Portable spa

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable spa having a tray for centralized mounting of the various spa components. More specifically, the invention provides a portable spa or hot tub that utilizes a mounting tray for connection of the various spa components, including the ozonator, heater, control panel, and electrical connection interface. The tray is mounted to a support frame within a cavity residing between the spa tub and enclosure formed from exterior panels. The tray includes an arrangement of bays, wherein each bay is specifically dimensioned to receive a particular spa component and secure the component in a force fit. The bay arrangement includes a first bay that receives an electrical connection interface box or junction box. The mounting tray also includes a second bay that receives the control panel, a third bay that receives an ozonator, and a fourth bay that receives a heater and valves. The fist through fourth bays are arrayed about a central portion that is recessed from a flange of the tray.

1 . A portable spa comprising: 
 a tub residing within a support frame, the support frame comprising an arrangement of horizontal frame members and vertical frame members;    a plurality of operating components including an electrical junction box and a control panel; and, a mounting tray affixed to the support frame, the mounting tray having a flange, a recessed central portion, a first bay dimensioned to receive the electrical junction box in a force fit, and a second bay dimensioned to receive the control panel in a force fit.    
   
   
       2 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein the first bay is defined by a side wall arrangement that extends rearward from the central portion of the tray.  
   
   
       3 . The portable spa of  claim 2 , wherein the first bay also includes a rear wall that is positioned rearward of the flange.  
   
   
       4 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein a front portion of the control panel resides forward of the central portion and a rear portion of the control panel resides rearward of the central portion.  
   
   
       5 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein a cable electrically connects the junction box with the control panel, and wherein the power to the control panel is interrupted by disconnecting the cable from the junction box.  
   
   
       6 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting tray further includes a third bay that is dimensioned to receive an ozonator in a force fit.  
   
   
       7 . The portable spa of  claim 6 , wherein the mounting tray further includes a fourth bay that is dimensioned to receive a heater in a force fit.  
   
   
       8 . The portable spa of  claim 7 , wherein the first through fourth bays are recessed from the central portion.  
   
   
       9 . A portable spa comprising: 
 a tub supported within a frame arrangement;    a cavity defined between the tub and the frame; and, a mounting tray affixed to the frame within the cavity, the mounting tray having a central portion, a first bay dimensioned to receive an electrical junction box, a second bay dimensioned to receive a control panel, and a third bay dimensioned to receive an ozonator; and,    wherein the first, second and third bays are recessed from the central portion.    
   
   
       10 . The portable spa of  claim 9 , wherein the tray includes a flange that is positioned against frame members of the frame arrangement.  
   
   
       11 . The portable spa of  claim 10 , wherein the central portion is recessed from the flange.  
   
   
       12 . The portable spa of  claim 9 , wherein the tray includes a fourth bay dimensioned to receive a heater element.  
   
   
       13 . The portable spa of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth bay extends between opposed side walls of the tray.  
   
   
       14 . The portable spa of  claim 13 , wherein each tray side wall includes an opening that accepts a conduit leading to one side of the heater.  
   
   
       15 . The portable spa of  claim 12 , wherein the fourth bay includes a pair of channels that extends upward toward the second bay, and wherein each channel is dimensioned to accept a valve that controls the flow of water for the heater.  
   
   
       16 . The portable spa of  claim 9 , wherein a disconnectable cord electrically connects the junction box with the control panel.  
   
   
       17 . A spa mounting tray that centrally mounts operational components within a cavity external to a spa shell, the mounting tray comprising: 
 a peripheral flange; and,    an arrangement of recessed bays including 
 a first bay dimensioned to receive an electrical junction box;  
 a second bay dimensioned to receive a control panel;  
 a third bay dimensioned to receive an ozonator; and,  
 a fourth bay dimensioned to receive a heater;  
   wherein the first through fourth bays are arrayed within the peripheral flange.    
   
   
       18 . The mounting tray of  claim 17 , wherein the mounting tray includes a central portion recessed from the flange, and wherein the first through fourth bays are recessed from the central portion.  
   
   
       19 . The mounting tray of  claim 17 , wherein the first through fourth bays are dimensioned such that the respective operational component is received in a force fit.  
   
   
       20 . The mounting tray of  claim 17 , wherein the first, second and third bays are each defined by an arrangement of side walls that extend rearward from the central portion of the tray.  
   
   
       21 . The mounting tray of  claim 20 , wherein the first, second and third bays each include a rear wall that resides rearward of the central portion of the tray.  
   
   
       22 . The mounting tray of  claim 17 , wherein the fourth bay extends between opposed side walls of the tray, and wherein each tray side wall includes an opening that accepts a conduit leading to one side of the heater.  
   
   
       23 . The mounting tray of  claim 17 , wherein the fourth bay includes a centrally positioned retaining element and a pair of channels that extends upward toward the second bay, and wherein each channel is dimensioned to accept a valve that controls the flow of water for the heater.