SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING FOOT SPAS FOR USE WITH DISPOSABLE PUMPS

Abstract

A system for use with a spa adapted for use with a pump having a drive hub. The system comprises an adapter and a disposable pump. The adapter: has a housing defining a recess, a rotor in the recess and an operative position; and is adapted, when operatively positioned: for rotation of the rotor upon rotation of the drive hub. The disposable pump has: a housing having a pair of sides and a void, one of the sides defining an intake and a port, the intake communicating with a center of the void and the port communicating with a void periphery; an impeller in the void; and an operative position adjacent the adapter. The disposable pump is adapted, when operatively positioned, for rotation upon rotation of the drive hub and consequent rotation of the rotor, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports.

Description

FIELD

The invention relates to the field of foot spas.

BACKGROUND

A pump for a foot spa is shown in U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004. This pump is advantageous in that it is relatively inexpensive to produce and as such is well suited for disposable use. However, it would be advantageous for this pump to be rendered useful with prior art pedicure stations that have drive hubs and cover plates that differ from those shown in U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the invention is a system for use with a spa.

The spa is of the type comprising a basin, a motor and a drive hub and adapted for use with a pump.

The basin is for containing water.

The motor is mounted exteriorly of the basin and has a rotating element defining an axis.

The drive hub is coupled to the rotating element for movement therewith and has magnetic properties such that, in the absence of externalities, a magnetic field is produced which extends from and returns to the hub, the magnetic field being characterized in that, if depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines would appear to extend from one or more North pole domains defined in the surface to one or more South pole domains defined in the surface, the North and South pole domains being spaced apart from each other and arranged to encircle the rotation axis in alternating relation.

The pump includes a housing and an impeller.

The housing has a pair of sides and defines a cavity, one of the pair of sides defining an intake communicating with the cavity and one or more ports communicating with the cavity.

The impeller is disposed in the cavity, has an operative position in use whereat the pump is disposed in the basin with the other of the sides presenting towards the drive hub; and is adapted, when operatively positioned, for releasable engagement with the basin and further adapted such that, upon rotation of the drive hub and rotation of the impeller in the cavity, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports

The system comprises an adapter and a disposable pump.

The adapter

• • has: a housing defining a recess; a rotor positioned in the recess; an operative position in use whereat the adapter is disposed in the basin adjacent towards the drive hub; and
  • is adapted, when operatively positioned: for releasable engagement with the basin; and for rotation of the rotor upon rotation of the drive hub; and

The disposable pump

• • has: a housing having a pair of sides and defining a void having a center and a periphery, one of the pair of sides defining an intake and one or more ports, the intake communicating with the center of the void and the ports communicating with the periphery; an impeller in the void; and an operative position in use whereat the pump is disposed in the basin adjacent the adapter with the other of the sides presenting towards the adapter; and
  • is adapted, when operatively positioned, for rotation in the void upon rotation of the drive hub and consequent rotation of the rotor, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports.

According to another aspect, the impeller can be adapted to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports as aforesaid by broad flat blades and wherein the impeller can include a portion that is ferromagnetic and a portion that is not ferromagnetic, the portions being axially displaced from the other.

According to another aspect, the portions can abut one another at a junction that is generally circular.

According to another aspect, the ferromagnetic portion can define the blades.

According to another aspect, the ferromagnetic portion can be steel.

According to another aspect, the ferromagnetic portion can be a steel stamping.

According to another aspect, the portion that is not ferromagnetic can be aluminum.

According to another aspect, the ferromagnetic portion can have a thickness X10, the portion that is not ferromagnetic can have a thickness X11, X10 can be between about 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm and X11 can be between about 0.9 mm and 2.0 mm.

According to another aspect, X10 can be about 0.15 mm and X11 can be about 2 mm.

According to another aspect, the rotor can have a rotation axis and can comprises:

• • a pair of magnetic layers disposed in parallel relation to one another and such that the rotation axis passes centrally through each magnetic layer and in perpendicular relation thereto; and
  • a ferromagnetic layer between the magnetic layers.

According to another aspect, each of the magnetic layers can have a plurality of magnetic portions ringing the rotation axis.

According to another aspect, the one of the pair of magnetic layers which, in use, is disposed adjacent the pump, can have more magnetic portions than the other of the pair of magnetic layers.

