EP0252016A2

EP0252016A2 - Hydro-massage spraying device mountable on a bath tub

Info

Publication number: EP0252016A2
Application number: EP87830098A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Maria Crociani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-19
Filing date: 1987-03-16
Publication date: 1988-01-07
Also published as: IT8644007A0; IT1204207B; EP0252016A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a bath-top sanitary spray device that massages an individual reclining in the tub with a battery of well-directed, aerated water jets. The device comprises a board (1) that rests on the top edge of a bath (4) in the manner of a lid, its underside carrying a coil (8) with spray outlets (10) that are distributed, calibrated and positioned to give optimum intensity and direction by causing the jets to be played in a toe-to-head pattern along the body of the individual reclining in the tub, thereby producing an effective massaging action that stimulates circulation, helps to remove grease from the surface of the skin, assists in the treatment of cellulitis, and is useful for sanitary applications generally.

Description

The invention relates to a special device designed to rest on a standard bath tub, which serves to massage the body of an individual reclining in the bath with a battery of opportunely trained and well-aerated water jets, for the purposes of stimulating circulation, encouraging the removal of grease from the surface of the skin, treating cellulitis, and providing a water spray for sanitary applications generally.
In-bath massage is undergone conventionally in a specially designed type of tub. In practice, this is an ordinary tub the bottom of which will be fitted with a device that produces streams of tiny bubbles; the massaging action is gentle, and not especially effective.
With a device as disclosed and as characterized in the appended claims, which can be fitted to any standard bath tub, one is able to obtain a genuinely effective spray massage with a battery of jets that covers the entire body and can be directed down onto the individual reclining in the bath, investing that part of his or her body which requires treatment and which, accordingly, lies unimmersed and exposed to the action of the jets.
The spray massage produced stimulates circulation, helps to remove grease from the surface of the skin, assists in the treatment of cellulitis, and proves useful for sanitary applications generally.
The device sits on the bath tub in the manner of a lid, and can be slid back and forth longitudinally so as to massage the entire body. The bath water is circulated through a closed system, thereby avoiding waste, ensuring optimum pressurization regardless of main pressure, and enabling the admixture of such tonics or medicinal substances as may be prescribed by a physician.
Moving continuously through the system, the water is kept constantly aerated, and its massaging effects are therefore singularly efficacious.
The system is also able to hold the greater part of the vapour produced, and thus creates an additional, beneficial sauna effect.
The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the two accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

fig 1 is a view of the spray device from underneath;
fig 2 is the side elevation of fig 1;
fig 3 is a longitudinal section through the spray device, seen in operation.

As the drawings illustrate, the device comprises a support, consisting in a board 1 with longitudinal sides 2 that are bent downward and provided with feet 3 designed to rest on the top edge of a bath tub 4, as in fig 3.
5 denotes a curved recess cut into the board 1 at one end, by which the individual undergoing massage is afforded ease of access, and room in which to select the most advantageous posture.
In addition, the board 1 slopes away toward the foot end of the bath and is provided with raised edges 6, such that water splashed over the top can be drained back into the tub.
7 denotes a plurality of snap clips fitted to the underside of the board 1 and providing anchor points for sections of pipe which are arranged to form a coil 8; the single sections are joined together by fittings 9, and can therefore be separated following a certain period of use, to enable easy cleaning. The coil 8 incorporates spray outlets 10 that are distributed, calibrated and positioned to produce the best possible effect, giving optimum intensity and direction by causing the jets to be played in a general toe-to-head pattern along the body of the individual reclining in the tub (see fig 3). In fig 1, 11 denotes the coil inlet; the remaining end of the coil is stopped by a plug 12 which can be removed to enable inspection of the section of pipe to which it is fitted.
Water is drawn up through a hose 13 and strainer 14 fashioned in plastic, or at all events, in material which will not scratch the enamel finish of the tub. The pump used to circulate the massage water will be installed remotely and run off a low voltage supply to ensure maximum safety.
The inlet 11 may be positioned at either side of the tub, depending upon which is offered to the wall; similarly, water could be taken direct from the main rather than recirculated from the bath.
Where the massager system is used by more than one individual, sterilization may be effected prior to each session of treatment by circulating water to which a suitable disinfectant has been added. The bath-top massager illustrated might be embodied in any given colour; the board 1 presents the smooth outward appearance of any ordinary top, or lid, and thus will not be unsightly if left in position on the tub when not in use.

Claims

1) A bath-top sanitary spray device, serving to massage the body of an individual reclining in the tub with a battery of well-aerated and advantageously trained water jets,
characterized
in that it comprises a support (1) that rests on the top edge of a bath (4) in the manner of a lid, the underside of which is fitted with a set of spray outlets (10) that are distributed, calibrated and positioned to give optimum intensity and direction by causing the water jets to be played in a general toe-to-head pattern along the body of the individual reclining in the tub, thereby producing an effective massaging action.

2) Bath-top spray device as in claim 1, wherein the support (1) is embodied as a board, with sides (2) that are bent downward and carry feet (3) designed to rest on the top edge of a bath tub (4); with a curved recess (5) affording the user ease of access and posture space; and with a sloping surface that is bordered by raised edges (6) so that any water splashed over the top can drain back into the bath tub.

3). Bath-top spray device as in claim 2, wherein the underside of the board is fitted with a coil (8) into which the spray outlets (10) are incorporated.

4. Bath-top spray device as in claim 1, wherein water is circulated through a closed system and can be supplemented with medicinal substances by dilution.

5) Bath-top spray device as in claim 3, wherein the coil (8) that incorporates the spray outlets (10) consists in a plurality of sections which are joined together by water-tight fittings (9) and can be connected and separated at will.