Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HYDROTSBRABY NOZZLE 1~SS~LY
Field of the Iaveatioa
The present invention relates to an improved
hydrotherapy nozzle assembly for tubs and spas.
Description of the prior Art
Whirlpool or hydrotherapeutic baths include a tub
with nozzle assemblies for introducing a jet of water
and air into water contained in the tub. Water and air
are supplied through manifold pipes to the nozzle
assembly where they are mixed and discharged as a jet,
into the tub. In one common approach, water flows
through an orifice and is ejected into a mixing region
where air is entrained in the high velocity water
stream. In known arrangements, the volume of water or
the volume of air or both can be adjusted by the user,
and the direction of the jet introduced into the tub can
be varied.
Some known hydrotherapy nozzle assemblies rely on
shear type valuing of the water supply in which the area
of a radial water flow path leading to the ejector
section is varied by a valve surface. A disadvantage is
that the flow to the ejector section is turbulent and
efficiency is reduced. U.S. patents 3,297,025,
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4,541,780, 4,671,463 and 4,985,943 disclose assemblies
in which rotation of a central nozzle portion provides a
valuing function in which the flow of water and air is
reduced by a shear valve operation. U.S. patent
4,982,459 discloses at FIGS. 6-18 a nozzle assembly with
adjustable shear valuing of air and water flows, and
with a central axial water flow path so that the flow of
water cannot be entirely blocked by the valve.
Some known assemblies avoid shear type valuing by
throttling an annular flow of water. In known
assemblies of this type the adjustment member moves
axially, with a rising valve action. This can result in
projection of the rising member into the tub in the full
open position and in an undesireably short axial flow
path through the assembly. In addition, the large
surface area of the annular throttling surfaces in
contact with the accelerating water results in boundary
layer losses and reduced efficiency. U.S. patent
5,269,029 discloses a jet assembly with a push pull
throttling valve operation. U.S. patent 3,391,870
discloses a therapeutic discharge fitting assembly
wherein the flow of water through the assembly is varied
by throttling of an annular flow path by axial, or
rising movement of a central nozzle portion. U.S.
patent 4,408,721 discloses rising throttling control of
both air and water flow wherein the central nozzle is
retracted to such an extent that the axial length of the
ejector-aspirator system is undesireably short.
Whirlpool baths have become increasingly popular,
and tub sizes have increased. The size and power of
pumps used in whirlpool and spa systems have also
increased. However, systems requiring large and
powerful pumps have disadvantages including the need to
prevent entrapment of scalp hair in the suction fitting
of the tub, the expense of electrical power and the
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requirement for large pipes or manifolds to accommodate
high volume water flows. Thus there is a need for
nozzle assemblies of high efficiency that are capable of
delivering effective jets of air and water without the
need for large and powerful pumps.
Most known hydrotherapy nozzle assemblies are
mounted to a tub wall by capturing the tub wall between
two mating threaded parts. The parts can be loosened if
they are unthreaded by rotational forces applied to the
assembly, for example by rotation of a central nozzle to
adjust flow. U.S. patents 4,593,420 and 4,982,459
illustrate this typical mounting arrangement. Although
U.S. patent 4,537,358 discloses a mounting system where
parts are drawn against inner and outer tub wall
surfaces by separate fasteners, the mounting system of
that patent is not consistent with a neat and compact
nozzle assembly having an attractive appearance.
It is desirable to drain the water from a whirlpool
nozzle assembly and related manifold piping following
operation of the tub. U.S. patent 4,593,420 discloses a
fitting including a locking ring having grooves that
provide a drain path from an air and water mixing
chamber around an outer nozzle. Because there is no way
to assure that a single groove will be. located properly
for drainage, numerous drain grooves are provided.
During operation, the grooves bypass flow through the
nozzle assembly and because numerous grooves are needed,
their size is critical.
