MeyU~dLIUu1 .3.Z AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: A JET ASSEMBLY FOR A SPA OR POOL Applicant: ONGA PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 la A JET ASSEMBLY FOR A SPA OR POOL The present invention relates to a jet assembly. The invention has particular application to a jet assembly for installation in the wall of a spa, pool, 5 tub or bath and is herein described in that context. However, it will be appreciated that the invention has broader application and is not limited to these particular uses. Hereinafter reference to a "spa" is understood to include reference to any 10 one or more of a "spa, pool, tub or bath". Jet assemblies function by entraining air into a high velocity water stream to discharge a high velocity water/air stream into a spa. High velocity water/air streams, especially in the context of spas, can provide physical therapy benefits 15 in the form of hydrotherapy and are becoming increasingly popular. Existing jet assemblies typically include a number of separately manufactured components, including an assembly housing having separate water and air supply inlets, through which water and air are respectively 20 supplied to the housing. The water/air stream exits the assembly through an outlet orifice, which is in fluid communication with the air and water supply inlets. The outlet orifice generally includes an internally screw threaded bore, with an externally screw 25 threaded nut having an axially disposed bore provided for screwing into the screw threaded outlet orifice bore. The threaded nut provides a means for releasably attaching the jet assembly to a spa wall. Once the housing is in the desired position on the outer 30 side of a spa wall, the nut is screw threaded to the outlet orifice thread through an aperture provided in the spa wall. Respective flanges are provided about each of the outlet orifice and threaded nut for receiving the spa wall there between to secure the assembly in place. W:Ernother\DDM\Jet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 2 The bore of the threaded nut is usually designed to receive a hollow receptor (or jet tube). The receptor includes a bore extending from a water inlet end which is receivable in the housing, and a water/air stream outlet end. An air entrainment inlet is usually provided mid-way along the receptor. The receptor 5 is typically capable of being manually axially rotated relative to the nut. Axial rotation of the receptor relative to the nut is desirable, as it allows for adjustment of the flow rate of water entering the receptor water inlet and the consequent adjustment of the flow rate of the water/air stream exiting the receptor outlet. In this way, it is possible for an operator to adjust the velocity of the water/air 10 stream discharging into a spa. Conventional spa jet arrangements generally include a receptor having an outlet end provided with a recess. The recess is provided for accommodating an eyeball having a bore, through which the water/air stream passes from the 15 receptor for discharging under pressure into the spa. The eyeball is manually adjustable relative to the receptor recess, providing directional adjustment of the water/air stream discharging from the assembly. Assemblies of the type described above typically include a detachable 20 face plate. The provision of a face plate provides an aesthetic surrounding for the assembly outlet on the inner wall of the spa. Further, the face plate is keyed to the receptor to enable manual adjustment of the receptor from within the spa by rotation of the face plate. 25 Typically, each of the assembly parts is manufactured from high density plastic using injection moulding processes. The above discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a 30 context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application. W:\Erin\other\DDM\Jet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc -3 It would be desirable to provide an improved and/or simplified jet assembly. According to the invention, there is provided a jet assembly, including: a housing having an air supply inlet, a water supply inlet and an internally screw 5 threaded water/air outlet, an externally threaded nut with an axially extending bore for threadable engagement with the screw threaded outlet, a receptor axially receivable within the nut bore, the receptor retained within the nut bore by a snap-fit connection between the receptor and the nut bore, the receptor 10 being elongate, with respective water and air inlet ports, and rotatable within the nut bore about an axis of rotation extending axially through the bore, the water inlet port being in fluid communication with the housing water supply inlet, and the air inlet port being in fluid communication with the housing air supply inlet, the