EP0078127B1 - Düsen zur Erzeugung von Wasserwirbeln - Google Patents

Düsen zur Erzeugung von Wasserwirbeln Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0078127B1
EP0078127B1 EP82305422A EP82305422A EP0078127B1 EP 0078127 B1 EP0078127 B1 EP 0078127B1 EP 82305422 A EP82305422 A EP 82305422A EP 82305422 A EP82305422 A EP 82305422A EP 0078127 B1 EP0078127 B1 EP 0078127B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
water
odf
air
jet
housing
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
Application number
EP82305422A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0078127A2 (de
EP0078127A3 (en
Inventor
Cleo Donald Mathis
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to AT82305422T priority Critical patent/ATE32559T1/de
Publication of EP0078127A2 publication Critical patent/EP0078127A2/de
Publication of EP0078127A3 publication Critical patent/EP0078127A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0078127B1 publication Critical patent/EP0078127B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A61H33/027—Gas-water mixing nozzles therefor
    • 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
    • A61H33/6052—Having flow regulating means
    • 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
    • A61H33/6063—Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a whirlpool jet housing for use in a hydrotherapy system or the like, and which jet housing is mounted on a water vessel, for example a bathtub or a hot tub, and can be used in spas.
  • This invention is directed to an improved whirlpool jet housing for use in a hydrotherapy system such as disclosed in US-A-3471091 which discloses a whirlpool jet housing comprising a body having a water inlet aperture for conveying water into the body, an air inlet aperture for conveying air into the body, a control element arranged in the body in communication with the water inlet aperture and also with the air inlet aperture, and a head coupled in use to the body at the discharge end of the body. Water under pressure causes air to be drawn into the body by venturi action and the air and water are mixed and discharged in a preselected direction into the water in the water vessel.
  • US-A-3297025 ( Figures 5 to 7) also discloses a whirlpool jet housing comprising a body having a water inlet aperture for conveying water into the body, an air inlet aperture for conveying air into the body, a control element arranged in the body in communication with the water inlet aperture and also with the air inlet aperture, and a head connected to the body. Rotation of the control element controls the amount of air and water passing through the whirlpool jet housing.
  • This prior device has a control element of complex shape and construction, difficult and therefore expensive to manufacture. Also this control element may be subject to unacceptable wear in use, so that it may not remain watertight. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simpler jet housing, the parts of which are less expensive to make and to assemble, and also a jet housing which provides in a water vessel a device which is neat in appearance and easy to operate manually.
  • a whirlpool jet housing comprising:- a body (JB) having a water inlet aperture (WD) for conveying water into the body (JB), an air inlet aperture (AP) for conveying air into the body (JB), a control element (ODF) arranged in the body (JB) in communication with the water inlet aperture (WD) and also with the air inlet aperture (AP), and a head (H) coupled in use to the body (JB) at the discharge end of the body (JB), wherein i) the control element (ODF) is mounted in the body (JB) so as to be disposed adjacent the water inlet aperture (WD) for receiving and conveying water from the water inlet aperture (WD) through a water channel (WC) which extends longitudinally through the control element; ii) the water channel (WC) terminates at one end of the control element (ODF) adjacent the water inlet aperture (WD) and at the other end in a water outlet portion (DF); iii) the
  • the whirlpool jet housing disclosed herein can thus result in a housing which is less expensive to manufacture and which can be retrofitted to presently available jets.
  • the jet housing is preferably arranged so that the volume of water that flows through the jet can be controlled at the jet and either cause the water to be turned fully on, fully off, or some intermediate volume of water flow, in accordance with the selected adjustment of the control means of the jet.
  • the jet housing can have a positive directional flow and with finger tip control at the jet to cause the flow of water to be varied as desired between the fully off and fully on position.
  • the whirlpool jet housing may include control means for controlling the flow of air into the jet from a fully on or fully off position while controlling the flow of water.
  • the housing may include improved means for mounting to the wall of a water vessel without the use of any tightening holes at the front face of the jet head, resulting in what some consider an unsightly appearance for the completely installed whirlpool jet housing.
  • an improved whirlpool jet installation tool, or spanner wrench is disclosed for use with the improved whirlpool jet housing that eliminates the holes in the face of the head.
  • the housing may have an orifice and directional control element that not only provides positive directional control, but which can be readily removed without any special tools to permit the housing to be readily cleaned out. To this end the control element merely needs to be decoupled or screwed out from the body of the housing and can be cleaned out and then coupled or screwed back into position for reuse.
  • whirlpool jet system illustrated in Fig. 1 is a system for recirculating the water derived from a water vessel such as a bathtub WT to the whirlpool jet housings J by means of a water pump WP.
