Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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WATER JET APPLIANCE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hand-held portable,
self-contained, self-powered, water-submersible water jet
appliance useful for providing hydro-massage, enhanced
relaxation and other therapeutic benefits.
The use of water sprays and jets for human cleanliness,
relaxation and therapy is well known. There are numerous
appliances known in the art for providing such sprays and
jets. Such appliances can be as simple as an ordinary
shower head. Various designs are also known for spas and
therapy pools, some of which are now available in sizes that
can be used in the home. Generally, however, shower heads,
spas and therapy pools provide water sprays and jets from
nozzles which, while adjustable over a limited range, are
fixed in place. This leads to two distinct disadvantages.
One disadvantage is that, since such appliances are
permanently fixed in place and permanently connected to a
domestic plumbing system, they cannot conveniently be taken
from place to place.
A second disadvantage is that, being fixed in place,
such appliances cannot be conveniently used to direct their
water jet towards all parts of the body. A person enjoying
a spa, for example, can, in a very limited way, adjust his
or her body position so that the water jet or spray massages
certain preferred areas of the body; however, because the
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appliance is fixed in place, it is not accessible to all
areas of the person's body.
A partial solution of this problem has been provided by
a variety of hand-held shower heads. These, however, still
suffer from many of the aforesaid limitations. They must be
connected to a water source, such as a common water faucet,
and must rely on the domestic water system for the amount of
water pressure available. They cannot generate their own
water pressure. In addition, the water they use is added to
the pool already in the bathtub, thereby filling the tub
beyond the desired level. This is an inconvenience and a
waste of water.
While they can be disconnected and transported, such
disconnection and reconnection is not always easily
accomplished. A traveler cannot count on the "fittings" at
the places he visits being matched to those on his hand-held
shower head.
In addition, hand-held shower heads are suitable for
projecting a water stream through the air, to impinge or
fall upon the human body. They are not, however, generally
convenient for use under water. For example, a person
sitting in a bathtub full of water could find it
inconvenient to use an ordinary hand-held shower head to
massage those parts of his or her body that are submerged
beneath the water level. Such shower heads are generally
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cumbersome to move, and lack the flexibility needed to
conveniently apply them to all parts of the body.
Still another partial solution to the problem of
providing massage and stimulation to a person's body are
devices, such as those disclosed in the U.S. Patent No.
5,19S,511 to Kodato et al., which provide a "bubble
massage". Such devices aspirate air to produce a stream of
water containing tiny bubbles. For this purpose, the air
enters the unit through an air line or hose which extends
outward to a chamber or the like that is placed in the open
air, e.g., outside the bathtub.
The U.S. Patent No. 4,282,866 to Miffitt discloses
still another appliance for providing a hydro-massage in a
bathtub. This "shoebox shape" appliance is provided with a
vacuum grip for attaching itself to the wall of the tub.
Although the device includes a handle for carrying, it is
not truly "portable" in the sense that it is intended to be
held in the hand while in use.
The German DOS No. 4,004,801 discloses a hydro-massage
appliance for use in the bathtub which, like the device of
Miffitt, is relatively large and is designed to be attached
to the wall of the tub by a suction cup.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the principal object of the present
invention is to provide a hand-held, self-contained, self-
powered, water-submersible, portable water jet appliance
that avoids or eliminates the problems and limitations
mentioned above.
More particularly, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a hand-held self-contained, self-
powered, submersible, portable water jet appliance which
provides a stream of water that is suitable for both above
and completely under-water use in human massage.
These objects, as well as other objects which will
become apparent to those skilled in the art, are ac~ieved,
in accordance with the present invention, by providing a
water jet appliance comprising, in combination, (a) an
electric motor, electrically connected to and powered by a
battery; (b) a water pump mechanically connected to and
powered by the electric motor and having both an inlet port
and an outlet port; and (c) a completely submersible housing
containing and completely sealing the battery, motor and
pump. The housing has openings for the inlet port and
outlet port of the pump and, with its contents, has an
external physical size and shape, as well as weight, that
enable the appliance to be conveniently hand-held when in
use and manipulated and transported by a person.
~rB
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The battery, motor and pump are of such capacity as to
eject a water stream from the outlet port which is
sufficient for substantial body massage.
