Patent Application
20110094025
The present invention relates to a portable hot tub that floats in a body of water and, in particular, to an easily and rapidly deployable, portable floating hot tub that can be used in bodies of water that are turbulent and cold.
Hot tubs or spas are excellent ways for relaxing and rejuvenating, as well as therapeutically soothing sore muscles and body parts. The conventional hot tub is mounted in or above the ground, has rigid sidewalls, typically a molded fiberglass shell for containing water, and a relatively sophisticated and expensive electronically monitored and controlled water heating system relatively permanently connected an existing water supply system. Hot tubs are often combined with standard swimming pools, either close to but spaced from the pool or immediately adjacent thereto separated by a low dividing wall. The ability to switch back and forth from the cold pool water to the hot spa water is extremely exhilarating.
To date, there has not been an economically feasible portable hot tub for use in remote locations away from the backyard. One difficult hurdle in constructing a portable hot tub is the necessity of providing extremely strong sidewalls to contain the large amount of water therein. Of course providing sturdy sidewalls increases the size and weight of the device which hinders portability. One possible answer to this practical problem is to immerse the hot tub in a larger body of water, which equilibrates the hydraulic forces across the spa wall and therefore reduces the structural strength requirements.
Several designs for floating hot tubs, spas and pools are known, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,126,905, 4,135,256, 4,754,502, 5,470,480, 6,795,983, and 7,032,258. For a number of reasons, these designs lack one or more of the following: easy portability, easy and rapid setup, stability in turbulent water, or economic practicality. Some relatively recent floating hot tubs, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,795,983, commercially available as the HOT POD floating spa, are primarily designed for use in a pool with relatively flexible and lightweight construction, which makes them ill-suited for use in very cold and turbulent water. Indeed, the '983 patent promotes the ability to easily depress the hot tub upper rim to facilitate entry and exit of both people and surrounding ambient water. Hot tubs have been built into larger boats, including crew ships and luxury yachts. Though technically “floating,” these hot tubs are not portable by themselves, and are relatively permanently structurally installed and connected to the electrical and water systems of the boat.
Consequently, there remains a need for a floating hot tub that is portable, easy and quick to set up by one person, stable in rough waters, and within the budget of ordinary consumers.
The present invention relates to a hot tub that is portable and may be placed in a body of water such as a pool, a lake, river or the ocean. A primary application is to use the hot tub behind a boat. Boaters in particular would appreciate the ability to quickly deploy a hot tub in the water behind their boat wherever they are moored.
This present application presents various portable hot tub designs that can be set on land or can float in a body of water. The elements of the tub are an inflatable pontoon, a liner, a thermal insulating material attached to or incorporated in the liner, and optionally a slat floor or some other rigidifying structure at the bottom of the liner. Additionally, the tub may use ropes or straps that extend from the pontoon under the floor of the liner, or attached to the rigidifying slats
In one aspect, the present application provides a portable hot tub, comprising an inflatable pontoon arranged around a central aperture and an insulated flexible liner having an upper periphery secured to the pontoon around the central aperture. The flexible liner defines forms a three-dimensional shape to extend downward within the central aperture and form a hot tub fill volume. Flexible members extend from the pontoon to support a bottom of the liner such that when the pontoon is floating the weight of the liner filled with water is supported partly by the flexible members. A hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith circulates water to and from the hot tub fill volume. Desirably, the heater has a tilt sensor that shuts off operation of the heater if the heater tilts more than a predetermined amount from an upright orientation.
The aforementioned hot tub may also include a floor of a more rigid material than the flexible liner incorporated within a bottom surface of the liner and attached to the pontoon via the flexible members. The floor may be at least one lightweight panel of a flexible and strong material, or a plurality of slats spaced apart and oriented in parallel such that the floor can be rolled up about an axis parallel to the slats. Preferably, the flexible members attach to anchors provided on the pontoon. The upper periphery of the flexible liner may be secured to the pontoon with a plurality of flexible members, or along a substantially continuous interface.
Another embodiment of the present application is a floating portable hot tub, comprising an inflatable pontoon arranged around a central aperture, and an insulated flexible liner having an upper periphery secured to the pontoon around the central aperture and defining a three-dimensional shape to extend downward within the central aperture and form a hot tub fill volume. A plurality of rigid members are incorporated in the bottom of the three-dimensional shape defined by the flexible liner. The rigid members have a deployed configuration defining at least a floor under the liner and a collapsed configuration to facilitate portability. A plurality of flexible members extend downward from the pontoon to support the bottom of the flexible liner and rigid members such that when the pontoon is floating in a body of water and the hot tub fill volume is filled with water the weight of the liner filled with water, and any occupants of the hot tub, is supported partly by the rigid members.
