Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This invention has to do with a novel hydrotherapeu-tic
2 massage structure.
4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of health care, it is well recognized
6 that warm or hot water baths have great thcrapeutic value.
7 Hydrotherapy, that is, the treatment o~ disease or
8 trauma by external use of water has long been practiced.
9 With the ever-increasing ability to provide and/or deliver
hydrotherapeutic treatments and/or services, the practice of
11 hydrotherapy has, in recent years, been increasing at a
12 notable rate. While the use of common domestic bathtubs
13 afford limited therapeutic treatment for persons who can be
14 effectively treated while lying down in a physically confined
condition in a shallow body of hot or warm water, for short
1~ periods of time and who are physically capable of safely and
17 comfortably moving or climbing into and out of such tubs,
18 they are of limited or questionable value for the treatment
19 and care of persons who, due to a weakened condition or
trauma, cannot safely climb into and out of such tubs and
21 cannot or should not be made to lie down in shallow bodies
22 of water in physically restrained conditions. Such common
~3 bathtubs are totally inadequate for therapeutic use in those
24 situations where the hydrotherapy to be effected requires
that the person being treated be buoyantly supported to a
26 substantial extent, while in a substantial upright standing
27 or seated positions; where the person's body and/or limbs
28 are to be moved and exercised during and as part of the
29 therapy; and where the treatments require that the temperature
3~ of the water be maintained at relatively high and constant
32
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74~;
temperatures for protracted periods of time.
2 As a result of the above, in the past, when hydrotherapy
was prescribed for the ailing or inferm, it was necessary
for those ~eing treated to be admitted into and to travel to
and from those hospitals and similar medical facilities
where large hydrotherapy tanks are provided. As a general
- rule, such hydrotherapy tanks are simple, floor supported
metal tanks from 3-1/2' to 4' deep and from 6' to 8' in
diameter. The water in such tanks is sufficiently deep to
enable persons to be treated therein to gain substantial
buoyant support and are sufficiently wide or extensive to
enable persons treated to move about and to engage in prescribed
12
exercise. ~he above noted hydrotherapy tanks generally
13
require ladders or hoists to enable the persons to be treated
14
to get into and out of the tànks or to be placed in and
removed therefrom. Further, it is generally required that
16
- chairs or seats be placed in such tanks when the persons
17
being treated must sit and/or rest while in the tanks~
18
Still further, as a general rule, the persons treated in
19
such tanks must be accompanied and their treatment must be
supervised by a physical theeapist or one whose primary job
21
is to see that the persons being treated get safely into and
22
out of the tan~s and do not drown when in the tanks.
~3
The large volume of hot water in such tanks and
24
the hot water supply and drain means for such tanks is
generally such that the temperature of the water therein can
Z6
be effectively adjusted and controlled for effecting most
27
prescribed treatments.
28
As the art of hydrotherapy developed, it was found
29
that hydrotherapeutic treatments are freq~ently gretly
31 ~3-
32
~L9~6
1 enhanced by vigorous turbulation of the water which s-timulates
2 circulation. Such s-timulation of circulation is f~rther
3 enhanced by directing high pressure jets of water onto
4 the bodies of persons being treated. Such jets of water
effect deep working or massaging of the bodies' tissues and
joints in a similar yet more effective and gentle manner
~ 7 than can be at-tained by manual massage.
8 To the above end, hydrotherapy tanks of the general
9 character referred to above are commonly equipped with
electric driven submersible pumps engageable in the tanks
11 and provided with water outlet nozzles which can be moved
1Z about and directed onto patients being trea-ted, to massage
13 the patients, as desired or as circumstances require.
14 Due to the great inconveniences and excessive high
costs of obtaining hydrotherapeutic treatmen-t in hospitals
16 and the like, and due to the well recognized physical benefits
17 af~orded by hydrotherapy, a want and need for hydrotherapy
18 tanks such as are used in hospitals and the like, for regular
19 domestic use, has been recognized. That need and want has
zO led to the development of and has been satisfied by those
21 hydrotherapy tank-like struc-tures which are commonly called
z~ "hot tubs" or ~Ispas~.
