Spa audio system operable with a remote control

• US 6,516,070 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2001
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Macey, Stephen S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCHESNEY, ELIZABETH A
• Application Number:
  US09/865,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20020025050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 381/90, 381/124, 381/189, 381/300, 381/301, 381/334, 381/2, 381/152
• US Class Current: 381/152
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0079 using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/60 Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00 plumbing E03C1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles

Abstract

A portable spa including an audio system designed to use the spa shell as the sound generating device. Transducer devices are mounted within an enclosure which is bonded to the spa shell so as to couple the sound vibration energy to the shell so that sound can be heard when using the spa.

Claims

1. In a spa having a flexible shell for holding water, an audio system using the flexible shell of the spa as a speaker, comprising:

a) a first transceiver coupled to a source of audio signal and being disposed at a location other than said spa;

b) a second transceiver coupled to an input of an amplifier, the amplifier having an output; and

c) an audio transducer having an enclosure closed at a first end and open at a second end, the enclosure attached to an outer portion of the spa shell by its first end, and a transducer mounted in the enclosure for coupling sound vibration energy to the spa shell through the first end of the enclosure, the transducer being coupled to the output of the amplifier.

2. The spa audio system according to claim 1 wherein the source of audio signals is a home stereo system.

3. The spa audio system according to claim 2 further comprising:

a remote control capable of sending and receiving RF signals; and

a spa main control coupled to said second transceiver,

said second transceiver being responsive to RF signals from the remote control and sending RF swirls to the remote control.

4. The spa audio system according to claim 3 wherein said remote control sends selection RF signals to said spa main control by way of said second transceiver and said spa main control relays any received home stereo selection control signals to said first transceiver via said second bank for making stereo selections of said home stereo system.

5. The spa audio system according to claim 4 wherein the selection control signals of said home stereo system is volume control.

6. The spa audio system according to claim 4 wherein the selection control signals of said home stereo system is media selection.

7. The spa audio system according to claim 4 wherein the selection control signals of said home stereo system is tone control.

8. The spa audio system according to claim 4 wherein the selection control signals of said home stereo system is sound equation control.

9. The spa audio system of claim 1 wherein the first end of the enclosure is glued to the spa shell.

10. The spa audio system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is shaped to accommodate the transducer with the open second end being larger than the outer rim of the transducer, and the first closed end has a cylindrical puck therein for attachment to the transducer.

11. The spa audio system of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical puck is made of either plastic or metal.

12. In a spa having a flexible shell for holding water and a main control for controlling functions of the spa, an audio system for the spa comprising:

a) a first transceiver coupled to a home stereo system;

b) a second transceiver coupled to the main control;

c) an amplifier having an input coupled to the main control and having an output; and

d) an audio transducer having an enclosure closed at a first end and open at a second end, the enclosure attached to an outer portion of the spa shell, and a transducer mounted in the enclosure for coupling sound vibration energy to the spa shell through the first end of the enclosure, the transducer being coupled to the output of the amplifier.

13. The spa audio system according to claim 12 further comprising:

a remote control capable of sending and receiving RF signals to and from said second transceiver.

14. The spa audio system according to claim 13 wherein said main control relays control selection signals received from said remote control to said first transceiver via said second transceiver for making selections of said home stereo system.

15. The spa audio system according to claim 14 wherein said selection control signals of said home stereo system is volume control.

16. The spa audio system according to claim 15 wherein said selection control signals of said home stereo system is media selection.

17. The spa audio system according to claim 16 wherein said selection control signals of said home stereo system is tone control.

18. The spa audio system according to claim 17 wherein said selection control signals of said home stereo system is sound equalization control.