The hot tub desirably features a hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith for circulating water to and from the hot tub fill volume. In one embodiment, the plurality of rigid members defines part of a three-dimensional frame that attaches around the exterior of the liner. In an alternative embodiment, the floor comprises a plurality of slats spaced apart and oriented in parallel such that the floor can be rolled up about an axis parallel to the slats. The upper periphery of the flexible liner may be secured to the pontoon with a plurality of flexible straps attached to anchors, or along a substantially continuous interface.
A still further embodiment described herein is floating portable hot tub comprising:
The upper periphery of the flexible liner is preferably secured to the pontoon along a substantially continuous interface, such as by adhesive or heat sealing. Desirably, open-ended pockets formed in an underside of the liner receive the plurality of slats. Furthermore, each slat may have at least one flexible member attached to both ends thereof. In one configuration, there are two flexible members attached to each slat end extending upward in a V-shape to different anchors provided on the pontoon.
In another aspect, the present application provides a portable floating hot tub that is easy to assemble and take down and can be used in environments with extremely cold and turbulent water. The hot tub includes an inflatable pontoon that forms a buoyant ring, an insulated liner peripherally connected to the pontoon and defining a three-dimensional hot tub fill volume, and flexible members that extend from the pontoon under a bottom of the liner such that when the pontoon is floating, the weight of the liner filled with water is supported partly by the flexible members. The hot tub may have a floor made of rigid slats that are spaced apart and parallel and that can be rolled up with the flexible liner and deflated pontoon for ease of portability. A collapsible frame made of connected rigid members may be provided in or outside of the liner. The pontoon is placed on the body of water and inflated. Filling the internal volume defined by the insulated liner with water causes it to descend below the pontoon. A portable heater having a heating capacity of at least 30,000 BTUs rapidly heats up the water within the hot tub. The system components can be transported in carry bags of less than 100 pounds and deployed in an extremely small space, such as on a boat.
In general, the present invention provides a hot tub that is portable, easily assembled, easy to enter and exit, provides for comfortable seating, and can be used in environments where there is cold and turbulent water. The hot tub has a collapsible, rigid frame that makes it operable in turbulent water such as in a river or on the ocean. Walls of the hot tub are constructed from a thermally insulating material so that it retains heat and can be operated in cold water environments found in lakes, rivers and oceans. The hot tub is portable and can be carried and assembled easily by a single individual in confined environments such as on a boat or on the dock. Finally, the rigid frame structure of the tub provides for comfortable seating.
In one embodiment, the hot tub is constructed from three independent components: a pontoon, a frame and walls. The hot tub is supported in the water by a floating inflatable pontoon. The pontoon can be constructed from one or more bladder units. The pontoon must be large enough to stabilize the tub when people enter or leave the tub. The support frame of the tub is made with structural materials such as pipes or rods, or any other structural material that may be easily disassembled. The frame may include provisions for seating of one or more people in the hot tub. Extra material may be placed between the frame arms and the pontoon to distribute the weight of the frame on the pontoon. The walls of the hot tub are made from a thermally insulating material such as neoprene rubber. The insulating material helps to keep the water in the tub from losing heat too rapidly to the external body of water. When the hot that is filled with water, the majority of the tub is submerged below the surface of the external body of water, providing stability. The hot tub is designed such that when filled with water, the water level inside the tub is approximately the same level as the external body of water.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable floating hot tub comprises a collapsible frame of connected rigid members having a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. The deployed frame forms an interior volume, at least one seat for a person within the volume, and an upper periphery. An insulated liner is sized and shaped to fit closely against and attach to the deployed frame to form a subassembly and define a hot tub fill volume within the liner. An inflatable pontoon buoyantly supports the deployed frame and liner subassembly. Cooperating means on the collapsible frame, the insulated liner, and/or the inflatable pontoon couples the frame and liner subassembly to the pontoon. The inflated pontoon has sufficient buoyancy to support the frame and liner subassembly in a body of water with the upper periphery of the frame above the water level. Finally, a source of hot water connects to circulate water to and from the hot tub fill volume.