23 In recent years, the manufacture and sale of hot
24 tubs has grown at a rapid rate and has brought about a
development of new and improved hot tub structures and
2~ related support systems and/or equipment.
27 With few possible exceptions, hot tubs for domestic
28 use are notably more decorative and aesthetically pleasing
29 than hydrotherapy tanks such as are found in hospitals and
the like and, with few ~xceptions, have been enhanced with
31
32
1 varying and different designs and equipmen-t changes which
2 render them safer, easier to use and generally more effective
3 and efficient than many hydrotherapy -tanks found and used in
hospitals and the like.
As a result of competition, the cos-t of hot tubs
is such that when a physician prescribes hydrotherapy treatments
7 for a patient, which treatments must be given to the patient
8 regularly for a protracted period of several months, it is
9 more convenient and far more economical for the patient to
purchase, maintain and to operate a hot tub at his or her
11 home than it would be to receive treatment as an in-patient
12 or out-patient at a hospital or similar institution. As a
13 result of the foregoing, many private insurance companies
14 and in many instances, government sponsored medical insurance
plans,cover and/or pay for the cost of hot tubs when such
16 appears to be economically prudent.
17 Further, when the purchase of a hot tub is prescribed
18 by a taxpayer's physician, the cost of such a tub is a
19 proper tax deduction.
The foregoing history of the development and state
Z1 of the art of hot tubs is significant since it makes clear
22 the fact that hot tubs are valuable and important therapeutic
23 devices or equipment and while popular and enjoyed by many
24 persons as a simple luxury they are not mere play equipment.
A major shortcoming found in those hospital hy~rotherapy
26 tanks and in those hot tubs provided by the prior art resides
27 in the placement and control of those pumps and jets which
28 are provided to effect hydro-massage. In the case of hyderotherapy
?9 tanks, submersible pumps are commonly removably en~a~ed in
the tanks and the pumps are provided with discharge nozzles
32
1 which can be directerd onto persons immersed in the tanks for
2 treatment, as desired. In the case of domestic hot tubs,
3 when such tubs are provided with hydro-massage means, one or
4 more jets are positioned at the walls of the tubs at predetermined
positions so that persons can move about and position themselves
6 in the tubs and relative to the noz~les to receive desired
7 massage. In the case of hot tubs, the jets receive water
~ from the outlets of pumps which are located ou~side the tubs
9 and the inlets of which are connected with drains at the
bottoms of the tubs. In practice, due to the limited range
11 and rapidly diminishing force effect of water jets in sub-
12 stantially static bodies of water, the effective range of
13 the water jets of hydro-massage means in hot tubs is extremely
14 limited and is often such that the effectiveness of many
such means is of little practical use. An effective range
lh of our to six inches can be anticipated.
17 In the more sophisticated and highly developed
18 hydro-massage means for hot tubs and the like, air is introdu~ed
into the volume of water in the tubs adjacent the nozzles
and along with the jets oE water to lighten the load of the
21 water inthe tanks which reacts with and tends to buffer
the jets of water. Inmost instances, the water nozzles are
23 incorporated inaspirator units which are connected with
suitable air supplies whereby the jets of water draw and
Z5 carry with them appropriate volumes of air to attain the
Z6 desired end effect. With such air assisted hydro-massage
means, the effective range of the water jets is materially
28 increased but nonetheless remains quite limited.
In the case of the above noted air assisted hydro-
massage means, the amount of air that can be introduced into
31
32 -6-
1 the tubs and the extent to which the water in the tubs can
2 be lightened thereby is limited. If an excessive amount o~
3 air is introduced into the water in the tubs, the water is
4 likely to be aerated and lightened to such an extent that it
will afford insufficient buoyant support for persons in the
6 tubs and tends to so aerate and increase the volume of water
7 that it will cause the tanks to overflow and the water to be
8 blown there~rom. As a result of the foregoing, it has been
9 established that in practice, the most practical and effective
range of the water jets in air assisted type hydro-massage
11 means is from eight to twelve inches.
