Integrated Hot Tub, Spa, or Pool and Frame and Method of Inground Installation

Abstract

An assembly of in-ground tub with an attached frame is provided, and a method of installing the same. The tub is mounted within the frame. A lower surface of the tub, which may be inclined relative to the bottom surface of the frame, is retained above such bottom surface so that the bottom surface of the frame can remain horizontal while the lower surface of the tub is inclined. The tub and attached frame are installed by digging a hole in the ground, inserting the tub with attached frame into the hole, pouring a first layer of concrete into the hole, at least partially filling the hole with dirt, and optionally pouring a second layer of concrete to support decking near an entrance to the tub.

1 . An in-ground tub assembly, comprising:
 a frame comprising a base, a plurality of side supports, a plurality of deck support members, and a top section, said base being generally planar and having a perimeter, said plurality of side supports projecting upward from said base around the perimeter, said top section being mechanically coupled to said plurality of side supports, and said plurality of deck support members being mechanically attached to said side supports and extending outward from said frame; and   a tub comprising a lower surface, a sidewall integrally formed with said lower surface, and an upper rim integrally formed with said sidewall, said sidewall projecting upward from said lower surface and ending at said upper rim, said upper rim being coupled to said top section of said frame such that said tub is supported by said frame, wherein at least a portion of said lower surface of said tub is inclined relative to said base.   
     
     
         2 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one of said deck support members projecting from said top end of said corresponding side supports extends outward from said frame at a downward angle.   
     
     
         3 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said deck supports extend downward relative to said top section at an angle of 1° to 4°.   
     
     
         4 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said lower surface of said tub is retained above said base of said frame.   
     
     
         5 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said plurality of side supports has a top end and a bottom end, at least one of said deck support members projects from adjacent said top end of one of said side supports, and at least one of said deck support members projects from said bottom end of a corresponding one of said side supports.   
     
     
         6 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said deck support members are spaced approximately four feet apart from each other.   
     
     
         7 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said deck support members are made from galvanized angle iron.   
     
     
         8 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base, said plurality of side supports, and said top section define a generally rectangular compartment.   
     
     
         9 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hydrotherapy system for circulating and pressurizing water, said hydrotherapy system including a plurality of jets situated within said sidewall of said tub, and a water pump for circulating the water.   
     
     
         10 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said tub has dimensions of at least eight feet wide and twenty feet long.   
     
     
         11 . An in-ground tub assembly, comprising:
 a frame comprising a base, a plurality of side supports, and a top section, said base being generally planar and having a perimeter, said plurality of side supports projecting upward from said base around the perimeter, and said top section being mechanically coupled to said plurality of side supports; and   a tub comprising a lower surface, a sidewall integrally formed with said lower surface, and an upper rim integrally formed with said sidewall, said sidewall projecting upward from said lower surface, ending at said upper rim, and forming a plurality of stairs disposed between said upper rim and said lower surface, each of said plurality of stairs having a step surface formed to be generally parallel with said lower surface, said upper rim being coupled to said top section of said frame such that said tub is supported by said frame, wherein at least a portion of said lower surface of said tub is inclined relative to said base.   
     
     
         12 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said base, said plurality of side supports, and said top section define a generally rectangular compartment.   
     
     
         13 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said frame further includes at least one stair support extending horizontally underneath a respective step of said stairs such that each said stair support supports said respective step.   
     
     
         14 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a hydrotherapy system for circulating and pressurizing water, said hydrotherapy system including a plurality of jets situated within said sidewall of said tub, and a water pump for circulating the water.   
     
     
         15 . An in-ground tub assembly, comprising:
 a frame made from a plurality of noncorrosive metal supports comprising a base, a plurality of side supports, and a top section, said base being generally planar and having a perimeter, said plurality of side supports projecting upward from said base around the perimeter, and said top section being mechanically coupled to said plurality of side supports; and   a tub comprising a lower surface, a sidewall integrally formed with said lower surface, and an upper rim integrally formed with said sidewall, said sidewall projecting upward from said lower surface and ending at said upper rim, said upper rim being coupled to said top section of said frame such that said tub is supported by said frame, wherein at least a portion of said lower surface of said tub is inclined relative to said base.   
     
     
         16 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said plurality of noncorrosive metal supports include galvanized angle iron.   
     
     
         17 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said base, said plurality of side supports, and said top section define a generally rectangular compartment.   
     
     
         18 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a hydrotherapy system for circulating and pressurizing water, said hydrotherapy system including a plurality of jets situated within said sidewall of said tub, and a water pump for circulating the water.   
     
     
         19 . An in-ground tub assembly, comprising:
 a frame made from a plurality of noncorrosive metal supports comprising a base, a plurality of side supports, and a top section, said base being generally planar and having a first lower surface and a perimeter, said plurality of side supports projecting upward from said base around the perimeter, and said top section being mechanically coupled to said plurality of side supports; and   a tub comprising a second lower surface, a sidewall integrally formed with said second lower surface, and an upper rim integrally formed with said sidewall, said sidewall projecting upward from said second lower surface and ending at said upper rim, said upper rim being coupled to said top section of said frame such that said tub is supported by said frame, wherein said second lower surface of said tub is retained above said first lower surface of said base.   
     
     
         20 . The in-ground tub assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a hydrotherapy system for circulating and pressurizing water, said hydrotherapy system including a plurality of jets situated within said sidewall of said tub, and a water pump for circulating the water.   
     
     
         21 . A method for installing an in-ground tub, comprising:
 a) providing an assembly of a frame supporting an a outdoor tub, the frame defining a flat lower base, the tub defining a non-flat lower surface at least partially suspended relative to the flat lower base, and the tub provided with a hydrotherapy system;   b) excavating a hole in a ground, the hole having a level bottom surface and dimensioned to accommodate the assembly;   c) inserting the assembly into the hole such that the lower base of the frame rests horizontally on the bottom surface and a gap is defined between the lower surface of the tub and the bottom surface of the hole;   d) providing a first layer of concrete into the hole until the concrete at least partially fills the gap between said lower surface of the tub and the bottom surface of the hole.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 after said inserting, the lower surface of the tub is provided at an incline relative to the bottom surface of the hole.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing dirt into the hole to at least partially fill in the hole about the frame and tub.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 the frame has a top section and a plurality of deck support members projecting outward from the top section to support an amount of decking, and   providing decking over said deck support members.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 said providing decking includes providing a second layer of concrete over the dirt and over the top section and said the of said deck support members.