CA2307436A1 - Bathtub design - Google Patents
Bathtub design Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2307436A1 CA2307436A1 CA 2307436 CA2307436A CA2307436A1 CA 2307436 A1 CA2307436 A1 CA 2307436A1 CA 2307436 CA2307436 CA 2307436 CA 2307436 A CA2307436 A CA 2307436A CA 2307436 A1 CA2307436 A1 CA 2307436A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bath tub
- tub
- footrest
- bather
- hydro
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
- A47K3/12—Separate seats or body supports
- A47K3/125—Body supports
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
- A47K3/02—Baths
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
- A47K3/10—Wave-producers or the like, e.g. with devices for admitting gas, e.g. air, in the bath-water
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/02—Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
- A61H33/601—Inlet to the bath
- A61H33/6021—Nozzles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
- A61H33/6068—Outlet from the bath
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
Abstract
A bath tub is formed with sidewalls having a laterally embossed configuration. The embossed configuration of the sidewalls combines the functions of footrests and armrests to provide an agreeable sitting comfort for a bather during bathing. The footrest steps formed on the sidewalls can be selectively used for different sized individual bathers to prevent sliding down in the chamber of the bath tub when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against the head end wall of the tub. The embossed configuration of the sidewalls is particularly good for a hydro-massage bath tub where the embossed configuration include a concave surface for directing air jets to increase water turbulence so that a better quality massage performance is achieved.
Description
BATH TUB DESIGN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in a bath tub and, particularly, to a bath tub design which incorporates embossed portions to the sidewalls of a bath tub to improve the quality of comfortableness provided to a bather or increases water turbulence for a better quality of massage performance when such embossment configuration is used with a hydro-massage bath tub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A bath tub generally includes an open-top-end enclosure having a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls to define an inner chamber therein. In the most popular type of bath tubs, especially for domestic use, the sidewalls and end walls are configured with flat inner surfaces, and may include air or water jets in the flat end walls and the sidewalls if the bath tub is a hydro-massage bath tub. In order to provide greater comfortableness to bathers, some types of bath tubs provide internal step portions at the opposed end walls of the tub to serve as a footrest and headrest, as described, for example, in United States Patent No. 4,101,988 which issued to Sierant on July 25, 1978, and is entitled "BATHS". In another type of bath tub, embossed configurations are incorporated to the sidewalls of the bath tub, such as described in Applicant's United States Patent No. 4,249,522 which issued on February 10, 1981 and is entitled "HYDROMASSAGE APPARATUS", wherein armrests are provided in the upper regions of the sidewalls of a hydro-massage bath tub. Johansson, in his United States Patent No. 4,254,516, which issued on March 10, 1981 and is entitled "BATH TUBS", describes a bath tub for use in back treatment of patients in sick-nursing and old-people-care activities. The bath tub described in that patent includes a footrest and a backrest for partitioning its bathing space to provide an agreeable sitting comfort during bathing. The footrest is detachably mounted by being extractable upwardly from engagement in vertical grooves in the opposed sidewalls of the tub. By disposing such grooves at different localities in the bath tub, the footrest can be mounted at various places for varying the partitioning of the bathing compartment. This detachable configuration of the footrest may not be adequate in bath tubs for domestic use which need to be comfortable for bathing, agreeable in view and simple to use.
There therefore exists a need for a bath tub with improved configurations to provide sitting comfort during bathing and simplicity in use, and to present an agreeable view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub to provide an agreeable sitting comfort during bathing for different sized individual bathers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub which combines footrests and armrests therein.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub for hydro-massage wherein the sidewall configuration directs air jets from the sidewall for increased water turbulence and better quality hydro-massage.
In general terms, one of the opposed sidewalls of the bath tub is configured with embossed portions which provide agreeable sitting comfort for different sized individual bathers, and the embossed portions may also improve the dynamic massage flow of air jets in the water when the bath tub is used as a hydro-massage bath tub.
