Patent Application
20050155145
This utility patent application is based on the provisional patent application (Ser. No. 60/537,257) filed on Jan. 16, 2004.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to inflatable hot tubs or pools, and more particularly inflatable hot tubs or pools designed for use both on land or in a body of water.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many recreational vehicle (RV) owners and campers would find a portable, self-supporting hot tub that can be easily transported and temporarily setup and filled with warm or hot water next to their vehicle very desirable.
In many boat moorage areas, the lake or ocean water around a boat may be too dirty or too cold for swimming or soaking. While many boat operators dream of sailing or operating their boats in fresh, warm water in some distant exotic region, most boat operators do not. A floating hot tub that can be easily and quickly assembled in the water adjacent to the boat that can be filled with warm or hot water would be highly desirable.
Storage space on a RV, camper or boat is of course limited. Therefore, a hot tub that stores in a compact configuration and then can be easily and quickly assembled in a small area would be highly desirable. Ideally, such a structure should include a self-supporting tub structure that does not require secondary rigid members. Also, when used in a large body of water with waves, the sidewalls of the tub structure should have sufficient height to prevent water from splashing into and out of the tub structure.
The above stated objects are met by the hot tub kit disclosed herein that includes an inflatable, cylindrical shaped tub structure with a flat bottom. The sidewalls of the main body is made of three stacked, inflatable ring sections that together have sufficient in buoyancy to float and partially support up to four users sitting inside the main center area located therein. During use, the open center area that is filled with warm or hot water. The upper section is octagonal or circular in cross-section similar to an larger inner tube. When the tub structure is placed in a body of water, the buoyancy of the tub is sufficient so that top edge of the upper ring section is located 8 to 10 inches above the water line. The middle ring section is rectangular in cross-section and designed to form a relatively flat, curved sidewall. When used in a body of water, the middle ring section is normally submerged. When the tub structure is used out of the water, the middle ring section provides vertical support. Attached to the lower edge of the middle ring section is an inflatable lower ring section that also provides buoyancy when submerged and provides support when used on the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the lower ring section is circular in cross-section and much smaller in diameter than the upper ring section. Attached to the lower ring section is a flat, non-inflatable, flexible floor panel designed to provide greater floatation and support for the users sitting thereon.
The kit also includes a master control unit that connects to an external electrical system, water supply and water heating system. The master control unit includes a water pump to deliver water to the tub structure, a solenoid check valve used to control the flow of water into the tub structure, and a wireless transmitter that connects to a remote, wireless receiver operated by the user. During use, the solenoid check valve is connected to a water supply line. An optional thermostat is also provided that is coupled to the solenoid check valve in the master control unit to automatically regulate the temperature of the water in the tub structure.
There is shown in the accompanying
Vertically aligned and below the upper ring section 15 is an inflatable middle ring section 35. The middle ring section 35 is designed to provide buoyancy and form a relatively flat, curved sidewall on the tub structure 10 that supports the upper ring 15 when used on the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the middle ring section 35 is approximately 12 inches in height and 3 inches in thick. The middle ring structure 35 is vertically aligned under the center axis of the upper right section 15 to provide greater sitting area inside the tub structure 10.
Attached to the lower edge of the middle ring section 35 is a circular lower ring section 50 which also provides buoyancy, maintains the cylindrical shape of the tub structure 10, and supports the upper and middle ring sections 15, 35 when used on the ground. In the preferred embodiment, the lower ring structure 50 is circular in cross-section and approximately 3 inches in diameter.
Attached to the lower section 50 is a flat, non-inflatable, floor panel 60. The floor panel 60 is made of flexible material so that it flexes upward inside the open center area 12 of the tub structure 10 when downward force on the floor panel is reduced. Downward force of the floor panel 60 is reduced when a user steps out of the tub structure 10 or when water from the open center area 10 is drained.
The ring sections 15, 35, and 50 are made of one or multiple layers of PVC material adhesively, mechanically sewn or heat welded together. The floor panel is approximately 3 inches thick and made of ‘drop-stitch’ fabric to provide floatation and insulation. The ring sections 15, 35, 50 are interconnected so that air passes freely therefrom. It should be understood that the ring sections 15, 35, 50 may be sealed cavities that are independently inflated with separate air inlet ports (not shown).
Formed near the lower edge of the middle ring section 35 is at least one drain port 38 that allows water to be added, re-circulated and drained from the open center area 12 of the tub structure 10. In the preferred embodiment, the dran ports 38 are ‘tub-through’ drain ports that extend through the middle ring section 35 and include one closeable cap 39. Each drain port may include external or internal threads 41 or some other suitable hose fixture connection means that allow a standard hose to selectively attached thereto. During use the ends of one or more supply hoses may be attached to one or two of the three drain ports 38. The opposite ends of the supply hoses may be attached to the outlet ports of a hot water source and pump so that hot water may be continuously circulated in the tub structure 10. A third hose may be attached to the return port on the hot water source or pump.
The drain ports 38 are positioned on the middle ring section 35 slightly above the outside water line so that water 98 located inside the tub structure 10 automatically and continuously flows outward from the open center area when they are opened. When a user steps outside the tub and the drain port 38 is opened, the surrounding water under the tub presses the floor panel 60 upward which raises the water line in the open center area 12. As water is drained from the tub structure 10, the level of the inside water remains above the drain ports 38 thereby allow substantially all of the water to drain from the tub structure 10.
In the preferred embodiment, the tub structure 10 is approximately 44 inches in diameter and approximately 28 inches in height. It is designed to hold approximately 350 gallons of water with two adults sitting upright on the floor panel 60. When used in this matter, the height of the water inside the open center area 12 is approximately 8 inches below the top edge of the upper ring section 15.
The kit 8 also includes a master control unit 70 that connects to an external electrical system 97, water supply 96 and water heating system 98. The water supply system 96 may be a public utility water system, an RV's water system or a boat's water system. The water heating system 98 may be a home water heating system, an RV's heating system, or a boats water heating system. The master control unit 70 includes a water pump 72 to deliver water via a standard ½ or ⅝ inch diameter hose 73 to the tub structure 10, a solenoid check valve 73 to control the flow of water from the water supply 96 and into the tub structure 10, and an optional wireless transmitter 84 that connects to a remote, wireless receiver 82 operated by the user. It should be understood, that the solenoid check valve 73 may be connected to a water supply line from public water utility system on the dock (not shown). An optional thermostat 74 that during use is submerged into the tub water and coupled to the pump 72 and solenoid check valve 73 to automatically regulate the temperature of the water in the tub structure 10.
The kit 8 also includes at least one water hose 73 that connects at one end to the solenoid pump 72 and is inserted into the tube to deliver water to the tub structure 10. The kit 8 also includes an air delivery line 83 that extends from the air pump 80 to the air inlet port on the tub structure 10.
In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60537257 | Jan 2004 | US |
