Patent Publication Number: US-2007118983-A1

Title: Portable spa

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/597,414, which was filed on Nov. 29, 2005. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      N/A  
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The invention relates to a portable spa featuring centralized mounting of the various spa components. More specifically, the invention provides a portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a mounting tray for connection of the various spa components, including the ozonator, heater, control panel, and electrical connection interface, in one location.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Portable spas, or hot tubs as they are also referred to, are well-known and can be found in both residential and commercial settings. While such conventional portable spas provide some benefits, they nevertheless have certain limitations. For example, the various components that are utilized to operate the spa, such as an ozonator, heater and control panel, are mounted throughout a cavity between the spa shell and the enclosure. As a result, a significant amount of conduit, lines and piping are needed to interconnect the various components. In addition, the mounting of these components in various locations of the cavity significantly increases the manufacturing and assembly costs, as measured from material and labor standpoints. Furthermore, residential owners of conventional spas find diagnostic and maintenances tasks to be difficult and time consuming, and prefer to have a service technician address the task, despite the associated costs and the delay resulting from the time required for the technician to travel to the owner&#39;s location. Thus, conventional spas suffer from a number of limitations as reflected in the manufacturing and servicing deficiencies.  
      The present invention is provided to solve the limitations of conventional portable spas discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior portable spas. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which precedes with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to a portable spa featuring centralized mounting of the spa components. More specifically, the invention provides a portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a support tray for mounting of the various spa components, including the ozonator, heater, control panel, and electrical connection interface. The tray is mounted to a support frame within a cavity of the spa by fasteners that extend through a peripheral flange of the tray. Exterior panels removably enclose the cavity and the mounting tray.  
      According to an aspect of the invention, the tray includes an arrangement of bays or receptacles, wherein each bay is specifically dimensioned to receive a particular spa component. A force fit is utilized to secure a component within a bay, wherein the force fit requires the bay to have dimensions, such as a periphery, that slightly exceeds dimensions of the component, such as the component periphery. The bay arrangement includes a first bay that receives an electrical connection interface box or junction box. The mounting tray also includes a second bay that receives the control panel, a third bay that receives an ozonator, and a fourth bay that receives a heater and valves. The bays comprise a side wall arrangement and a rear wall that results in the bay being cooperatively dimensioned with the component to achieve the force fit. The bays are arrayed about a central portion and are recessed from the central portion of the tray.  
      According to an other aspect of the invention, the mounting tray has an articulated rear surface resulting from the first, second, third and fourth bays. Because the bays extend rearward from the central portion, the respective rear walls are positioned rearward or behind the central portion and the flange. In an installed position, the flange resides in a first plane that is inward of a reference plane in which the exterior panel resides, the central portion resides in a second plane that is inward of the first plane, and the rear wall of the second bay resides in a third plane that is inward of the second plane.  
      Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art portable spa, showing various spa operating components scattered throughout the spa cavity;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portable spa of the invention, showing a mounting tray and operating components connected thereto;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mounting tray, showing the operating components secured within bays of the mounting tray;  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the mounting tray, showing the operating components exploded from the mounting tray;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a front side of the mounting tray;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a rear side of the mounting tray; and,  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-section of the mounting tray taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 , showing the mounting tray and the operating components in an installed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
       FIG. 1  depicts a conventional portable spa  500  that includes an external support frame  510  for a spa shell or tub  512 , wherein a cavity  514  is defined there between. In general terms, the external support frame  510  comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members  516  and vertical frame members  517  to which the various operational components  515  that are utilized to operate the spa  500  are coupled. These operational components  515  include an ozonator  518  mounted to an upper horizontal member  516  in one region of the cavity  514 , and an electrical connection interface  520  mounted to another horizontal member  516  in a second region of the cavity  514 . A control panel  522  is mounted next to the ozonator  518  in a third region of the cavity  514 , while a heater  524  and the associated piping reside in a fourth region of the cavity  514  between the ozonator  518  and the electrical interface  514 . Because the components  515  are scattered within the cavity  514 , a multitude of lines and piping/conduits run between the components  515  and thereby consume considerable space within the cavity  514 . The assembly of the conventional spa  500  is both time consuming and inefficient for a number of reasons, including the fact that the components  515  are mounted in various locations throughout the cavity  514 . In addition, running and securing connection lines and conduits between the dispersed components increases the assembly time and costs.  