In use, the entire apparatus may be completely
submerged in water and held in the hand to direct a water
stream on any desired part of the body.
Preferably, the battery is rechargeable when the
apparatus is not in use.
Furthermore, means may be provided to pulsate the water
stream ejected from the apparatus, to adjust the water
pressure and flow at the outlet port, to adjust the spread
of water emerging from the outlet port and/or to provide and
adjust for aeration of the water stream. Such means may be
arranged in a suitable nozzle at the outlet port or
otherwise.
There are many nozzles that can be used in the practice
of this invention. Although it is preferred to join the
nozzle directly to the outlet of the pump, it is also within
the scope of the present invention to join the nozzle to the
outlet through a hose. In the preferred embodiment, the
nozzle is joined directly to the outlet of the pump, whereby
the entire appliance is moved about the body to apply water
massage to desired parts of the body. When the hose is
used, the person using the appliance would place the
appliance in the water, and then manipulate the nozzle
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around the various parts of the person's body where the
action of the water jet was desired.
The appliance can be provided with a device for
pulsating the water or an air/water mixture passed
therethrough. The nozzle is preferably adjustable with
respect to degree of pulsation, including a range of from no
pulsation to full pulsation, and is also adjustable with
respect to stream configuration so that the stream can be
narrow or widely dispersed such as, for example, a spray.
There are a variety of commercially available pulsating
shower heads known in the art, and it is within the scope of
the present invention to adapt such pulsating devices for
use in the water-jet nozzle of the present invention.
The nozzle may be mounted to the outlet through an
adjustable mount, such as that used for a common shower
head, so that the direction of the water stream from the
nozzle can be varied.
Finally, the appliance can be provided with an inlet
port for air and a tube leading from the inlet port to the
water pump, thereby permitting aeration of the water stream.
For a full understanding of the present invention,
reference should now be made to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to the principal preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the opposite side of
the water jet appliance of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective and partially cut-away view of
the water jet appliance of Fig. 1 placed on a recharger
unit.
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the operative elements
of the portable water jet appliance of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a representational diagram of the water jet
appliance of Fig. 1 submerged beneath water in a bathtub.
Fig. 6 is a representational diagram of the water jet
appliance of Fig. 1 floating on the surface of water in a
bathtub and having an intake hose submerged beneath the
water level and an outlet hose.
Fig. 7 is a representational diagram of the water jet
appliance of Fig. 1 submerged beneath the surface of water
in a bathtub and having a discharge hose with a nozzle.
Fig. 8A is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a second preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 8B is a top view of the water jet appliance of
Fig. 8A.
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Fig. 9A is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a third preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 9B is a top view of the water jet appliance of
Fig. 9A.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a fourth preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. ll is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a fifth preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a sixth preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 13A is a perspective view of one side of a
portable water jet appliance according to a seventh
preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 13B is a top view of the water jet appliance of
Fig. 13A.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to an eighth preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one side of a portable
water jet appliance according to a ninth preferred
embodiment of the invention.
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Fig. 16 is a representational diagram of a water jet
appliance which incorporates certain features according to
the invention.
Fig. 17, which comprises ~igs. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D
illustrate a water jet appliance having a spherical head and
tubular handle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will
now be described with reference to Figs. 1-16 of the
drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are
designated with the same reference numerals.
Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a hand-held, self-contained,
self-powered, su~mersible, portable water jet appliance
according to the principal preferred embodiment of the
present invention. This appliance 10 comprises a housing
100 having a head portion 102 and a handle portion 104. The
handle 104 contains an electric battery as well as suitable
controls and electronics. The head portion 102 contains an
electric motor, electrically connected to and powered by the
battery, and a water pump, mechanically connected to and
powered by the motor. The housing has a water inlet 106 and
a water outlet 108. Associated with the outlet 108 is a
dial 110 for adjusting the width of the flow opening.
Arranged on the back of the handle are a battery
indicator light 112, flow and pressure adjustment (including
,
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on/off) switches 114 and switches 116 to control the
presence and speed of pulsation.
As shown in Fig. 3, the base of the handle portion 104
which forms the battery compartment, includes a plug 118
that plugs into a recharger unit 120. This recharger unit
comprises a transformer, rectifier and other necessary
electronics for converting 110 volt AC received from a
standard wall plug 122 into 12 or 24 volt DC current
suitable for charging the battery.
