Ground Effect Ledge

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a surrounding exterior ledge at the top of the base pan on a portable spa, hot tub or swim spa. The ledge design adequately sheds the flow of liquid from above while extending outward from the structure to prevent the surrounding earth and ground installation materials from overcoming the structure and entering the unit when installed in the ground. Its location and design is ideal for the installation of exterior lights that can be directed toward the exterior of the spa, hot tub, swim spa for a pleasing aesthetic and for access and egress safety.

BACKGROUND

Portable spas and Hot Tubs (typically used interchangeably to refer to the same thing) and portable Swim Spas (a version of a spa with a larger vessel for swimming) are manufactured as self-contained tubs of various sizes that can be installed above ground or in-ground and do not necessarily need to remain in the same location. Permanent spas and swim spas, on the other hand, are typically built in-ground using permanent construction techniques as with concrete, and are often accompanying or connected to a swimming pool pump or heating system and therefore, become an integral part of a property's landscape. Portable spas, hot tubs, swim spas are comprised of an interior vessel shell which is typically made of acrylic or some other synthetic material, a supporting frame structure, an exterior cabinet most often made of plastic or a real or synthetic wood façade and a base structure that seals the bottom. Portable spas, hot tubs and swim spas are typically installed above ground on a level suitable base, or a suitable deck. Portable spas, hot tubs and swim spas typically feature a height of 28 inches to 60 inches as measured from the base to the top of the tub. Users often utilize external steps, decking systems, ladders or mechanical lifts to access & egress the portable spa, hot tub, swim spa. In some cases for aesthetic, access and egress reasons portable spas, hot tubs, swims spas may also be installed in the ground or in a deck whereby the top of the spa, hot tub, swim spa is at some lesser height in relation to the approach area on the ground, deck or other access point thereby reducing the needs for steps, ladders or mechanical lifts.

Installation of portable spas, hot tubs, swim spas in ground or in deck requires additional installation techniques, materials and construction not part of the portable spa. Currently, to install a portable spa, hot tub, swim spa as described in the ground, an entirely separate structure not part of the spa, hot tub, swim spa is constructed of wood, concrete or a suitable material and technique. This external structure is designed to protect the outside of the portable spa, hot tub, swim spa from the surrounding installation materials, water penetration and the external environment. Additionally, water often overflows from a spa when in use, and water as rain can pool and enter the mechanical area of a portable spa unless it is sealed to resist water penetration. As such, some portable spas currently include a means for sealing the bottom of the structure from ground contact or water penetration when installed on or above ground. These bottom vessels, frequently called base ‘pans’ because of their shape described by the generally understood term ‘pan’, are not however designed to adequately protect the base from ground installation materials if the unit is installed below the surface of the ground, or commonly called, in-ground. The current design of portable spas, hot tubs, swim spas base pans are flush and do not extend out further than the external wood, plastic (or like) facade structure for aesthetic and manufacturing reasons. Additionally current base pans allow fluids to pour continuously down the side and do not shed these away from the hot tub creating the risk of pooling and entering the hot tub when installed in-ground. Currently portable spas, hot tubs, swim spas installed in the ground must be done in a manner in which water is directed away by some installation of an external drain method or protective structure.

The invention solves the problem of shedding fluid from above and, providing adequate protection from in ground installation materials below, with its ground ledge design extending out from the spa base pan specifically with an elevated inner edge design shaped as a narrow ridge to allow it to fit originating behind and above the lowest point of the portable spa, hot tub, swim spa façade side panels.

Furthermore the design and location of the pan ground ledge provides an ideal base for the addition of external lights that facilitate safe access and egress and serve to improve the aesthetics of the installation of the spa, hot tub, swim spa. However, the pan ground ledge design is directed more for the functionality of shedding water and the protection from ground installation materials and not towards attractiveness.

