Patent Publication Number: US-2004047484-A1

Title: Sound system, a speaker assembly, and a method for providing sound for a spa

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/834,260 filed on Apr. 12, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety: 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002] This invention relates, generally, to methods and systems for providing sound transmission systems, for example, for transmitting music, and for providing illumination systems for tubs, spas, pools, baths, or showers and, more particularly, to head rest assemblies for spas having integral audio components and lighting for improved user enjoyment.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0003] Hot tubs typically provide a means for bathers to relax in a controlled environment of warmth and gentle water massage provided by numerous fluid flow ports or nozzles. Hot tubs, or spas, provide relaxation and if desired, therapy, for example, hydrotherapy, for treatment of various ailments. As is known, the bather typically reclines in the hot tub and pulsating jets of water impact various locations on the bather&#39;s body. Typically, relaxation is enhanced in such tubs or spas by providing head rests so that the bather can fully recline during relaxation or treatment. Furthermore, relaxation and treatment can be further enhanced by the use of other amenities which provide an environment more conducive to relaxation or treatment. For example, it is known to provide spas or tubs with video monitors, audio speakers, and mood-enhancing lighting to enhance relaxation and treatment.  
       [0004] However, when such electronic devices are used, it is undesirable to locate such electronic devices in the vicinity of the water in the tub or spa for the obvious potential for damage to the electronic devices from exposure to the water (and the corrosive chemicals the water can contain) or to the humid environment typically present about a tub. Typically, when electronic devices are introduced to spas or tubs the installation of these devices is undertaken with great care to minimize the exposure of the electric wiring and components to direct contact with water or to exposure to the humid air. For example, in some prior art applications, the audio components are mounted in an elevated position, as far above the surface of the water as possible, while still providing sound audible to the bather. In addition, the elevated position of such speakers places the speaker at the approximate elevation of the ear of the bather. Such a typical prior art spa having speakers mounted in housing extensions located above the main spa housing is shown in an undated brochure distributed by Catalina Spas of Perris, Calif. Similar undesirable housing extensions for mounting speakers are also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,882 and in published Japanese patent 5,103,731 A. However, as will made clear from the description of the present invention below, such elevated installation of speakers on housing extensions or housing projections negatively impact the manufacturing process and the shipping requirements of the spa.  
       [0005] Though elevated above the water level, audio speakers, for example, are still susceptible to water damage, for example, from children splashing or humidity. Typically, to minimize the potential for damaging speakers mounted in a hot tub, more moisture-tolerant speakers are used, for example, “marine”-type speakers. However, such water-tolerant speakers are more costly than conventional speakers.  
       [0006] The use of elevated speakers has several undesirable impacts upon the manufacturing process. First, by mounting speakers in an elevated position, for example, above the nominal height of the spa housing, special accommodation must be made to provide an elevated “extension” to the housing to mount the speaker. These extensions for speaker mounting are, of course, located at an elevation that is typically beyond the height of the spa housing required to accommodate the water level and the bather. Thus, these extensions for speaker mounting require that the spa housing be modified from that which is typically required in conventional spas. For example, conventional spa housings are typically, one-piece, plastic constructions, molded, for example, from a thermoplastic. In the prior art, in order to provide the extensions for speaker mounting, either the molds must be modified to include the speaker mounting extensions or the pre-molded housings must be modified to provide the required speaker mounting extensions. Either modification adds to the fabrication cost of the spa and is thus undesirable. Thus, a need exists in the art for providing audio components to spas without requiring undesirable housing modifications.  
       [0007] In addition, the prior art practice of mounting audio speakers on housing extensions is not amenable to incorporating speakers into existing spa housings. For example, existing spa housings without speakers typically do not have mounting structures and cannot accommodate such speakers, that is, not without a costly modification to the existing housing. Thus, a need also exists in the art for providing audio components to a spa which can be installed in existing spas, that is, can be retro-fit, with little or no modification to the existing spa housing.  
       [0008] Furthermore, when electronics or other components are incorporated into a spa housing at an elevated position, the resulting increased height of the tub impacts the shipping requirements of the spa. Hot tubs or spas are typically shipped stacked one on top of the other. Thus, any increase in height of the spa increases the volume that the spa occupies during shipping, that is, an increase in housing height limits the number of spas that can be shipped in a given cargo space. Thus, a need also exists in the art to provide audio components to spa housings that do not negatively affect the shipping requirements of the spas. These and other limitations of the prior art are addressed by the present invention.  
       [0009] As noted above, the bathing or treatment experience is also typically enhanced by means of lighting. For example, it is known in the art to include decorative lighting, for example, about the perimeter of the spa. Again, due to the potential for the water and humidity to damage electric wiring, lightning is typically provided by means that are water and humidity tolerant, for example, by means of fiber-optic cables. These fiber-optic cables are typically illuminated by a remote LED source. Typically, the individual fiber optic cables are routed to individual light emitters distributed about the spa. However, the routing of individual cables to distributed emitters not only is tedious to install, but the numerous fiber-optic cables are also susceptible to damage and failure during installation and maintenance. This type of fiber-optic lighting is also illustrated in the Catalina Spas brochure referred to above. Thus, a need also exists in the art for providing a means for introducing environment-enhancing lighting to a spa that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art lighting. This need is also addressed by the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] According to the present invention, shortcomings of the existing art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of improved systems for providing sound and illumination for a spa while overcoming the limitations of the prior art described above. More specifically, the present invention provides for a head rest for a spa having an integral means of providing sound, even stereo sound, to a bather reclined in a spa. In addition to or in conjunction with this invention, according to the present invention, a head rest is provided having enhanced means of illumination without the limitations of the prior art.  