receptor also including an outlet port at an outlet end thereof, with a fluid path extending through the 15 receptor between the water and air inlet ports and the outlet port, and a release mechanism for removal of the receptor snap-fitted within the nut bore, the release mechanism including a cam provided on one of an inside surface of the housing and the receptor; and a cooperating surface provided on the other of the inside surface of the housing and the receptor, the cooperating surface being provided for 20 cooperating with the cam to release the receptor from within the nut bore upon rotation of the receptor relative to the nut about the axis of rotation to a pre-defined release position. The outlet end of the receptor can include a recess for accommodating an eyeball. 25 The assembly can further include a face plate, which connects to the outlet end of the receptor by a snap-fit connection between the face plate and the receptor outlet end. The cam is preferably provided on the inside surface of the housing and the cam cooperating surface is provided on the receptor. In such a configuration, the cooperating 30 surface may form an axial end surface, or a lip section of the receptor water inlet port, with the end surface or lip section extending at least approximately helically about the axis of rotation of the receptor.
4 With the jet assembly in an assembled form, rotation of the receptor relative to the nut to the pre-defined release position causes the cam to cooperate with the cooperating surface. This, in turn, displaces the receptor in an axial direction outwardly from the nut bore thus releasing the receptor from 5 its snap-fit connection within the nut bore. Such an arrangement greatly simplifies removal of the receptor from within the nut bore, as may from time to time be necessary for the purposes of maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the receptor and/or other assembly components. 10 Other cooperating surface and cam configurations to those broadly described above are also contemplated. In this respect, the cooperating surface may instead be independent of the water inlet port lip of the receptor. Indeed, the cooperating surface need not be integrally formed with the receptor. Likewise, the cam can be integrally formed with the inside surface of the 15 housing or separately formed. In one form, the receptor is rotatable within the nut bore between pre defined maximum and minimum air/water stream flow rate setting positions, between which is defined an air/water mixture flow rate adjustment range (or 20 operating adjustment range). An adjustment range is provided for enabling manual adjustment of the flow rate of the air/water stream exiting the receptor outlet port between pre-defined maximum and minimum flow rates. Preferably, the pre-defined receptor release point is provided at a setting position beyond one of the pre-defined maximum and minimum flow rate setting positions. 25 In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a jet assembly. The assembly includes a housing having an air supply inlet and a water supply inlet. The housing has an internally screw threaded water/air outlet. An externally threaded nut with an axially extending bore is 30 provided for threadable engagement with the screw threaded outlet. A receptor is axially receivable within the nut bore. The receptor is retained within the nut bore by a snap-fit connection between the receptor and the nut bore. The receptor is elongate, with respective water and air inlet ports. The water inlet port is in fluid communication with the housing water supply inlet, and the air W:\Ern\other\DDM'Jet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 5 inlet port is in fluid communication with the housing air supply inlet. The receptor also includes an outlet port at an outlet end thereof. A fluid path extends through the receptor between the water and air inlet ports and the outlet port. The outlet end of the receptor includes a recess for accommodating an eyeball, 5 and a retainer for retaining the eyeball within the recess. The assembly includes a face plate, which connects to the outlet end of the receptor by a snap-fit connection between the face plate and the receptor outlet end. The eyeball retainer may be a separate component that is subsequently 10 connected to the receptor. Such an arrangement may include, for example, an o-ring provided about the recess opening for receiving the eyeball there through in a snap-fit arrangement. In a more preferred arrangement, however, the retainer is integrally formed with the receptor. This advantageously reduces the overall number of assembly components. 