Combination spa and entertainment system

Abstract

A combination spa and electronic entertainment system is disclosed. The spa includes a tub with an upper edge from which horizontal surfaces extend. The surfaces have apertures through which water-tight housings may be raised and lowered. The housings hold components of the entertainment system and have tops larger in size than the apertures to form sealing areas engageable with the horizontal surfaces surrounding the apertures for sealing the apertures and the water-tight housings. A moving mechanism is provided to raise and lower the housings. The mechanism has a platform supported on a carriage movable vertically along a support column. A motor raises and lowers the platforms through a cable and pulley system. A motion limiting device having a pivoting arm which engages sensors communicating with the motor through a control system shuts the motor off in response to predetermined upper and lower limits of cable tension.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system for personal therapy and relaxation by immersion in a volume of water, said spa and entertainment system comprising: 
 a tub adapted to hold said water and accommodate at least one person for immersion therein, said tub comprising a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls surrounding said bottom, said sidewalls having an upper edge extending around said tub;    a surface extending substantially horizontally from one of said sidewalls and proximate to said upper edge, said surface having an aperture therein;    a water-tight housing defining an interior adapted to hold a component of said entertainment system, said housing being positioned in alignment with said aperture and movable between a first position beneath said surface and a second position projecting above said surface, said housing having a cover projecting beyond the perimeter of said aperture and comprising a sealing area facing said surface, said sealing area being engageable with said surface to effect a seal around the perimeter of said aperture thereby keeping water out of said interior when said housing is in said first position beneath said surface;    a mechanism adapted for moving said housing between said first and said second positions; and    a control system for controlling said mechanism.    
     
     
         2 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rib positioned surrounding said aperture on said surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, said sealing area having a complementary groove spaced to coincide with the rib on the sealing area, the groove being sized to receive said rib and thereby seal said aperture when said housing is in said first position beneath said surface.  
     
     
         3 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing holds a television monitor and has a transparent cover facing said tub permitting said monitor to be viewed by persons within said tub.  
     
     
         4 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second surface extending substantially horizontally from one of said sidewalls and proximate to said upper edge, said second surface having a second aperture therein;    a second water-tight housing defining an interior adapted to hold another component of said entertainment system, said second housing being positioned within said second aperture and movable between a first position beneath said second surface and a second position projecting above said second surface, said second housing having a cover projecting beyond the perimeter of said second aperture and comprising a second sealing area facing said second surface, said second sealing area being engageable with said second surface thereby keeping water out of said second aperture when said second housing is in said first position beneath said second surface; and    a second mechanism adapted for moving said second housing between said first and said second positions simultaneously with said first housing.    
     
     
         5 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a rib surrounding said second aperture on said second surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, said second sealing area having a complementary groove spaced to coincide with the rib on said sealing area, said groove being sized to receive said rib and thereby seal said second aperture when said second housing is in said first position beneath said second surface.  
     
     
         6 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 4 , wherein said other component of said electronic entertainment system comprises a speaker.  
     
     
         7 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 6 , wherein said second housing comprises: 
 an angled surface adapted for mounting said speaker thereon, said angled surface substantially facing toward said tub; and    a contra-angled surface substantially facing said angled surface, said contra-angled surface adapted for reflecting sound from said speaker toward said tub.    
     
     
         8 . A combination spa and electronic entertainment system according to  claim 7 , further comprising a seat adapted to accommodate a person and positioned within said tub facing said first housing, said second housing being positioned substantially behind said seat.