       [0011] One aspect of the invention is a spa, comprising: a housing having a tub section for holding water; a cushioned head rest mounted to said housing, the cushioned head rest having an upper extremity defining a surface at a first elevation and the cushioned head rest adapted to support the head of an occupant of the spa; at least one speaker mounted at an elevation at or below the first elevation; and means for providing sound to the at least one speaker. The at least one speaker may be mounted in head rest or in the housing, for example, the one or more speakers may be mounted in the housing adjacent the head rest. The speaker may be an electronic speaker or a perforation in the head rest or housing to which sound is provided by means of a sound wave guide.  
       [0012] Another aspect of the invention is a spa having a sound transmission system, said spa adapted for ease of fabrication, transport, and storage, comprising: a housing having a tub section for holding water; a cushioned head rest mounted to said housing, the cushioned head rest having an upper extremity defining a surface at a first elevation and the head rest adapted to support the head of the occupant of the spa; at least one speaker mounted at an elevation below the first elevation; and means for providing sound to the at least one speaker.  
       [0013] A third aspect of the invention is a sound transmission system for a spa having a housing, the system comprising: a source of sound waves; at least one sound wave guide operatively connected to the source of sound waves for transmitting the sound waves to a location on the spa whereby the sound waves are audible to an occupant of the spa. The sound transmission system may further comprise a sound wave distributor having at least one inlet for sound waves operatively connected to the source of sound waves and at least one outlet operatively connected to the at least one sound wave guide. The sound transmission system may also include at least one head rest and wherein the wave guide is operatively connected to at least one perforation located in the head rest. Though the wave guides of this aspect of the invention may take various forms, one or more conduits may typically be provided to function as sound wave guides.  
       [0014] In another aspect of the invention a head rest assembly for a spa is provided. This head rest assembly comprises: a head rest adapted for supporting the head of a bather; at least one perforation in the head rest for transmitting sound; and at least one sound wave guide for transmitting sound from a remote sound source to the at least one perforation whereby the sound is audible to the bather. The head rest assembly typically includes a plurality of perforations for transmitting sound. These perforations are typically at least two sets of perforations positioned adjacent to the ears of the bather. Again, the at least one sound wave guide may be at least one conduit for transmitting sound; typically a plurality of conduits is used. The head rest assembly may also include at least one light-transferring insert and the light-transferring insert may be illuminated by a source of light in or adjacent to the head rest. The head rest assembly in this aspect of the invention may also include at least one fluid flow device having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet.  
       [0015] Another aspect of the invention is a spa having a head rest assembly comprising: a head rest adapted for supporting the head of a bather; at least one perforation in the head rest for transmitting sound; at least one wave guide for transmitting sound from a remote sound source to the at least one perforation wherein the sound is audible to the bather. The at least one wave guide may be at least one conduit, typically a plurality of conduits. The at least one perforation in the head rest may be a plurality of perforations. The remote sound source may be at least one audio speaker. The head rest may further include at least one light-transferring insert and at least one light source for illuminating the light-transferring insert.  
       [0016] A further aspect of the invention is a method of providing sound to an occupant of a tub, spa, or shower, or other enclosure, the enclosure having a housing and at least one perforation in the housing. The method comprises: providing a source of sound waves; and transmitting the sound waves through one or more sound wave guides to the at least one perforation in the housing so that the sound waves are audible to the occupant of the tub, spa, shower, or other enclosure. The source of sound may include a sound wave distributor, wherein this aspect of the invention may further comprise distributing the sound waves to the one or more sound wave guides by means of the sound wave distributor. Again, the sound wave guides may typically be one or more conduits, or a plurality of conduits.  
       [0017] A further aspect of the present invention is a head rest assembly for a tub, spa, or shower, said head rest assembly comprising: a head rest adapted for supporting the head of a bather; at least one light-transferring insert in the head rest; and means for illuminating the light-transferring insert. The means for illuminating the insert may be one of: an incandescent means, fluorescent means, fiber-optics means, and light-emitting-diode means. The at least one light-transferring insert may also be a plurality of light-transferring inserts and the light-transferring insert may be composed of a silicon-based material.  
       [0018] A still further aspect of the present invention is a spa, comprising: a housing having a tub section for holding water; and at least one speaker mounted in the tub section; wherein the at least one speaker comprises a diaphragm and an audio transducer which transmits sound to the spa by means of the diaphragm. In one aspect of the invention, the audio transducer transmits sound to the spa by vibrating the diaphragm. In another aspect of the invention, the water in the tub section comprises a water level, and wherein the centerline of the at least one speaker is positioned below the water level, for example, the speaker is completely submerged below the water level. In another aspect of the invention, the speaker further comprises a conduit, for example, an externally-threaded conduit, to which the diaphragm is mounted and wherein the conduit is mounted to the tub section. The speaker may further include a threaded retaining ring which retains the externally-threaded conduit in the tub section.  
