Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a water feature in a spa/pool/hot-tub (“spa”) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flume developer having internal dimensions that generate a water pressure from a water flow received from a water source associated with the spa. The flume developer further includes a head assembly having one or more apertures through which the water feature is produced based on the water pressure. The flume developer further includes a flange configured to abut against an outer surface of the spa. The flume developer is interchangeable in a water feature device body connected to the water source. A light source can be provided to illuminate the water feature.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Water features such as fountains and waterfalls have become popular in landscapes, both for their aesthetics and ability to improve property values. Some water feature products can be easily added to an existing landscape design. For example, a landscape can include a spa/hot tub/pool (referred to generally herein as “spa”) that provides a water feature.  
         [0002]     Conventional spa-based water features operate using pumps and controls built into the spa. These water features come in a variety of shapes, sizes, costs and complexities, but are typically pre-built into the design of a spa and have a fixed water flow for producing a predictable look and sound. Once installed, typical water features cannot be changed or modified.  
         [0003]     Presently, to achieve a different look and/or sound from a spa-based water feature, an existing water feature must be removed and another unique feature provided in its place. Such a limitation in existing spa-based water features creates a large number of parts and processes to control and service, and limits a user&#39;s choices in the style and aesthetics of the water feature.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     An apparatus for producing a water feature in spa is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a flume developer having internal dimensions that generate a water pressure from a water flow received from a water source associated with the spa. The flume developer further includes a head assembly having one or more apertures through which the water feature is produced based on the water pressure. The flume developer further includes a flange configured to abut against an outer surface of the spa. The flume developer is interchangeable in a water feature device body connected to the water source. A light source can be provided to illuminate the water feature.  
         [0005]     In accordance with another embodiment, a device for providing a water feature integrated with a spa shell includes an inlet configured to connect to a water outlet associated with the spa shell. The inlet is connected to a channel for receiving a water flow from the water outlet, the channel being sized and shaped to produce a water pressure from the water flow. The device further includes an interchangeable flume developer connected with the channel. The flume developer includes one or more apertures sized and positioned to produce a desired water feature from the water pressure.  
         [0006]     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a spa with a water feature system.  
         [0009]     FIGS.  2 A-C show various views of a multi-body water feature device in accordance with one embodiment.  
         [0010]     FIGS.  3 A-C show various views of a uni-body water feature device in accordance with an alternative embodiment.  
         [0011]     FIGS.  4 A-C show cross-sectional and top views of various embodiments of a flume developer. 
     
    
       [0012]     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]     A water feature device and system are disclosed, in which the visual and auditory effects of the water feature can be dynamically controlled.  FIG. 1  illustrates a spa  100  having a spa shell  102  integrated with a water feature system  104 . The water feature system  104  produces a water feature  106 , depicted in  FIG. 1  as a spout or stream of water much like a fountain. The water feature system  104  is configured for being controlled to dynamically produce a number of variable water features  106  for a variety of visual and auditory effects.  
         [0014]     FIGS.  2 A-C show respective exploded perspective, exploded front and assembled views of a multi-body water feature device  200  in accordance with an embodiment. The multi-body implementation allows for flexibility in manufacturing and installation in a spa. The water feature device  200  includes a flume developer  202  having one or more apertures for producing a flume or flow of water that exits the device  200 . The device  200  calms water and removes turbulence as the water enters the flume developer  202 , producing a laminar flow of water for a consistently-shaped but dynamically controlled water feature design. Any water feature and design thereof can be illuminated by the water feature device  200 .  
         [0015]     The flume developer  202  is an interchangeable piece that is specifically shaped and formed and includes a flume outlet to produce a unique water feature. For example, the flume developer  202  can have a number of apertures that are sized to produce a specific size and shape of a water feature component. The flume developer  202  can be made of a translucent material to allow light from a light assembly in the water feature device  200  to mix with the shaped water feature design. The designs can be quickly changed to a user&#39;s preferences or desires.  
         [0016]     In a specific exemplary embodiment, the flume developer  202  includes one or more rotating parts that creates a shaped water design that moves or appears to “dance.” The flume developer  202  includes a channel  203  that feeds water to the one or more apertures in the flume developer  202 . The channel  203  can be conical, as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , or may be hemispherical, cylindrical, or any other shape. The channel  203  is configured to optimize the water pressure and flow to the apertures of the flume developer  202 , aid in the creation of laminar flow to ensure consistent operating pressures within the flume developer  202 , and help create the specific desired water feature design. The channel  203  is provided within a body section  209  that can include an attachment mechanism, such as grooves, to which a cap  204  and flange  206  can be attached for securing the flume developer  202  and channel  203  in place.  
