Abstract:
Described is a submersible floor or deck deployable in swimming pools and spas. The floor and seat panels are assembled and deployed in the basin or pool. The floor is mounted to a scaffolding and can be moved reversibly by a water pump or a hydraulic actuator between a lowered state substantially parallel to a floor of the pool and a raised state that is substantially flat and horizontal at a level substantially even with a top edge of the pool or spa. One version uses water flow from an existing or conventional water pump to circulate water that impinges on a paddlewheel that, in turn, drives one or more vertically mounted screws. The screws provide the vertical motive force to the floor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/349,119 filed on Apr. 13, 2016 titled “Raisable Pool and Modular Spa Floor” and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/483,955 filed on Apr. 11, 2017 titled “Raisable Pool and Modular Spa Floor Via Hydraulic Lift,” the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to systems and structures to raise and lower a submersible pool deck, pool floor or spa floor. The structures may be part of a pool or wet play structure, or may be a stand-alone architectural construction as part of a pool, spa, bathroom, shower facility or recreational installation. 
       Related Art 
       [0003]    One persistent shortcoming of indoor and outdoor pools and spas is the difficulty in covering and uncovering them. Automated systems for covering them are often expensive, complex and prone to wear. Further, the action of covering and uncovering is often time-consuming. Stand-alone spas are sizable, self-enclosed basins that consume a large portion of a room or deck. Many of these spas are not recessed into the floor. These large water basins often go unused for much of the time due to their shortcomings. The loss of floor space or deck space is significant when considering multi-use areas. 
         [0004]    While there have been efforts at creating submersible floors or decks, these floors often cannot support any significant weight, and require substantial modification to existing structures and existing equipment. Many existing pools and spas are not amenable to retrofitting with a raisable submersible floor. Further, conventional submersible floors cannot accommodate shelves, steps and seats of spas. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a substantial opportunity for a system that can provide a convenient and reliable raisable, submersible floor without significantly altering existing pool or spa infrastructure and designs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    While specific embodiments are described, the following are various aspects of the disclosure. 
         [0007]    According to a first aspect, a pool system comprises a basin forming a water-receiving recess. The recess is formed with one or more walls and a bottom surface. A floor is disposed above the bottom surface in the basin. The floor is mounted to a horizontally disposed scaffolding. The floor stretches horizontally across at least a portion of the basin. A water circulation pump resides external to the basin. The pump is plumbed to the basin so as to circulate water to and from the basin through a first pipe and a second pipe fixed to the basin when the water circulation pump is activated. A lift in mechanical connection with the scaffolding is available. The lift includes a paddlewheel in the path of the flow of water from the first pipe and the second pipe. The paddlewheel turns in response to operation of the pump in either a first direction or a second direction depending on which way the pump circulates water. The lift includes a rotatable screw that is in mechanical connection with other components. The screw is mounted vertically in the basin. The scaffolding is mounted to the screw by way of a nut or other threaded means thereby allowing the scaffolding and floor to move up and down on the screw by operation of the paddlewheel of the lift in response to flow of water impinging on the paddlewheel. 
         [0008]    According to another aspect, the paddlewheel is mounted under the floor and scaffolding. The lift includes a transmission for transmitting rotational motion of the paddlewheel to the screw. While a single screw is mentioned, a plurality of screw lifts provide a movement means to a floor, a seat, or a combination of a floor and a seat. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, the floor is formed from a set of planar pieces, each piece individually affixed to the scaffolding. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, the floor is separated into a first portion and a second portion The first portion of the floor is attached to a first and central portion of the scaffolding. The second portion is attached to a second and perimeter portion of the scaffolding. The first portion of the scaffolding is configured to pass proximate to the bottom surface of the basin when the floor is lowered. The second portion of the scaffolding is configured to rest on a seat shoulder of the basin at a seat level in the pool system when the floor is lowered. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect, an edge of the first portion of the floor in a vertical dimension is formed at an angle with respect to the vertical, and a corresponding edge of the second portion of the floor in the vertical dimension is formed in a corresponding angle so that the first portion catches and lifts the second portion of the floor when the scaffolding is raised from a lowered position within the basin. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, the basin is formed with a perimeter scupper. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect, a top planar outer portion of the perimeter scupper is co-planar with the floor of the pool system when the floor is in an upper-most position. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect, the lift includes a linear screw actuator with a static load capacity for the floor such that when the rotatable screw stops turning, the screw actuator locks in place. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect, the screw is formed with a buttress thread. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect, the water circulation pump is powered by electricity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    While the appended claims set forth the features of the invention with particularity, the invention, together with its objects and advantages, is more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout, like numerals generally refer to like parts. Unless specifically indicated, the components and drawings are not shown to scale. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa basin having a vertically offset scupper where the raisable, submersible floor is lowered into the basin according to a first illustrated embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2A  is an overhead perspective view of the spa basin shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2B  through  FIG. 2E  are perspective drawings of various components internal to the spa first illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of the spa basin shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  through  FIG. 4E  are a series of views of components of a trough corner as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5C  are a series of views of components of a wall corner as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6C  are a series of views of components of a trough edge as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B  are a series of views of components of a trough edge as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  are a series of views of components of a bench corner as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  through  FIG. 9C  are a series of views of components of a bench edge as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B  are a series of views of components of a floor panel as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 11-12  are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spa according to a first embodiment as first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIGS. 13-14  are two illustrations of an assembled and installed spa according to a second embodiment with the scupper formed near the co-planar level of the top of the spa. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a spa with an electric powered hydraulic lift mechanism for raising the floor panels of a spa where the floor panels are illustrated in a first position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 15  with the floor panels in a second position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Overview. The instant application describes a spa that solves many of the shortcomings of existing submersible spa floor systems. The described systems and components are particularly designed for use with existing water circulation equipment. While a spa is described, the same description applies equally to basins, pools, and the like where a floor, wall, or surface is or has been traditionally a fixed surface. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is an overhead perspective view of an assembled spa  100  according to a first illustrated embodiment in an assembled, and partially installed, state. The interior  101  of the spa  100  is formed into a basin having a vertically offset scupper  117  where a raisable, submersible floor  111  is fully lowered into the basin. The scupper  117  is designed to catch water that flows above a top edge  118  of the basin. The reservoir of the scupper  102  passes around the entire perimeter of the basin. The basin has an inner surface  103 . The scupper  117  includes an inner surface  116 . The top edge  118  may be covered with tiles  108 , stones, and the like. Each tile  108  may be of a different size and shape to conform to a particular size, shape and perimeter of the basin. For example, a corner cladding piece  109  is visible at each corner of the basin. The inner surface  103  of the basin may or may not include cladding. The inner surface  103  may be broken with jet orifices or apertures  115  to allow for water and air bubbles (not shown) to be circulated inside the basin. 