       [0019] Another aspect of the invention is an audio speaker for use in one of a tub, spa, pool, and shower, the audio speaker comprising: a diaphragm; and an audio transducer which vibrates the diaphragm in response to an electrical signal. In one aspect of the invention, the audio speaker further includes a housing upon which the diaphragm is mounted. In one aspect of the invention, the housing may be a circular conduit. In one aspect of the invention, the circular conduit may be an externally-threaded circular conduit, and the audio speaker may further include an internally-threaded ring mounted on the externally-threaded circular conduit.  
       [0020] Thus, the present invention advantageously provides methods and apparatus for providing sound and illumination to spas, hot tubs, showers, tubs, baths, pools, or any other type of enclosure occupied by a bather while avoiding the limitations of the prior art. In particular, the present invention provides sound and illumination systems to spas while minimizing the impact of these systems on the manufacturing, shipping, and maintenance of the spa, while enhancing the bathing experience of the user of the spa. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0021] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a spa for which the present invention can be used.  
     [0023]FIG. 2A is a schematic top view of a typical spa employing one aspect of the present invention.  
     [0024]FIG. 2B is a cross section of a sound wave distributor that can be used when practicing the present invention.  
     [0025] FIGS.  3 A, and  3 B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectfully, of another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate means for practicing the present invention shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.  
     [0027]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectfully, of a further aspect of the present invention.  
     [0028]FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectfully, of a further aspect of the present invention.  
     [0029]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectfully, of still another aspect of the present invention.  
     [0030]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view, respectfully, of a sound attenuation device that can be used with one or more aspects of the present invention.  
     [0031]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a head rest incorporating various aspects of the present invention.  
     [0032]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another aspect of the invention as mounted in a spa housing.  
     [0033]FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of still another aspect of the invention as mounted in a spa housing.  
     [0034]FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 10 taken along the lines  11 - 11  in FIG. 10.  
     [0035]FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 10 taken along the lines  12 - 12  in FIG. 10. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
     [0036]FIG. 1 illustrates a spa  10  that incorporates one aspect of the present invention. Though the term “spa” will be used throughout this specification, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to spas, hot tubs, baths, showers, and pools, among other fluid bearing recreational or therapeutic devices. Furthermore, though the spa  10  shown in FIG. 1 is large enough to accommodate about four bathers, the present invention is applicable to any size spa, having any number of bathers or occupants, for example, spas having one or more bathers, or 4 our more bathers, or even 8 or more bathers.  
     [0037] As is conventional, spa  10  includes a tub portion or section  12  for holding water and a support structure  14  which supports tub section  12 . In this specification, tub section  12  and support structure  14  comprise the housing of the spa. As is also conventional, the spa  10  provides accommodations  16 , that is, seating, for one or more bathers; includes one or more water-jets  18 ; and one or more head rests  20 . The spa  10  also typically includes various pumps, valves, piping, heaters, water conditioners, electronics and controls, and is provided with electrical power as is conventional and which are all not shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0038]FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of spa  22  which is similar to spa  10  shown in FIG. 1 but incorporating one embodiment of the present invention. Spa  22  includes a housing  24  which includes a tub portion  26 , a support structure (not shown), a housing rim  28  about the top of tub portion  26 , and at least one head rest  29 . Head rest  29  is typically a flexible or cushioned head rest adapted to comfortably support the head of a bather. The seating for the one or more bathers and water jets are not shown in FIG. 2A to facilitate illustration. Also, part of the tub portion  26  is removed so that the audio components ( 30 ,  32 ) that can be used while practicing the present invention can be viewed. According to the present invention, the spa  22  includes at least one sound source  30  (with an appropriate power source not shown) and at least one audio speaker  32  which receives an audio signal from sound source  30  via wire or cable  34 . The sound emitted by speaker  32  is distributed to one or more sound wave guides  36 ,  38  by means of a sound wave distributor  40 . The sound introduced to the wave guides  36 ,  38  is transmitted by wave guides  36 ,  38  to one or more “speakers”  42 ,  44 . In one aspect of the invention, speakers  42 ,  44  are not conventional electronic audio speakers, for example, electronic audio speaker  30 . Speakers  42 ,  44  according one aspect of the present invention can simply be sound emitting orifices in the housing  24  through which the sound waves transmitted through wave guides  36 ,  38  can pass such that a sound audible to the occupant of spa  22  is produced. Speakers  42 ,  44  may also be electronic audio speakers, for example, marine-grade audio speakers which receive electrical signals via wires directly from, for example, audio component  30 . Speaker  42  is positioned, for example, in the housing rim  28  of spa  22  and speakers  44  are positioned in head rest  29 . Though speakers  44  are shown mounted in head rest  29  in FIG. 2A, according to the invention, speakers  44  may also be mounted adjacent to head rest  29 , for example, to each side of head rest  29  or below head rest  29 . A more detailed description of the speakers  42 ,  44  appears below and these speakers are illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B,  4 A, and  4 B.  
