Patent Application
20070228785
The present invention relates generally to the field of spas and particularly to a reconfigurable spa.
Spas are well known for use in facilitating comfort and relaxation. Pedicure spas specifically allow for treatment and comfort of the feet of a person in addition to other incorporated services. Pedicure spas do not always efficiently allow a spa professional to attend to a client due to the awkward construction of the unit. Pedicure spas can also be difficult to get into when armrests are in the way. Access to the electrical and plumbing components of prior art spas is difficult because of one piece internal support structures. Further, pedicure spa seats can become stylistically outdated or worn with repeated use necessitating replacement of the entire seat or spa.
Thus there is a need for a pedicure spa construction that facilitates a spa professional in being as close as possible to the client. There is also a need for a spa that includes a support structure to support a seat, basin and a removable shroud enclosing at least a portion of the support structure. There is also a need for a spa construction that provides easy entry and exit for the client. There is also a need for a water pump configuration in a pedicure spa that facilitates access to components for service or replacement. There is also a need for a replaceable seat cover for a pedicure spa.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a spa apparatus. The spa apparatus includes an internal support structure having a front end and a rear end. The spa apparatus further includes a basin coupled to the internal support structure proximate the front end, with the basin including a fluid circulation device. The spa apparatus further includes a seat removably coupled to the internal support structure, intermediate the basin and the rear end of the internal support structure. The spa apparatus further includes a shroud including at least a first and second panel removably coupled and supported by the internal support structure and configured to enclose a portion of the internal support structure. The spa apparatus further includes an armrest coupled to the internal support structure on each side of the seat, with each armrest configured to move from a first position to a second position independent of the position of the seat.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to an armrest structure for a spa, with the spa including a fluid retaining basin and a seat coupled to a support structure. The armrest structure includes a base member defining a compartment; a cover coupled to the base member; and a support member pivotally coupled at one end to the support structure on one side of the seat and pivotally coupled at another end to the base member. The base member and cover are maintained in a horizontal aspect relative to the support structure as the support member is moved about the pivots from a first position to a second position.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a spa apparatus. The spa apparatus includes an internal support structure having a front end and a rear end. The spa apparatus further includes a basin coupled to the internal support structure proximate the front end, with the basin including a fluid circulation device. The spa apparatus further includes a seat removably coupled to the internal support structure, intermediate the basin and the rear end of the internal support structure. The spa apparatus further includes a shroud including at least a first and second panel removably coupled and supported by the internal support structure and configured to enclose a portion of the internal support structure; The spa apparatus further includes an armrest structure. The armrest structure includes a base member defining a compartment; a cover coupled to the base member; and a support member pivotally coupled at one end to the support structure on one side of the seat and pivotally coupled at another end to the base member. The base member and cover are maintained in a horizontal aspect relative to the support structure as the support member is moved about the pivots from a first position to a second position.
Referring to
Internal support structure 12, also known as a base, supports the structure of seat 14 and basin 15 and is intended to provide a person with easy access to spa 10 and the feet and legs of someone sitting in seat 14. Internal support structure 12 is configured to support spa 10 while providing easy access to the underside of spa 10 for repairs or cleaning and to allow for someone providing services to a person seated in spa 10 to slide close with their feet underneath internal support structure 12 at either side, the front, or rear of internal support structure 12.
Internal support structure 12 may be defined as having a front end 16 and a rear end 17 and generally includes a first member 18, a second member 20, a cross-member 22, and a footpad 24. First and second members 18 and 20 are of a curved shape and each defines two legs that extend towards the surface that spa 10 rests on. One or more cross-members 22 couple with members 18 and 20 to provide support for spa 10 and the weight of someone sitting thereon. Each footpad 24 is coupled to the legs of members 18 and 20 to provide contact points with the surface spa 10 rests on and is intended to reduce the chance of damaging the floor and to prevent spa 10 from sliding. In various example embodiments, members 18 and 20, cross-member 22, and footpad 24 each may be composed of any metal (e.g. steel, iron, aluminum, titanium), polymer (e.g., plastic, rubber), or any other suitable material or combination thereof. In another example embodiment, footpads 24 may be wheels or casters that function to move spa 10. In still another example embodiment, footpads 24 may be adjustable in order to vary the height of spa 10 or to level spa 10 if resting on an uneven surface.
