Abstract:
A spa speaker system having a housing with a speaker mounted therein, wherein the housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a spa. The speaker system is arranged at an angle within the housing, and is rotatable with respect to the hole. The system can also comprise a watertight membrane arranged to prevent water and contaminants from interfering with speaker components. A system for providing audio to a spa is also disclosed. The system comprises a spa having walls and at least one speaker unit mounted in a spa wall. Each of the speaker units is capable of receiving an audio signal, and generating sound towards the occupants of the spa. Each of the speaker units comprises a speaker that is individually rotatable and arranged at an angle to direct the sound.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/791,041 to Schmidt et al., which was filed on Apr. 10, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to speaker systems, and more particularly to speaker systems used in spas and recess mounted in a spa wall. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Recreational or therapeutic reservoirs of water such as pools, spas, bathtubs and the like (collectively referred to as “spas” or “spa”) are more commonly being constructed with features such as televisions and audio systems. For the occupants of the spa to hear the television or audio system, a number of speakers can be included around the spa, with a common location for the speakers being the edge of the spa above the waterline. The speakers are arranged so that the sound they produce is directed toward the spa occupants and can be heard over the noise of the spa&#39;s plumbing system. 
         [0006]    One conventional way of mounting speaker systems around the edge of spas having Acrylic or fiberglass spa bodies is to form “ears” or extensions in the spa body and to mount a respective speaker in each of the ears. The ears may be formed during the spa fabrication process to provide fixed and permanent housings for the speakers. The ears are usually arranged around the edge of the spa and extend above the edge, with a typical location being in the corners of a rectangular or square spa. When the speakers are installed in the ears, their sound is directed in toward the spa occupants. One example of these ears may be purchased in the Excalibur series spas available from Dynasty Spas of Athens, Tenn. 
         [0007]    Other spa speaker systems have been developed with speaker housings that extend from the top edge of the spa during use and can then be retracted below the edge when not in use. Holes are formed in the surface of the spa shell around the edge of the spa and the speakers are mounted within the holes. When the speaker housings are fully retracted, their top surfaces are substantially flush with the surface of the spa. The speaker housings may be restored to their non-retracted operating position with the force of an air pump/cylinder, hydraulic system or electric hoist, all of which are usually housed behind the wall of the spa body and push the speakers up from the bottom. The speakers may be connected to a common air or hydraulic driving system so that the air or hydraulic extenders may be simultaneously actuated to simultaneously extend the speaker housings. One example of such a system may be purchased from Cal Spas of Pomona, Calif. 
         [0008]    In these types of speaker systems each speaker can require its own air, hydraulic or electronic actuator, and at least one actuator driving system. The actuators and their driving systems can add significant cost and complexity. The space behind the wall of a spa is also often at a premium, particularly for portable spas. The plumbing and electrical systems consume much of the space behind the spa wall, leaving little space for speakers. Speaker systems with air, hydraulic or electrical actuators can consume precious space behind the spa wall. 
         [0009]    Conventional spa speaker systems also produce a fixed sound pattern that can vary from location to location within the spa, producing a good audio experience for some of the spa occupants but a poor one for others. Furthermore, when an occupant changes his or her location within the spa the sound quality can also change, forcing him or her to choose between a desired spot in the spa and a desired sound quality. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention seeks to provide a spa speaker system that consumes less space behind the wall of a spa, is less complex and less costly. The invention also seeks to provide a speaker system that is relatively easy to install and use, with each individual speaker unit being easily rotated and angled to customize sound direction. 
         [0011]    One embodiment of a spa speaker according to the present invention comprises a spa speaker having a housing with the speaker mounted therein. The housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a spa, with the majority of the housing arranged below the topmost surface of the wall. The speaker system is rotatable relative to the hole, allowing spa occupants to control the direction of the sound. Further, the speaker may be covered by a membrane to protect the speaker from water and other contaminants 
         [0012]    One embodiment for providing audio to a reservoir of water according to the invention comprises a reservoir having a wall and at least one speaker system mounted in the wall. The system also comprises at least one speaker system, each with a housing having a speaker mounted therein. The housing is mounted within a hole in the wall of a reservoir, with the majority of the housing arranged below the topmost surface of the wall. Each speaker system is rotatable relative to its hole, allowing spa occupants to control the direction of the sound of each speaker system. Each of the speaker systems is capable of receiving an audio signal either electronically or wirelessly. 