~ It is to be noted that the above discussion concerning
13 the effective range of the jets of water in hydro massage
means Eor hot tubs is based upon a maximum safe and practical
14
volume, pressure and flow rate for hydro-massage jets. When
attempts are made to increase the pressure and the rate of flow
16
at the nozzles, the force of the jets at the no2zles become
~
excessive and create an unreasonable risk o~ harm.
18
Due to the spaced relationship and the limited
19
effective range of water jets directed into hot tubs by
2~
21 hydro-massage means incorporated in such tubs, it will be
22 apparent that to be effectively massaged by the wa~er jets,
a person must move about the tub and into close proximity
23
with an appropriate nozzle and must turn or twist about and
2~
raise or lower his body to some extent in order to have the
Z5
jet of water issuing from that nozzle, impinge upon and
Z6
massage a desired portion of his body. If and when he wants
27
another portion of his body massaged, he must change position
28
and maneuver about and into the effective range of another
29
water jet. While such moving and maneuvering about in a hot
31
32
7~t~
1 tubs, to be massaged,is a nuisance, inconvenient and oftentimes
7. impractical, it is looked upon as an inherent characteristic
3 of hot tubs and has become accepted by most owners and users
4 of hot tubs.
6 OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
7 An object of my invention is to provide a novel
8 hydro-massage means for hot tubs, hydrotherapy tanks, swimming
9 pools and the like, which means is such that it will effectively
hydrotherapeutically work upon all desired parts and portions
11 of a person's body while the person is buoyantly supported in a
12 substantially upright position in a confined volume of water.
13 It is an object and feature of my invention to provide
14 a novel hydro-massage means of the character re~erred to above
which includes a plurality oif vertically and circumferentially
lh spaced radially inwardly disposed nozzles in limited predeter~
17 mined radial spaced relationship from a common central vertical
18 axis within a contained volume of water, the radial distance of
the nozzles Erom said axis being preferably no less and no more
~0 than six inches greater than the maximum effective massaging
~1 range of the jets of water issu.ing from the nozzles, whereby
22 the surface of a person's body, when standiny at the vertical
23 axis of the volume of water are in close proximity to the most
24 effecti.ve working ranye of each jet of water.
Another object oE my invention is to provide a
26 hydro-massage means of the geneeal character referred to
2~ above wherein the several nozzles are spaced vertically so
28 that the several jets issuing therefrom converge along the
29
31
3Z
~ ~'
1 ver-tical axis of the volume of water.
Z Still another object of my invention is to provide a
3 hydro-massage means of the general charac-ter referred to
4 above wherein the several nozzles are spaced circumferen-
tially about said axis so that the jets of water issuing
6 therefrom effectively work throughout a full 360 of the
- 7 central vertical axis of the volume of water as they diverge
8 radially inwardly along their directed axes.
9 Still another object and feature of my invention is to
provide a novel means of the general character referred to
11 above wherein the contained volume of water and the
1~ nozzles are contained and carried by a wall structure spaced
13 radially outward from and extending at least 180 about the
14 central vertical axis of the means.
Still another object and feature of this invention is
16 to provide a hydro-massage means of the general character
17 referred to above wherein said wall about a portion of the
18 central vertical axis of said means and which carries the nozzles,
19 defines a vertical gate establishing communication between
the water occupied space defined by that wall and an adjacent
21 confined body of water and through which a person can freely
Z2 move. The gate is such that large volumes of water can move
23 through it, whereby the volume of water within the massage means,
Z4 when vigorously turbulated and expanded by the the introduction of
water and air, is free to move through the gate and into the
26 adjacent body of water and is not subject to overflowing
27 and being blown out of the open top of said means.
