Patent Description:
The invention relates to the spa with built-in seating as defined by claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

At least one aspect is directed to a spa with built-in seating. The spa includes a pool body partially enclosing a water cavity and a seating assembly. The seating assembly includes an inflatable bench attached to a floor of the pool body and an inflatable backrest attached to the inflatable bench by at least one attachment assembly having an adjustable length such that a user can adjust a position of the inflatable backrest relative to the inflatable bench.

The attachment assembly includes a loop attached to the inflatable bench; a belt comprising a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion; a reception part of a buckle attached to a first end of the first end portion; a point of connection attaching a second end of the first end portion and a first end of the middle portion to the inflatable backrest; and an insertion part having slot through which the middle portion enters and the end portion emerges. The slot provides friction against slippage of the belt through the insertion part. The insertion part and the middle portion are passed through the loop and the insertion part is inserted into the reception part to fasten the attachment assembly. A length of the second end portion can be pulled through the slot to shorten a length of the attachment assembly.

In some implementations, the inflatable backrest is attached to the inflatable bench by at least three attachment assemblies, each attachment assembly having an adjustable length.

In some implementations, a first attachment assembly adjustably connects a lower portion of the inflatable backrest to the inflatable bench, a second attachment assembly adjustably connects a first side of a top portion of the inflatable backrest to the inflatable bench and a third attachment assembly adjustably connects a second side of the top portion opposite the first side to the inflatable bench.

In some implementations, the inflatable backrest is removably attached to the inflatable bench, and the inflatable backrest can be attached at either end of the inflatable bench.

In some implementations, the inflatable backrest is separately inflatable from the inflatable bench.

In some implementations, the spa includes an inflatable stool assembly attached to the floor of the pool body.

In some implementations, the spa includes an air chamber having a plurality of holes configured to release bubbles into water filling the water cavity.

At least one aspect is directed to a spa with built-in seating. The spa includes a pool body partially enclosing a water cavity and a seating assembly. The seating assembly includes an inflatable bench attached to a floor of the pool body and an inflatable backrest attached to the inflatable bench by at least one attachment means having an adjustable length such that a user can adjust a position of the inflatable backrest relative to the inflatable bench.

In some implementations, the inflatable backrest is attached to the inflatable bench by at least three attachment means, each attachment means having an adjustable length.

In some implementations, a first attachment means adjustably connects a lower portion of the inflatable backrest to the inflatable bench, a second attachment means adjustably connects a first side of a top portion of the inflatable backrest to the inflatable bench, and a third attachment means adjustably connects a second side of the top portion opposite the first side to the inflatable bench.

The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understandingthe nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations.

The above-mentioned and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with detailed embodiments and the accompanying drawings. More details are provided in the following detailed description in order for the present invention to be fully understood.

<FIG> illustrate an example implementation of an inflatable spa according to the teachings of the present disclosure. These drawings are used as examples, are not necessarily drawn to scale, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable spa <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. The inflatable spa <NUM> includes a pool body <NUM> partially enclosing a water cavity <NUM>. The inflatable spa <NUM> includes one or more built-in seating assemblies <NUM> and one or more built-in inflatable stools <NUM>. The inflatable spa <NUM> also includes one or more air jets <NUM> and an air delivery chamber <NUM>. The air jets <NUM> and air delivery chamber <NUM> can release bubbles into water in the water cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of the inflatable spa <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. The pool body <NUM> encloses the water cavity <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The pool body <NUM> is substantially square or rectangular, and can have rounded or chamfered corners on the inside (water cavity <NUM> side) and the outside. The pool body <NUM> can be an inflatable assembly made of a flexible material including one or more of a polymer, rubber, or textile. When inflated to a pressure greater than that of the surrounding atmosphere, the pool body <NUM> can have sufficient structural integrity such that its walls stand upright and retain water in the water cavity <NUM>. The water cavity <NUM> can have a substantially square or rectangular bottom coinciding with a floor of the pool body <NUM>. The bottom of the water cavity <NUM> has four sides including a first bottom side <NUM>, a second bottom side <NUM>, a third bottom side <NUM>, and a fourth bottom side <NUM>. The first bottom side <NUM> is opposite the third bottom side <NUM>, and the second bottom side <NUM> is opposite the fourth bottom side <NUM>.