      A number of side panels  526  are removably affixed to the support frame  510  to enclose the cavity  514  and the operational components  515  therein. To access the various components  515  within the cavity  514  for diagnostic or servicing purposes, the spa owner and/or the service technician must remove the side panels  526 . Many residential owners of conventional spas  500  find this task to be very time consuming and/or unappealing, and prefer to have such a service technician address the task despite the associated costs of a service visit. Even if the owner is willing to remove the side panels  526 , the owner still faces the daunting task of searching the cavity  514  to find and assess the particular component  515  that is malfunctioning. Thus, the conventional spa  500  suffers from a number of deficiencies that adversely affect the assembly, long-term use, enjoyment and servicing of the spa  500 .  
       FIGS. 2-7  provide a portable spa  10  of the invention that includes a centralized mounting system  12  for the various spa components  14 . The spa or hot tub  10  includes a support frame  16  for a spa shell or tub  18  and a cavity  20  defined there between. A removable cover  21  that fits over the shell  18  may be utilized when the spa  10  is not in use (see  FIG. 2 ). As explained in greater detail below, the mounting system  12  comprises a mounting tray  22  that is affixed to a portion of the frame  16  and which contains a number of bays  24  that are cooperatively dimensioned to receive a particular component  14 . The tray  22  may be injection molded from a polymer, or thermoformed from a plastic sheet. In contrast to conventional hot tubs  500  where the components  515  are scattered throughout the cavity  514 , the mounting system  12  provides the inventive spa  10  with centralized mounting and connection of the various components  14 . This aspect provides numerous benefits, including but not limited to, reduced assembly time of the spa  10  since the components  14  are affixed to a centralized location, instead of being scattered throughout the cavity  20 . Material costs are also reduced because fewer connectors are required to secure the various spa components  14 , and shorter lines and conduits  26  are needed between the components  14  and the tub  18 . Furthermore, the time and cost to perform diagnostic and maintenance tasks are reduced since the spa owner and/or service technician perform such tasks at a single location—the mounting tray  22 . In contrast, those maintaining and servicing the conventional spa  500  of  FIG. 1  must proceed through a time consuming process that includes removing a number of side panels  524  and then working their way through the cavity  514  to find, evaluate and fix or replace the faulty component(s)  515 .  
      In an installed position PI of  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the mounting tray  22  is securedly connected to the support frame  16  and the spa components  14  are affixed to the mounting tray  22  for operation of the spa  10 . The mounting tray  22  is connected to an upper header  27  and a lower footer  28 , and between two vertical members  30  of the support frame  16  by fasteners  31 . In one embodiment where the header  26 , footer  28  and vertical members  30  are fabricated from wood, the fasteners  31  are elongated screws. Preferably, the fasteners  31  extend through a peripheral region or flange  32  of the mounting tray  22 . In most embodiments, the spa  10  has a substantially square or rectangular configuration, wherein the cavity  20  resides between the tub  18  and the support frame  16 . Thus, the cavity  20  has a configuration that corresponds to the overall configuration of the spa  10 . To enclose the cavity  20 , a plurality of removable panels  34  are connected to the support frame  16 , including external to the mounting tray  22 . The support frame  16  and the panels  34  collectively define an enclosure about the spa shell  18 . Those panels  34  about the mounting tray  22  are adapted to provide access to the spa components  14  for diagnostic and/or servicing purposes. For example, hinges or sliding tracks can be utilized to allow for movement of those panels  34  in order to expose the mounting tray and spa components  14 . Instead of the panel  34 , a protective casing may enclose the tray  22  and the various components  14 . The casing may include an opaque portion and a transparent portion, where the latter portion allows the owner and/or service personnel to observe the operating parameters of specific components  14 . Preferably, the casing is moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the components  14  are accessible. A