In one embodiment, the cooperating means comprises at least one lateral extension from the frame and liner subassembly that engages the pontoon. For instance, the cooperating means may be flexible straps. The source of hot water desirably comprises a hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith for circulating water to and from the hot tub fill volume. A preferred insulated liner comprises a foam core and protective outer layers, and is easily separable from the frame. In one form the collapsible frame comprises a plurality of lightweight rigid struts connected at junctions. For autonomous navigation of the hot tub a small motor may be mounted on the pontoon. Advantageously, the inflatable pontoon has a closed geometric form surrounding a central aperture within which the deployed frame and liner subassembly are peripherally supported.
Another portable floating hot tub of the invention comprises a collapsible frame of connected rigid members having a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the deployed frame forms an interior volume, at least one seat for a person within the volume, and an upper periphery. An insulated liner is sized and shaped to fit closely against and attach to the deployed frame to form a subassembly and define a hot tub fill volume within the liner. A pontoon buoyantly supports the deployed frame and liner subassembly such that the upper periphery of the frame is above the water level. A hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith circulates water to and from the hot tub fill volume. The heater has a tilt sensor that shuts off operation of the heater if the heater tilts more than a predetermined amount from an upright orientation. Cooperating means may be provided on the collapsible frame, the insulated liner, and/or the pontoon for buoyantly coupling the frame and liner subassembly to the pontoon. The collapsible frame desirably comprises a plurality of rigid struts hinged together. The heater may have a gas burner and an electric control therefore, and a heating capacity of at least 30,000 BTUs. Another element of the system may be a submergible water pump having an inlet and an outlet with an outlet hose connected to the inlet of the heater. The pontoon desirably has at least one inflatable bladder that is capable of being collapsed and hand-carried in a bag.
A still further embodiment of a portable floating hot tub comprises a collapsible frame, an insulated liner attached to the deployed frame to form a subassembly, and an inflatable pontoon arranged to buoyantly support the deployed frame and liner subassembly. A hand-carried portable heater is provided to circulate water to and from the hot tub fill volume, and the hot tub components can be collapsed and stored in one or more carry bags with a combined weight of less than 100 pounds. Preferably, the collapsible frame comprises a plurality of lightweight rigid struts connected at junctions, some of which are dedicated hinges and some of which are detachable. The inflatable pontoon may have a closed geometric form surrounding a central aperture within which the deployed frame and liner subassembly are peripherally supported. Desirably the insulated liner is easily separable from the frame, and more particularly the insulated liner has a plurality of tabs secured thereto for attaching the liner to the deployed frame.
A method for rapidly deploying a floating hot tub of the present invention includes deploying a collapsible frame of connected rigid members having a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the deployed frame forms an interior volume, at least one seat for a person within the volume, and an upper periphery. An insulated liner sized and shaped to fit closely against and attach to the deployed frame is provided, and the deployed frame and the liner are coupled to form a subassembly and define a hot tub fill volume within the liner. An inflatable pontoon arranged to buoyantly support the deployed frame and liner subassembly is inflated placed it in a body of water. The user fills the hot tub fill volume with water so that the upper periphery of the frame is buoyantly supported by the pontoon above the water level, and then circulates heated water to the hot tub fill volume.
The pontoon preferably defines a central aperture and the step of filling causes the frame and liner subassembly to descend through the aperture. Furthermore, cooperating means may be provided on the collapsible frame, the insulated liner, and/or the inflatable pontoon that prevent the subassembly from passing completely through the central aperture. For instance, the cooperating means may be at least one lateral extension from the frame and liner subassembly that engages the pontoon. Desirably, the source of heated water comprises a hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith for circulating water to and from the hot tub fill volume. The collapsible frame may be a plurality of lightweight rigid struts connected at junctions, and the step of deploying the frame comprises unfolding the rigid struts and securing at least one junction to maintain the deployed configuration. Further, the step of coupling the deployed frame and the liner preferably involves inverting the frame, draping the insulated liner over the frame, righting the frame and liner, and coupling an upper edge of the liner to the upper periphery of the frame. The insulated liner may have a plurality of tabs secured thereto for attaching the liner to the deployed frame.
