Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HEAD REST ASSEMBLY FOR SPAS AND WHIRLPOOLS
This is a divisional application of Canadian Patent
Application Serial No. 2,211,172 filed on January 3, 1996.
Background Of The Invention
Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates primarily to bathig
fixtures such as hydro-massage spas and whirlpools. More
particularly, it relates to a head rest member for use with
such bathing fixtures. It should be understood that the
expression "the invention" and the like encompasses the
subject matter of boththe parent and divisional application
Description Of The Art
It is known to provide head rest members in bathing
fixtures. U.S. Patent 4,860,392 shows the flow of a fluid
stream against a flexible material to effect a massaging
action as do U.S. Patents 4,635,619 and 4,953,240. See also
U.S. Patent 5,010,605.
Although the prior art teaches various types of body
support or neck massage devices for use with bathing
fixtures, there is not available a head support member
which can be easily secured to the bathing fixture in
conjunction with body spray nozzles. Neither is there
available a spray nozzle assembly which includes
signaling means so as to prevent the flow of water to the
head support unless the head support is properly
positioned on the nozzle assembly. In addition, the
prior art does not provide a spray nozzle assembly which
is particularly suited for connection with a head support
member, as well as can conform to various wall surfaces
of the bathing fixture. Further, the prior art does not
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afford a connection between a head rest member and a
nozzle assembly which is adaptable to various
configurations of head rest members or pillows. Thus a
need exists for an improved head support and nozzle
assembly for use in conjunction with a hydro-massage spa
or whirlpool.
In one aspect,. the invention provides a head rest
assembly for use in conjunction with a bathing fixture.
A body member has ~ section to support a head. A fluid
inlet nozzle provides fluid to the body member. A
support bracket is connected to the body member and the
nozzles. There are signaling means provided on the body
member to signal when the body member is positioned to
cover the nozzle.
In another aspect, the signaling means is a magnet,
and a reed switch is positioned on the bracket to signal
the proximity of the magnet.
In still another aspect, the support bracket is
connected to the nozzle assembly, and the nozzle assembly
includes at least two nozzle portions interconnected by a
living hinge.
In one embodiment, the body member defines a pillow
which is essentially horseshoe shaped in frontal view.
In another embodiment, the body member defines a
pillow and is essentially elongated and curved and
includes two centrally disposed opposing concave
surfaces.
In yet another embodiment, the support bracket is
connected to the nozzle assembly by an inner portion
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extending from the bracket for reception in a groove on the nozzle assembly.
In a preferred embodiment, there are two fluid inlet nozzles for providing
fluid to the body member, and a living hinge interconnects the nozzles.
In still another preferred embodiment, there is a cover for the pillow which
affords functional and aesthetic purposes.
The objects of the invention therefore include:
a. providing a head rest assembly for a bathing fixture which is easily
connected to the fixture;
b. providing a head rest assembly of the foregoing type which is easily
connected to the nozzle members of a hydro-massage spa or whirlpool;
c. providing a head rest assembly in the form of a pillow which is
readily connected to a hydra-massage spa or whirlpool;
d. providing a head rest assembly for a hydra-massage spa or
whirlpool in the form of pillows which can be of various shapes and sizes;
e. providing a head rest assembly of the foregoing type which has a
magnet disposed thereon for.activating a switch on a nozzle jet; and
f. providing a cover for the pillows which can dampen the force of
water from the nozzle members, as well as afford a decorative effect.
The present invention provides a head rest assembly for use in
conjunction with a bathing fixture comprising a body member including a
section
to support a head; a fluid inlet nozzle for providing fluid to the body
member;
means on said body member for attachment of said body member to said nozzle;
and means for signalling when said body member is mounted on said nozzle
comprising a first member mounted on one of said body member and said nozzle
and a second member mounted on the other of said body member and said
nozzle.
The present invention also provides a head rest assembly for use in
conjunction with a bathing fixture comprising a body member including a
section
to support a head;
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two fluid inlet nozzles for providing fluid to the body member; a living hinge
interconnecting the nozzles; and a support bracket connected to the body
member and the nozzles.
These and still other objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description which follows. In the detailed description
below,
the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described
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in reference to the accompanying drawings. These
embodiments do not represent the full scope of the
invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other
embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the
claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the
invention.
Brief Description Of The Drawincrs
Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a whirlpool tub
which incorporates the present head rest assembly;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of
Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view similar to Fig.
1 showing an alternative embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a bottom view taken along line 7-7 of Fig.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation (with partial
showing) illustrating the head rest assembly connected to
nozzles;
Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along line
10-10 of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the head rest
assembly and nozzle members shown in Fig. 6; and
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Fig. 12 is a top perspective view of the nozzle
members shown in Fig. 11.
ascription c~f The Preferred Emt~odi menu
Referring specifically to Figs. 1 and 2, the head
rest assembly, generally 10, is employed in conjunction
with a hydro-massage whirlpool, generally 12, which
includes a tub 14 having a plurality of conventional
whirlpool nozzles 15 projecting through an interior side
wall such as 17. The tub has the usual floor 18 with a
standard drain opening 19. A soft cushion 13 is
attached to the rim of the tub above end wall 20 with the
head rest assembly 10 positioned centrally therein. Also
positioned in end wall 20 are nozzles 21 which are
arranged in pairs except for the outer two nozzles 21'.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the head rest assembly
includes a pillow 11 having a generally C-shaped
configuration with a central section 24 and two leg
sections 26 and 27. The pillow is preferably composed of
a self-skinning urethane foam and has a fine mesh, fabric
cover l6~extending thereover. The primary purpose of the
fabric cover is to provide a dampening or softening of
the force of the water jet stream from nozzles 32 and 33
so that the water will-not project beyond the bathing'
well while allowing water to pass therethrough. A drain
net 25 is connected to cover 16 for placement between the
leg sections 26 and 27 and extending from central section
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24. This provides a drainage of the water from the
pillow. The pillow is preferably molded around a bracket
30 composed of polypropylene. The bracket 30 also has a
central section 28 and two leg sections 29 and 31 which
surround the nozzles 32 and 33. It is attached to the
nozzles 32 and 33 in a manner explained later in detail
in conjunction with Figs. 9-12.
As seen in Fig. 3, the nozzles such as 33 are held
in place and connected to the tub wall 20 by the nut 36
and the washer 35 with a threaded connection 37 provided
between the nozzle 33 and the nut 36. Water is supplied
to the nozzle such as through the usual conduit 57. A
magnet 50 is housed in the bracket 30 and is utilized to
activate a reed switch 45. A support surface 38 for the
bracket 30 is provided by the nozzle body 43. A nozzle
cover 44 is connected to nozzle 33 such as by the hooked
portion 44' engaging flanged portion 33' of nozzle 33.
As shown in Fig. 4, the reed switch 45 is connected
to the electrical lines 47 and 48. This permits
activation of a pumping apparatus (not shown) when the
pillow 11 is in place. As also seen in Fig. 4, the
nozzles 32 and 33 are joined by a central body section 39
of nozzle body 43 having a living hinge 40 provided by
cutout 46. The nozzles 32 and 33, as well as the central
body section 39, are molded from a semi-rigid plastic
material. The living hinge 40 allows a hinging action
between the two nozzles 32 and 33 so as to facilitate
connection to a curved wall of a tub. A peripheral
groove 49 is provided for connection with the bracket 30.
Figs. 5-10 show an alternative embodiment. Similar
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numbers refer to the same or similar components as
described with embodiment 10 except they are designated
with the suffix "A" The major difference between the
two embodiments is that embodiment 10A includes a
different pillow design having the central concave
portions 53A and 54A and an oval shaped body 23A. This
is seen in Fig. 7. Further, another difference is a lip
portion 56A which extends from the back of pillow 10A and
over the top of the tub 14A. This is utilized to cover
the side wall of the tub 14A where it is curved. In many
instances, the tub 14A will not have a major curvature
and consequently the lip can be eliminated. In addition,
and as seen in Fig. 8, it is noted that the pillow 11A
has a curved wall section 58A to accommodate the upper
curved wall 20A of the tub, as well as a lower flat edge
portion 55A.
It is seen that embodiment 10A does not have the
drain net 25 in conjunction with the cover 16A. Drainage
is afforded instead by~a concave~portion 54A extending
along the backside of pillow 11A between the leg portions
2 6A and 2'lA . '
Although not shown in the drawings, a pillow in the
general shape of a boomerang can be used. It would not
have the drain net 25 or concave portion 54. Instead a
recessed channel would be present in the back of the
pillow which serves the same drainage result.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show the attachment of the pillow
bracket 30A to the nozzles 32A and 33A. A peripheral
groove 49A extends around the nozzles 32A and 33A. It
receives an inner edge portion 59A of the bracket 30A
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which terminates in the tabs 41A and 42A and results in
the connection shown in Figs. 6 and 8.
Fig. 12 shows in further detail the living hinge 40A
as provided by the cutout 46A in the central section 39A
of the nozzle body 43A.
Referring specifically to Fig. 6, the pillow 11A is
shown as extending from end wall 20A with a portion
extending over top rim 22A. It is not used with the
cushion 13 shown in Fig. 1. If desired, it can be
incorporated into a cushion or another pillow such as 13
with the cushion being cut out to conform to the oval
shape of pillow 11A.
Thus, the invention provides an improved head rest
member for use in conjunction with a hydro-massage
whirlpool. A pillaw is provided as a head rest member
which is easily attached and supported by the neck
massage nozzles. The pillow can be of various designs to
complement the configuration of the wall of the
whirlpool. It also has a cover which can be decorated
with various aesthetic designs and colors. In addition,
a unique nozzle unit is provided having a living hinge
which can accommodate the wall configurations of the
whirlpool.
Further, the attachment of the pillow to the jet
nozzles also affords the use of an electrical safety
device in conjunction with the magnet and the reed switch
so that the jets cannot be activated without placement of
the pillow.
While the use of the safety device is advantageous,
it should be appreciated that the attachment of the
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pillow to the jet nozzles and its advantages are
accomplished without the use of the magnet and the
switch. Further, while the living hinge aspect of the
nozzles has advantages, the pillow connection is also
effected without it. As previously indicated, the pillow
can be of various configurations and incorporated in a
cushion, or it can also be utilized without it. Certain
materials have been. utilized in composing different
elements of the pillow, the bracket and the. nozzle.
Obviously, other materials can be advantageously
employed. All such and other modifications within the
spirit of the invention are meant to be within the scope
of the invention.