Seat 14 is intermediate basin 15 and rear end 17 of internal support structure 12 and is intended to provide a comfortable surface and sitting position for a person receiving services on spa 10. Seat 14 generally includes a cushion 26, a seatback 28, a splashguard 30, and an armrest 32. Cushion 26 provides an ergonomic surface for a person to sit on and is surrounded by a skin or covering. Cushion 26 may contain any desired amount of a material known in the art to provide cushioning for a person seated on it. In one example embodiment, cushion 26 may be heated. In another example embodiment, the skin of cushion 26 may be removable for various reasons such as to facilitate reconditioning or replacement while in still another example embodiment, the skin of cushion 26 may be permanently attached to the interior portion of cushion 26. In various other example embodiments, the skin of cushion 26 may be composed of any past, present, or future material used as a seat cover such as cloth, leather, or vinyl.
Seatback 28 provides an ergonomic surface to support the torso of a person sitting on cushion 26. Seatback 28 may contain any desired amount of a material known in the art to provide cushioning for a person leaning on it and is surrounded by a skin or covering. In other example embodiments, seatback 28 may include a massage function. In these example embodiments that include a massage function, one or more various types of massage mechanisms such as a massage roller and vibration massage mechanism may be used. In other example embodiments, seatback 28 may include a neck pillow to support the head and neck of a person sitting in seat 14. In another example embodiment, the skin of seatback 28 may be removable for various reasons such as to facilitate reconditioning or replacement while in still another example embodiment, the skin of seatback 28 may be permanently attached to the interior portion of cushion 26. In various other example embodiments, the skin of seatback 28 may be composed of any past, present, or future material used as a seat cover such as cloth, leather, or vinyl.
Splashguard 30 is intended to reduce the amount of splash from basin 15 that gets under seat 14. In various example embodiments a splash guard may be implemented in the front of seat 14, either side of seat 14, the rear of seat 14, or any combination thereof. Splashguard 30 may be composed of any material that at least to some degree prevents water or other substance that may be in basin 15 from passing through. In some example embodiments splashguard 30 may be attached to cushion 26 or seatback 28 via a hook and loop fastener, another fastener, or by sewn thread, while in other example embodiments splashguard 30 may not be attached but retained by the weight of cushion 26 or seatback 28.
Armrest 32 is generally configured to support the arms of a person seated in seat 14. In various example embodiments, one or more armrests may be attached to either internal support structure 12 or seat 14. While the illustrated example embodiment shows armrest 32 attached to spa 10 via two support bars 34, in other example embodiments more or fewer than two support bars could be used to retain armrest 32 and support the weight of the arms of a person or support bars 34 may be omitted altogether with armrest 32 attached to spa 10 via some other means. In various example embodiments, armrest 32 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic and may include a cushioned top surface or a hard top surface.
Basin 15 is proximate to front end 16 of internal support structure 12 and is configured to provide a person seated in seat 14 with a foot massage via water pushed through a jet, for example a fluid massage device. Basin 15 generally includes a drain activator 67 for releasing water from basin 15. In one example embodiment, basin 15 may be streamlined for convenient access by a person to the feet and legs of someone seated in seat 14. In another example embodiment basin 15 may be made of an acrylic basin with an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) backing or interior while in other embodiments, a different backing may be used such as fiberglass. In another exemplary embodiment, basin 15 may be a composed of a material that is different from the material composing internal support structure 12. In still other example embodiments the basin may be composed of a different material than acrylic such as another plastic, a metal, a combination of plastic and metal, or glass.