According to another aspect, the one of the pair of magnetic layers can have a thickness X1; the other of the pair of magnetic layers can have a thickness X2;

the ferromagnetic layer can have a thickness X3; the housing can have a pair of walls orientated perpendicular to the rotation axis, the walls having respective thicknesses X4 and X5; and the rotor can be disposed in spaced relation to the housing such that the spaces between the magnetic layers and the housing are X6 and X7.

According to another aspect:

• • X1 can be about 3 mm;
  • X2 can be about 3 mm;
  • X3 can be about 1.6 mm;
  • X4 can be about 1 mm;
  • X5 can be about 1 mm;
  • X6 can be about 1 mm; and
  • X7 can be about 1 mm.

According to another aspect, the ferromagnetic layer can be iron and the walls can be plastic.

Advantages, features and characteristics of the invention will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon a review of the following detailed description with reference to the appended drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art pedicure station

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of encircled area 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure of encircled area 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of a system according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is another view of the structure of encircled area 7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the structure of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 7, with internal components shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 10 is a view along section 10-10 of FIG. 9

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 7

FIG. 12 is another view of the structure of encircled area 12 of FIG. 6, with some internal structures shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the structure of FIG. 12, with other internal components shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 14 is a rear plan view of the structure of FIG. 12, with some internal components shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 12, with some features shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 17 is a view along section 17-17 of FIG. 16

FIG. 18 is a view along section 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view along section 19-19 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a view of the structure of FIG. 6. with a portion of the structure of FIG. 4;

FIG. 21 is a view of the structure of FIG. 20 in partial section;

FIG. 22 is a view of the structure of FIG. 21 arranged for use;

FIG. 23 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the structure of FIG. 12, with portions shown in phantom;

FIG. 24 is a view of the opposite side of the structure of FIG. 23, with portions shown in phantom;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 23;

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a view along section 28-28 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a view along section 29-29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a view along section 30-30 of FIG. 28; and

FIG. 31 is an exploded view of the structure of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A prior art pedicure station 100 is shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 and will be understood to include a basin 102, a motor 104, a drive hub 106 and a pump 108.

The basin 102 is for containing water and includes a cover plate 110 that occludes a hole (not shown) in a sidewall of the basin and has a plurality of sockets 112 defined therein.

The motor 104 is mounted exteriorly of the basin 102, behind the cover plate 112, and has a rotating element 114 defining an axis X-X.

The drive hub 106 is coupled to the rotating element 114 for movement therewith and has magnetic properties such that, in the absence of externalities, a magnetic field is produced which extends from and returns to the hub 106, through the cover plate 110, the magnetic field being characterized in that, if depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines would appear to extend from one or more North pole domains 116 defined in the surface to one or more South pole domains 118 defined in the surface, the North and South pole domains being spaced apart from each other and arranged to encircle the rotation axis in alternating relation.

The pump 108 includes a housing 120 and an impeller 122.

The housing 120 has a pair of sides 124, 126 and defines a cavity 128 having a center and a periphery. One 124 of the pair of sides defines an intake 130 and one or more ports 132, the intake communicating with the center of the cavity and the ports communicating with the periphery. The other 126 of the pair of sides has a plurality of feet 134.

The impeller 122 is disposed in the cavity 128.

The housing 120 has an operative position in use, as shown in FIG. 2, whereat the pump 108 is disposed in the basin with the other of the sides presenting towards the drive hub 106 and the feet 134 engaged in the sockets 112 of cover plate 110.

The housing 120 is adapted, when so operatively positioned, for releasable engagement with the basin 102. Such releasable engagement is provided by attractive force between the magnets 116,118 in the drive hub 106 and the impeller 122 and by mechanical engagement of the feet 134 in the sockets 112.

The housing 120 is further adapted such that, when the basin is filled with water and the drive hub 106 is rotated, the impeller 122 rotates in the cavity 128 to draw water through the intake 130 and eject same through the one or more ports 132, to circulate water in the basin 102.

The system 20 comprises an adapter 22 and a disposable pump 24, embodiments thereof being shown in FIG. 6.

The disposable pump 24 of FIG. 6 is shown in isolation in FIGS. 7-11 and will be seen to include a housing 26 and an impeller 28.