Another method for deploying a floating hot tub embodied herein, comprises deploying a collapsible frame and coupling an insulated liner thereto to form a subassembly. A user places a pontoon in a body of water, positions the frame and liner subassembly adjacent the pontoon, and fills the hot tub fill volume with water so that the frame and liner subassembly descend until the upper periphery of the frame is buoyantly supported by the pontoon above the water level. Heated water is circulated to the hot tub fill volume, and the floating hot tub is detached from any mooring in the body of water and a means of propulsion is used to return to the original or another mooring. Desirably, the means for propulsion comprises a small motor mounted on the pontoon. In one embodiment, the pontoon comprises at least one inflatable bladder, and the method includes inflating the bladder. The pontoon may have a closed geometric form surrounding a central aperture within which the frame and liner subassembly is peripherally supported. In the latter instance, the step of filling causes the frame and liner subassembly to descend through the aperture, and cooperating means are provided on the collapsible frame, the insulated liner, and/or the pontoon that prevent the subassembly from passing completely through the central aperture.
A still further method for rapidly deploying a floating hot tub, comprises:
The pontoon may define a central aperture, such that the step of filling causes the frame and liner subassembly to descend through the aperture, wherein cooperating means are provided on the collapsible frame, the insulated liner, and/or the inflatable pontoon that prevent the subassembly from passing completely through the central aperture. The source of heated water preferably comprises a hand-carried portable heater having an inlet and an outlet and hoses connected therewith for circulating water to and from the hot tub fill volume, the heater having a gas burner and an electric control therefore, and a heating capacity of at least 30,000 BTUs. The collapsible frame may be a plurality of lightweight rigid struts connected at junctions, and the step of deploying the frame comprises unfolding the rigid struts and securing at least one junction to maintain the deployed configuration. The step of coupling the deployed frame and the liner desirably comprises inverting the frame, draping the insulated liner over the frame, righting the frame and liner, and coupling an upper edge of the liner to the upper periphery of the frame. The insulated liner may have a plurality of tabs secured thereto for attaching the liner to the deployed frame. All of the aforementioned steps may be performed by a single person.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and appended drawings wherein:
The present invention provides a portable floating hot tub that is an improvement over previous designs. The exemplary hot tub of the present invention is easy to set up and take down by one person in any confined space and in a short amount of time, is stable in even choppy waters, and retains heat for a significant length of time. Moreover, the components of the hot tub can be carried in two small luggage-sized bags that are easily transported and stored in a small space. A number of desirable features described herein combine to provide a truly advanced portable floating hot tub, though it should be understood that certain features by themselves and some combinations thereof are believed novel and may be incorporated into other portable floating hot tubs for a similar advantage. Therefore, the present invention should not be considered limited to the exemplary system described herein, but instead should be evaluated by reference to the appended claims.
The 1 illustrates an exemplary floating hot tub 20 of the present invention deployed in an external body of water W with a woman enjoying a soak in a volume V of hot water therein. The hot tub 20 is shown floating just off the back of a boat B with a portable heater 22 supported on a transom platform P thereof. The boat B represents any number of solid surfaces from which to deploy the hot tub 20, such as the edge of the swimming pool, a dock, shoreline, etc. Likewise, the body of water W represents any number of larger bodies of water, including the ocean, lakes, rivers and ponds, swimming pools, etc.
The present invention is particularly well adapted for deploying off the back of the boat because of its small portable size and minimal space requirements for set up. Although the floating hot tub 20 desirably remains tethered to the boat, its particularly effective insulating properties and stability permit it to float freely for some time before the inner volume V loses heat. A series of spaced handles 24 around the outside of the hot tub 20 enhance maneuverability and provide anchoring members through which to tether a line. In one particular configuration, the inner volume V is about 250 gallons and the heated water can remain hot for hours, even in the coldest environments.
With reference to
As seen in
The pontoon 30 may be constructed from one or more bladder units inflated with air. That is, the entire rectangular pontoon 30 may be constructed from a single bladder unit having a common interior inflation chamber. Alternatively, the pontoon 30 may be constructed of a series of connected and separate bladder units having separately inflated chambers. The latter configuration will provide a measure of redundancy for safety in case one of the bladder units fails or is punctured. One useful configuration is to provide at least two inflation chambers separated by one-way valves, yet only a single exterior insulation. In such a system, the setup time remains about the same, though leakage from of one of the inflation chambers will not affect the entire pontoon. The bladder units should be large enough to keep outside water from entering the hot tub 20, and the pontoon should be large enough to stabilize the hot tub when people enter or leave directly from the surrounding body of water, from a dock, or from the swim platform P of the boat B. In one exemplary embodiment, the bladders are made of 0.9 mm PVC tarp material, and are approximately 1 foot in diameter.