Referring to
Pump 44 is configured to aid in the expulsion of water from basin 15 when drain activator 67 is operated. Drain activator 67 includes a drain overflow and sensor to activate the drain pump 44. Pump 44 may expel water through water lines 40 and into a drain line via access point 42. In one example embodiment pump 44 may be automatically started by magnetic sensors when drain activator 67 opens the drain. Pump 44 is suspended above the floor via an attachment to internal support structure 12 or seat 14 in order to aid in the expulsion of water from spa 10 and to allow for additional room under spa 10. In one example embodiment pump 44 may retain only the amount of water necessary for priming. In various example embodiments, pump 44 may be any suitable pump of past, present, or future design that is able to be suspended.
Controller 46 is configured to electrically control adjustments to the position of seatback 28, a massage or vibration function of seat 14, water-flow in basin 15, or any combination thereof. While the illustrated example embodiment shows controller 46 to be hardwired to spa 10, in other example embodiments controller 46 may be an integral body within a portion of spa 10, such as armrest 32 or cushion 26, or a wireless controller. In an example embodiment where controller 46 is not an integral body with a portion of spa 10, cushion 26, seatback 28, or armrest 32 may include a pocket that holds controller 46 when not in use.
Referring to
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In other example embodiments, armrest 32 may rotate rather than slide or may not move at all. Armrest 32 is further configured to flip open and define a compartment which includes a fluid container holder 68, for example a beverage holder; a fluid pan 70, for example a hand or manicure soaker; and a work area 72. In another exemplary embodiment, armrest 32 defines a compartment or hollow shell 78 between a base structure 80 and cover 82, as shown in
Spa 10 further includes a footrest 62, sprayer/faucet 64, and controls 66. Footrests 62 may be supported by the perimeter of basin 15 and are intended to support the foot of a person sitting in seat 14 when the foot is not in basin 15 itself. In various example embodiments, one or more footrests 62 may be employed in an adjustable manner as desired to accommodate various leg lengths of someone sitting in seat 14. In other example embodiments, footrests 62 may be made of any material such as plastic or metal and the top of footrests 62 may be cushioned or substantially hard. In still other example embodiments footrests 62 may be attached to basin via a fastener, such as a screw or bolt; via a shape configured to mate with the shape of basin 15; or via any other means such as an adhesive.
Faucet assembly 36 may be used to fill basin 15 or spray water on the feet of someone sitting in seat 14. In one example embodiment, faucet assembly 36 is a pull-out sprayer that can be sprayed in a number of different directions. In various example embodiments faucet assembly 36 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or thermoplastic. Faucet assembly 36 includes two fill spouts that hook directly into the faucet and the configuration of the fill spout.
Controls 66 are configured to control various functions of spa 10. In various example embodiments, controls 66 may include control means for water temperature or turning on a fluid circulation device 74 for massaging the feet of a person sitting in spa 10. In such an example embodiment, controls 66 may be in a relatively close proximity to faucet assembly 36 on a center console configuration so that drain, faucet, temperature, and water massage or mechanical foot massage functions may all be accessed quickly and easily. In other example embodiments, more or fewer than the above functions and controls may be included. In another example embodiment, the water from massage device 74 may be propelled by an impeller actuated by water and in fluid communication with basin 15.
Referring to
When armrest 32, seatback 28, or cushion 26 move in a forward direction they move towards front end 16 and when they move in a backward direction they move towards rear end 17. Upper edge 58 is proximate to basin 15 and lower edge 59 positioned under a portion of basin 15, as can now be more clearly seen. This allows for someone to get close to the front of the spa with their feet fitting under basin 15 at lower edge 59.
Referring to
Although spa 10 is illustrated as including multiple features utilized in conjunction with one another, spa 10 may alternatively utilize less than all of the noted mechanisms or features. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, footrest 62 may be omitted. In still other embodiments, more or fewer than the illustrated number of support bars 34 may be used.
Referring to
Although specific shapes of each element have been set forth in the drawings, each element may be of any other shape that facilitates the function to be performed by that element. For example, channel 50 is shown to have a curved arch shape, however, in other embodiments channel 50 may be of a more triangular shape.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally defined as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature
The present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, however workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted a single particular element may also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a certain number of embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the assemblies may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or other elements of the system maybe varied, the nature or number of adjustment or attachment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present subject matter.