shroud, residing within the cavity  20 , may extend rearward from the mounting tray  22  to enclose the area between the support frame  16  and the tray  22 . Preferably, the shroud is formed from plastic and improves the aesthetic appearance of the area about the tray  22 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2-7 , the mounting tray  22  includes an arrangement of bays or receptacles  24 , wherein each bay  24  is specifically dimensioned to receive a particular spa component  14  for connection of the component  14  to the tray  22 . In one embodiment, a force fit is utilized to secure a component  14  within a bay  24 , wherein the force fit requires the bay  24  to have dimensions, such as a periphery, that slightly exceeds dimensions of the component  14 , such as its periphery. Unlike interference fits, the force fit between the bay  24  and the component  14  does not require the component  14  to overlap the bay  24 . The force fit of a component  14  within a bay  24  obviates the need to use specialized tools to install or mount components  14 . Moreover, a component  14  can be un-plugged and then easily removed from the respective bay  24  by hand, which increases the efficiency of installing replacement components  14 . Preferably, each bay  24  is configured and sized to receive a single type of components  14 , for example, a control panel, ozonator, a heater, or an electrical connection box or interface. More preferably, each bay  24  is configured and sized to receive a component  14  supplied by a particular manufacturer. Accordingly, the bays  24  can be configured to receive components  14  from original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”), and not non-OEM components which may suffer in quality and performance. OEM components  14  are preferred because they have been reviewed and approved by third-party compliance certifiers, such as UL, CE or ETL. Because the bays  24  are configured to receive OEM components  14 , the likelihood that a service technician fabricates a mount or sub-mount for non-OEM components, often referred to as a “work-around,” is significantly reduced. In the context of replacing components, this cooperative dimensioning of the bay  24  ensures that the owner or service technician only installs the appropriate component to the tray  22 . Further, a manufacturer may tailor the performance characteristics of each component  14  for specific trays  22  to extend the operational life of the component  14 .  
      The bay arrangement  24  includes a first bay  36  that receives an electrical connection interface box or junction box  38 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first bay  36  is defined by an arrangement of side walls  40  and a rear wall  42  that collectively form a closed sleeve that secures the junction box  38  in a force fit. While four side walls  40 —a top wall, a left wall, a right wall, and a bottom wall—are shown to combine with the rear wall  42  to form the bay  36 , as few as two side walls  40  may be utilized to form the bay  36 . Thus, at least two side walls  40  are utilized to form the first bay  36 . Alternatively, the rear wall  42  is omitted and the first bay  36  includes only the side walls  40 , wherein the bay  36  has an open-ended sleeve configuration. Because the side walls  40  extend rearward from a central portion  44  of the tray  22 , the first bay  36  is recessed from a central portion  44 , which itself is recessed from the flange  32  that extends along the periphery of the tray  22 . In one embodiment, the first bay  36  is recessed an amount such that a front portion of the junction box  38  resides forward of the central portion  44  and a rear portion of the junction box  38  resides aft or rearward of the central portion  44 . Although not shown, electric leads, such as  220  volt leads, may be connected to the junction box  38  to provide power to the spa  10 . The first bay  36  may include detachable panels or knock-outs  43 , in either the side wall  40  or the rear wall  42 , which provide openings that accommodate the electric leads. As explained above, the junction box  38  is secured within the first bay  36  by a force fit resulting from the cooperative dimensioning between the bay  36  and the box  38 . The bay  36  may include additional means to secure the junction box  38 . The securing means may be an elongated fastener (e.g., a screw or pin), a moveable latch, a deformable finger, or elastomeric seal. The finger flexes to allow for entry of the junction box  38  into the bay  36 , but resists detachment of the box  38 . The seal extends along the periphery of the bay  36  and also flexes to permit reception of the box  38  within the bay  36 .  