15 The retainer may include one or more protrusions (or fingers) integrally connected to the outlet end of the receptor about the recess, and extending at least slightly radially inwardly over or into the recess to engage against the sides of the eyeball and to thereby retain the eyeball in the recess. In a 20 particularly preferred arrangement, the receptor includes four protrusions connected to the outlet end of the recess and spaced approximately equidistantly about the recess and each extending radially inwardly into the recess. Despite the radially inward extension of the protrusions, they preferably extend generally axially from an inboard end of the recess, where they are 25 connected, towards a position outboard of that connection. The eyeball preferably has a part spherical outer surface which facilitates its displacement or movement within the recess for directional adjustment. For such an eyeball, the protrusions preferably engage the part spherical outer surface at a position axially outboard of the major diameter thereof. 30 In a preferred form, the retainer is resilient, such that the retainer provides a snap-fit arrangement for removably receiving the eyeball in the recess. This advantageously enables the eyeball to be quickly and simply snap fitted into the receptor recess. Unlike existing arrangements, the retainer snap W:\Erinother\DOM\Jet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 6 fit arrangement of the present invention substantially reduces the likelihood of inadvertent separation of the eyeball from within the receptor recess when other assembly components, such as the face plate, are removed for maintenance, repair or replacement. This snap-fit arrangement also simplifies installation of 5 the assembly, because it reduces the potential of the eyeball inadvertently becoming separated from the receptor. The snap-fit connection between the face plate and the receptor may provide a permanent connection. More preferably, however, a releasable snap 10 fit connection is provided between the outlet end of the receptor and the face plate, such that the face plate can be disconnected from the receptor should the need subsequently arise. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of 15 the invention with respect to accompanying drawings. The particularity of the drawings is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention. In the drawings: 20 Figure 1 is sectional perspective view of a jet assembly according to the invention, with the receptor rotated relative to the nut bore slightly beyond the pre-defined release point. Figure 2 is sectional perspective view of the jet assembly of Figure 1, with the receptor rotated slightly further beyond the pre-defined release point 25 when compared to Figure 1. Figure 3 is sectional perspective view of the jet assembly of Figure 1, with the receptor rotated slightly further beyond the pre-defined release point when compared to Figure 2. Figure 4 is sectional perspective view of the jet assembly of Figure 1, 30 with the receptor rotated slightly further beyond the. pre-defined release point when compared to Figure 3. Figure 5 is sectional perspective view of the jet assembly of Figure 1, with the receptor rotated slightly further beyond the pre-defined release point when compared to Figure 4. W:\ErnaotheADDMUet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 7 Figure 6 is sectional perspective view of the jet assembly of Figure 1, with the receptor rotated slightly further beyond the pre-defined release point when compared to Figure 5. Figure 7 is a sectional side view of Figure 2. 5 Figure 8 is a sectional side view of Figure 3. Figure 9 is a sectional side view of Figure 4. Figure 10 is a sectional side view of Figure 5. Figure 11 is a sectional side view of Figure 6. Figure 12 is a side view of a jet assembly according to the invention. 10 Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the receptor, face plate and eyeball of the assembly illustrated in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the components illustrated in Figure 13 when assembled. Figure 15 is a rear perspective view of Figure 14. 15 Figure 16 is a front perspective view of the receptor illustrated in Figure 13. Figure 17 is a rear perspective view of the receptor illustrated in Figure 13. 20 Referring to the Figures, a jet assembly 10 is illustrated. The assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a water supply inlet 14, an air supply inlet 16, and an outlet orifice 18. The water supply inlet 14 is provided for connection to a high pressure 25 water supply and the air supply inlet 16 is provided for connection to an air supply. The outlet orifice 18 includes an internal screw thread 19, into which a nut 20 having an external screw thread 22 is threadably engaged. The nut 20 30 includes a through bore 21. The outlet orifice 18 and the nut 20 include respective flanges 24,26 for securing a spa wall (not illustrated) there between. In this respect, the housing 12 is designed to locate on the exterior of a spa wall, with the orifice 18 facing W:\Erin\other\DDMUet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05,doc 8 the inside of the spa. The nut 20 is designed to threadably engage the outlet orifice 18 from the inside of the spa through an aperture provided in the spa wall. The nut 20 is tightened until the flanges 24,26 abut the spa wall to firmly secure the assembly 10 in position. 