     [0039] Sound source  30  may be any conventional source of sound that can produce an electronic signal to audio speaker  32  to produce an audible sound, such as music (instrumental or vocal) or voice (such as voice instruction). The sound source  30  may be a radio, stereo, compact disc player, tape player, phonograph, television, video cassette recorder/player (VCR), digital video disc (DVD) player, computer, MP3 player, or any other electronic component capable of producing a sound signal for speaker  32 . The sound source  30  may also be two or more of the devices listed or a combination thereof. Of course, the speaker  32  may be integral to sound source  30  and require no external wire or cable  34 .  
     [0040] The speaker  32  is typically any type of conventional audio speaker, for example, a speaker having one or more vibrating membranes (for example, woofers, tweeters, subwoofers, etc.) that can produce audible sound waves. However, other types of devices that produce audible sound waves may also used for the present invention. Though a single speaker  32  is shown in FIG. 2A, the present invention also includes having two or more speakers  32 . For example, two or more stereo speakers  32  may receive left and right stereo signals from sound source  30  or from two or more sound sources  30 .  
     [0041] Sound wave distributor  40  simply distributes the sound waves output by speaker  32  to one or more wave guides  36 ,  38 . A cross-sectional view of one sound wave distributor that may be used when practicing the present invention is shown in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, sound wave distributor  40  may simply be an enclosed cavity or chamber  41  having an opening or inlet  46  for receiving sound waves from speaker  32  and one or more openings or outlets  48  for emitting sound waves. Sound wave distributor  40  may be integral with speaker  32  and may also, with speaker  32 , be integral with sound source  30 . Though a single inlet  46  is shown in FIG. 2B, one or more inlets  46  may be used according to the present invention. For example, the sound wave distributor  40  may receive sound waves from two or more speakers  32 . Similarly, though two outlets  48  are shown in FIG. 2B, sound wave distributor  40  may have one or more sound wave outlets  48 , for example, two or more sound wave outlets, or four or more sound wave outlets. The number and location of the outlets  48  in sound wave distributor  40  is dependent upon the size of the spa and the number of speakers  42 ,  44  desired.  
     [0042] Sound wave guides  36 ,  38  are typically conduits through which sound waves can pass, for example, flexible hoses. The conduits or sound wave guides  36 ,  38 , may be any type of conduit that will transmit sound waves, such as piping, tubing, or hose, for example, vinyl hose or heater vent hose, among other types of conduit. Conduits  36 ,  38  may be individual conduits or conduits  36 ,  38  may be passages molded into the tub-portion  26  of spa  22 . Conduits  36 ,  38  may also comprise voids in the housing  24  of spa  22 , for example, unobstructed passages in the structure of the housing  24  through which sound may be transmitted. However, the conduits  36 ,  38  are preferably flexible tubing that can be routed within housing  24  of spa  22  from one or more audio speakers  32  to one or more speakers  42 ,  44 . For example, one preferred type of tubing that can be used is flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing provided by Plastiflex of Whippany, N.J. This type of conduit is typically provided with standard fasteners and connectors that facilitate routing and connecting the conduits  36 ,  38  to the speakers  42 ,  44  and distributor  40 . Though preferably circular in cross-section, conduits  36 ,  38  may have any desirable cross-sectional shape, including square or rectangular. The conduits  36 ,  38  are typically between about 0.25 inches and about 6 inches in nominal diameter, and are preferably between about 0.50 inches and about 3 inches in nominal diameter, for example, about 1 inch in nominal diameter.  
     [0043] A detail of speaker  42  is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  3 C. FIG. 3A shows a top of view of speaker  42  mounted in the housing  24  according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 3B illustrates a side, cross-sectional view of speaker  42  as viewed along lines  3 B- 3 B of FIG. 3A. Though speaker  42  may be an electronic speaker, in its simplest embodiment, “speaker”  42  is simply an orifice  50  in the housing  24  through which sound waves transmitted via conduit  38  may pass and be audible to the occupant of the spa  22 . As shown in FIG. 3C, the orifice  50  may be a plurality of perforations  51 , for example, a plurality of perforations in the housing  24  which communicate with a passage  53  in the housing  24  and conduit  38 . The plurality of perforations may communicate directly with conduit  38  or via passage  53  as shown in FIG. 3C.  
     [0044] In FIG. 3B the conduit  38  is connected to and transmits sound waves to orifice  50  via connector  52 . The connection between conduit  38  and connector  52  and connector  52  and housing orifice  50  may be a threaded connection, or a bolt-on flange connection. These connections may also be non-threaded connections, for example, connector  52  may include a series of parallel ridges on each end that produce an interference fit with flexible conduit  38  and housing orifice  50 . However, conduit  38  may be connected directly to orifice  50  without an intermediate connector  52 , or orifice  50  may consist of the end of conduit  38  mounted directly in housing  24 .  
     [0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the orifice  50  is protected by perforated cover  54  having slotted perforations  56 , though any shape perforations may be used. Cover  54  may also be mounted on a conduit  58  which engages the housing  24 . Conduit  58  may be threaded or non-threaded, for example, conduit  58  may have parallel ridges as discussed above. Though shown circular in shape in FIG. 3A, perforated cover  54  may take any desirable shape, including square, rectangular, and oval, among others. Though not shown in FIG. 3A, cover  54  may also include a means for varying the size of the open area of the perforations  56  to effect a means of volume control, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 7A and 7B.  
