FR2888110A1 - RELAXATION OR HYDROTHERAPY SEAT - Google Patents

Abstract

This seat (1) is adapted to be mounted by its base (12) or its backrest (13) in a basin, while remaining dissociated from the structure thereof. It ensures the well-being and / or a massage by water, by air or by any other means, and uses jets of water or air diffused by injectors (19) or orifices (29). ) has a support (14) which comprises a fixing interface (15) fixed to an adaptation piece (8) intended to be embedded in a wall or in the bottom of the basin and a structure support member (16) composed of welded and curved tubes (17, 18) serving or not as feeding nanny (31, 32). The use of the adapter piece allows the connection of at least one nipple tube to one of the fluid or energy supply sources available on the installation.

Description

The present invention relates to a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy.

  The invention relates more particularly to a seat using jets of water and air including air bubbles for the purpose of well-being, relaxation or hydrotherapy.

  This seat is provided but not exclusively to be mounted in a relaxation pool for example of the spa type, or hydrotherapy, but dissociated from the structure thereof.

  Nowadays, the seats are usually molded with the hull of the pools of relaxation or hydrotherapy. There is therefore currently no market on the market for relaxation seats or hydrotherapy dissociated from the structure of the basin and can be mounted freely, in number and location, according to the wishes of the user.

  By relaxation seat or hydrotherapy, dissociated from the structure of the basin, any independent seat that can be brought against the inner surface of the basin or can rest in the bottom of the basin. It is thus understood that it is not a constituent or integral part of it, which totally distinguishes it from the seats of traditional spas whose seat is generally molded at the same time as the shell forming the basin.

  Such seats according to the invention have the advantage of providing massage means for the purpose of relaxation or hydrotherapy that no longer need to be provided at the pool. The recurring problem of wall penetrations and the sealing thereof is therefore no longer posed.

  In addition, the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy according to the invention can be arranged at any location in a pool, a pool or a bathroom, which allows to adapt to the configuration of the place for the implantation of the seats, and for example to convert a pond, a pool or a bathroom in a relaxation area, for example of the spa or other type, or of hydrotherapy.

  In the case where such seats are removable and interchangeable, it becomes possible to change, replace or remove at leisure.

  There is thus a need for a relaxing or hydrotherapy seat dissociated from the structure of the pool or hydrotherapy in which it must be implanted, and therefore independent of it, whether it is a pool, a pool or a bathroom To solve these various technical problems, the present invention provides a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy comprising a fixing means, for fixing the seat on a wall or the bottom a basin and through which preferably circulates at least one fluid and / or energy necessary for the operation of the seat, so as to supply the seat with the fluid or this energy.

  A relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to the invention can have ergonomics and aesthetics of any kind, and offer countless wellness or hydromassage features.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to a first variant of the invention, intended to be fixed by its base and shown from the front; Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to the first embodiment of the invention, intended to be fixed by its base and shown back; Figure 3 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to a second embodiment of the invention, intended to be fixed by its base and shown from the front; 5. Figure 4 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to the second embodiment of the invention, intended to be fixed by its base and shown back; Figure 5 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to a third embodiment of the invention, intended to be fixed by the folder and shown in profile; Figure 6 is an overall perspective view of a relaxation seat or hydrotherapy according to the third embodiment of the invention, intended to be fixed by the backrest and shown from the front; and Figure 7 is an overall perspective view of an example of seating implantation according to the invention in a relaxation pool or hydrotherapy.

  The relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The equivalent elements represented in the different figures will bear the same numerical references.

  By relaxing seat or hydrotherapy 1 means any means, usually ergonomic, to accommodate the body of a user, namely a seat, a chair, an armchair, a stool, a bench, a sofa, a sunbed, bed, etc. and for the purpose of ensuring well-being and / or a massage by water, by air or by any other mechanical, aquatic, optical, sound or odorous means, preferentially by or through the liquid mass. These functions of well-being and / or massage are provided by at least one subset relaxation and / or massage, preferably hydromassage.

  A relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention is specifically intended to be implanted in a basin 2. For basin 2, any appropriate space intended to be filled by a liquid or to receive this liquid and to ensure its evacuation. It can thus be a bathtub, a tank, a tank, a pool, a body of natural or artificial water, and the like, but also a pond, municipal baths, a hammam, a shower room, etc. The relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention is connected to at least one fluid supply connection 3 and / or to a power supply connection 4. By means of a fluid supply connection 3 and a connection of energy supply 4 means any device for bringing one or more fluids or energy to the relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention.