         [0013]    These and further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the features of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spa speaker system according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the spa speaker system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the spa speaker system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the spa speaker system in  FIG. 1 , taken along section lines  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a spa speaker system according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the spa speaker system shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the spa speaker system shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the spa speaker system shown in  FIG. 6 , taken along section lines  8 - 8 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spa according to the present invention having a plurality of spa speaker systems according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention relates generally to speakers arranged in a spa, pool, hot tub, or indoor spa tub (“spa”) that provides audio to the spa occupants. The spa speaker system comprises a speaker housing that is mounted in a hole in the spa wall, with a speaker arranged to project sound to the spa occupants. In one embodiment this is accomplished by arranging the speaker housing in a hole in the spa wall, with the majority of the spa speaker behind or below the spa wall. The spa speaker can be arranged at an angle within the speaker housing, with a suitable angle being approximately 45 degrees. It is understood, however, that the speaker can be held at many other angles. In some embodiments the angle of the speaker can be adjusted. The spa speaker system can also include a membrane that can be arranged in many different ways to protect the speaker from liquids or other contaminants, and in particular from spa water. In some embodiments, the spa has a membrane covering the speaker, with the membrane made of a material to protect the speaker while not interfering with the sound it produces. In some embodiments the membrane has a watertight seal over the speaker to protect it. A drainage hole can be included to allow liquids and other contaminants to pass out of the spa speaker system. In other embodiments, the membrane can be arranged to cover the spa wall hole to protect the spa speaker. 
         [0024]    It is understood that spa speaker systems according to the present invention can also be located either partially or fully below the waterline. In these embodiments the membrane forms a watertight seal to prevent water from interfering with or damaging the speaker. In the above or below water speakers, the membrane can be arranged to form a watertight seal over the front of the speaker or over the spa hole. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of a spa speaker system  10  according to the present invention. A spa hole  12  (shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is formed in the spa shell through the spa wall  14 , with the hole  12  having the appropriate size to hold speaker housing  16 . The spa hole  12  can be formed in many different locations on the spa wall  14 , but is preferably formed in a horizontal surface above the spa&#39;s waterline. 
         [0026]    The speaker system  10  further comprises a speaker  18  (shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) mounted within the speaker housing  16  at an angle to project sound to the spa occupants, such as at an approximately 45 degree angle. The speaker  18  can be fixedly mounted at an angle or can be movably mounted so that the angle can be adjusted within the speaker housing  16 . Different speakers can be used such as conventional indoor speakers, outdoor speakers, or marine rated speakers. The speaker  18  can be mounted within the housing in many different arrangements, with the speaker  18  preferably mounted within a speaker housing opening  20 . The speaker  18  is held within the opening using conventional methods, such as by screws, and a sealant (not shown) can be included between the speaker  18  and the speaker housing  16 , around the opening  20 . The sealant provides a watertight seal between the speaker  18  and the housing  16 , with suitable sealants being silicones and epoxies, or sealing devices such as O-rings or gaskets. Most of the speaker  18  is below the opening  20  which allows for convenient electrical connection during installation. 
         [0027]    The speaker system further comprises a membrane  22  covering the front of the speaker  18 , with the membrane being thick and robust enough to protect the speaker  18  from liquid and contaminants, while at the same time being thin and flexible enough to allow sound from the speaker  18  to pass. The membrane  22  can be made of many different materials of different thickness, with a preferred material being a thin Mylar sheathe. The membrane  22  should be mounted over the front of the speaker  18  with a watertight seal between the two. This can be accomplished using different adhesives, such as glues or epoxies. Alternatively, the speaker system  10  can comprise a speaker cover  24  sized to fit over and be mounted to the front of the speaker  18 . The outside edge of the membrane  22  can be sandwiched between the outside edge of the speaker cover  24  and the outside edge of the speaker  18  to mount the membrane with a watertight seal. In still other embodiments, the membrane can be formed as part of an injection molded plastic ring. The ring should be sized to be sandwiched between the edge of the speaker cover  24  and the edge of the speaker front to form a watertight seal. The speaker cover  24  further comprises holes to allow sound to pass from the speaker  18  through the speaker cover  24 . 
