PRECAST TUB

Abstract

A single unit precast concrete tub (1) formed out of concrete wherein a plumbing system (10) and electrical system (11) are encased within preformed concrete walls. The fully encased plumbing system protects the pipes against damage and frost. Support brackets (15) are formed on an exterior surface (4) of the side wall (2) to provide attachment points for hoisting the precast tub for transportation and installation. The support brackets also provide attachment points for building auxiliary structures, such as decks, around the precast tub.

Claims

1. A precast tub comprising: at least one perimeter side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a bottom edge and a top edge; a floor extending from the bottom edge of the at least one perimeter side wall to enclose a bottom portion of the precast tub; said at least one perimeter side wall and floor being constructed out of precast concrete; a plumbing system encased within said concrete of said at least one least one perimeter side wall; an electrical system encased within said concrete of said at least one least one perimeter side wall; and a connection manifold located on the exterior surface of said at least one perimeter side wall wherein said plumbing system and said electrical system are connected to said connection manifold to allow said plumbing system and said electrical system to be connected to outside power sources.

2. (canceled)

3. The precast tub of claim 1 further comprising: a connection manifold located on the exterior surface of the at least one perimeter side wall wherein said plumbing system is connected to said connection manifold.

4. (canceled)

5. The precast tub of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of support brackets fonned on the exterior surface of the at least one perimeter side wall wherein each support bracket extends from the exterior side surface of the at least one perimeter side wall and provides a top perpendicular support surface.

6. The precast tub of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of support brackets fonned on the exterior surface of the at least one perimeter side wall wherein each support bracket extends from the exterior side surface of the at least one perimeter side wall and provides a side parallel support surface.

7. The precast tub of claim 5 further comprising: at least one attachment means cast into each support bracket on the top perpendicular support surface.

8. The precast tub of claim 6 further comprising: at least one attachment means cast into each support bracket on the side parallel support surface.

9. The precast tub of claim 7 further comprising: at least one hoisting bracket that is attachable to the top perpendicular support surface of each support bracket.

10. The precast tub of claim 8 further comprising: at least one hoisting bracket that is attachable to the side parallel support surface of each support bracket.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A precast tub comprising: at least one perimeter side wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a bottom edge and a top edge; a floor extending from the bottom edge of the at least one perimeter side wall to enclose a bottom portion of the precast tub; said at least one perimeter side wall and floor being constructed out of precast concrete; a plumbing system encased within said concrete of said at least one least one perimeter side wall; an electrical system encased within said concrete of said at least one least one perimeter side wall; a connection manifold located on the exterior surface of said at least one perimeter side wall wherein said plumbing system and said electrical system are connected to said connection manifold to allow said plumbing system and said electrical system to outside power sources; said plumbing system connecting a plurality of plumbing components to said connection manifold; and said electrical system connecting a plurality of electrical components to said connection manifold.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a precast tub of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 2 is side perspective view of side supports extending form a side surface of a precast tub of the present invention and connection manifold;

[0039] FIG. 3 is sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 2 showing encased components, plumbing and reinforcing steel of a precast tub of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway side view of a precast tub of the present invention having hoisting brackets secured to side supports;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a top view of a side support of a precast tub of the present invention having embedded nuts located on a top surface thereof;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a side view of a precast tub of the present invention being hoisted using hoisting brackets secured to side supports; and

[0043] FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway side view of a precast tub of the present invention installed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

[0045] 1. precast tub, generally

[0046] 2. perimeter side wall

[0047] 3. interior surface of perimeter side wall

[0048] 4. exterior surface of perimeter side wall

[0049] 5. bottom edge of perimeter side wall

[0050] 6. top edge of perimeter side wall

[0051] 7. floor

[0052] 8. concrete

[0053] 9. reinforcing steel

[0054] 10. plumbing system

[0055] 11. electrical system

[0056] 12. skimmer

[0057] 13. skimmer access

[0058] 14. manifold

[0059] 15. support bracket

[0060] 16. a top perpendicular support surface

[0061] 17. side parallel support surface

[0062] 18. attachment means

[0063] 19. embedded nut

[0064] 20. hoisting bracket

[0065] 21. auxiliary structure

[0066] 22. interior finish

[0067] 23. exterior finish

[0068] 24. coping

[0069] With reference to FIG. 1-7, a precast tub 1 of the present invention is illustrated. The precast tub 1 of the present invention comprises at least one perimeter side wall 2, which may be circular, oval-shaped, rectangular-shaped and so forth. The at least one perimeter side wall 2 comprises an interior surface 3, an exterior surface 4, a bottom edge 5 and a top edge 6. A floor 7 extends from the bottom edge 5 of the at least one perimeter side wall 2 to enclose a bottom portion of the precast tub 1.

[0070] The precast tub 1 of the present invention is preferably constructed by pouring concrete 8 into forms wherein reinforcing steel 9, a plumbing system 10 and an electrical system 11 are fully encased within the preformed concrete walls, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plumbing system 10 may comprise a circulation, filtration and jet systems. The electrical system 11 may comprise lighting, timers, thermostats, electronic controls and so forth. The fully encased plumbing system 10 and electrical system 11 protects pipes and other components against damage caused during installation and from freezing and frost. A specially designed narrow-bodied in-wall skimmer 12 allows the skimmer to be encased within the at least one perimeter side wall 2 and have an access 13 located on the top edge 6 of the at least one perimeter side wall 2 as opposed to being installed on the exterior surface 4 of the at least one perimeter side wall 2 as is the case with conventional hot tubs and pool installations.

[0071] At least one connection manifold 14 is located within the at least one perimeter side wall 2 and exposed on the exterior surface 4 to allow the plumbing system 10 to be connected to exterior pumps, filters, heaters and so forth. The electrical system 11 may also be connected to an exterior power source and so forth through the manifold 14. The manifold 14 allows for electrical and plumbing components of the precast tub 1 to be hooked up in a single location that provides a plug and play connection, which is accessible for future maintenance if necessary.

[0072] A plurality of support brackets 15 are formed on the exterior surface 4 of the at least one perimeter side wall 2 wherein each support bracket 15 extends from the exterior surface 4 and provides a top perpendicular support surface 16 and/or a side parallel support surface 17.

[0073] Each top perpendicular support surface 16 is perpendicular to the at least one perimeter side wall 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, and may provide attachment means 18, such as embedded nuts 19, that are cast into the concrete 8 used to east the support brackets 15.

[0074] Each side parallel support surface 17 is parallel to the at least one perimeter side wall 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4, and may provide attachment means 18, such as embedded nuts 19, that are cast into the concrete 8 used to cast the support brackets 15.

[0075] The support brackets 15 provide attachment points for securing hoisting brackets 20 to the precast tub 1 to allow the precast tub 1 to be moved and transported, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. The support brackets 15 also provide attachment points for building auxiliary structures 21 around the precast tub, as illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein a deck is secured to the support bracket 15 and supported by the support bracket 15.

[0076] The precast tub 1 may be finished prior to transportation from a factory and installation, as illustrated in FIG. 3. An interior finish 22 may comprise tile, stone veneer, protective coating and so forth. Likewise, an exterior finish 23 may comprise tile, stone veneer and so forth. The top edge 6 of the at least one perimeter side wall 2 may be finished with a coping 24.

[0077] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.