5 The nut bore 21 is configured to receive an elongate receptor 28. In the drawings the receptor 28 is generally illustrated as being received in, but disconnected from its snap-fit connection within the nut bore 21. 10 The receptor 28 includes a hollow body 30, having a tapered water inlet port 32 at end 34, an air inlet port 35, and an outlet port 36 at an outlet end 38. The water inlet port 32 includes an axial end surface, which will hereinafter be called a lip section 33 that extends helically about an axis (X-X in Figure 1) extending through the bore 21 and receptor 28. The receptor is hollow, such 15 that the inlet ports 32,35 are in fluid connection with the outlet port 36. In operation, high velocity water entering the receptor 28 through the inlet port 32 entrains air entering the receptor 28 through the port 35. The high velocity air/water stream formed then exits the receptor 28 through the outlet port 36. 20 The outlet end 38 of the receptor 28 includes a recess 40. The recess 40 is of a size and shape to accommodate an eyeball 42 in a snap-fit arrangement. The eyeball 42 has a bore 44 defining a water/air stream flow path through the eyeball 42. 25 The eyeball 42 can be manually angularly adjusted relative to the recess 40 to alter the flow direction of the water/air stream exiting the opening 46 of the bore 44. The receptor 28 includes an integrally formed eyeball retainer 48 for 30 retaining the eyeball 42 in the recess 40. The retainer 48 includes four projections (or fingers) 50. Each of the projections 50 is integrally formed with the receptor 28 and is equidistantly spaced about the recess 40. Each projection 50 extends slightly radially inwardly over the opening of the recess 40. The projections 50 are slightly radially resilient, thereby providing a snap-fit W:\Erinother\DDMUel Assembly complete spec 27 Jan 05.doc 9 arrangement for receiving the eyeball 42 into the recess 40 between the projection ends 51. When the eyeball 42 is snap-fitted into the recess 40, the projections 50 bear against the exterior surface of the eyeball 42 to retain the eyeball bore 44 in a desired orientation relative to the recess 40. At the same 5 time, the projections 50 are sufficiently resilient to enable manual adjustment of the eyeball 42 relative to the recess 40 to adjust the flow direction of the water/air stream exiting the eyeball bore 44. Being resilient, the projections 50 enable removal of the eyeball 42 from the recess 40 for maintenance, repair or replacement. 10 It is to be appreciated that the eyeball retainer 48 could adopt other suitable forms. In particular, the specific number, size and shape of the projections 50 could be varied. Also, the specific placement of the projections 50 on the receptor 28 about the recess 40 could be varied. In another possible 15 arrangement, the projections 50 could be replaced by a resilient o-ring provided on the receptor about the recess 40. The assembly 10 includes a face plate 52. The face plate 52 provides an aesthetic and decorative surround for the outlet of the assembly 10 on the 20 interior surface of the spa wall. The face plate 52 also provides a means for manually adjusting the flow rate of the air/water stream exiting the assembly 10 within a flow rate adjustment range. The face plate 52 includes keys 54, which are integrally 25 formed on the face plate 52. The keys 54 interlock with the projections 50 extending from the receptor 28 upon connecting the face plate 52 to the receptor 28. Manual rotational adjustment of the face plate 52 about the longitudinal axis of the receptor 28 also causes the receptor 28 to rotate. Rotation of the receptor 28 relative to the housing 12 (and within the flow rate 30 adjustment range) alters the effective size of the water inlet port 32 within the housing 12. This alters the flow rate of water through the receptor 28, and consequently also alters the flow rate of the water/air stream exiting the assembly 10 into the spa. Finger grip portions 56 are provided on the surface 58 of the face plate 52 to assist in manually rotating the face plate 52. W:\Eriniother\DDMUet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 10 Although not clearly illustrated in the drawings, the flow rate adjustment range is provided between pre-defined maximum and minimum flow rate settings. The