Panel Systems for Spas

Abstract

Panel systems are provided where the panels are constrained relative to a spa, but can be readily removed from the spa to permit replacement of the panels. The panels can be constrained prior to removal, such as using flanges which are attachable relative to the frame of the spa.

1 . A spa comprising:
 a vessel for containing water;   a frame supporting the vessel; and   a skirt extending at least partially around the frame, the skirt including a removable panel constrained from removal by flanges adjacent the panel.   
   
   
       2 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges are provided adjacent side edges of the panel. 
   
   
       3 . The spa of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the flanges adjacent side edges of the panel is removably attached relative to the frame to permit the panel to be removed when the one of the flanges is removed. 
   
   
       4 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges are provided adjacent side and bottom edges of the panel. 
   
   
       5 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges include a depending flange of the vessel adjacent a top edge of the panel. 
   
   
       6 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges are adjacent top and bottom edges of the panel and have a base portion and a constraining portion, the panel having a maximum height between the top and bottom edges less than a maximum height between the base portions of the flanges adjacent the top and bottom edges of the panels. 
   
   
       7 . The spa of  claim 6 , wherein the maximum height between the base portion of the flange adjacent the top edge of the panel and the outer portion of constraining portion of the flange adjacent the bottom edge of the panel is greater than the maximum height of the panel. 
   
   
       8 . The spa of  claim 1 , wherein at least one attachment means is provided for generally securing the panel to the frame. 
   
   
       9 . The spa of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment means constrains movement of the panel relative to the frame in some but not all directions. 
   
   
       10 . The spa of  claim 8 , wherein the attachment means constrains movement of the panel relative to the frame. 
   
   
       11 . A removable panel system usable as part of a skirt surrounding a vessel of a spa, the system comprising:
 a panel having top, bottom and side edges; and   flanges positionable adjacent at least a pair of opposite edges of the panel, the flanges each having a constraining portion configured to at least partially constrain the panel from removal.   
   
   
       12 . The removable panel system of  claim 11 , wherein the flanges are positioned with a spacing and the panel has a height such that the panel can be moved toward one of the flanges to clear the constraining portion of the other of the flanges for removal of the panel. 
   
   
       13 . The removable panel system of  claim 11 , wherein a pair of side flanges are positioned adjacent the side edges of the panel and configured to constrain the panel. 
   
   
       14 . The removable panel system of  claim 11 , wherein the flanges are attachable relative to a frame supporting a vessel of a spa. 
   
   
       15 . The removable panel system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one attachment means is provided for generally securing the panel to the frame. 
   
   
       16 . A method of removing a panel of a skirt of a spa constrained at least in part at a pair of opposing edge portions thereof, the method comprising:
 shifting the panel to free one of the edge portions of the panel from constraint while the other of the edge portions of the panel remains constrained; and then   shifting the panel to free the other of the edge portions of the panel from constraint to permit removal of the panel.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of shifting the panel to free the other of the edge portions of the panel from constraint includes shifting the panel is a generally opposite direction from the step of shifting the panel to free the one of the edge portions of the panel. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein top and bottom edge portions of the panel are constrained prior to the steps of shifting the panel. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein side edge portions of the panel are constrained prior to the steps of shifting the panel, and further including the step of freeing at least one of the side edges of the panel from constraint prior to the steps of shifting the panel to free the top and bottom edge portions from constraint.