Spa with Integrated Umbrella Receptacle

Abstract

A spa shell with integrated umbrella system includes a spa shell portion for containing a liquid and having a receptacle formed in a wall of the spa shell. An umbrella system is removably interfaced into the receptacle. The umbrella system includes a mast that is removably interfaced to the receptacle and an umbrella portion that is interfaced to the mast. The spa shell provides ballast to the mast and to the umbrella portion of the umbrella system.

1 . A spa with integrated umbrella holder, the spa comprising:
 a spa shell portion for containing a liquid; and   a receptacle for accepting a mast of an umbrella system, the receptacle formed in a wall of the spa shell, thereby providing support and ballast to the mast of the umbrella system;   whereas the mast of the umbrella system comprises triangular linkages that provide structure and adjustability in both height of the umbrella system and/or tilt of the umbrella system.   
     
     
         2 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 1 , wherein the mast of the umbrella system is removably inserted into the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 1 , wherein the mast of the umbrella system supports an umbrella portion. 
     
     
         4 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 3 , wherein the umbrella portion is sized and shaped to mate with an upper edge of the spa shell portion. 
     
     
         5 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 4 , wherein the mast includes a mechanism for lowering and raising the umbrella portion and, when the umbrella portion is lowered, the umbrella portion serves as a cover for the spa. 
     
     
         6 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated stair system for entering and exiting the spa, the integrated stair system molded with the spa shell portion and the integrated stair system juts away from an outside wall of the spa shell portion. 
     
     
         7 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 6 , further comprising a railing interfaced to the integrated stair system. 
     
     
         8 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrated folding table directly connected to a hinge, the hinge directly connected to an upper surface of an inside wall of the spa shell portion such that the table hinges downwardly. 
     
     
         9 . A method of shading and covering a spa, the method comprising:
 providing a receptacle formed in a spa shell, the spa shell including an integrated stair system molded with the spa shell, the integrated stair system juts away from an outside wall of the spa shell;   inserting a mast of an umbrella system into the receptacle, the mast coupled to an umbrella portion of the umbrella system;   raising the umbrella portion, thereby allowing entry into water within the spa shell; and   deploying the umbrella portion, thereby shading at least a portion of the spa.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the receptacle is formed as part of the spa shell and, therefore, the spa shell provides ballast for the mast and umbrella portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 lowering the umbrella portion until the umbrella portion rests upon an upper edge of the spa shell, thereby covering the spa to reduce and reduce contamination of the water within the spa shell.   
     
     
         12 . A spa with integrated umbrella system, the spa comprising:
 a spa shell portion for containing a liquid;   a receptacle formed in a wall of the spa shell portion;   an umbrella system removably interfaced into the receptacle, the umbrella system comprising a mast that is removably interfaced to the receptacle and an umbrella portion that is interfaced to the mast, the spa shell portion provides ballast to the mast and the umbrella portion of the umbrella system; and   an integrated stair system for entering and exiting the spa, the integrated stair system molded with the spa shell portion and the integrated stair system juts away from an outside wall of the spa shell portion.   
     
     
         13 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 12 , wherein the umbrella portion is sized and shaped to mate with an upper edge of the spa shell portion. 
     
     
         14 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 13 , wherein the mast includes a mechanism for lowering and raising the umbrella portion and, when the umbrella portion is lowered, the umbrella portion serves as a cover for the spa. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 12 , further comprising a railing interfaced to the integrated stair system. 
     
     
         17 . The spa with integrated umbrella holder of  claim 12 , further comprising an integrated folding table directly connected to a hinge, the hinge directly connected to an upper surface of an inside wall of the spa shell portion such that the table hinges downwardly.