~8 It is an object and feature of the present invention
29 to provide a hydro-massage means of the general character
referred to which can be cooperatively related with a swimming
31
32
~ ~9~L7~L6
1 pool, hydrotherapy tank or hot tub and which i5 such that
2 a person can freely move through the gate and into and out
3 of position in said means and said pool tank or tub, while
4 buoyantly supported in a substantially upright position.
An object and feature of this invention is to pro-
vide a hydro massage means of the character referred to
7 including structure which can be easily and effectively
8 built into a related swimming pool and/or hot tub structure
9 built to depend below or project above the surface of the
ground.
11 Finally, it is an object and feature of my invention
12 to provide a means of the character re~erred to which in-
13 cludes novel means to move and deliver water and air to
14 the nozzles.
The foregoing and other objects and fea-tures of
16 my invention will be fully understood and will be apparent
17 from the following detailed description of one typical pre~
18 ferred forms and embodiments of my invention, throughout
19 which description reference is made to the accompanying
drawings.
21
22 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
23 Fig. l is an isometric view of a hot tub with my
24 novel hydro-massage structure related to it;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially
26 as indicated ~y line 2-2 on Fig. l;
27 Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the struc-
~8 ture shown in Figs. l and 2 and taken substantially by
29 line 3-3 on Fig. 2;
Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic plan views of
31
32
--10--
1 other embodiments of the invention;
2 Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view
3 of a nozzle structure; and
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the water
supply heating and recirculating system.
7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For the purpose of this disclosure/ I have elected
9 to show my new therapeutic massage structure A related to a
typical hot tub structure H of that type or class which
11 is molded of fiberglass and resin and which can be mounted
12 and supported on the surface of the ground or other suitable
13 deck or the like, to project upwardly therefrom or which can
14 be buried or lowered into the ground or other supporting
.structure in a "sunken" condition with its open top at or
1~ near the surface of the ground or its related supporting
17 structure.
18 It is to be understood and it will be apparent
19 that in practice, the means ~ can be effectively related to
zo a swimming pool, a hydrotherapy tank or other container for
21 large volumes of water in which persons can freely immerse
22 themselves. It will be further apparent that the means A
23 can be specially fabricated or built into any swimming pool,
24 hot tub or the like, using whatever materials are appropriate
Z5 and suitable for i-ts construction.
26 In tbe case illustrated, the hot tub is a simp~e,
27 elongate, vertically extending and upwardly opening tank
2~ with a cylindrical vertical side wall l0 and substantially
Z9 horizontal bottom wall ll. In accordance with common prac-
tice, and built into and extending between the side and
31
32
--11--
3~ t~6
1 bottom walls 10 and 11 is a semi-circular bench structure B pro-
2 jecting radially inward from the side wall 10 and upwardly
3 rom the bottom wali 11 and defining an upper horizontal
4 seating surface 12, spaced vertically between the open top
of the tub and the bottom thereof.
h The hot tub H is sufficiently large in diameter so
7 that two or more persons can comfortably arrange themselves
8 in seated position on and about the seating surface 12
9 therein. Such tubs are commonly between 7l and 10' ln
diameter. The vertical extent of such tubs is generally
11 slightly greater than 3'6" so that the full usable or func-
12 tional depth of a volume of water contained therein is about
3'6". The benches or equivalent seating structure in such
14 tubs are generally such that the seating surfaces thereof
are about 18" below the surface of the water and project out
1~ from the side walls of the tubs about 18".
17 The upper edge of the side walls 10 is provided
18 with an upwardly and outwardly extending rim R to reduce
1~ spilling of water from within the tubs and for obvious aesthetic
zo purpOSes.
