Title:
Foot shower and spray device
United States Patent 3925830
Abstract:
Discloses a foot shower and spray device to wash a swimmer's feet preparatory to his entering a swimming pool, comprising a base, actuating platform, valve and opposed shower heads. The base mounts the actuating platform and valve. The valve is connected to the shower heads and is adapted for connection with a water source under pressure. The actuating platform is operatively connected to the valve with the valve being opened and communication established between the water source and shower heads upon the actuating platform being depressed in response to the swimmer stepping on same.
US Patent References:
Apparatus for treating feet
Rast - December 1941 - 2267169
Apparatus for treating feet and the like
Rast - March 1942 - 2274739
/2654894.html
Van Dijck - October 1953 - 2654894
Therapeutic device
Anderson - October 1960 - 2956565
Foot fluid dispenser
Misson - June 1961 - 2988754
Apparatus for treating feet
Rast - December 1941 - 2267169
Apparatus for treating feet and the like
Rast - March 1942 - 2274739
/2654894.html
Van Dijck - October 1953 - 2654894
Therapeutic device
Anderson - October 1960 - 2956565
Foot fluid dispenser
Misson - June 1961 - 2988754
Application Number:
05/559006
Publication Date:
12/16/1975
Filing Date:
03/17/1975
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
4/622
International Classes:
A47K3/022; A61H35/00; A47K3/12
Field of Search:
4/178,182,173,154,155,156,152,145,146
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Artis, Henry K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Wessendorf Jr., Walter F.
Claims:
Having thusly described my invention, I claim
1. A foot shower and spray device comprising a base, actuating platform, valve means, and shower and spray means; said base mounting said actuating platform and said valve mean, said base having upstanding sidewalls, said actuating platform having depending sidewalls, said depending sidewalls receiving said upstanding sidewalls in such mounting relationship, said valve means being adapted for connection with a water source under pressure, said valve means being connected with said shower and spray means, and said actuating platform being operatively connected to said valve means to open said valve means to establish communication of said water source with said shower and spray means upon said actuating platform being depressed.
2. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said base mounts biasing means, and wherein said biasing means engage said actuating platform to constrain said actuating platform to remain in its inoperative position.
3. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve means has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein said valve stem carries biasing means and wherein said biasing means constrains said valve means to remain closed in its inoperative position.
4. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shower and spray means comprise opposed shower heads disposed adjacent said actuating platform.
5. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is sloped to facilitate drainage of water therefrom.
6. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is tessellated to prevent foot slippage upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
7. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve means carries a lever, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein one end of said lever is operatively connected with said valve stem, wherein the other end of said lever engages said actuating platform and wherein, upon said actuating platform being depressed, said lever is actuated to open said valve means to establish communication of said water source with said shower and spray means.
8. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with clain 1, wherein said actuating platform has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said base mounts biasing means, and wherein said biasing means engage said actuating platform to constrain said actuating platform to remain in its inoperative position; wherein said valve means has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein said valve stem carries biasing means and wherein said biasing means constrains said valve means to remain closed in its inoperative position; wherein said shower and spray means comprise opposed shower heads disposed adjacent said actuating platform; wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is sloped to facilitate drainage of water therefrom; and wherein said top is tessellated to prevent foot slippage upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
1. A foot shower and spray device comprising a base, actuating platform, valve means, and shower and spray means; said base mounting said actuating platform and said valve mean, said base having upstanding sidewalls, said actuating platform having depending sidewalls, said depending sidewalls receiving said upstanding sidewalls in such mounting relationship, said valve means being adapted for connection with a water source under pressure, said valve means being connected with said shower and spray means, and said actuating platform being operatively connected to said valve means to open said valve means to establish communication of said water source with said shower and spray means upon said actuating platform being depressed.
2. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said base mounts biasing means, and wherein said biasing means engage said actuating platform to constrain said actuating platform to remain in its inoperative position.
3. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve means has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein said valve stem carries biasing means and wherein said biasing means constrains said valve means to remain closed in its inoperative position.
4. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shower and spray means comprise opposed shower heads disposed adjacent said actuating platform.
5. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is sloped to facilitate drainage of water therefrom.
6. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is tessellated to prevent foot slippage upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
7. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve means carries a lever, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein one end of said lever is operatively connected with said valve stem, wherein the other end of said lever engages said actuating platform and wherein, upon said actuating platform being depressed, said lever is actuated to open said valve means to establish communication of said water source with said shower and spray means.
