Abstract:
A whirlpool spa in which the spa filter and primary controls are mounted on an access door, which in turn is pivotally mounted along its bottom edge to the spa cabinet, whereby the primary controls and the spa filter are normally hidden from view but can readily be accessed by opening the access door.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to whirlpool spas. Such spas are typically comprised of a molded, fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) shell which is seated in a cabinet. The shell contains water which is circulated through a filter and a heater by a filter pump. Typically, a spa will use a single, two speed pump motor. The filtering and heating function is usually accomplished with the pump motor in the low speed mode. 
     The high speed mode of the pump motor is typically engaged when the spa is in use and the occupants desire a vigorous circulation of water through the jets within the spa. Alternatively, an optional, two pump system can be had wherein the low speed filter pump function and the high speed jet pump function are segregated into two separate pump and piping systems. 
     An optional air blower is often associated with the spa for injecting air bubbles into the spa. The heater, filter pump, jet pump and blower are typically located in the cabinet, generally to one side of the spa shell. A heater thermostat and an automatic timer for the filter pump are also typically located inside the cabinet. Only the on/off controls for the jet pump and the air blower, and sometimes optional spa light controls, are located on the lip of the spa shell so that they are accessible by a person using the spa. Usually, one must open a door on the side of the spa cabinet and reach into the cabinet in order to access or to service the primary controls, the heater, the filter, the pump(s) and the blower. 
     This is a somewhat awkward and cumbersome procedure, especially with respect to operation of the thermostat and automatic timer control, which must be accessed on a regular basis. It is also a particularly cumbersome procedure to service or maintain the filter, as one must do approximately every month. 
     In order to change or clean the filter element, one must first close a valve on each side of the filter to keep the water in the spa shell from draining out of the filter housing when it is opened to remove the filter element. Then, one must drain the water out of the filter housing itself. The filter housing must be opened and the filter element is then removed and either replaced or cleaned. 
     Because the foregoing is such an awkward procedure, some spa manufacturers provide a filter which is mounted in the top of the spa shell itself and which can be removed from the top of the spa. The cover for the filter opening is located at the top of the spa, above the water line such that the filter element sits in a normally covered well-like opening. When the cover is removed, the user pulls the filter element directly up out of the filter housing. 
     There are two drawbacks to this solution. First, the design of the interior shape of the spa shell is restricted since one must allow room for the filter in order to locate the filter opening in the top of the spa shell. Perhaps more significantly, dirty water and debris often drain off a filter element as it is removed from its housing. In top mounted filter systems, such dirty water and debris simply drain back into the water in the spa shell from which the debris was originally removed, recontaminating the spa water. 
     Yet another drawback with top mounted systems is that the spa cover must be removed in order to access the filter element. Spas are normally kept covered with an insulated cover so the water in the spa retains heat and water evaporation is minimized. Retention of chemicals in the water is also enhanced by using a spa cover. If the cover is removed or even partially removed to provide access to the filter element, one loses heat, water and chemicals when one changes or cleans the filter element. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the spa of the present invention, the filter is mounted on a door in the spa cabinet such that when the door is opened, the filter is immediately accessible outside the spa cabinet. The operator is not required to bend over and reach into the spa cabinet in order to change or clean the filter element. Further, the filter is not located within the perimeter of the spa shell and dirty water and debris, previously filtered from the spa water, cannot drain back into the water in the spa shell, recontaminating the spa water. 
     Preferably, the filter is movably mounted on the door, for movement from a lower position in which the door can be closed, to an upper position wherein the filter is located above the level of the spa water. This upper position makes it unnecessary to close valves on either side of the filter and to drain the filter housing prior to opening the filter and removing the filter element for replacement or cleaning. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the written specification and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a spa showing the invention with the filter in the upper or service position; 
     FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the invention with the access door open; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the invention with the access door open and showing the filter in the upper or service position; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing the filter in the lower or normal operating position and with the access door closed; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevation showing the filter in the lower or normal operating position and showing the control box, also mounted on the access door; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the filter carriage. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The spa of the preferred embodiment (FIG. 1) is comprised of a spa shell 12 mounted in a cabinet 13. Control box 50 is mounted on an openable access door 20 in cabinet 13. Spa filter 30 is moVably mounted on access door 20 such that spa filter 30 can be slidably moved vertically. Filter 30 can slide up for easy access to the filter element (not shown) located therein when door 20 is opened. 
     Cabinet 13 is essentially a box with open top and bottom and which is defined by vertical panels 16, attached to each other and fixed at their top and bottom to top and bottom rails (15 and 17, respectively). Top and bottom rails (15 and 17) are basically closed rings which vary in geometry and dimension according to the spa design and application. Structural members (not shown) are added inside the cabinet space to support shell 12 and mechanical components (not shown) as required. 