The seating assemblies <NUM> include a first inflatable backrest <NUM> attached to a first inflatable bench <NUM>, and second inflatable backrest <NUM> attached to a second inflatable bench <NUM>. The first inflatable bench <NUM> has a first long side <NUM>, a second long side <NUM>, a first short side <NUM>, and a second short side <NUM>. The first long side <NUM> is adjacent to the first bottom side <NUM>, the first short side <NUM> is adjacent to the second bottom side <NUM>, and the second short side <NUM> is adjacent to the fourth bottom side <NUM>. When filled with air, the first inflatable bench <NUM> can support a person sitting or lying thereon when the water cavity <NUM> is full of water. The first inflatable bench <NUM> can be filled with air via a valve <NUM>. In some implementations, the first inflatable bench <NUM> can have an opening in a bottom wall that allows communication of air to and from the pool body <NUM>. The first inflatable backrest <NUM> can be tabular in shape. The first inflatable backrest <NUM> can be attached to the first inflatable bench <NUM> and positioned adjacent to one end, such as the second short side <NUM>. In some implementations, the first inflatable backrest <NUM> can be removably attached at either end of the first inflatable bench <NUM>. When the first inflatable backrest <NUM> is filled with air, and the water cavity <NUM> is filled with water, the buoyancy of the first inflatable backrest <NUM> can support a person sitting, lying, or leaning thereon.

The second inflatable bench <NUM> and the second inflatable backrest <NUM> can be similar or identical to the first inflatable bench <NUM> and the first inflatable backrest <NUM>. In particular, the second inflatable bench <NUM> has a first long side <NUM>, a second long side <NUM>, a first short side <NUM>, and a second short side <NUM>. The second long side <NUM> is adjacent to the third bottom side <NUM>, the first short side <NUM> is adjacent to the second bottom side <NUM>, and the second short side <NUM> is adjacent to the fourth bottom side <NUM>. When filled with air, the second inflatable bench <NUM> can support a person sitting or lying thereon when the water cavity <NUM> is full of water. The second inflatable bench <NUM> can be filled with air via a valve <NUM>. In some implementations, the second inflatable bench <NUM> can have an opening in a bottom wall that allows communication of air to and from the pool body <NUM>. The second inflatable backrest <NUM> can be tabular in shape. The second inflatable backrest <NUM> can be attached to the second inflatable bench <NUM> and positioned adjacent to one end, such as the second short side <NUM>. In some implementations, the second inflatable backrest <NUM> can be removably attached at either end of the second inflatable bench <NUM>. When the second inflatable backrest <NUM> is filled with air, and the water cavity <NUM> is filled with water, the buoyancy of the second inflatable backrest <NUM> can support a person sitting, lying, or leaning thereon.

The first inflatable backrest <NUM> and the second inflatable backrest <NUM> can include features that allow for adjustment of the position of the of the inflatable backrests <NUM> and <NUM>. These adjustment features are discussed in detail below with regard to <FIG>.

The inflatable stool <NUM> is positioned between the first inflatable bench <NUM> and the second inflatable bench <NUM>. When filled with air, the inflatable stool <NUM> can support a person sitting thereon. The first inflatable stool <NUM> can be filled with air via a valve <NUM>. In some implementations, the inflatable stool <NUM> can have an opening in a bottom wall that allows communication of air to and from the pool body <NUM>.

The air delivery chamber <NUM> includes a tube or hose formed on, or attached to, the floor of the pool body <NUM>. The air delivery chamber <NUM> can be positioned adjacent to the fourth bottom side <NUM> of the pool body <NUM>, a side of inflatable stool <NUM>, the second long side <NUM> of the first inflatable bench <NUM>, and the first long side <NUM> of the second inflatable bench <NUM>. The air delivery chamber <NUM> includes a plurality of air delivery holes <NUM>. An air pump can pump air into the air delivery chamber such that it escapes from the air delivery holes <NUM> to release bubbles into the water in the water cavity <NUM>. The bubbles can provide massaging stimulation to users immersed in the water.

