# US 9,750,376 B2 · Portable spa construction

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- Number: US 9,750,376 B2
- Document ID: US9750376B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/263,815
- Filed: 2016-09-13
- Published: 2016-12-29
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-14
- Assignees: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
- Applicants: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
- Inventors: Zeljko Dragovic; Sam Shifron
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750376B2

## CPC

- A47K 3/06: Collapsible baths {, e.g. inflatable; Movable baths}
- A61H 33/0087: {Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water}
- A61H 33/02: Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths {(A61H33/6026 takes precedence)}
- A61H 33/6005: {Special constructive structural details of the bathtub, e.g. of the walls or supporting structure}
- A61H 2201/0107: modular
- A47K: SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)

## Abstract

Spa side panels are trapezoidally-shaped and mounted in respective grooves defined by adjacent tapered corner pieces and their mounting brackets to accommodate differences in coefficients of expansion of the respective parts and prevent structural damage. Angled force transfer members are configured to mate with swept back side surfaces of a spa base pan to achieve a pedestal appearance, and the bottom surface of the base pan is constructed to reduce heat transfer to the spa support surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

The spa structure comprising:
a base pan comprising a bottom surface having an outer perimeter; and
a plurality of adjacent areas formed in said bottom surface, each area including a plurality of recessed fins, the plurality of areas of being arranged to reduce the surface area of the bottom surface which is in contact with a second surface upon which the bottom surface rests to thereby reduce heat transfer between the bottom surface and the second surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spa structure of claim 1 wherein the base pan includes a plurality of swept back side surfaces, each configured to extend from a respective lower edge of a respective spa side panel to a lower edge of the base pan.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The spa structure of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of adjacent areas is a rectangular shaped area.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The spa structure of claim 3 wherein each of said rectangular shaped areas is defined by a grid work comprising a plurality of perpendicularly disposed ribs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spa structure of claim 1 wherein a swept back side surface of the base pan has an inner horizontally disposed top step and a horizontally disposed lower step.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The spa structure of claim 2 wherein a swept back side surface of the base pan has an inner horizontally disposed top step and a horizontally disposed lower step.