  • the system illustrated in Fig. 1 is similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,890,656 employing whirlpool jet housings J constructed to permit water and air conduits to be slipped into apertures to couple the water and air to the whirlpool jet housings, from housing to housing.
  • the water supply system is such that the whirlpool jet housings J are arranged in two parallel paths around the bathtub or water vessel WT, as illustrated in Fig. 1, so that the water derived from the water vessel WT is conveyed into the water pump WP by means of the water conduit RW and discharged from the water pump under pressure by means of water conduits WC to each of the whirlpool jet housings J.
  • the air conduits AC for the system derive air from the ambient air which is drawn in as a result of the water pressure being forced through the housings J to cause the water and air to mix and be emitted into the bathtub or water vessel below the surface of the water.
  • the pump WP is conventionally driven by an electric motor coupled thereto (not shown).
  • the water is recirculated to the pump WP by the conduit RW communicating with the inside wall of the bathtub WT and arranged to be below the level of the water within the tub and to be conveyed to the pump WP by means of the water return conduit RW.
  • the water derived from the tub WT and delivered to the pump WP is discharged by the pump through its discharge outlet under pressure and is coupled by appropriate water conduits WC to each of the whirlpool jet housings J arranged in two parallel branches around the water tub WT.
  • the arrangement of the water jet housings J, as illustrated in Fig. 1, is such that six whirlpool jet housings J are spaced around the bathtub WT.
  • Two water jet housings J are arranged at the opposite ends of the tub WT, while a single whirlpool jet housing is arranged on opposite walls, as is clear from examining Fig. 1.
  • the water from the tub WT is coupled to a water return outlet (not shown) that is normally arranged on the inside wall of the bathtub WT.
  • the return water line RW is illustrated coupled between the return outlet by means of a ninety degree fitting F coupled to one end of the conduit RW with the opposite end thereof coupled to the water pump inlet and secured thereto in a conventional fashion. In this fashion the water that is pumped by the water pump WP is drawn from the tub WT and conveyed to the pump by the conduit RW.
  • the water that is discharged from the pump WP is arranged to flow in two parallel paths around the tub WT to provide water under pressure for the six whirlpool jets J arranged around the tub.
  • One path includes the two whirlpool jets J arranged at the left hand end of the bathtub WT, as illustrated in Fig. 1, along with one jet J on the top wall of the drawing and one at the top right hand side of the tub, all as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the other parallel path includes a whirlpool jet J arranged on the bottom longitudinal side of the tub WT, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and the lower right hand whirlpool jet J. It will be recognized that the whirlpool jets J arranged at the right hand end of Fig.
  • jets J may all be constructed similarly, but the unused openings in the two right hand jets J can be provided with slip plugs P to prevent the water and air from passing all the way through the whirlpool jets J to provide the closed water and air paths.
  • the bathtub WT is also provided with an air control knob (not shown) of conventional construction which is accessible from the interior wall of the tub WT so that it may be manually controlled by the bather while in the tub.
  • the air control knob is of conventional construction and is merely a screw-like arrangement for controlling the amount of ambient air that is drawn into the area by controlling the size of the opening at the air control knob.
  • the air control knob is generally connected to the air conduits AC extending around the tub WT.
  • One air conduit AC is coupled so as to run to each of the air apertures for the whirlpool jets J, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Accordingly, it should be evident that the amount of air that is discharged from the whirlpool jets J depends upon the setting of the air control knob so as to vary the volume of air that is drawn into the air conduits AC and thereby discharged into the tub WT.
  • the whirlpool jet J illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises a water aperture W extending transversely to the housing JB along with an adjacent air aperture A also extending transversely to the jet body JB for the whirlpool jet J.
  • the water aperture W and the air aperture A comprise parallel conduit stubs WS and AS, respectively, which allow slip fits to be made thereto by means of a corresponding plastic water conduit WC and a plastic air conduit AC and allow a straight-through connection by slip coupling water conduits WS and air conduits AS to both sides of the stubs WS and AS for the jet body JB for each jet J.
  • the conduit stubs WS and AS are each molded integrally with the plastic jet body JB.
  • the water entering from the conduits WC into the water aperture W is discharged into the interior of the jet body JB by means of a water discharge conduit WD arranged below the level of the water aperture W so as to allow the entire aperture W and the associated water conduit WC to drain into the interior of the jet body JB and from there into the water vessel WT, as will be described hereinafter.
  • the whirlpool jet body JB is defined with an inwardly extending coupling element JC that is illustrated in Fig. 2 as being internally threaded.