      The mounting tray  22  also includes a second bay  46  that receives a control panel  48  in a force fit. Similar to the first bay  36 , the second bay  46  comprises an arrangement of side walls  47  and a rear wall  49  that results in the bay  46  being cooperatively dimensioned with the panel  48  to achieve the force fit. Since the control panel  48  has a generally rectangular shape, the side wall arrangement  47  is similarly shaped and generally comprises a top wall portion, a bottom wall portion, and opposed side portions. As shown in  FIG. 7 , at least a top wall of the arrangement  47  engages an upper surface of the control panel  48  for retention of the panel  48  within the bay  46 . The panel  48  has an overall depth and the bay  46  is preferably configured such that a substantial portion of the panel depth resides within the second bay  46 . The bay  46  may include supplemental engaging walls  49 a extending from either a side wall  47  or a rear wall  49  and that correspond to panel  48  shapes, such as indents or recesses. Because the side walls  47  extend rearward from the central tray portion  44 , the second bay  46  is recessed from the central portion  44 . In one embodiment, the second bay  46  is recessed an amount such that a front portion of the control panel  48  resides forward of the central portion  44  and a rear portion of the control panel  48  resides aft of the central portion  44 . The control panel  48  includes a microcontroller  48   a  for operational control of the spa  10 , including the interaction between the various components  14 . The panel  48  includes interconnection elements or sockets  50  that accept wires  51  that electrically connect the various components  14  to the panel  48 . A peripheral portion  45  of the tray  22  that is located between the flange  32  and the panel  48  includes an opening  45 a (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that accepts the wires  51 . To secure the various wires  51 , a wiring harness or clip may utilized, and the central portion  44  has recessed channels  44 a (see  FIG. 5 ) that accept an extent of the wires  51 . A detachable electric cable  54  extends between the junction box  38  and the control panel  48 , wherein the cable  54  includes a plug  55  that electrically connects with a socket  39  in the box  38 . To interrupt power to the spa  10  for servicing purposes, the spa owner or technician merely un-plugs the cable  54  from the junction box  38 . The bay  46  and/or the panel  48  may include additional means to secure the control panel  48 . The securing means may be a bracket  53  that extends from either the panel  48  or the bay  46  and a fastener (e.g., a screw or pin) extending there through. Additionally, the securing means may be hook and pile material (i.e., Velcro)  37  (see  FIG. 7 ).  
      The control panel  48  may include a monitoring interface  52  that displays the operational condition of the spa  10  and the various components  14 . The interface  52  can display error codes and/or status codes provided by the microcontroller  48   a  to aid with the diagnosis and servicing of the components  14 . The control panel  48  is linked to a controller unit  110  that is mounted in the spa shell  18  and that includes a display window that displays the operational status of the tub  10 . The controller unit  110  also includes means for adjusting the spa operating characteristics, wherein the adjusting means includes an array of buttons, a pointer or a control knob. When an operating parameter falls below a pre-set threshold or a component  14  requires maintenance or replacement, the controller unit  110  may display an error and/or status code. Preferably, the monitoring interface  52  also displays the error and/or status codes. Once the panel  34  is removed to provide access to the tray  22  and the component  14  mounted thereto, the owner or service technician simply un-plugs and removes the malfunctioning component  14  from the respective bay  24 , and inserts a replacement component  14  into the bay  24 , where it is secured therein by the force fit. No special tools are required to conduct the component replacement, which increases the efficiency of the process.  
      In one embodiment, the spa  10 , namely the control panel  48 , includes a wireless communication module  112  linked to the microcontroller  48   a  in the panel  48  to wirelessly communicate with a service center for remote monitoring and alerting. The communication module  112  comprises a transmitter and receiver or combined trans-receiver, and an encoder. When a spa component  14  malfunctions or fails, a notification condition occurs and the control panel  48 , via the wireless module  112 , sends a first wireless signal to the service center alerting qualified personnel of the notification condition. The control panel  48  may send a copy of the first signal to the spa owner&#39;s wireless device, such as a personal digital assistant, to further advise the owner of the notification condition. The service center receives and processes the first signal to assess the notification condition and determine whether a service visit and/or a replacement component  14  is necessary. Assuming that both are needed, the service center sends a second wireless signal to the spa owner&#39;s wireless device to schedule a service visit and/or advise of the shipment of a replacement component  14 . Depending upon the severity of the notification condition, the service center sends a third wireless signal to the control panel  48  to adjust operating parameters to compensate for the component  14  in question, or to cease operation of the spa  10 . The service center sends a fourth wireless signal to a service technician while in the field advising of the spa owner&#39;s location and the notification condition, such that the service technician can be routed directly to the spa  10  for a service visit. Once the service technician confirms receipt of the fourth signal, the service center sends a fifth wireless signal to the spa owner advising of the impending service visit. In the event that the notification condition only requires the shipment of a replacement component  14 , and not a service visit, the service center sends a sixth wireless signal to the control panel  48  and/or the spa owner&#39;s wireless device advising of the shipment of the replacement component  14 . The various signals described in this paragraph can be displayed with text and/or symbols by the monitoring interface  52  and the controller unit  110 . The wireless module in the control panel  48  may utilize a proprietary networking protocol, or use a standard networking control protocol, such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, or IEEE 802.11.  
