Ground Effect Ledge

Abstract

A uniquely shaped ledge that is incorporated around the top edge of the base pan on the bottom of a portable spa, hot tub or swim spa to seal and shed water while deflecting ground installation materials. The ledge is shaped in a manner that sheds liquids overflowing from the spa and water as rain from the outdoor environment while extending outward to prevent surrounding installation materials from overcoming the base pan when the spa is installed inground. The ledge is uniquely shaped and sized to adequately shed fluids and protect the spa from in-ground installation materials while allowing the innermost elevated rim, to fit up behind the spa facade structure forming an adequate water seal. In addition the ledge features dimensions suitable to provide an installation area for lights that illuminate the spa exterior for safety and a pleasing aesthetic. The characteristics of this ledge are disclosed herein.

1 . A ledge, comprising: a spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan and a ledge at the top of the base pan surrounding at least a portion of the pan, wherein the ledge comprises a ridge forming an adequate water seal behind the spa surround facade, the first ridge defining a ridge height sufficient to form a barrier behind the façade. 
     
     
         2 . A ledge on a side of the ridge which extends outward wherein:
 The ledge defines a width extending out from a portion of the at least one spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan sidewall and including a ledge top surface configured for shedding water as the water overflows from the tub or as rain and is downwardly angled along the width such that the ledge top surface is positioned at a downward angle away from the inner ridge top surface adjacent the inner side of the spa, hot tub, swim spa façade.   
     
     
         3 . The base pan ledge inner ridge of  claim 1 , wherein the ridge height is in the range of about 0.5 to about four (4) inches. 
     
     
         4 . The base pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein ledge slopes downwardly from a lower portion of the inner ridge so that the ledge directs water away from the spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan. 
     
     
         5 . The base pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge is formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         6 . The pan ledge of  claim 1 , wherein: the ledge has a ledge width extending along of at least one sidewall of the base pan located at the top of the spa base pan, and an inner ridge length that extends along an entirety of the pan ledge length. 
     
     
         7 . The ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge surrounds an entire perimeter of the portable spa base pan and the ground ledge continuously extends around the spa, hot tub, swim spa base pan structure. 
     
     
         8 . The base pan of  claim 2 , wherein: a top view of the base pan is quadrilaterally shaped, a top view of the ground ledge is quadrilaterally shaped around the base pan such that the ground ledge defines four lateral lengths. 
     
     
         9 . The pan ledge of  claim 1 , wherein: the first ridge top surface has a height, measured between the ledge top surface and the inner ridge top surface, greater than the height of the ledge top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the ground ledge has a width that is greater than the width of the inner ridge top surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge is downwardly angled at a gradient in the range of about 3 degrees to 45 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the gradient is about 12%. 
     
     
         13 . The pan ledge of  claim 2 , wherein the ledge includes dimensions suitable for the installation of lights. 
     
     
         14 . The pan ledge of claim, wherein the ledge features a width and is angled sufficient to contain and deflect the in-ground installation materials from overcoming the base pan when installed in-ground or partially inground.