         [0028]    The speaker system  10  can also be rotatable to allow for the spa occupants to adjust the direction that the speakers project. The spa speaker system  10  can be mounted to the spa hole in many different ways using different mechanisms. In the embodiment shown, the speaker housing  16  had a radial lip  26  around its upper edge, with the lip  26  having a larger diameter than the spa hole  12 . This arrangement allows the speaker housing  16  to rest in spa hole  12 , with the lip  26  on the spa wall  14 . A set ring  28  is mounted over the lip  26  and to the spa wall, preferably by mounting screws  30  that pass into the spa wall outside the lip  26 . The trim ring  32  can be included for aesthetics, to cover the set ring  28  and the mounting screws  30 . 
         [0029]    The speaker housing  16  can be rotated under the set ring  28  and trim ring  32 , with the set ring holding the speaker housing  16  in the spa hole  12 . The lip  26  can have a rotation finger  34  that can be moved to move the speaker housing. Both the set ring  28  and trim ring  32  are divided into front and back portions. The front portion of both provide a space between them and the spa wall  14 , to allow the finger  34  to pass under when rotating the speaker housing. The back portion of both extends down so that there is no space between them and the spa wall  14 . This allows for the set ring  28  to be firmly mounted to the spa wall, and also provides a blocking point to prevent the finger  34  from being rotated too far in either direction. The set ring  28  and trim ring  32  can be arranged to allow different rotation ranges for the finger  34 , with a suitable range being approximately 180 degrees. When the finger  34  is rotated, the speaker housing  16  and its speaker  18  are also rotated for controlling the direction of speaker sound projection. It is understood, however, that speaker systems according to the present invention can also be arranged to have a smaller range of rotation or to have a range of rotation beyond 180 degrees. For the larger ranges of motion, the systems allow the speaker housing to be rotated to project sound in a direction outside of the spa. 
         [0030]    It is understood that the finger  34  can have different shapes and sizes and can be located on other parts of the spa speaker system. Spa speaker systems according to the present invention can also have other features that allow for rotation by the spa occupants. One of these alternative features comprises scallops on the spa housing that allow spa occupants to grasp the spa housing and turn it. 
         [0031]    The speaker system  10 , further comprises a drainage hole  36  that can be in different locations, but is preferably at the base of the speaker housing  16 . The drainage hole  36  allows liquids and other contaminants to drain or fall out of the speaker housing  16 . The drainage hole  36  can also be arranged with an extension  38  away from the housing which allows for a conduit (not shown) to be attached. The conduit can direct the liquids or contaminants to a desired deposit location, such as an outside drain. For speaker systems that are submerged, drainage holes are not necessary. 
         [0032]    In operation, the speaker  18  in each speaker system  10  can be electrically connected to sound generating systems such as radios, televisions, DVD players, cassette players, MP3 players, etc. This electrical connection causes the speaker to generate sound in response to the signal provided at the connection. The sound is projected toward the spa occupants in a direction dependant upon the rotation orientation of the speaker housing  16 . When water or other contaminants enter the speaker housing  16 , and in particular spa water, the speaker is protected by the membrane  22  so that the speaker continues to project sound and is not muffled by the water. The liquid/contaminants run out of the spa housing  16 , through the drainage hole  36 . The membrane also vibrates in response to the speaker vibrations, which can cause remaining droplets of water or contaminants to jump off the membrane, to preferably pass through the drainage hole. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5-8  show another embodiment of a speaker system  50  according to the present invention that is arranged similar to the system  10  in  FIGS. 1-4 . It comprises a similar spa hole  52  in the spa wall  54 . A speaker housing  56  is rotatably held in the spa hole  52  with a speaker  58  held at an angle within an opening  60  in the housing  56 . The speaker housing has a lip  62  resting on the spa wall  54 , with a set ring  64  holding the lip  62  in place (best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). A trim ring  66  can also be included over set ring  64 , with the set ring and trim ring  66  having front and back portions arranged to limit the rotation of the speaker housing  56 . The lip  62  also has a rotation finger  68  to allow the spa occupants to control the projection direction of the speaker  58  by moving the rotation finger  68 . 
