Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DRY HYDRO-MASSAGE UNIT
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Back~round of The Inventio_
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hydro-massage unit for a
tub, whirlpool spa or the like and, in particular, to a dry
hydro-massage unit which includes means for regulating the
inflation pressure of the resilient diaphragm to provide a
dry, warm impact massage of upper body portions while the
user is situation within the tub. The unit may be
incorporated into a telescoping or hahd-held assembly for
specific application.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Hydrotherapy jet discharges for whirlpool tubs and spas
have been developed to provide a turbulent mix of water and
air for impacting against a user's body in the spa. These
discharges have been refined to provide efficient flow with
maximum therapeutic benefit. Discharge jets which are
selectively directionally adjustable by the user and jets
which travel along a closed path are well known embodiments
for increasing the benefits of the spa. However, these
discharge jets must be positioned below the water line
within the spa to minimize splash. As a result, the
therapeutic benefits are limited to the body parts below the
water line or the user must slouch down in an attempt to
apply the massaging effect to the shoulders.
Closed dry hydro-massage systems have been developed
for specific devices such as water beds. These systems
circulate the water from a closed reservoir against a
membrane which engages the user. The membrane may form the
back of a car seat or the upper surface of a waterbed
mattress. However, such systems have not been employed in
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spas to provide hydromassage of selected body parts.
Moreover, the massage is dependent solely on the impact
action of the water jet against the flexible membrane since
no means are provided for maintaining inflation of the
membrane.
Summary Of The Present Invention
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of
the prior known hydro-massage systems by providing a dry
hydro-massage unit for a spa which includes pressure
regulating means to maintain inflation of a flexible
diaphragm to provide a comfortable resilient surface for the
user while massaging the user's neck and shoulders normally
disposed above the water line.
The dry hydro-massage unit according to the present
invention generally comprises a housing associated with a
tub or spa wall and having air and water supply means to
supply the turbulent mixture to the discharge head. The
discharge head is sealingly positioned behind a flexible
diaphragm such that the discharge is directed against the
diaphragm. The housing is provided with an air vent at the
top to allow air to escape and a water exhaust at the bottom
of the housing. The water exhaust fluidly communicates with
the tub to permit escape of the water back into the spa.
The jet discharges into a regulated chamber formed partially
by the flexible diaphragm and by an interior wall having a
plurality of ports. The size and number of ports are
selected to regulate the pressure within the chamber to
ensure inflation of the diaphragm according to the discharge
capacity of the discharge jet. In an alternative
embodiment, a rotatable plate may be mounted to the interior
wall to vary the size of the ports and, as a result, the
inflation pressure of the diaphragm. The discharge head
forces the air/water mixture against the diaphragm and the
water is exhausted into the spa through a port below the
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water line. In this manner, a dry hydro-massage is provided to
parts of the user's body disposed above the water line. For added
convenience, the jet housing may form a part of a hand-held unit
or may be telescopingly adjustable between a position above the
rim of the spa tub and the water line.
The present invention has the advantage of providing the
therapeutic benefits of a hydro-massage to the neck and head
without the water splash of past known spa jets. As a result,
water splash against the face and eyes is eliminated permitting
the user to quietly enjoy the dry hydro-massage. The invention
has the added benefit of keeping the user's hair and face dry thus
allowing users with styled hairdos and makeup to enjoy the
massaging benefits of the spa without ruining the hairdo or
makeup. Additionally, the user is provided with a warm and
resilient surface against which to lean as a result of inflation
of the diaphragm. Without regulation of the fluid exhaust from
the discharge chamber inflation of the diaphragm could not be
maintained. Furthermore, the inflated massage pillow provides
greater heat transfer over a wider area while the impact massage
is specifically directed. The impact power of the jet can be
varied by pump pressure, restricting the mixture of air and the
exhaust of fluid.