         [0035]    There are different depth surfaces Inside the interior  101 . In  FIG. 1 , a seat cladding  110  covers a ledge inside the basin. The floor cladding  111  covers a frame (not shown) that is resting in the bottom of the interior  101  of the spa  100 . A lower wall  113  is visible between the seat cladding  110  and the floor cladding  111 . The lower wall  113  may or may not be clad or coated with a material such as a paint, powder coating, metal finishing, and so forth. 
         [0036]    The floor and the seat may be raised upward to a desired location such as level with the top edge or top rim  118  of the basin. Interior to the basin is one or more lift mechanism coverings  112  that may be formed with a small aperture  114  running up and down the covering. The aperture  114  accommodates mechanical elements that facilitate movement of the seat cladding  110  and floor cladding  111  upward and downward according to actuators that are operated by application of electricity as shown and explained with reference to other figures. Two mechanical coverings  112  are visible in  FIG. 1 . In practice, two or more of lift arms passing up and down through the apertures  114  are used. For example, four vertical components and four channels are shown in  FIG. 2A , and two vertical components and two channels are shown in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, in order to balance the floor and mechanical forces, the vertical components are arranged symmetrically relative to the floor and seating so that little or no binding of rotating components occurs. 
         [0037]    An outside, perimeter floor leading up to the outside of the spa basin is not illustrated for sake of convenience in  FIG. 1 . An outer cladding  104  is already attached to the basin which is preferably made of a stainless steel. The basin is made from various segments and assembled together using bolts and welding as will be evident to one of ordinary skill upon reading this document. Visible in  FIG. 1  is a scupper segment  105  that is shown in a disassembled state in other figures. The outer surface  107  of the scupper is visible and lies substantially below a top plane of the basin in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    When installed, a floor surrounding the spa basin may be formed over the top edge  106  of the scupper  117 . Alternatively, the outer lip of scupper  117  may be lodged over the top of a perimeter floor in which the entire assembly is installed. The workings of the raisable floor are more visible in  FIG. 2A .  FIGS. 11-12  illustrate a simplified view of this spa basin installed in a floor. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2A  is an overhead perspective view of a spa  200  similar to one shown in  FIG. 1  according to a second embodiment. In  FIG. 2A , plumbing and a pump  130  are installed proximate and exterior to the basin. The pump  130  is operated by electricity and therefore may include a power cord that is not shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0040]    Plumbing is affixed to the bottom portion of the basin such as at a first interface  133  and at a second interface  134  at a second location at an exterior surface  123  of the lower portion of the basin. A scupper  117  runs around an outer perimeter of the basin and includes a top surface  106 , an interior reservoir  102 , and seams  121  that have been welded. The inner surface  103  of the basin is visible along with four vertical columns  112 B in the wall of the basin that house and cover mechanical lift elements. The outer surface  122  may be continuous or may be broken by one or more seams  120 . A seam  120  in the basin may be sealed by welding or some other means. Vertical apertures  114  are visible along the vertical columns  112 B. The vertical columns may be formed at a seam of components of the basin for ease in manufacturing and assembling the spa  200 . The top surface  119  around the rim  118  of the basin is flat to accommodate cladding or flooring above the basin. 
         [0041]    While not visible, piping extends further inside the basin from the second interface  134  as explained in reference to other figures. Piping interior to the basin serves as a means for flowing water to actuate the mechanical elements to raise the floor of the spa  200 . According to one embodiment, the pump  130  circulates the water through either pipe  131 A or  132 B. For example, circulating water in the first pipe  131 A is in a first direction and causes the floor of the spa to be lowered. Circulating the water in a second way or direction through the second pipe  131 B raises the floor of the spa. Thus, the floor of the spa  200  may be raised and lowered by operation of the pump in either a first or second direction. The return pipes  132 A,  132 B allow the water to be pulled toward and into a portion of the pump  130 . The locations of the interfaces  133 ,  134  in  FIG. 2A  are illustrative only. The pipes such as the second effluent pipe  132 B may include one or more joints  135  to accommodate the various geometries according to a size and shape of the spa  200  and according to the surroundings and location of the spa. Preferably, the spa  200  is installed in a fixed location such as in or near a dwelling. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a lift mechanism  300  that is installed inside the basin illustrated in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , threaded vertical risers or vertical screws  140  operate as rails upon which a frame rides up and down upon the four vertical risers  140 . The full frame is only partially illustrated by a piece  150 . The vertical risers  140  fit and are housed within the columns  112 B of  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , the vertical risers  140  operate by interacting with a series of other components including a respective lateral axle  145  in a riser gearbox  142 , one gearbox  142  at each corner of the mechanism  300 . The riser gearboxes  142  translate rotational motion in axles  144 ,  145  operating in a plane of the floor of the spa  200  to vertical movement operable by rotation of the vertical risers  140 . Another component of the lift mechanism  300  is a pair of central gearboxes  143  that translate motion from longitudinal axles  144  to the lateral axles  145 . The central gearboxes  143  are a type of T-junction transmission box. The longitudinal axles  144  are operated by the flow of water that enters the central housing  146  by way of ports  147  that terminate the two pipes  131 A,  131 B that emanate from the pump  130  shown in  FIG. 2A . The coordinated operation of the risers  140  from a central gearbox  146  allows for a smooth and even (level) lifting of the entire floor upward from a recessed or lowered place within the spa  200 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view a carriage or a frame  400  upon which a floor or floor cladding  111  is carried up and down within the basin  200  first shown in  FIG. 2A . A similar frame could be used in the basin shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2C , a frame  400  includes one or more lateral rails  150 A,  150 B and one or more longitudinal rails  150 C,  150 D. A plate or floor is not shown in  FIG. 2C  on top of the frame  400  for sake of simplicity of illustration but may be added to the lift system, and such a plate or a floor may be mounted on top of the frame  400  as a support to cladding, tiles, and like that forms the bottom of the spa  200  shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0044]    The frame  400  includes a frame rail height  153 , a longitude length  154 , a lateral length  155 , and a rail width  156 . The lateral length  155  is a distance between a pair of the vertical columns  112 B in  FIG. 2A . The longitude length  154  extends partially or fully across the interior of the basin. While the rails  150 A- 150 D are shown as having flat surfaces, such is not required. The rail width  156  may be smaller than the rail height  153  so as to minimize a size of the slot or the vertical opening  114  inside the spa  200 . The ends of the lateral rails  150 A,  150 B travel vertically within these slots or apertures  114 . The frame  400  travels under up and down under the flooring  111  and seating  110  so that no mechanical part is exposed when the frame  400  is operated and moved vertically within the spa. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 2C , a set of apertures  151  is formed in the frame  400  to accommodate the threaded risers  140 . Each of the apertures  151  may be formed with threads  152  that engage with the threads of the risers  140  shown in  FIG. 2B . In some embodiments, only some of the frame  400  may be fixedly connected to a floor  111 . In other embodiments, none of the floor cladding  111  is attached to the frame for ease of maintenance and assembly. In operation, when the frame  400  is raised upward from a bottom position, the frame eventually catches and lifts a seat cladding such as the seat cladding  110  shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, the seat cladding  110  may be raised to the top rim  118  of the basin by having the frame  400  reversibly contact and lift the seat cladding  110 . When the frame  400  is lowered past the seat level in the spa  100 , the seat cladding  110  remains at the seat level, and the floor  111  and frame  400  continues to travel downward to the final and end of the range of motion  140 A shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 2C . the central gearbox  146  is shown in dashed lines below a plane of the frame  400  to show that the flow of water that actuates the central gearbox  146  through ports  147  flows beneath the floor of the frame  400  and below a floor  111  of a spa. That is, few of the moving parts are exposed in or above the spa basin. While the risers  140  in  FIG. 2B  and columns  112 B in  FIG. 2A  are shown as vertical, the components may be mechanically arranged such that the floor and seats may be operated in part laterally. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective transparent view of a central gearbox  143  and a corner gearbox  142 . The corner gearbox  142  is a type of L-junction transmission box. The central gearbox  143  houses one end of a primary axle  144  and one end of a lateral axle  145 . According to the illustrated embodiment, each of these ends includes a respective bevel gear  162 ,  163 . The second or opposite end of the lateral axle  145  is enclosed in the corner gearbox  142 . The second end includes a worm gear  160  that interoperates with a worm wheel  161 . The worm wheel  161  is attached to a bottom end of a riser shaft  140 . The elements illustrated in  FIG. 2D  are just one embodiment of translating rotation motion into translational motion for a vertically-operating frame such as frame  400  first shown in  FIG. 2C . The various components in  FIG. 2D  are preferably made of a stainless steel, brass, or other material that is chemically inert when submerged in water that fills a basin. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of a central housing  146  first illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The central housing  146  and related components are part of the vertical lift system  300  that is installed in the basin illustrated in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2E , the central housing  146  encloses several movable parts. A paddlewheel  170  includes a set of fins or paddles  170 A that receive a flow of fluid from the water pump  130  through effluents or ports  147 . The fins  170 A may be curved or straight. Pipes  131 A,  131 B bring water from the pump  130  to the central housing  146 . The flow of water  176  impinges on the fins  170 A and turns the paddlewheel  170  about an axis illustrated by an axle  171 . A secondary gear such as the worm wheel  175  translates the rotation motion of the paddlewheel  170  into rotational motion of the longitudinal axles  144 . At the end of each longitudinal axle  144  is a respective worm gear  173 ,  174  that interfaces with the worm wheel  175 . The paddlewheel  170  lays flat in a plane of the floor of the spa. That way, the paddlewheel  170  may have a substantially larger diameter than a diameter of the secondary gear or worm wheel  175 . For example, the diameter of the paddlewheel  170  is at least two times, three times, four times, or fraction thereof larger than the diameter of the secondary gear  175 . A relatively large paddlewheel  170  enables quiet operation of the machinery with a modest flow of water and allows for a quick operation (e.g., rotation) of the vertical risers  140 . The paddlewheel  170  can operate in either direction—a first direction of rotation raises the floor frame  400 , and a second direction of rotation lowers the floor frame  400 . The first direction corresponds to a fluid flow from the first effluent pipe  131 A, and the second direction corresponds to a fluid flow from the second effluent pipe  131 B. 
         [0049]    One mechanical embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2E , but other embodiments are possible. For example, a series of gears and transmission may exist between the paddlewheel  170  and the secondary gear  175  that rotates the axles  144 . For example, the ends of each longitudinal axle  144  may be fitted with its own paddlewheel without the use for a large central paddlewheel  170 . Those in the mechanical arts would be able to experiment with various combinations of pumps, gears, wheels, axles and the like to translate energy from a water pump and turn it into a force that can vertically lift a floor from a spa depending on one or more design goals such as a weight of a floor and seat, a speed of raising the floor and seat, a speed or lowering the floor and seat, an amount of sound generated in raising or lowering the floor and seat, and so forth. According to one implementation, a set of gearing and components is chosen so that a speed of raising the floor is half as fast as lowering the floor from a first position to a second position. 
         [0050]    While the floor is shown in a lowered configuration in  FIG. 2A , the floor  111  is shown in a raised configuration in  FIG. 12 . The floor is raised or lowered at a speed consistent with the speed of rotation of the paddlewheel  170 . In turn, the paddlewheel  170  spins at a speed proportional to the volume of water pumped per unit time by the pump  130  or proportional to a momentum per unit time as delivered by impinging water from the effluents of the pump  130 . While a paddlewheel  170  and pumped water is one embodiment of mechanically working the lift, other examples include use of an electric hydraulic pump as further shown and described in relation to other figures. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of the spa  100  and basin shown in  FIG. 1 . Circular apertures  181  are shown at various locations along the outer exposed surface  184  and boundary or wall of the spa. These apertures  181  are aligned with matching apertures in other portions of the basin and the components are preferably connected by rivet nuts or rivnuts. Rivets are also known as a blind nut. A rivnut is a threaded insert and can be considered a counterbored tubular rivet. Other types of fasteners or welding or other type of assembly method may be used to assemble the basin from the components illustrated in other figures. 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 3 , a top flat outer edge  182  is visible and is a place where cladding such as stones or tiles may be attached by adhesive along the rim of the spa  100 . The outer surface  107  and outer wall  104  of the scupper  117  are visible. An outer wall  104  of the scupper  117  may be clad with stone or other material if the spa  100  is exposed such as when the spa  100  is partially recessed in a ground or in a deck. Water that flows over the upper surface  182  of the spa  100  passes over the outer wall  104  and is caught by the interior reservoir  102  of the scupper  117 . 
