Patent Application
20210251847
The present invention relates to spa jets. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a magnetic spa jet that drives an impeder magnetically secured to a motor to reduce wear and noise generated thereby during use.
Many spas and nail salons provide water baths with foot massaging jets to assist in customer relaxation while availing themselves of other spa services. Typically, these water baths utilize shielded impeller systems to generate jets of forceful water that is directed to a user's feet, such that the jets of water impact and massage the bottom of the feet. However, traditional water bath massage systems are prone to failure over repeated use as the elements of the jets suffer from wear and tear. For example, typical impeller systems utilize a shaft and bearings to rotate the impeller, however, over repeated use, these bearings can wear out, impeding the operation of the impeller. Additionally, dirt and debris can accumulate within the bearings, which can be difficult to clean. Due to the nature of the open shielding provided by traditional impellers to allow water to be forcefully expelled, debris that commonly is removed from a user's foot can easily enter the impeller housing and foul the bearings. Furthermore, during use, these traditional systems produce significant vibration and noise if not properly and regularly cleaned, which can negatively impact a user's relaxation. Therefore, a device that can provide a spa jet that is easy to dean and maintain while reducing wear and tear is desired.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing spa jets. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of spa jets now present in the known art the present invention provides a magnetic spa jet wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when reducing wear and noise generated by spa jets used in foot massage devices and the like.
The present system comprises a housing having a base and a perimeter sidewall defining an interior volume, A first magnetic member is affixed to a shaft, wherein the shaft extends through an opening disposed in the base such that the first magnetic member is disposed within the interior volume. In some embodiments a motor is operably connected to the shaft, wherein the shaft and the first magnetic member are configured to rotate when the motor is actuated. An impeder includes a second magnetic member on a lower side thereof, wherein the second magnetic member is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic member. Upon rotation of the first magnetic member about the shaft, the second magnetic member rotates the impeller in kind. A cap is removably securable to the housing about the perimeter sidewall and includes a plurality of apertures therethrough.
In some embodiments, a recess is disposed within the base, the recess configured to retain the first magnetic member therein such that an upper surface of the first magnetic member rests flush with the base. In another embodiment, at least one channel is disposed within an exterior of the perimeter sidewall, wherein the channel is configured to receive a tab extending from an interior of the cap therein. In other embodiments, the channel is offset such that rotation of the cap locks the cap in place against the housing. In yet another embodiment, the impeller comprises a circular planar bottom portion having a plurality of vanes extending radially from a center thereof. In some embodiments, a clearance between an interior surface of the perimeter sidewall and an outer edge of the impeller is less than a radius of the first magnetic member. In another embodiment, the first and second magnetic members comprise an annulus shape. In other embodiments, the first and second magnetic members each comprise a corrosion resistant coating thereon. In yet another embodiment, the cap comprises a domed upper end. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures comprises a central cluster of apertures and a pair of lateral apertures.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the magnetic spa jet. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
A cap 22 is removably securable to the housing 12 about the perimeter sidewall 14, wherein the cap 22 is configured to enclose the interior volume and prevent direct contact with the impeller 19 when in use. Additionally, the cap 22 further serves to prevent the impeller 19 from exiting the housing 12 should the impeller 19 become disconnected from the first magnetic member 16. A plurality of apertures 23 are disposed through an upper end 35 of the cap 22, wherein the plurality of apertures 23 is configured to direct the flow of fluid from the interior volume to a user's foot or the like. In this case, the plurality of apertures 23 is distributed across the upper end 35 of the cap 22 to increase pressure and provide a massaging and cleansing flow to a desired surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper end 35 of the cap 22 is domed to provide a comfortable resting surface for a user's foot or other body part.
Referring now to
The first magnetic member 16 is affixed to a shaft 17 via a fastener, wherein the shaft 17 is disposed through an opening 18 through a center of the base 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the first magnetic member 16 comprises an annulus having a central opening, wherein the fastener securing the first magnetic member 16 to the shaft 17 extends through the central opening. The annulus form of the first magnetic member 16 afters the magnetic field generated thereby such that a matched second magnetic member would readily reseat against the first magnetic member 16 if temporarily dislodged.
The shaft 17 is configured to removably secure the first magnetic member 16 to a motor 38, wherein the motor 38 is configured to rotate the shaft 17 about a longitudinal axis thereof which in turn rotates the attached first magnetic member 16. The motor 38 is contemplated to include a separate motor 38 associated with a foot bath or other device, or integral with the magnetic spa jet. The motor 38 can further adjust the rate of rotation of the shaft 17 to adjust the flowrate of fluid generated from the impeller, as well as providing consistent or intermittent rotation to adjust the type of flow provided. In this manner, the user can selectively adjust the type of massage provided by the magnetic spa jet. In the shown embodiment, the first magnetic member 16 is disposed within a recess 24 within the base 13. In such embodiments, an upper surface 25 of the first magnetic member 16 rests flush with the base 13 such that the impeller can rest against the base 13. Alternatively, in order to reduce frictional contact surfaces between the impeller and the base 13, the first magnetic member 16 may be elevated from the base 13. In this manner, the impeller is only directly contacting the first magnetic member 16 when in operation.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In one use, the user can secure the shaft and housing to an existing foot bath motor, such that the motor is configured to rotate the first magnetic member via the shaft, which in turn rotates the impeller. Once the housing is secured to the foot bath, the impeller can be affixed to the first magnetic member, and the cap 22 can be affixed to the housing. Once the motor is actuated, the shaft rotates the first magnetic member, and the impeller affixed to the first magnetic member rotates in kind. The impeller generates fluid flow from the interior volume of the housing driving the fluid through the plurality of apertures disposed on the cap 22. In some embodiments, the cap 22 removably secures over the perimeter sidewalls of the housing via friction fit, however, in the shown embodiment, the user can align the tabs 27 of the cap 22 with the channels disposed on the perimeter sidewall to engage the cap 22 with the housing 12. In embodiments with offset channels, the user can further rotate the cap 22 to lock the cap 22 in place against the housing. The user can position a foot on the cap 22 over the central cluster of apertures 36 to receive a massaging, exfoliating, and cleansing jet of water. The user can adjust the rate and pattern of rotation to provide a variety of massaging or cleansing settings as desired. As the interaction between the impeller and the motor is through magnetic coupling alone, the user can readily and easily clean the housing, magnetic members, and the other elements to extend the lifetime of each magnetic spa jet. Furthermore, as the present embodiment features fewer mechanical interactions, wear and tear of the magnetic spa jet is minimized.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art, With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/977,487 filed on Feb. 17, 2020. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62977487 | Feb 2020 | US |