  • the coupling element JC extends a pre- selected distance inwardly from the water discharge conduit WD, but is spaced inwardly from the right end of the jet body JB or from the discharge end.
  • the air conveyed through aperture A is arranged in communication with a vertical air passage AP to permit the air to be drawn from the air conduits AC coupled to the apertures A downwardly into the passage AP in response to the water entering the body JB under pressure and entering at a relatively high speed to cause the air to be drawn into the housing by means of the venturi action, as is well known.
  • the whirlpool jet J includes as a single unitary element a combination orifice and directional flow identified as the element ODF.
  • the combination orifice and directional flow ODF is an elongated element which has a longitudinally extending water conduit WC internally defined therein terminating in a directional flow DF.
  • the water conduit WC is eccentrically spaced within the top half of the element ODF and communicates with the angularly defined directional flow DF, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8.
  • the directional flow DF accepts the water flowing in the conduit WC and is arranged to extend downwardly from the water conduit WC at a preselected angle to discharge the mixture of water and air therefrom.
  • This arrangement of the directional flow DF provides positive directional flow of the water and/or the mixture of air and water discharged from the jet J.
  • the left hand portion of the element ODF is externally threaded to be coupled to the coupling element JC of the jet body JB.
  • the water conduit WC is arranged in alignment with the discharge conduit WD by being threaded thereto to permit the water conveyed to the jet J to be conveyed through the water conduit WC and then through the directional flow DF into the water vessel WT.
  • the element ODF is adapted to be rotated relative to the jet body JB and the head H.
  • the element ODF may be readily rotated within the jet J by the provision of a finger control FC constructed and defined on the front face of the element ODF, as is best illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • a finger control FC constructed and defined on the front face of the element ODF, as is best illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • a pair of cavities C are defined on opposite sides of the finger control FC of a sufficient depth and width to accept a pair of fingers, such as the thumb and first finger of an individual, to permit the finger control FC to be grasped and thereby readily rotate the element ODF for purposes that will be made clear hereinafter.
  • the air that is admitted into the element ODF to be mixed with the water conveyed therethrough is admitted by means of a pair of air apertures AA defined to extend through the walls of the directional flow DF and are arranged at diametrically spaced locations (see Fig. 3) for admitting air therein.
  • This means of mixing the water and air in the directional flow causes the water and air to be mixed immediately prior to being discharged from the directional flow DF, a feature unique to present day commercially available whirlpool jets.
  • This advantageous arrangement prevents the loss of the action of the water, as occurs in prior art jets, and also does not compress the water.
  • the air is drawn into the apertures AA as a result of the water under pressure rushing by the apertures in accordance with the well known venturi action.
  • the remaining element of the jet J is the head H.
  • the head H is constructed and defined as a circular hollow element having a mounting flange MF defined on one end with a flat, inside surface to abut the inside wall W of the water vessel WT.
  • the head H cooperates with the jet body JB which is arranged on the opposite side of the wall W from the head H for securing the jet J to the wall W.
  • the coupling between the head H and the body JD is provided by external threads for the head H that cooperate with the internal threads extending along the inside wall of the body JB, as is evident from Fig. 2.
  • a flat washer or similar sealing means SM is provided between the outer face of the wall W and the adjacent outer flat surface defined on the end of the body JB, as illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the head H in this instance is provided with a pair of arcuate segments SS that extend outwardly from the internal wall of the head H and are arranged intermediate the ends thereof.
  • the segments SS each extend less than 180 degrees of the internal wall of the head H and each have their adjacent ends spaced apart a pre- selected distance, identified as the distance d in Fig. 3, to accept a coacting installation wrench for further securing the head H to the jet body JB and the jet J proper to the wall W in a watertight relationship, as will be discussed hereinafter.
  • the combination orifice and directional flow element ODF may also be provided with an air control element ACE mounted adjacent the outer end of the element ODF on the opposite side of the finger control element FC or the wall IW.
  • the element ODF is mounted on the unthreaded portion of the element ODF, designated as the control surface CS, through which the apertures AA extend.
  • the air control element ACE is constructed and defined to be rotatable in response to the rotation of the element ODF to produce relative rotation between the control element ACE and the orifice and directional flow element ODF.
  • the air control element ACE is mounted with friction producing means illustrated in Figs. 2 and 2a as a conventional 0-ring O.
  • the element ODF is provided with an arcuate stop member SM arranged on the surface CS between the apertures AA and below the apertures when the element ODF is operated to permit the water to fully flow therethrough and adjacent to and abutting the inside wall IW for the finger control FC.
