Apparatus Facilitating Application of Customized Portable Spa Surrounds by End Users

Abstract

A spa shell having an outer perimeter panel and an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of the spa shell, the side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade.

1 . The apparatus comprising:
 a spa shell having an outer perimeter; and   an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of said spa shell, said side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a frame structure positioned between said spa shell and said outer perimeter side surface, said out perimeter side surface being attached to and supported by said frame structure. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said spa shell is attached to said frame structure by urethane foam. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said outer perimeter side surface comprises a plurality of flat, vertically disposed panels. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said frame structure comprises front, side, and back generally rectangular frame structures each comprising a plurality of vertical frame members attached to a plurality of horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus comprising:
 a spa shell having an outer perimeter;   an outer perimeter side surface positioned about the outer perimeter of said spa shell, said side surface comprising a mounting surface for an end user applied façade; and   a decorative façade attached to said outer perimeter side surface.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further including a frame structure positioned between said spa shell and said outer perimeter side surface, said out perimeter side surface being attached to and supported by said frame structure. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said spa shell is attached to said frame structure by urethane foam. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said outer perimeter side surface comprises a plurality of flat, vertically disposed panels. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said frame structure comprises front, side, and back generally rectangular frame structures each comprising a plurality of vertical frame members attached to a plurality of horizontal frame members. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said decorative façade comprises:
 first, second, third and fourth side panels, each having a decoratively surfaced outer face;   first, second, third and fourth corner panels so shaped and dimensioned as to integrally mate with said side panels to form an enclosure about a spa or pool, said corner panels further each having a decoratively surfaced outer face; and   a front step dimensioned to integrally mount adjacent a selected side of said enclosure.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said first side panel mates with said first and second corner panels and wherein the height of said first side panel and said first and second corner panels is selected to be less than that of each of the outer side and corner panels to facilitate mounting of said front step adjacent said enclosure. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further including first and second side rails and a rear side rail for mounting about an upper edge of an enclosed spa or pool. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein each said side rail has a width selected to extend beyond the outer edge of the spa or pool to form a ledge about the spa or pool. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein, in an installed position, each said rail fits up against the side of the spa between an outer edge of said spa or pool and the upper edge of each of a respective one of said side panels. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein each of said side panels is generally rectangular in shape. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein each of said corner panels engages a respective pair of said side panels in tongue and groove fashion. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said decorative façade comprises a plurality of mating panels each having a decoratively surfaced outer face, the panels being shaped to follow said outer perimeter side surface. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further comprising a front step dimensioned to mount adjacent a selected side of said outer perimeter side surface. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18  further including a plurality of side rails for mounting about an upper edge of said outer perimeter side surface. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein each said side rail has a width selected to extend beyond the outer edge of the spa shell unit to form a ledge about the shell. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein each of said panels mates with another of said panels in tongue and groove fashion. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein a portion of said spa shell and a corresponding portion of said side surface are positioned out of view and wherein said decorative façade is applied to a portion of said side surface which remains in view. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the portion positioned out of view lies beneath the surface of a deck. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the portion out of view lies beneath the ground.