minimum flow rate setting position is reached when the receptor 5 28 is rotated in the clock-wise direction (when viewing the arrangement of Figure 1 from the right-hand end) to the position in which the receptor edge 28a rests upon the upper surface 60a of a cam 60. The cam 60 is integrally formed with an inside surface of the housing 12. The maximum flow rate setting position is reached from the minimum flow rate setting position by rotating the 10 receptor 28 in the counter-clockwise position relative to the nut bore 21 to a position just short of that illustrated in Figure 1. The face plate 52 may also be used to rotate the receptor 28 in a counter-clockwise direction beyond the minimum flow rate setting position 15 referred to above so as to disengage to receptor 28 from within the nut bore 21. Viewed from the right-hand end of Figure 1, the face plate 52 may be rotated in the counter-clockwise position to rotate the receptor 28 (relative to the nut bore 21) beyond the minimum air/water stream flow rate setting position to 20 the receptor release position illustrated in Figure 1. In this position, the lip section 33 cooperates with the cam 60 to axially displace the receptor 28 relative to the nut bore 21 towards the right to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1. This action disconnects the receptor 28 25 from its snap-fit connection within the nut bore 21. Continued rotation of the face plate 52 and receptor 28 in the counter clockwise direction beyond the release position, as illustrated in a step-wise manner in Figures 2 through 6, causes further sliding contact between the cam 30 60 and the lip section 33. This further sliding contact between the cam 60 and the lip section 33 further displaces the disconnected receptor 28 from within the nut bore 21. W:Erin~otherDDM\et Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 11 It is to be appreciated that the cam 60 does not contact the lip section 33 when the receptor 28 is rotated relative to the nut bore 21 within the pre-defined air/water stream flow rate adjustment range. 5 The precise release position of the receptor 28 from within the nut bore 21 need not be at the position illustrated in Figure 1. The release position may be provided at any other angular position of the receptor 28 relative to the nut bore 21 in which the lip section 33 contacts the cam 60. This allows for manufacturing and/or assembling intolerances. 10 Once the receptor 28 has been disconnected from within the nut bore 21 it may be removed from the assembly 10 for maintenance, repair and/or replacement. 15 Following maintenance, repair and/or replacement, the receptor 28 (or suitable replacement) may then be snap-fitted back into the nut bore 21. The receptor release mechanism of the present invention simplifies the removal of the receptor 28 from within the nut bore 21 when compared to 20 existing arrangements. Each of the receptor 28, the eyeball 42, the face plate 52, threaded nut 20 and housing 12 is manufactured from plastic using an injection moulding process. 25 The face plate 52 includes an annular rim 61 (see Figure 15), the inner surface of which includes a small annular rib (not illustrated). The receptor 28 includes a resilient ring 62. The ring 62 is connected by 30 spacers 64 to the receptor 28. The receptor 28, spacers 64 and ring 62 are integrally formed. To connect the face plate 52 to the receptor 28, the face plate 52 and the receptor 28 are initially orientated as illustrated in Figure 13. The receptor 28 W:\ErinotherDDMUet Assembly complete sped 27 Jan 05.doc 12 and face plate are then located one on the other, generally as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. The ring 62 is then snap fitted into the annular rim 61 behind the rib (not illustrated). As stated, the ring 62 is resilient and so (temporarily) deforms slightly radially inwardly when being snap-fitted through the rib. This 5 snap-fit connection simplifies connection of the face plate 52 to the assembly 10 when compared to various existing arrangements. The snap-fit arrangement also enables the face plate 52 to be quickly and easily disconnected for maintenance, repair and/or replacement. 10 It is to be appreciated that the eyeball 42 is retained in the recess 40 by its snap-fit engagement with the projections 50, irrespective of whether the face plate 52 is connected to the receptor 28. The receptor 28 includes a projection 66, which is slightly resilient and 15 provides an arrangement by which the receptor 28 can be releasably snap-fitted within the bore of the nut 20. This snap-fit arrangement is not clearly illustrated. Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts 20 previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention. 25 30 W:\Enothe\DDM\Jet Assembly complete speci 27 Jan 05.doc