According to one broad aspect of the invention, there is
disclosed a dry hydro-massaging unit for mounting to a spa tub,
the dry hydro-massage unit providing selective massage of a user
positioned within the tub, said dry hydro-massaging unit
comprising: a rigid housing mounted to the tub, said housing
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including a front opening; a diaphragm sealingly covering said
front opening of said housing to form a pressure chamber within
said housing; a hydro-massage jet assembly having a discharge jet
mounted within said housing, said discharge jet positioned to
discharge a massaging 1uid into said pressure chamber of said
housing and against said diaphragm whereby said massaging fluid
from said discharge jet massagingly flexes said diaphragm; means
connected to said hydro-massage jet assembly for supplying said
massaging fluid to said discharge jet; and means for restricting
the exhaust of fluid from said pressure chamber of said housing
such that the rate of massaging fluid flowing into said pressure
chamber from said jet assembly is greater than the fluid flow rate
from said pressure chamber thereby maintaining said diaphragm in a
substantially constant state of inflation beyond said front
opening so as to provide a pillow-like surface for the user to
rest against.
According to another broad aspect of the invention,
there is disclosed a dry hydro-massage unit for mounting to a spa
tub, the hydro-massage unit providing selective massage of a user
positioned within the tub, said dry hydro-massaging unit
comprising: a rigid housing mounted proximate the tub for
selective engagement by the user positioned in the tub, said
housing including a front opening; a flexible diaphragm sealingly
covering said front opening of said housing, said diaphragm
enclosing a pressure chamber within said housing; a hydro-massage
jet assembly having a discharge jet mounted within said housing,
said discharge jet positioned to discharge a massaging fluid into
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said pressure chamber of said housing and against said diaphragm
whereby said massaging fluid from said discharge jet massagingly
flexes said diaphragm while fluid flow past said diaphragm is
prevented; means fluidly connected to said hydro-massage jet
assembly for supplying a massaging fluid to said jet for discharge
against said diaphragm; and an interior wall within said housing
proximate said hydro-massage jet assembly forming said pressure
chamber within said housing, said interior wall including
restrictive port means for regulating the exhaust of said
massaging fluid from said pressure chamber behind said diaphragm
thereby maintaining a predetermined fluid pressure within said
chamber to maintain said diaphragm in a substantially constant
state of inflation and beyond said front opening so as to provide
a pillow-like surface for the user to rest against against which
said massaging fluid from said discharge jet is discharged.
According to still another aspect of the invention,
there is disclosed a dry hydro-massage unit for mounting to a spa
tub, the hydro-massage unit providing selective massage of a user
positioned within the tub, said dry hydro-massaging unit
comprising: a rigid housing mounted proximate the tub for
selective engagement by the user, said housing including a front
opening and an interior wall forming a pressure chamber within
said housing; a flexible diaphragm sealingly covering said front
opening of said housing, said diaphragm sealingly enclosing said
pressure chamber of said housing to prevent fluid flow past said
diaphragm; a hydro-massage jet assembly having a discharge jet
mounted within said housing, said discharge jet positioned to
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discharge a massaging 1uid into said pressure chamher of said
housing and against said diaphragm whereby said massaging fluid
from said discharge jet massagingly flexes said diaphragm while
fluid flow past said diaphragm is prevented; and means fluidly
connected to said hydro-massage jet assembly Eor supplying a
massaging fluid to said jet for discharge against said diaphragm;
said interior wall including a plurality of spaced apart ports of
restricting the exhaust of fluid from said pressure chamber such
that the rate of massaging fluid flowing into said pressure
chamber from said jet assembly is greater than the fluid flow rate
from said pressure chamber thereby maintaining a predetermined
fluid pressure within said chamber to maintain said diaphragm in a
substantially constant state of inflation beyond said front
opening so as to provide a pillow-like surface for the user to
rest against, the number and diameter of said ports controlling
the fluid pressure within said chamber and the inflation of said
diaphragm.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description Of The Drawina
The present invention will be more fully understood by
reference to the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing, in which like reference to like parts
throughout the views and in which:
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FIGURE 1 is an elevated perspective o~ a tub having the
dry hydro-massage unit embodying the present invention
mounted thereto;
FIGURE 2 i8 a cross-sectional perspective of the dry
hydro-massage unit mounted to the tub;
FIGURE 3 is a front plan view partially in
cross-section taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the dry hydro-massage
unit incorporated into a telescopically adjustable assembly
associated with a spa tub;
FIGU~E 5 is an exploded perspective of the
telescopically adjustable dry hydro-massage unit;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the
telescopically adjustable dry hydro-massage unit;
FIGURE 7 is an elevated perspective of a spa tub having
the dry hydro-massage unit incorporated into a hand-held
unit;
FIGURE 8 is a front plan view partially in
cross-section of the hand-held dry hydro-massage unit; and
FIGURE 9 is a side plan view partially in cross-section
of the hand-held dry hydro-massage unit.