      The mounting tray  22  further includes a third bay  56  that receives an ozonator  58  in a force fit. Similar to the first and second bays  36 ,  38 , the third bay  56  comprises an arrangement of side walls  57  and a rear wall  59  that results in the bay  56  being cooperatively dimensioned with the ozonator  58  to achieve the force fit. In one embodiment, the third bay  56  is recessed an amount such that a front portion of the ozonator  58  resides forward of the central portion  44  and a rear portion of the ozonator  58  resides aft of the central portion  44 . The bay  56  and/or the ozonator  58  may include additional means to secure the ozonator  58  within the bay  56 . For example, the ozonator  58  has at least one mounting bracket  62  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that is received within a lobe  64  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of the third bay  56 , wherein a fastener (e.g., a screw or pin) joins the two structures.  
      Below the first, second and third bays  36 ,  46 ,  56 , the mounting tray  22  includes a fourth bay  66  that receives a heater element  68 , at least one valve  70  and piping or conduit  72 . In one embodiment, a first valve  70   a  controls the flow of water into the heater  68  and a second valve  70   b  controls the flow of water exiting the heater  68  is provided. Accordingly, the first valve  70   a  and the associated piping  72  form an inlet assembly, and the second valve  70   b  and the associate piping  72  form an exit assembly. Collectively, the heater element  68 , the first and second valves  70   a, b  and the piping  72  form a heater assembly connected to the tray  22  by the fourth bay  66 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the fourth bay  66  extends between the side walls  74  of the mounting tray  22  and includes an opening  76  in each side wall  74  that accepts an extent of the conduit  72 . The fourth bay  66  also includes a rear wall  78 , that is preferably curvilinear, and a bottom wall  80 . At its intermediate portion, the fourth bay  66  has a retaining element  82  extending from the rear and bottom walls  78 ,  80 , and that engages and secures the heater  68  in a force fit. The retaining element  82  features a curvilinear engaging surface  84  and a frontal rib  86  that collectively cradle the generally cylindrical heater  68 . In one embodiment, the rib  86  is resilient and flexes when the heater  68  makes contact with the rib  86  as it is inserted into the bay  66 . Near the ends of the fourth bay  66  and flanking the retaining element  82 , a channel  88  extends upward and towards the first, second and third bays  36 ,  46 ,  56 . Each channel  88  is configured to accommodate the valve  70 , including the lever  71  used to actuate the valve  70 . Preferably, the channel  88  is large enough to allow the spa owner and/or the service technician to grasp and actuate the lever  71 . Accordingly, the levers  71  can be actuated to control water inlet and outlet flow, whereby the heater  68  can be removed, serviced and replaced under a modular approach without removing the associated conduit lines  72  and the valve(s)  70 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  5 , the channel  88  leads to a second opening  90  in the side wall  74 , which accepts the various wires and leads extending between the components  14 . For example, a first wire group  100  extends between the control panel  48  and a pump  94  and through one of the openings  90  (see  FIG. 1 ). Similarly, a second wire group  102  extends through the opening  90 . As such, the openings  90  allow for the interconnection of components  14  mounted in the tray  22  with other components residing in the cavity  20 .  
