IP Library Granted Patent US 8,661,576
Granted Patent B2
US 8,661,576 · App. 13/053,167 · Granted Mar 4, 2014

Spas and bathing systems with upgradeable and interchangeable jet stations

Inventors: David J. Ludlow (Salt Lake City, UT); Alan L. Robins (Pleasant Grove, UT); Trent L. Taylor (Orem, UT); Derrick P. Christman (West Jordan, UT); Michael J. Adams (West Jordan, UT); Stephen M. Fleischer (Orem, UT); Richard Alex Eddington (South Jordan, UT); Marvin H. Howell (Salt Lake City, UT)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,661,576
App. No.
13/053,167
Granted
Mar 4, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bathing system with a molded shell has hollows in the shell. A canister installed in each hollow with jets mounted upon the front jet plate of the canister. The canister is of simple construction that is mounted in a hollow and is removable and interchangeable for easy upgrading and repair of the bathing system.

Claims (25)

1. A bathing system comprising:

a shell molded to define a containment for containing water;

a hollow molded in the shell extending upward from a base of the hollow;

at least one fluid connector located near or at the base of the hollow and associated with a fluid supply system to supply fluid to the connector;

a removable jet panel with a jet plate and at least one jet on the jet plate, the jet plate dimensioned and constructed to fit over the hollow and constructed such that when the removable jet panel is in an installed position in the hollow, the jet is disposed to inject fluid into the containment;

the removable jet panel having at least one fluid port with fluid communication between the fluid port and at least one jet on the removable jet panel;

the fluid port and the fluid connector disposed such that the fluid port and the fluid connector are connected when the removable jet panel is in the installed position to provide a fluid supply from the fluid supply, through the fluid connector and fluid port, to the jet.

2. The bathing system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid port and the fluid connector are connected by a reversibly removable connection.

3. The bathing system as in claim 1 , further comprising one or more mechanical aids to connect the fluid port and the fluid connector.

4. The bathing system as in claim 2 , further comprising one or more mechanical aids to connect the fluid port and the fluid connector.

5. The bathing system as in claim 1 having two fluid ports which are an air fluid port, and a water fluid port, which respectively connect to an air fluid connector with an air supply and a water fluid connector with a water supply.

6. The bathing system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid port and the fluid connector are partitioned into separate conduits for separately supplying air and water from air and water supplies through the separate conduits in the fluid connector and port, to supply air and water to the jet.

7. The bathing system as in claim 1 additionally comprising a flow control to regulate the flow of fluid to the jet.

8. The bathing system as in claim 7 wherein the flow control is disposed at or near the fluid port.

9. The bathing system as in claim 8 wherein the flow control includes a manually operated monitor wheel, which when turned causes a flow control valve to open and close.

10. The bathing system as in claim 4 wherein the mechanical aids include hooks that interlock with fluid conduits.

11. A removable jet system comprising:

a base;

at least one fluid connector located near or at the base and associated with a fluid supply system to supply fluid to the connector;

a removable jet panel with a jet plate and at least one jet on the jet plate, the jet panel constructed such that when the removable jet panel is in an installed position, the jet is disposed to release fluid;

the removable jet panel having a fluid port with fluid communication between the fluid port and the jet on the removable jet panel;

the fluid port and the fluid connector disposed such that the fluid port and the fluid connector are connected when the removable jet panel is in the installed position to provide a fluid supply from the fluid supply, through the fluid connector and port, to the jet.

12. A removable jet panel system for injecting fluid into a bathing system comprising:

a removable jet panel with a jet plate and at least one jet on the jet plate, the jet panel constructed with a fluid port at or near its base, with fluid communication between the fluid port and the jet on the removable jet panel;

the fluid port constructed for reversible connection with a fluid connector having a fluid supply.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2019
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BULLFROG INTERNATIONAL, LC
Reel/Frame 049050/0233 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 2, 2015
From: BULLFROG INTERNATIONAL, LC
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 036477/0887 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2015
From: FLEISCHER, STEPHEN M.; EDDINGTON, RICHARD ALEX; HOWELL, MARVIN H.; LUDLOW, DAVID J.; ROBINS, ALAN L.; TAYLOR, TRENT L.; CHRISTMAN, DERRICK P.; ADAMS, MICHAEL J.
To: BULLFROG INTERNATIONAL, L.C.
Reel/Frame 036213/0399 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 11738911 · Apr 23, 2007
Continuation PCTUS2004034714 · Oct 21, 2004
Related Publication 20110225720A1 · Sep 22, 2011