Summary o! the Zaventioa
A principal object of the present invention is to
provide an improved nozzle assembly for hydrotherapy
tubs such as spas and whirlpool baths. Other objects
are to provide a nozzle assembly in which the hydraulic
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energy of the water supplied to the assembly is
converted to a jet of water and air with high
efficiency; to provide a nozzle assembly in which
setting of a desired flow volume is facilitated; to
provide a nozzle assembly in which the volume of the jet
of water and air is adjustable over a wide range of flow
rates while maintaining efficient operation of an
ejector system used to entrain air in the flow of water;
to provide a nozzle assembly in which the ejector
function is isolated at low flow rates to prevent cross
draw of water by another nozzle assembly in the system;
to provide a nozzle assembly in which the flow control
valve is operated by rotation of a delivery nozzle that
is constrained against axial movement, thereby to
prevent projection of the discharge nozzle into the tub
and maximize the axial length of the ejector system for
efficient operation; to provide a nozzle assembly
having a large range of swivel adjustment of the
direction of discharge of the jet of water and air; to
provide a nozzle assembly having an improved tub wall
mounting arrangement that holds the assembly securely
and permits easy field service of components of the
assembly; to provide a nozzle assembly that can be
mounted in different positions with positive and
complete water drainage in each position; and to
provide a hydrotherapy nozzle assembly overcoming
problems experienced with nozzles assemblies used in the
past.
In brief, in accordance with the present invention
there is provided a hydrotherapy nozzle assembly for
discharging a jet of water and air into a tub. The
nozzle assembly includes a housing having a forward
mounting flange for attachment to a tub wall, a recessed
rearward cavity, and a water supply port and an air
supply port communicating with the cavity. A socket in
the cavity includes an annular seal contact region
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separating the supply ports and dividing the cavity into
water and air supply regions. A discharge ball assembly
includes a ball pivotally received in the socket against
the seal contact region and a forwardly extending
discharge nozzle movable to selected angles in response
to pivoting of the ball. A bezel surrounds the
discharge nozzle and engages the ball to retain the ball
in the socket. The ball includes a water inlet opening
adjacent the rear end of the ball within the water
supply region and an air inlet opening in the ball
spaced from the rear end of the ball within the air
supply region. An ejector orifice within the ball has
an upstream end communicating with the water inlet
opening and a downstream end communicating with the air
inlet opening and with the discharge nozzle. A valve
structure mounted for axial movement within the ball
includes a first valve portion for controlling flow
through the water inlet opening in response to axial
motion of the valve structure and a second valve portion
for controlling flow through the air inlet opening in
response to axial motion of the valve structure. The
discharge nozzle is mounted for rotational movement and
constrained against axial movement relative to the ball.
A cam system coupled between the discharge nozzle and
the valve structure translates rotation of the discharge
nozzle into axial motion of the valve stricture for
simultaneous adjustment of air and water flow.
Brie! Description of the Drawings
The present invention together with the above and
other objects and advantages may best be understood from
the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention illustrated in the
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a hydrotherapy
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nozzle assembly constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the nozzle
assembly of FIG. 1 with the discharge ball assembly
omitted;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle
assembly with the discharge ball assembly in place,
taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the
assembly mounted on a tub wall;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle
assembly taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of part of
the nozzle assembly taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the nozzle
assembly;
FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the discharge ball
assembly of the nozzle assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the inlet
bell, outlet bell and outlet sleeve of the discharge
ball assembly
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged
scale of the discharge ball assembly of FIG. 7 taken
along its central longitudinal axis;
FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the
components of the ball jet assembly; and
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the discharge ball
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assembly of FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale with portions
broken away to reveal internal structure.
Detailed Descriptioa of the Preferred Embodiment
Having reference now to the drawings, and initially
to FIGS. 1-,6, there is illustrated a nozzle assembly
generally designated as 20 and constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention. The
nozzle assembly 20 is adapted to be mounted within a
circular opening 22 in the wall 24 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of a
hydromassage or hydrotherapy tub or bathtub such as a
whirlpool tub or spa. In general, the nozzle assembly
includes a body or housing 26 and a clamp member 28
used to mount the body on the wall 24. A discharge ball
assembly 30 is supported for pivotal motion between a
15 socket ring 32 and the inward retaining end 34 of a
bezel 36.