More specifically, the bath tub comprises an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein, and a means for draining water from the inner chamber. At least one footrest step is formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
Each of the footrest steps preferably comprises a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tub. The surfaces of the footrest steps preferably extend from the bottom wall and terminate at a common surface which forms an armrest.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hydro-massage bath tub comprises an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining the inner chamber therein, and means for draining water from the inner chamber. A distribution duct is connected to a source of air under pressure and attached to at least the sidewalls and end walls of the tub. A plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions are disposed in at least the sidewalls and end walls of the tub, and communicate the duct with the inner chamber of the tub for directing air jets in the body of water contained in the inner chamber, to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather. Embossed portions are formed on at least one of the sidewalls above at least one of the nozzles . The embossed portion has a concave bottom surface extending smoothly to an area where the at least one nozzle is disposed so that the air jet from the at least one nozzle and the water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave bottom surface to increase the water turbulence for better quality of the massage performance.
The embossed portion preferably includes a top surface forming an armrest.
The embossments configured on the sidewalls of the bath tub combine the footrests and armrests in an agreeable view. There are no removable units to be mounted for sitting adjustment for different sized individual bathers. The embossed sidewall configuration of the bath also combines a sitting comfort and improvements in dynamic massaging flows for a better quality massage performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features of the present invention will now become apparent from the following specific description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a bath tub according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the footrest on one sidewall of the bath tub;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the bath tub shown in FIG. 1, showing the armrests thereof;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a hydro-massage bath tub according to another embodiment of the invention, showing the footrests and armrests; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hydro-massage bath tub according to a further embodiment of the invention, showing the embossed portions on the sidewalls directing the air jets in the water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a bath tub 10 includes opposed and longitudinally extending sidewalls 12 and 14, opposed steeply inclined end walls 16 and 18, as well as generally flat bottom wall 20 to form an open-top-end enclosure and define an inner chamber 22 therein. The bath tub 10 has an outlet 24 which is disposed in the bottom wall and connected to a waste pipe in a manner well known in the art. Neither the drain pipe, water taps, nor supporting elements for the bath tub 10 are shown on the drawings because such arrangements are well known in the art and have no direct relation to the present invention.
The outlet 24 of the bath tub serves for discharging water from the inner chamber 22. The inner chamber 22 is surrounded by a top edge 26.
The sidewall 12 is configured with embossments which include a first laterally embossed portion 28, extending longitudinally from end wall 16 to end wall 18.
The top of the first laterally embossed portion 28 is divided into two different levels, including a lower top surface 30 adjacent the end wall 18 and an upper top surface 32 adjacent the end wall 16. The embossed configuration of the sidewall 12 further includes a second laterally embossed portion 34 which is embossed on the side surface of the first laterally embossed portion 28. The second laterally embossed portion 34 extends longitudinally from the end wall 16 and terminates at about the mid of the tub length. The second laterally embossed portion 34 has a flat top surface 36. The top surfaces 30, 32 and 36 are substantially parallel to the bottom wall 22, and the top surface 36 is at the same level as the top surface 30, which is disposed at about a half of the tub height. The top surface 32 is disposed at a higher level, which is close to the top edge 26.
At the opposite side, the sidewall 14 is formed with different configurations which include only one laterally embossed portion 38 with a flat top surface 40.
The side surface of the laterally embossed portion 38 is formed with steps. Each step includes a surface 42 or 42' which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tub and extends substantially _ g _ perpendicular to the bottom wall 22. The surfaces 42, 42' of the steps extend from the bottom wall 22 and terminate at the common top surface 40. The steps formed on the side surface of the laterally embossed portion 40 are divided into two groups so that the surfaces 42 of the steps in one group adjacent the end wall 16 face towards the opposite end wall 18, and the surfaces 42' of the steps in the other group adjacent the end wall 18 face towards the opposite end wall 16. The end walls 16 and 18 have a convex top 44 protruding above the top edge 26, which provides an agreeable outlook from the bath tub 10. The bottom wall 20 is flat and includes a transitional strip 46 surrounding the bottom wall 20 which is smoothly curved to connect the opposed sidewalls and opposed end walls, which also provides an agreeable outlook from the bath tub and further helps to clean the inner chamber 22 after a bath.