  A relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention has various means for ensuring well-being or massage, preferably hydromassage, which will be described in more detail later. According to the invention, the seat 1 comprises at least one detent and / or massage sub-assembly, preferably hydromassage. Relaxation and / or massage sub-assembly means any means intended to be used by the user for his well-being and / or fitness, namely a hydromassage system, a massage system for air, a source of mechanical massage, a shower, a hand shower, a massage spear, a palpated-rolled simulator, a bubble torch, a musical sound source, an odor diffuser, a light source, a video display screen, etc. and / or any combination thereof.

  The relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention comprises a support and a seat 5, intended to receive the body of a user. The detent and / or massage sub-assembly may comprise a mechanical massage means. It may be for example, in the case where the seat 5 of the seat 1 comprises several parts, a device ensuring the deformation of one of the parts of the seat or means setting in motion one or more of these parts. It may also be a mechanical massage device independent of ergonomics, for example a system located behind the seat 5, simply attached to the latter.

  We therefore understand the need to bring energy in various forms to these relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1 according to the invention, the fluid supply connection 3 and the power supply connection 4 of the latter are via a block fluid and energy distribution system connected to at least one fluid supply source 6 and at least one power supply source 7. This fluid supply source 6 can be a water inlet under pressure, pulsed water, filtered water, compressed air, forced air, massage substance, relaxation substance, essential oil, perfume or any other fluid, while the power source energy 7 can be a water inlet under pressure or compressed air, a power supply, light, sound and any other form of energy.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1 according to the invention, at least one adapter piece 8 is disposed on the inner wall 9 of the basin 2 and / or in the bottom 10 of the basin 2 to allow the attachment of at least one seat 1 according to the invention.

  According to the invention, this adapter piece 8 is intended to ensure the mechanical connection between the basin 2 and the seat 1.

  The mechanical attachment of the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 is advantageously performed by means of simple systems and not removable without the aid of a tool or requiring for disassembly several mechanical actions combined and simultaneous. In order to respect the norms, a child must be unable to dismantle these seats. The final fixing of the seats 1 is for example made using threads and screws.

  In a preferred embodiment, the adaptation pieces 8 are not limited solely to the aforementioned mechanical connection.

  The adaptation pieces 8 can be connected to a power supply source 7 and / or a fluid supply source 6 by means of a fluid and energy distribution block, for example to bring water under pressure to the seat 1 through an orifice 11. A seal is preferably made to seal between the adaptation part 8 and the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1.

  In the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the seats are fed by placing a fluid and energy distribution block inside the basin 2, thus requiring only a minimum number of wall penetrations. This fluid and energy distribution block can be located anywhere in the expansion or hydrotherapy pond 2 and preferably in the bottom 10 thereof, its upper surface preferably flush with the bottom 10.

  This block conveys the various fluids and energies necessary for the operation of the assembly, namely mainly water under pressure, filtered water, pulsed air, compressed air, light and water. 'electricity.

  Thus, thanks to the fluid and energy distribution block, each relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 can be connected to the inside of the pool 2, to all or some of these energy sources 7 and fluidic power supply. 6, to ensure among others the functions of hydromassage.

  In another embodiment, the supply of fluid and energy seats is performed by a device independent of the adaptation part 8. The realization of a set of hydrotherapy can simultaneously use these two production techniques.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 are seats or ergonomic benches, individual or not, allowing users to settle in a comfortable position, to take advantage of all benefits of a relaxation pool or hydrotherapy session.

  In FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, we have represented seats 1 according to a first variant of the invention, according to which they are mounted by their base 12 and connected to an adaptation piece 8 also acting as a distribution block of fluid and energy.

  In FIGS. 5 and 6, we have represented seats 1 according to another variant of the invention, according to which they are mounted by their backs 13 and connected to an adaptation piece 8 also acting as a fluid distribution block and energy.

  It should be noted that the seats 1 described in the context of this patent application are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings, but can be of any form and propose or not massage features. It is the same for all the other elements shown in the figures.

  The relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 according to the invention can be removable or fixed, mounted on the inner wall 9 (Figures 5 and 6) or the bottom 10 of the basin 2 (Figures 1 to 4 and 7) and can be connected to the fluid and energy distribution block by means of any kind of connection, rigid or flexible. Thus, the fluid supply connection 3 and / or energy 4 relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 can for example be performed by a connection using flexible implanted in the walls 9 and / or in the bottom 10 of the basin 2 and connected to the seats 1.

