CA2056164C - Hydro-massage bench - Google Patents

Hydro-massage bench

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Publication number
CA2056164C
CA2056164C CA 2056164 CA2056164A CA2056164C CA 2056164 C CA2056164 C CA 2056164C CA 2056164 CA2056164 CA 2056164 CA 2056164 A CA2056164 A CA 2056164A CA 2056164 C CA2056164 C CA 2056164C
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
hydro
seat
bench
water
air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA 2056164
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2056164A1 (en
Inventor
Leonide Albert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2056164 priority Critical patent/CA2056164C/en
Publication of CA2056164A1 publication Critical patent/CA2056164A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2056164C publication Critical patent/CA2056164C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)

Abstract

A portable hydro-massage bench submersible into a swimming pool for supporting and hydro-massaging one or more bathers in this swimming pool. The portable hydro-massage bench rests firmly on the bottom surface of the pool. It has a slender profile and a compact piping system whereby it is manipulated easily into and out of the pool.

Description

TITLE: HYDRO-MASSAGE BENCH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to portable spas, and more particularly, it relates to a portable hydro-massage bench submersible into a swimming pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydro-m~s~ge pools and spas are generally provided with a tub, a water pump, a filter, an air blower and a water heater. These apparatus are built to serve the single purpose of giving therapeutic massages using the pulsation of water and air jets. The tubs are usually small and cannot be used for swimming It is a common practice with hydro-m~cs~ge pools and spas to install these units permanently inside a home, as a back yard enhancement, or adjoining an existing swimming pool. In the case of an outside installation, the location is usually surrounded by a patio deck and a fence, offering a certain level of comfort and privacy. However, whether the spas are installed inside or outside a home, excavation, foundation work, cementing or structural work is always required. Therefore, the installation costs of these spas is often substantial.

Examples of spas adjoining an existing swimming pool are illustrated and described in U.S. Patent 3,952,338 issued on Apr. 27, 1976 to Robert S. Troxclair, and in U.S. Patent 4,238,859 issued on Dec. 16, 1980 to Sterling P. Badon, Jr.

,~

Another type of spas for use in a ~will.l..il-g pool is a circular-type floating enclosure. Such devices are illustrated _nd described in the U.S.
Patent 4,126,905 issued on Nov. 28, 1978 to Russell et al., in U.S. Patent 4,149,281, issued on April 17, 1979 to Bob et al., and in U.S. Patent 4,152,791 issued on May 8, 1979 to Alan C. Rose.

Floating spas are known to be unstable and therefore very inconvenient for use by the less audacious persons. The fact that these floating structures are enclosed represents another limit~tion to their accessibility, wherein a bather must climb over the edge thereof and slide down into agitated water to reach a sitting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, however, there is provided a portable hydro-massage bench which is submersible into a swimming pool as an optional pool accessory. The hydro-m~s~ging bench has hydro-massaging nozzles to offer to the users of that bench similar effects and comfort as those available with a commercial spa. The portable hydro-massage bench of the present invention can accommodate one or several persons and it does not hinder a normal use of the swimming pool by other bathers.

In accordance to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bench for placement in a pool of water for supporting and hydro-massaging one or more bathers. This bench comprises a rigid and submersible structure having a longitudinal seat and backrest, and leg means attached to each end of the seat for supporting the seat at a fixed distance from the bottom of the pool.

There is also provided, a first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on the seat, and a second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on the backrest.
A piping system is attached to the structure under the seat and directly behind the backrest. This piping system has pipe-fittings connected to all 5 hydro-m~sage nozzles, and an inlet connection connectable to a source of air and water under pressure.

The inlet connection is located near an upper edge of the backrest whereby a profile of the bench is slender and a connection and disconnection of the inlet connection to and from the source of air and 10 water under pressure is effected at arm's length by a person standing near the bench.

Advantages of this aspect of the present invention are numerous, and include the fact that the hydro-massage bench provides a comfortable sitting posture to users, it is compact in size whereby it is easily 15 manipulated into or out of the pool and it occupies a relatively small space when stored away. More importantly, the hydro-massage bench of the present invention is stable on the bottom surface of the pool and is open to the swimmin~; area of the pool, such that persons of all ages and all physical conditions can access it safely, and use it in alteration to 20 swimming exercises.

