Water jet mechanism for whirlpool effect in pedicures or other applications

Abstract

A whirlpool foot bath for a pedicure chair having a housing with a removable cap and a rotor and stator magnetic motor within the housing. Water in the bath is circulated through an inlet in the cap and out through at least one outlet in the cap. A method of use is described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person seated in a pedicure chair with their feet in the basin.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the basin showing the person's feet in the bath opposite from a water pump.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the threaded housing on which are mounted a screw ring and ring seals.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view showing the mounting of the housing in the basin.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rotor separated from the stator.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outer surface of the cap to the housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the cap of the housing.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken across the lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the inner surface of the cap of the housing.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view showing the rotor in rotation and the movement of water radially from the rotor.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the movement of water within the cap.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing removal of the back ring to access the motor for replacement.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the method of preparing, cleaning and using the pedicure bath.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a plurality of extra rotors and caps in a sterilizing solution to be used to rapidly prepare the basin for the next customer.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the preparation and use of the pedicure chair incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the top of the alternative cap to the housing.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the bottom of the alternative cap to the housing.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the alternative cap to the housing.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken across the lines 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the motor having an impeller used with the alternative cap to the housing.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the top of the impeller.

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the impeller.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken across the lines 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the bottom of the impeller.

FIG. 26 is a side elevation view of the motor in the housing with the alternative cap mounted in the basin.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken across the lines 27-27 of FIG. 26.

Claims

1. In a pedicure chair having a whirlpool foot bath provided with a basin, wherein water is continually ejected through respective first pipes into the basin and is thereafter withdrawn therefrom through respective second pipes and wherein mold or bacteria may tend to accumulate in the pipes, such that cleaning or sterilizing the pipes after each customer becomes difficult and time consuming, and such that customer health problems or anxieties occur, the improvement comprising means for filling the basin with fresh water initially, at least one motor and combination pump mounted in a housing on the basin and having a removable impeller and a removable cap, the cap being provided with at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for communication with the basin, such that the fresh water is sucked out of the basin through the inlet opening and thereafter is discharged out of the at least one outlet opening for continually recirculating the water in the basin and thereby creating a whirlpool action therein, such that after each customer, the cap may be removed, conveniently cleaned or sterilized; and such that, the cap may be easily replaced, thereby saving considerable time between customers, substantially improving customer safety, and removing customer anxieties and health concerns, the removable cap having an inner surface and an outer surface, a rim being formed circumferentially about the inner surface, the at least one inlet opening being formed centrally within the cap, a circular wall being formed on the inner surface surrounding the inlet opening, the at least one outlet opening being formed through the cap between the inlet opening and the rim, the outer surface of the cap having a circumferential wall formed about the at least one outlet opening, the wall extending outwardly from the top surface of the cap forming a nozzle thereon, such that water expelled radially from the impeller is directed axially through the at least one outlet and projected from the nozzle into the basin.

2. The pedicure chair of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening is formed having a plurality of spaced-apart holes arranged in a series of concentric circles.

3. The pedicure chair of claim 1, wherein the inlet opening is formed as a convex dome extending above the outer surface of the cap.

4. The pedicure chair of claim 1, wherein the removable impeller is manually removable for cleaning.

5. A jet pump mounted in a basin of a pedicure chair, jacuzzi or whirlpool bath wherein water is circulated, the jet pump comprising: a housing having an externally accessible removable cap, the cap having an outer surface and an inner surface, a rim formed circumferentially about the inner surface, an inlet opening for water formed centrally within the cap, a circular wall being formed on the inner surface surrounding the inlet opening,at least one outlet for water formed through the cap between the wall around the inlet opening and the rim,the inlet opening having a plurality of spaced-apart holes arranged in a series of concentric circles,a motor having a removable impeller to draw water toward the motor, the motor being disposed within the housing, and being oriented opposite the inlet opening of the cap,wherein when the motor is activated, the impeller is rotated, the water is drawn through the water inlet and the water is expelled radially against the wall around the inlet opening, the water circulating within the cap and being directed axially outwardly through the at least one outlet.

6. The jet pump of claim 5, wherein the series of spaced-apart holes are formed on a convex dome extending above the outer surface of the cap.

7. The jet pump of claim 5, wherein the impeller is manually removable for cleaning.