorative purposes and/or insulation retention
purposes.
9. The insulated jacket of claim 1, wherein the cover includes one
or more designs and/or colors to enhance the look of the
jacket.
10. A method of insulating a side wall of a spa comprising: a)
providing a spa having a spa body surrounded by a side wall; b)
placing the insulated jacket of claim 1 around the side wall and
securing the ends of the jacket together such that the cover
completely surrounds the side wall so that the jacket at least
reduces heat loss during operation of the spa.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) based
on application Ser. No. 61/266,735, filed on Dec. 4, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an insulated jacket adapted to
cover a hot tub, particularly a hot tub that lacks insulation
surrounding the spa body.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] In the world of outdoor hot tubs and spas, people enjoy an
invigorating hot bubbly baths which help relax and de-stress our
bodies. The common 7.times.7 or 8.times.8 style of tub is a molded
acrylic tub designed to hold 2-20 people depending on the size.
Normally, these tubs are encapsulated in a 2.times.2 synthetic or
wood frame with a 2.times.4 bottom in which a molded acrylic and
fiberglass tub sits into. The water is then filled into the molded
tub and a heater, which is regulated by the owner for intensity,
heats the water to a preferred temperature through a maze of jets
and hoses. A typical temperature for the water is around
102.degree. F.
[0004] In the prior art, it is well known to insulate a spa by
surrounding the spa body with an insulation. Often, the insulation
is a foam insulation that is sprayed around the spa body. The
insulation is then surrounded by the spa side wall. The sides of
the tub have also been enclosed with a reflective insulation, and
this insulation is then surrounded by the side wall, which is made
from a plastic or wood.
[0005] Spas also employ covers that are typically made of a
vinyl-covered foam material to keep the water in the spa from
losing much heat. These vinyl materials are marine grade UV
protected, so that they have sufficient durability when outside for
long periods of time.
[0006] The spa industry has also concentrated on developing the
look of the spa in terms of side wall materials, colors, textures
and the like. These side wall features are significant parts of the
overall spa design and are clearly a selling point from the
purchaser's standpoint.
[0007] One problem with spas is that many of the less expensive
spas are manufactured without insulation or the minimum insulation,
e.g., reflective material surrounding the spa body. Consequently,
these spas, which could amount to almost 60% of the total spas
being made, are highly inefficient when it comes to heating and
maintaining the spa water at temperature and the costs for
operating such a spa when outside a building or other enclosure are
quite high. Therefore, there is a need for improvements in the
field of spas. The present invention responds to this need by
providing an insulated jacket designed to surround the side walls
of a spa and provide a high degree of insulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides an insulated jacket designed
to surround the side walls of a spa to provide insulation and
reduce the heat losses and operating costs.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention is a method of covering the
side walls of a spa to reduce heat loss during spa operation and/or
enhance the look of the spa.
[0010] More particularly, and in one embodiment, the invention
comprises an insulated jacket adapted to surround side walls of a
spa, particularly a spa that is not insulated around the spa tub.
The insulated jacket includes an insulation material and a cover
enclosing the insulation material. The cover is elongated in shape
and has a top end, bottom end and two side ends. Means are provided
for securing the cover to a spa to form a continuous outer
periphery of the cover surrounding the spa. The cover is sized so
that it exposes a top of the spa and surrounds the side wall of spa
to provide insulation to minimize heat loss through the side walls
of the spa.
[0011] The insulated jacket can use a variety of insulating
materials such as a fiberglass blanket or bat, preferably R-13 to
up to R-20, a loose fill of insulating material, a sprayable foam,
a reflective insulation, and the like.
[0012] The cover can be any material such as a polymer material,
e.g., a vinyl, more preferably a marine quality vinyl with UV
protection.
[0013] The securing means can be at least one belt, with the at
least one belt attached to the cover along a periphery thereof. The
belt ends can be attachable to each other for securing the jacket
to the spa. The belts ends can be attached using a mechanical
attachment. One belt end can have a come-along adapted to receive
the other belt end for cinching of the jacket. The securing means
can comprise one or more of buttons, snaps, hook and loop
fasteners, and rings. The cover can include stitching for
decorative purposes and/or insulation retention purposes and/or one
or more designs and/or colors to enhance the look of the
jacket.
[0014] The invention also includes a method of insulating a side
wall of a spa, wherein the spa has a spa body surrounded by a side
wall. The insulated jacket is placed around the side wall and the
ends of the jacket are secured together such that the cover
completely surrounds the side wall so that the jacket at least
reduces heat loss during operation of the spa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description of specific embodiments thereof especially when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where in
like parts of each of the several figures are identified by the
same reference numerals and where in:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment spa jacket
surrounding a spa.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the spa jacket, a spa
side wall, and spa body.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a means for securing the spa
jacket to a spa.