In use, a bather may sit in the bath tub using either of the end walls 16, 18 as head end. However, it is suggested that the end wall 16 be used as head end for a bather having a smaller body size, and the end wall 18 be used as head end for a bather having a bigger body size, because of the different lateral dimensions of the inner chamber 22. When a bather sitting in the bath tub leans back against the end wall 16, the bather can place his/her feet selectively against the end wall 18 or one of the step surfaces 42', depending on the bather's height, to prevent the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber 22. The top surface 36 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 16 serve as armrests to provide sitting comfort to the bather. The top surface 30 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 18 may serve as footrests on which the bather, if a woman, for example, may place her legs to be shaved. The top surface 32 at the higher level can be used as a shelf to place lotion and shampoo bottles or other bath tools.
When the bather sitting in the bath tub leans back against the end wall 18, the bather may place his/her feet selectively against the end wall 16 or one of the step surfaces 42 for sitting comfort, and rest his/her arms on the respective top surfaces 30 and 40.
The top surface 36 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 16 serve as footrests enabling the bather to place his/her legs thereon.
The bath tub 10 is preferably made of moulded resin impregnated glass fiber.
In FIG. 3, a hydro-massage bath tub 10' is illustrated, and is generally formed with the same configuration as the bath tub 10 shown in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same configuration as in FIG. 1. Additionally, the hydro-massage bath tub 10' is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 50 of predetermined dimensions, at predetermined spaces around the tub 10'. The nozzles 50 are connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in a chamber 22, to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather. The nozzles 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 are disposed in the transitional strip area 46 and in the end wall 16 as two substantially parallel lines to form the air jets about the body of a bather and beside the back bones of the bather. However, the nozzles 50 can be disposed at other locations in the bath tub. The air distribution system, including the configuration of the nozzles 50, is not a part of the present invention and is described in Applicant's United States Patent No. 4,249,522 "HYDROMASSAGE APPARATUS".
FIG. 3 illustrates an example only of a hydro-massage bath tub which incorporates the configuration of the bath tub in accordance with the present invention. Different nozzle locations and configurations can be adapted for a hydro-massage bath tub incorporating the embossed sidewall configuration of the present invention.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment only of the present invention; the embossed configuration of the sidewalls may have different structures. For example, the sidewall 12 may be configured the same way as the sidewall 14, having the footrests on both sidewalls of the bath tub 10.
Alternatively, the side surface of the first laterally embossed portion 28 formed with steps adjacent the end wall 18 and step surfaces 42' being formed on the side surface of the laterally embossed portion 38, while the first laterally embossed portion 28 adjacent the end wall 16 and the second laterally embossed portion 34 remain unchanged. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of steps may vary and only one group of step surfaces 42 or 42' may be provided for one-direction use of the tub.
In FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which a hydro-massage bath tub 60 includes an open-top-end enclosure having opposed sidewalls 12, 14 and opposed end walls, only one of which is showed as end wall 18, for defining an inner chamber therein. An outlet 24 is provided at the bottom wall 20.
The end walls have a convex top surface 44 above the top edge 26 which surrounds the bath tub. The sidewalls 12, 14 are formed with an embossed portion 62 above the nozzles 50 disposed therein. The embossed portion 62 has a concave bottom surface 64 extending smoothly through an area where the nozzles 50 are disposed, so that the air jets from the nozzles 50 and water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave bottom surface 64, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, to increase the water turbulence for a better quality massage performance. The embossed portion includes a top surface 66 serving as an armrest. The embossed portion 62 extends along the sidewall 12 or 14 and the longitudinal axis of the embossed portion is substantially parallel to the sidewall. The embossed portion 62 may extend longitudinally in a full length between the opposed end walls of the bath tub 60, or alternatively extend in a part of the longitudinal length of the inner chamber 22.
A smoothly curved surface 68 interconnects the concave bottom surface 64 and the top surface 66 to provide an agreeable outlook of the embossed portion and prevent acute corners formed at the connection of the two surfaces, in order to avoid an uncomfortable feeling when the bather touches the embossed portion 62.
It is noted that the feature of the concave bottom surface of the embossed portion 62 may be incorporated to the configuration of the bath tub 10' shown in FIG. 3. For example, any section of the side surface of the laterally embossed portions 30, 36 or 40 may be formed with a concave surface similar to the concave surface 64 shown in FIG. 4, provided the section of the side surface is adjacent and above at least one nozzle 50. It will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that the nozzles 50 associated with the bath tub 10' in FIG. 3 are oriented upwards at an angle less than 45° with respect to the bottom wall 20, and preferably 0° so that the air jets are directed substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the tub.
