US20050198729A1

US20050198729A1 - Accessory device for spa

Info

Publication number: US20050198729A1
Application number: US10/799,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Wade Spicer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-11
Filing date: 2004-03-11
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: US7386896B2; US20060265802A1

Abstract

An accessory device for a spa has a top surface and a side wall. The spa includes an upper surface portion having an inner edge and outer edge. The upper surface portion is adapted to extend outwardly from an exterior perimeter of an top surface of a spa when positioned thereon. A least one flange portion extends inwardly from said inner edge of the upper surface. The flange member is adapted to be removably attached to the top surface of the spa. At least one support portion extends downwardly from the upper surface portion and has an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is adapted to rest upon and be supported by a side wall of said spa when positioned thereon. The upper surface may function as a tray for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa or may have a cavity formed therein which forms a bucket for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an accessory device for a spa. More specifically, the present invention relates to an accessory device for a spa in the form of one of a tray and an ice bucket.
2. Prior Art
Hot tubs and spas are well known in the art. Typically, spas are generally cylindrical in shape and typically sit directly on the ground. The top surface of the hot tub is generally quite narrow and provides little space for storing of objects such as glasses, beverages and the like. Further, some existing hot tub manufacturers have built in cup holders but such cup holders are generally not effective in keeping beverages cold.
There remains a need, therefore, to provide additional storage around the perimeter of the spa to allow persons within the spa to have access to personal items and drinks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an accessory device for a spa having a top surface and a side wall comprising:
an upper surface portion having an inner edge and outer edge, said upper surface portion adapted to extend outwardly from an exterior perimeter of a top surface of a spa when positioned thereon;
at least one flange portion extended inwardly from said inner edge of said upper surface, said flange portion adapted to be removably attached to the top surface of the spa;
at least one support portion extending downwardly from said upper surface portion and having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall adapted to rest upon and be supported by a side wall of said spa when positioned thereon.
In one embodiment, said upper surface portion functions as a tray for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa. In another embodiment, said upper surface portion has a cavity formed therein, said cavity functioning as a bucket for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa.
Preferably, said inner edge of said upper surface is curved along an arcuate path and is adapted to mate with and conform with the curvature of the exterior perimeter of the top surface of the spa. Said outer edge of said upper surface is also preferably curved.
Preferably, said at least one flange portion is generally rectangular in shape and said opening in said at least one flange portion is also generally rectangular in shape but preferably has rounded corners. Likewise said projection member is generally rectangular in shape.
In one embodiment of the invention, a pair of spaced apart flange members are provided.
In one embodiment of the invention a pair of spaced apart support portions are provided.
Preferably, said flange portion has an opening therein adapted to receive a projection member extending upward from said top surface of said spa. Further, it is also preferred that said at least one flange portion is adapted to be received in a recess in the top surface of the spa and said flange portion has an opening therein adapted to receive a projection member extending upward from a center portion of said recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spa on which two accessory devices according to the present invention are removably attached.
FIG. 2 is a top view of an accessory device in the form of a tray.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the accessory device in the form of a tray shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a top view of an accessory device in the form of an ice bucket.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the accessory device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top of the spa showing a recess and projection utilized to secure the accessory device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a spa 10 is shown which has a top surface 12, a side wall 14 and an outer perimeter 16 of the outer most edge of the top surface 12. FIG. 1 shows an accessory device 20 in the form of a tray and an accessory device 20′ in the form of an ice bucket as attached to the spa 10.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the accessory device 20 in the form of a tray has an upper surface 22 which includes an inner edge 24 and outer edge 26. Flanges 30 extend inwardly from the upper surface 22 and said flanges 30 being generally rectangular in shape. Openings 32 which are also generally rectangular in shape are provided in a center portion of the flange 30. The accessory device 20 includes downwardly depending support portions 34 which each have an inner wall 36 and an outer wall 38. FIGS. 2 and 3 show an accessory device in the form of a tray.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an accessory device 20′ is shown. The part numbers on FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to similarly numbered component numbers in FIGS. 2 and 3 but have a prime symbol added thereto. The only additional feature of FIGS. 4 and 5 is that a cavity 40′ is provided in the upper surface 22′ of the accessory device 20′ thereby forming a bucket into which beverages and ice may be placed. As best shown in FIG. 5, the accessory device has relatively thick walls which enclose a space of air thereby making the ice bucket well insulated. As shown in FIG. 5, preferably the height H of the accessory device is approximately the same distance as the width W. This ratio provides a very stable support for the accessory device.
Turning to FIG. 6, the upper surface 12 of a spa 10 is shown. At the perimeter 16 of the spa, a rectangular recess 17 is formed into the upper surface 12. A projection 18 extends upwardly in a center portion of the recess 17. It will be obvious to the reader that the recess 17 is adapted to receive a flange 30 and the opening 32 in the flange is adapted to receive the projection 18. With this arrangement, the upper surface 22 is co-planer with the upper surface 12.
It will be apparent that in order for the flange to be mounted on the spa as shown in FIG. 6, that modifications to the design of the upper surface 12 of the spa 10 must be made at the time it is manufactured. It is also possible, although not preferred, to simply provide a projection member 18 directly on the upper surface 12 of an existing spa to allow for a removable attachment of a flange member 30. With this arrangement, however, the upper surface 22 will be at an elevation slightly higher than the top surface 12. Further, with this arrangement, it will be necessary to glue or otherwise attach projection members 18 directly to top surface 12.
The accessory devices of the present invention are preferably formed of plastic and can be easily removed or reattached from the spa. This allows for the easy transport of beverages or other objects to and from the spa allowing persons in the spa to have access to such items.
The invention having been disclosed in connection with the foregoing variations and examples, additional variations will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended to be limited to the variations specifically mentioned, and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing discussion of preferred examples, to assess the scope of the invention in which exclusive rights are claimed.

Claims

1. An accessory device for a spa having a top surface and a side wall comprising:

an upper surface portion having an inner edge and outer edge, said upper surface portion adapted to extend outwardly from an exterior perimeter of a top surface of a spa when positioned thereon,

at least one flange portion extended inwardly from said inner edge of said upper surface, said flange portion adapted to be removably attached to the top surface of the spa;

at least one support portion extending downwardly from said upper surface portion and having an inner wall and an outer wall, said inner wall adapted to rest upon and be supported by a side wall of said spa when positioned thereon.

2. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface portion functions as a tray for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa.

3. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface portion has a cavity formed therein, said cavity functioning as a bucket for holding objects in a location accessible to persons in the spa.

4. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said inner edge of said upper surface is curved.

5. An accessory device according to claim 4 wherein said inner edge of said upper surface is curved along an arcuate path and is adapted to mate with and conform with the curvature of the exterior perimeter of the top surface of the spa.

6. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said outer edge of said upper surface is curved.

7. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one flange portion is generally rectangular in shape.

8. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said opening in said at least one flange portion is generally rectangular in shape.

9. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said projection member is generally rectangular in shape.

10. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein a pair of spaced apart flange members are provided.

11. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein a pair of spaced apart support portions are provided.

12. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said flange portion has an opening therein adapted to receive a projection member extending upward from said top surface of said spa.

13. An accessory device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one flange portion is adapted to be received in a recess in the top surface of the spa and said flange portion has an opening therein adapted to receive a projection member extending upward from a center portion of said recess.