Patent Application
20240149290
This disclosure relates generally to spa jets. More specifically, this disclosure relates to spa jets that can be selectively adjustable by a user along a width of the spa jet.
In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for a spa jet which is adjustable along a width thereof. A spa jet assembly of this disclosure is able to have the proximal outlet, or jet nozzle, be selectively moved along a width of the proximal end of the jet, to provide a user of the spa with the desired water therapy effects.
According to one embodiment, an adjustable spa jet can include a housing with a distal inlet at a distal end of the housing and a proximal outlet at a proximal end of the housing. The proximal outlet may be laterally adjustable along a width of the proximal end of the housing, with the proximal outlet maintaining a constant depth with respect to the proximal end of the housing as the proximal outlet is laterally adjusted along the width of the proximal end of the housing.
According to another aspect, the angular adjustment of the proximal outlet with respect to the distal inlet is at least 30°.
According to another aspect, the proximal end of the housing can also comprise a selectively sealable channel formed therein, and the proximal outlet may be moveable within the selectively sealable channel to adjust a position of the proximal outlet within the channel.
In another embodiment, an adjustable jet system includes a housing with a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may have a distal inlet for receiving water. The proximal end may have a proximal outlet, with a channel formed in the proximal end. The proximal outlet may be moveable within the channel to adjust a position of the proximal outlet within the channel.
In some embodiments a tube may fluidly couple the distal inlet to the proximal outlet. The tube may be formed of a flexible material. In one specific embodiment, the tube may be formed of a distal portion of tubing and a proximal portion of tubing, the distal portion of tubing and the proximal portion of tubing in telescoping connection.
According to another aspect, a distal joint may be in fluid connection with the distal inlet and the tube. Similarly, a proximal joint may be in fluid connection with the proximal outlet and the tube. In one specific embodiment, the distal joint may be in fluid communication with the distal inlet and the distal portion of tubing to pivotably connect the distal portion of tubing to the distal inlet. Similarly, the proximal joint may be in fluid communication with the proximal outlet and the proximal portion of tubing to pivotably connect the proximal portion of tubing to the proximal outlet.
According to another aspect, as the proximal outlet is moved from a first position within the channel to a second position within the channel, the telescoping connection of the distal portion of tubing and the proximal portion of tubing adjusts a length of the tube from a first length to a second length.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the distal pivot is integral to the distal portion of tubing, and at least a portion of the proximal pivot is integral to the proximal portion of tubing.
According to one aspect, the distal pivot comprises a hinge joint and the proximal pivot comprises a hinge joint. More specifically, the distal pivot may comprise an eyeball fitting and the proximal pivot may comprise an eyeball fitting.
According to another aspect, the jet system also includes a jet face plate in connection with the proximal joint. The jet face plate comprises an aperture therethrough forming the proximal outlet for allowing water from the tube to flow through the jet face plate. The jet face plate may extend from the proximal joint, through the channel formed in the proximal end, to the proximal end of the housing, with the jet face plate slidable within the channel. In other configurations, the proximal joint extends from the jet face plate, through the channel formed in the proximal end, to the proximal end of the tube, with the proximal joint slidable within the channel.
According to another aspect, the proximal outlet has an angular adjustment of at least 25 degrees relative to the distal inlet.
According to another aspect, a channel formed in the proximal end has a first side and a second side, and wherein the proximal joint is slidable from the first position at the first side with a first angular degree with respect to the distal joint, to a third position at the second side with a second angular degree with respect to the distal joint, and wherein a difference between the first angular degree and the second angular degree is at least 35 degrees.
According to another aspect, the proximal outlet has a constant depth with respect to the proximal end of the housing along the channel.
In another embodiment, an adjustable jet system includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a distal inlet for receiving water and the proximal end having a channel formed therein along a width. The housing may include a tube connecting the distal inlet to a proximal outlet to transfer water from the distal inlet to the proximal outlet. The proximal outlet may be moveable along the channel to adjust a position of the proximal outlet within the channel along the width of the proximal end of the housing, with the proximal outlet maintaining a constant depth with respect to the proximal end of the housing as the proximal outlet is moved along the channel.
The tube may be formed of flexible material to allow the tube to connect the distal inlet to the proximal outlet as the proximal outlet is moved along the channel. Or, the tube may be formed of a distal portion of tubing and a proximal portion of tubing, the distal portion of tubing and the proximal portion of tubing in telescoping connection to allow the length of the tube to adjust as the proximal outlet is moved along the channel.
Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
In the drawings:
The housing 20 can be any suitable shape and dimensions. In some embodiments the housing 20 has a narrower distal end 25 and a wider proximal end 30. The wider proximal end can allow for a wider channel 40 along the width of the proximal end. The length of the housing 20 from the distal end 25 to the proximal end 30 may be from about 9 centimeters to about 10 centimeters. In other embodiments, the length of the housing 20 from the distal end 25 to the proximal end 30 may be from about 5 centimeters to about 20 centimeters, from about 10 to 15 centimeters, or about 10 centimeters. Or the length of the housing 20 from the distal end 25 to the proximal end 30 may be shorter or longer as desired.
The width of the housing 20 at the proximal end 30 may be any suitable width. In some embodiments, the width of the housing 20 at the proximal end 30 may be from about 5 centimeters to about 20 centimeters, from about 7 centimeters to about 15 centimeters, or about 12 centimeters. The width of the housing 20 at the proximal end 30 may be shorter or longer as desired. The channel 40 may have a width that is slightly shorter than the width of the housing 20 at the proximal end 30. For example, the width of the channel may be from about 3 centimeters to about 18 centimeters, from about 5 centimeters to about 13 centimeters, from about 8 centimeters to about 10 centimeters, etc. Or the width of the channel 40 may be shorter or longer as desired. The channel 40 may be centered within the proximal end 30, or in other embodiments it may be placed towards one side or the other as desired.
In some embodiments, a tube 44 fluidly couples the distal inlet 34 to the proximal outlet 38. Tube 44 may be a portion of tubing, a hose, a line, or any other fluid conduit. The tube 44 can have any suitable shape and dimensions. In one embodiment, the tube 44 is formed of a distal portion of tubing 47 and a proximal portion of tubing 50. The distal portion of tubing 47 and the proximal portion of tubing 50 may be in telescoping connection, such that the distal portion of tubing 47 telescopes within the proximal portion of tubing 50 (or vice versa). With a telescoping connection, the length of the tube 44 can change as the proximal outlet 38 moves within channel 40. In other embodiments, a tube is not provided.
With reference to
One or more joints may connect the tube 44 to the distal inlet 34 and/or proximal outlet 38. Joint(s) may provide a mechanical connection that allows for angular movement or adjustment. For example, a joint may be used to connect the tube 44 to the distal inlet 34 and/or proximal outlet 38. The joint may allow a portion of the tube to rotate relative to a stationary portion. In some configurations, a first joint 59 may allow the distal portion of tubing 47 to rotate relative to a stationary portion of distal portion of tubing 47, and/or a second joint 64 may allow the proximal portion of tubing 50 to rotate relative to a stationary portion of proximal portion of tubing. By way example and not limitation, the joint may be a rotary eyeball, a pivot joint, a rotary joint, a hinge joint, an eyeball joint, a ball-and-socket joint, an eyeball fitting, etc.
In one embodiment, the first joint 59 comprises a distal pivot joint. The distal pivot joint can be in connection with the distal inlet 34 and the distal portion of tubing 47 to connect the distal portion of tubing 47 to the distal inlet 34. Even more specifically, the distal portion of tubing 47 can be integral to a distal pivot joint. In other embodiments, other types of joints can be used, and/or the joint can be in connection with the distal portion of tubing 47 rather than integral to the distal portion of tubing 47. In one embodiment, the distal pivot joint 59 comprises a stationary portion 61 that is formed integral to the distal end 25 of the housing 20 (best seen in the exploded view of
The second joint 64 may comprise a proximal pivot joint. The proximal pivot joint can be in connection with the proximal outlet 38 and the proximal portion of tubing 50 to connect the proximal portion of tubing 50 to the proximal outlet 38. In one embodiment, the proximal portion of tubing 50 can be integral to the proximal pivot joint. In other embodiments, other types of joints can be used, and/or the joint can be in connection with the proximal portion of tubing 50 rather than integral to the proximal portion of tubing 50.