However, the nozzles 50 associated with the bath tub 60 shown in FIG. 4 should be oriented upwardly at an angle generally greater than is usually adopted for the nozzles of the bath tub 10'; a 0° orientation is not suggested.
As will be obvious to persons skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and the scope of the present invention should be ascertained from the following claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in a bath tub and, particularly, to a bath tub design which incorporates embossed portions to the sidewalls of a bath tub to improve the quality of comfortableness provided to a bather or increases water turbulence for a better quality of massage performance when such embossment configuration is used with a hydro-massage bath tub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A bath tub generally includes an open-top-end enclosure having a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls to define an inner chamber therein. In the most popular type of bath tubs, especially for domestic use, the sidewalls and end walls are configured with flat inner surfaces, and may include air or water jets in the flat end walls and the sidewalls if the bath tub is a hydro-massage bath tub. In order to provide greater comfortableness to bathers, some types of bath tubs provide internal step portions at the opposed end walls of the tub to serve as a footrest and headrest, as described, for example, in United States Patent No. 4,101,988 which issued to Sierant on July 25, 1978, and is entitled "BATHS". In another type of bath tub, embossed configurations are incorporated to the sidewalls of the bath tub, such as described in Applicant's United States Patent No. 4,249,522 which issued on February 10, 1981 and is entitled "HYDROMASSAGE APPARATUS", wherein armrests are provided in the upper regions of the sidewalls of a hydro-massage bath tub. Johansson, in his United States Patent No. 4,254,516, which issued on March 10, 1981 and is entitled "BATH TUBS", describes a bath tub for use in back treatment of patients in sick-nursing and old-people-care activities. The bath tub described in that patent includes a footrest and a backrest for partitioning its bathing space to provide an agreeable sitting comfort during bathing. The footrest is detachably mounted by being extractable upwardly from engagement in vertical grooves in the opposed sidewalls of the tub. By disposing such grooves at different localities in the bath tub, the footrest can be mounted at various places for varying the partitioning of the bathing compartment. This detachable configuration of the footrest may not be adequate in bath tubs for domestic use which need to be comfortable for bathing, agreeable in view and simple to use.
There therefore exists a need for a bath tub with improved configurations to provide sitting comfort during bathing and simplicity in use, and to present an agreeable view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub to provide an agreeable sitting comfort during bathing for different sized individual bathers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub which combines footrests and armrests therein.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sidewall configuration of a bath tub for hydro-massage wherein the sidewall configuration directs air jets from the sidewall for increased water turbulence and better quality hydro-massage.
In general terms, one of the opposed sidewalls of the bath tub is configured with embossed portions which provide agreeable sitting comfort for different sized individual bathers, and the embossed portions may also improve the dynamic massage flow of air jets in the water when the bath tub is used as a hydro-massage bath tub.
More specifically, the bath tub comprises an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein, and a means for draining water from the inner chamber. At least one footrest step is formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
Each of the footrest steps preferably comprises a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tub. The surfaces of the footrest steps preferably extend from the bottom wall and terminate at a common surface which forms an armrest.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hydro-massage bath tub comprises an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining the inner chamber therein, and means for draining water from the inner chamber. A distribution duct is connected to a source of air under pressure and attached to at least the sidewalls and end walls of the tub. A plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions are disposed in at least the sidewalls and end walls of the tub, and communicate the duct with the inner chamber of the tub for directing air jets in the body of water contained in the inner chamber, to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather. Embossed portions are formed on at least one of the sidewalls above at least one of the nozzles . The embossed portion has a concave bottom surface extending smoothly to an area where the at least one nozzle is disposed so that the air jet from the at least one nozzle and the water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave bottom surface to increase the water turbulence for better quality of the massage performance.
The embossed portion preferably includes a top surface forming an armrest.
