US20080022447A1

US20080022447A1 - Spa

Info

Publication number: US20080022447A1
Application number: US11/492,475
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew K. Krause; Robert Scott Fuller; Maurizio Vozza
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Nordic Products Inc
Priority date: 2006-07-25
Filing date: 2006-07-25
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: USD639972S1

Abstract

A spa having a first wall and a second wall that are joined at ends thereof. The spa including a first seat and a second seat having centerlines that align with one another. The spa further having a foot well arranged between the first and second seats wherein the spa having a predetermined height from the foot well to a top of the walls.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to spas, and more particularly to a two seat portable spa.
2. Description of Related Art
Spas have been known for many years. Many spas are used for therapy, relaxation, stress reduction, etc. Many prior art spas generally include at least one seat and a plurality of components that provide many conveniences to the user of such spas. Many of these spas have seating arrangements that range from seating for one to multiple users. They operate generally by either plug in wall operation or hard electric wiring. The prior art spas may also include programmable control features that allow for specific actions to occur on or near a user sitting in the spa. They also have temperature control units that allow for precise temperature control within the spa water and feature other conveniences and components that generally create a pleasant and stress free environment for the user of such spas. Generally, these prior art spas are low in maintenance, have been designed to accommodate four or more people and typically are square or circular in overall shape.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved spa that is designed for two people and is portable such that the spa can be moved through a doorway such as those in most houses and buildings. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a spa that has a predetermined height that will allow for generally complete submersion of an individual or a portable spa if the user so chooses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved spa.
Another object of the present invention may be to provide a spa having a predetermined height in the range of 35 to 45 inches.
Yet a further object of the present invention may be to provide a spa that does not need to be tipped on its side or end and still be capable of being moved through a typical doorway found in a house or building.
Still a further object of the present invention may be to provide a spa that has two seats wherein one of the seats being arranged lower with relation to the other seat.
To achieve the foregoing objects, a spa according to the present invention is disclosed. The spa includes a first wall and a second wall wherein a first end of the first wall and a first end of the second wall and a second end of the first wall and a second end of the second wall are joined to one another. The spa also includes a first seat arranged within the walls and a second seat facing the first seat wherein the second seat and first seat have a center line that align with one another. The spa also includes a foot well arranged between the first and second seats. The spa has a predetermined height from the foot well to a top of one of the walls.
One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a novel and improved spa.
Still a further advantage of the present invention is that it may provide a spa that does not require it to be tipped on its side or end to be moved through a doorway of a house or building.
Yet another advantage of the present invention may be that the spa has a predetermined height that will allow for generally complete submersion of an individual within the spa.
Still another advantage of the present invention may be that the spa has a first and second seating area with the first seating area arranged lower than the second seating area.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that the spa is portable and capable of being moved from location to location.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a spa shell for use in a spa according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a spa according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an end view of a spa shell according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a spa shell taken along line A-A according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a spa shell taken along line B-B according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a spa shell according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a spa according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an end view of a spa shell according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings, a spa 10 according to the present invention is shown. The spa 10 generally shown is a portable spa that can be moved from location to location within the same dwelling or from dwelling to dwelling depending on the needs of the spa user. The spa 10 generally will be operated by electricity via a plug in wall type cord, however it is also contemplated to have the spa 10 hardwired if the spa 10 is to be permanently placed in one position.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, the spa 10 includes a first wall 12 having a first end and a second end and a second wall 14 having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first wall 12 and the first end of the second wall 14 are joined together while the second end of the first wall 12 and the second end of the second wall 14 are joined together. This joining together forms a generally oval shaped spa 10 when viewed from the top. The ends of both the first wall 12 and second wall 14 may generally have a curved surface or circular shaped surface having a predetermined radial arch therein. It should be noted that any other shape other than oval may also be used for the spa 10 but the embodiment shown generally has an oval shape. The spa 10 also includes a generally oval lip or rim 18 arranged around a top end of the spa 10. The lip 18 has a generally oval shape due to the overall shape of the walls 12, 14, however any other shaped lip 18 may be used as long as the lip 18 extends along the entire periphery of the top edge of the first 12 and second wall 14.
The spa 10 includes a spa shell 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, and a frame or base 22 as shown in FIG. 7. It should be noted that the frame 22 can be made of any known material or may be formed as one piece with the spa shell 20 during the casting or forming process which makes the shell 20. Generally, there will be a predetermined shaped and sized area between the frame or body 22 and a surface of the spa shell 20 to allow for proper operation of the spa 10. Arranged on one end of the lip 18 of the spa 10 is a filter 24. Arranged on the opposite end of the spa 10 is a control box or panel 26 that includes controls to program the spa 10 to perform specific operations or features and the like. However, it should be noted that the control panel 28 may be arranged on the same end as the filter 24 or vise versa. The spa 10 is generally formed from any known molding technique such as a vacuum form molding process or the like and generally may be made of any known material for example but not limited to acrylic or other thermoplastic materials and the like according to well known methodologies in the art. The spa shell 20 may be made by any known method along with the spa body or frame 22. The spa body or frame 22 may be made of any known material and joined to the spa shell 20 via any known fastening technique known in the art or may be formed with the spa shell 20 as a unitary or single piece.
The spa 10 includes a first seat 28 or seating area and a second seat 30 or seating area that are aligned along a common centerline. The first and second seating area 28, 30 face one another and share a common centerline such that the centerline of the first seat 28 and second seat 30 are aligned with one another and form one line along the centerline of the spa 10. When viewed from above the seats 28, 30 seating surfaces generally have a semi-circular shape and a curved back portion. This allows for comfort of the user in the spa environment. A foot well 32 is arranged between the first 28 and second seat 30. The foot 32 well has a predetermined shape that will accommodate the feet and legs of a first and second user of the spa 10. The first seat 28 of the spa 10 is a predetermined height from the foot well 32. The second seat 30 also has a predetermined height from the foot well 32. The first seat 28 generally is arranged higher than the second seat 30 with respect to the foot well 32. Therefore, the seating surfaces are arranged at different levels within the spa 10. However, it should be noted that it is also contemplated to have the seats 28, 30 arranged at the same level or vise versa with the second seat 30 being higher than the first seat 28 in other contemplated embodiments of the spa 10 according to the present invention. In the one embodiment as shown, the first seating area 28 has a height of approximately fifteen inches from the foot well 32 while the second seat 30 has a height of approximately thirteen inches from the foot well 32. However, it should be noted that the height of these seats 28, 30 can be anywhere from a few inches up to many inches depending on the design requirements for the spa 10.
The spa 10 will have a predetermined height and width which will allow for the generally complete submersion of the body of a person in the spa 10 while also allowing for ease of movement of the spa 10 through doorways of homes and buildings. In one contemplated embodiment the spa 10 will have a height measured from the foot well 32 to the top of the walls 12, 14 of approximately 35 to 45 inches. In one contemplated embodiment the height will be approximately 36 inches while in another contemplated embodiment the height will be approximately 40 inches. The width of the spa 10 is such that it will fit through doorways of buildings and households without the need of dissembling any doors or angling the spa 10 at various angles to allow it to pass therethrough. In one embodiment contemplated the width of the spa 10 is approximately 34 inches, however the width of the spa 10 can be anywhere from 30 inches to 40 inches depending on the design requirements of the spa 10. The width of the spa 10, i.e., being approximately 34 inches, will allow for the spa 10 to be passed through a doorway of a house or building without it being placed on its end or side, thus allowing for the spa 10 to be portable from one location to another within the same dwelling or from one dwelling to another depending on the desire of the user. The overall length of the spa 10 is such that the spa 10 does not have to be tipped on its end and still pass through a doorway such as those located in houses or buildings. The spa 10 generally has an overall length of approximately 82 inches, however the length can be anywhere from 75 inches to 86 inches depending on the design requirements of the spa 10.
Therefore, a spa 10 having any dimensions found within any of the ranges for the length, width and height may be designed depending on the location the spa 10 will be used in and the portability needed for the spa 10. In the embodiment shown the spa 10 generally has an overall oval shape that is capable of being moved through doorways located in buildings and households thus al lowing for easy movement from location to location within the same dwelling. The spa 10 also will provide for a height that allows for complete submersion of the body of an individual/user in the portable spa 10 to affect the most pleasant experience in relaxation and therapy for the portable spa user.
It should be noted that various accessories may be used and installed in conjunction with the spa 10 as shown. Such accessories may be but are not limited to various types of jets and headrest features, foot rest features, bubbling features, cleaning features, or the like. The spa 10 may also be used with a cover and may include a filtration system that may include removable filter cartridges and the like. The equipment used with the spa 10 may be located within the spa frame 22, the area between the shell 20 and frame 22, or in close proximity to the spa 10 and may include but is not limited to a pump, heater, dispenser and other components that may be used to enhance the experience of the spa user.
The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A spa comprising:

a first wall having a first end and a second end;

a second wall having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second wall joined to said first end of said first wall and said second end of said second wall joined to said second end of said first wall;

a first seat arranged within said walls;

a second seat facing said first seat, said second seat and said first seat having centerlines that align with one another along a centerline of the spa;

a foot well arranged between said first and second seats;

wherein the spa having a predetermined height from said foot well to a top of one of said walls and a width of approximately 34 inches to allow the spa to be passed through a doorway without disassembling said doorway, angling the spa, or placing the spa on an end or side.

2. The spa of claim 1 wherein said height is approximately within the range of 35 inches to 41 inches.

3. The spa of claim 1 wherein said height is approximately 36 inches.

4. The spa of claim 1 wherein said height is approximately 40 inches.

5. The spa of claim 1 wherein said first seat is arranged lower than said second seat.

6. The spa of claim 1 further comprising a filter arranged at one end of the spa.

7. The spa of claim 1 having a length of approximately 82 inches.

8. The spa of claim 1 further comprising a control panel arranged on one end of the spa.

9. The spa of claim 7 wherein said length allows for the spa to be moved through a doorway.

10. (canceled)

11. The spa of claim 2 wherein said height allows for generally complete submersion of a body of a person using the spa.

12. The spa of claim 1 further including a generally oval shaped lip at a top end thereof.

13. The spa of claim 1 wherein said ends of said walls generally having a curved like shape and the spa has a generally oval shape when viewed from a top.

14. A spa comprising:

a first and second seating area with a foot well arranged therebetewen, the spa having a height within a range of approximately 35 to 45 inches; and

a width of approximately 34 inches that will allow the spa to be moved through a doorway without being tipped on a side.

15. (canceled)

16. The spa of claim 14 wherein said first seating area is arranged lower within the spa then said second seating area.

17. The spa of claim 14 further comprising a filter arranged on an end of the spa.

18. (canceled)

19. The spa of claim 15 wherein said length is approximately 82 inches.

20. A spa shell for use in a spa assembly, said spa shell comprising:

a first and second seating area each having a centerline that aligns with one another and aligns with a centerline of the spa shell;

a foot well arranged between said seating areas; and

wherein the spa shell having a height of approximately 36 to 40 inches, a length of approximately 82 inches, and a width of approximately 34 inches, said width allows the spa assembly to be passed through a doorway without angling the spa assembly or placing the spa assembly on an end or side.