8. The foot shower and spray device in accordance with clain 1, wherein said actuating platform has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said base mounts biasing means, and wherein said biasing means engage said actuating platform to constrain said actuating platform to remain in its inoperative position; wherein said valve means has an inoperative position whereby said valve means remains closed, wherein said valve means has a valve stem, wherein said valve stem carries biasing means and wherein said biasing means constrains said valve means to remain closed in its inoperative position; wherein said shower and spray means comprise opposed shower heads disposed adjacent said actuating platform; wherein said actuating platform has a top and wherein said top is sloped to facilitate drainage of water therefrom; and wherein said top is tessellated to prevent foot slippage upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
Description:
This invention relates to a foot shower and spray device to wash a swimmer's feet preparatory to his entering a swimming pool.
Swimmers preparatory to their entering an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool often pick up grass clippings, dirt and other debris on their feet, especially so when they have engaged in prior play on the grass prior to their entering or re-entering the pool. Upon entering the pool, such picked-up grass clippings, dirt and other debris are washed by the pool water from the swimmers' feet and legs. Such removed grass clippings, dirt and other debris not only dirty-up the swimming pool, but also plug-up the pool's filter.
The problem in the art to which this invention apertains is the need for a simple and inexpensive foot shower and spray device that can be conveniently located adjacent to the pool, and which can be simply and easily utilized by a swimmer to wash off and remove grass clippings, dirt or other debris from his feet and legs preparatory to his entering the pool.
Accordingly, the object of this invention is to contribute to the solution of the discussed problem in the art by providing a simple and inexpensive foot shower and spray device that can be conveniently located adjacent to the pool and which can be simply and easily utilized by a swimmer to wash off and remove grass clippings, dirt and other debris from his feet and legs preparatory to his entering the pool by stepping upon the actuating platform of the device to open a valve to establish communication between a water source under pressure and opposed shower heads disposed adjacent the actuating platform to thereby wash off and remove such grass clippings, dirt and other debris.
This object and other objects of the invention should be discerned and appreciated by reference to the detailed specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the device adjacent to a ladder for entry to an above-ground pool;
FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 3 -- 3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 4 -- 4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view of an insert-type fitting utilized in the invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a T-shaped valve; and
FIG. 7 is a view of a male-female fitting utilized in the invention.
To facilitate the understanding of the invention, a nomenclature list is hereby provided:
1: generally refers to the invention
3: base
5: bottom of base 3
7: sidewall of base 3
9: sidewall of base 3
11: sidewall of base 3
13: sidewall of base 3
15: T-shaped valve body
17: tapped inlet passage in valve body 15
19: valve chamber in valve body 15
21: nut
23: threaded male portion of fitting 25
25: fitting
27: garden hose
29: threaded female portion of fitting 25
31: valve stem
33: bushing in valve body 15
35: resilient valve element on valve stem 31
37: valve-stem shoulder
39: valve-chamber shoulder or seat
41: opening in valve-chamber shoulder 39
43: helical compression spring
45: outlet passage in valve body 15
47: tee
49: pipe
51: pipe
53: shower head
55: elbow
57: vertical pipe
59: elbow
61: actuating platform
63: sidewall of actuating platform 61
65: sidewall of actuating platform 61
67: sidewall of actuating platform 61
69: sidewall of actuating platform 61
71: flat top of actuating platform 61
73: indication of sloping
75: lever
77: ear upstanding from valve body 15
79: bifurcated end of lever 75
81: nub on valve stem 31
83: end of lever 75
85: interior portion of flat top 71
87: helical compression spring
89: spring mount for spring 87
91: ladder
In FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally refers to the invention.
Base 3 has a bottom 5 and upstanding integral sidewalls 7, 9, 11 and 13. A T-shaped valve body 15 has a tapped inlet passage 17 in communication with valve chamber 19. Valve body 15 is mounted in fixed relationship with respect to sidewall 7 by means of a nut 21 engaged with the threaded male portion 23 of fitting 25 that is disposed through a hole formed through sidewall 7 and engaged with tapped inlet passage 17. Nut 21 is appropriately tightened for abutting relationship against sidewall 7.
The male end of a garden hose 27, in communication with a water source under pressure, is suitably connected to the threaded female portion 29 of fitting 25 to establish communication with such water source.
Coaxial with valve chamber 19 is valve stem 31 whose medial portion is axially slidably mounted in a bushing 33 engaged in the tapped hole formed in the end of valve chamber 19. A resilient valve element 35, carried by a shoulder 37 on valve stem 31, is disposed by corresponding reciprocation of valve stem 31 into and out of seating engagement with an integral facing shoulder or seat 39 formed on valve chamber 19 and whose concentric opening 41 functions as an outlet nozzle. The reduced portion of valve stem 31 is disposed through opening 41, as shown. A helical compression spring 43 disposed on valve stem 31 reacts between bushing 33 and valve-stem shoulder 37 to bias resilient valve element 35 into seating, closing relationship with valvechamber, facing shoulder 39 and thereby closes communication of valve chamber 19 with outlet passage 45.