         [0034]    The system  50 , however, has a spa hole cover  70  instead of a speaker cover. As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the spa hole cover  70  has a diameter larger than the top spa housing opening  72 , and is held in place by being sandwiched between the trim ring  66  and the edge of the top spa housing opening  72 . A membrane  74  is arranged over the top spa housing opening  72  either extending across the opening  72  or by having it affixed to the backside of the spa hole cover  70 . The membrane  74  can be made of many different materials similar to those for member  22  in system  10 , with a suitable material being a Mylar sheathe. The spa hole cover  70  has holes to allow sound to pass through from the speaker  58 . The membrane  74  prevents liquids and other contaminants from entering the spa speaker housing  56  through the spa hole cover. Because the membrane prevents all or most liquids and contaminants from entering the speaker housing  56 , no drainage hole is needed. 
         [0035]    The speaker system  50  operates in much the same way as speaker system  10 , and is electrically connected to a sound generating system. The speaker housing  56  can be rotated to control the direction of the speakers by moving rotation finger  68 . 
         [0036]    The components for speaker systems  10  and  50  can be formed using known methods and can be formed of known materials. For example, the components other that the membrane and speaker can be formed from a water impervious plastic such as ABS, PVC or CPVC and can be fabricated using standard injection molding techniques. The speaker system uses commercially available speakers, and the membrane can be made of the materials mentioned above and can be arranged within the speaker system as described above. 
         [0037]    Speakers according to the present invention provide a number of advantages. By using the speaker arrangement, the spa shell does not need specially formed ears or extensions to hold the speakers. Instead, speakers according to the present invention can be installed in the spa wall of most conventional spas. In operation, the speaker system is below the spa wall, which can help avoid damage to the spa speaker system. The speaker systems do not extend from the spa wall such that there are no extension mechanisms that can add cost and complexity. The holes in the spa wall can be formed using conventional cutting methods, and the holes can be formed at different steps in the spa manufacturing process. For example, in custom spas the holes can be formed late in the manufacturing process to allow for customer preferences. The invention also allows for the same spas shells to be used for spas not having sound systems and those that do, which can simplify the manufacturing process and can reduce cost. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a spa  80  with a number of speaker systems  82  according to the present invention, each of which is arranged on horizontal surface  84  that runs around the edge of spa  80  that is above the waterline. Each speaker system  82  comprises a hole in surface  84  sized to accept the speaker housing of each speaker system  82 . It is understood that speaker systems  82  according to the present invention may also be arranged at different locations and can be included in other reservoirs of water such as pools, hot tubs or bathtubs. 
         [0039]    Spa  80  also comprises a plumbing system  86  that can include pumps, filters and conduits. An audio system  86  generates an audio signal to be transmitted to each of the speaker systems  82 , such as over speaker cable  83 . As discussed above, the audio system may be any apparatus that generates an audio signal including but not limited to television, compact disc player, receiver, cassette player, DVD player, MP3 player, etc. In other embodiments according to the present invention, the connection between audio system  86  and each of the speaker systems  82  can be wireless. Each of the speaker systems  82  can contain a wireless receiver that allows access to wireless transmissions, and converts the accessed transmission into sound to be directed into spa  80 . Audio system can include a transmitter for generating wireless transmission for broadcast to the speaker systems  82 . Audio system can be attached to spa  80 , or can be positioned near the spa as long as speaker systems  82  are within effective broadcast range of audio system&#39;s wireless transmission. 
         [0040]    Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred configurations, other versions are possible. Different components may be used in speaker systems according to the invention and the speaker system components may be arranged in different ways. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the preferred version as described above.