     Shell 12 is usually molded to define various sitting areas and postures. Typically, a lip 14 will be molded into the top of shell 12. When the spa is assembled and shell 12 is inserted into the top of cabinet 13, lip 14 will rest upon upper rail 15. 
     Access door 20 is positioned as if a vertical panel 16 of cabinet 13, but is pivotally mounted by a hinged attachment to bottom rail 17 such that the opened door presents access from above. In use, door 20 is opened by grasping handle 26 and pulling away from the spa. The range of movement when opening door 20 is limited by stop chain 24 such that door 20 is held in an appropriate position for accessing attached filter 30 and control box 50. A pneumatic door closer (not shown) assists the operator in closing door 20 and door 20 is retained in its closed position by catches 21. Door 20 also features a window opening 28 for viewing a status indicator panel (not shown) which is associated with control box 50. 
     Filter 30 is a standard, top opening spa filter as used in the industry. Such filter will normally have a generally cylindrical housing 32 with service access through a screw top 34. The filter element (not shown) is contained within the housing 32 and accessed through the screw top 34. In the present invention, filter 30 is movably mounted to door 20 such that the filter can be slidably lifted into a service position when door 20 is open. 
     The preferred embodiment uses a slidably movable carriage 42 which is restrained to upwardly/downwardly sliding movement and affixed to door 20 by guides 48. The downwardly slidable movement of carriage 42 is arrested by stop 41. Carriage 42 and attached filter 30 are retained in the upper or service position by releasable catch 43. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, carriage 42 has appropriate upper and lower filter mounting cradles 46 and appropriate filter mounting holes 44, through which filter mounting strap 45 passes. In assembly, filter 30 is properly positioned into cradles 46 and secured with strap 45. Carriage 42 with attached filter 30 can then be slid into the top of guides 48. Filter 30 can then be plumbed into the spa filter circuit (not shown). 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, filter 30 has ninety degree plumbing fittings 31 at the filter input and at the filter output in the preferred embodiment. There is a flexible hose 38 connected to each fitting 31. Each flexible hose 38 extends from its connection at filter 30 to its appropriate connection to the spa filter circuit (not shown) in such a manner that the movement of door 20 and the movement of filter 30 are not restricted. 
     As indicated in FIG. 5, simple brackets 52 are attached to door 20. Control box 50 is mounted upon brackets 52 as shown or can be mounted into a shelf (not shown) which is mounted upon brackets 52 in what might typically be referred to as a &#34;panel mount&#34; configuration. Control box 50 has mounting flanges 54 so it can be mounted directly upon brackets 52 in the preferred embodiment. 
     An indicator panel (not shown), which indicates the functional status of the spa, is associated with control box 50. A windowed opening 28 is located in door 10 so as to provide an unobstructed view of the indicator panel (not shown). Thus, the functional status of the spa can be monitored merely by looking at the indicator panel through window 28. 
     In use, door 20 is normally closed, concealing filter 30 and control box 50 (FIG. 4). Door 20 can be locked closed by a lock 23 to enhance safety and reduce tampering. To access the primary controls (thermostat, cycle timing, etc.) of control box 50 or to access filter 30, one would grasp handle 26 on door 20 and pull away from the spa, pivoting door 20 about its hinged attachment to bottom cabinet rail 17 and revealing filter 30 and control box 50 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The primary controls of control box 50 are openly displayed for manipulation and filter 30 is readily accessed for service. 
     Servicing filter 30 is accomplished by sliding it upwardly until catch 43 is engaged and filter 30 is held in its upper or service position. Screw top 34 is now above the spa water level and can be removed without any further procedure and without concern of spillage or drainage of spa water. After screw top 34 is removed, the filter element (not shown) is revealed and may be removed for cleaning or replacement. As filter 30 is outside the perimeter of spa shell 12 at this point, any drainage off the filter element will not drain into the water within spa shell 12. After the filter element is cleaned or replaced, screw top 34 is reinstalled, catch 43 is released and filter 30 is slid down to its lower or normal position against lower stop 41 and door 20 is closed to its normal position. Door 20 is closed by merely pushing upon its face toward the spa, thus pivoting it about its hinged attachment at bottom rail 17, until closure catches 21 are engaged and door 20 is held in its closed position. 
     Access door 20 may be sized and constructed so as to accommodate only filter 30. Access door 20 may be sized and constructed so as to accommodate filter 30 and primary control box 50 as generally described above and shown in the Figures. Or, separate access doors may be sized and constructed so as to accommodate filter 30 and control box 50 individually. 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiment only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.