The configuration of the hydro-m~csage nozzles and the length of the seat may vary from one model to another depending on the therapeutic effect intended, and the number of persons using it.
A

In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, a pu~ g unit draws water from an inlet opening underneath the seat, and pumps it to the nozzles through a piping system mounted under the seat and behind the backrest of the bench. The piping system extends upwardly behind the 5 backrest and over the swimming pool wall. Piping inlet connections are provided at a convenient location, above the pool's wall for instance, to join the bench's piping system to the pUlll~ g unit. The orientation of the piping system between the pumping unit and the piping inlet connections may be varied to accommodate an installation of the bench into an above-10 ground swimming pool or into an in-ground pool.

The hydro-massage bench is portable in the sense that it can be submerged in a swimming pool in a relatively short time without m~king permanent alterations to the swimming pool or to its support structure. The hydro-massage bench can also be removed from the ~wi~ g pool in a 15 short time and stored away during the colder seasons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be further understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

20 - Figure 1 is a cut-away view of an above-ground swimming pool and a hydro-m~csage bench ofthe pl~relled embodiment submerged along the pool's wall;

- Figure 2 is a side elevation of the hydro-massage bench of the preferred embodiment;

- Figure 3 is a front elevation of the hydro-massage bench of the preferred embodiment;

- Figure4is a plan view of the hydro-m~.s~ge bench of the preferred embodiment;

- Figure5is a cross-section view of the hydro-massage bench and of the air piping along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

- Figure6is a cross-section view of the piping system along the line 6 of Figure 5;

- Figure 7is a cross-section view of the seat and of the water piping along the line 7-7 of Figure 3;

- Figure 8 is a side view of a hydro-air nozzle and of an water/air mixing manifold;

- Figure9is a side view of a hydro-air nozzle mounted on a mixing manifold;

- Figure 10 is a front view of the hydro-air nozzle and manifold assembly;

- Figure 11 is a cross-section view through the wall of the pool illustrating the bench of the preferred embodiment and the piping system;

- Figure 12 is a side elevation of the bench of the preferred embodiment mounted on the depth adjustment stand;

r-~

- Figure 13 is a cut-away view of the depth adjustment stand illustrating a means for varying the height of the stand's sub-structure for raising the bench of the preferred embodiment according to different pool depth.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the structure of the hydro-massage bench is comprised of a sitting surface 2, a backrest 3, and closed ends 4.
The ends extend downward to form the seat support legs. Both legs are attached to sole plates 5 which are longer than a width of the seat. The sole l0 plates increase the stability of the seat on the bottom of the pool.

The sitting surface 2 is preferably reinforced with a vertical stiffener 6 along the full length thereof. The structure of the hydro-m~cs~ge bench of the present invention is preferably fabricated or moulded from a rigid, water resistant material.

The hydro-massage bench 1 of the preferred embodiment further comprises a plurality of hydro-air nozzles 7 on the backrest 3 and on the ends 4, a plurality of air nozzles 8 on the seat 2, an air piping system 9, a water pressure piping system 10, a water intake opening 11, a water intake piping system 12, and a plurality of water/air mixing manifolds 13.

The hydro-air nozzles 7 deliver a ll,ixlule of water and air under pressure. The hydro-air nozzles 7 on the backrest 3 of the bench 1 direct the hydro-massage jets toward the back of the users. The same type of nozzles 7 are used on the ends 4 of the bench 1 to direct hydro-massage jets toward the shoulder and the lower flank of the person sitting at either extremity of the bench.

The air nozzles 8 on the seat 2 of the bench deliver jets of air only.
The nozzles 7 and 8 are identical. The later ones are connected to the air piping system 9 only, and therefore produce a different jet than the hydro-air nozzles 7. The bubbles of air ejected from nozzles 8 are directed 5 between the thighs of users of this bench to massage their abdomen and chest area.