The housing 26 has a pair of sides 32,34 and defines a void 36 having a center 38 and a periphery 40, one 32 of the pair of sides defining an intake 42 and one or more ports 44, the intake 42 communicating with the center 38 of the void and the ports 44 communicating with the periphery 40.

The impeller 28 is disposed in the void, defines a rotation axis Y-Y and includes a portion 48 that is ferromagnetic and a portion 50 that is not ferromagnetic, the portions being axially displaced from the other and abutting one another at a junction 52 that is generally circular. The ferromagnetic portion 48 is a steel stamping and defines a plurality of broad flat blades 54.

It will be understood that the disposable pump shown in FIGS. 7-11 is substantially identical to that shown in U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004.

The adapter is shown in isolation in FIG. 12 through FIG. 19 and comprises a housing 56 and a rotor 58.

The housing has a rotation axis XX-XX and a pair of walls 60, 62 and defines a recess 63 flanked by the walls. The walls are plastic and are spaced-apart from one another along the rotation axis XX-XX. One 60 of the walls has a thickness X4 of 1 mm and the other 62 of the walls has a thickness X5 of one 1 mm and defines a plurality of detents 64.

The rotor 58 is positioned in the recess and has a shaft 65, a pair of magnetic layers 66,68 and a ferromagnetic layer 70. The rotor 58 is disposed in spaced relation to the housing 56 such that the spaces between 68 one of the pair of magnetic layers and the housing is X7 [1.0 mm] and the space between the other 66 of the pair of magnetic layers and the housing is X6 [1.0 mm].

The shaft 65 is coincident with the rotation axis XX-XX.

The magnetic layers are disposed in parallel relation to one another and such that the rotation axis XX-XX passes centrally through each magnetic layer and in perpendicular relation thereto. Each of the magnetic layers has a plurality of magnetic portions 70,72 ringing the rotation axis XX-XX. The 68 one of the pair of magnetic layers has a thickness X1 of 3 mm and has more magnetic portions 72 than the other 66 of the pair of magnetic layers which has a thickness X2 of 3 mm. The magnetic portions 71,72 are N5 magnets. The magnetic portions of the one 68 of the pair of magnetic portions are disc-shaped segments 72; the magnetic portions of the other 66 of the pair are pie-shaped 71.

The ferromagnetic layer 70 is iron, is disposed between the magnetic layers 66,68 and has a thickness X3 of 1.6 mm

In use, the adapter 22 and the disposable pump 24 are disposed in the basin with

• • the adapter 22 disposed between the basin 102 and the disposable pump 24
  • the detents 64 in the adapter engaging the sockets 112 in the cover plate 110.

as indicated by the sequence of FIGS. 20 and 21.

So positioned:

• • magnetic forces hold the adapter 22 in position against the basin 106 and hold the pump 24 in position against the adapter 22;
  • rotation of the drive hub 106 causes rotation of the rotor 58
  • the connection between detents 64 in adapter 22 and sockets 112 hold the adapter 24 against rotation
  • rotation of the rotor 58 causes rotation of the impeller 28
  • rotation of the impeller 28 causes water to be drawn through the intake 42 and expelled through the ports 44, to circulate water in the basin.

Surprisingly, housing 26 does not rotate with impeller 28 in use, notwithstanding the lack of pin and socket or similar connections between housing 26 of pump 24 and housing 56 of adapter 24.

Persons of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that the invention permits disposable pumps, of the type disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004 to be used with prior art spas that lack the cover plate of U.S. Ser. No. 17/021,004. One type of prior art spa with which the invention can be used is that sold by Luraco Technologies Inc. under Model L0704C.

Persons of ordinary skill will also readily appreciate that whereas a specific embodiment of a pump and adapter are shown and described herein, variations in both are possible.

In this regard, FIGS. 23-31 show another embodiment of the structure of FIG. 12.

This embodiment functions in a manner substantially identical to the structure of FIG. 12 but whereas the structure of FIG. 12 has two layers of permanent magnets, separated by a ferromagnetic (iron) layer, one layer including four pie-shaped magnets arranged in alternating north-south relation about a rotation axis, the structure of FIG. 23 has:

• • a single layer 266 of permanent magnets 272A, 272B; and
  • a perforated ferromagnetic layer 270.