Tee 47 is suitably connected to outlet passage 45 and to pipes 49 and 51 disposed through holes formed through respective sidewalls 7 and 11. Each of the opposed shower heads 53 is in communication with each of the pipes 49 and 51 by means of suitably interconnected elbow 55, vertical pipe 57 and elbow 59.
The ends of tee 47, elbows 55 and elbows 59 are of the insert-type shown in FIG. 5 and have serrations whose external diameters are slightly larger than the internal diameters of outlet passage 45 and pipes 49, 51 and 57 into which same are inserted for interference-fit relationship.
Actuating platform 61 has depending sidewalls 63, 65, 67 and 69 slidably receiving respective sidewalls 7, 9, 11 and 13. Actuating platform 61 has a flat top 71 suitably sloped, as indicated by reference numeral 73, to facilitate drainage of water therefrom. Top 71 is suitably tessellated, as shown, to prevent slipping upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
Shown in its inoperative position in FIG. 2, lever 75, pivotally mounted on an integral ear 77 upstanding from valve body 15, has a bifurcated end 79 operatively engaged with valve stem 31 and its raised integral nub 81, and has its other end 83 in slight engagement with the interior portions 85 of top 71. Lever 75 is constrained to remain in its inoperative position as a result of the biasing effect of helical compression spring 43 as described heretofore. Helical compression springs 87, carried by spring mounts 89 fixed to and upstanding from bottom 5, constrain actuating platform 61 to maintain its inoperative position respecting the end 83 of lever 75.
When a swimmer wishes to wash his feet preparatory to entering the pool, he simply steps upon actuating platform 61 causing same to be depressed with the interior portion 85 of top 71 operatively engaging and depressing lever end 83 and thereby pivoting lever 75 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, and causing lever end 79 to outwardly extend and reciprocate valve stem 31 and with it resilient valve element 35 to thereby open and establish communication of valve chamber 19 with outlet passage 45 through opening 41 with consequent spraying of water from opposed shower heads 53 upon the swimmer's feet and legs to wash off and remove any grass clippings, dirt or other debris. When the swimmer steps off the actuating platform 61 onto ladder 91 preparatory to entering the above-ground pool, the restoring forces of springs 43 and 87 constrain lever 75 and actuating platform 61, respectively, to return to their inoperative positions shown in FIG. 2 and as previously described.
Swimmers preparatory to their entering an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool often pick up grass clippings, dirt and other debris on their feet, especially so when they have engaged in prior play on the grass prior to their entering or re-entering the pool. Upon entering the pool, such picked-up grass clippings, dirt and other debris are washed by the pool water from the swimmers' feet and legs. Such removed grass clippings, dirt and other debris not only dirty-up the swimming pool, but also plug-up the pool's filter.
The problem in the art to which this invention apertains is the need for a simple and inexpensive foot shower and spray device that can be conveniently located adjacent to the pool, and which can be simply and easily utilized by a swimmer to wash off and remove grass clippings, dirt or other debris from his feet and legs preparatory to his entering the pool.
Accordingly, the object of this invention is to contribute to the solution of the discussed problem in the art by providing a simple and inexpensive foot shower and spray device that can be conveniently located adjacent to the pool and which can be simply and easily utilized by a swimmer to wash off and remove grass clippings, dirt and other debris from his feet and legs preparatory to his entering the pool by stepping upon the actuating platform of the device to open a valve to establish communication between a water source under pressure and opposed shower heads disposed adjacent the actuating platform to thereby wash off and remove such grass clippings, dirt and other debris.
This object and other objects of the invention should be discerned and appreciated by reference to the detailed specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the device adjacent to a ladder for entry to an above-ground pool;
FIG. 2 is a view, partly in section, taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 3 -- 3 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 4 -- 4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view of an insert-type fitting utilized in the invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a T-shaped valve; and
FIG. 7 is a view of a male-female fitting utilized in the invention.