Therefore, there is a need for a portable spa base pan ground ledge that functions to shed water away from the base of a spa as a weather seal with the facade, while acting to protect the portable spa from being overcome with ground installation materials; as well as functioning as a base to add external lights, when the hot tub is installed in-ground or partially in-ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide a spa base pan ledge that incorporates dimensions for the shedding of water from above and the protection of the internal mechanical components from in-ground installation materials:

• • In one embodiment, the ledge forms a ridge at the top inner edge with the greatest height located proximate to the interior of the spa, hot tub, swim spa, sloping away from the tub. The inner ridge includes a height and width ratio that enables the top of the ridge to fit behind the spa façade surround providing an adequate seal and shaped at an angle that creates adequate slope shedding water away from the spa.
  • In another embodiment, the spa ledge includes dimensions that varying types and styles of external lights may be installed. These lights are in proximity to the control systems of the spa, hot tub, swim spa and may or may not be energized by the hot tub, swim spa, spa electronic control systems.
  • The spa base pan ledge, in an embodiment, show the dimensions that directs water away from the entire hot tub on all sides when installed in ground in a typical installation.
  • Further objects, features, advantages and properties of ground ledge according to the present application will become apparent from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view perspective of a base pan with the ground ledge.

FIG. 2 is a front view perspective of a base pan with the ground ledge.

FIG. 3 is a side view perspective of a base pan with the ground ledge.

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective of a base pan with the ground ledge.

FIG. 5 is a top view perspective identifying the points of the ground ledge.

FIG. 6 is a cross section diagram of the ground ledge illustrated in Section AA.

FIG. 7 is a cross section diagram of the ground ledge illustrating the installation on a typical spa, hot tub, swim spa in ground.

FIG. 8 is a cross section diagram of the ground ledge illustrating the addition of a light.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the ground ledge located on a spa, hot tub, swim spa installation partially in-ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments above provide portable spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan comprising a ground ledge with an inner ridge located on the top of the base pan.

The spa ground ledge functions to shed water away from the spa, protecting the spa from ground material penetration while also providing a base for aesthetically pleasing light(s).

With Reference to FIGS. 1-4

FIG. 1 illustrates the top view of the general shape and relative dimensions comprising a spa, hot tub, swim spa ground ledge located on the top of the base pan comprising the ground ledge described herein. FIG. 2 illustrates the side view of the general shape and relative dimensions comprising a ground ledge located at the top of a spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan. FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of the general shape and relative dimensions comprising a ground ledge located at the top of a spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan. FIG. 4 illustrates the isometric view of the general shape and relative dimensions comprising a ground ledge located at the top of a spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 5 illustrates a spa base pan ground ledge 100 comprising one embodiment of a base pan ground ledge. Pan ground ledge 100 may comprise any material known in the art or developed in the future capable of shedding overflow water and water as rain and deflecting in ground installation materials. That is, spa base pan ground ledge 100 may be formed of any material suitable for a spa ground ledge. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, polymers, plastics, fiberglass, natural materials (e.g., stone), and the like materials.

Notably, although spa pan ground ledge 100 is illustrated in the various embodiments presented herein as a quadrilateral, spa pan ground ledge 100 is not limited to the shape illustrated herein. That is, pan ground ledge 100 may comprise any desired shape including round and/or any desired dimensions depending on the application of spa base pan ground ledge 100.

With reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of base pan ground ledge 100, which is referred to as ground ledge 100 in FIGS. 5-8. Ground ledge 100, at least in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a ledge 103 and a ridge 101 that form a pan ground ledge 100. Ridge 101 is a continuation of the base pan side wall 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, cut out A′-A′, it comprises a total height C, that forms a portion of the ground ledge 100. As illustrated in cut out A′-A′, height C may be any desired height as a continuation of base pan wall 104 depending on the application of spa ledge 100. In various embodiments, Height C is in the range of about 0.5 inch to about 4 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, Height C is about 2 inches.

Ledge 103 as illustrated in FIG. 6, cut out A′-A′, comprises a total width B, that forms a portion of the ground ledge 100. Width B in various embodiments, is on the range of about 2 inches to about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, width B is about 6 inches.

In various embodiments, the angle of the ground ledge D is in the range of about 3 degrees to about 45 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment FIG. 6, angle D is about 12 degrees.

With Reference Now to FIG. 7

Ground Ledge 100 as illustrated in cut out A′A′ is illustrated in this embodiment as installed on the outside of the spa, hot tub, swim spa frame 114. Ledge 100 is installed below the spa, hot tub, swim spa exterior facade 108. In turn the spa, hot tub, swim spa exterior façade structure is mechanically fastened 109 to the spa, hot tub, swim spa frame 114.