  • the detailed construction of the air control element ACE can be best appreciated by examining Fig. 8.
  • the element ACE is an annular element to be slip fitted over the threaded end of the element ODF and to be rotatably fit to the control surface CS containing the apertures AA and the stop member SM.
  • the air control element ACE is defined with an upstanding flange F intermediate its ends and an annular surface ORS extending outwardly from one side to abut the wall lW when mounted to the control surface CS and to secure the friction element O between the flange F and the surface IW.
  • the inside wall of the annular surface ORS is provided with an arcuate control track CT to accept the stop member SM and allow the element ODF to be rotated relative to the air control element only to the arcuate extent of the control track CT; i.e., the stop member SM rotatably slides along the track CT from one end to the other end upon the rotation of the element ODF.
  • the other end of the air control element ACE from the annular element ORS is another annular element AC extending outwardly from the flange F.
  • the annular element AC is defined with a pair of diametrically spaced air conveying apertures ACA extending into the adjacent wall a pre- selected distance to coincide with the diameter of the air apertures AA defined on the control surface CS.
  • the air control element ACE is mounted on the control surface CS its length is defined to extend between the wall IW to approximately the first thread on the element ODF (when the threads terminate at the surfaces) so as to be rotatable on the surface CS.
  • the stop member SM is rotatably mounted in the control track CT.
  • the apertures ACA for the element ACE are in radial alignment with the apertures AA for conveying air into the directional flow DF.
  • the element ODF is rotated to place the apertures AA within the arcuate segments comprising the element AA to thereby block the communication between the air apertures AA and ACA, thereby shutting off the air from the directional flow DF.
  • the relative rotation is produced between these two elements by the friction provided by the element O and the control track CT against the adjacent inner wall of the head H to prevent it from rotating with the element ODF. If the element ODF is rotated beyond the ninety degrees, the elements ACE and ODF rotate in unison since the stop member SM is in engagement with the opposite end of the track CT.
  • the jet body JB and the head H are placed on opposite sides of the wall W for the water vessel WT, the water vessel WT having been previously prepared with an aperture of the correct size to accept the outwardly protruding portion of the head H therein. Accordingly, the jet body JB is mounted with the sealing means SM against the outer face of the wall W and the head H extends into the jet body J with the inside surface of the flange for the head abutting in immediate engagement with the inner wall W for the vessel WT.
  • the head H may be coupled to the jet body JB by being threaded thereto to sandwich the sealing means against the wall W for installation of the jet body JB and the head H.
  • the head H is tightened against the jet body JB to secure these two elements in place. It will be recognized that a final tightening of these parts may be accomplished by a suitable installation tool coacting with the segments SS defined on the internal wall of the head H and will be described hereinafter.
  • the unitary combination orifice and directional flow element ODF is coupled to the jet body coupling element JC which, in Fig. 2, is illustrated as a threaded relationship.
  • the element ODF may be constructed of a standard length so that once it is threaded into the coupling element JC so that its inner end, or the end exposing the water conduit WC, is arranged in abutment with the interior wall of the element JC, the element ODF may extend a distance outwardly from the front face of the head H. In such a situation, then, the distance between the front face of the head H and the front face of the directional control FC is measured by means of a ruler or the like to determine the length of the element ODF that extends outwardly from the head H. Once this measurement is determined the element ODF can then be removed from the jet body JB. Accordingly, the inner end, or the left hand end, as illustrated in Fig.
  • the element ODF may be cut off in accordance with the distance measured off from the front face of the head, as previously described. Once this is done, then the element ODF may then be, again, recoupled to the jet body JB by means of the element JB and should then be substantially flush with the front face of the head H, as illustrated in Figs. 2 through 4.
  • the finger control FC When it is desired to have the full volume of both the air and the water discharged from the jet J, the finger control FC is rotated to a position wherein the-directional control DF extends in a downwardly direction from the front face of the head H when the finger control FC is in a substantially vertical position in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • the air control element ACE will be positioned on the control surface CS so that the apertures ACA for the element ACE are in radial alignment with the apertures AA extending into the directional flow DF.
  • the combination orifice and directional flow element ODF will be positioned so that the longitudinal water conduit WC will be in axial alignment with the discharge conduit WD for the jet body JB.
  • the water in the directional flow DF draws in the air that is in the air aperture A by means of a venturi action and by means of the aperture AP and through the aligned apertures ACA and AA and is conveyed into the directional flow and is mixed with the water being conveyed therethrough. In this manner the mixture of water and air is discharged into water vessel WT.
