Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE: HYDRO-MASSAGE BENCH
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to portable spas, and more particularly, it
relates to a portable hydro-massage bench submersible into a swimming
pool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydro-m~s~ge pools and spas are generally provided with a tub, a
water pump, a filter, an air blower and a water heater. These apparatus are
built to serve the single purpose of giving therapeutic massages using the
pulsation of water and air jets. The tubs are usually small and cannot be
used for swimming
It is a common practice with hydro-m~cs~ge pools and spas to install
these units permanently inside a home, as a back yard enhancement, or
adjoining an existing swimming pool. In the case of an outside installation,
the location is usually surrounded by a patio deck and a fence, offering a
certain level of comfort and privacy. However, whether the spas are
installed inside or outside a home, excavation, foundation work, cementing
or structural work is always required. Therefore, the installation costs of
these spas is often substantial.
Examples of spas adjoining an existing swimming pool are
illustrated and described in U.S. Patent 3,952,338 issued on Apr. 27, 1976
to Robert S. Troxclair, and in U.S. Patent 4,238,859 issued on Dec. 16,
1980 to Sterling P. Badon, Jr.
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Another type of spas for use in a ~will.l..il-g pool is a circular-type
floating enclosure. Such devices are illustrated _nd described in the U.S.
Patent 4,126,905 issued on Nov. 28, 1978 to Russell et al., in U.S. Patent
4,149,281, issued on April 17, 1979 to Bob et al., and in U.S. Patent
4,152,791 issued on May 8, 1979 to Alan C. Rose.
Floating spas are known to be unstable and therefore very
inconvenient for use by the less audacious persons. The fact that these
floating structures are enclosed represents another limit~tion to their
accessibility, wherein a bather must climb over the edge thereof and slide
down into agitated water to reach a sitting surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, however, there is provided a portable
hydro-massage bench which is submersible into a swimming pool as an
optional pool accessory. The hydro-m~s~ging bench has hydro-massaging
nozzles to offer to the users of that bench similar effects and comfort as
those available with a commercial spa. The portable hydro-massage bench
of the present invention can accommodate one or several persons and it
does not hinder a normal use of the swimming pool by other bathers.
In accordance to a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a bench for placement in a pool of water for supporting and
hydro-massaging one or more bathers. This bench comprises a rigid and
submersible structure having a longitudinal seat and backrest, and leg
means attached to each end of the seat for supporting the seat at a fixed
distance from the bottom of the pool.
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There is also provided, a first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on
the seat, and a second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on the backrest.
A piping system is attached to the structure under the seat and directly
behind the backrest. This piping system has pipe-fittings connected to all
5 hydro-m~sage nozzles, and an inlet connection connectable to a source of
air and water under pressure.
The inlet connection is located near an upper edge of the backrest
whereby a profile of the bench is slender and a connection and
disconnection of the inlet connection to and from the source of air and
10 water under pressure is effected at arm's length by a person standing near
the bench.
Advantages of this aspect of the present invention are numerous, and
include the fact that the hydro-massage bench provides a comfortable
sitting posture to users, it is compact in size whereby it is easily
15 manipulated into or out of the pool and it occupies a relatively small space
when stored away. More importantly, the hydro-massage bench of the
present invention is stable on the bottom surface of the pool and is open to
the swimmin~; area of the pool, such that persons of all ages and all
physical conditions can access it safely, and use it in alteration to
20 swimming exercises.
The configuration of the hydro-m~csage nozzles and the length of
the seat may vary from one model to another depending on the therapeutic
effect intended, and the number of persons using it.
A
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In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, a pu~ g
unit draws water from an inlet opening underneath the seat, and pumps it
to the nozzles through a piping system mounted under the seat and behind
the backrest of the bench. The piping system extends upwardly behind the
5 backrest and over the swimming pool wall. Piping inlet connections are
provided at a convenient location, above the pool's wall for instance, to join
the bench's piping system to the pUlll~ g unit. The orientation of the
piping system between the pumping unit and the piping inlet connections
may be varied to accommodate an installation of the bench into an above-
10 ground swimming pool or into an in-ground pool.
The hydro-massage bench is portable in the sense that it can be
submerged in a swimming pool in a relatively short time without m~king
permanent alterations to the swimming pool or to its support structure. The
hydro-massage bench can also be removed from the ~wi~ g pool in a
15 short time and stored away during the colder seasons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be further understood
from the following description, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
20 - Figure 1 is a cut-away view of an above-ground swimming pool
and a hydro-m~csage bench ofthe pl~relled embodiment submerged
along the pool's wall;
- Figure 2 is a side elevation of the hydro-massage bench of the
preferred embodiment;
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- Figure 3 is a front elevation of the hydro-massage bench of the
preferred embodiment;
- Figure4is a plan view of the hydro-m~.s~ge bench of the preferred
embodiment;
- Figure5is a cross-section view of the hydro-massage bench and of
the air piping along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;
- Figure6is a cross-section view of the piping system along the line
6 of Figure 5;
- Figure 7is a cross-section view of the seat and of the water piping
along the line 7-7 of Figure 3;
- Figure 8 is a side view of a hydro-air nozzle and of an water/air
mixing manifold;
- Figure9is a side view of a hydro-air nozzle mounted on a mixing
manifold;
- Figure 10 is a front view of the hydro-air nozzle and manifold
assembly;
- Figure 11 is a cross-section view through the wall of the pool
illustrating the bench of the preferred embodiment and the piping
system;
- Figure 12 is a side elevation of the bench of the preferred
embodiment mounted on the depth adjustment stand;
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- Figure 13 is a cut-away view of the depth adjustment stand
illustrating a means for varying the height of the stand's sub-
structure for raising the bench of the preferred embodiment
according to different pool depth.
