Title:
Extension tube for whirlpool bath
United States Patent 3902529
Abstract:
An extension tube connected at one end to the outlet of a whirlpool apparatus. One length of the tube is constructed of flexible rubber or plastic tubing and the remaining length is constructed of cotton turkish-toweling or the like whereby to prevent splashing, etc. and yet direct the flow of water and air to any part of the body desired but which normally can't be reached in a normal whirlpool bath.
US Patent References:
Shower spray absorber
Vitsky - June 1957 - 2794200
Hydrotherapy apparatus
Roden - November 1966 - 3286712
HYDROPNEUMATIC MASSAGE EQUIPMENT
Rico et al. - January 1973 - 3710786
Shower spray absorber
Vitsky - June 1957 - 2794200
Hydrotherapy apparatus
Roden - November 1966 - 3286712
HYDROPNEUMATIC MASSAGE EQUIPMENT
Rico et al. - January 1973 - 3710786
Application Number:
05/495228
Publication Date:
09/02/1975
Filing Date:
08/06/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
138/109, 4/541.400, 601/156
International Classes:
A61H33/02; A61H33/00; A61H9/00; A47K3/10
Field of Search:
138/103,109 128/66,365,369,172 4/178,180 285/119
Primary Examiner:
Haroian, Harry N.
Assistant Examiner:
Stearns, Richard R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Rummler & Snow
Claims:
I claim
1. In combination with a whirlpool apparatus having a water-air outlet,
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the free end of said porous tube is provided with closure means.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein a connector means is provided to retain the hose in the outlet of said whirlpool apparatus.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the connector means is detachably secured around the hose and around the outlet of the whirlpool apparatus to prevent accidental detachment therefrom.
1. In combination with a whirlpool apparatus having a water-air outlet,
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the free end of said porous tube is provided with closure means.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein a connector means is provided to retain the hose in the outlet of said whirlpool apparatus.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the connector means is detachably secured around the hose and around the outlet of the whirlpool apparatus to prevent accidental detachment therefrom.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flexible rubber tubing has been employed in the past and connected to the outlet of a whirlpool apparatus. However, due to terrifically strong pressure emanating from the housing, the hose became almost uncontrollable, splashing water all over the bathroom. Further, if a person wanted to take advantage of the whirlpool bath and wanted to treat the neck or shoulders or face, it was impossible to do so. Thus it was to overcome this inherent defect that the present invention was conceived.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tubular member to be used in connection with whirlpool baths having a tubular flexible hose connected at one end to the outlet of a whirlpool apparatus, and a tubular-shaped cotton terrycloth-like tube connected to the free end of the flexible rubber tube whereby to extend the use of the normal whirlpool bath.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a whirlpool apparatus and showing the present invention therewith;
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the connection to the whirlpool apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 and showing a positive connection between the outlet of the whirlpool unit and the connector hose;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector alone;
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing one use for the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 6--6 through the toweling tube and its connection to the flexible rubber tube;
FIG. 7 is a flat plan view of the interior of the connector;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified connector means; and
FIG. 9 is a flat plan view of the interior thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A whirlpool apparatus consists generally of a motor, a filter, a pump or impeller, a water inlet, a water outlet and a housing, as well as an ambient air inlet to the stream of water in the nozzle or outlet chamber. All the foregoing is well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention except that the present invention is used in combination therewith.
The whirlpool apparatus is generally designated by the numeral 10 and its nozzle or outlet 12. The outlet 12 of the structure 10, as shown in the drawing, is the type manufactured by Jacuzzi Research, Inc. and has spider-like lugs 14, eight in number, for adjusting the force of the water for flowing thereout.
The present invention comprises a corrugated flexible tube or hose 16, one end 18 (see FIG. 3) of which is telescopically inserted into the mouth of the outlet 12 and held therein.
If desired, a connector 20 (see especially FIGS. 4 and 7) may be employed to firmly secure the hose 16 to the outlet 12. This connector comprises a rectangularly-shaped piece of plastic material 22, the interior of which has secured thereto a piece of duck webbing material 24 to give the plastic material strength. On one end, a piece of corrugated rubber-like material 26 is secured having the same configuration as a vertical cross-section of hose 16 whereby it will seat in the hose corrugations, as clearly shown in FIG. 3.
A wide strip of fastening material, generally referred to as hooks 28, is secured to webbing 24 along one end thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 7) while a strip of cooperating loop material 30 is secured along the edge of the plastic material 22 so that when the members 22-24-26 are wrapped around the hose 16 and the hooks 28 are pressed on the strip of loops 30, the members 22-24-26 are snugly and removably secured to the hose 16.