The embossments configured on the sidewalls of the bath tub combine the footrests and armrests in an agreeable view. There are no removable units to be mounted for sitting adjustment for different sized individual bathers. The embossed sidewall configuration of the bath also combines a sitting comfort and improvements in dynamic massaging flows for a better quality massage performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features of the present invention will now become apparent from the following specific description of the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a bath tub according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the footrest on one sidewall of the bath tub;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the bath tub shown in FIG. 1, showing the armrests thereof;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a hydro-massage bath tub according to another embodiment of the invention, showing the footrests and armrests; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hydro-massage bath tub according to a further embodiment of the invention, showing the embossed portions on the sidewalls directing the air jets in the water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a bath tub 10 includes opposed and longitudinally extending sidewalls 12 and 14, opposed steeply inclined end walls 16 and 18, as well as generally flat bottom wall 20 to form an open-top-end enclosure and define an inner chamber 22 therein. The bath tub 10 has an outlet 24 which is disposed in the bottom wall and connected to a waste pipe in a manner well known in the art. Neither the drain pipe, water taps, nor supporting elements for the bath tub 10 are shown on the drawings because such arrangements are well known in the art and have no direct relation to the present invention.
The outlet 24 of the bath tub serves for discharging water from the inner chamber 22. The inner chamber 22 is surrounded by a top edge 26.
The sidewall 12 is configured with embossments which include a first laterally embossed portion 28, extending longitudinally from end wall 16 to end wall 18.
The top of the first laterally embossed portion 28 is divided into two different levels, including a lower top surface 30 adjacent the end wall 18 and an upper top surface 32 adjacent the end wall 16. The embossed configuration of the sidewall 12 further includes a second laterally embossed portion 34 which is embossed on the side surface of the first laterally embossed portion 28. The second laterally embossed portion 34 extends longitudinally from the end wall 16 and terminates at about the mid of the tub length. The second laterally embossed portion 34 has a flat top surface 36. The top surfaces 30, 32 and 36 are substantially parallel to the bottom wall 22, and the top surface 36 is at the same level as the top surface 30, which is disposed at about a half of the tub height. The top surface 32 is disposed at a higher level, which is close to the top edge 26.
At the opposite side, the sidewall 14 is formed with different configurations which include only one laterally embossed portion 38 with a flat top surface 40.
The side surface of the laterally embossed portion 38 is formed with steps. Each step includes a surface 42 or 42' which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tub and extends substantially _ g _ perpendicular to the bottom wall 22. The surfaces 42, 42' of the steps extend from the bottom wall 22 and terminate at the common top surface 40. The steps formed on the side surface of the laterally embossed portion 40 are divided into two groups so that the surfaces 42 of the steps in one group adjacent the end wall 16 face towards the opposite end wall 18, and the surfaces 42' of the steps in the other group adjacent the end wall 18 face towards the opposite end wall 16. The end walls 16 and 18 have a convex top 44 protruding above the top edge 26, which provides an agreeable outlook from the bath tub 10. The bottom wall 20 is flat and includes a transitional strip 46 surrounding the bottom wall 20 which is smoothly curved to connect the opposed sidewalls and opposed end walls, which also provides an agreeable outlook from the bath tub and further helps to clean the inner chamber 22 after a bath.
In use, a bather may sit in the bath tub using either of the end walls 16, 18 as head end. However, it is suggested that the end wall 16 be used as head end for a bather having a smaller body size, and the end wall 18 be used as head end for a bather having a bigger body size, because of the different lateral dimensions of the inner chamber 22. When a bather sitting in the bath tub leans back against the end wall 16, the bather can place his/her feet selectively against the end wall 18 or one of the step surfaces 42', depending on the bather's height, to prevent the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber 22. The top surface 36 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 16 serve as armrests to provide sitting comfort to the bather. The top surface 30 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 18 may serve as footrests on which the bather, if a woman, for example, may place her legs to be shaved. The top surface 32 at the higher level can be used as a shelf to place lotion and shampoo bottles or other bath tools.
When the bather sitting in the bath tub leans back against the end wall 18, the bather may place his/her feet selectively against the end wall 16 or one of the step surfaces 42 for sitting comfort, and rest his/her arms on the respective top surfaces 30 and 40.
The top surface 36 and the top surface 40 adjacent the end wall 16 serve as footrests enabling the bather to place his/her legs thereon.
The bath tub 10 is preferably made of moulded resin impregnated glass fiber.