         [0053]    A water level W may rise momentarily as the floor  111  and seat surface  110  is raised or lowered in the spa  100 . An actual spa seat depth h 1  extends from the water level W to the top of the seat surface  110 . A second height h 2  extends from the bottom of the spa  100  from the bottom plane of the spa structure to the top of the seat  110  and surface thereof. A third height h 3  is a perceived spa depth less than the second height h 2  consistent with where a person can place her feet on the floor  111  and the water level W extends a height h 3  above the floor  111 . Jet orifices  115  are visible in the upper wall  103 . Water and air may be circulated through the orifices  115 . A seat structure  180  is visible below the seat level. The seat structure  180  is assembled separately from the basin and is placed or mounted inside the basin during assembly of the spa  100 . The seat surface  110  is assembled on the ledge created by one or more seat structures  180 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are a series of views of components of a trough or scupper corner as first shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of an assembled corner piece before assembly with other parts of the basin. The assembled corner is made by bending and attaching together—such as by welding—several planar pieces as illustrated in other figures. In  FIG. 4A , an outer surface  104  is visible and is smooth from a top surface  182  to a bottom surface  185  of the scupper  117 . A top surface  106  of the scupper may lay over or under a surrounding floor. A scupper height  187  and a scupper width  186 A may be used to calculate a volume of water that can be captured in the scupper  117  without overflowing the scupper  117 . A drain or effluent is not shown but is preferably installed in a bottom surface  185  to facilitate return of spa water to inside of the basin. A scupper width  186  is a distance or width of material used to create the corner. Assembly apertures  181  are visible in the assembly surfaces  184 . Top apertures  183  are visible in the top surface  182  of the corner. The top apertures  183  may be used to secure cladding such as tiles or other material to the top rim of the spa. An inner surface  189  of the material is visible. A seam  189 A is formed at the intersection of two planes of material. The seam  189 A may be welded together. A scupper recess depth  188  is illustrated as a distance from a top edge  182  of the basin to a bottom surface  185  of the scupper  117 . According to one pattern, a corner  233  may need to be assembled to the scupper  117  to make a complete surface  106  around the rim. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 4B-4E  illustrate in planar views unassembled and unbent components of the corner piece shown in  FIG. 4A . The dimensions may be adjusted as desired for an overall size and shape of a spa as described herein. 
         [0056]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a planar view of the component for the upper outer wall of the basin of the spa  200 . In  FIG. 4B , several assembly apertures  181  have been formed in the material such as by drilling, welding, or cutting. A scupper recess depth  188  is a first distance along a side of the piece. Assembly surfaces  202  are a same surface as an exposed surface  184  shown in other figures. The assembly surfaces  202  is formed and oriented by bending along a respective bend line  199 ,  201 . A top surface  182  shown in  FIG. 4A  is formed by bending the material along respective lines  197 ,  198  and welding the seam. A width of the top surface  182  is determined by subtracting the scupper recess depth  188  from an overall height  190  of the material. In  FIG. 4B , the piece is put into a 90-degree angle by bending at the central line  191 . The surface  104  becomes the outer surface  104  shown in  FIG. 4A . Widths  194 ,  195  are visible for the working surfaces  202 . Inner corner lengths  192 ,  193  are selected for a desired size of the corner piece. An overall width  196  of the material is selected to accommodate desired dimensions of surfaces in the final orientation. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a planar view of the component for the scupper  117  of the spa  200 . In  FIG. 4C , an upper surface  106  of the scupper  117  is visible and is formed by bending along respective fold lines  217  toward the outer edges. The surface  203  is the wall of the scupper  117  shown in other figures. A central fold line  217 A is for bending the piece into a 90-degree angle for the corner. A square of material of side size a first height  208  less the wall height  209  is needed to complete the upper surface  106  after the central fold is performed as evident in square piece  233  in  FIG. 4A . The upper surface  106  includes a first length  215  and a second length  216 . One or more assembly apertures  218  may be formed in the material; the apertures  218  of  FIG. 4C  are the same as assembly apertures  181  shown in other figures. After folding along the first fold line  214  and the second fold lines  217 , a seam between the top surface  106  and assembly surface  218  may be welded—the seam  189 A of  FIG. 4A . A first length  210  of a first portion of the piece may be a same or a different size as a second length  212  of the second portion of the piece. A width  211  of a first working surface and a width  213  of a second surface are preferably the same in size. 
         [0058]      FIG. 4D  illustrates a planar view of the component for the floor  185  of the spa  200 . In  FIG. 4D , two fold lines  215  are visible for bending the working surfaces away from the plane  221  of the material which ends up as the floor  185  of the scupper  117  shown in other figures. The working surfaces include one or more assembly apertures  181 . Preferably, a first width  225  of a first end is a same size as a width  229  of the second end. The width  186 A of the scupper in  FIG. 4A  is the same as the widths  226 ,  228  in  FIG. 4D . The squares having sides  230 ,  231  are subtracted from the overall width  225  of a first side of the piece to get the first width  226 . The second width  228  is similarly determined from the squares having a side  227  subtracted from the overall second width  229 . A first finished distance  222  is less than an overall distance  223  along a first side of the material  221 . A second finished distance  232  is similarly determined after removing the distance  227  based on the bend at the respective bend line  215 . A first width  224  is preferably a same as a second width or distance  227 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 4E  illustrates a planar view of a square component that is used multiple times to complete an upper or working edge of the sheet material for the spa such as spa  100  of  FIG. 1  and the spa  200  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 4E  includes a first side  233  and a second side  236 . The square includes a first dimension  234  and a second dimension  235 . These dimensions  234 ,  235  may be a same size as the distances related to the working surfaces of  FIG. 4D . For example, these dimensions  234 ,  235  may be a same size as distances  224 ,  227 ,  230 , and  231 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are a series of planar views of components of a wall corner as first shown in  FIG. 2A . Dashed lines indicate a 90-degree bend unless otherwise indicated. Also, unless indicated otherwise, each component is made from 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a  2 B finish. Other components for a complete basin are also made of this material according to a first specific embodiment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a planar view of a T-shaped component  240 . In  FIG. 5A , the piece  240  includes a bend line  141  for a 90-degree bend, a first surface  242 , and a second surface  243 . A first width  244  is double the size of the two sides on each side of the bend line  241  as the bend line  241  runs down the middle of the component  240 . A second width  245  is across a top of the T-shape. A first length  248  of the top portion of the T-shape and a second or body length  247  add up to the overall length  246  of the component  240 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a planar view of a folded component  250 . In  FIG. 5B , first portions  253 ,  255  are folded under second portions  252 ,  254 , which are then folded 90-degrees relative to the planar portion. The seams may be welded to each other after the 90-degree folds are made. The planar portion is of a first dimension  260  and a second dimension  261  which may be equal to each other. The first portion  253  is of a first dimension  258  and a second first portion  255  is of a first dimension that may be a same as the first dimension  258 . The second portion  252  is of a second dimension  259  and a second of two second portions  254  is of a second dimension  262  that may be a same as the second dimension  259 . An inner length  257  of a first portion  253  may be a same as an inner length  256  of a second of two first portions  255 . Assembly apertures  181  are formed and visible in the first portions  253 ,  255 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a planar view of square components  270 ,  271  that are used multiple times to complete various parts of the sheet material for the spa such as spa  100  of  FIG. 1  and the spa  200  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 5C  includes a first dimension  272  and a second dimension that at are the same consistent with the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 6A-6D  are a series of views of components of a scupper edge as first shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A . 