An elongated strip of nylon webbing 32, of greater length than the width of the plastic material 22, is secured along the side edge opposite that of the side edge to which the corrugated material 26 is secured and is longer than the length of the plastic-web material 22-24. Medially of the side edges of the nylon webbing 32 are a series of apertures 34 through which the lugs 14 are inserted when the strip 32 is in position. A short strip of hooks 36 and loops 38 are secured adjacent each end of the strip 32, as clearly seen in FIG. 4.
When the strip of webbing 32 is placed over the lugs of the spider 14, simultaneously the webbing 24 will surround the hose 16. By pressing the hooks 28-36 on the loops 30-38, respectively, the hose 16 cannot be accidentally or otherwise pulled out of the outlet 20, as should now be clear.
A larger-in-diameter short length of flexible corrugated tubing 40 is slidably positioned on the tube 16 (as shown in FIG. 6) and abuts against the tubular header 42 to prevent displacement thereof.
An elongated tube of cotton terrycloth-like material 44 is provided at one end with a heavy inturned seam 46 which abuts against the end 48 of the larger sized tube 40 so it cannot accidentally be pulled thereover. The rest of the cloth tube extends beyond the header 42 and the free end thereof is finished so as to prevent unraveling of the material. Since the tube 40 is corrugated, it is obvious it acts like a spring if the cloth tube is pulled longitudinally away from the tube 16, and prevents any possibility of disconnection.
It should be apparent that the main length of the tube 44 is limpid before the water and air flow therethrough and then it partially opens into a tube. Further, if the free end of the tube 44 is closed, as by using hooks and loops material 60 interiorly of the end, the tube tends to open fully with the water therein emitting through the pores in the terrycloth.
In the modified connector shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it takes on an H configuration in flat form, wherein the horizontal leg 50 has a pair of transverse legs 52-54 all made of heavy webbing duckcloth. The legs 52-54 are each provided with a strip of hook material 56-58, respectively, at one end, and a strip of loop material 60-62, respectively, at the opposite end. The leg 54 encircles the tube header portion 66 and is securely fastened together by the hook material 58 intemeshing with the loop material 60. The leg 50 is placed between a pair of the lugs 14 of the spider and the leg 52 encircles the outer wall of the outlet 12 and is securely fastened together by intermeshing the loop material 60 and hook material 56.
In use, the hose 16 is connected to the outlet 12 as aforedescribed. Since the hose 16 has the cotton terryclothlike tube 44 connected to the opposite end of the tube 16, it may be wrapped loosely around the body area where desired. (As in FIG. 5, the tube 44 is loosely looped around the neck and shoulders of the user.) The whirlpool is then activated and turbulently rapid flow of water (about 50 gallons a minute) admixed with air (fully opened, provides 6 pounds pressure) flows through the tubes 16 and 44 and returns to the tub 64. The effect of the rapidly flowing water and air gives a refreshing, effective water massage bringing comforting relief to minor aches and pains, as well as bringing soothing relaxation to those areas not reached by the ordinary whirlpool tub bath in the home.
Water will be prevented from splashing outside of the tub area by the present invention.
Where whirlpool equipment is not provided with the spider 14, it should be obvious that a connector such as shown in FIG. 9 could be used between the outlet housing and the hose 16 to anchor the hose in outlet 12.
It is to be understood that numerous details shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Flexible rubber tubing has been employed in the past and connected to the outlet of a whirlpool apparatus. However, due to terrifically strong pressure emanating from the housing, the hose became almost uncontrollable, splashing water all over the bathroom. Further, if a person wanted to take advantage of the whirlpool bath and wanted to treat the neck or shoulders or face, it was impossible to do so. Thus it was to overcome this inherent defect that the present invention was conceived.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A tubular member to be used in connection with whirlpool baths having a tubular flexible hose connected at one end to the outlet of a whirlpool apparatus, and a tubular-shaped cotton terrycloth-like tube connected to the free end of the flexible rubber tube whereby to extend the use of the normal whirlpool bath.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a whirlpool apparatus and showing the present invention therewith;
FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the connection to the whirlpool apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 and showing a positive connection between the outlet of the whirlpool unit and the connector hose;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector alone;
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing one use for the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the lines 6--6 through the toweling tube and its connection to the flexible rubber tube;
FIG. 7 is a flat plan view of the interior of the connector;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified connector means; and
FIG. 9 is a flat plan view of the interior thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A whirlpool apparatus consists generally of a motor, a filter, a pump or impeller, a water inlet, a water outlet and a housing, as well as an ambient air inlet to the stream of water in the nozzle or outlet chamber. All the foregoing is well known in the art and forms no part of the present invention except that the present invention is used in combination therewith.