         [0017]     The water feature device  200  is held in place and sealed to a spa shell  207  by the cap  204 , which also holds the flume developer  202  to the rest of the water feature body  201 . The cap  204  is interchangeable and can include large finger grooves and texture to allow ease of installation and removal of the cap  204 . An O-ring  206  seals the flume developer  202  to the rest of the water feature body  201  and the cap  204  and/or underside of the spa shell  207 . The O-ring  206  is compressed between the cap  204  and the water feature body  201 .  
         [0018]     A bottom nut  208  tightens the water feature body  201  against a chosen surface, such as the interior surface of the spa shell  207 . The bottom nut  208  applies compression against a gasket  205  and the spa shell  207 . The bottom nut  208  is connected to a T-section  214  of tubing, having an inlet connected to a water source and an outlet connected to the body section  209  or channel  203 . The multi-body implementation allows for connecting the T-section  214  to a wide range of sizes of spa pumps or jets, which permits a greater variety of flume developer designs.  
         [0019]     The water feature device  200  may be provided with a light source to illuminate water in the device  200  and the water feature produced thereby. The illumination source can include a light attachment  210  having a light source such as a band of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light types. The illumination source can also include a lens  212 . Either the lens  212  or the light attachment  210  can form the bottom of the water feature device  200 , and therefore can be provided with an attachment mechanism such as threading for being screwed onto the T-section  214 . The light attachment  210  can include controls for adjusting the lighting intensity and/or color, to produce any type of lighting pattern or intensity.  
         [0020]     FIGS.  3 A-C show respective exploded perspective, exploded front and assembled views of a uni-body implementation of a water feature device  300  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The uni-body implementation of the water feature device  300  includes many similar components as the multi-body implementation, although the body section and T-section are integrated in a unified body section  302 . The body section  302  is secured in place by a gasket  304  that fits onto a tinnerman  306 , which in turn secures the device  300  to the top surface of the spa shell  307  when a bottom nut  308  is tightened against the bottom of the bottom surface of the spa shell.  
         [0021]     A light assembly  312  can be attached directly to the body section  302 . The light assembly  312  may include a light source and guiding implements such as lenses, mirrors, etc. The light assembly  312  can be attached to the body section  302  by threading, although other mechanisms for attaching the light assembly may also be used, such as snapping the light assembly  312  in place, glue, or other means.  
         [0022]     A water feature device in accordance with embodiments described herein can include a water pumping or water-impelling source. In one exemplary embodiment, an energy efficient, silent magnetic-drive, high volume pump is used, which minimizes interfering noise and costs. In another exemplary embodiment, a metering assembly can be used that tunes the hydraulic output of the pump to the proscribed flows and pressures dictated by the individual flume developers. The metering assembly allows for a large variation of flume developers, whereby input hydraulic pressures can be matched and balanced to the individual flume developer output and desired water feature production.  
         [0023]     FIGS.  4 A-C show cross-sectional and top views of several exemplary embodiments of a flume developer. In  FIG. 4A , a flume developer  400  includes a conical channel  401  leading to a number of apertures  403  provided in a head assembly  405  mounted on a flange  407 . The flange  407  is configured to abut against the spa shell. The apertures  403  can be formed at an angle or vertical through the head assembly  405 . The hydraulic pressure in the channel  401  can produce a long, narrow flume of water out of each aperture  403 . As described above, the head assembly  405  may be rotatably mounted on the flange  407 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 4B  shows an another embodiment of a flume developer  402 , in which a channel  411  is shaped as a flattened cone, leading to an elongated aperture  413  provided on a head assembly  415 . The head assembly  415  is mounted on a flange  417 , in various ways as described above with respect to  FIG. 4A . The aperture  413  is formed to produce a flattened stream of water that can be angled to any direction.  FIG. 4C  shows yet another alternative flume developer  404  having a shortened, cylindrical channel  421 , and a head assembly  425  having a number of large, circular apertures  423 . The flume developer  404  is configured to produce a low pressure flow to create a soft, cascading flow of water and a “babbling brook” sound. The apertures and channels of any flume developer can be formed of any number of sizes and shapes to produce a particular desired water feature.  
         [0025]     The water feature device can be used while a spa is occupied. To change a water feature design, a user can remove a flume developer and install another in its place. This interchangeability allows the user to personalize the spa by changing the visual, audio and mood (total look and feel) of the water feature.  
         [0026]     The base platform and the modular design of the flume developer allows for a large number of shaped water design variations. The quality of the aesthetics offered by the water feature device described herein, including a built-in lighting system, allows the spa to become the center or focal point of a landscape setting or design. Each unique flume developer can create a different water design of variable height and intensity. The user can select between various flume developers to suit their personalities or needs.  
         [0027]     The water feature device is a through-wall system that can be easily mounted on the spa shell. The water feature body can be easily installed in a spa using standard hole saws and manufacturing processes. The small footprint of the water feature device allows it to be easily adapted to existing spas as well as new spa designs.  
         [0028]     Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.