  • the stop member SM defined on the control surface CS will rotate from one end of the control track CT to the other end and thereby cause the apertures AA for the element ODF to be rotated out of alignment with the apertures ACA on the air control element ACE. This amount of rotation, then, will completely shut off the air passages into the element ODF and, in particular, into the directional flow conduit DF. Under these conditions, then, only water is discharged from the jet J. In order to completely shut off both the air and the water at the jet J, or to control the volume of water that is discharged from the jet J, the finger control FC must be rotated further.
  • the inner end of the element ODF can assume various positions, depending on how far the inner end of the element ODF is spaced from the outlet of the water channel WD.
  • the two are in alignment and the adjacent wall of the element ODF abuts the inner wall of the coupling element JC it is merely necessary to rotate the element ODF to place the water conduit WC completely out of communication with the conduit WD to completely shut off the water.
  • the improved jet installation wrench, or spanner wrench SW will be described as it can be employed with the head H illustrated in Figs. 2 and 10 for tightly securing the head H to the body JB on opposite sides of the wall W.
  • the head H and the spanner wrench SW, illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 have been complementarily defined to produce the final tightening of the jet parts so as to eliminate the tightening holes that were required in my prior jets, such as that illustrated in my patent No. 3,946,449.
  • the spanner wrench SW in accordance with the present invention, is designed to provide extremely tight mounting of the head H and jet body JB to the wall of the water vessel WT, as in my prior patent.
  • the spanner wrench SW comprises a plastic body member SWB, which is generally circular in construction.
  • the outer periphery of the circular body member SWB is provided with knurling K to assist in the manual rotation of the installation tool SW, and is disclosed in my patent No. 3,946,449.
  • the body member SWB is provided with a substantially centrally located, integral outwardly extending, cylindrical tightening member SWT.
  • the cylindrical element SWT is provided with a pair of tightening elements TE that extend outwardly and longitudinally of the element TE and are diametrically spaced apart, as is evident from examining Figs.
  • the elements TE are defined to be complementary to the space between the segments SS on the inside wall of the head H so as to be tightly interfitted within the spaces identified as "d" in Fig. 3 and the elements SS. In this fashion, then, when the wrench SW is inserted into the head, the elements TE will slide into engagement with the segments SS by filling up the spaces "d". The tool SW may then be manually rotated as far as possible in a tightening direction to tighten the jet parts JB and H to the wall W of the water vessel. To permit use of the wrench SW to further tighten the jets parts, the installation tool SW is defined with a square opening SQ which extends through the center of the body member SWB.
  • FIG. 11 an alternate embodiment of the whirlpool jet will be described.
  • the jet J' illustrated in Fig. 11 is generally of the same basic construction as the jet J described hereinabove, except that the directional flow control is by means of an "eyeball" identified as the element EB in Fig. 11.
  • the "eyeball" arrangement of the jet J' is to control not only the direction of the flow of water and the air, but also to mix the air and the water in the eyeball EE immediately prior to discharging the mixture into the water vessel WT.
  • the eyeball EB is rotatable within the jet proper so that the positioning of the elements EB controls the coupling of the water and the air, as in the previous embodiments.
  • the jet J' includes a coupling element JC' that is basically the same as the element JC illustrated in Fig. 2, except that it is not internally threaded, but is defined to receive in a slip-fit relationship the orifice OR.
  • the orifice OR is defined with a water conduit WC' for communicating with the water discharge conduit WD for the jet proper.
  • the water conduit WC' is enlarged at one end to accept the element EB therein, as illustrated in Fig. 11.
  • the orifice OR in this instance is constructed and defined to be secured to the jet body JB by being threaded thereto, and by the provision of the flanged end SE extends outside of the jet body to engage the inner wall W of the water vessel WT.
  • the orifice OR may be threaded to the inside wall of the jet body JB with the flanged portion SE engaging the inner surface of the wall W so that the orifice OR and the jet body JB are secured tightly to the opposite sides of the wall W.
  • a pair of tightening apertures TA may be provided on the portion SE for the orifice OR to accept a conventional spanner tightening wrench such as the one illustrated and described in my patent No. 3,946,449.
  • the jet J' may be provided with a cover means C that is threadingly secured to the flanged element SE, as illustrated.
  • the cover means C is provided with a central discharge aperture DA that allows access to the eyeball EB for positioning same and through which the water and air is discharged.
  • the orifice OR mounts a sealing element SE adjacent the inner end thereof for providing sealing engagement between the coupling element JC' and the inner end of the orifice OR.
  • the eyeball EB is mounted within the enlarged outer opening for the orifice OR so as to be rotatable therein.