         [0065]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a side component  105  of a basin with fill squares  270 ,  271  first illustrated in  FIG. 5C  proximate to their final assembled positions. The squares  270 ,  271  are welded into place. Working surfaces  184  are mated to similar surfaces of corner components as shown in  FIG. 4A . A top surface  182  helps form a top perimeter of the basin in the spa  200 . A side surface  104  is visible. An outer surface  185  of the scupper is visible. Multiple assembly apertures  181  are formed in the working surfaces  184 . Multiple side components  105  are assembled together to complete a finished basin as evident in the seams illustrated in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0066]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the side component  105  shown in  FIG. 6A . In  FIG. 6B , according to one embodiment, a width  186 A of the bottom surface  185  of the scupper  117  is six inches. A width of the top edge  184  is 2.5 inches. A top fold line  197  and a pair of vertical fold lines  215  are visible. The outer side surface  104  is visible. Working apertures  181  are formed in several of the tabs. The sides of each upper corner  186  are welded together. The lower corners  187  open up and require a square  270  to fill and complete the working edge  184 . A height of the component is reduced upon folding the side  104  at the scupper floor fold line  289  thereby establishing the basin height  188  in the finished component. 
         [0067]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a planar view of a component for forming the lower portion of the scupper  117 . The component includes a vertical side surface  185 , two working surfaces  184 , and a top surface  106 . In  FIG. 6C , there are two vertical bend lines  215  and a lateral bend line  290 . According to one implementation, a width of a top surface  106  is 2.5 inches. This component is welded or otherwise attached to the component illustrated in  FIG. 6B  along the attachment line  291 . 
         [0068]      FIGS. 7A-7B  are a series of views of components of a side panel as previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an assembled side panel  292 . A top surface  182  includes a width of approximately ten inches. Assembly apertures  181  are visible in the working sides  184 . A position of this formed component  292  is best evident on the left side and right side of  FIG. 3  where this component is evident on top of the upper portion of the scupper panels. What is not visible in the side panel component is the optional apertures  115  for the water jets in the finished panel. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a planar view of the component  292  shown in  FIG. 7A . In  FIG. 7B , a pair of apertures  115  is formed in the sheet of material—one centered at four inches below the lateral fold line  289  and a second aperture  115  centered at 14 inches below the lateral fold line  289 . Both apertures are about 1.6 inches outer diameter. The width  289  of the panel is approximate 24 inches. Each of the first folded portion  294  and the second folded portion  295  are 2.5 inches. 
         [0071]    A set of assembly apertures  181 B are formed in the first folded portion  294  that are not visible in  FIG. 3  because these apertures  181 B are not visible from the side view as in  FIG. 3 . Two vertical fold lines  215  divide the working surfaces  184  from the center panel portion. the overall width of the entire two-dimensional panel is 64 inches. The finished panel portion  292  is 46.5 inches from the fold line  289  to the bottom fold line  197  of the panel. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 8A-8B  are a series of views of a component a corner bench or seat corner  301  as first shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0073]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an assembled corner bench component  301 . Two components  301  complete a 90-degree corner. Thus, eight units of  FIG. 8A  are needed to complete an entire square basin. The material of the seat corner  301  is a stainless steel such as a 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a  2 B finish. In  FIG. 8A , a top surface  302  is supported by a front leg  303  and a back side  308 . A 90-degree corner  304  is shown at the far end of  FIG. 8A . A 45-degree edge  307  is on a left side in  FIG. 8A . Several assembly surfaces  184  are shown for mating against other assembly surfaces  184 . When two components  301  are assembled in a corner, the respective 45-degree edges  307  of the two components  301  are placed against each other. Consequently, two front legs  303  would be at a 90-degree angle with respect to one another. The bottom edge  309  of the back side  308  may be welded to a floor or other surface inside of the basin to keep the seat corner  301  fixed within the basin. 
         [0074]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a planar view of the corner bench component  301  shown assembled in  FIG. 8A . In  FIG. 8B , along three of four edges, the top surface  302  includes three rectilinear fold lines  305  that show where a 90-degree fold is made. A fourth fold line  307  is diagonal with respect to the top surface  302  where the folded tab  315  has a length  313  of approximately 20 inches. The back side  308  includes a vertical 90-degree fold line  215 , and a 45-degree fold line  306 . There is a first tab portion  310  and a second tab portion  311  that is folded at a vertical fold line  215  at 90-degrees. The bottom edge  309 , after the folds are made, is approximately 20 inches long. A width of the first tab portion  310  is approximately 2.8284 inches. A width of the second tab portion  311  is approximately 2.5 inches which is the same width as many of the working surfaces  184 . A height of the back side  308  is approximately 22 inches. A height of the front leg  303  is the same 22 inches. The front leg  303  includes a bottom edge  314 , a vertical fold line  215 , and a 45-degree vertical fold line  306 . A width  315  of the front leg  303  is approximately 5.75 inches. A tab length of the 45-degree tab  316  is approximately 19.5 inches. A length of a top surface tab  317  along the fold line  305  is approximately 18 inches. An extra weld piece or cross arm  312  may be used to add stability to the bench component  301  when assembled. The cross arm  312  stretches between the working surfaces  184  of the front leg  303  and the back side  308 . The cross arm  312  is illustrated in an assembled state in  FIG. 9A  in reference to side seat structures. According to one embodiment, the cross arm  312  has a length of 13 inches and width of 2.5 inches and may be installed an arbitrary number of inches above the bottom edge  309 . The An overall length of the planar piece  301  shown in  FIG. 8B  is 62 inches. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are a series of views of components of a bench or seat structure  331  as first shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A . 