As mentioned above,
The frame 32 possesses at least one, and preferably multiple lateral extensions 50 that engage the pontoon 30 and prevent complete passage of the frame 32 and liner 34 subcombination through the central aperture 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral extensions 50 comprise rigid arms that project outward from the frame 32 at least partly across the radial dimension of the tubular pontoon 30. As seen in
It should be understood that the illustrated lateral extensions 50 are merely one configuration for coupling the frame 32 and liner 34 subassembly with the pontoon 30. Another configuration is one or more flexible straps that extend from an upper periphery 52 of the frame 32 and attached to rings or other such anchors provided on the upper or outer surface of the pontoon 30. A still further alternative is to extend straps or a web of straps across the pontoon 30 and under the frame 32 and liner 34 subassembly, such as shown in phantom at 54 in
In a preferred embodiment, the frame 32 comprises a series of members such as rods or struts 74 made of a rigid lightweight material such as aluminum or fiberglass and connected at junctions 76 that may be hinges or fasteners. Exemplary struts 74 include hollow pipes or rods of plastic, metal, or composites. Likewise, the lower floor 68 and seats 70 are constructed of lightweight panels of nylon or other flexible and strong material. As seen in
Subsequently, the frame 32 and liner 34 subassembly 80, seen in
With reference again to
As mentioned above, the portable heater 22 preferably includes a control and monitoring panel 90 and inlet and outlets 92 to which circulatory hoses 94 connect. In a preferred embodiment, the heater uses liquid propane (LP) gas, has a 12 V, 40 W power usage, and an output of 88,000 BTUs. The heater may be powered by a 12 V power source such as a cigarette outlet, or an optional 12 V battery. One particularly useful embodiment is to use a 36 V rechargeable wheelchair battery. An internal pump circulates water two and from the hot tub volume V through the hoses 94. The preferred heater 22 can heat 250 gallons of water from 60° F. to 105° F. in about one hour.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The microcontroller measures the temperature in the hot tub water with a thermocouple or thermistor, temperature T3. If the water temperature is too low, the microcontroller turns on the pump and ignites the burner. Once the desired temperature is reached, the microcontroller turns off the burner and then the pump. The microcontroller communicates to a burner controller which starts the burner. When switch on, the burner controller outputs a high-voltage pulse train to a piezo-igniter (P), opens the gas solenoid, and monitors a burner thermocouple output (T1). After the gas ignites, and the burner thermocouple is hot, the burner controller shuts off the piezo-igniter. If at any point the flame thermocouple (T1) or temperature out thermocouple (T2) is not hot, the gas solenoid shuts off immediately, thus turning of the gas burner. Optionally, the functions of the gas solenoid, thermocouple monitoring, etc., can be incorporated into the microcontroller.
The water pump associated with the portable heater 22 desirably uses minimal power, and may be submerged in water or not. Built pumps commonly used for boats can be used, but have very low power. Such pumps are capable of producing large flow rates with little water pressure.
The battery or power source used for driving the pump and the microcontroller may be integrated with the heater, which can be provided with an internal battery or a power lead for attaching to a 12 V outlet. Typically, the voltage of the pump within the heater is 12 V, and the current draw is less than 10 A.
The present invention enables extremely quick setup and takedown of the portable hot tub 20. First of all, the components of the hot tub 20, including everything shown in
Setting the hot tub up occurs in the following steps:
The total setup operation from components being in the carry bags to the hot tub 20 floating and filled with hot water can be accomplished in less than two hours, and preferably in about one hour. That is, the setup time for the pontoon 30, frame 32 and liner 34 is between 10-20 minutes, and filling and heating the water takes between 50-70 minutes.
The process for taking down the hot tub 20 involves first pumping the water out from the internal volume V, which can be done with the submersible pump 88. As the water is pumped out, the frame and liner subassembly 80 will rise relative to the pontoon 30. Once the subassembly 80 has been substantially emptied, it can be separated from the pontoon 30 and inverted to completely empty it. Desirably, the liner 34 can be easily separated from the frame 32, such as by coupling the two elements with the hook and loop tabs 86. The user lifts the liner 34 off of the frame 32, inverts the frame, and collapses or otherwise folds both elements and stores them in carry bags. The pontoon 30 preferably has a port that can be opened wide for rapid deflation, and it is also folded and stored. The portable heater 22, submersible pump 88, and any other ancillary equipment are placed in their carry bag, which is typically separate from the frame, liner and pontoon. Providing two bags of 30-40 pounds in weight each is preferable than a single heavier bag. The entire disassembly process may take 20-30 minutes.
Although the preferred embodiment includes separate frame 32 and liner 34 elements that the user assembles at the time of deployment, the subassembly 80 shown in
It should be noted that hot water to fill the hot tub 20 can come from sources other than the portable gas-powered heater 22. For example, hot water from a boat motor or other hot water reservoir may be utilized. Alternatively, a solar heat exchange system which is relatively slower but more efficient may be used. Also, other portable heaters than the one described above, such as one that uses electric heating elements, can be substituted.
In the case of an “independent” hot water system, such as a solar heater, the heater may be supported on the pontoons that are used to float the hot tub. Alternatively the heating system may be placed on a small independent pontoon.
Moreover, in certain circumstances the portable floating hot tub 20 may be used to provide cooler water than the surrounding ambient body of water, such as in a mid-summer tropical environment. In that configuration, a water cooler rather than a heater is used.
The floating hot tub 20 described herein provides substantial structural integrity, as opposed to other commercial designs that are relatively flimsy. Because of the rigid internal frame 32, the overall shape of the hot tub 20 is maintained even in the presence of large external forces. The relatively large pontoon 30 helps to cushion the hot tub 20 in case of a collision with a boat or other objects, and the internal frame 32 prevents the shape from distorting. Moreover, the large pontoon 30 provides a relatively high barrier to keep cold water from entering the hot tub when there is turbulent or choppy water.
It is often enjoyable to float in the hot tub 20 a large distance from the boat or stock. In this case, a long line may be attached to the hot tub tether it to the boat or dock. Before floating away from the boat, the hoses 94 connecting the portable heater 22 from the internal volume V are removed. Alternatively, a separate pontoon for the heater unit 22 and an LP gas cylinder and battery pack can be floated next to the hot tub 20. More ambitiously, the hot tub 20 can be made autonomous from land or a boat by providing it with a small motor, such as a small electric outboard motor of 5 to 80 horsepower (4 to 60 kW), as shown in phantom in
It is also conceivable that certain inventive principles of the hot tub 20 described herein may advantageously be incorporated into a somewhat less portable structure. For example, the highly portable collapsible rigid frame and insulated liner may be deployed and placed with a somewhat less portable pontoon structure, such as a Zodiac-style inflatable boat. In other words, a Zodiac-style or other small boat having a relatively large central aperture may remain in the water, such as in a harbor, but the other components of the portable hot tub 20 are stored on land and only deployed when needed. In this configuration, the construction of the pontoon can be significantly more robust, as well as providing a rugged mount for a larger motor, thus improving the ability to transit distances across open water. In this regard, therefore, the term “pontoon” encompasses both a simple bladder structure collapsible into a bag that can be hand-carried, as well as a more permanent structure such as defined above. With such as system, all the components but the pontoon remain extremely portable.
Furthermore, the insulated liner 34 provides excellent heat retention for the hot tub 20, even in water as cold as 32°. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated liner 34 has the capacity to lose only 1° F. of temperature of hot water (e.g., 105° F.) within the internal volume V every 20 minutes to surrounding water of 60° F. or less. The thickness of the insulating layer can be increased depending on the temperature of the surrounding environment, with a trade-off being a corresponding increase in weight and decreased portability. Also, a cover (not shown) over the top of the hot tub 20 may be provided to better retain heat when the hot tub is not in use.
One very useful option for the system shown in
As mentioned above, one configuration for the portable floating hot tub of the present application is to position the insulated liner within the frame. Moreover, the frame may be modified to facilitate collapse, as mentioned above. One advantageous arrangement that permits the hot tub to be collapsed by rolling it up into a compact configuration is to eliminate all but the floor of the frame, and to form the floor so that it can be rolled up with the liner. For instance, a continuous ribbed or discontinuous slatted floor could be rolled up while providing structural rigidity to the floor. Instead of providing rigid struts for the sidewalls of the frame, flexible straps or members can be suspended from the pontoon to support the floor. By positioning the floor underneath the liner, the liner can thus be suspended by the flexible straps.