     [0046] Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of speakers  44  mounted in the head rest  29  (see FIG. 2A) according to one aspect of the present invention. Again, speakers  44  may be conventional electronic speakers or simply perforations for transmitting sound. FIG. 4B illustrates a side, cross-sectional view as viewed along lines  4 B- 4 B of FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 2A, conduit  36  may be bifurcated into two conduits, for example, conduits  58 ,  60  in FIG. 4B, for example, by means of a tee connection (not shown). Of course, a stereo effect can be provided by providing sound waves or electronic signals from one stereo component, for example, to one speaker, for example, via conduit  58 , and signals or sound waves from a second stereo component can be provided to the other speaker, for example, via conduit  60 .  
     [0047] Though shown in an idealized form as a simple rectangular shape for ease of illustration, head rest  29  typically is typically a cushioned head rest having a geometry that is contoured to accept the reclined head of an occupant of the spa, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. The head rest is typically fabricated from a resilient material, for example, polyurethane foam or polyethylene foam and is adapted for mounting onto the spa housing  24 .  
     [0048] Similar to speaker  42  shown in FIG. 3A, though speakers  44  may be electronic speakers, in its simplest form, speakers  44  comprise simply orifices  62 ,  64  in head rest  29  through which sound waves transmitted via conduits  58 ,  60  pass and are audible to the occupant of the spa. In FIG. 4B the conduits  58 ,  60  are connected to and transmit sound waves to orifices  62 ,  64  via connectors  66 ,  68 . Again, the connection between conduits  58 ,  60  and connectors  66 ,  68  and between connectors  66 ,  68  and head rest  29  may be threaded connections, but these connections may also be non-threaded connections, for example, connectors  66 ,  68  may include a series of parallel ridges on each end that produce an interference fit with flexible conduits  58 ,  60  and head rest  29 . However, conduits  58 ,  60  may be connected directly to orifices  62 ,  64  or orifices  62 ,  64  may consist of the end of conduits  66 ,  68  mounted in head rest  29 . Again, according to a preferred embodiment, the orifices  62 ,  64  are preferably protected by perforated covers  70 ,  72  having perforations  74 ,  76  as described with respect to orifice  54  in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  3 C. Perforations  74 ,  76  may also be located in the head rest  29  itself similar to perforations  51  in housing  24  shown in FIG. 3C. Also, speaker covers  70 ,  72  may include some form of sound attenuation device, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Though not illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, speakers  44  may also be located in the housing adjacent to head rest  29 , for example, to the sides of head rest  29  or below head rest  29 .  
     [0049] The inventions described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  4 A, and  4 B clearly overcome the limitations of the prior art. For example, by positioning electric or non-electric speakers in the housing or head rest of a spa, without the need for special mounting extensions, the nominal height of the spa housing is not increased. As a result, the present invention has little or no negative impact upon the fabrication of the housing because the present invention does not require undesirable housing modifications. In addition, the speakers of the present invention can be inserted into a housing or head rest of an existing spa with little or no modification to the housing. When the speakers are incorporated in the head rest, the head rest mounting is unchanged, only openings for the conduits or wires need be provided (and typically these openings will be covered by the head rest assembly). When speakers according to the present invention are provided to the housing of an existing spa, only a simple orifice opening need be provided. In addition, the present invention does not affect the shipping requirements of new or modified spas since the spa housing dimensions are not increased when using the present invention.  
     [0050] Though the invention described above discloses the transmission of sound waves or electronic audio signals via wave guides or wires from remote speaker or electronic component, that is, speakers or components remote from speakers  42 ,  44 , the present invention also includes the positioning of the electronic speaker or sound producing component in the vicinity of the speakers  42 ,  44 . For example, according to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic speaker may be located directly beneath or adjacent to speakers  42 ,  44  or, for example, positioned within the head rest  29  and emit audio sound waves that are transmitted by wave guides  58 ,  60  or wires and still be within the scope of the present invention.  
     [0051] A further embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a head rest  129  which is a modification to head rest  29  shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In addition to the speakers  44  shown mounted in head rest  29  of FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIGS. 5A and 5B show head rest  129  with the addition of a light-transferring insert  74  and light source  76 . That is, all of the features included in the head rest  29  embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B are included in the head rest  129  of FIGS. 5A and 5B plus insert  74  and light source  76 . Insert  74  may be one or more inserts located anywhere on the head rest  129  where illumination is desired. This aspect of the invention also includes a head rest  129  having only one or more inserts  74  and one or more light source  76  without speakers  44  and the related speaker components.  
     [0052] The light-transferring insert  74  is inserted into cavity  78  in head rest  129 . Though insert  74  is shown rectangular in shape in FIGS. 5A and 5B, insert  74  may take any desirable shape, including circular, triangular, and oval, among others. A graphic design, logo, or other human readable indicia  80  may be located on, in, or behind the insert  74 . Insert  74  may be transparent or translucent, for example, it may be clear or contain a shade of color. The insert  74  is also preferably resilient, or have the proper durometer, whereby the insert  74  will comfortably support the head of the bather or occupant of the spa. Materials that may be used for insert  74  include resilient silicon-based materials, for example, a resilient silicon-based material sold under the name Kryton by Dupont, or thermoplastic rubber (TPR) materials, though other suitable materials may be used. The insert  74  may be coplanar with the surface of head rest  129  or may extend beyond the surface of head rest  74  to ensure that the head of the user comfortably contacts the surface of insert  74  and not the head rest  129 . Of course, the insert  74  may also not extend to the surface of head rest  129  but provide a recessed surface relative to the surface of head rest  129 .  