  The relaxation or hydrotherapy seats 1 are preferably removable, and can be connected to the fluid and energy distribution block by means of flexible connectors that can be connected at various locations in the expansion or hydrotherapy basin 2. This preferred embodiment thus offers a very great modularity for the relaxation pool or hydrotherapy 2, allowing from the same pool 2, to obtain innumerable possible combinations for the seats 1.

  In addition, the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 being located inside the basin 2 and dissociated from the structure thereof, a possible leakage of liquid at the constituent elements of the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1 does not constitute a serious problem as with the devices of the prior art. Indeed, the liquid just flows into the basin 2, which already contains. The same is true in the case of an air leak, which simply causes a bad location of the bubbles.

  We will now focus more particularly on a preferred embodiment of the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1 according to the invention, being in the form of a chair.

  In this preferred embodiment, given by way of example only, the relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 comprises a support 14, advantageously made of polished stainless steel, of the type which comprises an attachment interface 15 to the workpiece. adaptation 8 and a support structure 16 composed of tubes 17, 18 welded and curved acting or not main feeding nanny 31. The use of the adapter piece 8 allows the connection of at least one tube 17 forming nanny 31 to one of the fluid supply lines 3 and 4 energy available on the installation.

  Advantageously, the feed nurse 31 carries the massage fluid or fluids to fluid injectors 19, for example disposed on the wall of the seat 2 or behind it. The connection between the nanny 31 and the various fluid injectors 19 is made by rigid or flexible tubes 20, all connected to the nanny 31.

  Advantageously, the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1 according to the invention is not limited to a single nurse 31 but may include any number so as to be able to convey different fluids or different energies, for example pressurized air . The variant shown thus comprises, for example, a tube 17 constituting a main nanny 31 and a tube 18 forming a secondary nanny 32.

  In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wall of the seat 1 is connected to the support structure 16 by means of fixing lugs 22, also preferably made of stainless steel. In this first embodiment, the fixing lugs 22 are extensions of the at least one nanny 31 and are capable of transporting part of the fluid or fluids conveyed by the nanny 31.

  Advantageously, the means for fixing the wall of the seat 1 to the support structure 16 are screws, connected to the main nanny 31 or to another nanny 32, preferably forming or forming part of the support structure 16. These screws Preferably, the fasteners may also serve as fluid injectors so as to eliminate all or part of the connecting pipes.

  In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support structure 16 forming the main feed nipple 31 is made of stainless steel parts 23, 24 cut and connected, for example by welding, to form a hollow shell 25 in which the fluids can flow directly or through conduits, for example flexible. In this second embodiment, the wall of the seat 1 is connected to the hollow shell 25 forming a support by means of hollow pieces 26 in the form of disk portion. These disk portions 26, preferably made using stainless steel pieces cut and connected, for example by welding, are fixed to the rest of the shell 25 and may include means for transporting a portion of the fluid or fluids conveyed by the at least one nanny 31. They are thus made communicating with the interior space of the hollow shell 25.

  In a third embodiment, corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment intended to be fixed to a substantially vertical wall 9 by the backrest 13 of the seat and shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ground-fixing interface 15 is replaced by a wall mounting interface 27 reported against the wall 9 of the basin 2. The energy or fluid supply of the relaxation seats or hydrotherapy can then be performed by a connection using flexible installed in the walls 9 and / or or in the bottom 10 of the basin 2 and connected to the seat 1. In this third embodiment, the wall of the seat 1 is also connected to the support structure 16 by means of fixing lugs 22, preferably made of stainless steel .

  In the preferred embodiment (not shown), the seat 1 comprises a plurality of rigid or flexible parts hinged together and / or relative to the support 14, to provide an ergonomically adjustable and adapted to the user. The modification of the seat profile is then manual or advantageously mechanized by one or more actuators operating with one of the available energies on the fluid and energy distribution block or outside the block.

  The support structure 16 can also be articulated to allow the modification of the seat profile.

  In its preferred embodiment, the seat 5, extended by a backrest 13, is formed of a thermoformed plastic sheet 28, such as for example polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or of polycarbonate (PC).

  The relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the present invention 1 is advantageously provided with armrests (not shown) which can also provide massage functions. These armrests can also receive integrated controls allowing, for example, the adjustment of the seat profile, the modification of the flow of fluid dispensed for the massage or the starting and stopping of one of the functions related to the relaxation seat or hydrotherapy 1 or relaxation pool or hydrotherapy as a whole.

  In this embodiment, the controls integrated in the relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 are hydraulic, pneumatic or electric. They may advantageously be arranged in such a way as to use the adaptation part (s) 8, in order to reduce the number of wall penetrations.