Detailed DescriPtion Of A Preferred
Embodiment Of The Present Invention
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a
tub 10 to which a dry hydro-massage unit 12 embodying the
present invention is mounted. The dry hydro-massage unit 12
may be mounted to any type receptacle adapted to receive a
user including a whirlpool spa or a bathtub. In a preferred
embodiment, the unit 12 is mounted to a top rim 14 of the
tub 10 such that a user positioned in the tub 10 can lean
against the dry hydro-massage unit 12 for the selective
massage of body parts normally situated above the water
line. The dry hydro-massage unit 12 provides the massaging
effect of hydro-massage devices while eliminating the splash
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and spray of known units. A wi~3~e7~e~einafter described,
the dry hydro-massage unit 12 may be combined with a
hand-held assembly or a telescopingly ad~ustable assembly
for greater freedom of placement.
Referring now to Figures 1 through 3, the dry
hydro-massage unit 12 of the present invention includes a
housing 16 mounted to the tub rim 14. In a preferred
embodiment, the housing 16 consists of a main body 18 to
which is attached a bezel 20 forming a front opening 22 for
the housing 16. Nounted within the housing 16 is a
hydro-massage jet assembly 24 which includes a discharge jet
26. The jet assembly 24 is mounted within the housing 16
using a mounting bracket 28 which engages flanges 30 formed
as part of the body 18 of the housing 16. Air and water are
supplied to the jet assembly 24 through air line 32 and
water line 34. The jet assembly 24 mixes the air and water
using a venturi jet nozzle to produce the soothing massaging
fluid discharged through the jet 26. The hydro-massage jet
assembly 24 is positioned within the housing 16 such that
the massaging fluid is directed through the front opening 22
of the housing 16.
To prevent the massaging fluid from being discharged
against the user and therefore create the dry hydro-massage
effect, a diaphragm 36 is sealingly mounted to the front
opening 22 such that the massaging fluid is discharged
against the diaphragm 36. Although discharging the
mas6aging fluid to massagingly flex the diaphragm 36 will
produce some soothing relief, the rigid structure of the
housing 16 makes it uncomfortable for the user to relaxingly
lean against the unit 12. Accordingly, in order to inflate
the diaphragm 36 to form a pillow-like surface, a
restrictive flow interior wall 38 is positioned within the
housing 16. Together with the diaphragm 36, the interior
wall 38 forms a pressure chamber 40 into which the massaging
fluid is discharged. The wall 38 includes a plurality of
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circumferentially spaced ports 42 to restrict outlet flow from the
chamber 40. The size and number of ports 42 are selected to
create a predetermined fluid pressure within the chamber 40 such
that the diaphragm 36 will be inflated to a desirable level
according to the discharge flow of the hydro-massage jet assembly
24. Alternatively, an adjustable or rotatable shutter may be
provided proximate the ports 42 such that rotation of the shutter
will adjust the size of the ports 42 and therefore the flow of the
water therethrough. As a result, the inflation pressure of the
diaphragm 36 could be adjusted to vary the firmness of the
diaphragm 36. Thus, as massaging fluid is discharged by jet
assembly 24, the flow ports 42 of the interior wall 38 restrict
the outlet flow of fluid from the chamber 40 creating a fluid
pressure to inflate the diaphragm 36 to form a comfortable pillow.
Fluid is exhausted from the housing 16 through an outlet line 44
which communicates with the tub basin through exhaust port 46. As
a result, the massaging effects of the fluid can be felt by the
user through the flexible diaphragm 36 while the spray of the
water is eliminated. The discharged fluid is returned to the tub
10 below the water line. In addition, the body 18 of the housing
16 is provided with an air vent 48 to vent any air trapped within
the housing 16.