5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the structure of the hydro-massage
bench is comprised of a sitting surface 2, a backrest 3, and closed ends 4.
The ends extend downward to form the seat support legs. Both legs are
attached to sole plates 5 which are longer than a width of the seat. The sole
l0 plates increase the stability of the seat on the bottom of the pool.
The sitting surface 2 is preferably reinforced with a vertical
stiffener 6 along the full length thereof. The structure of the hydro-
m~cs~ge bench of the present invention is preferably fabricated or moulded
from a rigid, water resistant material.
The hydro-massage bench 1 of the preferred embodiment further
comprises a plurality of hydro-air nozzles 7 on the backrest 3 and on the
ends 4, a plurality of air nozzles 8 on the seat 2, an air piping system 9, a
water pressure piping system 10, a water intake opening 11, a water intake
piping system 12, and a plurality of water/air mixing manifolds 13.
The hydro-air nozzles 7 deliver a ll,ixlule of water and air under
pressure. The hydro-air nozzles 7 on the backrest 3 of the bench 1 direct
the hydro-massage jets toward the back of the users. The same type of
nozzles 7 are used on the ends 4 of the bench 1 to direct hydro-massage jets
toward the shoulder and the lower flank of the person sitting at either
extremity of the bench.
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The air nozzles 8 on the seat 2 of the bench deliver jets of air only.
The nozzles 7 and 8 are identical. The later ones are connected to the air
piping system 9 only, and therefore produce a different jet than the hydro-
air nozzles 7. The bubbles of air ejected from nozzles 8 are directed
5 between the thighs of users of this bench to massage their abdomen and
chest area.
The air piping system 9 delivers air under pressure to the upper
opening ofthe water/air mixing manifolds 13 of each nozzle 7. The same
piping system 9 connects directly into the nozzles 8 located in the seat 2.
lo The water piping system 10 delivers water under pressure to the
lower opening of the water/air mixing manifold 13 of each nozzle 7. Both
piping systems 9 and 10 are connected to the mixing manifolds 13 and the
nozzles 7 and ~ by a combination of T-fittings 14, elbow-fittings 15 and
plug-fittings 16, as seen in Figure 2. Both piping systems 9 and 10
15 together with the water intake piping system 12 are connected to the
pumping unit by means of a group of pipe couplings 17 placed at a location
which can be accessed easily, preferably behind and above the backrest 3.
This location for the group of pipe couplings 17 is convenient for
in~t~lling the bench 1 of the preferred embodiment while st~n~ling outside
20 the pool or near the bench 1. A person installing the bench 1 does not have
to bend over or under water to effect the required connections. This
arr~ngement ofthe group of couplings 17 is also convenient to ensure that
the bench 1 is compact in size and is thereby easily manipulated in and out
of the pool, or stowed away.
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Figures 5 and 6 give a better illustration of the air piping system 9.
It shows a preferred arrangement for connecting the air piping system 9
into the mixing manifolds 13 and into the air nozzles 8. The figures
illustrate the preferred locations of the T-fittings 14, elbows 15, and the
5 group of pipe couplings 17. Similarly, Figure 7 illustrates the preferred
arrangement for the water pressure piping 10 and water intake piping 12.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a hydro-air nozzle 7 and a mixing
manifold 13 which are available commercially. These illustrations are not
part of the invention but are nonetheless included to better explain the
10 operation of the hydro-massage bench 1 of the preferred embodiment.
The nozzle 7 or 8 comprises a hollow threaded stem 20 which fits
on a similar boss 21 of a smaller diameter on the water/air mixing manifold
13. The nozzle 7 or 8 is held into a hole in the seat 2, the backrest 3 or an
end member 4 of the bench 1 with a nut 19 engaged on the threaded stem
15 20. A felt washer 18 may be used in the assembly to compensate for
surface irregularities on the seat 2, backrest 3 or end members 4.
The water/air mixing manifold 13 has an upper opening 23 to
connect with the air piping system 9, and a lower opening 22 to connect
with the water piping system 10. The nozzle 7 has an orif1ce 24 from
20 which the hydro-massage jet is ejected.
Referring now specifically to Figure 11, the pu~ )ing unit
comprises a water pump 26 which draws water from the inlet piping 12,
and delivers water under pressure into the water pressure piping system 10.
The pw~ g unit also comprises an air blower 27 which blows air into the
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air piping system 9. The water inlet piping 12 may be equipped with a cap
28 at a highest point, for the purpose of filling the intake piping system
prior to starting-up of the pump 26.
Figure 11 also illustrates a preferred arrangement for the piping
systems 9, 10 and 11 over the wall 25 of the pool. The figure further
illustrates a preferred immersion depth for the hydro-massage bench 1 of
the preferred embodiment.
For pools having a greater depth than the illustrations of Figures 1
and 11, the hydro-massage bench 1 may be installed on a stand 29 as
shown in the Figures 12 and 13. The stand 29 has a box-like shape and is
made of a material which is preferably rigid, water resistant and heavier
than water. The stand 29 has inside dimensions slightly larger than a
horizontal plane defined by the sole plates 5, such that the sole plates 5 fit
inside the stand 29. The bench 1 is supported inside the stand by a sub-
structure 30 which is held in place by means of lag screws 31 through holes
32 in the walls of the stand 29. The height of the bench 1 may be varied
according to the water level of a pool, by installing the lag screws 31 in
al,~ropliate holes 32, varying thereby the height of the sub-structure 30.
While the above description provides a full and complete disclosure
of the preferred embodiment of this invention, various modifications,
altemate constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve
Altçm~te materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, operational
features or the like. Therefore the above description and accompanying
illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention
which is defined by the appended claims.