         [0076]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the assembled bench component  331 . A series of bench components  331  stretch side to side across a side of a basin between corner pieces  301  as best visible in  FIG. 3 . Eight of the components shown in  FIG. 9A  are needed to complete a basin as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0077]    The material of the bench component  331  is a stainless steel such as a 14 gauge (GA) 304 stainless steel with a  2 B finish. In  FIG. 9A , a top surface  332  is supported by a first side  333  and a second side  334 . The first side  333  and the second side  334  are folded at a 90-degree corner along a fold line  305 . The working surfaces  184  are folded along vertical fold lines  215  at 90 degrees. Adjacent working surfaces  184  are welded along a weld line  335 . A cross arm  312  is welded into place to provide lateral stability between the first side  333  and the second side  334 . A height  336  of the bench component  331  is approximately 22 inches. Inside the bench component  331  is a support brace  341  that is shown in planar view in  FIG. 9C . A depth  337  of the bench piece  331  is 24 inches after being folded, which leaves 2.5 inches for a width for each of the working surfaces  184 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a planar view of the bench component  331  shown assembled in  FIG. 9A . In  FIG. 9B , the first side  333 , the second side  334 , and the top surface  332  are shown. Tabs that end up as working surfaces  184  are visible on a top and a bottom side of the sheet. When assembled into a basin, the finished bench component  331  may be welded into place along a bottom edge  309 . A set of assembly apertures  181  are formed in the working surfaces  184 , preferably while the sheet is flat before the first side  333  and the second side  334  are folded 90 degrees at respective fold lines  305 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a planar view of the support brace  341  first shown in  FIG. 9A . The support brace  341  is preferably a single planar component cut from a sheet of material into a pair of vertical support legs  344 , a top bar  343 , and a cross bar  342  that is similar to the cross arm  312  first shown in  FIG. 9A . Preferably, the support brace  341  is TIG welded into the bench component  331 . According to one embodiment, a bottom edge of the cross bar  342  is cut approximately six inches above a bottom edge  309  of the support brace  341 . The overall height  336  of the support brace  341  is approximately 22 inches consistent with the height of the bench component  331  so that the entire bench component  331  sits flat to a floor.  FIG. 9C  also shows two cross arms  312  each 2.5 inches wide and each 13 inches according to a length dimension  338 . 
         [0080]      FIGS. 10A-10B  are a series of views of a basin floor piece  351  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the assembled basin floor piece  351 . Sixteen floor pieces  351  are needed to complete a basin as shown in  FIG. 2A . Each side of the square piece  351  in  FIG. 10A  is 24 inches. In  FIG. 10A , a top surface  352  is surrounded by assembly surfaces  184  that extend 2.5 inches beneath the top surface  352  after being folded 90 degrees. Adjacent assembly surfaces  184  are welded together at weld lines  353 . Assembly apertures  181  are formed in the material and are visible in the assembly surfaces  184 . While a single basin floor  351  piece is shown in  FIG. 10A , multiple basin floor pieces  351  may be assembled and welded together to form any particular bottom of a basin such as that shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2A , and  FIG. 3 . While a square floor piece  351  is shown, other shapes such as triangles, circles, ovoids, trapezoids, and the like may be made and assembled together to form a completed floor of arbitrary shape and design. 
         [0082]      FIG. 10B  is a planar view of an unassembled basin floor piece prior to being formed into the basin floor piece  351  shown in  FIG. 10A . Corner notches are cut from the otherwise regular corners of the sheet that includes the top surface  352 . The lateral edges  354  of the assembly surfaces  184 , when bent, lie next to each other and may be welded at the weld line  353  shown in  FIG. 10A . The respective bend lines  215  indicate where the material is folded 90 degrees. 
         [0083]      FIGS. 11-12  are two perspective view illustrations of a same assembled and installed spa  361  according to another embodiment as first shown in  FIG. 1  but with the basin installed in a fixed location and with a floor surrounding the spa  361 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a spa basin with the spa floor  111  lowered inside the interior  101  of the basin. A pump, electric power lines, pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated but are part of the spa of this figure—these elements are installed beneath the flooring so as to be unobservable when the spa is fully installed. One or more electric controls including one or more switches exterior to the spa  361  are not shown and are made available to operate the movable floor  111 , to circulate and heat the water in the spa  361 , and perform other functions available with the components of the spa  361 . A seat cladding  110  is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces  109  are affixed at the corners of the upper rim  118  of the basin. 
         [0085]    The top, outer planar surface of the scupper ( 106  in  FIG. 1 ) is not coplanar with the top of the basin in  FIG. 11  but is downwardly offset from the upper rim  118  of the basin. A top surface of the scupper lies immediately below the flooring  362 . The flooring  362  lies a distance  363  below the upper rim  118  of the basin. The distance  363  is a design choice based on an aesthetic preference or other preference of an owner of the spa  361 . The interior of the scupper  102  is positioned to catch water that flows up and over the upper rim  118  of the basin as the movable floor  111  is operated up or down inside of the basin. The upper surface of the scupper lies below the flooring  362 . As illustrated, the flooring  362  is tiled up to and over the edge of the outer scupper portion first shown in  FIG. 1 . The basin sits a certain distance above the surrounding floor for the convenience of the patrons of the spa. The scupper interior  102  is of an exposed width  364  that depends on a design selection. As illustrated, this width  364  is approximately six inches. In  FIG. 11 , a corner lift mechanism covering  112  includes a vertically oriented aperture  114  to allow for a portion of a mechanical frame to pass upward and downward. A set of water jet apertures  115  are visible in the upper vertical wall  103  inside the basin. No water is illustrated in the basin for sake of convenience. In practice, water to a level above the water jet apertures  115  is anticipated. 
