HOT TUB WITH MAGNETICALLY COUPLED HEADREST

Abstract

A hot tub, and a method of construction of a hot tub, the hot tub including a hot tub basin provided with one or more first magnetic members affixed at an underside of an exposed surface of the hot tub basin corresponding to a headrest region, and a headrest provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept relates to the construction of a hot tub, and, more particularly, to a hot tub having a magnetically coupled headrest.

BACKGROUND

Hot tubs and similar devices are used for recreation, exercise, and physical therapy. Hot tubs are often employed for treating sore muscles or for relaxation after exercise or rigorous physical activity. The basin of a hot tub is typically molded so as to have several defined seats, and headrests, often cushioned, are often provided to correspond to those defined seats such that a user sitting in the seat may comfortably rest his or her head on the headrest.

As the headrests are typically provided with a padding component, these pieces will not be formed in the same process in which the shell of the hot tub is constructed. The shell is typically formed in a multi-stage process, and usually includes the basin which holds the water as well as the upper regions of the hot tub that extend to the outer walls. Thus, the typically installed headrests are attached to the shell by drilling one or more holes in the shell through which the headrests may be attached to the shell by bolts or screws or the like. However, as such accommodations are typically provided manually by handheld drills, the forming and placement of such holes are prone to quality control problems such as misalignment, overall misplacement, damage to the hot tub shell, and so on. Also, headrests installed by such conventional methods and material are difficult to remove from the hot tub shell in the event that the headrests need cleaning or replacement. Some conventional constructions use suction cups to affix the headrest to the hot tub, but this also provides a host of problems, such as the suction cups getting wet and detaching from the hot tub shell, providing a loose and/or wobbly connection, and so on.