Ledge 100 features a ridge 101. Ridge 101 is a continuation of the base pan wall 104. As illustrated in cut out A′-A′, comprises a total height C forming a ridge that is a portion of the ledge 100. In various embodiments, height C is in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches forming the ridge 101. In the embodiment FIG. 7, height C of ridge 101 is about 2 inches. Ridge 101 is of sufficient height C to extend up directly behind the spa, hot tub, swim spa exterior façade structure 108 effectively forming a barrier for overflow water or water as rain flowing down the exterior façade structure 108, from entering the inner mechanical area of the spa, hot tub, swim spa 113.

Ground ledge 100, as illustrated in cut out A′-A′, comprises a total width B forming a ledge 103 that is a portion of the ledge 100. In various embodiments, width B is in the range of about 2 inches to about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment FIG. 7, width B of ledge 103 is about 6 inches. Ledge 103 forms a slope at an angle D that is in the range of about 3 degrees to about 45 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment FIG. 7, angle D of ledge 103 is about 12 degrees. As discussed above ledge 103 functions to shed the water from the spa, hot tub, swim spa or water as rain so that the water can be routed away from the spa to be absorbed by the surrounding ground material 119 or disposed. Ledge 103 is installed in FIG. 7 directly below and may be in contact with the spa, hot tub, swim spa exterior façade structure 108. Ledge 103 functions to deflect and shed overflow water or water as rain flowing down exterior structure 108 effectively keeping water from entering the spa, hot tub, swim spa mechanical area 113.

As described earlier ground ledge 100 serves a plurality of functions. As illustrated in cut out A′-A′, comprises a total width B forming a ledge 103 that is a portion of the ledge 100. In various embodiments, width B is in the range of about 2 inches to about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment FIG. 7, width B of ledge 103 is about 6 inches. Ledge 103 forms a barrier for the containment and deflection of in ground installation materials 119 (such as stone gravel) from overcoming the base pan and entering the spa, hot tub, swim spa mechanical area 113. Ledge 103 functions as a barrier to deflect ground installation materials 119 as they are placed during the in-ground installation process in contact with the side of the spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan sides 104 and in contact with the bottom of the base pan 102 which in turn seals the spa bottom structure and frame 116.

With Reference now to FIG. 8

Ground Ledge 100, as illustrated in cut out A′-A′, comprises a total width B forming a ledge 103 that is a portion of the ledge 100. In various embodiments, width B is in the range of about 2 inches to about 12 inches. In the illustrated embodiment FIG. 8, width B of ledge 103 is about 6 inches. Ledge 103 includes dimensions that are suitable for varying types and styles of external lights 120 to be installed. These lights 120 are in proximity to the mechanical area 113 and control systems (not shown) of the spa, hot tub, swim spa and may or may not be energized 121 by the hot tub, swim spa, spa electronic control systems (not shown).

With Reference Now to FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is an illustrated perspective view of the embodiment of ground ledge 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 In this illustration the ground ledge is depicted on a swim spa in-ground installation. The ground ledge 103 is extending out from the swim spa to shed water and protect the mechanical area from inground installation materials. The bottom base pan vessel 104 is illustrated in dashed lines below ground level while the ground ledge 103 is above ground level. The inner ridge 101 of the ground ledge 100 is illustrated in this embodiment in dashed lines to be located behind the swim spa facade surround forming an effective seal from overflow water and water as rain flowing down the swim spa facade.

Although the various embodiments have been discussed with reference to portable spas, the various embodiments are not limited to spas. That is, various other embodiments include water holding vessels (e.g., pools, ponds, fountains, hot tubs, etc., and/other like water features) with ground ledges and rims creating an adequate water seal with an exterior façade similar to the embodiments described above.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specifications to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant. claims protection in respect of any patentable features or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

The term “comprising” as used in this claim does not exclude other elements or steps. The term “a” or “an” as used in the claims does not exclude a plurality. A unit or other means may fulfil the functions of several units or means recited in the claims.