21 The size, shape an construction of the tub H has
z~ little or no effect on my invention and to the best of my
Z3 knowledge and belief, my invention can be related to or in-
Z4 corporated into substantially any conventional type of hot
tub, swimming pool or water containing ~essel or tank without
26 adversely affecting the invention. In practice, it is only
27 required that the tub, pool or tank with which my invention
Z8 is related have at least one side wall structure suitably
29 disposed and of sufficient vertical extent to enable the means
30 A that I provide to be effectively related to it.
31
32
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3'1~
1 The hydro-massage means A includes an elongatel ver-
2 tically extending water contining vessel or tank T with a
3 substantially horizontal bottom wall 20, a vertical sicle
wall 21, an open top and one open side defining a vertically
ex-tending gate G to establish open communication between or
connect the tank and the hot tub H. The tank T is shown as
7 being cylindrical in plan configuration though it might be
8 ovoid or polygonal in plan configuration without departing
9 from the spirit of my inven-tion. The tank T can vary sub-
stantially in vertical ex-tent and must be such that when a
1l person stands substantially~ upright on the bottom wall 20
12 thereof, the normal water level in the tank is about shoulder
13 height. It has been determined that in practice, if the
14 vertical extent of the tank is such that the normal depth
15 of the water therein is about 4'6", the structure A can be
1~ advantageously used and will effectively worX upon most
17 adults. For persons of substantially greater than normal
18 height, for example, 6'3" or more, a structure A of greater
19 than normal vertical extent might be required. For persons
who are shorter than average, for example, less than 5' tall,
Zl substantially any pedestal structure can be placed on the bottom
Z2 wall 2~ or a step, such as shown at 20' in Fig. 5 of the drawings,
23 can be built into the bottom of the tank, upon which such shor,t
24 persons can stand to increase their effective height within
the tank. Alternatively, in the case of short persons, the
2b water level in the tank and its rela-ted t~b H can be lowered
2~ to a suitable level.
28 - In the preferred carrying out of my invention, the
29 tank T is such that its vertical side wall 21 is spaced the
same distance from the central vertical axis of the tank at
or along four vertically and radially right angularly related
32
¢
1 planes in the tank. That is, four portions of the side
2 wall 21 of the tank, spaced 90 from each other, are spaced
3 equal distances radially outward from the central vertical
4 axis of the tank. Such equal spacing of the noted four
portions of the side wall 21 relative to the central ver-
6 tical axis of the tank enables the placement of at least
7 four circumferentially spaced radially inwardly disposed
8 water nozzles N in or at the wall 21 of the tank, equal
9 distances from the central vertical axis thereof.
The radial distance of the nozzles N from the
11 central vertical axis of the tank is determined by the
lZ maximum effective range of the jets of water (and air)
13 issuing from the nozzles.
14 The maximum effective range of the jets of water
issuing from the nozzles N therefrom is determined by a
16 number of variables and can vary considerably. The phrase
17 "maximum effective range", as used herein, is that distance
18 from each nozzle N where the jet of water issuing therefrom
19 retains sufficient working force so that when it impinges
zO upon a person's body, it will transmit sufficient working
~1 energy into the person's body to effectively massage his
22 body. While what is or might consitute "effective force"
Z3 or "work anergy" is subject to conjecture and cannot be
24 astablished with great certainty, the range of effective-
Z5 ness of such jets of water (and air) directed into and
Z6 through a volume of static water is, in practice, a rather
27 narrow range and is readily established by imperical testing
28 and adjusting of the size of the nozzles, the water pressure
29 and the air supply. The range or distance from a nozzle
where a jet of water (and air~ issuing therefrom affords
31
32
q~
'3'~
1 insufficient effective force to massage one's body is
2 readily determinable. Excessive force within a jet of
3 wa-ter (and air) is any force which is so great that it is
4 likely to cause substantial physical discomfort and/or in-
jury to a person upon which it impinges and must he measured
6 or tested at ~r in close proximity to the outlet of the
- 7 nozzle. Accordingly, the m~i mllm force that can be imparted
8 into a jet of water (and air) must be measured and limited
9 at the nozzle, independent of the effective range of the
jet of water (and air3for massage purposes is clearly limited
11 and is readily determinable.
