CH718163B1 - Hydrotherapy installation equipped with a decompression duct. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydrotherapy installation (1), such as a waterbed, a water seat or a basin, characterized in that it comprises: – a water chamber (3), designed for and intended for to contain a predetermined volume of water, comprising: o at least one side wall (5) delimiting an internal cavity (6) for receiving said volume of water, and o a flexible upper support surface (9) of at least a user person, at least partially covering said internal cavity (6); – at least one decompression orifice (17), made in said water chamber (3); – at least one decompression duct (19), extending outside said water chamber (3), comprising a decompression inlet (21) communicating with said decompression orifice (17) and being adapted to contain a volume of water at least equal to the volume of water displaced by at least one user when said at least one user exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface (9).

Description

The present invention relates to a hydrotherapy installation, such as a water bed, a water seat or a basin.

[0002] A waterbed comprises a waterbed in known manner. The waterbed typically comprises a pocket, made of an impermeable and flexible material, capable of containing water.

[0003] The waterbed can be mounted inside a frame or box spring of the waterbed.

[0004] Alternatively, the waterbed may not be used in combination with a frame or bed base. In this case, the waterbed rests, for example, directly on the ground or on a support.

[0005] The purpose of the waterbed is in particular to allow the mattress to conform as well as possible to the shape of the body of the person using it, in order to attempt to combat back pain.

[0006] However, whatever the type of waterbed, it has been found that the water enclosed in the pocket constituting the waterbed exerts significant pressure on the inner wall of the pocket when a user lie down on the waterbed.

[0007] This pressure causes the waterbed to harden, making it uncomfortable to use the waterbed.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome the foregoing drawback, and therefore relates to a hydrotherapy installation such as a water bed, a water seat or a basin, remarkable in that it comprises: - a water chamber, designed for and intended to contain a predetermined volume of water, comprising: o at least one side wall delimiting an internal cavity for receiving said volume of water, and o a flexible upper support surface of at least a user person, at least partially covering said internal cavity; – at least one decompression orifice, made in said water chamber; – at least one decompression duct, extending outside of said water chamber, comprising a decompression inlet communicating with said decompression orifice and being adapted to contain a volume of water at least equal to the volume of water moved by at least one user person when said at least one user person exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface.

[0009] Thus, when a user exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface of the water chamber, for example by lying down or sitting on said surface, part of the volume of water contained in the water chamber escapes into the decompression duct, via the decompression port.

[0010] The decompression duct, adapted to contain said moved part of the volume of water, receives and contains this volume of water as long as the person exerts pressure on the flexible upper surface of the water chamber.

[0011] In this way, the water contained in the water chamber on which the users rest is not hardened under the effect of the pressure.

[0012] It is then possible, thanks to the present invention, to preserve the natural tenderness of the water, unlike the installations of the prior art where the water remains locked under pressure in the water chamber as long as the person using it exerts a pressure.

[0013] The pressure points on the flexible support surface are thus limited. Thus, the flexible upper support surface best matches the shape of the user's body, which allows more uniform support compared to the installations of the prior art. Consequently, the installation according to the invention makes it possible to further relieve any back pain.

[0014] According to optional features of the hydrotherapy installation forming part of the invention: the decompression conduit comprises a portion extending from said decompression inlet and having an upward slope; the decompression duct comprises a plurality of tubes articulated together; said at least one decompression orifice is formed in said at least one side wall of the water chamber, close to a lower edge of the water chamber; in one embodiment, said at least one side wall of the water chamber is obtained from a rigid material, the flexible upper support surface comprises a support fabric, flexible, waterproof and extensible, resting in part on an upper edge of said chamber water, and said installation is provided with a means for maintaining said support fabric in tension, adapted to maintain said support fabric in tension; in another embodiment, the water chamber consists of an envelope obtained from a flexible and waterproof material; according to a particular arrangement, the water chamber is a water mattress of a water bed or a water seat of a water seat; the installation may include a device for controlling the quantity of water admitted into the decompression duct; the installation may also include a device for closing off one end of the decompression duct; according to a common optional arrangement, the decompression duct comprises a base decompression duct, comprising the decompression inlet communicating with the decompression orifice and dividing into at least two decompression ducts; in one configuration, the installation comprises a plurality of decompression ducts.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows the hydrotherapy installation of the invention, obtained by a water bed; FIG. 2 illustrates the hydrotherapy installation of the invention, obtained by a water seat, in front view; FIG. 3 illustrates the hydrotherapy installation of the invention, obtained by a water seat, in rear view; FIG. 4 represents the hydrotherapy installation of the invention, obtained by a water basin FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the hydrotherapy installation of the invention; FIG. 6 gives another embodiment of the decompression duct of the invention.