The dry hydro-massage unit 12 may be incorporated into a
telescopingly adjustable unit as shown in Figures 4 through 6 or a
hand-held assembly as shown in Figures 7 through 9. These
alternate embodiments provide added flexibility yet incorporate
the basic dry hydro-massage unit 12 described hereinbefore.
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The telescopingly adjustable unit 130 ls incorporated
into the peripheral wall 114 of the tub 110 to provide the
soothing massage of hydro-therapy jets without fluid discharge to
body portions normally situated above the rim of the tub 110. In
a preferred embodiment, the telescopingly adjustable unit 130 is
mounted within an opening 132 formed in the peripheral wall 114 of
the tub 110. An enclosure plate or wall 134 is mounted
substantially flush with the wall 114 over the opening 132 to form
a chamber 136 open to the top of the tub 110. The dry hydro-
massage unit 130 is telescopingly adjustably disposed within thischamber 136. The enclosure wall 134 includes a U-shaped slot
which guidingly receives the discharge head of the unit 130. An
exhaust port formed near the bottom of the tub 110 provides fluid
communication between the interior chamber 136 and the interior
basin of the tub 110. As best shown in Figure 6, the dry hydro-
massaging unit 130 includes a hydro-massage jet assembly 142 which
supplies the therapeutic turbulent mixture of air and water. As
with the other embodiments, the ~et assembly 142 is sealingly
enclosed by a diaphragm 154 causing the therapeutic fluid to be
discharged agalnst the diaphragm 154. Fluid flow through the
peripheral passageways 176 is restricted in order to maintain the
diaphragm 154 in an inflated state.
The hydro-massage assembly 142 is telescopingly mounted
wlthin the lnterior chamber 136 for selective adjustment of the
diaphragm covered discharge jet 144 between a first position
substantially at or below the water line 118 through a second
position above the top rim 124 of the tub 110. The assembly 142
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is guided by a pair of tracks 162 opposlngly mounted to the
interior side of the enclosure wall 134 on opposite sides of the
slot 138. The tracks 162 slidingly receive side portions 164 of
the housing 156 which can include locking means 166 to
positionally maintain the assembly 142. In a preferred
embodiment, the locking means 166 includes spring-biased pins 168
which cooperate with the tracks 162 to bias the assembly 142 away
from the enclosure wall 134. The back of the side portions 164
are provided with an integral pin 170 which cooperates with a
series of apertures 172 to positionally maintain the assembly 142
in a plurality of positions. The jet assembly 142 is
telescopingly adjusted within the chamber 136 by pulling the
assembly 142 forwardly to remove the pins 170 from the apertures
172.
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The hand-held unit 212 i8 designed to be easily
manipulated by a user 214 in order to apply a therapeutic
hydro-massage to specific body parts such as the neck and
shoulders. The unit 212 generally comprises a housing 216
having a handle 218 to facilitate manipulation and a
flexible hose 220 which connects the housing 216 to the air
and water supplies. The housing 216 has a front opening 228
within which a hydro-massage jet assembly 230 is disposed.
The jet assembly 230 includes a discharge nozzle 234 which
directs a massaging fluid out of the housing 216 against a
flexible diaphragm 242 sealingly positioned over the opening
228. With the diaphragm 242 attached to the housing 216,
the massaging fluid is prevented from being discharged from
the housing 216 except through the hose 220. The position
of the diaphragm 242 relative to the jet assembly 230
ensures that the massaging fluid is discharged against the
diaphragm 242 and as a result the diaphragm 242 will be
massagingly flexed by the discharge fluid. Once discharged
against the diaphragm 242, the fluid flows into the housing
216 and hose 220 through the restricted flow peripheral
passageways 248. The resulting increased pressure behind
the diaphragm 242 will inflate the diaphragm 242 to form a
more suitable massaging surface to be placed against the
user's body.
Thus, the present invention will provide a soothing dry
hydro-massage of a user by eliminating the spray of the
massaging jet. As a result, the hydro-massage unit can be
mounted above the water line to provide soothing relief of
the neck and shoulders, body parts normally positioned above
the water line of a spa.
The foregoing detailed description has been given for
clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary
limitations should be understood therefrom as some
modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art
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without departing from the scope and spirit o~ the appended
claims:
I claim:
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