In this version, only the side walls of the liner 104 support the floor thereof as it is suspended below the pontoon 102. Given that there is water within and surrounding the filled liner 104, the weight pulling it down is fairly small without people being in the tub. The walls of the liner 104 may be formed with reinforcing strands or fibers to prevent tearing. Alternatively, a more sturdy external suspension system such as lines described below may be used. Likewise, though rigid members 106 such as slats may be incorporated into the floor of the liner 104, the bottom may instead be reinforced by thickening the material, or with spars or elements similar to battens in sailboat sails for lightweight rigidity.
The insulated liner 104 attaches around the central aperture of the pontoon 102 in a substantially continuous interface. By that is meant that the upper periphery of the liner 104 defines a closed shape, such as a circle, square, rectangle, etc., that generally conforms to the shape of the pontoon 102, and is substantially continuously connected therewith so that no large gaps are present. In a preferred embodiment, the upper periphery of the liner 104 is bonded continuously to the inner edge of the pontoon 102, or it passes up through the inside of the pontoon 102 and bonds to the upper surface. One means for bonding is to heat seal the upper periphery of liner 104 to the inner surface of the pontoon 102, although an epoxy or other such adhesive that will hold upon submersion in water may be utilized. Alternatively, the liner 104 may be removably coupled to the pontoon 102, such as with the use of zippers, a series of closely-spaced snaps, Velcro, straps and double D-rings, etc. The unitary nature of a more permanent connection, such as heat sealing, is preferable for simplicity, though a detachable coupling facilitates replacement of just one of the two components.
The first step in deployment of the hot tub 151 is unrolling the inflatable, the second step is inflating the pontoon. Because the insulated side walls are flexible, the bottom slats remain close to the pontoon, see
An advantage of this design is that it can be fabricated in a number of shapes and sizes. For example, it could be easily fabricated in a circle, a square or even a star configuration. Also, the bottom of the tub could be flat, have seats, or be curved to fit the contour of a human body.
Because the tub may be used in colder water and climates, it is essential that the sides of the wall be insulated. The walls could be made from an insulating material such as neoprene. If the walls of the tub are fabricated from a material such as vinyl, insulation may be achieved by gluing an insulating material such as neoprene to the walls. Alternatively the neoprene could be held to the vinyl walls with snap on clips. An advantage to clipping the insulating material to the walls is that the thickness of the insulating material could be varied depending on the location of use. Another option is to place the thermally insulating material inside the walls of the spa sandwiched between layers of vinyl, for example.
The materials for the spa may vary. The inflatable pontoon can be made from PVC, PVC Tarpaulin, or Hapylon and must be capable of remaining fully inflated for several days. The insulating material presently used is neoprene. However, if the insulating material is located sandwiched within the sealed walls of the spa where it is dry, any insulating material may be used. For example, a polyester blanket material may be used as the insulating material between outer layers of nylon.
Although the tub could be constructed using only the side walls to support the floor, it could be advantageous to add additional support for the floor. As an example, ropes between the inflatable and the slats on the floor could support the floor.
Many optional accessories can be added to the tub. For example a ladder that could be used on the outside of the tub to allow entry to the tub from the outside body of water. The same ladder could be used on the inside of the tub to help in exiting the tub. Seats that clip onto the inflatable could be used to make the tub more comfortable. An accessory safety flag and lights may be added to facilitate others seeing the tub in a body of water. In one deployment, the hot tub can be placed in the back of a pickup truck and moved while filled as a portable land-based hot tub.
Also, a conductive element between the inside of the tub and outside of the tube may be used to equalize the potential between the outside water and inside water. A rivet or screw could be used. This is especially helpful in marinas.
In cases where many people are using the spa, the water may be filtered with a traditional spa filter using a circulating pump. Alternatively an ozonator or chemicals such as bromine or chlorine may be used to keep the water clean.
One or more drain plugs could be added to the bottom of the spa. On land the drain plug could be used to empty the spa. When in the water, opening the plugs would facilitate the exchange of water without emptying the tub.
It is often useful to have a removable support for the heater and/or propane that can be held onto the side of a boat.
The following Table provides exemplary specifications for various models of the hot tub described herein:
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as hereinafter claimed.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/191,968, filed Sep. 15, 2008, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/072,438, filed Feb. 26, 2008, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/903,567, filed Mar. 27, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61191968 | Sep 2008 | US | |
| 60903567 | Feb 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12072438 | Feb 2008 | US |
| Child | 12559956 | US |