In all the figures, identical or similar references represent identical or similar bodies or sets of bodies.

[0017] The term “hydrotherapy installation” designates both movable articles, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in particular waterbeds, water seats, and real estate articles, in particular swimming pools or basins, as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0018] In the rest of the description, the term “installation” is used to designate a “hydrotherapy installation”.

Referring to Figure 1 which shows schematically a hydrotherapy installation 1 obtained by a water bed.

The installation 1 comprises a water chamber 3 comprising a set of side walls 5, vertical.

The side walls 5 define an internal cavity 6 intended to receive a predetermined volume of water.

At the upper edge 7 of the water chamber 3, the side walls 5 define an upper opening. The upper opening is closed off by a flexible upper support surface 9, arranged at the level of the upper edge 7 of the water chamber 3.

[0023] The flexible upper support surface 9 partially or totally covers the internal cavity 6.

[0024] The flexible upper support surface 9 is adapted to support one or more user persons.

In this first embodiment, the water chamber 3 defines a waterbed of a waterbed. The width and the length of the water chamber 3 are typically proportional to those of a conventional single or double mattress.

The water chamber 3 is designed to contain a predetermined volume of water. Thus, in one embodiment, the water chamber 3 consists of an envelope obtained from a flexible and waterproof material, non-extensible or not very extensible. For example, the water chamber 3 is made of rubber, vinyl, or another waterproof fabric.

When it consists of a flexible envelope, the water chamber 3 can be removed from the installation 1 to be washed or changed periodically, as is the case when changing a traditional mattress, without necessarily changing the mattress on which it rests.

The water chamber 3 has a bottom at its lower edge 11. The bottom 11 of the waterbed can rest directly on a floor 15.

According to an alternative not shown, the waterbed is mounted in a box spring of the waterbed, resting on the floor 15.

The installation 1 comprises at least one decompression orifice 17 made in the water chamber 3.

In the embodiment shown, the decompression orifice 17 is formed in one of the side walls 5 of the water chamber 3, close to the lower edge 11 of the water chamber 3.

According to the invention, a decompression conduit 19 is connected to the decompression orifice 17.

[0033] The decompression duct 19 extends outside the water chamber 3.

The decompression duct 19 has a decompression inlet 21 communicating with the decompression orifice, and an end 23.

The decompression duct 19 has an upward slope over a portion extending from the decompression inlet 21 of the duct 19.

The term "ascending" means relative to the installation 1 when the installation 1 is in the operating position, that is to say resting on the ground.

The decompression duct rises sufficiently so that the water, displaced by the pressure exerted by the user(s) on the flexible upper support surface 9 does not overflow through the end 23 of the duct 19.

Thus, the decompression duct 19 is adapted to contain a volume of water at least equal to the volume of water displaced by one or more user persons exerting pressure on the flexible upper support surface 9 of the water chamber 3.

By way of non-limiting example, the decompression duct 19 has the general shape of a gooseneck.

The decompression duct 19 can be permanently fixed to the water chamber.

[0041] As a variant, the decompression duct 19 can be mounted on the water chamber in a removable manner, thanks to a connection means arranged at the level of the decompression orifice of the water chamber 3. In this case, the decompression pipe 19 can be cleaned and/or changed, independently of the water chamber 3.

In an embodiment not shown, the decompression duct 19 comprises a plurality of tubes articulated together. This makes it possible to modulate the shape of the decompression duct at will.

The water filling and emptying of the installation 1 can be obtained by a pipe and an electric pump, or by means of a plumbing device similar to that required for the installation of a swimming pool. Water can be introduced into the water chamber 3 via the end 23 of the decompression conduit 19. Also, the water can be extracted from the water chamber 3 by the end 23 of the conduit 19, thanks to a pump suction electric.

When the decompression duct 19 is mounted on the water chamber 3, it retains its quasi-vertical position illustrated in the figures. As a variant, the decompression duct can be kept in position by attaching it to a mast fixed to the ground, by attaching it to the wall of the room against which the bed is installed, by holding it with a fork fixed to the ground or using to any suitable mounting bracket known from the prior art.

