Spa stair apparatus and methods with convertible steps

• US 20080029342A1
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael C. Genova
• Original Assignee: Michael C. Genova
• Inventors: Genova, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,181,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 182/151
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 11/00 Stairways, ramps, or like structures mounting or marking-off stairways E04F21/26; of temporary use during building construction E04G27/00; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; means for facilitating access to swimming pools E04H4/144; appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk A61H3/00; Balustrades; Handrails ladders permanently attached to fixed structures E06C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1048 with lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/144 Means for facilitating access, e.g. step units or slides invalid-lifting devices for swimming pools A61G7/1005

Abstract

A spa or hot tub stair assembly or apparatus having at least one step which is convertible by repositioning to provide different shaped sides. The different shaped sides can be used to better fit the outer shape of the associated spa. The individual step or steps are removable and have connection features which detachably connect with connection features upon one or more pieces forming a base. The base may be provided in the form of a pair of upright supports upon which one or more steps are supported. The assembly may advantageously be provided with one or more storage drawers or other bins which are preferably slidable for easy access.

Claims

1. An apparatus forming a convertible spa stair apparatus, comprising:

at least one step for placing a user foot thereon, said at least one step having a curved first edge and a straight second edge, the first and second edges being along opposing longitudinal edges of the at least one step;

at least one base for supporting the at least one step;

said at least one base and said at least one step being adapted to allow a proximal step of said at least one step to be detached and reattached to said at least one base thereby converting the proximal step, said converting serving to allow the proximal step to be reconfigured between having the curved first edge and the straight second edge serve as an adjacent edge on the proximal step for positioning adjacent to a spa wall.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein, said storage container being slidably mounted to act as a drawer.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein, said storage container being slidably mounted to act as a drawer which may be slid outwardly from either the curved first edge or the straight second edge.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein;

and wherein the at least one storage container is covered by said at least one step when said at least one storage container is positioned in a stowed position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one step includes a plurality of steps.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one step has base-step connection engagement features that engage with base connection features on said at least one base to allow the at least one step and the at least one base to be detached and reattached.

8. An apparatus forming a convertible spa stair apparatus, comprising:

at least one step for placing a user foot thereon, said at least one step having a first edge and a second edge, the first and second edges being along opposing transverse edges of the at least one step and having different shapes for being placed adjacent to spas having different wall shapes;

at least one base for supporting the at least one step;

said at least one base and said at least one step being adapted to allow at least a proximal step of said at least one step to be detached and reattached to said at least one base to allow the proximal step to be reconfigured between having either the first or second edges be adjacent to a spa.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein, said storage container being slidably mounted to act as a drawer.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein, said storage container being slidably mounted to act as a drawer which may be slid outwardly from either the curved first edge or the straight second edge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8 and further comprising at least one storage container mounted upon the apparatus for storing items therein;

and wherein the at least one storage container is covered by said at least one step when said at least one storage container is positioned in a stowed position.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one step includes a plurality of steps.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one step has base-step connection engagement features that engage with base connection features on said at least one base to allow the at least one step and the at least one base to be detached and reattached.

15. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one step has base-step connection step engagement features that engage with base connection features on said at least one base, said connection features allowing frictional engagement between the at least one step and the at least one base when connected together.

16. An apparatus forming a convertible spa stair apparatus, comprising:

at least one step having a first edge and a second edge which extend longitudinally of the at least one step;

at least one base for supporting the at least one step;

at least one base-step connection formed by features upon said at least one step and features upon said at least one base, which are adapted to allow said at least one step to be detached and re-attached to allow one or more of said at least one step to be reconfigured between;

a first configuration wherein said first edge is oriented in a first orientation and said second edge is oriented in a second orientation;

a second configuration wherein said first edge is oriented in said second orientation and said second edge is oriented in said first orientation.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said at least one base-step connection includes at least one receptacle and at least one projection shaped and sized to be received within said receptacle such that said at least one base-step connection form an engaging connection mating them into a connected condition in either said first or second configuration.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein:

said at least one base-step connection includes at least one receptacle and at least one projection shaped and sized to be received within said receptacle such that said at least one base-step connection form an engaging connection mating them into a connected condition in either said first or second configuration;

said at least one receptacle has at least one inner receptacle wall and at least one outer receptacle wall;

said at least one projection is shaped and sized to be received within said at least one inner and said at least one outer receptacle walls.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein:

said at least one base-step connection includes at least one receptacle and at least one projection shaped and sized to be received within said receptacle such that said at least one base-step connection form an interlocking connection mating them into a connected condition in either said first or second configuration;

said at least one receptacle has at least one inner receptacle wall and at least one outer receptacle wall;

said at least one projection is asymmetrically shaped and sized to be received between said at least one inner and said at least one outer receptacle walls.

20. An apparatus forming a stair assembly for use with spas, comprising:

at least one base adapted for resting upon a supporting surface;

at least one step support connected to said at least one base;

at least one step which may be connected in two different configurations to present differently shaped step edges to allow use with spas having different shaped peripheral surfaces.

21. A method for using a spa stair apparatus, comprising:

coupling at least one step to at least one base using at least one base-step connection providing a first configuration wherein a first edge of said at least one step is oriented in a first orientation and a second edge of said at least one step is oriented in a second orientation, said first and second orientations being different;

detaching said at least one step from said at least one base;

re-attaching said at least one step in a second configuration wherein said first edge is oriented in said second orientation and said second edge is oriented in said first orientation.