The air piping system 9 delivers air under pressure to the upper opening ofthe water/air mixing manifolds 13 of each nozzle 7. The same piping system 9 connects directly into the nozzles 8 located in the seat 2.

lo The water piping system 10 delivers water under pressure to the lower opening of the water/air mixing manifold 13 of each nozzle 7. Both piping systems 9 and 10 are connected to the mixing manifolds 13 and the nozzles 7 and ~ by a combination of T-fittings 14, elbow-fittings 15 and plug-fittings 16, as seen in Figure 2. Both piping systems 9 and 10 15 together with the water intake piping system 12 are connected to the pumping unit by means of a group of pipe couplings 17 placed at a location which can be accessed easily, preferably behind and above the backrest 3.

This location for the group of pipe couplings 17 is convenient for in~t~lling the bench 1 of the preferred embodiment while st~n~ling outside 20 the pool or near the bench 1. A person installing the bench 1 does not have to bend over or under water to effect the required connections. This arr~ngement ofthe group of couplings 17 is also convenient to ensure that the bench 1 is compact in size and is thereby easily manipulated in and out of the pool, or stowed away.

20561 6~
Figures 5 and 6 give a better illustration of the air piping system 9.
It shows a preferred arrangement for connecting the air piping system 9 into the mixing manifolds 13 and into the air nozzles 8. The figures illustrate the preferred locations of the T-fittings 14, elbows 15, and the 5 group of pipe couplings 17. Similarly, Figure 7 illustrates the preferred arrangement for the water pressure piping 10 and water intake piping 12.

Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate a hydro-air nozzle 7 and a mixing manifold 13 which are available commercially. These illustrations are not part of the invention but are nonetheless included to better explain the 10 operation of the hydro-massage bench 1 of the preferred embodiment.

The nozzle 7 or 8 comprises a hollow threaded stem 20 which fits on a similar boss 21 of a smaller diameter on the water/air mixing manifold 13. The nozzle 7 or 8 is held into a hole in the seat 2, the backrest 3 or an end member 4 of the bench 1 with a nut 19 engaged on the threaded stem 15 20. A felt washer 18 may be used in the assembly to compensate for surface irregularities on the seat 2, backrest 3 or end members 4.

The water/air mixing manifold 13 has an upper opening 23 to connect with the air piping system 9, and a lower opening 22 to connect with the water piping system 10. The nozzle 7 has an orif1ce 24 from 20 which the hydro-massage jet is ejected.

Referring now specifically to Figure 11, the pu~ )ing unit comprises a water pump 26 which draws water from the inlet piping 12, and delivers water under pressure into the water pressure piping system 10.
The pw~ g unit also comprises an air blower 27 which blows air into the air piping system 9. The water inlet piping 12 may be equipped with a cap 28 at a highest point, for the purpose of filling the intake piping system prior to starting-up of the pump 26.

Figure 11 also illustrates a preferred arrangement for the piping systems 9, 10 and 11 over the wall 25 of the pool. The figure further illustrates a preferred immersion depth for the hydro-massage bench 1 of the preferred embodiment.

For pools having a greater depth than the illustrations of Figures 1 and 11, the hydro-massage bench 1 may be installed on a stand 29 as shown in the Figures 12 and 13. The stand 29 has a box-like shape and is made of a material which is preferably rigid, water resistant and heavier than water. The stand 29 has inside dimensions slightly larger than a horizontal plane defined by the sole plates 5, such that the sole plates 5 fit inside the stand 29. The bench 1 is supported inside the stand by a sub-structure 30 which is held in place by means of lag screws 31 through holes 32 in the walls of the stand 29. The height of the bench 1 may be varied according to the water level of a pool, by installing the lag screws 31 in al,~ropliate holes 32, varying thereby the height of the sub-structure 30.