[0045] When the water chamber 3 is mounted in a bed base, the bed base has a passage orifice facing the decompression orifice 17 of the water chamber 3, allowing the passage of the decompression duct 19 .

Figure 1 gives an embodiment where a single decompression conduit 19 is illustrated. However, several decompression ducts 19 can equip the installation 1, in order to reduce their length and/or their section. This may be the case in particular for canopy waterbeds, where each pillar of the bed may include a decompression duct.

The operation of installation 1 is as follows.

When a user exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface 9 of the water chamber 3, for example by lying down or sitting on said surface, part of the volume of water contained in the water chamber 3 escapes into the decompression duct 19, via the decompression orifice 17.

The decompression duct 19, adapted to contain said displaced part of the volume of water, receives and contains this volume of water as long as the person exerts pressure on the flexible upper surface of the water chamber 3.

[0050] Through the decompression duct, the water chamber on which the user persons lie softens in proportion to the positions and according to the corpulence of the user persons, unlike the installations of the prior art where the chamber encloses the water without loophole, which completely prevents it from restoring its natural tenderness under the pressure exerted by the mass of users. The pressure points on the flexible support surface 9 are thus limited.

According to an optional arrangement of the invention, the hydrotherapy installation 1 is equipped with a device for controlling the quantity of water admitted into the decompression duct 19.

This device can be achieved in a simple way by providing to temporarily close the decompression duct 19 at a certain height corresponding to the maximum limit of tenderness of the water chamber desired by users.

[0053] To do this, the control device comprises a flexible and malleable ball inflated with air mounted inside the decompression duct 19. The ball in its perfectly spherical state is of dimension slightly smaller than that of the internal circumference. of the decompression duct 19.

The control device comprises a first lower ring, mounted in the decompression duct 19, at the level of the decompression inlet 21. In a so-called rest position, the ball rests on the lower ring.

The control device also comprises a second upper ring, mounted in the decompression duct 19, of the same size as the first lower ring. The second ring supports a frame which may consist of two convex transverse strips, perpendicular to the decompression duct 19. This second ring can be placed at a variable height, resulting from the choice and build of the users. Preventing water from escaping above a certain level limits the flexibility of water tenderness. This can be useful, for example, if the flexible upper surface is weighed down by sheets, pillows, blankets, bolsters, cushions (which could be inflatable with air).

When the water enters the decompression duct 19 under the effect of the pressure exerted by one or more users on the flexible support surface 7, the ball floating on the surface of the water is moved in the decompression duct. If the ball hits the frame carried by the top ring, it flattens against the frame. The flattening of the ball creates a plug effect in the decompression duct 19, consequently stopping the rise of water in the decompression duct 19.

According to another optional arrangement of the invention, the hydrotherapy installation 1 is equipped with a device for closing the end 23 of the decompression duct 19.

This closure device prevents the water contained in the decompression duct from remaining in permanent contact with the surrounding air, before and after use.

To do this, this closure device may include a valve mounted at the end of the decompression duct 19, alternately occupying a closed state in which it closes the decompression duct and an open state in which it uncovers the decompression duct. The passage between one and the other of these states is obtained by the activation of an electronic or mechanical control means.

Reference is made to Figures 2 and 3, which schematically illustrates a hydrotherapy installation 10 obtained by a water seat, respectively shown in front view and in rear view.

[0061] The term "seat" designates an armchair, a chair, a sofa, a divan. More generally, the term "seat" designates any article comprising a seat which, within the scope of the present invention, is a water seat.

The installation 10 of the second embodiment differs from the installation 1 of the first embodiment in that the water chamber 3 defines a seat of a water seat, and no longer a waterbed.

The operation of the installation 10 is as follows.

[0064] When a user exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface 9 of the water chamber 3, for example by sitting on said surface, part of the volume of water contained in the water chamber 3 escapes into the decompression duct 19, via the decompression orifice 17.

[0065] The decompression duct 19, adapted to contain said displaced part of the volume of water, receives and contains this volume of water as long as the person exerts pressure on the flexible upper surface of the water chamber 3.

[0066] In this way, the water contained in the water chamber on which the users rest is not hardened under the effect of the pressure. The natural tenderness of the water is then retained, unlike the installations of the prior art where the water remains enclosed under pressure in the water chamber as long as the person using it exerts pressure there. The pressure points on the flexible support surface 9 are thus limited.