     [0053] According to this aspect of the present invention, the one or more light-transferring inserts  74  may be illuminated by one or more light sources  76  mounted in head rest  129 . Though the light source  76  is shown mounted below insert  74  in a cavity  82 , light source  76  may be mounted in any location in head rest  129  as long as light is directed to and illuminates insert  74 . The light source  76  may be any conventional light source, such as an incandescent or fluorescent light, a light-emitting diode (LED), or fiber optics. One preferred light source is an LED-type light source having embedded hardware and software that provides for a plurality of colors and visual effects. One such light source is an LED-type bulb manufactured by Color Kinetics of Boston, Mass. or Oryan of Vancouver Wash. Electrical power is typically provided to light source  76  via wire or cable  84 . Control signals for controlling the operation of light source  76  may also be provided to light source  76  via cable  84 . According to the present invention one or more light sources  76  may be used to illuminate one or more light-transferring inserts in head rest  129 . In addition, the entire head rest  129  may be comprised of a light-transferring material, for example, silicon-based Kryton, and the entire head rest  129  may be illuminated by one or more light sources  76 .  
     [0054] An even further aspect of a head rest  86  for a spa, tub, pool, bath, or shower according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of head rest  86  similar to the views in FIGS. 4B and 5B. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view as viewed along lines  6 B- 6 B of FIG. 6A. The head rest shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B includes speakers  88 ,  90 , similar to speakers  44  of FIGS. 4A and 4B; light-transferring insert  92  and light source  94 , similar to insert  74  and light source  76  of FIGS. 5A and 5B; and also, according to this embodiment, includes a fluid-flow device  96 . Though any fluid-flow device may be used according to the invention, a preferred device is one of the type marketed under the name Coplanar Flow Ejector (CFE) by Saratoga Spa &amp; Bath of Latham, N.Y. and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,303 B1 (the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety).  
     [0055] The speakers  88 ,  90 , insert  92 , and light source  94  are similar in function and appearance as to what was described earlier. The invention shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B combines these features with the fluid-flow device  96  to provide a head rest  86  for a spa, tub, pool, bath, or shower which combines all these functions into a single device.  
     [0056] Fluid-flow device  96  includes a housing  98  and one or more water inlets  100 ,  102 . These inlets receive a flow of pressurized fluid (typically water) as indicated by arrows  101 , via conduits (not shown). The fluid is typically pressurized, for example, by means of at least one pump (not shown). The fluid is introduced through inlets  100 ,  102  and is passed to internal cavities  104 ,  106 , respectively, and then is discharged via outlets  108 ,  110 , respectively, as shown by arrows  112 . In mounting the fluid-flow device  96  below the head rest  86  as shown, the head rest  86  provides all the amenities of speakers  88 ,  90 ; insert  92 ; and light source  94  while providing an apparatus in which a gentle flow of water is directed against the neck, shoulders, and back of the bather.  
     [0057] Light source  94  may be any conventional light source as described above with respect to light source  76 . In one aspect of the invention, one or more light sources  94  illuminate one or more light-transferring inserts  92 . However, a light source similar to light source  94  may also be used to illuminate the fluid-flow device  96 . For example, the fluid-flow device  96 , or any part of the fluid-flow device  96 , may also be fabricated from a light-transferring material, for example, PTED polycarbonate or its equivalent. In one particular aspect of the invention, one or more light sources  94  are positioned adjacent to or mounted within fluid-flow device  96  whereby the fluid, typically water, discharged from outlet  108  or  110 , or both is illuminated. This can be effected by locating one or more light sources  94  adjacent to the outlets  108 ,  110  to illuminate one or more of the outlets directly. The fluid flowing out of outlets  108 ,  110  may also be illuminated by one or more light sources  94  positioned adjacent to one or more light-transferable portions of fluid-flow device  96  whereby the one or more light sources  94  illuminate the fluid via the one or more light-transferable portions. The light-transferable portions may be transparent, or translucent, and may be color shaded to enhance the visual appearance of the water discharged.  
     [0058]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a sound attenuation device  120  that can be used for the perforated cover of speaker  42  in FIGS. 3A and 3B; speakers  44  in FIGS. 4A, 4B,  5 A, and  5 B; or speakers  88 ,  89  in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of device  120  and FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view viewed from the direction of lines  7 B- 7 B in FIG. 7A. Device  120  includes a perforated cover  122  having perforations  124 , similar to perforated covers  54 ,  70  and  72  of FIGS. 3A, 3B,  4 A, and  4 B. As described above, the perforations  124  may take any appropriate size, shape, or number.  