12 In practice, the maximum effective range of a jet
13 of water (and air~ in a hydro-massage means, is determined
14 and/or controlled by the volume and pressure of the water
jet, the volume of air that is carried by or combined with
1~ the water jet, and the extent to which the volume of water
17 into which the jet is aerated (lightened). The maximum ex-
18 tent to which the body of water can be aerated and the m~; mllm
19 amount of air that can be eff~ctively combined with the jet
of water are subject to inherent and practical limitations.
21 In practice, the most practical and effective
zz manner to increase or decrease the maximum effective range
23 of a jet of water (and air) in a hydro-massage means is to
24 increase or decrease the volume of water in the water jet
Z5 by increasing or decreasing the diameter of -the water nozzle
Z6 and increasing or decreasing the volume and pressure of the
27 water supplied to the nozzle, as by increasing or decreasing
28 the capacity of its related water recirculating means. By
29 increasing or decreasing the volume and mass of the water
jet, its effective range can be adjusted while maintaining
31
-15-
~ w
3~
1 its maximum force, at the nozzle, at a safe level.
2 In accordance with the foregoing, while the phrase
3 "maximum effective range" to describe the nature and charac-
4 ter of the jets of water (and air) does not provide a
specific distance or measurement, it fairly limits and
6 properly defines those ranges or distances which are rea~ily
7 determinable in each embodiment of my invention by imperical
8 testing and adjustment and ranges or distances which are
9 limited and substantially certain, In practice, the volume
and flow rate of water jets issuing from the nozzles in
11 hydro-massage means is fixed and the effective range of
12 the jets ~to effect massage) is varied by varying the amount
13 or volume of air that is introduced with the jets of water
14 to lighten or reduce the load and resistance of the static
volume of water into which the jets are directed and which
16 tends to slow and diffuse the jets of water and limit their
17 effective range. Accordingly, the maximum effective range
18 of the jets of water (and air) is that range where the maxi-
19 mum effective volume of air is introduced or added and reduced
~0 effective ranges are attainable by reducing the volume of airO
21 In furtherance of my invention, when, for example,
2Z the maximum effective range of the jets of water and air is
23 15", the radial spacing of the nozzles N and their related
Z4 portions of the wall 21 of the tank, from the central vertical
axis of the tank, is 15", whereby the full and maximum
26 massaging work that can be performed by the jets extends
~7 to the center of the tank and will extend well into the bodies
Z8 of persons standing substantially upright in the center of
29 the tank.
In operation, the jets of water and air expand
31
32
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I radially outward (about their axes) in the static volume of
2 water in the tank as -they move radially inward in the tank.
3 The diverging angle of the expanding jets is not readily
4 determinable but is observed to be from between 30 and 40
5 and is such that if four nozzles N are posi-tioned 90 apart
6 on a common horizontal pl~ne, 15" from the central vertical
- 7 axis of the tank, and a person of average size and bulk
8 stands in the center of the tank with a portion of his
9 body extending vertically through the noted plane of the
tank, the four jets would workingly impinge upon a full
11 360 or all surfaces of that portion of the person's body,
12 within the effective working plane of the jets.
13 In accordance with the above, my invention pro~
14 vides a structure where a plurality (four or more)
lS of nozzles N are spaced circumferentially in the tank T.
lS The four nozzles are spaced radially outward rrom the central
17 axis of the tank a sufficient distance so that when a person
18 of average size and bulk is standing in the center of the
19 tank, all sides of his body, throughout a full 360~ thereof,
is workingly engaged by the jets of water issuing from the
21 nozzles.
22 In furtherance of my invention, and so that the
23 several noted jets will effectively work upon and massage
Z4 a person standing centrally in the tank T throughout the
major vertical extent of his body, the several nozzles are
26 spaced vertically relative to each other and so that the
27 radially inwardly diverging jets collectively impinge the
28 person's body, substantially uninterruptedly, throughout
29 the full normal depth of the tank T.