         [0086]      FIG. 12  illustrates the floor  111  and seat panels  110  in a raised configuration. The floor  111  and seat panels  110  have been raised to the level of the top  118  of the basin from the position illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 12 , the top or rim  118  of the basin is the indicated distance  363  above the plane of the surrounding floor  362 . The spa floor  111  has been raised a distance  368  starting from a position lower than the outer floor  362  to the rim  118  of the basin. A scupper size or width  364  remains the same as in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0087]    According to one embodiment, the floor  111  is one continuous floor in  FIGS. 11-12 . Floor pieces, such as the pieces  351  shown in  FIG. 10A , have been joined together at floor seams  365 . In  FIG. 12 , the seat section  110  is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding, and/or the like have been joined at seat seams  366 . Due to the nature of the movable parts and the physical arrangement of the parts, when the interior of the basin is raised, a small first gap  367  exists between the outer rim of the seat surface  110  and the cladding on the upper rim  118  of the basin. For example, a size of a first gap  367  is 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, and the like. Further, a small second gap  369  exists between the seat surface  110  and the floor  111 . For example, a size of a second gap  369  is 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, and the like. The rim  118  and the rest of the top of the spa  361  shown in  FIG. 12  is above a water level inside the spa basin and therefore is dry and can be used for a variety of purposes. Thus, a spa  361  can take the place of a traditional spa and within seconds can be transitioned to a flat dry surface capable of supporting a significant amount of weight. 
         [0088]      FIGS. 13-14  are two perspective illustrations of an assembled and installed spa  371  according to a second embodiment in two different configurations. In  FIGS. 13-14 , the opening of the scupper is formed co-planar with the top of the spa basin making the entire spa  371  co-planar with the surrounding floor  362 . A pump, electric power lines, pipes, fittings, and the like are not illustrated in  FIGS. 13-14 , but are part of the spa  371  of these figures—these elements are installed beneath the flooring so as to be unobservable when the spa  371  is fully installed. 
         [0089]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a spa  371  with the spa floor  111  raised level with the top rim  118  of the basin. According to one variation, the cladding  108  is a same size, a same shape, a same design, a same color and the like of the surrounding floor  362  so as to blend in with the surrounding floor  362 . One or more electric controls including one or more switches exterior to the spa  371  are not shown and are made available to operate the movable floor  111 , to circulate and heat the water in the spa  371 , and to perform other functions available consistent with the components included in the spa  371 . A seat cladding  110  is visible inside of the basin. Corner pieces  109  are affixed at the corners of the upper rim  118  of the basin, but blend into the floor  362  such that to an observer, there are no defined corners of a spa; the corner pieces  109  are a same size, a same shape, and so forth of the cladding of the spa seat surface  110 , floor surface  111 , and surrounding floor  362 . 
         [0090]    The top, outer planar surface of the scupper ( 106  in  FIG. 1 ) is approximately coplanar with the top of the basin in  FIG. 13  and is covered with flooring  362 . A top surface of the scupper lies immediately below the flooring  362 . The interior of the scupper  102  is positioned to catch water that flows up and over the upper rim  118  of the basin as the movable floor  111  is operated up or down inside of the basin of the spa  371 . If any water flows outward from the spa  371 , such water is caught in the scupper interior  102  and pumped back into the basin. 
         [0091]    Due to the nature of the movable parts and the physical arrangement of the parts, when the interior of the basin is raised, a small first gap  367  exists between the outer rim of the seat surface  110  and the cladding on the upper rim  118  of the basin. Further, a small second gap  369  exists between the seat surface  110  and the floor  111 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13-14 , the flooring  362  is tiled up to and over the edge of the outer scupper portion first shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0092]    The basin sits below the surrounding floor  362  for the convenience of the patrons of the spa and overall utility of the space in which the spa  371  and flooring  362  reside. The scupper interior  102  is of an exposed width  372  that is as small as possible to make the spa area as useful as possible when the floor  111  and the seat surface  110  are in a raised position as shown in  FIG. 13 . As illustrated, this width  372  is approximately 0.5 inches but can be of any reasonable size including 0.10 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.85 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.7 inches. Any water in the spa  371  lies below the surface of the floor  362 , below the spa seat surface  110 , and below the spa floor surface  111 . Thus, the entire area of the spa  371  is dry when the spa  371  is in this configuration. 
         [0093]      FIG. 14  illustrates the floor  111  and seat panels  110  in a lowered configuration as compared to the configuration shown in  FIG. 13 . In  FIG. 14 , the floor  111  and seat panels  110  have been lowered a distance  368  to a level below the top  118  of the basin of the spa  371 . In  FIG. 14 , the top or rim  118  of the basin is covered with cladding similar to that of the flooring  362 . A scupper size or width remains the same as in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0094]    According to one embodiment, the floor  111  is one continuous floor in  FIGS. 13-14 . Floor pieces, such as the pieces  351  shown in  FIG. 10A , have been joined together at floor seams. In  FIG. 14 , the seat section  110  is one piece and the various seat pieces, seat cladding, and/or the like have been joined at seat seams. 
         [0095]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodiment of a water-filled spa  381  with an electric powered hydraulic lift mechanism—instead of an electric powered water pump lift mechanism—for raising the floor panels of a spa. The cross-sectional view may be taken from an embodiment similar to one shown in  FIG. 2A , and thus  FIG. 15  is similar to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0096]    In  FIG. 15 , the floor panels  382  are illustrated in a first position: lowered into the water-filled spa  381 . With reference to  FIG. 15 , a spa includes one or more vertically movable floor panels  382  and one or more seat panels  383 . An upper side wall  103  and a lower side wall  113  are visible. The top  384  of the water-filled spa is installed at the level of floor tiles  362 . An inner wall  103  of the spa is substantially vertical in the illustration and side walls  385  are illustrated and visible from this viewpoint to show how the floor panels  382  in the center portion of the spa  381  are deeper in the water than the seat panels  383 . 
         [0097]    The movable panels  382 ,  383  can be raised or lowered by way of activation and operation of a hydraulic mechanism that includes pistons  386  inside a respective water-safe hydraulic housing  387  that is sealed against water from entering therein. The hydraulic actuator units that include the housing  387  and the piston  386  are commercially available. The hydraulic actuators can operate in an ambient temperature range from −30° C. to 80° C. In one example, of a hydraulic actuator, an oil flow rate causes the piston to move at least 2 inches per second. Other speeds are possible. Mineral oil or other commercially viable fluid is mechanism by which the hydraulic lift force is applied to the piston. The hydraulic lift is preferably powered by electricity provided through a partially illustrated electric cable  388 . A non-illustrated distal end of the electric cable  388  would be plugged into an electric outlet or wired into a source of electricity such as at a breaker panel. The electric cable  388  would be electrically coupled to a switch that would be mounted in a position proximate to the spa  381  consistent with commercial safety standards. 
