Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6401273
-
Patent Number
6,401,273
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 27, 200023 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 11, 200221 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 004 5411
- 004 5413
- 004 5414
- 004 559
- 601 167
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A bath tub spa is provided that has a motor housing with a motor for driving a pump. The pump has an input opening and an output opening sealed about the pump such fluid is drawn through said input opening and expelled through the output opening. The spa also has a nozzle removably sealed to said output opening, and a connector for connecting the motor housing to the bath tub such that the input opening is maintained at least partially below a level of fluid and at least a portion of the nozzle is maintained below the level of the fluid. The motor housing is rotatable about a first axis, the output opening is rotatable about a second axis, and the nozzle is rotatable about a third axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bath tub spa. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable bath tub spa for residential bath tubs. The present invention further relates to a bath tub spa having output nozzles that are adjustable.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Apparatus are known that provide current and/or bubbles to the water within a residential bath tub. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,382 provides a portable whirlpool or hydrotherapy bath assembly of the type that mounts on the upper edge of the wall of a bath tub. The apparatus of this patent has a single pump, which draws water from an inlet and passes the water through an outlet that is unitary with the pump housing. The outlet is rotatable about one axis to change the direction of water flowing from the outlet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,917 provides a water current and air bubble generating apparatus that sits on the bottom of the tub. The apparatus of this patent has a single pump, which draws water from an inlet and passes the water through a pair of outlets. The outlets are rotatable about two axes to change the direction of water flowing from the outlet and are vertically adjustable. The apparatus of this patent, resting on the bottom of the tub, has its electrical components completely submerged within the water.
Prior art bath tub spas, such as the ones described above, do not provide for multiple water inlets or outlets driven by a single motor. Additionally, prior art spas do not provide for dual shaft motors driving impellers to urge the water from a pair of outlets. Moreover, the prior art spas do not provide means to adequately adjust the position of the water outlets from a spa mounted on the lip of the tub.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable bath tub spa.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a tub spa having a double shaft motor.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a tub spa having pump outputs that are rotatable about more than two axes.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a tub spa having pump outputs independently adjustable about a first axis and nozzles independently adjustable about a second axis wherein the nozzles are collectively adjustable vertically with respect to the water surface via connection and are collectively rotatable about a third axis.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a tub spa having a housing that is vertically adjustable to adjust the height of pump outputs to correspond with the amount of water in the bath tub.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by a bath tub spa having a motor housing that includes a motor for rotatably driving a pair of shafts with each shaft driving a pump, an input opening and an output opening sealed about each pump such that each pump draws fluid through the input opening and expels pressurized fluid through the output opening. The spa also has means for removably connecting the motor housing to the lip of a bath tub such that the input openings of the spa are maintained at least partially below the level of the fluid in the tub. Preferably, at least a portion of the output openings of the spa are maintained below the level of the fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front left perspective view of the bath tub spa of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a right side perspective view of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top view of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
a
is a side view of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
showing the motor housing in an extended position and having a downward extension;
FIG. 4
b
is a side view of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
showing the motor housing in a retracted position;
FIG. 5
is a cut away view of the motor housing of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 6
is a right side plan view of the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
showing an attachment of an alternate embodiment;
FIG. 7
is a cross sectional view of a first attachment to the bath tub spa of
FIG. 1
; and
FIG. 8
is a cross sectional view of a second attachment to the bath tub spa of FIG.
1
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the figures and, in particular,
FIGS. 1 through 3
, there is provided a spa generally represented by the reference numeral
1
. Spa
1
has a motor housing
10
, a control housing
20
, a support arm
30
and a down turning extension
40
. In an alternate embodiment shown in
FIG. 4
b
, support arm
30
does not include down turning extension
40
.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, support arm
30
has a bottom side
31
, a first end
30
-
1
and a second end
30
-
2
. Spa
1
is designed such that bottom side
31
rest on the upper lip of a bath tub (not shown). In one embodiment shown in
FIG. 4
b
, at least one suction cup
90
is provided on bottom side
31
of support arm
30
to removably secure (i.e., connect) spa
1
to the bath tub. In yet another embodiment shown in
FIG. 4
a
, support arm
30
includes down turning extension
40
removably securing (i.e., connecting)spa
1
to the bath tub. In still other alternate embodiments, extension
40
and suction cups
90
are used separately and in conjunction with one another as means for removably connecting (i.e., securing) spa
1
, including motor housing
10
, to bath tub
100
.