In some implementations, the inflatable spa <NUM> can include an air delivery chamber <NUM> along a perimeter of the bottom of the water cavity <NUM>. The air delivery chamber <NUM> can include a tube or hose adjacent to the bottom sides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the water cavity <NUM>. The air delivery chamber <NUM> includes a plurality of air delivery holes <NUM>. An air pump can pump air into the air delivery chamber such that it escapes from the air delivery holes <NUM> to release bubbles into the water in the water cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of built-in seating assemblies <NUM> and an inflatable stool <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. The inflatable stool <NUM> can be round, elliptical, or polygonal, with our without chamfered or rounded corners. The inflatable stool <NUM> has four sides including a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, a third end <NUM>, and a fourth end <NUM>. The inflatable stool <NUM> can be positioned within the pool body <NUM> such that the first end <NUM> is adjacent to the second long side <NUM> of the first inflatable bench <NUM>, the second end <NUM> is adjacent to the second bottom side <NUM>, the third end <NUM> is adjacent to the first long side <NUM> of the second inflatable bench <NUM>, and the fourth end <NUM> is adjacent to the air delivery chamber <NUM>. The inflatable stool <NUM> includes a margin <NUM> around its base. The margin <NUM> can be welded or otherwise bonded to the floor of the pool body <NUM>.

The inflatable bench <NUM> can have a sidewall <NUM>, a top wall <NUM>, and a bottom wall <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> includes a margin <NUM>. In some implementations, the length of the bottom wall <NUM> can be larger than the length of the top wall <NUM>. The margin <NUM> can be welded or otherwise bonded to the floor of the pool body <NUM>.

The second inflatable backrest <NUM> is attached to the second inflatable bench <NUM> by one or more adjustable attachment assemblies <NUM>. The attachment assemblies <NUM> facilitate positioning of the second inflatable backrest <NUM> with respect to the second inflatable bench <NUM>. The second inflatable backrest <NUM> and the attachment assemblies <NUM> are described in detail below with regard to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows an adjustable attachment assembly <NUM> for attaching an inflatable backrest <NUM> to an inflatable bench <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. The attachment assembly <NUM> includes a belt <NUM>, a buckle <NUM>, a loop <NUM>, and a point of connection <NUM>. The attachment assembly <NUM> creates an attachment between the point of connection <NUM> and the loop <NUM> that is adjustable in length. The belt <NUM> includes a first end portion <NUM>, a second end portion <NUM>, and a middle portion <NUM>. The buckle <NUM> includes a reception part <NUM> and an insertion part <NUM>. The middle portion <NUM> and the second end portion <NUM> can feed through one or more slots in the insertion part <NUM>. The slots can provide friction against the belt <NUM> to prevent slippage of the belt <NUM> through the insertion part <NUM>. When the reception part <NUM> and the insertion part <NUM> are buckled, the attachment assembly <NUM> will restrain the inflatable backrest <NUM>, and counteract the effect of buoyancy pulling the inflatable backrest <NUM> up and away from the inflatable bench <NUM>. The user can pull the second end portion <NUM> through the slots in the insertion part <NUM> to shorten the middle portion <NUM> and thus the distance between the point of connection <NUM> and the loop <NUM>. In this manner, the attachment assembly <NUM> can be shortened or lengthened to adjust the position and orientation of the inflatable backrest <NUM> with respect to the inflatable bench <NUM>.