With reference to
In embodiments where the proximal end of the tube 44 is in connection with a proximal joint 64 (such as a ball-and-socket joint, an eyeball joint, a hinge joint, etc.), the jet face plate 70 can be in connection with the proximal joint 64. For example, the proximal joint 64 can extend through the channel 40, and interface or friction fit with the jet face plate 70, as best seen in the cross-sectional view of
With reference to
The proximal end 30 of the housing 20 can include an exterior face 86 and an interior face 89, with the channel 40 extending through the proximal end 30 of the housing 20 from the exterior face 86 to the interior face 89. The interior face 89 of the proximal end 30 of the housing 20 can include one or more elements to interface with the jet face plate 70 and/or stationary portion 75 of the proximal joint 64. In the embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, as the projections 92 of the proximal end 30 can interface with the projections 82 of the proximal joint 64. As the projections and detents on each piece pass each other, it creates portions that are more difficult to pass and easier to pass, as the projections pass each other, a physical clicking occurs. This can be a convenient physical feedback to allow users of the jet to know they are successfully adjusting the proximal outlet within the channel 40. This can also ensure that the proximal outlet 38 or jet nozzle is not accidentally adjusted, as the projections 82 on the proximal joint 62 must be pushed past the projections 92 on the interior face 89 of the proximal end 30 to adjust the proximal outlet 38 laterally within the channel 40.
In use, the jet assembly or jet system 10 is installed in a spa shell, with the proximal end 30 of the housing 20 inside a spa shell, or where the user sits when the user is using the spa. The proximal end 30 with the proximal outlet 38 or jet nozzle within the spa shell where a user sits when using the spa allows the jet system or jet assembly 10 to provide hydrotherapy benefits to the user. The distal inlet 34 may be connected to a water supply to receive water. Water flows from the distal inlet 34 to the proximal outlet 38.
During use, water enters the distal inlet 34 of the spa jet assembly. The water then enters the tube 44 and travels to the proximal outlet 38 or jet nozzle and exits the spa jet assembly. The force from the fluid flow as it exits the spa jet assembly through the proximal outlet 38 can provide hydrotherapy to users, and a user may adjust the exact position for hydrotherapy by adjusting the proximal outlet 38 within the channel 40.
Some embodiments include a tube that extends from the distal inlet 34 to the proximal outlet 38. In such embodiments, water flows from the distal inlet 34 to the proximal outlet 38 through the tube 44. As the user desires to adjust the position of the proximal outlet 38, the user may press the proximal outlet 38 laterally, and move the proximal outlet 38 along the width of the channel 40. The channel 40 may have a width that allows a high degree of angular adjustment for the proximal outlet 38, while also keeping the proximal outlet at a fixed depth with respect to the distal inlet 34.
The angular adjustment of the jet assembly or jet system 10 can be measured relative to an imaginary line (indicated as 55 in
For example, as shown in
Another embodiment of a jet system or jet assembly 110 is shown in
The embodiment in
The channel 240 in this embodiment is selectively sealable along the width of the channel 240. Water exits entirely, or substantially entirely, through the proximal outlet 238. The proximal outlet 238 is moveable along the selectively sealable channel 240. In some embodiments, as the proximal outlet 238 moves along the channel 240, the materials that selectively seal the channel 240 may be pressed or otherwise moved out of the channel 240. Similarly, the materials that selectively seal the channel 240 may come back together to selectively seal the channel 240 over portions where the proximal outlet 238 has moved from. In other embodiments, the proximal outlet 238 may be along a sealed ring track, and the track can be moved along the channel to change the position of the proximal outlet 238 along the width of the proximal end 230 of the housing 220.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It should also be noted that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may have been disclosed in relation to a particular water-containing vessel (e.g., a spa); however, other vessels (e.g., pools, tubs, swim spas, etc.) are also contemplated. A spa is also known in the industry as a hot tub and is generally formed of a concave shell to receive and contain water. Structures, such as a jet, can extend through the concave shell to move water from a surface outside the spa to a surface inside the spa or shell. Surfaces inside the shell are referred to as more “proximal” while surfaces that extend through the shell are referred to as “distal.” A proximal side of a jet faces the spa shell where the user relaxes, and the jet can provide hydrotherapy to the user in the spa.
In one embodiment, the terms “about” and “approximately” refer to numerical parameters within 10% of the indicated range. The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents used in the context of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the author(s) of this disclosure for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The author(s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the author(s) intends for the embodiments of the present disclosure to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of this disclosure so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.
Although this disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the claims that follow, but merely as providing illustrations of some embodiments of elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, and of their elements and features, may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of any of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Accordingly, the scope of each claim is limited only by its plain language and the legal equivalents thereto.
