Support structure for a spa

Abstract

A support structure for a spa includes a plastic base member which has an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion which are spaced apart. The base member defines a base pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a substantial portion of the base member. A pair of plastic side members and a pair of plastic end members are attached to the base member. The side members and the end members each have an inside wall portion and an outside wall portion which are also spaced apart which define a wall pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a portion of each of these members. The base member, side members and end members form a support structure adapted to receive and support a spa shell. Any type of insulating material may be placed into the insulating pockets of space. Accessory devices in the form of towel warmers and fold away steps are provided in openings in the support structure.

1 . A support structure for a spa comprising: 
 a) a plastic base member, said base member having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and a spacing means to keep said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion in a spaced apart relationship, said wall portions defining a base pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a substantial portion of said base member; and    b) a pair of plastic side members and a pair of plastic end members attached to said base member, said side members and said end members each having an inside wall portion, an outside wall portion and a spacing means to keep said inside wall portions and said outside wall portions in a spaced apart relationship, said wall portions defining a wall pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a portion of each of said side members and each of said end members, said base member, side members and end members forming a support structure adapted to receive and support a spa shell.    
   
   
       2 . A support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said spacing means is a perimeter wall portion.  
   
   
       3 . A support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said base pocket of insulating space and said wall pocket of insulating space are each fully enclosed.  
   
   
       4 . A support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said wall pocket of insulating space and said base pocket of insulating space are filled with air.  
   
   
       5 . A support structure according to  claim 1  wherein said wall pocket of insulating space and said base pocket of insulating space are filled with an insulating foam material.  
   
   
       6 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion of said base member each have corrugations therein to provide added strength.  
   
   
       7 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 6  wherein said corrugations are in the form of a waffle like corrugation pattern.  
   
   
       8 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said upper wall portion of said base member is formed to have upwardly extending L-shaped corner posts to aid in positioning and supporting said end members and said side members onto said base member.  
   
   
       9 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said upper wall portion of said base member is formed to have upwardly extending inner posts and upwardly extending outer posts to aid in positioning and supporting inside wall and outside wall members of said end members and of said side members onto said base member.  
   
   
       10 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said end members and said side members are bolted together and are bolted to said base member.  
   
   
       11 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said outside walls of said side and end members constitute the outermost side and end surfaces of a fully assembled spa.  
   
   
       12 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said outside walls of said side and end members include decorative elements.  
   
   
       13 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said outside walls of said side and end members include a decorative element in the form of a corner pillar.  
   
   
       14 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said side members and said end members have interlocking tabs to aid in proper positioning of said members during assembly and to aid in securing said members together.  
   
   
       15 . A support structure for a spa according to  claim 1  wherein said side members and said end members have openings therein.  
   
   
       16 . A support structure according to  claim 15  wherein said at least one opening is covered by an insulating door member.  
   
   
       17 . A support structure according to  claim 15  wherein said at least one opening is received by an accessory device.  
   
   
       18 . A support structure according to  claim 17  wherein said accessory device is a towel warming chamber.  
   
   
       19 . A support structure according to  claim 17  wherein said accessory device is a set of steps.  
   
   
       20 . A support structure according to  claim 17  wherein said accessory device is pivotally mounted in said opening.  
   
   
       21 . A spa comprising: 
 a) a plastic base member, said base member having an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion and a spacing means to keep said upper wall portion and said lower wall portion in a spaced apart relationship, said wall portions defining a base pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a substantial portion of said base member;    b) a pair of plastic side members and a pair of plastic end members attached to said base member, said side members and said end members each having an inside wall portion, an outside wall portion and a spacing means to keep said inside wall portions and said outside wall portions in a spaced apart relationship, said wall portions defining a wall pocket of insulating space which extends throughout a portion of each of said side members and each of said end members; and    c) a spa shell received by and supported by said support structure.    
   
   
       22 . A spa comprising at least one side member which has an opening therein received by an accessory device having at least one flat surface, said accessory device pivotal from a closed position wherein said accessory device remains inward of said side member and said flat surface encloses said opening to an open position wherein said accessory device extends outward of said side member and may be utilized for an accessory function.  
   
   
       23 . A support structure according to  claim 22  wherein said accessory device is a towel warming chamber.  
   
   
       24 . A support structure according to  claim 22  wherein said accessory device is a set of steps.