         [0098]    In operation, the piston  386  moves up and down to a desired position, even to a partial position within the range of motion of the piston and thus a range of motion of the floor panels  382  and the seat panels  383 . Related and unlabeled electrical and control components may be programmed to operate the piston  386 , and thereby the panels  382 ,  383 , continuously along a range of motion. Alternatively, the piston  386 , and thereby the panels  382 ,  383 , may be programmed to stop at one or more pre-programmed locations along the range of motion of the piston  386 . Alternatively, the piston  386 , and thereby the panels  382 ,  383 , may be programmed to move to one or more locations along the range of motion of the piston  386  according to a time schedule desired by an operator. For example, the spa  381  could be programmed to close at a particular time of day or night consistent with times of operation of a place of business. If multiple pistons  386  are used, then the range of motion and speed of operation of a first piston  386  is preferably matched to the range of motion and speed of operation of the other pistons. 
         [0099]    When extended upward, the piston  386  moves the seat panels  383  upward. The seat panels  383  may be attached to a frame component. According to one embodiment, a movable frame or frame component supports the seat panels  383  and includes a post  389  or other fixture for attaching a chain  390 . The post  389  is attached or coupled to the chain  390 . The chain  390  may be made of a metal such as stainless steel or a ceramic, composite, synthetic material or plastic material so as to promote longevity of the chain when subjected to prolonged submersion in the spa  381 . Each component of the chain  390  may be made of links and pins. For an open chain, the chain  390  may include one or more weights  391  to keep chain  390  properly aligned with certain components such as stays, chain guides and gears to enable a smooth and consistent operation. In practice, the mechanisms shown are hidden within vertical columns formed in the walls of the spa  391  such as in vertical columns  112 B shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0100]    In  FIG. 15 , the chain  390  is mechanically coupled to one or more gear structures  392 ,  393 . For sake of simplicity of illustration, two gear structures  392 ,  393  are shown. However, a single gear structure would be sufficient as is known to those in the mechanical gear arts. In  FIG. 15 , gear structures  392 ,  393  are locked into operation with an unlabeled closed chain such that turning gear or gear structure  392  turns gear or gear structure  393 . As the pistons  386  are raised, chains  390  are pulled upward. Pulling chains  390  upward causes the gear structures  392 ,  393  to turn and thereby transfer motion to a second chain  394 . If the second chain  394  is open, the second chain  394  may have attached thereto one or more weights  395 . Movement of the second chain  394  moves the floor  382  upward according to a gear ratio associated with gears and/or gear structures  392 ,  393 . That is, the floor  382  moves simultaneously and in conjunction with movement of the seat  383  such that raising floor  382  also raises seat  383 , and panels  382 ,  383  thereby arrive at a same level as the fixed floor  362  when the pistons  386  are extended to a final position. As the panels  382 ,  383  are moved upward, water in the basin of the spa may spill or flow into the scuppers  102  in the gaps between the cladding  108  on the top rim  118  of the basin and the tiles  362  of the floor. 
         [0101]    Preferably, the post  389 , chains  390 ,  394 , and other mechanical components including the gear structures  392 ,  393  are shielded from interaction with an operator or occupant of the spa to the extent possible. That is, chains  392 ,  393 , and other mechanical components including the gear structures  392 ,  393  are mounted and operate outside of the shell of the basin as shown in  FIG. 2A  with posts  389  extending from inside the basin to outside of the basin through apertures  114  visible in  FIG. 1 , and other figures. Chains  390 ,  394 , and other mechanical components including the gear structures  392 ,  393  are shown exposed in  FIGS. 15-16  for sake of illustration only. 
         [0102]    While reference may be made to a single piston  386  herein, multiple pistons  386  are illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 . That is, the mechanism may successfully use one or more pistons  386  or one or more hydraulic actuators depending on the sizes, weights and geometries of the panels  382 ,  383  and other components. Further, certain elements are removed from  FIG. 16  as compared to, for example,  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 3  so as to simplify the discussion of the mechanism of lifting the floor  382  and seat  383 . 
         [0103]    In  FIG. 15 , while one or more pistons  386  may move the seat panel  383 , it is possible to construct the gear structures  392 ,  393  such that the piston  386  may be attached to the floor panel  382  which in turn, through one or more chains, moves the seat panel  383 . However, such alternative arrangement requires that the piston  386  move through a larger range of motion to obtain a same result—moving the floor panels  382 ,  383  from a submerged position inside the spa to level with the rest of the surrounding floor  362  such as is shown in a front perspective view in  FIG. 13 . In yet another embodiment, one or more pistons  386  may operate multiple gear structures and one or more chains to lift any number of positions of floor panels  382 ,  383  by way of chains only and not as directly attached directly to the pistons  386 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 16  is an illustration of the cross-sectional view of an alternative configuration or position of the components first shown in  FIG. 15  with the floor  382  in a second position: level with the rest of the surrounding floor or floor panels  362 . In  FIG. 16 , the floor of the space that includes the spa has been closed up by extension of the one or more pistons  386  that have moved the seat panels  383  and, indirectly, the floor panels  382 , into place. Just a bit of the pistons  386  remain in the hydraulic housing  388 . The lateral walls  385  and the back wall  103  of the spa are visible and are now beneath a firm floor made of panels  382 ,  383 ,  108  and  362 . The frame for the seat panels  383  has attached thereto one end of the first chain  390  at a position  395  indicated. The weight  391  on the other end of the first chain  390  has been raised up. The gear components  392 ,  393  have operated and transferred the motion of the first chain  390  to the second chain  394 . The second weight  395  on the end of the second chain  394  has sunk to the bottom of the basin as the chain  394  has been passed over the second gear component  393 . The other end of the second chain  394  is attached to the post  389 . The scupper  102  has captured excess water that has been brought up by the floor panels  382  and seat panels  383 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0105]    In the previous description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the components. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the description can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures, devices, systems and methods are shown only in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure. 
         [0106]    Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment or implementation of the technology. Appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments. 
         [0107]    It will be evident that the various modification and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit of the description. In this technology, advancements are frequent and further advancements are not easily foreseen. The disclosed embodiments may be readily modifiable in arrangement and detail as facilitated by enabling technological advancements without departing from the principles of the present disclosure.