A mounting flange 38 of the body 26 engages the
interior surface 40 of the tub wall 24. A skirt portion
42 of the body 26 extends rearwardly, away from the
20 interior of the tub, to a recessed cavity portion 44 of
the body 26. A step 46 is located between the skirt
portion 42 and the cavity portion 44. As seen best in
FIG. 3, fasteners 48 extend through the step 46 and are
threaded into bosses of the clamp member 28. The clamp
member 28 includes an annular wall 50 that surrounds the
skirt portion 42 and terminates in a clamping flange 52
engaging the exterior surface 54 of the tub wall 24
opposite the mounting flange 38. The fasteners 48 draw
the flanges 38 and 52 firmly against the opposed
surfaces 40 and 54 and securely hold the body 26 in
place despite wall thickness variations. This clamped
mounting system resists movement of the body 26 due to
rotational forces applied to the body 26, for example by
flow volume adjustments as described below.
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The body 26 includes a water supply port 56 and an
air supply port 58, both communicating with the cavity
portion 44. The ports 56 and 58 project from the body
26 generally parallel with the tub wall 24, and opposed
clearance recesses 59 are provided in the annular wall
50 to permit the clamp member 28 to fit over the rear of
the body 26 (FIG. 4). In a typical installation, a tub
includes several nozzle assemblies 20 and water pipes
connected to each water supply port 56 serve as a
manifold for delivering pressurized water from a pump to
each nozzle assembly 20. Ducts connected to the air
supply ports 58 permit air to flow to each nozzle
assembly 20 from one or more air inlets.
The discharge ball assembly 30 includes a generally
spherical ball 60 held in the cavity portion 44 between
the socket ring 32 and the inner end 34 of the bezel 36.
A discharge nozzle 62 extends forward from the.ball 60
toward the interior o,f the tub. Preferably the
discharge nozzle 62 does not project into the tub beyond
the bezel 36 and does not create an obstruction. The
user can change the direction of the jet discharged from
the nozzle 62 by manipulating the nozzle 62 to pivot the
ball 60. A wide range of pivotal movement of about
forty degrees in all directions is possible.
The socket ring includes a generally circular
surface in engagement with the ball 60. An 0-ring 64 is
received behind the socket ring 32 against the body 26,
and the socket ring 32 divides the cavity portion 44
into a water supply region 66 communicating with the
water supply port 56 and an air supply region 68
communicating with the air supply port 58.
The bezel 36 includes a step 70 that seats against
the step 46 of the body 26 and a skirt wall 72 that
overlies the skirt portion 42 of the body 26. Fasteners
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74 threaded into bosses extending below the step 46 of
the body 26 attach the bezel 36 and body 26 together.
The spacing between the socket ring 32 and the inner end
34 of the bezel 36 is maintained consistent despite
variances in tub wall thickness so that the ball 60 is
seated reliably in all installations. The bezel
includes a lip 76 that covers the mounting flange 38 of
the body 26. The bezel masks the body 26 and the
fasteners 48 so that the appearance of the assembly 20
on the interior tub wall surface 40 is determined
primarily by the bezel 36. The bezel 36 may be made of
a material and provided with a surface treatment
selected to provide a desired decorative effect, while
the remaining components of the nozzle assembly 20 can
be the same for all installations.
The flanges 38 and 52 together with the fasteners
48 pezmit the nozzle assembly 20 to be mounted in a
selected rotational position within the circular opening
22. In the preferred embodiment of the invention
illustrated in the drawings, the body 26 is mounted in
either of two positions. The body 26 can be installed
with the ports 56 and 58 angling upward and to the right
as seen in FIG. 1 in what can be termed a 1:30 o~clock
position. Alternatively, the body 26 can be installed
in a ninety degree counterclockwise rotated or offset
position with the ports 56 and 58 angled upward and to
the left in a 10:30 o~clock position. Complete drainage
of the nozzle assembly 20 is achieved in either mounting
position.
After use of the nozzle assembly 20, when the
supply of water to the water supply port 56 is
discontinued, water is drained from the water supply
piping and from the interior of the nozzle assembly 20.
The water supply region 66, the port 56 and connected
piping are drained through a restricted drain passage 78
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in the ball contacting surface of the socket ring 32.
The small volume flow through the passage 78 does not
interfere with normal operation of the nozzle assembly
20 but is sufficient for gradual drainage.
Drain water from the passage 78 flows across the
bottom of the air supply region 68 and over the step 46
of the body 26 to the skirt portion 42. As seen in FIG.
