Patent Application
20060101573
Water features have become very popular in landscape designs, particularly single-family home landscapes, both for their aesthetic value and property improvement aspect. Companies market various products that allow homeowners to easily add a water feature to their existing landscape design.
To fulfill this market opportunity, the spa/hot tub/pool (referred to generically hereafter as “spa”) industry is currently marketing water features that are built directly into a spa's design. These water features come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and costs, and are of varying complexity. Typical water features include integrated pumps and controls, and often include a fixed water spout head to creates a particular water flow pattern and sound for a particular desired aesthetic. These features cannot be changed or modified by the customer.
Accordingly, each unique water feature design requires a unique system, which leads to a large number of parts and processes to control and service. Additionally, it is difficult, if not impossible, to add a water feature to an existing system that was not originally configured with one. The expenses associated with retrofitting a pump, plumbing, water feature nozzle, lighting, controls and/or control circuitry is cost-prohibitive in most cases.
This document discloses a water feature for a spa that has at least one water jet. The water feature is provided by a water feature attachment. The attachment includes a water feature module having at least one water outlet configured to generate a dynamic water feature such as a fountain. The attachment further includes an attachment mechanism connected to the water feature module and configured for detachable connection to the water jet. A light source can be provided to illuminate the water feature.
The water feature attachment can be easily attached and removed from the jet, and positioned and arranged as desired to generate a desired water feature effect. The water feature attachment includes a flexible angle adjuster that is connected between the module and the attachment mechanism, for precise alignment and positioning of the module and which can be safely folded up for storage.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
The water inlet of the water feature module 102 is connected to a conduit 109 that receives a flow of water from a jet attachment 107 that is connectable to any sized spa jet or similar water outlet of a spa. The jet attachment 107 may also include a mechanism to meter and/or regulate the speed and/or pressure of a flow of water into the conduit 109. In one operation, a jet fitting in the spa can be popped out and the jet attachment 107 snapped into its place over the jet. In an alternative operation, a spa may be outfitted with a specialized or customized water jet that is closed until the jet interface 107 is attached to it. In yet another operation, the jet attachment 107 can simply snap onto an existing jet fitting in the spa.
The water feature attachment 100 may also include a power and light container 103. The container 103 can include a power source such as a battery, an inductively-coupled power module or a water-powered dynamo, and a lighting source such as lighting circuitry and lights. The lights can be low-voltage light emitting diodes (LEDs) or incandescent lamps. In one exemplary embodiment, the lighting source illuminates the head 101. In an alternative embodiment, the lighting source illuminates the water flowing out of the head 101. In yet another embodiment, both the head 101 and water are illuminated. The lights may be positioned on or below the head 101, or in the container 103.
A vertical adjustment mechanism 104 provides for adjustment and placement of the water feature module 102 in the vertical plane. In a specific embodiment, the water feature attachment 100 includes a stabilizer ring 105 for stabilizing the water feature module 102 in the spa. The water feature attachment 100 also includes an angle adjuster 106. The angle adjuster 106 is configured for flexibly adjusting the water feature module 102 at a specific or desired angle from the direction of the water source jet in the spa. In one embodiment, the angle adjuster 106 includes a number of interconnected knuckles surrounding an internal bendable conduit for allowing the water feature module 102 to be oriented and fixed to any desired angular position.
The water feature attachment 200 further includes a conduit 206 connected to the angle adjuster 204. The conduit 206 can be any size or length, and is preferably sized and shaped to provide a particular water pressure and flow rate. The conduit 206 is connected to a head 208 having one or more nozzles 210. The head 208 can include a number of internal channels for channeling flowing water to the one or more nozzles 208. These channels can be sized or arranged for a specific flow rate.
One embodiment of the water feature may incorporate an interchangeable head. The head can be removed from the water feature module and another installed in its place. This interchangeability allows personalization of the spa by dynamically changing the visual, audible and mood-enhancing effects of the water feature. The interchangeable heads can create shaped water designs of variable heights adding value to the spa, allowing for uses of the spa in addition to a hydrotherapy or relaxation device. The user can select between having or not having a water feature as well as selecting the particular interchangeable head.
In a specific exemplary embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
The water feature module described herein provides manufacturing and servicing cost-savings. The module is easily added to existing spa designs, and there is no need for expensive field or factory-return retrofits. The module is also easy to install and uninstall—a conduit connected to the water feature module is merely inserted into the jet housing without requiring special tools or equipment.
Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.