  • a further sealing element SE is mounted between the inside periphery of the eyeball EB and the discharge end of the orifice OR.
  • the eyeball EB is provided with a water conduit EBC extending entirely throughout the length of the eyeball EB. For this purpose the conduit is defined in a stepped fashion, as illustrated in Fig.
  • the eyeball EB is provided with a pair of vertically extending air apertures VA communicating with the water aperture EBC through the eyeball to convey the air from the air passage AP through the orifice apertures ORA into the eyeball by means of the apertures VA.
  • the apertures ORA extend longitudinally through the wall of the orifice OR and are diametrically spaced thereon. In this fashion, then, it will be noted that the air and water are mixed in the eyeball EB immediately prior to being discharged from the jet J'.
  • the direction of discharge is not only controlled by the rotation of the eyeball EB, but the amount of coupling between the water and the air is also controlled as a result of the relative orientation of the orifice OR and the eyeball EB.
  • the whirlpool jet J" is generally similar to the structure for the jet J illustrated in Fig. 2, except that the combination orifice and directional flow element ODF' is modified and is designed so as to solely control the flow of water from the water aperture W through the jet J". Accordingly, the air control element ACE illustrated in Fig. 2 is omitted from the structure of the element ODF' and the control surface CS is eliminated, as is evident from comparing Figs. 2 and 12. Accordingly, the-remaining structure for the jet J" is the same as described in conjunction with the embodiment of Fig. 2.
  • the element ODF' is coupled to the coupling element JC by being threaded thereto, as was the element ODF of the Fig. 2 embodiment.
  • the apertures AA for admitting air from the air aperture A through the conduit AP, are provided and are always in communication with the air aperture A, irrespective of the rotary position of the element ODF'.
  • the water conduit WC in the element ODF' is in communication with the directional flow element DF. Accordingly, the finger control afforded by the element ODF of the Fig. 2 embodiment can also be defined on the front face of the element ODF' and the water controlled continuously from a fully on to a fully off position, as described above in conjunction with Fig. 2.
  • the modified whirlpool jet housing J"' is similar to the structure illustrated in Fig. 2 and, like the housing J", is arranged so as to control solely the flow of water through the housing J"'.
  • the basic distinction between the embodiments of Figs. 12 and 13 is the manner in which the combination orifice and directional control element ODF" in Fig. 13 is coupled to the coupling element JC' and secured to the head H.
  • the element ODF" is not extremely threaded, nor is the coupling JC internally threaded.
  • the element JC slidably accepts the left hand end of the element ODF' therein.
  • a sealing means such as the O-ring SM', is disposed adjacent the end of the element ODF" to seal the water flow from the interior of the body JB.
  • the air aperture is also modified to provide an elongate slot AA' that admits air from the air line AP into the directional flow element DF.
  • the outer end of the element ODF' is provided with a head ODFH that is externally threaded so that the element ODF" is coupled to the head H adjacent its forward end by being threaded thereto, as is evident from examining Fig. 13.
  • the remaining portion of the jet J'" then functions similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 12 by rotating the element ODF' by means of the head ODFH.
  • the amount of coupling between the water aperture WD and the water conduit WC for the element ODF' is similarly controlled, including the control by the finger control defined on the front face of the element ODF'.
  • the directional control ODF'" for the jet JF of Fig. 14 also includes the air control element ACE mounted thereon in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 2.
  • the element ODF"' is slip-fit into the coupling element JC' and has its outer end, or head ODFH, externally threaded to be secured to the head H' in the same manner the two are coupled in the embodiment of Fig. 13.
  • both the air and the water may be controlled and the control function is identical to the arrangement illustrated and described for the embodiment of Fig. 2 for the jet J.
  • the element can be considered a universal element and may be constructed in the fashion illustrated in Fig. 15.
  • the element ODF is constructed similarly to the embodiment in Figs. 13 and 14 and may have a standard length with the plurality of sealing elements, or O-rings SM, mounted at spaced apart locations along the elongated portion of the element ODF".
  • the length of the combination orifice and discharge element ODF" that extends from the front face of the head H' can be measured to determine the amount of the stem of the element to be cut off.
  • a plurality of sealing elements may be provided for the element ODF" and ODF'" so that at least one sealing element will remain on the element ODF' after it is cut to size, as illustrated.
  • any water surrounding the combination orifice and directional flow element ODF' could leak out through the space between the head and the element ODF' or, in the case of Fig. 13, between the threads coupling the two.
  • water will be retained due to the sealing element SM'.
  • the sealing means SM' can be modified by substituting the sealing element SM" illustrated in Fig. 16.