[0019] FIG. 3A shows a come-along mechanism schematically for
securing the spa jacket.
[0020] FIGS. 4A-4E show different alternatives in schematic form
for securing the spa jacket to a spa.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Within the hot tub and spa industry, over 85% of the
estimated 6.6 million units currently in use in North America are
designed with little insulation protecting the side walls. Higher
priced units are fully insulated in the under cabinet by the
manufacturers installing full expandable foam to fill the under
cabinet area with insulation.
[0022] As a result of the majority of the non-full foam units not
being insulated, the heated air within the cabinet of the unit is
only contained by a reflective insulation and a synthetic cabinet.
This results in poor energy consumption usage in the colder months
and nights of the year. The invention provides improvements in this
regard by providing a spa jacket that is adaptable for virtually
any type of spa. The jacket adds an R-value that initial testing
that can provide a 30%+ energy savings depending on the position
and type of unit tested.
[0023] Besides providing an advantage in terms of insulation, the
spa jacket can be used in individualize a spa and/or increase its
esthetic appeal of a large piece of outdoor furniture by adding
preferred colors, logos and/or teams around the tubs.
[0024] In one embodiment, the jacket can be custom made to a
predetermined size for a given spa. The jacket utilizes an R-13 or
R-20 custom cut fiberglass insulation that is enclosed or
encapsulated in a cover, e.g., a plastic vapor barrier, which is
sewn into an individualized custom made spa jacket. In one mode,
the spa jacket can be attached to the hot tub or spa by
incorporating into the jacket, a belt which is tightened manually
by a leverage come-along unit and secured with two interlocking
snaps. The spa jacket is sized so that it leaves the top of the spa
exposed so as not to interfere with the spa top cover, which is
designed to insulate the water from the top and to keep debris from
entering the spa.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a spa
jacket is designated by the reference numeral 10 and shown
surrounding the side wall 21 of a spa 20. The spa jacket 10 has a
cover 1 that surrounds insulation 3. The cover is shown as two
parts 1b and 1c, each joined at seam 6. Of course, the cover could
use only one seam if so desired. The cover 1 also has a belt loop
5, which assists in securing the cover to the spa 20. Also, the
seam could be formed by stitching, adhesive or other type of
bonding between the attached edge or a combination of more than one
type of connecting means. The cover can also employ stitching 4
along a length thereof. The stitching 4 is shown vertically but
stitching can be formed horizontally or at an angle if so desired.
The stitching can provide a decorative aspect and/or hold the
insulation material 3 in place so that it remains in place between
the cover to provide an effective insulating affect along the
height of the side wall 21.
[0026] FIG. 1 also shows un-insulated space 23 between the side
wall 21 and the spa body 25. The presence of the spa jacket
insulates the spa so that less energy is needed to keep the water
27 in the spa body 25 at the desired temperature.
[0027] The spa jacket is also equipped with a means for securing
the cover to a spa. FIGS. 3 and 3A show one embodiment of a
securing means. The cover 1 has a top end 7, a bottom end 9, and
side ends 11 and 13. The cover is sized so that the side ends 11
and 13 overlap so that a continuous outer periphery is formed when
the cover is in place. A belt 17 is provided that runs in the belt
loop 5, with the belt having ends 19 and 22. Figure designates the
means for linking the belt ends together by reference numeral 15
and this represents any means that could pull the belt ends to
cinch the jacket around the spa. One embodiment of such a securing
means is a come-along 24 shown in FIG. 3A. This type of a mechanism
can be employed to cinch the belt 17 around the spa and secure the
cover in place. Come-alongs are well known in the art and it is
schematically depicted in FIG. 3A with one end 32 secured to belt
end 19 and the belt end 22 shown engaged in the come-along ratchet
mechanism so that moving the come-along lever 26 can cinch the
jacket around the spa side walls 21. It should be understood that
FIG. 3 depicts the side of the cover facing the spa side wall 21 so
that the securing means is not visible when the jacket is in place.
However, the securing means could be designed on the outside of the
cover as well, see below where buttons or a zipper would be
used.