The whirlpool apparatus is generally designated by the numeral 10 and its nozzle or outlet 12. The outlet 12 of the structure 10, as shown in the drawing, is the type manufactured by Jacuzzi Research, Inc. and has spider-like lugs 14, eight in number, for adjusting the force of the water for flowing thereout.
The present invention comprises a corrugated flexible tube or hose 16, one end 18 (see FIG. 3) of which is telescopically inserted into the mouth of the outlet 12 and held therein.
If desired, a connector 20 (see especially FIGS. 4 and 7) may be employed to firmly secure the hose 16 to the outlet 12. This connector comprises a rectangularly-shaped piece of plastic material 22, the interior of which has secured thereto a piece of duck webbing material 24 to give the plastic material strength. On one end, a piece of corrugated rubber-like material 26 is secured having the same configuration as a vertical cross-section of hose 16 whereby it will seat in the hose corrugations, as clearly shown in FIG. 3.
A wide strip of fastening material, generally referred to as hooks 28, is secured to webbing 24 along one end thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 7) while a strip of cooperating loop material 30 is secured along the edge of the plastic material 22 so that when the members 22-24-26 are wrapped around the hose 16 and the hooks 28 are pressed on the strip of loops 30, the members 22-24-26 are snugly and removably secured to the hose 16.
An elongated strip of nylon webbing 32, of greater length than the width of the plastic material 22, is secured along the side edge opposite that of the side edge to which the corrugated material 26 is secured and is longer than the length of the plastic-web material 22-24. Medially of the side edges of the nylon webbing 32 are a series of apertures 34 through which the lugs 14 are inserted when the strip 32 is in position. A short strip of hooks 36 and loops 38 are secured adjacent each end of the strip 32, as clearly seen in FIG. 4.
When the strip of webbing 32 is placed over the lugs of the spider 14, simultaneously the webbing 24 will surround the hose 16. By pressing the hooks 28-36 on the loops 30-38, respectively, the hose 16 cannot be accidentally or otherwise pulled out of the outlet 20, as should now be clear.
A larger-in-diameter short length of flexible corrugated tubing 40 is slidably positioned on the tube 16 (as shown in FIG. 6) and abuts against the tubular header 42 to prevent displacement thereof.
An elongated tube of cotton terrycloth-like material 44 is provided at one end with a heavy inturned seam 46 which abuts against the end 48 of the larger sized tube 40 so it cannot accidentally be pulled thereover. The rest of the cloth tube extends beyond the header 42 and the free end thereof is finished so as to prevent unraveling of the material. Since the tube 40 is corrugated, it is obvious it acts like a spring if the cloth tube is pulled longitudinally away from the tube 16, and prevents any possibility of disconnection.
It should be apparent that the main length of the tube 44 is limpid before the water and air flow therethrough and then it partially opens into a tube. Further, if the free end of the tube 44 is closed, as by using hooks and loops material 60 interiorly of the end, the tube tends to open fully with the water therein emitting through the pores in the terrycloth.
In the modified connector shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it takes on an H configuration in flat form, wherein the horizontal leg 50 has a pair of transverse legs 52-54 all made of heavy webbing duckcloth. The legs 52-54 are each provided with a strip of hook material 56-58, respectively, at one end, and a strip of loop material 60-62, respectively, at the opposite end. The leg 54 encircles the tube header portion 66 and is securely fastened together by the hook material 58 intemeshing with the loop material 60. The leg 50 is placed between a pair of the lugs 14 of the spider and the leg 52 encircles the outer wall of the outlet 12 and is securely fastened together by intermeshing the loop material 60 and hook material 56.
In use, the hose 16 is connected to the outlet 12 as aforedescribed. Since the hose 16 has the cotton terryclothlike tube 44 connected to the opposite end of the tube 16, it may be wrapped loosely around the body area where desired. (As in FIG. 5, the tube 44 is loosely looped around the neck and shoulders of the user.) The whirlpool is then activated and turbulently rapid flow of water (about 50 gallons a minute) admixed with air (fully opened, provides 6 pounds pressure) flows through the tubes 16 and 44 and returns to the tub 64. The effect of the rapidly flowing water and air gives a refreshing, effective water massage bringing comforting relief to minor aches and pains, as well as bringing soothing relaxation to those areas not reached by the ordinary whirlpool tub bath in the home.
Water will be prevented from splashing outside of the tub area by the present invention.
Where whirlpool equipment is not provided with the spider 14, it should be obvious that a connector such as shown in FIG. 9 could be used between the outlet housing and the hose 16 to anchor the hose in outlet 12.
It is to be understood that numerous details shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the present invention.