     [0059] According to this aspect of the invention, device  120  includes a perforated wheel  126  having perforations  128 . Perforated wheel  126  is rotatably mounted on a pin  129  either above or below cover  122  and the perforations  128  are similar or identical in shape to perforations  124  in cover  122 . The rotation of wheel  126  is effected by manually turning wheel  126  by means of tab  130 . Cover  122  is mounted on conduit  132  and wheel  126  is mounted on pin  129  whereby the wheel  126  is rotatable relative to cover  122 . Conduit  132  may be threaded or have external ribs on its outside diameter whereby device  120  can be inserted into, for example, spa housing  24  of FIG. 3B or head rest  29  of FIG. 4B.  
     [0060] According to this aspect of the invention, the sound waves passing through perforations  124  in cover  122  can be attenuated, that is, the volume reduced, by rotating wheel  126  via tab  130  whereby the perforations in cover  122  are at least partially obstructed by the unperforated portions of wheel  126 . In one extreme, the perforations  124  are completely obstructed and little or no sound is transmitted through perforations  128 . In the opposite extreme, the perforations  128  coincide with the perforations  124  and little or no obstruction of perforations  128  occurs, that is, a relative maximum volume of sound is produced.  
     [0061]FIG. 8 illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 illustrates the relative contoured shape of a typical head rest  229 , which can be used for head rests  29  and  129  discussed above. Again, head rest  229  is typically made of a flexible material that provides for at least some cushioning of the head of the occupant. Head rest  229  also includes at least one, typically two, electronic or waveguide-type speakers  244  as discussed previously. A section of head rest  229  has also been removed in FIG. 8 to illustrate the relative location of flow element  298 , for example, a CFE flow element.  
     [0062]FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of head rest  229  as typically mounted in housing  224 . FIG. 9 illustrates a section as viewed though one of the speakers  244  of FIG. 8. Housing  224  is mounted on a support structure  225 , which is typically a wooden structure with decorative wooden fascia. The speaker  224  in this aspect can be an electronic speaker or a wave-guide-type speaker as discussed above, but in FIG. 9 speaker  244  is shown as an electronic speaker which receives an electrical signal via wire  245 , for example, from electronic component  30  (see FIG. 2A). The relative elevation of the water in housing  224  is illustrated by line  240 .  
     [0063] In this aspect of the invention, the head rest  229  includes an upper extremity defined by an upper surface  230 . This upper surface  230  defines an elevation  232 . As clearly shown in FIG. 9, speakers  224  according to this aspect, are below the elevation  232 . In a related aspect of the invention, speakers  244  can be mounted in housing  224  adjacent to or below head rest  229 , for example, to the sides or below head rest  229 , while mounted below elevation  232 . Speakers  244  may also be mounted above water level  240 . By mounting speakers  244  below elevation  232  according to this aspect of the invention, no housing extensions need be made to housing  224  which can negatively impact the manufacture, storage and shipping of the spa compared to the prior art.  
     [0064] FIGS.  10 - 12  illustrate another aspect of the invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of audio speaker assembly  300  according to another aspect of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of speaker assembly  300  shown in FIG. 10 as viewed along section lines  11 - 11  in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of speaker assembly  300  shown in FIG. 10 as viewed along section lines  12 - 12  in FIG. 10. Speaker assembly  300  may be mounted in a wall of a housing  310  of a spa, shower, pool, or related structure as described above. Though speaker assembly  300  is shown mounted in a vertical wall portion  312  of housing  310 , speaker assembly  300  may be mounted in any wall portion of a spa, shower, pool, etc. including in an inclined wall portion or a horizontal wall portion, for example, the horizontal bottom portion of a spa or tub.  
     [0065] According to this aspect of the invention, speaker assembly  300  includes at least one diaphragm  320  mounted in wall portion  312  and at least one audio transducer  330  mounted to diaphragm  320 . Audio transducer  330  may be any type of audio transducer that can transit an audio signal to diaphragm  320  whereby sound can be heard by the occupant of the spa. In one aspect of the invention, audio transducer  330  comprises an audio transducer marketed under the name Rolen Star audio transducer by Richtech Enterprises of Stockton, Calif. In one aspect of the invention, the Rolen Star-type audio transducer used for the present invention has a frequency range of about 20 Hz to about 20,000 Hz at about +/−3 decibels; an impedance of about 8 ohms; a maximum power of about 30 Watts; a diameter of about 4 inches; a thickness of about 1.75 inches; and a weight of about 2 pounds.  
     [0066] As shown in FIG. 10, audio transducer  330  may be powered by one or more wires  332  connected to electrical connectors  334  mounted on audio transducer  330 .  
     [0067] Diaphragm  320  may be any membrane or surface to which audio transducer  330  may be mounted and which can transmit an audible sound signal generated by audio transducer  330 . Diaphragm  320  may have a thickness that may range from about 0.0625 inches to about 2 inches, but typically may have a thickness between about 0.093 inches and about 0.50 inches, for example, about 0.109 inches. Diaphragm  320  may be planar with surface  312 , may protrude beyond surface  312 , or be recessed below surface  312 , as shown in FIG. 10. In one aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 10, diaphragm  320  may be recessed in housing  310  by means of one or more beveled transitions  324 . Diaphragm  320  may be parallel to surface  312  or oriented at an angle relative to surface  312 , for example, diaphragm  320  may be canted to direct sound in the general direction of the ear of a bather in the spa. Diaphragm  320  may be metallic or non-metallic, but is preferably non-metallic to be more compatible with the moist and corrosive environment to which diaphragm  320  may be exposed. Diaphragm  320  may be made of plastic, for example, a PVC, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or an acrylic. Diaphragm  320  may take any geometric shape including, circular, oval, square, rectangular, rectangular, and the like.  