[0028] While a come-along belt assembly is disclosed as one means
to secure the cover to the spa, other means could also be used. For
example, two belts could be used, the other one arranged close to
the bottom end. Each of the two belts could include a come-along
mechanism on one end thereof. Hook and loop fasteners could be
used, with one end having one of more segments of hooks and the
other having the corresponding segments with the loops.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4E, other options for securing the spa
jacket to the spa include: [0030] 1. Rings 30 on one end 31 of the
cover, which link to straps 33 on the other end 35 of the cover,
see FIG. 4A, for cinching. In this embodiment, the straps and rings
would be to be firmly reinforced so that any cinching of the spa
jacket would not compromise the integrity of the cover, e.g., tear
it and expose the insulation. [0031] 2. A zipper assembly 40 can be
employed with one side 41 attached to the spa side wall 21 by
fasteners 45 with the other side 43 sewn or otherwise attached to
the top of the cover 1, see FIG. 4B. The zipper could also be made
part of the jacket such that the two ends 31 and 35 could be
zippered together to secure the jacket to the spa. [0032] 3. Snaps
50 can be used, with one part attached to end 31 of the cover and
the other part attached to the other end 35, see FIG. 4C. As an
alternative, buttons could be used, with one end 31 holding the
buttons and the other end 35 having the button holes. [0033] 4.
Roping 60 can be used, where the roping is threaded through the spa
jacket and both ends are tied off at 61, see FIG. 4D. [0034] 5. A
hook and loop fastening system 70 is shown in FIG. 4E, wherein end
31 and end 35 are joined by engaged hooks 71 and loops 73.
[0035] The spa jacket can be tailored to each brand and type of tub
in the market, providing an added insulation value by reducing the
energy consumption by an average 30%. The spa jacket can also
provides an esthetic value to the unit by the user selecting the
color, type and sewing patterns to individualize their spa jacket.
The custom spa jacket is designed to decrease the energy
consumption of the hot tub or spa by adding R-value insulation to
hold in the heat within the under cabinet of the unit. The spa
jacket also protects the exterior from wind, snow and cold while
increasing the look and individualizing each and every unit
purchased. The spa jacket can also cover a side wall that is
already worn or damaged due to exposure to the environment. In this
way, the worn side wall is covered and the spa has an improved
outward appearance.
[0036] The spa jacket can also be made with indicia based on a
user's desires. For example, the spa jacket can display sport teams
colors, logos, design or the like. Different colors or patterns can
be employed as part of the cover so that the cover blends or
complements structures or the like that would be in the vicinity of
the spa.
[0037] While the insulation is described in one embodiment as
ranging from R-13 to R-20, other R factors could be used depending
on where the spa is actually located. Higher or lower R values may
be desirable depending on the particular spa location.
[0038] The insulation is preferably a fiberglass blanket or batt
insulation since it makes the jacket easily configured when being
installed. This fiberglass insulation is similar to that employed
wall construction, and comprises a layer of insulation that
includes a vapor barrier polyethylene or other material sheet to
encompass the insulation. In the jacket, the insulation easily
wraps around the spa, whether it be square, rectangular, other
polygonal, circular, oval, and the like. Of course, other flexible
insulations could also be used such as: a precut reflective
insulation; a loose fill insulation such as feather, glass, wool,
cotton sponge, or the like; bat and blanket insulation; a sprayable
foam type, which could be applied onto the vinyl cover material and
then the cover material could be configured/closed up to
encapsulate the foam. Different types of insulation materials could
be combined as well depending on the environment for the spa
jacket.
[0039] The cover for the jacket should be made of a material that
will stand up to the elements since it will be outside for an
extended period of time. A preferred material is a marine grade UV
protected vinyl material such as that used for the spa top covers.
The material can have different thickness, with a range of 10-50
mm, with a more preferred range of 20-40 mm, and a target of around
30 mm.
[0040] The jacket can be made in a number of different modes as
follows. [0041] Base spa jacket [0042] Typically a standard R13
valued insulation with a vinyl wrap which comes in selected base
colors which will wrap a 7.times.7 or 8.times.8 tubs. This unit can
be made available through big box outlets and sold to the base tub
customer. [0043] Custom spa jacket
[0044] A custom jacket, consist of a R13-R20 valued insulation
special made to order blanket, which accommodates more custom tubs
of differing sizes and requirements. The selection of colors and
materials allows the purchaser to accommodate external radio and CD
pockets as well as non-standard shapes and sizes. [0045] Premium
custom spa jacket
[0046] A premium custom jacket, consist of a R13-R20 valued
insulation special made to order blanket, which accommodates more
custom tubs of differing sizes and requirements. The additional
features of the premium line include two tone and school coloring
e.g. University of Michigan blankets etc.
[0047] The invention has a number of advantages over the prior art
designs such as: [0048] low cost with maximum savings; [0049] base
tubs can now have 4 season operation; [0050] esthetically
appealing--increases visual appearance; [0051] customization allows
for perfect fit; [0052] easy installation and cleaning; and [0053]
transforms old tubs into appealing yard furniture.
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