If desired, inlet and outlet "nipples" may be placed at
the water inlet 106 and/or water outlet 108 to permit the
attachment of a flexible hose.
In any case, the housing 100 of the water jet appliance
10 is completely submersible and, with its contents, has an
external physical size and shape, as well as weight, that
enable the appliance to be conveniently hand-held when in
use and manipulated and transported by a person.
Therefore, when in use, the entire apparatus is
preferably completely submerged in water and held in the
hand to direct a water stream on any desired part of the
body. The battery, motor and pump receive water through the
water inlet port 106 and eject water through the outlet port
108 with such quantity and flow rate as to be sufficient for
substantial body massage.
The operative elements of the portable water jet
appliance according to the present invention are depicted
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schematically in Fig. 4. As shown in this fiqure, pump 1 is
driven by an electric motor 2 which is supplied with
electricity from a battery 3 through a control device (e.g.,
speed control) 11. The battery 3 can be either a dry cell
battery or a rechargeable battery, although a rechargeable
battery is preferred.
When the entire appliance 10 is submerged in water and
turned on, battery 3 supplies electricity to motor 2 which
causes the driveshaft of the motor 2 to rotate. The
driveshaft is mechanically connected to the pump 1 so that
pump 1 is thereby operated. The inlet 4 then draws water
from the surrounding pool of water (not shown) into the pump
1, and discharges it through the outlet 5. Outlet 5 can be
joined to a hose (not shown) which is equipped with a nozzle
(not shown) at the other end or, preferably, outlet 5 is
joined directly to an adjustable nozzle or pulsating device
12 to provide a pulsating water jet.
The entire appliance 10 is small enough and light
enough in weight so that it can be held in the hand of a
person and moved about under water to direct the discharge
of water from the outlet 5, or a nozzle joined to outlet 5,
to impinge upon the desired parts of the body.
There are various types of pumps that can be used for
the pump 1. Such types include, but are not limited to,
centrifugal, turbine and diaphragm pumps. The pumps can be
constructed of various materials known to those skilled in
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the art, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, brass and
plastic.
It is important that the pump generate sufficient
pressure to provide the person using it with a satisfactory
massage or stimulation. Generally, the pressure generated
ranges from about 20 inches of water to about 200 inches of
water and is adjustable within this range. The flow rate of
the water discharged from the outlet of the pump generally
ranges from about 5 pounds per minute to about 60 pounds per
minute and is adjustable within this range.
In Fig. 5, the appliance 10 is completely submerged
beneath the water 20 in a bathtub 30.
In Fig. 6, the appliance 10 is adapted to float on the
surface of the water 20, for example the aid of a styrofoam
"base", with the inlet 4 joined to a hose 6, which is
disposed beneath the level of water 20. In use, the water
20 is drawn up through the hose 6 to the inlet 4 of the pump
1, whereupon it is discharged from the pump 1 through an
outlet 5 to a discharge hose 7.
In Fig. 7, the appliance is beneath the water surface,
but the discharge hose 7 is above the water surface.
In the practice of this invention, it is contemplated
that the portable water jet appliance will be used by a
person while taking a bath in a bathtub. It is also
contemplated that such a person may prefer to use the
appliance in conjunction with discharge hose 7 rather than
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to hold the entire appliance in hand. It may, under such
circumstances, be desirable to temporarily affix the
appliance to a single position within the bathtub, which
position could be either above or below the water surface.
Figs. 8 - 15 illustrate external configurations of the
water jet appliance in various alternative embodiments of
the invention. Whereas the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 - 3
is the principal preferred embodiment, the water jet
appliance is by no means limited to the configuration that
is shown.
Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a water jet appliance 130 in
which the "handle" and "head" are joined with a gradual
transition to form a unified configuration. The "U" shape
of the cross section provides for easy grip. In this case,
the appliance is designed to be held in the hand along
either its right side, left side or both. The nozzle
opening 108 is shown as being located near one end of the
appliance. Alternatively, it can be located near the
center, midway between both ends.
Similarly, the water inlet (not shown) can be at either
end or on the side of the appliance opposite to the nozzle.
Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate the water jet appliance 140
which is substantially cylindrical in shape. As such, its
diameter is sufficiently small to allow a person to grab the
cylinder in one hand.
