US 12,697,275 B2Granted

Modular framing system for spas, hot tubs, and other large water containment vessels

AssigneeMay Manufacturing, LLC

InventorsSamuel Collins, Scott Backer, Eber Chacon, Eric Hales

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Abstract

A modular frame and system for supporting a swim spa, hot tub, or other water containment vessel is contemplated. The system includes a plurality of keyed vertical members attachable to cooperating grooves in horizontal rails. The ends of the horizontal rails attach via keyed projections to a corner bracket, while a retaining member secures to a groove in horizontal rail to secure an integrated protective bottom sheet. All of these components can be manufactured in standardized dimensions relying upon low-cost, light-weight polymeric materials. Methods and systems for using these components in a variety of customizable arrangements are also contemplated.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for constructing a structural support frame for a fluid containment vessel, the system comprising:

at least one support rail formed as elongate body having top, bottom, and inner facings and with an identical groove formed along a full length of each of the top and bottom facings and midline groove formed along a full length of the inner facing;
a plurality of vertical supports, each vertical support formed from an elongate body having keying projections provided at opposing axially aligned edges of each elongate body;
a plurality of corner brackets, each corner bracket having a housing with a first and second abutment facings each aligned within different, non-parallel vertical planes and with a first and second connecting flange extending away from each of the first and second abutment facings;
and
wherein each first connecting flange is configured to couple with the midline groove, each second connecting flange is configured to couple with the identical groove in either the top or bottom facing, and each keying projection is configured to couple with the identical groove in either the top or bottom facing.

2 more elements

A frame for a fluid containment vessel, the frame comprising:

at least four top rails, each formed as an elongate body having a bottom with an identical groove formed along a full length of a bottom facing;
at least four bottom support rails, each formed as an elongate body having top, bottom, and inner facings and with an identical groove formed along a full length of each of the top and bottom facings and midline groove formed along a full length of the inner facing;
at least four vertical supports, each vertical support formed from an elongate body having keying projections provided at opposing axially aligned edges of each elongate body;
at least four corner brackets, each corner bracket having a housing with a first and second abutment facings each aligned within different, non-parallel vertical planes and with a first and second connecting flange extending away from each of the first and second abutment facings;
wherein the first connecting flange on the first and second abutment facings of every corner bracket are coupled to the midline groove on two separate support rails and the second connecting flange on the first and second abutment facings of every corner bracket are coupled to the identical groove in either the top or bottom facing on two separate support rails;
and
wherein each top rail is positioned parallel to each support rail at least one vertical support positioned therebetween so that the identical groove in the bottom facing of each top horizontal rail and the identical groove in the top facing of each support rail each receive the axially opposed keying projections of each vertical support.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.