Pumping Compartment for a Portable Hot Tub or Swim Spa

Abstract

A pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa. The compartment may include a hollow body disposed in an internal cavity of the hot tub, and a warming apparatus and a pumping apparatus connected to the hollow body. The warming apparatus may include an air conveyor and a fan driven by a fan motor. The pumping apparatus may include a water inlet conveyor, a water pump and a water outlet conveyor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa, said compartment comprising:
 a hollow body disposed in an internal cavity of the portable hot tub or swim spa and adjacent a sidewall of the portable hot tub or swim spa;   a warming apparatus connected to said hollow body;   a pumping apparatus connected to said hollow body;   said warming apparatus comprising an air conveyor having first and second ends, said first end of said air conveyor disposed inside the portable hot tub or swim spa, and a fan driven by a fan motor, said air conveyor connected to said fan at said second end, said fan being operable to draw air from inside of the portable hot tub or spa through said air conveyor and into said hollow body; and   said pumping apparatus comprising a water inlet conveyor connected to a drainage hole of the portable hot tub or swim spa, a water pump disposed inside of said hollow body and connected to said water inlet conveyor for pumping water from the portable hot tub or swim spa, and a water outlet conveyor connected to said water pump for draining the water away from the portable hot tub or swim spa.   
     
     
         2 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said hollow body comprises a door accessible through said sidewall of the portable hot tub or swim spa. 
     
     
         3 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 2  wherein said water outlet conveyor is extendable through said door. 
     
     
         4 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said water inlet conveyor comprises a hose. 
     
     
         5 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said water outlet conveyor comprises a hose. 
     
     
         6 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said water pump comprises a cartridge pump. 
     
     
         7 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 6  wherein said cartridge pump comprises a Rule™ Tournament series cartridge pump. 
     
     
         8 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said drainage hole is located substantially at the bottom of the portable hot tub or swim spa. 
     
     
         9 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said air conveyor at its first end is connected to a motor compartment via an air inlet. 
     
     
         10 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said air conveyor comprises a duct. 
     
     
         11 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 10  wherein said duct comprises a flexible duct. 
     
     
         12 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said fan and said fan motor are housed within a fan compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 12  wherein said fan compartment is connected to the outside of the hollow body. 
     
     
         14 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  further comprising a divider operable to fit inside of said hollow body and to cover said water pump and water outlet conveyor. 
     
     
         15 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said fan motor is powered by the portable hot tub or swim spa motor. 
     
     
         16 . The pumping compartment for a portable hot tub or swim spa of  claim 1  wherein said water pump is powered by the portable hot tub or swim spa motor. 
     
     
         17 . A method of pumping water out of portable hot tub or swim spa comprising:
 providing a water inlet conveyor and connecting said water inlet conveyor to a drainage hole of the portable hot tub or swim spa;   providing a water pump inside of a hollow body and connecting the water inlet conveyor to said water pump, said hollow body being positioned in an internal cavity of the portable hot tub or swim spa and adjacent a sidewall of the portable hot tub or swim spa;   providing a water outlet conveyor and connecting said water outlet conveyor to said water pump;   connecting said water pump to a motor of the portable hot tub or swim spa to power said water pump; and   operating said water pump to draw water from the portable hot tub or swim spa through said water inlet conveyor, water pump and water outlet conveyor and away from the portable hot tub or swim spa.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising providing a door accessible through said sidewall of the portable hot tub or swim spa. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising extending said water outlet conveyor through said door. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising connecting said water outlet conveyor to a drainage hole of the portable hot tub or swim spa which is located substantially at the bottom of the portable hot tub or swim spa.