Reference is made to Figure 4 which shows a hydrotherapy installation 100 obtained by a pool.

The hydrotherapy installation 100 differs from the hydrotherapy installation 1 in that the side walls 5 of the water chamber 3 are obtained from a rigid material.

For example, when the side walls 5 of the chamber are rigid, they can be made of wood, aluminum, polyester, concrete, etc.

[0070] When the side walls 5 of the water chamber 3 are obtained from a rigid material, the upper flexible support surface 9 comprises a support fabric, flexible, waterproof and extensible, covering the upper opening at the level of the edge. upper 7 of the water chamber 3.

For this purpose, the fabric can for example be made of rubber, latex, nitrile or vinyl. The support fabric passes over the upper edge 7 of the water chamber 3 and rests on this upper edge 7. The support fabric adopts a shape similar to that defined by the upper opening of the water chamber 3.

[0072] Also, the installation 100 comprises a means for holding the support fabric in tension, adapted to keep the support fabric in tension, above the upper opening 7 of the water chamber 3.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the installation 1 comprises two decompression ducts 19, or more.

Each of the decompression ducts that equip the installation can be provided with the device for controlling the quantity of water admitted into the corresponding duct.

[0075] Alternatively, only part of the decompression ducts which equip the installation can be provided with the device for controlling the quantity of water admitted.

This alternative embodiment also applies to the installation 10 obtained by a water seat and to the installation 100 obtained by a basin.

[0077] According to another embodiment variant applicable to all of the embodiments and represented in FIG. 6, the decompression duct 19 comprises a base decompression duct 19a, comprising the decompression inlet 21 intended to communicate with the decompression orifice of the water chamber, dividing into two decompression ducts 19b, 19c to join the end 23 of the duct.

The presence of the decompression ducts 19b, 19c makes it possible to admit more water relative to the embodiment where the installation comprises only one decompression duct 19. Thus, in this embodiment, we n does not equip the installation of the invention with a device for controlling the quantity of water admitted into the decompression duct.

According to a variant not shown, more decompression ducts extending the base duct 19a can be provided depending on the quantity of water that one wishes to admit into the decompression duct 19.

[0080] The hydrotherapy installation of the invention can find application in particular for making personal or hospital water beds, for example for severe burn victims or for injured or disabled persons, to be examined, treated, to intubate, to operate, to transport, etc.

[0081] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited solely to the embodiments of this hydrotherapy installation, described above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

Claims (11)

1. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100), such as a waterbed, a water seat or a basin, characterized in that it comprises: – a water chamber (3), designed for and intended to contain a predetermined volume of water, comprising: o at least one side wall (5) delimiting an internal cavity (6) for receiving said volume of water, and o a flexible upper support surface (9) for at least one user, at least partially covering said internal cavity (6); – at least one decompression orifice (17), made in said water chamber (3); – at least one decompression duct (19), extending outside said water chamber (3), comprising a decompression inlet (21) communicating with said decompression orifice (17) and being adapted to contain a volume of water at least equal to the volume of water displaced by at least one user when said at least one user exerts pressure on the flexible upper support surface (9). 2. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the decompression duct (19) comprises a portion extending from said decompression inlet (21) and having an upward slope. 3. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the decompression duct (19) comprises a plurality of tubes articulated together. 4. hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one decompression orifice (17) is formed in said at least one side wall (5) of the water chamber (3), close to a lower edge (11) of the water chamber (3). 5. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least one side wall (5) of the water chamber (3) is obtained from a rigid material , in that the flexible upper support surface (9) comprises a flexible, waterproof and extensible support fabric, resting partly on an upper edge (7) of the said water chamber (3), and in that it comprises a means for maintaining said support fabric in tension, adapted to maintain said support fabric in tension. 6. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the water chamber (3) consists of an envelope obtained from a flexible and waterproof material. 7. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the water chamber (3) is a water mattress of a water bed or a water seat of a water seat. 8. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a device for controlling the quantity of water admitted into the decompression duct (19). 9. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a device for closing off one end of the decompression duct (19). 10. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the decompression duct (19) comprises a base decompression duct (19a), comprising the inlet of decompression (21) communicating with the decompression orifice (17) and dividing into at least two decompression ducts (19b, 19c). 11. Hydrotherapy installation (1, 10, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of decompression ducts (19).