3, clearance is provided between the step 46 of the body
26 and the step 70 of the bezel 36. A drain channel 80
in the skirt portion 42 permits drain water to flow
between the skirt portion 42 of the body 26 and the
skirt wall 72 of the bezel 36 to the lip 76. A drain
notch 82 in the lip 76 permits drain water to flow from
the nozzle assembly 20 and down the inner tub wall
surface 40 to the tub drain.
The nozzle assembly 20 can be mounted in alternate
mounting positions oriented ninety degrees apart. In
either position, complete drainage in enabled without
difficult or complex installation procedures. The
socket ring includes two index slots 84 that are located
ninety degrees apart on the rear of the ring 32. In the
mounting position as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, one slot 84
mates with an index rib 86 formed in the water supply
region 66 of the body cavity portion 44. This locates
the drain passage 78 at the lowermost part of the socket
ring 32 so that all water is drained from behind the
ball 60. In the alternate mounting position, the rib 86
mates with the other index slot 84, and the socket ring
32 is located in a ninety degree offset orientation so
that the drain passage 78 is at the lowermost part of
the ring 32 in the ninety degree offset mounting
position of the housing 26.
Fasteners 74 and the housing bosses into which they
are threaded are located at ninety degree intervals
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(FIG. 2). As a result, the bezel 36 can easily be
mounted with the drain notch 82 in the lip 76 located at
the lowermost part of the lip 76. Drain channels 80 are
provided at positions that are also offset by ninety
degrees so that in either alternate mounting position, a
drain channel 80 at the lowermost part of the skirt
portion 42 is aligned with the drain notch 82.
Replacement or exchange of the bezel 36 or field
service of the discharge ball asssembly 30 does not
require removal of the body 26 and clamp member 28 from
the tub wall 24. When the fasteners 74 are withdrawn,
the bezel 36 can be removed. Because the ball 60 is no
longer retained by the inner end 34 of the bezel 36, the
discharge ball assembly 30 can also be removed. The
body 26, fasteners 48 and clamp member 28 remain in
place, secured to the tub wall 24.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, the discharge ball
assembly 30 includes an inlet bell 90 and an outlet bell
92 that mate to form the ball 60. The inlet bell 90 has
a lip 93 received within the peripheral edge of the
outlet bell 92. A valuing member 94 including a cam
structure 96 and an ejector orifice 98 is nested between
bells 90 and 92. Valuing member 94 moves axially in
response to rotation of the discharge nozzle 62 in order
to regulate the volume of water and air flow through the
discharge ball assembly 30. A jet of water or of water
and air flows through an outlet sleeve 100 and through
the discharge nozzle 62 to the interior of the tub.
The ejector orifice 98 is at the longitudinal axis
of the discharge bail assembly 30 within the inlet bell
90. A projecting seat portion 102 of the bell 90
includes a central axial water flow inlet orifice 104
that provides a continuous, focused axial water flow
directly to the orifice 98. Seat portion 102 is
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suspended in front of the bell 90 by legs 106, and an
annular, variable water flow inlet 108, concentric with
central inlet 104, is defined beneath the outer edge of
the seat portion. The valuing structure 94 can be
adjusted continuously between a forward, full open
position, any selected partly open position such as
those seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 and a rearward, fully
closed position (FIG. 7) in which the rear edge of the
orifice 98 engages the seat 102 to block all flow
through the annular inlet 108. Flow through the central
port 104 continues while flow through the annular port
108 is variably throttled.
The smoothly convergent shapes of the inlets 104
and 108 promote streamlined high velocity flow to the
ejector orifice 98. Orifice 98 has a decreasing radius
throat and, in combination with the inlets 104 and 108,
efficiently converts the low velocity supply pressure of
water supplied by the system pump to the water supply
region 66 into a high velocity stream at a mixing region
at the downstream end of the orifice 98. The high
velocity stream exiting from orifice 98 creates a low
pressure region around the stream in order to entrain
air into a jet of intimately intermixed water and air
discharged from the nozzle assembly 20.
