IP Library Granted Patent US 8,869,469
Granted Patent B2
US 8,869,469 · App. 13/593,486 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

In-ground spa installation

Inventors: David J. Ludlow (Salt Lake City, UT); Marvin Hinckley Howell (Salt Lake City, UT)
Assignee: Bullfrog International, L.C.
E04H4/0043
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,869,469
App. No.
13/593,486
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for providing an in-ground installation of a portable spa using a Spa Vault assembly.

Claims (34)

1. An assembly comprising:

a back wall;

two side walls, each with a first end attached to an end of the back wall, forming back wall/side wall attachments;

two transition walls, each transition wall comprising two generally perpendicular walls joined together, each transition wall attached at first ends to second ends of the side walls, forming transition wall/side wall attachments;

a front wall attached to and extending between second ends of the transition walls, forming front wall/transition wall attachments;

the back wall, side walls, transition walls, and front wall forming an assembly of vertically disposed walls that define a cavity portion dimensioned for placement of a portable, unsupported spa and a component portion for spa-related components and an access opening atop the component portion; and

corner pieces at the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, the corner pieces having spa-like contours generally conforming to rounded corners of the portable spa;

wherein the corner pieces comprise corner pieces that are horizontally disposed along the top of the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, and vertically disposed along the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the back wall, side walls, transition walls and front wall comprise multiple overlapping panels adjustably connected with facings slidable relative to each other in parallel planes to be extended in a horizontal or vertical direction.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the multiple panels are restricted by an alignment member to horizontal or vertical movement and positioning in relation to each other.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the corner pieces comprise corner plates that are horizontally disposed along the top of the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, and radius inserts that are vertically disposed along the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments.

5. An assembly comprising:

a back wall;

two side walls, each with a first end attached to an end of the back wall, forming back wall/side wall attachments;

two transition walls, each transition wall comprising two generally perpendicular walls joined together, each transition wall attached at first ends to second ends of the side walls, forming transition wall/side wall attachments;

a front wall attached to and extending between second ends of the transition walls, forming front wall/transition wall attachments;

the back wall, side walls, transition walls, and front wall forming an assembly of vertically disposed walls and enclosing a cavity dimensioned to conform to and enclose a portable spa with a component portion for spa-related components and for access and service of spa-related elements;

corner pieces at the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, the corner pieces having spa-like contours generally conforming to rounded corners of the portable spa;

wherein the corner pieces comprise corner plates that are horizontally disposed along the top of the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, and radius inserts that are vertically disposed along the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments, and fasteners that attach the corner plates and the radius inserts to each other and to the back wall/side wall attachments and the transition wall/side wall attachments.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , additionally comprising cantilever forms disposed along an upper interior edge of the cavity to form a barrier around the cavity.

7. The assembly of claim 5 , additionally comprising a removable access grate that covers the component portion.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , additionally comprising a grate support that is vertically disposed within the component cavity and which supports the access grate.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , additionally comprising an alignment tab that extends inwardly from one of the walls and that is configured to provide alignment of the access grate.

10. The assembly of claim 5 , additionally comprising bending tape along the spa-like contours of the radius inserts.

11. The assembly of claim 5 , additionally comprising removable straps for lowering and raising the wall assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 5 , additionally comprising a lifting fixture that is built in to the wall assembly and which can be used for lowering and raising the assembly.

13. The assembly of claim 5 additionally comprising an attachment member that secures the first and second set of walls and free wall ends to surroundings, wherein the first and second set of walls and free wall ends may withstand lateral pressure from backfill material and maintain the integrity of the first and second cavity portions.

14. An assembly comprising:

a first set of walls attached at ends vertically, the walls defining a cavity portion with lateral dimensions in conformity with lateral dimensions of a portable spa,

with an opening between two free wall ends and located to oppose access in the portable spa to spa-related components;

a second set of walls attached at ends and partially forming a second cavity portion,

with two ends attached to the two free ends of the first set of walls such that the first cavity portion is joined with the second cavity portion, the second cavity portion forming an enclosure around spa-related components with an access opening atop the second cavity portion; and

a portable spa and spa attachments, wherein the portable spa and spa attachments are structurally self-supportive independent of the first and second set of walls, and wherein the spa attachment parts connect to the portable spa and pass through the opening between two free wall ends into the second cavity portion.

15. The assembly of claim 14 additionally comprising an attachment member that secures the first and second set of walls to surroundings, wherein the first and second set of walls may withstand lateral pressure from backfill material and maintain the integrity of the first and second cavity portions.

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 Mar 7, 2013
From: LUDLOW, DAVID J; HOWELL, MARVIN HINCKLEY
To: BULLFROG INTERNATIONAL, L.C.
Reel/Frame 029940/0485 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 12945872 · Nov 14, 2010
Provisional Application 61261298 · Nov 13, 2009
Related Publication 20130152297A1 · Jun 20, 2013