IP Library Granted Patent US 9,468,582
Granted Patent B2
US 9,468,582 · App. 15/001,507 · Granted Oct 18, 2016

Inflatable spa

Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin (Fujian, CN); Yaw Yuan Hsu (Fujian, CN)
Assignee: INTEX MARKETING LTD.
A61H33/028A47K3/06A61H33/0087A61H33/02A61H33/6005A61H33/6021A61H33/6047A61H33/6068E04H4/0025E04H4/129A61H2033/023A61H2201/0103A61H2201/0157Y10T29/49826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,468,582
App. No.
15/001,507
Granted
Oct 18, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An inflatable spa having improved strength. A control system may be provided with the inflatable spa to direct water and air into a water cavity of the inflatable spa, such that the water cavity of the inflatable spa may receive massaging air bubbles and/or jetted water from the control system.

Claims (77)

1. An inflatable spa comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

an internal wall;

an external wall;

an inflatable air chamber defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the internal wall, and the external wall;

a water cavity defined by the bottom wall and the internal wall; and

a control system including an air pump operable in:

an inflation mode that supplies air to the air chamber to inflate the air chamber;

a deflation mode that removes air from the air chamber to deflate the air chamber; and

an aeration mode that supplies air to the water cavity to aerate the water cavity.

2. The inflatable spa of claim 1 , further comprising an air passageway between the air pump and the spa that extends above the water cavity of the spa.

3. The inflatable spa of claim 2 , wherein the control system further includes a control panel assembly that receives a user input, wherein the control panel assembly is mounted to the air passageway at a location above the water cavity of the spa.

4. The inflatable spa of claim 2 wherein the air passageway includes a first check valve and a second check valve positioned in series to prevent a backflow of water from the water cavity of the spa to the air pump.

5. The inflatable spa of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first check valve and the second check valve becomes progressively tighter as water pressure from the water cavity of the spa increases.

6. An inflatable spa comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

an internal wall;

an external wall;

an inflatable air chamber defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the internal wall, and the external wall;

a water cavity defined by the bottom wall and the internal wall;

a control system including an air pump; and

an air passageway between the air pump and the spa, the air passageway including:

a first portion located adjacent to the air pump and below the top wall of the spa;

a second portion located above the top wall of the spa; and

a third portion located outside of the external wall of the spa and below the top wall of the spa.

7. The inflatable spa of claim 6 , wherein the control system further includes a control panel assembly that receives a user input, wherein the control panel assembly is mounted to the air passageway at a location above the water cavity of the spa.

8. The inflatable spa of claim 6 , wherein the air passageway includes a first check valve and a second check valve positioned in series to prevent a backflow of water from the water cavity of the spa to the air pump.

9. The inflatable spa of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first check valve and the second check valve becomes progressively tighter as water pressure from the water cavity of the spa increases.

10. The inflatable spa of claim 6 , wherein the air pump is operable in:

an inflation mode that supplies air to the air chamber to inflate the air chamber;

a deflation mode that removes air from the air chamber to deflate the air chamber; and

an aeration mode that supplies air to the water cavity to aerate the water cavity.

11. An inflatable spa comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

an internal wall;

an external wall;

an inflatable air chamber defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the internal wall, and the external wall;

a water cavity defined by the bottom wall and the internal wall;

a jetted water pipe network that delivers jetted water to the water cavity, wherein the jetted water pipe network is substantially concealed within the inflatable air chamber;

a control system; and

a single water inlet pipe between the water cavity and the control system, wherein the water inlet pipe includes a first water passageway and a second water passageway.

12. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein the control system includes a drain assembly having:

a filtered water drain passageway in fluid communication with the first water passageway of the water inlet pipe;

a jetted water drain passageway in fluid communication with the second water passageway of the water inlet pipe; and

an outlet in fluid communication with both the filtered water drain passageway and the jetted water drain passageway.

13. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , further comprising a filtering cover that covers both the first water passageway and the second water passageway of the water inlet pipe.

14. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein the jetted water pipe network includes a plurality of spray nozzles, a first connecting pipe that delivers water to the plurality of spray nozzles, and a second connecting pipe that delivers air to at least one of the plurality of spray nozzles, wherein the plurality of spray nozzles, the first connecting pipe, and the second connecting pipe are substantially concealed within the inflatable air chamber.

15. The inflatable spa of claim 14 , wherein the first and second connecting pipes are flexible.

16. The inflatable spa of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of spray nozzles are spaced apart annularly about the internal wall of the spa.

17. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein the air chamber is inflated to a pressure greater than about 0.8 psi.

18. The inflatable spa of claim 17 , wherein the pressure is about 1.5 psi.

19. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein:

the internal wall defines a single opening for the water inlet pipe, such that both the first and second water passageways extend through the single opening in the internal wall; and

the external wall defines a single opening for the water inlet pipe, such that both the first and second water passageways extend through the single opening in the external wall.

20. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein the water inlet pipe includes a separating wall between the first and second water passageways, and wherein the first and second water passageways are parallel to each other.

21. The inflatable spa of claim 11 , wherein the first water passageway is smaller in cross-section than the second water passageway.

22. An inflatable spa comprising:

a top wall;

a bottom wall;

an internal wall;

an external wall;

an inflatable air chamber defined by the top wall, the bottom wall, the internal wall, and the external wall;

a water cavity defined by the bottom wall and the internal wall;

a water pipe disposed in the inflatable air chamber;

an air pipe disposed in the inflatable air chamber; and

a nozzle in communication with the water pipe, the air pipe, and the water cavity and configured to deliver water from the water pipe and air from the air pipe into the water cavity, wherein the nozzle is positioned above the water pipe and the air pipe.

23. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the water pipe and the air pipe are flexible hoses.

24. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the water pipe encircles the internal wall of the inflatable spa and is disposed on the bottom wall of the inflatable spa.

25. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the water pipe and the air pipe extend vertically upward to connect with the nozzle.

26. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the water travels from a first segment of the nozzle to a second segment of the nozzle, the second segment of the nozzle having a larger internal diameter than the first segment of the nozzle.

27. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the nozzle includes a sealing sleeve with a stem portion coupled to the nozzle, a larger head portion coupled to the nozzle, and a flange portion sealed to the internal wall of the inflatable spa.

28. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the air pipe communicates with an air transport pipe that extends through the external wall of the inflatable spa to receive air.

29. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , wherein the nozzle pulls in air from the air pipe under a suction force from the water traveling through the nozzle.

30. The inflatable spa of claim 22 , further comprising a second nozzle in communication with the water pipe.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2016
From: LIN, HUA H; HSU, YAW Y
To: INTEX INDUSTRIES XIAMEN CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 040499/0727 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2016
From: INTEX RECREATION CORP.
To: INTEX MARKETING LTD.
Reel/Frame 039566/0906 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2016
From: INTEX INDUSTRIES XIAMEN CO. LTD.
To: INTEX RECREATION CORP.
Reel/Frame 039861/0596 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2016
From: INTEX RECREATION CORP.
To: INTEX MARKETING LTD.
Reel/Frame 038336/0844 →
Priority Claims (14)
CN 2013 2 0428910 U · Jul 18, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0745798 U · Nov 21, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0745863 U · Nov 21, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0745887 U · Nov 21, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0746974 U · Nov 21, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0796506 U · Dec 5, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0888403 U · Dec 30, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0888639 U · Dec 30, 2013 · national
CN 2013 2 0892855 U · Dec 30, 2013 · national
CN 2014 1 0017358 · Jan 15, 2014 · national
CN 2014 2 0023673 U · Jan 15, 2014 · national
CN 2014 2 0050705 U · Jan 26, 2014 · national
CN 2014 2 0375437 U · Jul 8, 2014 · national
NL 2013918 · Dec 4, 2014 · national
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14444474 · Jul 28, 2014
Continuation PCTUS2014047252 · Jul 18, 2014
Continuation PCTUS2014068884 · Dec 5, 2014
Related Publication 20160136043A1 · May 19, 2016