Patent Publication Number: US-8528211-B2

Title: Method of attaching a cabinet assembly to a hot tub

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an assembly of a spa or hot tub. More specifically, this invention relates to attaching the cabinet assembly around and to a hot tub. 
     Spas have been used for leisure activities for many years. Specifically, a large tub is presented that holds heated water and typically contains a plurality of jets to whirl water around the tub as desired. Typically, a spa is held up by a frame that is not aesthetically pleasing to a casual observer. As a result, a cabinet assembly is placed around the frame to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look. 
     This cabinet assembly is made by building a wooden frame and then securing to that frame a plurality of rigid individually manufactured panels utilizing fastening members such as screws. Then, if this cabinet assembly is built separate from the spa, the spa still needs to be either placed within the cabinet assembly or the cabinet assembly placed around the spa. 
     While this wood frame used in combination with the manufactured rigid panels covers up the spa frame thus providing an aesthetically pleasing look, problems still remain. Specifically, building the wood frame is not only time consuming but additionally the individually manufactured pieces can be very costly. In addition, the wood frame provides minimal insulation for the hot tub or spa itself wherein often the water within the spa is desired to be at an elevated temperature. Thus, inefficiencies of the spa occur. 
     Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a method of attaching a cabinet assembly to a spa that is both efficient and cost effective. 
     These and other objects, features or advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of attaching a cabinet assembly to a spa. The steps include providing a frame that has a plurality of channels that form a perimeter that is of size and shape to receive a spa. This spa is then placed onto the frame such that a flange or lip extends from the spa past the perimeter of the frame such that the flange is positioned in parallel spaced relation to at least one of the plurality of channels. Once the spa is in place, insulating panels are inserted between the flange of the spa and the plurality of channels of the frame. A plurality of flexible slats are then secured between the flange of the spa and the channel to form a cabinet around the spa thus covering the frame and insulating panels of the spa. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cabinet assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a spa within a frame of a cabinet assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a spa within a frame that contains an insulating panel of a cabinet assembly; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a plurality of slats that have been secured to the frame and spa of a cabinet assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The figures show a cabinet assembly  10  that includes a frame  12 . The frame  12  has channel  14  that is secured to a plurality of posts  16  in order to form a perimeter that is of size and shape to accommodate a spa or a hot tub. The posts can be of single piece construction or have three corner brace sections. The three brace embodiment allows the corners to be universal regardless of length. In a preferred embodiment, the channel  14  is a U-shaped channel; however, an L-shaped channel or the like could be used without falling outside the scope of this disclosure. Extending between individual channels  14  are a plurality of horizontal brace members  18  that provide additional structural support to the frame  12 . Similarly, a plurality of brace members  20  are secured to the channel  14  and extend diagonally and vertically to form a king post truss to provide additional support and strength. 
     Placed on top of the vertical brace members  20  and post  16  of the frame  12  is a spa or a hot tub  22 . The spa or hot tub  22  is of any kind known in the art and typically has a fiberglass body  24  that forms a cavity  26  that receives water and additionally has a plurality of openings  28  disposed therein for receiving nozzles  30  and the like. Also, as known in the art, the spa  22  has a flange or lip  32  at its top outer perimeter. In order to form the cabinet assembly  10  of the present invention the spa  22  is placed on the frame  12  such that the flange  32  extends past the frame  12  and is positioned in parallel spaced relation from the channel  14 . In a preferred embodiment the frame  12  is a galvanized powder-coated steel frame. 
       FIG. 3  shows insulating panels  34  that are placed between an individual channel  14  and the flange  32  of the spa  22  such that the insulating panel  34  is secured therebetween. Individual panels can be placed within any side of the frame to provide additional insulation for the spa  22 . 
     After a plurality of insulating panels  34  are in place around the spa  22  a plurality of slats  36  are placed between the individual channels  14  and the flange  32  of the spa  22 . Preferably the plurality of slats  36  are made of an elastic material such as plastic such that the plurality of slats  36  can individually be snapped into place between the channel  14  and the flange  32  of the spa  22 . When securing the plurality of slats  36  between the flange  32  of the spa  22  and channel  14  to form a cabinet around the spa  22 , the flange  32 , spa  22  and the channel  14  place tension on the plurality of slats  36  in order to secure the plurality of slats  36  in place. 
     In operation, in order to attach the cabinet assembly  10  to the spa  22 , the frame  12  having the channel  14  that form a perimeter is provided. Next, the spa  22  is placed onto the frame  12  such that a flange  32  extends from the spa  22  to past the perimeter of the frame  12  so that the flange is positioned in parallel spaced relation to the channel  14 . The insulating panels  34  are then inserted within and in between the flange  32  of the spa  22  and the channel  14 . Once the insulating panels  34  are in place, a plurality of slats  36  are secured between the flange  32  of the spa  22  and channel  14  to form a cabinet around the spa  22 . 
     By utilizing the cabinet assembly  10  there is no longer a need for a wood frame and panelized system to produce a cabinet assembly. Instead, by using the cabinet assembly  10  an insulated metal frame can be quickly and easily assembled by snapping in the plurality of slats  36 . Thus, assembly time is reduced as the individual assembling the cabinet no longer has to use fastening materials such as screws to secure together a wooden frame. In addition, by using the plastic slats for the cabinet assembly, cost is greatly reduced. Thus, not only does the cabinet assembly reduce costs but additionally the assembly saves time during installation. In addition, the insulating panel provides an extra layer of insulation and thus at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.