     [0068] According to one aspect of the invention, diaphragm  320  may be mounted directly to surface  312  of housing  310 . In another aspect of the invention, diaphragm  320  may be mounted in a housing that is mounted in housing  310 . As shown in FIG. 10, according to one aspect of the invention, diaphragm  320  may be mounted to housing  310  by means of a mounting ring  340  which may be mounted to housing  310 . Mounting ring  340  may be a metallic or non-metallic ring, for example, mounting ring  340  may be made from an ABS, a PVC, or their equivalents. Mounting ring  340  and diaphragm  320  may be individual parts, for example, individual parts mounted to each other by conventional fasteners or adhesives, or mounting ring  340  and diaphragm  320  may form an integral construction, for example, formed from the same material, such as, molded from the same plastic material or pressed from sheet metal. Mounting ring  340  having diaphragm  320  may be mounted to housing  310  by conventional means for example, by means of mechanical fasteners or adhesives.  
     [0069] According to one aspect of the invention, housing  310  includes water having a water level  315 . Water level  315  may be above or below the level of speaker  300  or anywhere in between. According to the present invention, unlike conventional audio speakers, speaker  300  may be mounted in housing  310  and provide a source of sound, for example, music, to a bather occupying the spa without the water interfering with the transmission of sound or damaging the speaker or exposing the bather to the potential for electrical shock. According to one aspect of the invention, speaker  300  is mounted in housing  310  wherein leakage of water from housing  310  is minimized or avoided entirely. In one aspect of the invention, a gasket  342  may be inserted between mounting ring  340  and surface  312  of housing  310  to minimize leakage of liquids around mounting ring  340 . Gasket  342  may be a circular gasket, for instance, a circular rubber gasket, for example, a Kryton gasket or its equivalent.  
     [0070] In another aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 10, mounting ring  340  may be mounted on a conduit  350  which extends through housing  310 . Conduit  350  may provide a cavity for mounting audio transducer  330 . Conduit  350  may be metallic or non-metallic, for example, conduit  350  may comprise PVC plastic pipe, ABS pipe, or their equivalent. As shown in FIG. 10, the outside diameter of conduit  350  may be threaded wherein conduit  350  provides a means for mounting diaphragm  320  in housing  310 . Conduit  350  may have an external screw thread  352  may be attached to housing  310  by engaging the external screw thread  352  with a through hole  354  in housing  310  or with a complementary internal screw thread (no shown) in housing  310 . In another aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 10, conduit  350  may be retained in housing  310  by means of retaining ring  360 . As shown in FIG. 10 retaining ring  360  may be a threaded retaining ring, that engages the external thread  352  of conduit  350 ; however, retaining ring  360  may also engage conduit  350  by other conventional means, for example, by means of mechanical fasteners, an adhesive, or a snap-on or interlocking plastic construction. Retaining ring  360  may be metallic or non-metallic. In one aspect of the invention, retaining ring  360  is made of plastic, for example, a PVC, an ABS, or their equivalent. In one aspect of the invention, retaining ring  360  may have an internal screw thread  362  which engages external screw thread  352  of conduit  350  and retains conduit  350 , mounting ring  340 , diaphragm  320 , and audio transducer  330  in housing  310 . As shown in FIG. 12, retaining ring  360  may include two or more bosses  363  having blind holes  364  to facilitate handling and rotating of retaining ring  360 , for example, manual rotation of retaining ring  360 .  
     [0071] Speaker assembly  300  may also include a speaker cover  370 , for example, shown in phantom in FIG. 10. Speaker cover  370  may protect diaphragm  320  from damage or simply provide an esthetically pleasing appearance to speaker assembly  300 . Speaker cover  370  may be perforated or unperforated and may be provided in any desired geometric shape, for example, to match the geometric shape of diaphragm  320  defined above. Speaker cover  370  may be mounted to diaphragm  320 , mounting ring  340 , or wall portion  312  by means of mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or interlocking plastic connectors.  
     [0072] Audio transducer  330  may be mounted to diaphragm  320  by any conventional means. In one aspect of the invention, audio transducer  330  is mounted to diaphragm  320  by means of a threaded metal stud  336  threaded into a mounting boss  322  on the back of diaphragm  320 . In another aspect of the invention, audio transducer  330  may be mounted to an intermediate diaphragm (not shown) which itself is mounted to diaphragm  320 . For example, in one aspect of the invention, audio transducer  330  may be mounted to a thin plastic disk. The thin plastic disk, for example, a disk between about 0.0625 to about 0.25 inches thick, may function as an intermediate diaphragm and the thin plastic disk may be mounted to diaphragm  320 , for example, by means of an adhesive or conventional mechanical fasteners, for example, by means of a mounting stud similar to stud  336 .  
     [0073] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, features, characteristics, and/or advantages of the systems, devices, head rests, speakers, tubs, spas, showers, and/or fluid-flow devices described herein, may be applied and/or extended to any embodiment (e.g., and/or portion thereof).  
     [0074] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.