In FIG. 3, a hydro-massage bath tub 10' is illustrated, and is generally formed with the same configuration as the bath tub 10 shown in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals are used to indicate the same configuration as in FIG. 1. Additionally, the hydro-massage bath tub 10' is equipped with a plurality of nozzles 50 of predetermined dimensions, at predetermined spaces around the tub 10'. The nozzles 50 are connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in a chamber 22, to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather. The nozzles 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 are disposed in the transitional strip area 46 and in the end wall 16 as two substantially parallel lines to form the air jets about the body of a bather and beside the back bones of the bather. However, the nozzles 50 can be disposed at other locations in the bath tub. The air distribution system, including the configuration of the nozzles 50, is not a part of the present invention and is described in Applicant's United States Patent No. 4,249,522 "HYDROMASSAGE APPARATUS".
FIG. 3 illustrates an example only of a hydro-massage bath tub which incorporates the configuration of the bath tub in accordance with the present invention. Different nozzle locations and configurations can be adapted for a hydro-massage bath tub incorporating the embossed sidewall configuration of the present invention.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the preferred embodiment only of the present invention; the embossed configuration of the sidewalls may have different structures. For example, the sidewall 12 may be configured the same way as the sidewall 14, having the footrests on both sidewalls of the bath tub 10.
Alternatively, the side surface of the first laterally embossed portion 28 formed with steps adjacent the end wall 18 and step surfaces 42' being formed on the side surface of the laterally embossed portion 38, while the first laterally embossed portion 28 adjacent the end wall 16 and the second laterally embossed portion 34 remain unchanged. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of steps may vary and only one group of step surfaces 42 or 42' may be provided for one-direction use of the tub.
In FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which a hydro-massage bath tub 60 includes an open-top-end enclosure having opposed sidewalls 12, 14 and opposed end walls, only one of which is showed as end wall 18, for defining an inner chamber therein. An outlet 24 is provided at the bottom wall 20.
The end walls have a convex top surface 44 above the top edge 26 which surrounds the bath tub. The sidewalls 12, 14 are formed with an embossed portion 62 above the nozzles 50 disposed therein. The embossed portion 62 has a concave bottom surface 64 extending smoothly through an area where the nozzles 50 are disposed, so that the air jets from the nozzles 50 and water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave bottom surface 64, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, to increase the water turbulence for a better quality massage performance. The embossed portion includes a top surface 66 serving as an armrest. The embossed portion 62 extends along the sidewall 12 or 14 and the longitudinal axis of the embossed portion is substantially parallel to the sidewall. The embossed portion 62 may extend longitudinally in a full length between the opposed end walls of the bath tub 60, or alternatively extend in a part of the longitudinal length of the inner chamber 22.
A smoothly curved surface 68 interconnects the concave bottom surface 64 and the top surface 66 to provide an agreeable outlook of the embossed portion and prevent acute corners formed at the connection of the two surfaces, in order to avoid an uncomfortable feeling when the bather touches the embossed portion 62.
It is noted that the feature of the concave bottom surface of the embossed portion 62 may be incorporated to the configuration of the bath tub 10' shown in FIG. 3. For example, any section of the side surface of the laterally embossed portions 30, 36 or 40 may be formed with a concave surface similar to the concave surface 64 shown in FIG. 4, provided the section of the side surface is adjacent and above at least one nozzle 50. It will also be understood by persons skilled in the art that the nozzles 50 associated with the bath tub 10' in FIG. 3 are oriented upwards at an angle less than 45° with respect to the bottom wall 20, and preferably 0° so that the air jets are directed substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the tub.
However, the nozzles 50 associated with the bath tub 60 shown in FIG. 4 should be oriented upwardly at an angle generally greater than is usually adopted for the nozzles of the bath tub 10'; a 0° orientation is not suggested.
As will be obvious to persons skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and the scope of the present invention should be ascertained from the following claims.
Claims (20)
1. A bath tub comprising:
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber; and at least one footrest step formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber; and at least one footrest step formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
2. A bath tub as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two or more of said footrest step, each of the footrest steps comprises a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tub.
3. A bath tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein the surface of each footrest step extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.
4. A bath tub as claimed in claim 3 wherein the surfaces of the footrest steps extend from the bottom wall and terminate at a common surface which forms an armrest.
5. A bath tub as claimed in claim 4 wherein the common surface extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall.
