1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in portable spas, and more particularly, pertains to new and improved water features for a portable spa wherein a waterfall is provided as part of the portable spa for the enjoyment and entertainment of the spa users.
2. Description of Related Art
In the field of portable spas, manufacturers are continually trying to enhance the portable spa product by adding various entertainment features to it beyond the hot water and jet massaging functions. Manufacturers have added audio systems to a portable spa device. Some manufacturers have added water features, such as waterfalls, to portable spa devices. The problem associated with the inclusion of a waterfall in a portable spa is the amount of space required by the waterfall. The present invention overcomes this problem.
A channel with a closed end and an open end is set into the top rim of a portable spa with the open end of the channel located at the edge of the top rim on the inside wall. Water is fed into the channel at the closed end so that it flows over a light source, picking up light energy. The water flows in laminar fashion along the channel embedded in the top rim guided by flow ribs located along the channel floor. A disrupter button on the channel floor at the open end disturbs the laminar flow, causing the light in the water flow to be reflected and become more visible as it falls into the main water body in the spa.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:
The waterfall feature 11 of the present invention which is preferably constructed of all plastic parts, as seen in
The bottom 34 of channel 15 has a plurality of ribs 35 extending from the closed end 47 to the open end 39. The water flow entering at aperture 33 at the closed end 47 flows towards the open end 39 in a quiet laminar manner because of the ribs 35. A disruptor button 37 located at the open end 39 of channel 15 disturbs the water flow at the open end 39 just before the water spills over lip 43 of channel 15 into the main body of water of the portable spa (not shown). The disruptor button 37 creates enough turbulence in the water flow at that point to cause the light energy in the water to be reflected out of the water flow and thereby become more visible to the human eye.
A cap 23 of unique construction, as will be explained hereinafter, with a skirt 49 around its back side snaps onto studs 55 over aperture 33 on the platform 31, thereby forming an inlet chamber 30 having a directional opening that directs the water flow towards the open end 39 of channel 15. An aperture 45 located in the platform 31 and bottom 34 of channel 15 is closed by a lens ramp 29 constructed in a manner as will be described hereinafter. The lens 29 is located at the flow output of the inlet chamber so that the flow is over the lens and light from the other side of the lens is injected into the water flow, as it leaves the inlet chamber. The light source (not shown) may be of any convenient structure. The use of CFD's of various colors, however, is particularly suited for this application.
As can be seen in
As can be seen in
The lens ramp 29 which fits into aperture 45 of the water flow channel is built to have a ledge 65 at its concave back side, a ledge 61 at its convex front side, and ledges 67 between the front and back sides, so that the ramp easily snaps into the aperture and is glued by way of these ledges to the material surrounding aperture 45 in channel 15. The lens ramp 29 has a flat portion 63 at the top which conforms with platform 31, and a sloping portion 59 through which light is transmitted to water flowing down the ramp surface to the bottom 34 of channel 15, thereby providing a smooth flow path for the water from the chamber above platform 31 to the flow channel 15.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20050235407 A1 | Oct 2005 | US |