Support arm
30
has a first end
30
-
1
and a second end
30
-
2
. With spa
1
resting on and removably secured to the lip of the tub as described above, first end
30
-
1
projects away from the tub and second end
30
-
2
projects towards the bath tub.
Control housing
20
has a first end
20
-
1
, a second end
20
-
2
and a plurality of control switches
24
. First end
20
-
1
of control housing
20
is connected to second end
30
-
2
of support arm
30
at an angle such that the control housing projects into the tub. In an preferred embodiment, control housing
20
is connected to second end
30
-
2
of support arm
30
at about ninety two degrees. Control switches
24
are provided to control spa
1
and include, for example, push buttons switches and rotary switches. In an alternate embodiment, at least some of control switches
24
are provided on support arm
30
.
Motor housing
10
has a main leg
12
, a secondary leg
14
and a slidable connection
18
. Main leg
12
has a first end
12
-
1
and a second end
12
-
2
. Secondary leg
14
has a first end
14
-
1
, a second end
14
-
2
, a center
14
-
3
and a cavity
15
is defined therein. Second end
12
-
2
of main leg
12
is connected to second leg
20
-
2
of control housing
20
. First end
12
-
1
of main leg
12
is slidably and rotatably connected to secondary leg
14
at its center
14
-
3
via connection
18
. Thus, main leg
12
and secondary leg provide motor housing
10
with a preferably T-shaped appearance. More preferably, motor housing
10
is cylindrical.
Connection
18
enables secondary leg
14
to slide with respect to primary leg
12
into and out of the liquid in the bath tub without engaging the bottom of the tub. In one embodiment, secondary leg
14
is slidable about two inches with respect to main leg
12
.
Moreover, connection
18
enables secondary leg
14
to rotate with respect to primary leg
12
about a first axis, shown as axis A in
FIGS. 1
,
4
a
and
4
b
, up to about ninety degrees. During operation of spa
1
, secondary leg
14
is adjusted with respect to main leg
12
such that at least a portion of the nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
, described below, and such that at least a portion of the pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
, described below, remain submerged in the liquid in the tub. Rotation of secondary leg
14
about ninety degrees with respect to primary leg
12
provides the additional benefit of providing spa
1
with a smaller profile for packaging, thus reducing packaging and shipping expenses. In a preferred embodiment, connection
18
is a ball and detent connection wherein the detents act to counteract forces acting on the connection such as the weight of secondary leg
14
and the thrust forces of the water expelled from nozzles
71
.
In an alternate embodiment, shown in
FIG. 3
, spa
1
generates bubbles within the liquid driven or expelled through nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
. In this embodiment, control switches
24
include a bubble button
24
-
1
and nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
include a bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
, respectively. Bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
are in fluid communication with one another and with bubble button
24
-
1
. Bubble button
24
-
1
has at least an open position and a closed position. In the open position, bubble button
24
-
1
places bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
in fluid communication with ambient air. In the closed position, bubble button
24
-
1
seals bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
from ambient air. In alternate embodiments, bubble button
24
-
1
has a plurality of partially open positions, which place bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
in a plurality of degrees of fluid communication with ambient air. Liquid forced through nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
by pump impeller
52
-
1
,
52
-
2
, respectively, will pull air through bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
from ambient air when bubble button
24
-
1
is at least partially open to generate bubbles.
In an alternate embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4
a
and
4
b
, secondary leg
14
further includes one suction cup
90
provided on first end
14
-
1
and one suction cup
90
provided on second end
14
-
2
. Suction cups
90
on leg
14
are provided to removably securing spa
1
to the bath tub. In alternate embodiments, extension
40
and suction cups
90
of support arm
30
and suction cups
90
of secondary leg
14
are used separately and in conjunction with one another.
Referring to
FIG. 5
, cavity
15
is adapted to receive a motor
50
. Motor
50
is adapted to drive two shafts
51
-
1
and
51
-
2
. Each shaft
51
-
1
,
51
-
2
is adapted to drive a pump impeller
52
-
1
,
52
-
2
, respectively. Each pump impeller
52
-
1
,
52
-
2
has a pump input
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
and a pump output
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
, respectively. In an alternate embodiment, motor
50
is two single shaft motors aligned along a common axis. Each single shaft motor is adapted to drive one of shafts
51
-
1
and
51
-
2
.
Pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
are disposed within the ends
14
-
1
,
14
-
2
of the secondary leg
14
. Pump outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
extend from pump impellers
52
-
1
,
52
-
2
, respectively, and are rotatable about sixty degrees about a second axis, axis B, shown in FIG.
2
. Axis B runs parallel to the secondary leg
14
. Moreover, each pump output
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
is directed into a rotatably connected nozzle
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
. Nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
are each rotatable one-hundred-eighty degrees about a third axis, shown as C and C′ in FIG.
1
. Water drawn into pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
by impellers
52
-
1
,
52
-
2
and is driven or expelled, under pressure, through nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
back into the bath tub.
In an alternate embodiment, pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
have a removable cover
61
secured over the pump inputs. Removable cover
61
has an open structure so as to permit the flow of liquid into pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
. Moreover, a filter
63
is disposed between the pump inputs
60
-
1
,
60
-
2
and the removable cover
61
.
Significantly, each nozzle
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
is independently adjustable about axis C, C′. Also, each pump output
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
is independently adjustable about axis B. Further, nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
are collectively adjustable vertically with respect to the water surface via connection
18
and are rotatable about axis A via connection
18
. Spa
1
therefore provides for a wide range of adjustment of the water output from nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
and therefore creates an infinite range of water disturbance options.
In an alternate embodiment, nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
are removably connected (i.e., sealed) to outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. In this embodiment, outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
are adapted to receive a plurality of attachments, such as, but not limited to, a flexible hose
80
, a jet roll attachment
85
and/or a rotary nozzle host
82
.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, flexible hose
80
is preferably removably connected to outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. Flexible hose
80
has a free end
81
. Free end
81
is adapted to output water from outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. In an alternate embodiment, free end
81
is also adapted to receive a plurality of attachments, such as, but not limited to, additional flexible hoses
80
, jet roll attachments
85
and/or rotary nozzle hosts
82
. In yet another embodiment, flexible hoses
80
includes one or more check valves to prevent the backflow of water through bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
and out of bubble button
24
-
1
.
Jet roll attachment
85
, shown in
FIG. 7
, has a housing
90
, a massage roller
91
and a flexible hose
80
. Hose
80
is removably attached to one of outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. Housing
90
is in fluid communication with flexible house
80
and outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. Roller
91
is rotatably disposed within housing
90
such that a plurality of water openings
93
are formed. Moreover, roller
91
has a plurality of massaging bumps
92
disposed thereon. Thus, water outputted from outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
is urged through hose
80
and out of housing
90
through openings
93
. In use, a user holds housing
90
and rolls roller
91
over their body as water is forced through opening
93
. The combined effect of massaging bumps
92
and water from openings
93
provides a relaxing and beneficial effect for the user.
Referring to
FIG. 8
, rotary nozzle host
82
has a housing
100
, a rotary nozzle
101
, a flexible hose
80
and a suction cup
102
. Hose
80
is removably attached to one of outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. Housing
100
is in fluid communication with flexible house
80
and outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
. Nozzle
101
is rotatably disposed within housing
100
such that an adjustable water opening
103
is formed. Thus, water outputted from outputs
70
-
1
,
70
-
2
is urged through hose
80
and out of housing
100
through opening
103
. In use, a user holds housing
100
or secures housing to the wall via suction cup
102
and adjusts nozzle
101
to direct the water as desired. Rotary nozzle host
82
converts a bath tub into a shower.
It should be noted that the bubble generation feature provided by bubble button
24
-
1
and bubble tubes
72
-
1
,
72
-
2
functions with nozzles
71
-
1
,
71
-
2
, as well as the plurality of attachments, such as, but not limited to flexible hose
80
, jet roll attachment
85
and/or rotary nozzle host
82
as described above.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A bath tub spa, comprising:a motor housing having a motor rotatably driving a first shaft and a second shaft; a first pump driven by said first shaft and a second pump driven by said second shaft; an input opening and an output opening sealed about each of said pumps such that each pump draws fluid through its input opening and expels pressurized fluid through its output opening.
- 2. The bath tub spa of claim 1, further comprising means for removably connecting said motor housing to a lip of a bath tub, when the bath tub has fluid at least a portion of said input openings are maintained below the level of the fluid and at least a portion of said output openings is maintained below the level of the fluid.
