BACKGROUND
Field
The present application relates generally to systems and structures to raise and lower a submersible pool deck, pool floor or spa floor. The structures may be part of a pool or wet play structure, or may be a stand-alone architectural construction as part of a pool, spa, bathroom, shower facility or recreational installation.
Related Art
One persistent shortcoming of indoor and outdoor pools and spas is the difficulty in covering and uncovering them. Automated systems for covering them are often expensive, complex and prone to wear. Further, the action of covering and uncovering is often time-consuming. Stand-alone spas are sizable, self-enclosed basins that consume a large portion of a room or deck. Many of these spas are not recessed into the floor. These large water basins often go unused for much of the time due to their shortcomings. The loss of floor space or deck space is significant when considering multi-use areas.
While there have been efforts at creating submersible floors or decks, these floors often cannot support any significant weight, and require substantial modification to existing structures and existing equipment. Many existing pools and spas are not amenable to retrofitting with a raisable submersible floor. Further, conventional submersible floors cannot accommodate shelves, steps and seats of spas.
Accordingly, there is a substantial opportunity for a system that can provide a convenient and reliable raisable, submersible floor without significantly altering existing pool or spa infrastructure and designs.
SUMMARY
While specific embodiments are described, the following are various aspects of the disclosure.
According to a first aspect, a pool system comprises a basin forming a water-receiving recess. The recess is formed with one or more walls and a bottom surface. A floor is disposed above the bottom surface in the basin. The floor is mounted to a horizontally disposed scaffolding. The floor stretches horizontally across at least a portion of the basin. A water circulation pump resides external to the basin. The pump is plumbed to the basin so as to circulate water to and from the basin through a first pipe and a second pipe fixed to the basin when the water circulation pump is activated. A lift in mechanical connection with the scaffolding is available. The lift includes a paddlewheel in the path of the flow of water from the first pipe and the second pipe. The paddlewheel turns in response to operation of the pump in either a first direction or a second direction depending on which way the pump circulates water. The lift includes a rotatable screw that is in mechanical connection with other components. The screw is mounted vertically in the basin. The scaffolding is mounted to the screw by way of a nut or other threaded means thereby allowing the scaffolding and floor to move up and down on the screw by operation of the paddlewheel of the lift in response to flow of water impinging on the paddlewheel.
According to another aspect, the paddlewheel is mounted under the floor and scaffolding. The lift includes a transmission for transmitting rotational motion of the paddlewheel to the screw. While a single screw is mentioned, a plurality of screw lifts provide a movement means to a floor, a seat, or a combination of a floor and a seat.
According to another aspect, the floor is formed from a set of planar pieces, each piece individually affixed to the scaffolding.
According to another aspect, the floor is separated into a first portion and a second portion The first portion of the floor is attached to a first and central portion of the scaffolding. The second portion is attached to a second and perimeter portion of the scaffolding. The first portion of the scaffolding is configured to pass proximate to the bottom surface of the basin when the floor is lowered. The second portion of the scaffolding is configured to rest on a seat shoulder of the basin at a seat level in the pool system when the floor is lowered.
According to another aspect, an edge of the first portion of the floor in a vertical dimension is formed at an angle with respect to the vertical, and a corresponding edge of the second portion of the floor in the vertical dimension is formed in a corresponding angle so that the first portion catches and lifts the second portion of the floor when the scaffolding is raised from a lowered position within the basin.
According to another aspect, the basin is formed with a perimeter scupper.
According to another aspect, a top planar outer portion of the perimeter scupper is co-planar with the floor of the pool system when the floor is in an upper-most position.
According to another aspect, the lift includes a linear screw actuator with a static load capacity for the floor such that when the rotatable screw stops turning, the screw actuator locks in place.
According to another aspect, the screw is formed with a buttress thread.
According to another aspect, the water circulation pump is powered by electricity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the appended claims set forth the features of the invention with particularity, the invention, together with its objects and advantages, is more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout, like numerals generally refer to like parts. Unless specifically indicated, the components and drawings are not shown to scale.
FIG. 1 is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa basin having a vertically offset scupper where the raisable, submersible floor is lowered into the basin according to a first illustrated embodiment.
FIG. 2A is an overhead perspective view of the spa basin shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2B through FIG. 2E are perspective drawings of various components internal to the spa first illustrated in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the spa basin shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4A through FIG. 4E are a series of views of components of a trough corner as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5A through FIG. 5C are a series of views of components of a wall corner as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C are a series of views of components of a trough edge as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are a series of views of components of a trough edge as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are a series of views of components of a bench corner as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9A through FIG. 9C are a series of views of components of a bench edge as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are a series of views of components of a floor panel as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 11-12 are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spa according to a first embodiment as first shown in FIG. 1.
FIGS. 13-14 are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spa according to a second embodiment with the scupper formed near the co-planar level of the top of the spa.
FIG. 15 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a spa with an electric powered hydraulic lift mechanism for raising the floor panels of a spa where the floor panels are illustrated in a first position.
FIG. 16 is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 15 with the floor panels in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview. The instant application describes a spa that solves many of the shortcomings of existing submersible spa floor systems. The described systems and components are particularly designed for use with existing water circulation equipment. While a spa is described, the same description applies equally to basins, pools, and the like where a floor, wall, or surface is or has been traditionally a fixed surface.
FIG. 1 is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa 100 according to a first illustrated embodiment in an assembled, and partially installed, state. The interior 101 of the spa 100 is formed into a basin having a vertically offset scupper 117 where a raisable, submersible floor 111 is fully lowered into the basin. The scupper 117 is designed to catch water that flows above a top edge 118 of the basin. The reservoir of the scupper 102 passes around the entire perimeter of the basin. The basin has an inner surface 103. The scupper 117 includes an inner surface 116. The top edge 118 may be covered with tiles 108, stones, and the like. Each tile 108 may be of a different size and shape to conform to a particular size, shape and perimeter of the basin. For example, a corner cladding piece 109 is visible at each corner of the basin. The inner surface 103 of the basin may or may not include cladding. The inner surface 103 may be broken with jet orifices or apertures 115 to allow for water and air bubbles (not shown) to be circulated inside the basin.
There are different depth surfaces Inside the interior 101. In FIG. 1, a seat cladding 110 covers a ledge inside the basin. The floor cladding 111 covers a frame (not shown) that is resting in the bottom of the interior 101 of the spa 100. A lower wall 113 is visible between the seat cladding 110 and the floor cladding 111. The lower wall 113 may or may not be clad or coated with a material such as a paint, powder coating, metal finishing, and so forth.
The floor and the seat may be raised upward to a desired location such as level with the top edge or top rim 118 of the basin. Interior to the basin is one or more lift mechanism coverings 112 that may be formed with a small aperture 114 running up and down the covering. The aperture 114 accommodates mechanical elements that facilitate movement of the seat cladding 110 and floor cladding 111 upward and downward according to actuators that are operated by application of electricity as shown and explained with reference to other figures. Two mechanical coverings 112 are visible in FIG. 1. In practice, two or more of lift arms passing up and down through the apertures 114 are used. For example, four vertical components and four channels are shown in FIG. 2A, and two vertical components and two channels are shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, in order to balance the floor and mechanical forces, the vertical components are arranged symmetrically relative to the floor and seating so that little or no binding of rotating components occurs.
An outside, perimeter floor leading up to the outside of the spa basin is not illustrated for sake of convenience in FIG. 1. An outer cladding 104 is already attached to the basin which is preferably made of a stainless steel. The basin is made from various segments and assembled together using bolts and welding as will be evident to one of ordinary skill upon reading this document. Visible in FIG. 1 is a scupper segment 105 that is shown in a disassembled state in other figures. The outer surface 107 of the scupper is visible and lies substantially below a top plane of the basin in FIG. 1.
When installed, a floor surrounding the spa basin may be formed over the top edge 106 of the scupper 117. Alternatively, the outer lip of scupper 117 may be lodged over the top of a perimeter floor in which the entire assembly is installed. The workings of the raisable floor are more visible in FIG. 2A. FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a simplified view of this spa basin installed in a floor.
FIG. 2A is an overhead perspective view of a spa 200 similar to one shown in FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 2A, plumbing and a pump 130 are installed proximate and exterior to the basin. The pump 130 is operated by electricity and therefore may include a power cord that is not shown in FIG. 2A.
Plumbing is affixed to the bottom portion of the basin such as at a first interface 133 and at a second interface 134 at a second location at an exterior surface 123 of the lower portion of the basin. A scupper 117 runs around an outer perimeter of the basin and includes a top surface 106, an interior reservoir 102, and seams 121 that have been welded. The inner surface 103 of the basin is visible along with four vertical columns 112B in the wall of the basin that house and cover mechanical lift elements. The outer surface 122 may be continuous or may be broken by one or more seams 120. A seam 120 in the basin may be sealed by welding or some other means. Vertical apertures 114 are visible along the vertical columns 112B. The vertical columns may be formed at a seam of components of the basin for ease in manufacturing and assembling the spa 200. The top surface 119 around the rim 118 of the basin is flat to accommodate cladding or flooring above the basin.
While not visible, piping extends further inside the basin from the second interface 134 as explained in reference to other figures. Piping interior to the basin serves as a means for flowing water to actuate the mechanical elements to raise the floor of the spa 200. According to one embodiment, the pump 130 circulates the water through either pipe 131A or 132B. For example, circulating water in the first pipe 131A is in a first direction and causes the floor of the spa to be lowered. Circulating the water in a second way or direction through the second pipe 131B raises the floor of the spa. Thus, the floor of the spa 200 may be raised and lowered by operation of the pump in either a first or second direction. The return pipes 132A, 132B allow the water to be pulled toward and into a portion of the pump 130. The locations of the interfaces 133, 134 in FIG. 2A are illustrative only. The pipes such as the second effluent pipe 132B may include one or more joints 135 to accommodate the various geometries according to a size and shape of the spa 200 and according to the surroundings and location of the spa. Preferably, the spa 200 is installed in a fixed location such as in or near a dwelling.
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a lift mechanism 300 that is installed inside the basin illustrated in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, threaded vertical risers or vertical screws 140 operate as rails upon which a frame rides up and down upon the four vertical risers 140. The full frame is only partially illustrated by a piece 150. The vertical risers 140 fit and are housed within the columns 112B of FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2B, the vertical risers 140 operate by interacting with a series of other components including a respective lateral axle 145 in a riser gearbox 142, one gearbox 142 at each corner of the mechanism 300. The riser gearboxes 142 translate rotational motion in axles 144, 145 operating in a plane of the floor of the spa 200 to vertical movement operable by rotation of the vertical risers 140. Another component of the lift mechanism 300 is a pair of central gearboxes 143 that translate motion from longitudinal axles 144 to the lateral axles 145. The central gearboxes 143 are a type of T-junction transmission box. The longitudinal axles 144 are operated by the flow of water that enters the central housing 146 by way of ports 147 that terminate the two pipes 131A, 131B that emanate from the pump 130 shown in FIG. 2A. The coordinated operation of the risers 140 from a central gearbox 146 allows for a smooth and even (level) lifting of the entire floor upward from a recessed or lowered place within the spa 200.
FIG. 2C is a perspective view a carriage or a frame 400 upon which a floor or floor cladding 111 is carried up and down within the basin 200 first shown in FIG. 2A. A similar frame could be used in the basin shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2C, a frame 400 includes one or more lateral rails 150A, 150B and one or more longitudinal rails 150C, 150D. A plate or floor is not shown in FIG. 2C on top of the frame 400 for sake of simplicity of illustration but may be added to the lift system, and such a plate or a floor may be mounted on top of the frame 400 as a support to cladding, tiles, and like that forms the bottom of the spa 200 shown in FIG. 2A.
The frame 400 includes a frame rail height 153, a longitude length 154, a lateral length 155, and a rail width 156. The lateral length 155 is a distance between a pair of the vertical columns 112B in FIG. 2A. The longitude length 154 extends partially or fully across the interior of the basin. While the rails 150A-150D are shown as having flat surfaces, such is not required. The rail width 156 may be smaller than the rail height 153 so as to minimize a size of the slot or the vertical opening 114 inside the spa 200. The ends of the lateral rails 150A, 150B travel vertically within these slots or apertures 114. The frame 400 travels under up and down under the flooring 111 and seating 110 so that no mechanical part is exposed when the frame 400 is operated and moved vertically within the spa.
In FIG. 2C, a set of apertures 151 is formed in the frame 400 to accommodate the threaded risers 140. Each of the apertures 151 may be formed with threads 152 that engage with the threads of the risers 140 shown in FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, only some of the frame 400 may be fixedly connected to a floor 111. In other embodiments, none of the floor cladding 111 is attached to the frame for ease of maintenance and assembly. In operation, when the frame 400 is raised upward from a bottom position, the frame eventually catches and lifts a seat cladding such as the seat cladding 110 shown in FIG. 1. That is, the seat cladding 110 may be raised to the top rim 118 of the basin by having the frame 400 reversibly contact and lift the seat cladding 110. When the frame 400 is lowered past the seat level in the spa 100, the seat cladding 110 remains at the seat level, and the floor 111 and frame 400 continues to travel downward to the final and end of the range of motion 140A shown in FIG. 2C.
In FIG. 2C. the central gearbox 146 is shown in dashed lines below a plane of the frame 400 to show that the flow of water that actuates the central gearbox 146 through ports 147 flows beneath the floor of the frame 400 and below a floor 111 of a spa. That is, few of the moving parts are exposed in or above the spa basin. While the risers 140 in FIG. 2B and columns 112B in FIG. 2A are shown as vertical, the components may be mechanically arranged such that the floor and seats may be operated in part laterally.
FIG. 2D is a perspective transparent view of a central gearbox 143 and a corner gearbox 142. The corner gearbox 142 is a type of L-junction transmission box. The central gearbox 143 houses one end of a primary axle 144 and one end of a lateral axle 145. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of these ends includes a respective bevel gear 162, 163. The second or opposite end of the lateral axle 145 is enclosed in the corner gearbox 142. The second end includes a worm gear 160 that interoperates with a worm wheel 161. The worm wheel 161 is attached to a bottom end of a riser shaft 140. The elements illustrated in FIG. 2D are just one embodiment of translating rotation motion into translational motion for a vertically-operating frame such as frame 400 first shown in FIG. 2C. The various components in FIG. 2D are preferably made of a stainless steel, brass, or other material that is chemically inert when submerged in water that fills a basin.
FIG. 2E is a perspective view of a central housing 146 first illustrated in FIG. 2B. The central housing 146 and related components are part of the vertical lift system 300 that is installed in the basin illustrated in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 2E, the central housing 146 encloses several movable parts. A paddlewheel 170 includes a set of fins or paddles 170A that receive a flow of fluid from the water pump 130 through effluents or ports 147. The fins 170A may be curved or straight. Pipes 131A, 131B bring water from the pump 130 to the central housing 146. The flow of water 176 impinges on the fins 170A and turns the paddlewheel 170 about an axis illustrated by an axle 171. A secondary gear such as the worm wheel 175 translates the rotation motion of the paddlewheel 170 into rotational motion of the longitudinal axles 144. At the end of each longitudinal axle 144 is a respective worm gear 173, 174 that interfaces with the worm wheel 175. The paddlewheel 170 lays flat in a plane of the floor of the spa. That way, the paddlewheel 170 may have a substantially larger diameter than a diameter of the secondary gear or worm wheel 175. For example, the diameter of the paddlewheel 170 is at least two times, three times, four times, or fraction thereof larger than the diameter of the secondary gear 175. A relatively large paddlewheel 170 enables quiet operation of the machinery with a modest flow of water and allows for a quick operation (e.g., rotation) of the vertical risers 140. The paddlewheel 170 can operate in either direction—a first direction of rotation raises the floor frame 400, and a second direction of rotation lowers the floor frame 400. The first direction corresponds to a fluid flow from the first effluent pipe 131A, and the second direction corresponds to a fluid flow from the second effluent pipe 131B.
One mechanical embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2E, but other embodiments are possible. For example, a series of gears and transmission may exist between the paddlewheel 170 and the secondary gear 175 that rotates the axles 144. For example, the ends of each longitudinal axle 144 may be fitted with its own paddlewheel without the use for a large central paddlewheel 170. Those in the mechanical arts would be able to experiment with various combinations of pumps, gears, wheels, axles and the like to translate energy from a water pump and turn it into a force that can vertically lift a floor from a spa depending on one or more design goals such as a weight of a floor and seat, a speed of raising the floor and seat, a speed or lowering the floor and seat, an amount of sound generated in raising or lowering the floor and seat, and so forth. According to one implementation, a set of gearing and components is chosen so that a speed of raising the floor is half as fast as lowering the floor from a first position to a second position.
While the floor is shown in a lowered configuration in FIG. 2A, the floor 111 is shown in a raised configuration in FIG. 12. The floor is raised or lowered at a speed consistent with the speed of rotation of the paddlewheel 170. In turn, the paddlewheel 170 spins at a speed proportional to the volume of water pumped per unit time by the pump 130 or proportional to a momentum per unit time as delivered by impinging water from the effluents of the pump 130. While a paddlewheel 170 and pumped water is one embodiment of mechanically working the lift, other examples include use of an electric hydraulic pump as further shown and described in relation to other figures.
FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the spa 100 and basin shown in FIG. 1. Circular apertures 181 are shown at various locations along the outer exposed surface 184 and boundary or wall of the spa. These apertures 181 are aligned with matching apertures in other portions of the basin and the components are preferably connected by rivet nuts or rivnuts. Rivets are also known as a blind nut. A rivnut is a threaded insert and can be considered a counterbored tubular rivet. Other types of fasteners or welding or other type of assembly method may be used to assemble the basin from the components illustrated in other figures.
In FIG. 3, a top flat outer edge 182 is visible and is a place where cladding such as stones or tiles may be attached by adhesive along the rim of the spa 100. The outer surface 107 and outer wall 104 of the scupper 117 are visible. An outer wall 104 of the scupper 117 may be clad with stone or other material if the spa 100 is exposed such as when the spa 100 is partially recessed in a ground or in a deck. Water that flows over the upper surface 182 of the spa 100 passes over the outer wall 104 and is caught by the interior reservoir 102 of the scupper 117.
A water level W may rise momentarily as the floor 111 and seat surface 110 is raised or lowered in the spa 100. An actual spa seat depth h1 extends from the water level W to the top of the seat surface 110. A second height h2 extends from the bottom of the spa 100 from the bottom plane of the spa structure to the top of the seat 110 and surface thereof. A third height h3 is a perceived spa depth less than the second height h2 consistent with where a person can place her feet on the floor 111 and the water level W extends a height h3 above the floor 111. Jet orifices 115 are visible in the upper wall 103. Water and air may be circulated through the orifices 115. A seat structure 180 is visible below the seat level. The seat structure 180 is assembled separately from the basin and is placed or mounted inside the basin during assembly of the spa 100. The seat surface 110 is assembled on the ledge created by one or more seat structures 180.
FIGS. 4A-4E are a series of views of components of a trough or scupper corner as first shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an assembled corner piece before assembly with other parts of the basin. The assembled corner is made by bending and attaching together—such as by welding—several planar pieces as illustrated in other figures. In FIG. 4A, an outer surface 104 is visible and is smooth from a top surface 182 to a bottom surface 185 of the scupper 117. A top surface 106 of the scupper may lay over or under a surrounding floor. A scupper height 187 and a scupper width 186A may be used to calculate a volume of water that can be captured in the scupper 117 without overflowing the scupper 117. A drain or effluent is not shown but is preferably installed in a bottom surface 185 to facilitate return of spa water to inside of the basin. A scupper width 186 is a distance or width of material used to create the corner. Assembly apertures 181 are visible in the assembly surfaces 184. Top apertures 183 are visible in the top surface 182 of the corner. The top apertures 183 may be used to secure cladding such as tiles or other material to the top rim of the spa. An inner surface 189 of the material is visible. A seam 189A is formed at the intersection of two planes of material. The seam 189A may be welded together. A scupper recess depth 188 is illustrated as a distance from a top edge 182 of the basin to a bottom surface 185 of the scupper 117. According to one pattern, a corner 233 may need to be assembled to the scupper 117 to make a complete surface 106 around the rim.
FIGS. 4B-4E illustrate in planar views unassembled and unbent components of the corner piece shown in FIG. 4A. The dimensions may be adjusted as desired for an overall size and shape of a spa as described herein.
FIG. 4B illustrates a planar view of the component for the upper outer wall of the basin of the spa 200. In FIG. 4B, several assembly apertures 181 have been formed in the material such as by drilling, welding, or cutting. A scupper recess depth 188 is a first distance along a side of the piece. Assembly surfaces 202 are a same surface as an exposed surface 184 shown in other figures. The assembly surfaces 202 is formed and oriented by bending along a respective bend line 199, 201. A top surface 182 shown in FIG. 4A is formed by bending the material along respective lines 197, 198 and welding the seam. A width of the top surface 182 is determined by subtracting the scupper recess depth 188 from an overall height 190 of the material. In FIG. 4B, the piece is put into a 90-degree angle by bending at the central line 191. The surface 104 becomes the outer surface 104 shown in FIG. 4A. Widths 194, 195 are visible for the working surfaces 202. Inner corner lengths 192, 193 are selected for a desired size of the corner piece. An overall width 196 of the material is selected to accommodate desired dimensions of surfaces in the final orientation.
FIG. 4C illustrates a planar view of the component for the scupper 117 of the spa 200. In FIG. 4C, an upper surface 106 of the scupper 117 is visible and is formed by bending along respective fold lines 217 toward the outer edges. The surface 203 is the wall of the scupper 117 shown in other figures. A central fold line 217A is for bending the piece into a 90-degree angle for the corner. A square of material of side size a first height 208 less the wall height 209 is needed to complete the upper surface 106 after the central fold is performed as evident in square piece 233 in FIG. 4A. The upper surface 106 includes a first length 215 and a second length 216. One or more assembly apertures 218 may be formed in the material; the apertures 218 of FIG. 4C are the same as assembly apertures 181 shown in other figures. After folding along the first fold line 214 and the second fold lines 217, a seam between the top surface 106 and assembly surface 218 may be welded—the seam 189A of FIG. 4A. A first length 210 of a first portion of the piece may be a same or a different size as a second length 212 of the second portion of the piece. A width 211 of a first working surface and a width 213 of a second surface are preferably the same in size.
FIG. 4D illustrates a planar view of the component for the floor 185 of the spa 200. In FIG. 4D, two fold lines 215 are visible for bending the working surfaces away from the plane 221 of the material which ends up as the floor 185 of the scupper 117 shown in other figures. The working surfaces include one or more assembly apertures 181. Preferably, a first width 225 of a first end is a same size as a width 229 of the second end. The width 186A of the scupper in FIG. 4A is the same as the widths 226, 228 in FIG. 4D. The squares having sides 230, 231 are subtracted from the overall width 225 of a first side of the piece to get the first width 226. The second width 228 is similarly determined from the squares having a side 227 subtracted from the overall second width 229. A first finished distance 222 is less than an overall distance 223 along a first side of the material 221. A second finished distance 232 is similarly determined after removing the distance 227 based on the bend at the respective bend line 215. A first width 224 is preferably a same as a second width or distance 227.
FIG. 4E illustrates a planar view of a square component that is used multiple times to complete an upper or working edge of the sheet material for the spa such as spa 100 of FIG. 1 and the spa 200 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4E includes a first side 233 and a second side 236. The square includes a first dimension 234 and a second dimension 235. These dimensions 234, 235 may be a same size as the distances related to the working surfaces of FIG. 4D. For example, these dimensions 234, 235 may be a same size as distances 224, 227, 230, and 231.
FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of planar views of components of a wall corner as first shown in FIG. 2A. Dashed lines indicate a 90-degree bend unless otherwise indicated. Also, unless indicated otherwise, each component is made from 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a 2B finish. Other components for a complete basin are also made of this material according to a first specific embodiment.
FIG. 5A illustrates a planar view of a T-shaped component 240. In FIG. 5A, the piece 240 includes a bend line 141 for a 90-degree bend, a first surface 242, and a second surface 243. A first width 244 is double the size of the two sides on each side of the bend line 241 as the bend line 241 runs down the middle of the component 240. A second width 245 is across a top of the T-shape. A first length 248 of the top portion of the T-shape and a second or body length 247 add up to the overall length 246 of the component 240.
FIG. 5B illustrates a planar view of a folded component 250. In FIG. 5B, first portions 253, 255 are folded under second portions 252, 254, which are then folded 90-degrees relative to the planar portion. The seams may be welded to each other after the 90-degree folds are made. The planar portion is of a first dimension 260 and a second dimension 261 which may be equal to each other. The first portion 253 is of a first dimension 258 and a second first portion 255 is of a first dimension that may be a same as the first dimension 258. The second portion 252 is of a second dimension 259 and a second of two second portions 254 is of a second dimension 262 that may be a same as the second dimension 259. An inner length 257 of a first portion 253 may be a same as an inner length 256 of a second of two first portions 255. Assembly apertures 181 are formed and visible in the first portions 253, 255.
FIG. 5C illustrates a planar view of square components 270, 271 that are used multiple times to complete various parts of the sheet material for the spa such as spa 100 of FIG. 1 and the spa 200 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 5C includes a first dimension 272 and a second dimension that at are the same consistent with the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.
FIGS. 6A-6D are a series of views of components of a scupper edge as first shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.
FIG. 6A illustrates a side component 105 of a basin with fill squares 270, 271 first illustrated in FIG. 5C proximate to their final assembled positions. The squares 270, 271 are welded into place. Working surfaces 184 are mated to similar surfaces of corner components as shown in FIG. 4A. A top surface 182 helps form a top perimeter of the basin in the spa 200. A side surface 104 is visible. An outer surface 185 of the scupper is visible. Multiple assembly apertures 181 are formed in the working surfaces 184. Multiple side components 105 are assembled together to complete a finished basin as evident in the seams illustrated in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 6B illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the side component 105 shown in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6B, according to one embodiment, a width 186A of the bottom surface 185 of the scupper 117 is six inches. A width of the top edge 184 is 2.5 inches. A top fold line 197 and a pair of vertical fold lines 215 are visible. The outer side surface 104 is visible. Working apertures 181 are formed in several of the tabs. The sides of each upper corner 186 are welded together. The lower corners 187 open up and require a square 270 to fill and complete the working edge 184. A height of the component is reduced upon folding the side 104 at the scupper floor fold line 289 thereby establishing the basin height 188 in the finished component.
FIG. 6C illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the lower portion of the scupper 117. The component includes a vertical side surface 185, two working surfaces 184, and a top surface 106. In FIG. 6C, there are two vertical bend lines 215 and a lateral bend line 290. According to one implementation, a width of a top surface 106 is 2.5 inches. This component is welded or otherwise attached to the component illustrated in FIG. 6B along the attachment line 291.
FIGS. 7A-7B are a series of views of components of a side panel as previously illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an assembled side panel 292. A top surface 182 includes a width of approximately ten inches. Assembly apertures 181 are visible in the working sides 184. A position of this formed component 292 is best evident on the left side and right side of FIG. 3 where this component is evident on top of the upper portion of the scupper panels. What is not visible in the side panel component is the optional apertures 115 for the water jets in the finished panel.
FIG. 7B illustrates a planar view of the component 292 shown in FIG. 7A. In FIG. 7B, a pair of apertures 115 is formed in the sheet of material—one centered at four inches below the lateral fold line 289 and a second aperture 115 centered at 14 inches below the lateral fold line 289. Both apertures are about 1.6 inches outer diameter. The width 289 of the panel is approximate 24 inches. Each of the first folded portion 294 and the second folded portion 295 are 2.5 inches.
A set of assembly apertures 181B are formed in the first folded portion 294 that are not visible in FIG. 3 because these apertures 181B are not visible from the side view as in FIG. 3. Two vertical fold lines 215 divide the working surfaces 184 from the center panel portion. the overall width of the entire two-dimensional panel is 64 inches. The finished panel portion 292 is 46.5 inches from the fold line 289 to the bottom fold line 197 of the panel.
FIGS. 8A-8B are a series of views of a component a corner bench or seat corner 301 as first shown in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an assembled corner bench component 301. Two components 301 complete a 90-degree corner. Thus, eight units of FIG. 8A are needed to complete an entire square basin. The material of the seat corner 301 is a stainless steel such as a 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a 2B finish. In FIG. 8A, a top surface 302 is supported by a front leg 303 and a back side 308. A 90-degree corner 304 is shown at the far end of FIG. 8A. A 45-degree edge 307 is on a left side in FIG. 8A. Several assembly surfaces 184 are shown for mating against other assembly surfaces 184. When two components 301 are assembled in a corner, the respective 45-degree edges 307 of the two components 301 are placed against each other. Consequently, two front legs 303 would be at a 90-degree angle with respect to one another. The bottom edge 309 of the back side 308 may be welded to a floor or other surface inside of the basin to keep the seat corner 301 fixed within the basin.
FIG. 8B illustrates a planar view of the corner bench component 301 shown assembled in FIG. 8A. In FIG. 8B, along three of four edges, the top surface 302 includes three rectilinear fold lines 305 that show where a 90-degree fold is made. A fourth fold line 307 is diagonal with respect to the top surface 302 where the folded tab 315 has a length 313 of approximately 20 inches. The back side 308 includes a vertical 90-degree fold line 215, and a 45-degree fold line 306. There is a first tab portion 310 and a second tab portion 311 that is folded at a vertical fold line 215 at 90-degrees. The bottom edge 309, after the folds are made, is approximately 20 inches long. A width of the first tab portion 310 is approximately 2.8284 inches. A width of the second tab portion 311 is approximately 2.5 inches which is the same width as many of the working surfaces 184. A height of the back side 308 is approximately 22 inches. A height of the front leg 303 is the same 22 inches. The front leg 303 includes a bottom edge 314, a vertical fold line 215, and a 45-degree vertical fold line 306. A width 315 of the front leg 303 is approximately 5.75 inches. A tab length of the 45-degree tab 316 is approximately 19.5 inches. A length of a top surface tab 317 along the fold line 305 is approximately 18 inches. An extra weld piece or cross arm 312 may be used to add stability to the bench component 301 when assembled. The cross arm 312 stretches between the working surfaces 184 of the front leg 303 and the back side 308. The cross arm 312 is illustrated in an assembled state in FIG. 9A in reference to side seat structures. According to one embodiment, the cross arm 312 has a length of 13 inches and width of 2.5 inches and may be installed an arbitrary number of inches above the bottom edge 309. The An overall length of the planar piece 301 shown in FIG. 8B is 62 inches.
FIGS. 9A-9C are a series of views of components of a bench or seat structure 331 as first shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.
FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the assembled bench component 331. A series of bench components 331 stretch side to side across a side of a basin between corner pieces 301 as best visible in FIG. 3. Eight of the components shown in FIG. 9A are needed to complete a basin as shown in FIG. 2A.
The material of the bench component 331 is a stainless steel such as a 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a 2B finish. In FIG. 9A, a top surface 332 is supported by a first side 333 and a second side 334. The first side 333 and the second side 334 are folded at a 90-degree corner along a fold line 305. The working surfaces 184 are folded along vertical fold lines 215 at 90 degrees. Adjacent working surfaces 184 are welded along a weld line 335. A cross arm 312 is welded into place to provide lateral stability between the first side 333 and the second side 334. A height 336 of the bench component 331 is approximately 22 inches. Inside the bench component 331 is a support brace 341 that is shown in planar view in FIG. 9C. A depth 337 of the bench piece 331 is 24 inches after being folded, which leaves 2.5 inches for a width for each of the working surfaces 184.
FIG. 9B illustrates a planar view of the bench component 331 shown assembled in FIG. 9A. In FIG. 9B, the first side 333, the second side 334, and the top surface 332 are shown. Tabs that end up as working surfaces 184 are visible on a top and a bottom side of the sheet. When assembled into a basin, the finished bench component 331 may be welded into place along a bottom edge 309. A set of assembly apertures 181 are formed in the working surfaces 184, preferably while the sheet is flat before the first side 333 and the second side 334 are folded 90 degrees at respective fold lines 305.
FIG. 9C illustrates a planar view of the support brace 341 first shown in FIG. 9A. The support brace 341 is preferably a single planar component cut from a sheet of material into a pair of vertical support legs 344, a top bar 343, and a cross bar 342 that is similar to the cross arm 312 first shown in FIG. 9A. Preferably, the support brace 341 is TIG welded into the bench component 331. According to one embodiment, a bottom edge of the cross bar 342 is cut approximately six inches above a bottom edge 309 of the support brace 341. The overall height 336 of the support brace 341 is approximately 22 inches consistent with the height of the bench component 331 so that the entire bench component 331 sits flat to a floor. FIG. 9C also shows two cross arms 312 each 2.5 inches wide and each 13 inches according to a length dimension 338.
FIGS. 10A-10B are a series of views of a basin floor piece 351 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the assembled basin floor piece 351. Sixteen floor pieces 351 are needed to complete a basin as shown in FIG. 2A. Each side of the square piece 351 in FIG. 10A is 24 inches. In FIG. 10A, a top surface 352 is surrounded by assembly surfaces 184 that extend 2.5 inches beneath the top surface 352 after being folded 90 degrees. Adjacent assembly surfaces 184 are welded together at weld lines 353. Assembly apertures 181 are formed in the material and are visible in the assembly surfaces 184. While a single basin floor 351 piece is shown in FIG. 10A, multiple basin floor pieces 351 may be assembled and welded together to form any particular bottom of a basin such as that shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, and FIG. 3. While a square floor piece 351 is shown, other shapes such as triangles, circles, ovoids, trapezoids, and the like may be made and assembled together to form a completed floor of arbitrary shape and design.
FIG. 10B is a planar view of an unassembled basin floor piece prior to being formed into the basin floor piece 351 shown in FIG. 10A. Corner notches are cut from the otherwise regular corners of the sheet that includes the top surface 352. The lateral edges 354 of the assembly surfaces 184, when bent, lie next to each other and may be welded at the weld line 353 shown in FIG. 10A. The respective bend lines 215 indicate where the material is folded 90 degrees.
FIGS. 11-12 are two perspective view illustrations of a same assembled and installed spa 361 according to another embodiment as first shown in FIG. 1 but with the basin installed in a fixed location and with a floor surrounding the spa 361.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spa basin with the spa floor 111 lowered inside the interior 101 of the basin. A pump, electric power lines, pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated but are part of the spa of this figure—these elements are installed beneath the flooring so as to be unobservable when the spa is fully installed. One or more electric controls including one or more switches exterior to the spa 361 are not shown and are made available to operate the movable floor 111, to circulate and heat the water in the spa 361, and perform other functions available with the components of the spa 361. A seat cladding 110 is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces 109 are affixed at the corners of the upper rim 118 of the basin.
The top, outer planar surface of the scupper (106 in FIG. 1) is not coplanar with the top of the basin in FIG. 11 but is downwardly offset from the upper rim 118 of the basin. A top surface of the scupper lies immediately below the flooring 362. The flooring 362 lies a distance 363 below the upper rim 118 of the basin. The distance 363 is a design choice based on an aesthetic preference or other preference of an owner of the spa 361. The interior of the scupper 102 is positioned to catch water that flows up and over the upper rim 118 of the basin as the movable floor 111 is operated up or down inside of the basin. The upper surface of the scupper lies below the flooring 362. As illustrated, the flooring 362 is tiled up to and over the edge of the outer scupper portion first shown in FIG. 1. The basin sits a certain distance above the surrounding floor for the convenience of the patrons of the spa. The scupper interior 102 is of an exposed width 364 that depends on a design selection. As illustrated, this width 364 is approximately six inches. In FIG. 11, a corner lift mechanism covering 112 includes a vertically oriented aperture 114 to allow for a portion of a mechanical frame to pass upward and downward. A set of water jet apertures 115 are visible in the upper vertical wall 103 inside the basin. No water is illustrated in the basin for sake of convenience. In practice, water to a level above the water jet apertures 115 is anticipated.
FIG. 12 illustrates the floor 111 and seat panels 110 in a raised configuration. The floor 111 and seat panels 110 have been raised to the level of the top 118 of the basin from the position illustrated in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the top or rim 118 of the basin is the indicated distance 363 above the plane of the surrounding floor 362. The spa floor 111 has been raised a distance 368 starting from a position lower than the outer floor 362 to the rim 118 of the basin. A scupper size or width 364 remains the same as in FIG. 11.
According to one embodiment, the floor 111 is one continuous floor in FIGS. 11-12. Floor pieces, such as the pieces 351 shown in FIG. 10A, have been joined together at floor seams 365. In FIG. 12, the seat section 110 is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding, and/or the like have been joined at seat seams 366. Due to the nature of the movable parts and the physical arrangement of the parts, when the interior of the basin is raised, a small first gap 367 exists between the outer rim of the seat surface 110 and the cladding on the upper rim 118 of the basin. For example, a size of a first gap 367 is 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, and the like. Further, a small second gap 369 exists between the seat surface 110 and the floor 111. For example, a size of a second gap 369 is 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, and the like. The rim 118 and the rest of the top of the spa 361 shown in FIG. 12 is above a water level inside the spa basin and therefore is dry and can be used for a variety of purposes. Thus, a spa 361 can take the place of a traditional spa and within seconds can be transitioned to a flat dry surface capable of supporting a significant amount of weight.
FIGS. 13-14 are two perspective illustrations of an assembled and installed spa 371 according to a second embodiment in two different configurations. In FIGS. 13-14, the opening of the scupper is formed co-planar with the top of the spa basin making the entire spa 371 co-planar with the surrounding floor 362. A pump, electric power lines, pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated in FIGS. 13-14, but are part of the spa 371 of these figures—these elements are installed beneath the flooring so as to be unobservable when the spa 371 is fully installed.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a spa 371 with the spa floor 111 raised level with the top rim 118 of the basin. According to one variation, the cladding 108 is a same size, a same shape, a same design, a same color and the like of the surrounding floor 362 so as to blend in with the surrounding floor 362. One or more electric controls including one or more switches exterior to the spa 371 are not shown and are made available to operate the movable floor 111, to circulate and heat the water in the spa 371, and to perform other functions available consistent with the components included in the spa 371. A seat cladding 110 is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces 109 are affixed at the corners of the upper rim 118 of the basin, but blend into the floor 362 such that to an observer, there are no defined corners of a spa; the corner pieces 109 are a same size, a same shape, and so forth of the cladding of the spa seat surface 110, floor surface 111, and surrounding floor 362.
The top, outer planar surface of the scupper (106 in FIG. 1) is approximately coplanar with the top of the basin in FIG. 13 and is covered with flooring 362. A top surface of the scupper lies immediately below the flooring 362. The interior of the scupper 102 is positioned to catch water that flows up and over the upper rim 118 of the basin as the movable floor 111 is operated up or down inside of the basin of the spa 371. If any water flows outward from the spa 371, such water is caught in the scupper interior 102 and pumped back into the basin.
Due to the nature of the movable parts and the physical arrangement of the parts, when the interior of the basin is raised, a small first gap 367 exists between the outer rim of the seat surface 110 and the cladding on the upper rim 118 of the basin. Further, a small second gap 369 exists between the seat surface 110 and the floor 111. As illustrated in FIGS. 13-14, the flooring 362 is tiled up to and over the edge of the outer scupper portion first shown in FIG. 1.
The basin sits below the surrounding floor 362 for the convenience of the patrons of the spa and overall utility of the space in which the spa 371 and flooring 362 reside. The scupper interior 102 is of an exposed width 372 that is as small as possible to make the spa area as useful as possible when the floor 111 and the seat surface 110 are in a raised position as shown in FIG. 13. As illustrated, this width 372 is approximately 0.5 inches but can be of any reasonable size including 0.10 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.85 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.7 inches. Any water in the spa 371 lies below the surface of the floor 362, below the spa seat surface 110, and below the spa floor surface 111. Thus, the entire area of the spa 371 is dry when the spa 371 is in this configuration.
FIG. 14 illustrates the floor 111 and seat panels 110 in a lowered configuration as compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 14, the floor 111 and seat panels 110 have been lowered a distance 368 to a level below the top 118 of the basin of the spa 371. In FIG. 14, the top or rim 118 of the basin is covered with cladding similar to that of the flooring 362. A scupper size or width remains the same as in FIG. 13.
According to one embodiment, the floor 111 is one continuous floor in FIGS. 13-14. Floor pieces, such as the pieces 351 shown in FIG. 10A, have been joined together at floor seams. In FIG. 14, the seat section 110 is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding, and/or the like have been joined at seat seams.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodiment of a water-filled spa 381 with an electric powered hydraulic lift mechanism—instead of an electric powered water pump lift mechanism—for raising the floor panels of a spa. The cross-sectional view may be taken from an embodiment similar to one shown in FIG. 2A, and thus FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 3.
In FIG. 15, the floor panels 382 are illustrated in a first position: lowered into the water-filled spa 381. With reference to FIG. 15, a spa includes one or more vertically movable floor panels 382 and one or more seat panels 383. An upper side wall 103 and a lower side wall 113 are visible. The top 384 of the water-filled spa is installed at the level of floor tiles 362. An inner wall 103 of the spa is substantially vertical in the illustration and side walls 385 are illustrated and visible from this viewpoint to show how the floor panels 382 in the center portion of the spa 381 are deeper in the water than the seat panels 383.
The movable panels 382, 383 can be raised or lowered by way of activation and operation of a hydraulic mechanism that includes pistons 386 inside a respective water-safe hydraulic housing 387 that is sealed against water from entering therein. The hydraulic actuator units that include the housing 387 and the piston 386 are commercially available. The hydraulic actuators can operate in an ambient temperature range from −30° C. to 80° C. In one example, of a hydraulic actuator, an oil flow rate causes the piston to move at least 2 inches per second. Other speeds are possible. Mineral oil or other commercially viable fluid is mechanism by which the hydraulic lift force is applied to the piston. The hydraulic lift is preferably powered by electricity provided through a partially illustrated electric cable 388. A non-illustrated distal end of the electric cable 388 would be plugged into an electric outlet or wired into a source of electricity such as at a breaker panel. The electric cable 388 would be electrically coupled to a switch that would be mounted in a position proximate to the spa 381 consistent with commercial safety standards.