6. A bath tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein the footrest steps formed in a first group are disposed adjacent one of the end walls and the footrest steps formed in a second group are disposed adjacent the opposite one of the end walls so that the bather is enabled to sit in the tub and lean back against either one of the end walls while the feet of the bather are placed against a selected one of the footrest steps in one of the groups which are disposed adjacent the opposite one of the end walls.
7. A bath tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein the footrest steps are formed integrally with the sidewall of the bath tub.
8. A bath tub as claimed in claim 2 wherein the entire enclosure of the bath tub with the footrest are made integrally of moulded plastic material.
9. A hydro-massage bath tub comprising:
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber;
a plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions disposed in at least the opposed sidewalls and connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in the inner chamber to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather; and at least one footrest step formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber;
a plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions disposed in at least the opposed sidewalls and connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in the inner chamber to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather; and at least one footrest step formed on at least one of the sidewalls whereby the feet of a bather are enabled to be placed against the footrest step to prevent the body of the bather from sliding down in the inner chamber when the bather sits in the bath tub and leans back against one of the end walls.
10. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 9 wherein there are two or more of said footrest step, each of the footrest steps comprises a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tub.
11. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 10 wherein the surface of each footrest step extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.
12. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 10 wherein the surfaces of the footrest steps extend from the bottom wall and terminate at a common surface which forms an armrest.
13. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 11 wherein the common surface extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall.
14. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 10 wherein the footrest steps formed in a first group are disposed adjacent one of the end walls and the footrest steps formed in a second group are disposed adjacent the opposite one of the end walls so that the bather is enabled to sit in the tub and lean back against either one of the end walls while the feet of the bather are placed against a selected one of the footrest steps in one of the groups which are disposed adjacent the opposite one of the end walls.
15. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 12 wherein the common surface is disposed below a top edge of the open-top-end tub.
16. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one section of the sidewall which is disposed below the common surface defines a concave inner surface associated with at least one nozzle so that the air jet from the at least one nozzle and water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave inner surface to increase the water turbulence for better quality of the massage performance.
17. A hydro-massage bath tub comprising:
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber;
a plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions disposed in at least the sidewalls of the tub, and connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in the inner chamber to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather; and an embossed portion formed on at least one of the sidewalls above at least one of the nozzles, the embossed portion having a concave bottom surface extending smoothly to an area where the at least one nozzle disposed so that the air jet from the at least one nozzle and water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave lower surface to increase the water turbulence for a better quality of the massage performance.
an open-top-end enclosure including a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and opposed end walls, defining an inner chamber therein;
means for draining water from the inner chamber;
a plurality of nozzles of predetermined dimensions disposed in at least the sidewalls of the tub, and connected to a source of air under pressure for directing air jets in a body of water contained in the inner chamber to create water turbulence and massaging flows about the body of a bather; and an embossed portion formed on at least one of the sidewalls above at least one of the nozzles, the embossed portion having a concave bottom surface extending smoothly to an area where the at least one nozzle disposed so that the air jet from the at least one nozzle and water movement produced thereby are directed by the concave lower surface to increase the water turbulence for a better quality of the massage performance.
18. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 17 wherein the embossed portion includes a top surface forming an armrest.
19. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 18 wherein the embossed portion extends along the at least one sidewall and a longitudinal axis of the embossed portion is substantially parallel to the sidewall.
20. A hydro-massage bath tub as claimed in claim 19 wherein the embossed portion is formed integrally with the at least sidewall.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2307436 CA2307436A1 (en) | 2000-05-02 | 2000-05-02 | Bathtub design |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2307436 CA2307436A1 (en) | 2000-05-02 | 2000-05-02 | Bathtub design |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2307436A1 true CA2307436A1 (en) | 2001-11-02 |
Family
ID=4166063
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2307436 Abandoned CA2307436A1 (en) | 2000-05-02 | 2000-05-02 | Bathtub design |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2307436A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2962611A1 (en) * | 2014-06-30 | 2016-01-06 | Franz Eckerstorfer | Bath tub |
-
2000
- 2000-05-02 CA CA 2307436 patent/CA2307436A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2962611A1 (en) * | 2014-06-30 | 2016-01-06 | Franz Eckerstorfer | Bath tub |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |