IP Library Granted Patent US 7,712,161
Granted Patent B2
US 7,712,161 · App. 11/401,752 · Granted May 11, 2010

Combination spa system with water chilling assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,712,161
App. No.
11/401,752
Granted
May 11, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A spa system includes a tub supported by a chassis, an enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis, first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space, water heating and cooling devices coupled in series to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub, and a thermostat operatively coupled to the heating and cooling devices. The cooling device incorporates a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device, and a blower is operative for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent currently with the operation of the fan of the cooling device.

Claims (72)

1. A spa system, comprising:

a tub;

water heating and cooling devices operatively coupled in series to a water circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub to convey water from the tub in series first to one of the water heating and cooling devices and then to the other of the water heating and cooling devices and then back to the tub, the water heating device operative to heat water passing through the circulating system, and the water cooling device operative to chill water passing through the circulating system; and

a thermostat operatively coupled to both the heating and cooling devices, the thermostat operative to control the operation of both the heating and cooling devices to set a desired temperature of water passing through the circulating system.

2. The spa system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a chassis supporting the tub;

a cooling device receiving area formed in the chassis; and

the cooling device disposed at the cooling device receiving area.

3. The spa system according to claim 2 , further comprising:

opposed first and second rails, carried by the chassis, disposed on either side of the cooling device receiving area;

a platform having opposed first and second sides received against the first and second rails, respectively, thereby supporting the platform at the cooling device receiving area; and

the cooling device supported atop the platform.

4. The spa system according to claim 3 , further comprising:

an access opening through the chassis leading to the cooling device receiving area; and

a closure adapted to be secured to the chassis for enclosing the access opening.

5. A spa system, comprising:

a tub supported by a chassis;

a substantially enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis;

first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space;

water heating and cooling devices operatively coupled in series to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub to convey water from the tub in series first to one of the water heating and cooling devices and then to the other of the water heating and cooling devices and then back to the tub, the water heating device operative to heat water passing through the circulating system, and the water cooling device operative to chill water passing through the circulating system;

a thermostat operatively coupled to both the heating and cooling devices, the thermostat operative to control the operation of both the heating and cooling devices to set a desired temperature of water passing through the circulating system;

the cooling device incorporating a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device to cool the cooling device; and

a blower operative for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent concurrently with the operation of the fan of the cooling device.

6. The spa system according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a cooling device receiving area formed in the enclosed space; and

the cooling device disposed at the cooling device receiving area.

7. The spa system according to claim 6 , further comprising:

opposed first and second rails, carried by the chassis, disposed on either side of the cooling device receiving area;

a platform having opposed first and second sides received against the first and second rails, respectively, thereby supporting the platform at the cooling device receiving area; and

the cooling device supported atop the platform.

8. The spa system according to claim 7 , further comprising:

an access opening through the chassis leading to the cooling device receiving area; and

a closure adapted to be secured to the chassis for enclosing the access opening forming part of the chassis.

9. The spa system according to claim 8 , wherein the first vent is formed in the closure.

10. A spa system, comprising:

a tub supported by a chassis;

a substantially enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis;

first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space;

water heating and cooling devices operatively coupled in series to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub to convey water from the tub in series first to one of the water heating and cooling devices and then to the other of the water heating and cooling devices and then back to the tub, the water heating device operative to heat water passing through the circulating system, and the water cooling device operative to chill water passing through the circulating system;

the cooling device operatively coupled to a blower;

a thermostat operatively coupled to both the heating and cooling devices, the thermostat operative to control the operation of both the heating and cooling devices to set a desired temperature of water passing through the circulating system;

the cooling device incorporating a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device to cool the cooling device;

a blower activated by the cooling device in response to the activation thereof for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent.

11. The spa system according to claim 10 , further comprising:

a cooling device receiving area formed in the enclosed space; and

the cooling device disposed at the cooling device receiving area.

12. The spa system according to claim 11 , further comprising:

opposed first and second rails, carried by the chassis, disposed on either side of the cooling device receiving area;

a platform having opposed first and second sides received against the first and second rails, respectively, thereby supporting the platform; and

the cooling device supported atop the platform.

13. The spa system according to claim 12 , further comprising:

an access opening through the chassis leading to the cooling device receiving area; and

a closure adapted to be removably secured to the chassis for enclosing the access opening.

14. The spa system according to claim 13 , wherein the first vent is formed in the closure.

15. In a spa system including a tub supported by a chassis, a substantially enclosed space formed between the tub and the chassis, and a water heater operatively coupled to a circulating system adapted to withdraw and return water relative to the tub, improvements therein comprising:

a water cooling device operatively coupled to the circulating system in series with the water heater to convey water from the tub in series first to one of the water heating and cooling devices and then to the other of the water heating and cooling devices and then back to the tub, the water cooling device operative to chill water passing through the circulating system; and

a thermostat operatively coupled to both the heating and cooling devices, the thermostat operative to control the operation of both the heating and cooling devices to set a desired temperature of water passing through the circulating system.

16. The improvements according to claim 15 , further comprising:

first and second vents through the chassis leading to the enclosed space;

the cooling device incorporating a fan operative for drawing air into the enclosed space through the first vent in response to activation of the cooling device; and

a blower operative for expelling air from the enclosed space through the second vent concurrently with the operation of the fan of the cooling device.

17. The improvements according to claim 16 , further comprising:

a cooling device receiving area formed in the enclosed space; and

the cooling device disposed at the cooling device receiving area.

18. The improvements according to claim 17 , further comprising:

opposed first and second rails, carried by the chassis, disposed on either side of the cooling device receiving area;

a platform having opposed first and second sides received against the first and second rails, respectively, thereby supporting the platform at the cooling device receiving area; and

the cooling device supported atop the platform.

19. The improvements according to claim 18 , further comprising:

an access opening through the chassis leading to the cooling device receiving area; and

a closure adapted to be removably secured to the chassis for enclosing the access opening forming part of the chassis.

20. The improvements according to claim 19 , wherein the first vent is formed in the closure.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2024
From: LPI HOLDCO INC.; LPI INC.; LPI SHOW NETWORK LLC; RECDIRECT INC.
To: FIRST MERCHANTS BANK
Reel/Frame 067393/0113 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2019
From: REYNOLDS, CHARLES W., II
To: LPI, INC.
Reel/Frame 048702/0502 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6068467400 · May 26, 2005
Related Publication 20060288476A1 · Dec 28, 2006