Portable spa with interchangeable overlay panels

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable spa comprising a shell having a plurality of seats and an arrangement of water jet assemblies. At least one overlay panel is removably secured to a portion of the shell by the jet assemblies, wherein the jet assemblies extend through both the overlay panel and the shell. In one embodiment, the overlay panel is secured to an upper portion of a seat. The upper portion of the seat has a receiver that is recessed from the outer surface of the seat and cooperatively dimensioned with the overlay panel. The jet assembly comprises a stem that extends through a shell opening and a panel opening. Each jet assembly includes a sealing element that engages the panel and the shell to seal the shell opening. The jet assembly also includes a securing element that provides a clamping force to secure the overlay panel against the shell. In an installed position, the overlay panel is secured against the receiver and the seat by at least one jet assembly that extends through both the panel and the shell.

1 . A portable spa comprising:
 a shell having a plurality of seats; and,   at least one overlay panel removably secured to a portion of the shell by at least one water jet assembly, wherein the water jet assembly extends through both the overlay panel and the shell.   
   
   
       2 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein the overlay panel is secured to an upper portion of a seat. 
   
   
       3 . The portable spa of  claim 2 , wherein the upper portion of the seat has a receiver that is both recessed from the outer surface of the seat and cooperatively dimensioned with the overlay panel. 
   
   
       4 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein the jet assembly includes a securing element that provides a clamping force against the shell to secure the overlay panel in an installed position. 
   
   
       5 . The portable spa of  claim 4 , wherein the jet assembly comprises a stem that extends through a shell opening and a panel opening. 
   
   
       6 . The portable spa of  claim 5 , wherein the stem includes a water inlet, an air inlet and an outlet, and wherein the inlets collectively form an internal passageway to the outlet. 
   
   
       7 . The portable spa of  claim 1 , wherein the jet assembly includes a sealing element and a securing element that engages the shell to secure the overlay panel in an installed position. 
   
   
       8 . The portable spa of  claim 7 , wherein the sealing element comprises an inner lip, an outer lip, and a channel positioned between the inner and outer lips. 
   
   
       9 . The portable spa of  claim 8 , wherein in the installed position, the inner lip resides between a flange of the jet assembly and the panel, and the outer lip resides between the overlay panel and the shell. 
   
   
       10 . The portable spa of  claim 8 , wherein in the installed position, the channel resides within a panel opening to receive the panel. 
   
   
       11 . The portable spa of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing element further comprises a projection that extends from the outer lip, the projection being received within a shell opening in the installed position. 
   
   
       12 . A portable spa comprising:
 a shell having a plurality of seats and a plurality of water jet assemblies;   at least one overlay panel; and,   wherein in an installed position, at least one water jet assembly extends through both the overlay panel and the shell to removably secure the panel to the shell.   
   
   
       13 . The portable spa of  claim 12 , wherein the overlay panel is secured to a recessed receiver of a seat, wherein the receiver is cooperatively dimensioned with the overlay panel. 
   
   
       14 . The portable spa of  claim 12 , further comprising a securing element that provides a clamping force against the shell to secure the overlay panel in the installed position. 
   
   
       15 . The portable spa of  claim 12 , further comprising a sealing element including an inner lip, an outer lip, and a channel positioned between the inner and outer lips. 
   
   
       16 . The portable spa of  claim 15 , wherein in the installed position:
 the inner lip resides between a flange of the jet assembly and the panel;   the channel resides within a panel opening to receive the panel; and,   the outer lip resides between the overlay panel and the shell.   
   
   
       17 . The portable spa of  claim 16 , wherein the sealing element further includes a projection that extends from the outer lip, the projection being received within a shell opening in the installed position. 
   
   
       18 . A portable spa comprising:
 a shell having a plurality of seats and an arrangement of water jet assemblies;   an overlay panel;   a securing element; and,   wherein in an installed position, at least one water jet assembly extends through both the overlay panel and the shell for engagement with the securing element to removably secure the panel to the shell.   
   
   
       19 . The portable spa of  claim 18 , wherein the overlay panel is secured to a recessed receiver of a seat, wherein the receiver is cooperatively dimensioned with the overlay panel. 
   
   
       20 . The portable spa of claim C 1 , wherein the securing element comprises a nut that engages an outer surface of the shell in the installed position. 
   
   
       21 . The portable spa of  claim 20 , further comprising a sealing element including an inner lip, an outer lip, and a channel positioned between the inner and outer lips. 
   
   
       22 . The portable spa of  claim 21 , wherein in the installed position:
 the inner lip resides between a flange of the jet assembly and the panel;   the channel resides within a panel opening to receive the panel; and,   the outer lip resides between the overlay panel and the shell.   
   
   
       23 . The portable spa of  claim 22 , wherein the sealing element further includes a projection that extends from the outer lip, the projection being received within a shell opening in the installed position.