The magnets of the single layer are similar to those of FIG. 12 in strength but are square and are disposed in opposed N-N and S-S pairs of aligned magnets 272A-272A and 272B-272B.

The perforations 270 of the ferromagnetic layer are disposed in spaced, circular relation about a shaft 265 and are arranged to focus the magnetic fields (produced by the magnets) that extend through the ferromagnetic layer 270 to define a plurality of poles, namely, six, 276A, 276B, arranged in alternating N-S relation and in radially spaced relation about the shaft 265.

Of course, yet further variations are possible. Accordingly, the invention should be understood to be limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.

Claims

1. A system for use with a spa, the spa being of the type comprising: a basin for containing water;a motor mounted exteriorly of the basin and having a rotating element defining an axis; anda drive hub coupled to the rotating element for movement therewith, the drive hub having magnetic properties such that, in the absence of externalities, a magnetic field is produced which extends from and returns to the hub, the magnetic field being characterized in that, if depicted graphically, concentrations of field lines would appear to extend from one or more North pole domains defined in the surface to one or more South pole domains defined in the surface, the North and South pole domains being spaced apart from each other and arranged to encircle the rotation axis in alternating relation,the spa further being of the type adapted for use with a pump, the pump: including a housing and an impeller, the housing having a pair of sides and defining a cavity, one of the pair of sides defining an intake communicating with the cavity and one or more ports communicating with the cavity, the impeller being disposed in the cavity;having an operative position in use whereat the pump is disposed in the basin with the other of the sides presenting towards the drive hub; andbeing adapted, when operatively positioned, for releasable engagement with the basin and further adapted such that, upon rotation of the drive hub and rotation of the impeller in the cavity, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports,the system comprising: an adapter having: a housing defining a recess; a rotor positioned in the recess; an operative position in use whereat the adapter is disposed in the basin adjacent towards the drive hub; andbeing adapted, when operatively positioned: for releasable engagement with the basin; and for rotation of the rotor upon rotation of the drive hub; anda disposable pump having: a housing having a pair of sides and defining a void having a center and a periphery, one of the pair of sides defining an intake and one or more ports, the intake communicating with the center of the void and the ports communicating with the periphery; an impeller in the void; and an operative position in use whereat the pump is disposed in the basin adjacent the adapter with the other of the sides presenting towards the adapter; andbeing adapted, when operatively positioned, for rotation in the void upon rotation of the drive hub and consequent rotation of the rotor, to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the impeller is adapted to draw water through the intake and eject water through the one or more ports as aforesaid by broad flat blades and wherein the impeller includes a portion that is ferromagnetic and a portion that is not ferromagnetic, the portions being axially displaced from the other.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the portions abut one another at a junction that is generally circular.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein the ferromagnetic portion defines the blades.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein the ferromagnetic portion is steel.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein the ferromagnetic portion is a steel stamping.

7. A system according to claim 3, wherein the portion that is not ferromagnetic is aluminum.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the ferromagnetic portion has a thickness X10, the portion that is not ferromagnetic has a thickness X11, X10 is between about 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm and X11 is between about 0.9 mm and 2.0 mm.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein X10 is about 0.15 mm and X11 is about 2 mm.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor has a rotation axis and comprises: a pair of magnetic layers disposed in parallel relation to one another and such that the rotation axis passes centrally through each magnetic layer and in perpendicular relation thereto; anda ferromagnetic layer between the magnetic layers.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein each of the magnetic layers has a plurality of magnetic portions ringing the rotation axis.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the one of the pair of magnetic layers which, in use, is disposed adjacent the pump, has more magnetic portions than the other of the pair of magnetic layers.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein: the one of the pair of magnetic layers has a thickness X1;the other of the pair of magnetic layers has a thickness X2;the ferromagnetic layer has a thickness X3;the housing has a pair of walls orientated perpendicular to the rotation axis, the walls having respective thicknesses X4 and X5; andthe rotor is disposed in spaced relation to the housing such that the spaces between the magnetic layers and the housing are X6 and X7.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein: X1 is about 3 mm;X2 is about 3 mm;X3 is about 1.6 mm;X4 is about 1 mm;X5 is about 1 mm;X6 is about 1 mm; andX7 is about 1 mm.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the ferromagnetic layer is iron and the walls are plastic.