- 3. The bath tub spa of claim 2, wherein said connection means comprises a control housing connected approximately perpendicular to and bisecting said motor housing; and a support arm extending from said control housing, said support arm having a bottom that is adapted to receive the lip of the bath tub.
- 4. The bath tub spa of claim 2, wherein said motor housing is in slidable and rotatable engagement with said connecting means.
- 5. The bath tub spa of claim 4, wherein said motor housing is rotatable about a first axis, and wherein said first axis is perpendicular to said shafts.
- 6. The bath tub spa of claim 5, wherein said motor housing is rotatable about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 7. The bath tub spa of claim 1, wherein each of said output openings is rotatable about a second axis parallel to said shafts.
- 8. The bath tub spa of claim 7, wherein each of said output openings is rotatable about sixty degrees.
- 9. The bath tub spa of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle removably sealed to each of said output openings.
- 10. The bath tub spa of claim 9, wherein each of said nozzles is rotatable about a third axis parallel to said output openings.
- 11. The bath tub spa of claim 10, wherein each of said nozzles is rotatable about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 12. The bath tub spa of claim 1, further comprising an attachment removably sealed to at least one of said output openings.
- 13. A portable bath tub spa, comprising:a pump having an input opening and an output opening sealed about said pump so that fluid is drawn through said input opening and expelled through said output opening; means for connecting said motor housing to a lip of a bath tub, when the bath tub has fluid at least a portion of said input opening is maintained below a level of the fluid and so that at least a portion of said nozzle is maintained below the level of the fluid, a motor housing having a motor for driving said pump; and wherein said motor housing is rotatable about a first axis, said motor housing is slidable with respect to said connection means, and said output opening is rotatable about a second axis.
- 14. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said connecting means comprises a control housing connected approximately perpendicular to and bisecting said motor housing; and a support arm extending from said control housing, said support arm having a bottom that is adapted to receive a lip of the bath tub.
- 15. The spa of claim 13, further comprising a nozzle removably sealed to said output opening.
- 16. The spa of claim 15, wherein said nozzle is rotatable about a third axis.
- 17. The bath tub spa of claim 16, wherein said third axis is parallel to said output opening.
- 18. The bath tub spa of claim 17, wherein said nozzle is rotatable about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 19. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said first axis is perpendicular to the fluid level.
- 20. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said motor housing is rotatable about said first axis about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 21. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said second axis is parallel to the fluid level.
- 22. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said output opening is rotatable about said second axis about sixty degrees.
- 23. The spa of claim 13, further comprising an attachment removably sealed to said output opening.
- 24. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said motor is a dual shaft motor for driving a pair of shafts wherein each shaft drives a separate pump.
- 25. The bath tub spa of claim 13, wherein said motor is a pair of motors arranged along a common axis, wherein each motor of said pair of motors drives a shaft and each shaft drives a separate pump.
- 26. A bath tub spa, comprising:a pump having an input opening and an output opening sealed about said pump so that fluid within a bath tub is drawn through said input opening and driven through said output opening; a nozzle removably sealed to said output opening; a motor housing having a motor for driving said pump; and means for removably connecting said motor housing to the bath tub such that at least a portion of said input opening is maintained below a level of the fluid and at least a portion of said nozzle is maintained below the level of the fluid, wherein said motor housing is rotatable about a first axis, said output opening is rotatable about a second axis, and said nozzle is rotatable about a third axis.
- 27. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said connecting means comprises a control housing connected approximately perpendicular to and bisecting said motor housing; and a support arm extending from said control housing, said support arm having a bottom that is adapted to receive a lip of the bath tub.
- 28. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said first axis is perpendicular to the fluid level.
- 29. The bath tub spa of claim 28, wherein said motor housing is rotatable about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 30. The bath tub spa of claim 29, wherein said motor housing is slidable with respect to the fluid level.
- 31. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said second axis is parallel to the fluid level.
- 32. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said output opening is rotatable about sixty degrees.
- 33. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said third axis is parallel to said output opening.
- 34. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said nozzle is rotatable about one-hundred-eighty degrees.
- 35. The bath tub spa of claim 26, wherein said motor is a dual shaft motor for driving a pair of shafts wherein each shaft drives a separate pump.
US Referenced Citations (16)