While the above description provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiment of this invention, various modifications, altemate constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes might involve Altçm~te materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, operational features or the like. Therefore the above description and accompanying illustrations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A bench for placement in a pool of water for supporting and hydro-massaging a bather, said bench comprising:
a rigid and submersible structure having a longitudinal seat and backrest, and leg means attached to each end of said seat for supporting said seat at a fixed distance from a bottom surface of said pool;
a first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said seat;
a second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said backrest;
a piping system attached to said structure under said seat and directly behind said backrest, said piping system having pipe-fittings connected to each hydro-massage nozzle of said first and second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles and an inlet connection means connectable to a source of air and water under pressure, said inlet connection means being located near an upper edge of said backrest;
whereby a profile thereof is slender and a connection and disconnection of said inlet connection means to and from said source of air and water under pressure is effected at arm's length by a person standing thereabouts.
2. A bench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inlet connection means is above said backrest.
3. A bench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said piping system comprises air piping, water pressure piping and water inlet piping.
4. A bench as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said leg means comprises a sole plate on a lower extremity thereof, having a length longer than a width of said seat for stabilizing said seat on said bottom surface of said pool.
5. A bench as claimed in claim 3 wherein said piping system also comprises a plurality of air/water mixing manifolds.
6. A bench as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said seat is connected to said air piping, and said second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said backrest is connected to air/water mixing manifolds.
7. A bench as claimed in claim 6 wherein said structure comprises two end members, each of which being connected to a respective common extremity of said seat and of said backrest in a perpendicular alignment thereto for enclosing a longitudinal region defined by said seat and said backrest.
8. A bench as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said end members has a third plurality of hydro-massage nozzles connected to said piping system.
9. A bench as claimed in claim 3 wherein said water inlet piping is attached under said seat.
10. A bench as claimed in claim 4 wherein said structure also comprises a stand between said sole plates and said bottom of said pool, said stand having a nominal thickness for supporting said sole plates at a nominal spacing from said bottom of said pool, said nominal spacing being equal to said nominal thickness.
11. A bench as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stand has adjustment means to vary said nominal thickness.
12. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus comprising a bench submerged in a pool of water for supporting and hydro-massaging a bather in said pool, and a source of water and air under pressure located outside said pool, said bench comprising:
a rigid and submersible structure having a longitudinal seat and backrest, and leg means attached to each end of said seat for supporting said seat at a fixed distance from a bottom surface of said pool;
a first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said seat;
a second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said backrest;
a piping system attached to said structure under said seat and directly behind said backrest, said piping system having pipe-fittings connected to each hydro-massage nozzle of said first and second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles and an inlet connection means connected to said source of air and water under pressure, said inlet connection means extending above a wall of said pool near an upper edge of said backrest;

whereby a profile of said bench with said piping system is slender and a connection and dis-connection of said inlet connection means to and from said source of air and water under pressure is effected at arm's length by a person standing thereabouts.
13. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said source of water and air under pressure comprises a water pump and an air blower.
14. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said inlet connection means comprises a removable cap for filling said piping system prior to operating said water pump.
15. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said piping system comprises air piping, water pressure piping and water inlet piping.
16. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said leg means comprises a sole plate on a lower extremity thereof, having a length longer than a width of said seat for stabilizing said seat on said bottom surface of said pool.
17. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said piping system also comprises a plurality of air/water mixing manifolds.
18. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said first plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said seat is connected to said air piping, and said second plurality of hydro-massage nozzles on said backrest is connected to air/water mixing manifolds.
19. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said structure comprises two end members, each of which being connected to a respective common extremity of said seat and of said backrest, in a perpendicular alignment thereto for enclosing a longitudinal region defined by said seat and said backrest, and each of said end members has a third plurality of hydro-massage nozzles connected to said piping system.
20. A portable hydro-massaging apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said structure also comprises a stand between said sole plates and said bottom of said pool, said stand having a nominal thickness for supporting said sole plates at a nominal spacing from said bottom of said pool, said nominal spacing being equal to said nominal thickness.
CA 2056164 1991-11-25 1991-11-25 Hydro-massage bench Expired - Fee Related CA2056164C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2056164 CA2056164C (en) 1991-11-25 1991-11-25 Hydro-massage bench

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2056164 CA2056164C (en) 1991-11-25 1991-11-25 Hydro-massage bench

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2056164A1 CA2056164A1 (en) 1993-05-26
CA2056164C true CA2056164C (en) 1998-04-14

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Family Applications (1)

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CA 2056164 Expired - Fee Related CA2056164C (en) 1991-11-25 1991-11-25 Hydro-massage bench

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2769642C1 (en) * 2021-09-16 2022-04-04 Ростом Володяевич Асоян Water-filled hydromassage cabin

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CA2056164A1 (en) 1993-05-26

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