Thus, there exists a desire to provide a hot tub headrest that is easily secured to, and removed from, the hot tub shell, and which is less prone to the quality control issues discussed above.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a hot tub, and a method of constructing same, is provided with a magnetically coupled headrest to provide an improved connection between the headrest and the hot tub shell.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a hot tub a hot tub basin provided with one or more first magnetic members affixed at an underside of an exposed surface of the hot tub basin corresponding to a headrest region, and a headrest provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by a method of constructing a hot tub, the method including forming a water basin having a front surface configured to contact water contained in the water basin, and a back surface opposite the front surface, affixing one or more first magnetic members proximate the back surface of the water basin at an area corresponding to a headrest region on the front surface of the water basin, providing one or more second magnetic members to a headrest such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may also be achieved by an attachable accessory system for a hot tub, including one or more first magnetic members configured to be affixed to an underside of a hot tub basin, and at least one accessory provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members through the hot tub basin such that the at least one accessory is selectively attachable to the hot tub basin by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following example embodiments are representative of example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present general inventive concept, but the present general inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a headrest that is configured to be magnetically coupled to a hot tub according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 3 illustrates the coupling of the headrest of FIGS. 1-2 to a hot tub according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a method of constructing a hot tub having a magnetically coupled headrest according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Note that spatially relative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a hot tub is provided with a headrest that is magnetically coupled to a corresponding headrest portion of a hot tub basin. By providing magnetically attractive elements to the headrest and to an area of the hot tub designed to accommodate the headrest, the headrest can be magnetically adhered to the hot tub by simply placing the headrest at the corresponding portion of the hot tub. The headrest can be securely attached through the magnetic coupling, and can also be easily removed by a user that may wish to remove the headrest for cleaning, repair, and so on. As the magnetic elements provided to the hot tub may be hidden on or located in a non-exposed surface or layer of the hot tub, the exposed surface of the hot tub basin is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye of the users. In some example embodiments, when the headrest is removed there may be no visual indication at all of the magnetically coupling elements to which the head rest is coupled when attached to the hot tub. In the descriptions herein, the term headrest is used generally for any type of spa pillow or the like that may be attached to the hot tub in the predetermined corresponding area of the hot tub. Also, other such attachments, such as, for example, a massaging device or decorative item, that are formed with magnetically coupling elements may be interchangeable with the headrest. In the descriptions herein, both magnets and ferromagnetic materials, e.g., iron, may be referred to as magnetic elements, magnetically attractive elements, magnetically coupled elements, and so on. In various example embodiments, magnets may be provided to both the headrest and the hot tub shell. In other various example embodiments, magnets may be provided to the headrest or the hot tub shell, and ferromagnetic elements may be provided to the other of the headrest or the hot tub shell. In various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, magnets provided to both the headrest and the hot tub shell may provide a more secure magnetic attachment of the headrest to the hot tub shell.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a headrest that is configured to be magnetically coupled to a hot tub according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a headrest 10 or spa pillow is provided with a front side 12 that may be padded to comfortably accommodate the back of a user's head, and a back side 14 that will be adjacent to the corresponding portion of the hot tub shell when the headrest 10 is attached to the hot tub. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first set of magnets 16 may be provided to the back side 14 of the headrest 10 in an arrangement that may match a similar placement of magnets provided to the hot tub shell. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, two magnets 16 are symmetrically provided about a center of the headrest 10, but other example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may provide more or fewer magnets which may be arranged in a host of different configurations. In various example embodiments, more magnets are provided at differently corresponding portions of the headrest and/or hot tub so that the headrest is easily adjusted between different positions, such as, for example, different heights or orientations. For example, two columns of multiple magnets provided to the back of the headrest 10 may allow a user to selectively position the headrest at different heights using the same single pair of magnets provided under the visible surface of the hot tub. In various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the magnetic elements provided to either the headrest or hot tub may be configured in an elongated form to match a corresponding elongated magnet, a set of differently shaped magnets, or different subsets of magnets to provide adjustable positions, and so on. Example embodiments in which only one magnetic element is respectively provided to the headrest and hot tub may employ such elongated elements to prevent unwanted pivoting by the headrest around the point of coupling. In various example embodiments, the headrest may be provided with recessed portions as illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the magnets may be provided. In other various example embodiments, the magnets 16 may themselves be hidden beneath a surface of the headrest. In other various example embodiments, the magnets 16 may be retrofitted into spaces previously used to accommodate other coupling articles such as bolts, nuts, etc. The magnets 16 may be adhered to the headrest by an adhesive substance, by mechanically coupling articles, or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates the coupling of the headrest 10 of FIGS. 1-2 to a hot tub according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a portion of a hot tub 30 is formed as a seat with a backrest 32 in which the user may relax, and a second set of magnets 34 are provided under the exposed surface of the hot tub basin so as to correspond to the magnets 16 provided in the headrest 10. Thus, the headrest 10 can be easily attached during construction of the hot tub 20 due to the magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets 16,34. Additionally, the headrest 10, while securely fastened to the hot tub 30 through the magnetically coupled elements, may easily be removed by the user for cleaning, repair, substitution of a different device, etc. In various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, indicia may be provided on the exposed surface of the hot tub to indicate where the headrest 10 should be placed. For example, an indicator of the location of the magnets 34 may be marked on the exposed hot tub surface, or an indicator of the general outline of the headrest 10 may be marked, and so on. Such indicia may involve physical contouring, printed indicia, adhesive indicia, etc. In other various example embodiments, no indicia may be provided, and the proper placement of the headrest 10 may be easily found due solely to the magnetic attraction between the magnets. The magnetic attraction may be sufficiently strong to correct the placement/attachment of the headrest during the coupling of the headrest to the hot tub. As previously discussed, in various example embodiments magnets are provided to both the headrest and the hot tub shell. In other various example embodiments, magnets may only be provided to one or the other of the headrest and hot tub shell, and another ferromagnetic material may be provided to the remaining one of the headrest and hot tub shell.

In various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the headrest may be configured with a plurality of receiving portions in which magnetic elements may be selectively configured to alter the position of the headrest when attached to the hot tub. For example, the headrest may have two columns of receiving portions in which a pair of magnets may be respectively positioned to lower or raise the position of the headrest in the hot tub. In such example embodiments, the magnets may be installed in the receiving portions by a slip fit, or by threads to screw the magnets into place, etc. In various example embodiments the head rest may be formed of flexible materials such that the headrest can be formed to the contour of the area of the hot tub to which the headrest is affixed, so that re-positioning is possible without leaving gaps between the headrest and the hot tub basin. In still other example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the magnets 34 may be retro-fitted to existing hot tubs so that magnetically coupled headrests or other attachments may be affixed to the hot tub basin. For example, by simply accessing the inside of the cabinet space of the hot tub, magnetic elements that are powerful enough to couple the headrest thereto may be adhered to the back surface of the hot tub basin by adhesive or mechanical arrangements so that the headrest or other attachment can be placed at a desired position with a previously constructed hot tub.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a method of constructing a hot tub having a magnetically coupled headrest according to an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. The materials and operations described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 have been simplified in order to more clearly describe the providing of the magnetically coupling elements of the hot tub and headrest. Further, although these figures describe certain materials and a certain number of layers of these materials, it is understood that different example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may include vastly different materials, configurations, orders of operation, and so on without departing from the scope of the present general inventive concept.

