Patent Application
20110253236
The present invention relates to a spa device. In particular, the present invention relates to a spa apparatus for use in activities employing a massage jet pump, such as in pedicures or other applications.
It is generally known to provide for a spa device, such as health spas, whirlpools, jet stream exercisers, foot spas, etc. Such known spa devices are typically used in commercial and recreational settings for hydrotherapy, massage, stimulation, pedicure, and bathing purposes. However, such spa devices typically include a motor in order to drive a pump. The shaft of the motor may be used to directly mount the impeller which may contact the water. Since the motor may not operate wet, a seal or a series of seals may be required to prevent water from entering the motor. The seals will wear to the point where water will enter the motor and consequently, the entering water may cause the motor to burn out. At this point, the motor assembly may be replaced in order to continue operation. This is expensive and may take several hours in which to perform.
It is generally known to provide for a spa device, such as health spas, whirlpools, jet stream exercisers, foot spas, etc. Such known spa devices are typically used in commercial and recreational settings for hydrotherapy, massage, stimulation, pedicure, and bathing purposes. However, such spa devices have several disadvantages including being difficult to thoroughly clean, requiring complicated maintenance schedules.
Several patents exist which describe spa related items and a brief description of a portion of these patents are found here in.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,107 discloses a spa apparatus and method for cleaning the same are disclosed. The spa apparatus includes a basin for retaining fluid, a removable foot rest plate positioned within the basin, an impeller coupled to the basin, and a motor drivably coupled to the impeller.
GB 2156218A describes a footbath which is in addition provided with various massaging means. In particular a vibrator is provided in order to have a massaging effect on the calf of a user, while massaging projections act on the soles of the feet. A vibrator is provided so that the massaging projections exert a massaging function. U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,337 discloses a massaging apparatus for the feet which is reversible between a dry condition in which it simply acts as a massager and a wet condition in which it acts as a footbath. A vibrator for effecting the massaging action is referred to, but is not described in any detail. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,580 discloses a footbath where the foot supports within the footbath are reciprocated to achieve a massaging effect. U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,735 describes a footbath where foot supports are provided with protuberances, and in combination with a vibrating motor assembly and a vibrating plate these protuberances will carry out a massaging action. U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,188 discloses a whirlpool magnetic fluid pump assembly to be used in combination with a container having a wall. The pump assembly comprises a first casing disposed outside the container, and a second casing disposed inside the container. The pump uses two magnetic discs to provide the coupling between the first and second casing. Water turbulence is generated by an impeller on the second casing side. No axial flow water jet stream is produced, which is not suitable for hydromassaging pump in pedicures or other applications.
A massage jet pump may include a motor to rotate a first shaft, an magnetic pole array may be adapted to be rotated by the first shaft, a second magnetic pole array may be magnetically coupled to the first array and may rotate in accordance with the first array, a mounting housing for tub mounting and keep the distance between two magnetic pole arrays fixed, a jet assembly may pump the fluid into dual jet streams, and an electronic sensor circuit to detect the presence of the jet assembly and control power and startup speed of the motor.
The jet assembly may include a back cover, a fixed shaft mounted on the back cover, an impeller bonded to the second magnetic pole array, and a front cover.
The front cover may include an output port for the water discharging, and an input port for water in taking.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
The first magnetic pole array 103 may generate a fluctuating magnetic field so that when the second magnetic pole array 105 is placed in relative close proximity to the first magnetic pole array member 103, the fluctuating magnetic field 137 may cooperate with the second magnetic pole array 105 in order to rotate the second magnetic pole array 105. The second magnetic pole array 105 may be formed from magnetic material so that the fluctuating magnetic field 137 may cooperate with the second magnetic pole array 105. The second magnetic pole array 105 may be centrally positioned in the jet assembly 109 which may include a back cover 131 and a front cover 119 and may rotate on a second shaft 117 and may be rotatably connected to an impeller member 107. The impeller member 107 may be connected to an input port to allow fluid to flow into the impeller member 107 and may be connected to an output port 111 to allow the fluid to be pumped exterior to the jet pump 100. The impeller member 107 may rotate in cooperation with the second magnetic pole array 105 and may be integral or formed separate with the second magnetic pole array 105. Electronic sensor 151 may provide a signal to indicate the presence of the jet assembly 109 and may automatically shut down the motor when the jet assembly is removed from the pump or no water in the basin. Electronic sensor 151 prevents the situation in which the motor runs without a load.
The jet streams of fluid may flow substantially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the pump 100 or the jet streams of the fluid may flow substantially at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction.
A front cover 119 may have input ports around the outer periphery of the front cover 119 which may be apertures or the input ports may be a gap between the front cover 119 and the back cover 131. The input ports may also be a gap between the front cover 119 and the mounting housing 115.
In order to mount the pump 100, a hole may be drilled in the basin 241. The pump 100 may be placed within the hole which may have been drilled from the interior of the basin 241. The mounting screws may be tightened. While the mounting screws are being tightened, wing nuts 110 located in exterior to the basin wall may be extended in order for the mounting screws to be tightened. The mounting housing 115 may include a rubber gasket 102 which may be tightened with screws and wing nuts 110.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