To facilitate the understanding of the invention, a nomenclature list is hereby provided:
1: generally refers to the invention
3: base
5: bottom of base 3
7: sidewall of base 3
9: sidewall of base 3
11: sidewall of base 3
13: sidewall of base 3
15: T-shaped valve body
17: tapped inlet passage in valve body 15
19: valve chamber in valve body 15
21: nut
23: threaded male portion of fitting 25
25: fitting
27: garden hose
29: threaded female portion of fitting 25
31: valve stem
33: bushing in valve body 15
35: resilient valve element on valve stem 31
37: valve-stem shoulder
39: valve-chamber shoulder or seat
41: opening in valve-chamber shoulder 39
43: helical compression spring
45: outlet passage in valve body 15
47: tee
49: pipe
51: pipe
53: shower head
55: elbow
57: vertical pipe
59: elbow
61: actuating platform
63: sidewall of actuating platform 61
65: sidewall of actuating platform 61
67: sidewall of actuating platform 61
69: sidewall of actuating platform 61
71: flat top of actuating platform 61
73: indication of sloping
75: lever
77: ear upstanding from valve body 15
79: bifurcated end of lever 75
81: nub on valve stem 31
83: end of lever 75
85: interior portion of flat top 71
87: helical compression spring
89: spring mount for spring 87
91: ladder
In FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 generally refers to the invention.
Base 3 has a bottom 5 and upstanding integral sidewalls 7, 9, 11 and 13. A T-shaped valve body 15 has a tapped inlet passage 17 in communication with valve chamber 19. Valve body 15 is mounted in fixed relationship with respect to sidewall 7 by means of a nut 21 engaged with the threaded male portion 23 of fitting 25 that is disposed through a hole formed through sidewall 7 and engaged with tapped inlet passage 17. Nut 21 is appropriately tightened for abutting relationship against sidewall 7.
The male end of a garden hose 27, in communication with a water source under pressure, is suitably connected to the threaded female portion 29 of fitting 25 to establish communication with such water source.
Coaxial with valve chamber 19 is valve stem 31 whose medial portion is axially slidably mounted in a bushing 33 engaged in the tapped hole formed in the end of valve chamber 19. A resilient valve element 35, carried by a shoulder 37 on valve stem 31, is disposed by corresponding reciprocation of valve stem 31 into and out of seating engagement with an integral facing shoulder or seat 39 formed on valve chamber 19 and whose concentric opening 41 functions as an outlet nozzle. The reduced portion of valve stem 31 is disposed through opening 41, as shown. A helical compression spring 43 disposed on valve stem 31 reacts between bushing 33 and valve-stem shoulder 37 to bias resilient valve element 35 into seating, closing relationship with valvechamber, facing shoulder 39 and thereby closes communication of valve chamber 19 with outlet passage 45.
Tee 47 is suitably connected to outlet passage 45 and to pipes 49 and 51 disposed through holes formed through respective sidewalls 7 and 11. Each of the opposed shower heads 53 is in communication with each of the pipes 49 and 51 by means of suitably interconnected elbow 55, vertical pipe 57 and elbow 59.
The ends of tee 47, elbows 55 and elbows 59 are of the insert-type shown in FIG. 5 and have serrations whose external diameters are slightly larger than the internal diameters of outlet passage 45 and pipes 49, 51 and 57 into which same are inserted for interference-fit relationship.
Actuating platform 61 has depending sidewalls 63, 65, 67 and 69 slidably receiving respective sidewalls 7, 9, 11 and 13. Actuating platform 61 has a flat top 71 suitably sloped, as indicated by reference numeral 73, to facilitate drainage of water therefrom. Top 71 is suitably tessellated, as shown, to prevent slipping upon foot contact and engagement therewith.
Shown in its inoperative position in FIG. 2, lever 75, pivotally mounted on an integral ear 77 upstanding from valve body 15, has a bifurcated end 79 operatively engaged with valve stem 31 and its raised integral nub 81, and has its other end 83 in slight engagement with the interior portions 85 of top 71. Lever 75 is constrained to remain in its inoperative position as a result of the biasing effect of helical compression spring 43 as described heretofore. Helical compression springs 87, carried by spring mounts 89 fixed to and upstanding from bottom 5, constrain actuating platform 61 to maintain its inoperative position respecting the end 83 of lever 75.
When a swimmer wishes to wash his feet preparatory to entering the pool, he simply steps upon actuating platform 61 causing same to be depressed with the interior portion 85 of top 71 operatively engaging and depressing lever end 83 and thereby pivoting lever 75 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, and causing lever end 79 to outwardly extend and reciprocate valve stem 31 and with it resilient valve element 35 to thereby open and establish communication of valve chamber 19 with outlet passage 45 through opening 41 with consequent spraying of water from opposed shower heads 53 upon the swimmer's feet and legs to wash off and remove any grass clippings, dirt or other debris. When the swimmer steps off the actuating platform 61 onto ladder 91 preparatory to entering the above-ground pool, the restoring forces of springs 43 and 87 constrain lever 75 and actuating platform 61, respectively, to return to their inoperative positions shown in FIG. 2 and as previously described.