  • the element SM" has a plurality of spaced apart friction surfaces FS sufficient to provide the relative rotation between the air control element ACE and the element ODF for controlling the air and to provide a channel therebetween, such as the channel CH, to permit water to leave the housing.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Claims (14)

1. Whirlpool-Düsengehäuse, umfassend:
einen Körper (JB) mit einer Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) zum Einleiten von Wasser in den Körper (JB), einer Lufteinlaßöffnung (AP) zum Einleiten von Luft in den Körper (JB), einem Steuerelement (ODF), welches innerhalb des Körpers (JB) verbunden mit der Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) und auch mit der Lufteinlaßöffnung (AP) angeordnet ist, und einem Kopf (H), der im Betrieb am Auslaßende des Körpers (JB) mit diesem gekoppelt ist, wobei
i) das Steuerelement (ODF) in dem Körper (JB) derart montiert ist, daß es neben der Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) liegt, um Wasser von der Öffnung (WD) durch einen sich längs durch das Steuerelement erstreckenden Wasserkanal (WC) aufzunehmen und zu leiten;
ii) der Wasserkanal (WC) an einem Ende des Steuerelements (ODF) in der Nähe der Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) und an dem anderen Ende in einem Waserauslaßteil (DF) mündet;
iii) das Steuerelement (ODF) eine Luftleitöffnung (AA) aufweist, um zu veranlassen, daß sich Wasser in dem Wasserkanal (WC) mit Luft vermischt; und
iv) derWasserkanal (WC) in dem Steuerelement (ODF) derart in Bezug auf die Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) angeordnet ist, daß ein Verändern des Wasserstroms von derWassereiniaßöffnung (WD) in den Kanal (WC) möglich ist zwischen einer im wesentlichen vollständigen Strömungsposition, wenn die Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) und der Wasserkanal (WC) in Verbindung stehen, und einer im wesentlichen strömungsfreien Position, wenn die Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) und der Wasserkanal (WC) nicht in Verbindung stehen, wozu zur Herbeiführung der Änderung des Wasserstroms ansprechend auf eine Drehung des Steuerelements (ODF) das Steuerelement (ODF) in Bezug auf den Körper (JB) und den Kopf (H) drehbar ist, um eine Bewegung des Wasserkanals (WC) relativ zu der Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) zu ermöglichen; dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
a) das Steuerelement ein gestrecktes, etwa zylindrisches Teil (ODF) ist, welches an seinem inneren Ende drehbar in dem Körper gelagert ist, wobei der Wasserauslaßteil (DF) für den Benutzer zugänglich ist, um eine Drehung des zylindrischen Teils (ODF) um dessen Längsachse zu ermöglichen;
b) der Wasserkanal (WC), der sich in Längsrichtung durch das zylindrische Teil (ODF) erstreckt, an dem inneren Ende des zylindrischen Teils (ODF) in eine Öffnung mündet, die gegenüber der Längsachse versetzt ist, während die Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) ebenfalls gegenüber der Längsachse versetzt ist, wodurch bei Drehung des zylindrischen Teils (ODF) um die Längsachse die versetzte Öffnung des Wasserkanals (WC) in und aus eine Ausrichtung mit der versetzten Wassereinlaßöffnung (WD) zur Steuerung des Wasserstroms bewegt werden kann.
2. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wasserkanalauslaßteil (DF) in Bezug auf den in Längsrichtung angeordneten Wasserkanal (WC) unter einem Winkel angeordnet ist.
3. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wasserkanal (WC) einen vorgewählten Durchmesser aufweist und der Auslaßteil einen Durchmesser aufweist, der größer ist als der vorgewählte Durchmesser.
4. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Steuerelement (ODF) ein einstückiges Mündungs- und Strömungslenk-Kombinationselement ist, die versetzte Öffnung des Wasserkanals (WC) den vorgewählten Durchmesser aufweist und der Auslaßteil (DF) ein Strömungslenk-Auslaßteil ist.
5. Gehäuse nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Auslaßteil (DF) Öffnungen (AA) zum Leiten von Luft zur Mischung mit dem Wasser aufweist.
6. Gehäuse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kopf (H) Segmente (SS) aufweist, die mit einem komplementären Werkzeug für das Befestigen des Körperteils (JB) und des Kopfs (H) an der Wand eines Wasserbehälters zusammenwirken.
7. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Wasserkanal (WC) einen Abschnitt reduzierten Durchmessers aufweist, um das Einleiten von Luft durch den Venturi-Effekt in den Auslaß (DF) zu veranlassen und so das Ausstoßen eines Luft-/Wassergemisches aus dem Gehäuse zu ermöglichen.
8. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß derAuslaßteil (DF) ein Drehteil (ACE) zum Schließen der Öffnungen (AA) enthält.
9. Gehäuse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Steuerelement (ODF) derart ausgelegt ist, daß es veranlaßt, daß Luft und Wasser in dem Auslaßteil (DF) an einem vorgewählten Punkt vermischt werden, welcher von der Ausströmstelle der Luft-/ Wassergemisches aus dem Gehäuse entfernt ist.
10. Gehäuse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Körper (JB) separate, parallele Luft- (A) und Wasser- (W) Leitungen aufweist, die einstückig mit dem Körper (JB) geformt sind.
11. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Luft- und Wasserleitungen Seite an Seite liegen.
12. Gehäuse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kopf (H) einen zylindrischen Abschnitt und einen Flansch (MF) an einem Ende des zylindrischen Abschnitts enthält, wobei der Abschnitt teleskopartig mit dem Körper (JB) gekoppelt ist, so daß das Gehäuse in einer Öffnung einer Wasserbehälter-Wand (W) festgelegt werden kann, wenn der Kopf (H) und der Körper (JB) auf entgegengesetzten Seiten der Wand (W) angeordnet sind.
13. Gehäuse nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Segmente (SS) ein Paar kreisbogenförmiger Segmente (SS) umfassen, die sich von der Innenwand eines zylindrischen Abschnitts des Kopfs (H) nach innen erstrecken und die derart beabstandet sind, daß an diametralen Punkten zur Aufnahme des Werkzeugs in dem zylindrischen Abschnitt Hohlräume gebildet sind.
14. Gehäuse nach einem vorgehenden Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Steuerelement (ODF) um etwa 180° drehbar ist, um den Vollströmungszustand und den strömungsfreien Zustand einzunehmen.
EP82305422A 1981-10-27 1982-10-12 Düsen zur Erzeugung von Wasserwirbeln Expired EP0078127B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82305422T ATE32559T1 (de) 1981-10-27 1982-10-12 Duesen zur erzeugung von wasserwirbeln.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US31549181A 1981-10-27 1981-10-27
US315491 1981-10-27

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0078127A2 EP0078127A2 (de) 1983-05-04
EP0078127A3 EP0078127A3 (en) 1984-01-18
EP0078127B1 true EP0078127B1 (de) 1988-02-24

Family

ID=23224676

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82305422A Expired EP0078127B1 (de) 1981-10-27 1982-10-12 Düsen zur Erzeugung von Wasserwirbeln

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0078127B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE32559T1 (de)
DE (1) DE3278125D1 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT8323079V0 (it) * 1983-09-27 1983-09-27 Jacuzzi Europ Vasca di tipo perfezionato per idromassaggio.
GB2173096B (en) * 1985-04-02 1988-08-10 Aquakraft Limited Improvements in or relating to baths
DE3607788A1 (de) * 1985-04-26 1986-12-04 Günter 6074 Rödermark Schüssler Wasserbecken mit luftsprudelvorrichtung
US4823413A (en) * 1988-03-14 1989-04-25 Hydrabaths, Inc. Combined pneumatic switch and air control for use in whirpool baths
GB8917882D0 (en) * 1989-08-04 1989-09-20 Ph Pool Services Ltd Jet units for whirlpool-bath systems
DE4005197A1 (de) * 1990-02-19 1991-08-22 Ucosan Bv Whirlpoolwanne mit wasserstrahlduese

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3297025A (en) * 1964-06-16 1967-01-10 Jacuzzi Bros Inc Hydrotherapy tub

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3304936A (en) * 1964-06-15 1967-02-21 Jacuzzi Bros Inc Hydrotherapy apparatus with means for mounting in bathtub drain
US3471091A (en) * 1967-09-01 1969-10-07 Swimquip Inc Hydrotherapy fitting
FR2222078B1 (de) * 1973-03-20 1978-01-06 Nicollet Michel
US3890656A (en) * 1973-08-27 1975-06-24 Cleo L Mathis Whirlpool jet for bathtubs
US3874374A (en) * 1974-02-19 1975-04-01 Jacuzzi Research Inc Hydromassage tub and air induction system therefor
DE2854697A1 (de) * 1977-12-20 1979-06-21 South Pacific Ind Inc Luefter

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3297025A (en) * 1964-06-16 1967-01-10 Jacuzzi Bros Inc Hydrotherapy tub

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0078127A2 (de) 1983-05-04
ATE32559T1 (de) 1988-03-15
EP0078127A3 (en) 1984-01-18
DE3278125D1 (en) 1988-03-31

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