      As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the mounting tray  22  has an articulated rear surface  92  resulting from the first, second, third and fourth bays  36 ,  46 ,  56 ,  66 . Because the bays  36 ,  46 ,  56 ,  66  extend rearward from the central portion  44 , the respective rear walls  42 ,  49 ,  59 ,  69  are positioned rearward or behind the central portion  44  and the flange  32 . These attributes are depicted in  FIG. 7 , where the tray  22  and some components are in the installed position PI. In the installed position PI, the tray  22  is secured to the support frame  16 , namely the upper header  27  and the lower footer  28 , by fasteners  31  extending through the flange  32 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the flange  32  resides in a first plane that is inward of a reference plane in which the panel  32  resides, the central portion  44  resides in a second plane that is inward of the first plane, and the rear wall  49  of the second bay  46  resides in a third plane that is inward of the second plane. Preferably, the first, second and third planes are substantially vertical planes that are perpendicular to the header  27  and the footer  28 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , both the control panel  48  and the heater  78  reside between the first and third planes. Furthermore, there is an appreciable clearance or gap G between the spa tub  18  and both the components  14  and the rear wall  49 .  
      In another embodiment, tray  22  is mounted horizontally and not vertically as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . In this embodiment, the tray  22  is oriented substantially parallel to the ground supporting the spa  10 , below the tub  18  and within the cavity  20 . The support frame  16  includes a slider mechanism that operably supports the tray  22  such that the tray  22  is horizontally moved between an open position wherein the tray  22  is positioned external to the cavity  20 , and a closed position wherein the tray  22  is positioned within the cavity  20 . In the open position, the components  14  can be mounted to and/or removed from the tray  22 . In the closed position, the components  14  reside within the cavity  20  for operation of the spa  10 . The slider mechanism may include elongated rails that slidingly engage each other to allow for movement between the open and closed positions. The slider mechanism may also include a pivoting mechanism that pivots the tray  22  and the components  14  upward to a generally vertical orientation to facilitate removal and installation of the components  14 .  
      In another embodiment, the tray  22  has a peripheral flange  22  and a central portion  44  residing therein. The central portion  44  includes at least one connector that secures a component  14  to the tray  22 . Unlike the bays  24  described above, the connector extends forward and is not recessed from the central portion  44 . The connector comprises a single bracket member that engages and secures the component  14  to the central portion  44 . The component  14  may feature a housing with a receptacle that receives an extent of the bracket member, and a fastener may be utilized to further secure the component  14 . Alternatively, the connector comprises a bracket assembly that is affixed to a front surface of the central portion  44  and that engages at least one surface of the component  14 . For example, the bracket assembly includes a first L-shaped bracket member and a second L-shaped bracket member, wherein the bracket members are spaced a distance apart to define a cavity cooperatively dimensioned with a component  14 . The component  14 , such as the control panel  48  or the ozonator  58 , is inserted within the cavity whereby the upper and lower bracket members engage portions of the component  14 . When the first and second bracket members are vertically arranged, the first bracket member engages an upper surface of the component  14  and the lower bracket member engages a lower surface of the component  14 . The engagement provided by the first and second bracket members retains the component  14  within the bracket cavity. A fastener, such as a threaded screw, pin or deformable finger, can be implemented to further secure the component  14  within the bracket and to the tray  22 . Because the connector extends from the front surface of the tray  22 , the component  14  also protrudes from or extends forward of the front surface. Preferably, the connector is dimensioned such that an inner surface of the component  14  contacts the front surface of the central portion  44 .  
      Further, the first and second bracket members may be moveable wherein a primary bracket segment pivots or rotates about a secondary bracket segment that remains stationary. In this manner, the bracket member is moveable between an open position wherein the primary bracket segment is positioned to allow for insertion of the component  14  into the cavity, and a closed position wherein the primary bracket segment is pivoted into engagement with the component  14 . The bracket segments may be spring loaded and include cooperative engaging structures, such as teeth or textured surfaces, that enhance the securement of the component  14 . In a most preferred embodiment, the central portion  44  includes a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector is dimensioned to engage and secure a particular type of component  14 , such as the electrical interconnection interface  38 , the ozonator  48 , the control panel  58 , and the heater assembly  68 .  
      While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.