In FIG. 4, an acrylic sheet 40 has been formed on a hot tub mold (mold not shown for sake of clarity) such that the acrylic sheet 40 now has the rigid form of the hot tub shell. In this example embodiment, the acrylic sheet 40 forms the outer exposed surface of the hot tub shell. In FIG. 5, a first layer of fiberglass 42 is sprayed onto a back side of the acrylic sheet 40, i.e., on the surface of the acrylic sheet that is opposite to the exposed hot tub basin, to reinforce the acrylic sheet 40. In FIG. 6, the second set of magnets 34 are adhered to the first layer of fiberglass 42 at an area corresponding to the headrest area of the hot tub basin. The magnets 34 may be arranged to match the arrangement of magnets 16 provided to the headrest. In various example embodiments, different configurations of magnets 34 may be provided such that placement of the headrest 10 may be adjustable on the surface of the hot tub basin. In various example embodiments, the magnets 34 may be adhered to the first layer of fiberglass 42 by any number of methods, such as, for example, by an adhesive substance or adhering articles, or may be manually imbedded in the first layer of fiberglass 42 during the forming of the first layer 42. In FIG. 7, a second layer of fiberglass 44 is sprayed over the first layer 42 and the magnets 34 to cover and secure the magnets 34 in place. After other various operations such as fitting plumbing, jets, insulation, and the like, the hot tub is enclosed by a cabinet 46. The headrest 10 may be attached to the hot tub basin by simply placing the headrest 10 on the hot tub basin surface at the corresponding headrest area, and the headrest 10 is secured in place by the magnetic attraction between the magnets 16,34. Although this example embodiment has been described with the magnets 34 being provided between two layers of fiberglass 42,44, it is understood that the magnets 34 may be provided in a host of different configurations to hold the magnets in place in an unexposed part of the hot tub. For example, various example embodiments of the general inventive concept may include magnets placed directly adjacent to the acrylic sheet 40, or at least partially embedded into the acrylic sheet 40 during or after forming of the acrylic basin. Various example embodiments may include magnets on the backside of the plurality of reinforcing layers of the basin, or sandwiched between various layers, and so on. As previously described, various different quantities and/or configurations of magnets or ferromagnetic elements may be provided under an exposed surface of the hot tub basin so as to not be visible to the user. In even other example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the magnets provided to the hot tub basin may be exposed, so that a user may more easily locate the corresponding magnets when reattaching or changing out the headrest. In such example embodiments, the magnets may be attached to the mold during the forming of the acrylic sheet 40, so as to be at least partially embedded, even though also partially exposed, in the exposed surface of the hot tub. In other various example embodiments such a magnetically couple arrangement may be provided in the hot tub at areas other than the headrest, such as below the water line of the hot tub basin, so that other types of attachments such as, for example, foot massager, may be selectively coupled to the hot tub basin. Also, it is understood that the magnetically coupled arrangement described herein may be formed for a plurality of headrest regions in the hot tub.

Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may provide a hot tub having a hot tub basin provided with one or more first magnetic members affixed at an underside of an exposed surface of the hot tub basin corresponding to a headrest region, and a headrest provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members. The first magnetic members may be imbedded between layers of materials forming the hot tub basin. Different sets of the first magnetic members may be configured such that a position of the headrest is selectively adjustable. Different sets of the second magnetic members may be configured such that a position of the headrest is selectively adjustable. The hot tub may further include one or more different attachable articles provided with another set of magnetic members such that the one or more different attachable articles may be selectively interchanged with the headrest on the hot tub. At least one of the one or more different attachable articles may be configured as a massaging device. The one or more second magnetic members are provided under an exposed surface of the headrest. The headrest may be configured to be flexibly to conform to contours of the hot tub basin. At least one of the first and/or second magnetic members may be configured as an elongated magnetic member such that a magnetic member magnetically coupled to the elongated magnetic member is positionally adjustable. The hot tub may further include indicia provided on the hot tub basin to indicate a position of the headrest. The headrest may be configured with multiple magnetic member receiving portions such that the one or more second magnetic members are selectively positionable in the headrest.

Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may provide a method of constructing a hot tub, the method including forming a water basin having a front surface configured to contact water contained in the water basin, and a back surface opposite the front surface, affixing one or more first magnetic members proximate the back surface of the water basin at an area corresponding to a headrest region on the front surface of the water basin, providing one or more second magnetic members to a headrest such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members. The method may further include forming a first fiberglass layer on the back surface of the water basin layer, adhering the one or more first magnetic members to the first fiberglass layer, and forming a second fiberglass layer over the one or more first magnetic members. The method may further include providing additional magnetic members at a plurality of areas proximate the back surface of the water basin such that additional articles may be selectively magnetically coupled to the front surface of the water basin at areas other than the headrest region. The method may further include providing indicia on the water basin to indicate a magnetically couplable position of the headrest. At least one of the first and/or second magnetic members is configured as an elongated magnetic member such that a magnetic member magnetically coupled to the elongated magnetic member is positionally adjustable.

Various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept may provide an attachable accessory system for a hot tub, including one or more first magnetic members configured to be affixed to an underside of a hot tub basin, and at least one accessory provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members through the hot tub basin such that the at least one accessory is selectively attachable to the hot tub basin by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members. The at least one accessory may include a headrest and/or a massaging device. The one or more second magnetic members may be provided under an exposed surface of the at least one accessory. The at least one accessory may be configured to be flexible to conform to contours of the hot tub basin.

Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element can be duplicated.

It is noted that the simplified diagrams and drawings included in the present application do not illustrate all the various connections and assemblies of the various components, however, those skilled in the art will understand how to implement such connections and assemblies, based on the illustrated components, figures, and descriptions provided herein, using sound engineering judgment. Numerous variations, modification, and additional embodiments are possible, and, accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present general inventive concept.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A hot tub comprising: a hot tub basin provided with one or more first magnetic members affixed at an underside of an exposed surface of the hot tub basin corresponding to a headrest region; anda headrest provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

2. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic members are imbedded between layers of materials forming the hot tub basin.

3. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein different sets of the first magnetic members are configured such that a position of the headrest is selectively adjustable.

4. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein different sets of the second magnetic members are configured such that a position of the headrest is selectively adjustable.

5. The hot tub of claim 1, further comprising one or more different attachable articles provided with another set of magnetic members such that the one or more different attachable articles may be selectively interchanged with the headrest on the hot tub.

6. The hot tub of claim 5, wherein at least one of the one or more different attachable articles is configured as a massaging device.

7. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein the one or more second magnetic members are provided under an exposed surface of the headrest.

8. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein the headrest is configured to be flexible to conform to contours of the hot tub basin.

9. The hot tub of claim 1, at least one of the first and/or second magnetic members is configured as an elongated magnetic member such that a magnetic member magnetically coupled to the elongated magnetic member is positionally adjustable.

10. The hot tub of claim 1, further comprising indicia provided on the hot tub basin to indicate a position of the headrest.

11. The hot tub of claim 1, wherein the headrest is configured with multiple magnetic member receiving portions such that the one or more second magnetic members are selectively positionable in the headrest.

12. A method of constructing a hot tub, the method comprising: forming a water basin having a front surface configured to contact water contained in the water basin, and a back surface opposite the front surface;affixing one or more first magnetic members proximate the back surface of the water basin at an area corresponding to a headrest region on the front surface of the water basin;providing one or more second magnetic members to a headrest such that the headrest is selectively attachable to the headrest region by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: forming a first fiberglass layer on the back surface of the water basin layer;adhering the one or more first magnetic members to the first fiberglass layer; andforming a second fiberglass layer over the one or more first magnetic members.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing additional magnetic members at a plurality of areas proximate the back surface of the water basin such that additional articles may be selectively magnetically coupled to the front surface of the water basin at areas other than the headrest region.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing indicia on the water basin to indicate a magnetically couplable position of the headrest.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and/or second magnetic members is configured as an elongated magnetic member such that a magnetic member magnetically coupled to the elongated magnetic member is positionally adjustable.

17. An attachable accessory system for a hot tub, comprising: one or more first magnetic members configured to be affixed to an underside of a hot tub basin; andat least one accessory provided with one or more second magnetic members configured to be attracted to the first magnetic members through the hot tub basin such that the at least one accessory is selectively attachable to the hot tub basin by the attraction between the first and second magnetic members.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one accessory includes a headrest and/or a massaging device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more second magnetic members are provided under an exposed surface of the at least one accessory.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one accessory is configured to be flexible to conform to contours of the hot tub basin.