In operation, the piston 386 moves up and down to a desired position, even to a partial position within the range of motion of the piston and thus a range of motion of the floor panels 382 and the seat panels 383. Related and unlabeled electrical and control components may be programmed to operate the piston 386, and thereby the panels 382, 383, continuously along a range of motion. Alternatively, the piston 386, and thereby the panels 382, 383, may be programmed to stop at one or more pre-programmed locations along the range of motion of the piston 386. Alternatively, the piston 386, and thereby the panels 382, 383, may be programmed to move to one or more locations along the range of motion of the piston 386 according to a time schedule desired by an operator. For example, the spa 381 could be programmed to close at a particular time of day or night consistent with times of operation of a place of business. If multiple pistons 386 are used, then the range of motion and speed of operation of a first piston 386 is preferably matched to the range of motion and speed of operation of the other pistons.
When extended upward, the piston 386 moves the seat panels 383 upward. The seat panels 383 may be attached to a frame component. According to one embodiment, a movable frame or frame component supports the seat panels 383 and includes a post 389 or other fixture for attaching a chain 390. The post 389 is attached or coupled to the chain 390. The chain 390 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel or a ceramic, composite, synthetic material or plastic material so as to promote longevity of the chain when subjected to prolonged submersion in the spa 381. Each component of the chain 390 may be made of links and pins. For an open chain, the chain 390 may include one or more weights 391 to keep chain 390 properly aligned with certain components such as stays, chain guides and gears to enable a smooth and consistent operation. In practice, the mechanisms shown are hidden within vertical columns formed in the walls of the spa 391 such as in vertical columns 112B shown in FIG. 2A.
In FIG. 15, the chain 390 is mechanically coupled to one or more gear structures 392, 393. For sake of simplicity of illustration, two gear structures 392, 393 are shown. However, a single gear structure would be sufficient as is known to those in the mechanical gear arts. In FIG. 15, gear structures 392, 393 are locked into operation with an unlabeled closed chain such that turning gear or gear structure 392 turns gear or gear structure 393. As the pistons 386 are raised, chains 390 are pulled upward. Pulling chains 390 upward causes the gear structures 392, 393 to turn and thereby transfer motion to a second chain 394. If the second chain 394 is open, the second chain 394 may have attached thereto one or more weights 395. Movement of the second chain 394 moves the floor 382 upward according to a gear ratio associated with gears and/or gear structures 392, 393. That is, the floor 382 moves simultaneously and in conjunction with movement of the seat 383 such that raising floor 382 also raises seat 383, and panels 382, 383 thereby arrive at a same level as the fixed floor 362 when the pistons 386 are extended to a final position. As the panels 382, 383 are moved upward, water in the basin of the spa may spill or flow into the scuppers 102 in the gaps between the cladding 108 on the top rim 118 of the basin and the tiles 362 of the floor.
Preferably, the post 389, chains 390, 394, and other mechanical components including the gear structures 392, 393 are shielded from interaction with an operator or occupant of the spa to the extent possible. That is, chains 392, 393, and other mechanical components including the gear structures 392, 393 are mounted and operate outside of the shell of the basin as shown in FIG. 2A with posts 389 extending from inside the basin to outside of the basin through apertures 114 visible in FIG. 1, and other figures. Chains 390, 394, and other mechanical components including the gear structures 392, 393 are shown exposed in FIGS. 15-16 for sake of illustration only.
While reference may be made to a single piston 386 herein, multiple pistons 386 are illustrated in FIGS. 15-16. That is, the mechanism may successfully use one or more pistons 386 or one or more hydraulic actuators depending on the sizes, weights and geometries of the panels 382, 383 and other components. Further, certain elements are removed from FIG. 16 as compared to, for example, FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 so as to simplify the discussion of the mechanism of lifting the floor 382 and seat 383.
In FIG. 15, while one or more pistons 386 may move the seat panel 383, it is possible to construct the gear structures 392, 393 such that the piston 386 may be attached to the floor panel 382 which in turn, through one or more chains, moves the seat panel 383. However, such alternative arrangement requires that the piston 386 move through a larger range of motion to obtain a same result—moving the floor panels 382, 383 from a submerged position inside the spa to level with the rest of the surrounding floor 362 such as is shown in a front perspective view in FIG. 13. In yet another embodiment, one or more pistons 386 may operate multiple gear structures and one or more chains to lift any number of positions of floor panels 382, 383 by way of chains only and not as directly attached directly to the pistons 386.
FIG. 16 is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration or position of the components first shown in FIG. 15 with the floor 382 in a second position: level with the rest of the surrounding floor or floor panels 362. In FIG. 16, the floor of the space that includes the spa has been closed up by extension of the one or more pistons 386 that have moved the seat panels 383 and, indirectly, the floor panels 382, into place. Just a bit of the pistons 386 remain in the hydraulic housing 388. The lateral walls 385 and the back wall 103 of the spa are visible and are now beneath a firm floor made of panels 382, 383, 108 and 362. The frame for the seat panels 383 has attached thereto one end of the first chain 390 at a position 395 indicated. The weight 391 on the other end of the first chain 390 has been raised up. The gear components 392, 393 have operated and transferred the motion of the first chain 390 to the second chain 394. The second weight 395 on the end of the second chain 394 has sunk to the bottom of the basin as the chain 394 has been passed over the second gear component 393. The other end of the second chain 394 is attached to the post 389. The scupper 102 has captured excess water that has been brought up by the floor panels 382 and seat panels 383.
CONCLUSION
In the previous description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the components. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the description can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures, devices, systems and methods are shown only in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the technology. Appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.
It will be evident that the various modification and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit of the description. In this technology, advancements are frequent and further advancements are not easily foreseen. The disclosed embodiments may be readily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enabling technological advancements without departing from the principles of the present disclosure.
Patent Application
20170356207