In accordance with the above, if the tan~ is 56"
31
32
-17-
~t3~7~j
1 deep and there are four nozzles N (as noted above), the
2 uppermost and lowermost nozzles are positioned 7" below
3 and above the top surface and bottom of the water and the
4 two intermediate nozzles are spaced 14" vertically relative
to each other and to their rela-ted top and bottom nozzles.
6 With such a relationship of nozzles, -the jets will impinge,
- 7 uninterruptedly, upon the body of a person standing centrally
8 within the tank, from the bottom to the top surface of the
9 water therein.
With the structure illustra-ted and described
11 above, it will be apparent that a person standing centrally
lZ in the tank can have all surfaces and portions of his body
13 hydraulically massaged by the jets of water issuing from
14 the several nozzles by slowly or intermittently turning
his body through about 270 within the tank.
1~ While it is preferred that four nozzles N, on
17 four radial vertical planes spaced 90 in the tank be pro-
18 vided, effective and acceptable results can be attained
19 with but three nozzles on three vertical radial planes
spaced 120 apart in a related tank, as shown in Fig. 4
21 of the drawings. Such a reduced number of nozzles has
proven to be effective in tanks which are from 3' to 3-1/2'
23 in diameter and which are equipped with large volume nozzles
24 that deliver jets which are effective to from 18" to 20".
In the preferred carrying out of my invention,
26 it is desirable to maintain the tanks T as small in diameter
27 as is possible so that a person moving into and standing in
~8 the tank can comfortably raise and engage his or her arms
29 and elbows into engagement on a horizontal flange-like
arm-rest 25 provided about the upper rim of the tank, as
31
32
-18-
1 clearly shown in the drawings. Such an arm rest is ex-
2 tremely comfortable and affords great security for persons
3 standing in the tank during operation and use thereof. In
4 the case of tanks greater than 3' in diameter, the security
and safet~ afforded by such an arm-rest is greatly reduced.
6 When in use, the air introduced into the tank T
7 with the jets of water and -the turbulence generated in the
8 water expands the effec-tive volume of the water to such an
9 extent that if the gate G that I provide was not provided/
it would blow upwardly and out through the open top thereof.
11 Accordingly, the hot tub H or an equivalent water containing
12 structure and the gate G which allows for expansion of watex
13 in the tank T into the tub H are necessary and important
14 elements of my invention.
In addition to the function noted above, the gate
1~ G permits a person to move into and out of engagement in
17 the tank T by first moving into engagement in the tub H
18 and thence simply walking into and out of the tank T, through
19 the gate. Due to the small si~e of the tank T, if the gate
G was not provided, the most agile of persons would find it
21 difficult to enter and exit the tank T and a great number
22 of people would find it impossible to do so.
23 In the form of the invention illustrated, since
24 the tank T is greater in depth than the hot tub H, I pro-
vide an inclined ramp 30 extending between and joined with
Z6 the bottom wall lO of the hot tub and the bottom wall 20
27 of the tank. The ramp is coextensive with that portion of
Z8 the gate which extends through the bench structure in the
29 hot tub. If the hot tub did not include the noted bench
structure and the bottom wall of the hot tub extended to
32
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~-x~
1 the 0ide wall of the tank, one moving through the ~ate, from
2 the tub into the tank would have to step down into the tank.
3 Should -the structure A that I provide be related
4 to a side wall of a swimming pool which is greater in depth
than the tank ~, a person in the pool and moving through
the gate and into the tank T might have to swim to the
7 gate or might have to step up through the gate and into
8 the tank T.