An O-ring 110 and a thrust washer 112 are received
around the orifice 89. The O-ring 110 cooperates with a
collar 114 of the inlet bell 90 to isolate the interior
of the ball 60 from Water supplied to inlets 104 and
108. The 0-ring 110 also frictionally retains the
valuing member 94 in any position to which it is moved.
The mid portion or waist of the ball 60 is located
within the air supply region 68 of the housing cavity
portion 44. Three uniformly spaced air inlet windows
116 are defined by notches in the peripheral edge of the
inlet ball 90 and an annular region 118 of the interior
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of the ball 60 around the downstream end of the orifice
98 is continuously supplied with air. The windows 116
also serve to drain to the cavity portion 44 any water
that remains in the ball 60 after use of the nozzle
assembly 20.
An annular seat 120 extending from collar 114
cooperates with an annular valve portion 122 of the
valuing member 94 to regulate the volume of the flow of
air from the ball interior region 118 to a water and air
mixing region 124 located where the downstream end of
the orifice 98 enters the upstream entry throat 126 of
the outlet sleeve 100. The valve member 94 adjusts
water and air volume simultaneously. In the closed
position of FIG. 7, air flow is blocked and the jet
discharged into the tub consists of water supplied by
the central inlet 104. In the partly open position of
FIG. 9, air flow is throttled and slightly reduced in
volume. In the full open position, both water and air
flows are relatively unimpeded. The jet of water or
water and air reaches the tub along a smooth and
gradually divergent path 128 through the outlet sleeve
100 and discharge nozzle 62.
As the flow rate is decreased, the flow of air is
discontinued while the flow of water continues. This
isolates the air supply from the flow through. the
orifice 98 at low flow rates and prevents cross draw of
water from the nozzle assembly 20 through the air supply
port to other assemblies sharing a common air supply
duct.
The axial position of the valuing member 94 is
adjusted by rotation of the discharge nozzle 62. A
flared end portion of the nozzle 62 has an array of
depressions making it easy for the user to grasp and
turn the nozzle about its central longitudinal axis.
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This rotation acts through the cam structure 96 to
axially shift the valuing member 94 in order to increase
or decrease the volumes of air and water in the jet
discharged into the tub.
The rearward end of the outlet sleeve has six
spaced apart axially extending fingers 130 separated by
six slots. The valuing member 94 has three radial ribs
132 extending from the orifice 98 outward to the annular
valve portion 122. One of these ribs is seen in FIG. 9
and FIG. 11. The ribs 132 are slidably received in
alternate ones of the six slots between the fingers 130
of the outlet sleeve 100. This provides a spline drive
connection that transfers rotation of the outlet sleeve
100 to the valuing member 94 while leaving the valuing
member 94 free to move axially. The three remaining
slots between fingers 130 are unrestricted. The slots
130 provide free flow of air from the annular ball
interior region 118 to the mixing region 124. The ends
of the fingers 130 contact the thrust washer 112 and
retain the 0-ring 110 in place.
The outlet sleeve 100 is journaled for rotation in
a collar 134 of the outlet bell 92, and is press fit
into a socket 136 at the rearward end of the discharge
nozzle 62, capturing the collar between the sleeve 100
and nozzle 62. When the user rotates the discharge
nozzle 62, the sleeve 100 is rotated to rotate the
valuing member 94. The discharge nozzle and the sleeve
100 are constrained against axial movement by engagement
with the opposed ends of the collar 134.
The cam structure 96 includes three inclined ramps
138 separated by three axially extending stop walls 140
(FIG. 11). The inlet bell 90 includes three ribs 142
that are aligned with three ribs 144 in the outlet bell
92 when the bells are mated. Bach ramp 138 is slidingly
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captured between one pair of ribs 142 and 144. A notch
146 in each rib 144 provides a bearing surface for the
corresponding ramp 138. As the valuing member 94 is
rotated, the ramps engage the ribs 142 or 144 and axial
motion is imparted to the rotating valuing member 94.
The stop walls 140 engage the ribs 142 or 144 and limit
the rotational motion of the valuing member 94 to
slightly less than one hundred twenty degrees. This
large range of movement between full open and full
closed positions pezmits accurate selection of a desired
flow condition.
While the present invention has been described with
reference to the details of the embodiment of the
invention shown in the drawings, these details are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed
in the appended claims.
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