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The water nozzle 108 is shown as being near the lower
end of the cylinder. Alternatively, it may be positioned
substantially midway between the two ends. Similarly, the
water inlet may be at either end of the cylinder or along a
cylindrical surface either adjacent or opposite to the
nozzle 108.
Fig. 10 illustrates a water jet appliance 150 having
two U-shaped handles 152 ri~idly attached to the body or
"head" of the device. The water nozzle 108 is shown on one
side of the head 152 although it may also be located at some
other position, such as at the bottom.
The water inlet (not shown) is preferably arranged on the
opposite side of the head to the water nozzle 108.
Fig. 11 shows a water jet appliance 160 having two
parallel handles 162 and 162b rigidly attached to the body
or "head" of the device and joined together at the top. As
in the case of the embodiment of Fig. lo, the water nozzle
108 is shown on one side of the head 160 although it may
also be located at some other position, such as the bottom.
The water inlet (not shown) is preferably arranged on the
head on the side opposite to the inlet. In this
configuration, one handle is for holding with the left hand
and the other is for the right, so that the appliance may be
held by one or the other hand or by both hands, as desired.
Fig. 12 shows a water jet appliance having a donut-
shaped handle 172 attached to a head 170 by spokes 174. The
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nozzle 108 is arranged on one side of the head 170 and the
water inlet (not shown) is arranged on the opposite side.
Figs. 13A and 13B illustrate an appliance configuration
having a strap 182, which may be flexible and/or adjustable,
arranged on a "soap bar" shaped head 180. The nozzle 108 is
shown as being located at the bottom of the head 180;
however it could also be located on one side. The water
inlet is preferably located on the opposite side to the
nozzle 108.
The appliance can be held in the hand either by the
strap or by the body itself.
Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate two further configurations
of a water jet appliance which have no handle. In Fig. 14,
the appliance l9o is a "soap bar" shape; in Fig. 15, the
appliance 200 has a spherical shape. In both cases, the
water nozzle 108 is on one side and the water inlet (not
shown) is on the opposite or an adjacent side.
Fig. 16 is a representational and cut-away view of the
water jet appliance of Figs. 1-3 which incorporates certain
advantageous features according to the invention.
As is there shown, the handle 104 of the appliance
contains four batteries 3, as well as a significant amount
of open space 212 containing air. This air, which is
entrapped in the sealed housing, adds buoyancy to the
appliance when submersed in the water, for ease of use.
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Passing through the handle, from an opening 216 at the
end of the handle, is an air tube 218 which leads to the
pump 1. When the handle is held such that the opening 216
is above the water, this tube permits air 217a to enter the
pump 1 to produce an aerated water stream for ejection from
the nozzle 108. Alternatively, a flexible tube 220 may be
connected to a nipple at the end of the tube 218 to provide
a remote inlet 217b for air.
As has been described above, water 214 is drawn in by
the pump 1 through the inlet port 106. Preferably, this
inlet port includes a screen and/or filter to inhibit the
entry of contaminants.
Finally, the appliance also includes a heating coil 210
in the path of the water stream to slightly heat the water
214a which is ejected through the nozzle 108. This
additional heat counteracts the cooling effect of moving
water and makes the water jet more comfortable for the user.
Figs. 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D all illustrate a water jet
appliance having a spherical "head" 222 and a tubular
"handle" 224. In Figs. 17A and 17B, the battery, motor and
pump are located in the head 222. In Fig. 17A, the inlet
port is located in the head and the outlet port at the end
of the handle; in Fig. 17B, the inlet port is located at the
end of the handle and the outlet port is in the head.
It will be recalled that in the embodiment of Fig. 16,
the battery is located in the handle whereas the motor and
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pump are located in the head of the appliance. In Fig. }7C,
the motor is located in the handle while the battery and
pump are arranged in the head. Similarly, in Fig. 17D, the
pump is arranged in the handle whereas the battery and motor
are arranged in the head. It will therefore be understood
that the handle of the water jet appliance may hold any one
of the main elements: battery, motor and pump.
There has thus been shown and described a novel water
jet appliance which fulfills all the objects and advantages
sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations
and other uses and applications of the subject invention
will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art
after considering this specification and the accompanying
drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof.
All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses
and applications which do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the
invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which
follow.