In some implementations, the inflatable bench <NUM> can include one or more loops <NUM> at either end of the inflatable bench <NUM> (i.e., the end adjacent to the first short side <NUM> and the end adjacent to the second short side <NUM>). This can allow the inflatable backrest <NUM> to be positioned at either end of the inflatable bent <NUM> as desired. In some implementations, the built-in seating assembly <NUM> can include more than one attachment assembly <NUM>. In some implementations, the loop <NUM> and the point of connection <NUM> can be reversed such that the point of connection <NUM> is on the inflatable bench <NUM> and the loop is on the inflatable backrest <NUM>. In some implementations, the built-in seating assembly <NUM> can include three attachment assemblies <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of an adjustable inflatable backrest <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. In the implementations illustrated in <FIG>, the inflatable backrest <NUM> is restrained by three attachment assemblies 31a, 31b, and 31c (collectively "attachment assemblies <NUM>"). The attachment assemblies 31a, 31b, and 31c are attached to the inflatable backrest <NUM> via a first point of connection <NUM>, a second point of connection <NUM>, and a third point of connection <NUM>, respectively. The attachment assemblies 31a, 31b, and 31c are attached to the inflatable bench <NUM> by loops <NUM>, as shown previously in <FIG>. The inflatable backrest <NUM> can be filled with air via a valve <NUM>. When the water cavity <NUM> is full of water and the inflatable backrest <NUM> is full of air, buoyancy will push the inflatable backrest <NUM> upwards, and the attachment assemblies <NUM> will restrain it. The user can adjust position and angle of the inflatable backrest <NUM> as desired by adjusting the length of each attachment assembly <NUM>. Thus, the user can place the inflatable backrest <NUM> in a position of maximum comfort for relaxing in the spa.

In some implementations, more or fewer attachment assemblies may be used to restrain the inflatable backrest <NUM>. In some implementations, the inflatable backrest <NUM> can be completely removable from the inflatable bench <NUM>. In some implementations, a bottom edge of the inflatable backrest <NUM> may include a margin appropriate for welding to the top wall <NUM> of the inflatable bench <NUM>. In some implementations, the attachment assemblies <NUM> can comprise other means for retaining the inflatable backrest <NUM>; for example, hook and loop fasteners, a frame-style or plate-style buckle, or a cam buckle.

<FIG> illustrates operation of an adjustable attachment assembly <NUM>, according to an illustrative implementation. The attachment assembly <NUM> includes a reception part <NUM>, an insertion part <NUM>, and a loop <NUM>. The operation includes three stages, A, B, and C.

In stage A, the reception part <NUM> and the insertion part <NUM> are disengaged. The insertion part <NUM> and belt are free of the loop <NUM>.

In stage B, the insertion part <NUM> and belt are passed through the loop <NUM>.

In stage C, the insertion part <NUM> is brought back around for insertion into the reception part <NUM>. When the reception part <NUM> and the insertion part <NUM> are engaged, the attachment assembly <NUM> can restrain the inflatable backrest <NUM> or <NUM>. The distance between the loop <NUM> and a point of connection <NUM> can be adjusted by sliding the belt through the slots of the insertion part <NUM>, as previously described with regard to <FIG>. The user can thus adjust the inflatable backrest <NUM> or <NUM> to the desired position and orientation with respect to the inflatable bench <NUM> or <NUM>.

The present invention has been described above in connection with example implementations which, however, are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the present invention, and any person skilled in the art could make possible changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A spa (<NUM>) with built-in seating, comprising;
a pool body (<NUM>) partially enclosing a water cavity (<NUM>); and
a seating assembly (<NUM>) including an inflatable bench (<NUM>) attached to a floor of the pool body (<NUM>), and
an inflatable backrest (<NUM>) detachably coupled to the inflatable bench by
at least one attachment assembly (<NUM>) having an adjustable length such that a user can adjust a position of the inflatable backrest (<NUM>) relative to the inflatable bench (<NUM>) wherein the attachment assembly (<NUM>) comprises:
a loop (<NUM>) attached to the inflatable bench (<NUM>);
a belt (<NUM>) comprising a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion;
a reception part (<NUM>) of a buckle (<NUM>) attached to a first end of the first end portion;
a point of connection (<NUM>) attaching a second end of the first end portion and a first end of the middle portion to the inflatable backrest; and
an insertion part having slot through which the middle portion enters and the end portion emerges, the slot providing friction against slippage of the belt through the insertion part,
wherein:
the insertion part and the middle portion are passed through the loop and the insertion part is inserted into the reception part to fasten the attachment assembly, and
a length of the second end portion can be pulled through the slot to shorten a length of the attachment assembly.