9 In Fig. 6 of the drawings, I have shown a typical
noæzle structure N suitable for use in carrying out my
11 invention. The nozzle N is an aspirator unit with an
12 elongate radially extending tubular body 40 with inner and
13 outer ends. The inner end of the body has a mounting flange
14 means 41 to Eacilitate mounting the nozzle in the wall 21
of the tan~. The rear end of the body is closed by an
16 apertured wall 42. The water nozzle consists of a tube 43
17 engaged through the wall 42 and extending freely through
18 the body 40 to terminate adjacent the inner open end of the
19 body. The rear or outer end of ~he water nozzle or tube ~3
connects with a water delivery line 44. The body 40 has a
21 radially openiny air inlet nipple ~5 at its rear end portion,
~z rearward of the forward open ends of the nozzle 43 and body
23 40 and with which an air supply line 46 is engaged.
24 With the nozzle structure set forth above and
illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, it will be apparent
Z6 that water issuing from the nozzle 43 and thence out through
27 the radially inwardly disposed open end oE the body 40
Z8 creates a minus pressure in the body, rearward of the inner
29 open end of the nozzle 43. I'he minus pressure thus estab
lished in the body 40 draws air through the line 46, nipple
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~g~t~6
1 45 and into -the body ~0, which air is carried by the jet of
2 water out of the body 40 and into the tank T, as circumstances
3 require.
4 In Fig. 7 of -the drawings, I have diagrammatically
illustrated one typical and suitable form of support system
6 S for the hydrotherapeutic massage means A that I provide.
7 The support system 5 is shown as including a water
8 heater unit W with upstream and downstream sides. The up-
9 stream side of the heater unit W is connected with the drain
fittings 50 and Sl of the hot tub H and tank T by means of a
11 drain line 52. The system S next includes a water pump P
12 with upstream and downstream sides. The upstream side of
13 the pump P is connected with the downstream side of the water
14 heater unit W. The downstream side of the pump P is connected
with a water manifold or log 53 by a line 54. The log 53 is
1~ connected with each of the tubes 43 of the nozzles N by
17 delivery lines 44.
18 With the means S thus far described, it will be
19 apparent that water is drawn from the tub H and tank T,
heated by the heater W and returned to the tank T, through
21 the nozzles N, by the pump P.
~2 The system S next includes an air pump P' with
23 an air inlet communicating with the ambient atmosphere and
24 an outlet connected with an air manifold or log 55, by a
line 56. A manually adjustable air metering valve V is
z~ engaged in the line 56. The manifold is connected with the
27 inlet fittings on the bodies of the nozzles N by delivery
28 lines 46. With the foregoing portion of the system S, it
29 will be apparent that an adequate or ample supply of air
for the nozzles N is provided for and that the flow of air
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~g'~
1 to and through the nozzles can be effectively controlled.
2 Though the air supply means might function without
3 the-air pump, there is a tendency for water within the tank
4 T to flow into and to flood the nozzles N and their related
air lines. Should this happen, desired functioning of the
6 nozz]es would be adversely affected. With the air pump P,
7 air under sufficient pressure to purge the air handling
8 portion of the system S is provided and desired and effective
9 operation of the entire system is assured.
In accordance with common practice, a filter F
11 can be engaged in the system S downstream of the heater W.
1~ In practice, and as shown at N' in Fig. 4 of -the
drawings, one or more upwardly directed nozzles can be
14 positioned at the bottom wall 21 of the tank to massage the
user1s feet and ankles in a most effective manner.
16 In the preferred form of my invention, and as shown
17 in the drawings, I provide an upwardly projecting weir about
18 the arm rest 25 to contain and direct water that might surge
19 upwardly and out of the tank back into the tank and/or into
?~ the hot tu~.
~1 Further, as shown in the drawings, a decorative
Z2 control panel can be provided adjacent one side of the tank
23 T for convenient moun-ting of the valve V and other controls
24 that might be required.
2~ Having described only typical preferred forms and
26 embodimen-ts of my inven-tion, I do not wish to be limited
27 to the specific details herein set forth but wish to reserve
28 to myself any modifications and/or variations that might
29 appear to those skilled in the art and which fall within
the scope of the following claims:
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