Hot tub assembly

Abstract

A hot tub assembly and associated methods for adding desirable features to portable hot tub systems. The hot tub assembly can include a base pedestal and flexible liner for creating a desired seating configuration within a portable hot tub. The base pedestal can comprise a ring-like design wherein the ring can function as a seat while an inner portion can function as a foot well. The base pedestal can further function so as to increase the overall capacity or volume of the portable hot tub. The base pedestal can comprise a number of molded seats as part of the ring so as to define a comfortable seating arrangement. The base pedestal and flexible liner can be provided in kit form for converting an existing flat-bottomed portable hot tub into a portable hot tub assembly with seating features.

1 . A portable hot tub assembly comprising: 
 a tub body having a perimeter wall defined between a top opening and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a bottom body opening;    a support platform having an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface, the upper platform surface having an upper platform opening, wherein the upper platform opening is smaller than the bottom body opening; and    a liner positioned to define a water retention area within the tub body and the support platform when the tub body is positioned on the support platform, the water retention area extending from the top opening to the lower platform surface.    
   
   
       2 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter wall of the tub body comprise a unitary perimeter wall.  
   
   
       3 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary perimeter wall comprises a flexible, foam wall.  
   
   
       4 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support platform includes at least two disassemblable platform sections.  
   
   
       5 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a seating area is defined on the upper platform surface when the tub body is placed on the support platform.  
   
   
       6 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the upper platform opening is selectively configured to define a foot well for the seating area.  
   
   
       7 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a pump assembly having a recirculation pump, a water supply circuit and a water return circuit, the water supply circuit fluidly interconnected with at least one jet positioned in the water retention area and the water return circuit fluidly interconnected with at least one return port in the water retention area.    
   
   
       8 . The portable hot tub assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the pump assembly is operably mounted within the support platform.  
   
   
       9 . A method for assembling a hot tub comprising: 
 positioning a support platform at a desired location, the support platform defining an open platform portion in an upper support surface;    placing a tub body on the support platform, the tub body having a perimeter wall defining an open body portion, the open body portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the open platform portion so as to define a seating area on the upper support surface;    and    installing a liner within the open body portion and the open platform portion to define a water retention area within the support platform and the tub body.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 installing a pump assembly, wherein a supply flow circuit is fluidly coupled to a jet and a return flow circuit is fluidly coupled to a return port, the jet and the return flow circuit both being in fluid contact with the water retention area.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein positioning the support platform comprises positioning a plurality of support sections into abutting relation to define the support platform.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 filling the water retention area with water.    
   
   
       13 . A kit for adding seating features to a portable hot tub comprising: 
 a support platform having an upper platform surface and a lower platform surface, the upper platform surface having an upper platform opening, wherein the upper platform opening is smaller than a tub opening in a bottom tub surface on a portable hot tub; and    a liner positioned to define a water retention area within the upper platform opening and the tub opening when the portable hot tub is placed on the support platform,    wherein placement of the portable hot tub on the support platform results in the upper platform surface defining a seating feature and the upper platform opening defining a footwell.    
   
   
       14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the seating feature is selected from the group consisting essentially of: one or more individual seats, a reclined seat and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 an exterior cover for exterior placement over the support platform and the portable hot tub, the exterior cover having a draw string for snugly retaining the exterior cover over the support platform and the portable hot tub.    
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a pump platform for placement adjacent the support platform, the pump platform having an upper platform surface for supporting a pump assembly of the portable hot tub;    the pump platform vertically positioning the pump assembly for fluid connection to the portable hot tub when the portable hot tub is positioned on the support platform.    
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the upper platform surface is larger than the bottom tub surface such that an exterior step is defined for providing access into the water retention area.  
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the support platform comprises one or more additional features within the upper platform opening, the additional features selected from the group consisting of: a water jet, an air bubbler and optical lighting.  
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the support platform comprises a friction element on the upper platform surface for retaining the position of the portable hot tub on the support platform.  
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the support platform comprise a plurality of disassemblable platform sections cooperatively defining the support platform.