  The fluid injectors 19 may be of the air or water type or mixed. They are preferably made of stainless steel and / or plastic. The injectors 19 used may be simple rigid terminations of pipes 20.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the fluid injectors 19 are of the type which comprises an end adapted to the formation of a fluid flow to obtain characteristics of shapes, flow and pressure data. For example, the injectors 19 can make it possible to obtain a jet of water forming a determined solid angle cone, with a flow rate of water for example between 0.2 and 6 m 3 / h, in order to obtain a dynamic pressure on the skin of the user of the order of 0.05 to 1.5 bar.

  The fluid injectors 19 may be of any type that makes it possible to obtain a jet of any shape whatsoever, namely in the form of a brush, a cone with a square section, a cone with a round section, a cone that is narrow, and a cone with a tangential cone. etc. The injectors 19 may comprise several orifices, as is the case, for example, of multi-cone axial nozzles.

  In another embodiment, the fluid injectors 19 are provided with moving parts allowing the displacement of the flow of fluid, thus the displacement of the location point of the massage. They are also provided with a mechanical system to make the flow of alternative fluid.

  In a preferred embodiment, the wall of the seat 1 is provided with a plurality of orifices 29 or slots 30. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the orifices 29 are situated at the level of the wall of the seat 5. By injection of pressurized air under this seat wall 5, generates a complete enveloping of the seat user 1 by bubbles passing through the seat at the orifices 29. The contact of the bubbles on the skin causes a well-known relaxing effect, which is here ideally realized. The advantage of this arrangement consists in the absence of a surplus of pipes, which for example conveys the air contained in at least one nanny 31 or 32 to the fluid injectors 19, the system advantageously using the vertical ascent air bubbles thus released into the fluid. This is a diffusing bell system. This system also allows a natural distribution of bubbles along the body of the user, the orifices 29 being in contact with the skin of the subject being found naturally closed.

  Obviously, the invention is not limited to the only preferred embodiments described above and shown in the various figures, the skilled person can make many modifications and imagine other variants without departing from the scope and the framework of the invention.

  For example, it is conceivable to use the relaxation or hydrotherapy seat 1 according to the invention for an aquatic leisure structure, with or without combined hydrotherapy functions. In the case of an aquatic leisure structure, the relaxation or hydrotherapy seats 1 may in particular be mobile and include subassemblies of the water gun type, visual effects display screen, video screen, effect diffusers sound, lighting devices for light effects, etc. Similarly, although a thermoformed plastic material, such as, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC), is preferred for the manufacture of relaxation seats or hydrotherapy 1, this proven manufacturing technique for the manufacture of very ergonomic seats and very aesthetic, we can consider any other material of aesthetic interest, functional and / or industrial. Thus, in other embodiments, the wall of the seat 1 can be made of formed wooden slats, form plywood, stainless steel, technical resins, concrete, etc. One can also consider any other method of manufacture to obtain the desired forms.

  The same applies to all materials with sufficient chemical resistance according to the application intended for the constitution of relaxation seats or hydrotherapy, certain applications requiring the use of a chemically treated water, in general so aggressive, or seawater.

  In order to ensure a visual effect, it is possible to advantageously use polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for producing the wall of the seat 1. This wall can then, in this embodiment, be connected to a bundle of optical fibers. The wall thus serves as a light guide, which allows to route the light to predetermined locations of the seat. In particular, the effect produced by the convergence of the light rays on the edge of the seat (possibly frosted) is retained, revealing a very clear demarcation of the seat in its environment. This lighting has an aesthetic advantage, but also practical since the seat becomes more visible.

  In another embodiment, a nib 31 or 32 may also contain, in addition to the conveyed fluid, optical fibers, so as to advantageously convey the light into the fluid injectors or other lighting devices.

Claims (25)

  1. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) using jets of water and air including air bubbles for the purpose of well-being, relaxation or hydrotherapy, seat (1) comprising a seat intended to receive the body of a user, characterized in that it is adapted to be mounted in a basin (2) dissociated from the structure thereof, in that it comprises a support (14) allowing the fixation of the seat (1) on an inner wall (9) or the bottom (10) of the basin (2), and in that it comprises at least one relaxation and / or hydromassage sub-assembly intended to to ensure the well-being and / or a massage by water, by air or by a mechanical, aquatic, optical, sound or odorous means.   2. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat (1) is a chair, an armchair, a stool, a bench, a sofa or a lounger and in that the basin is a bathtub, a tank, a tank, a swimming pool, a natural or artificial body of water, a water room, municipal baths, a hammam or a shower room.   3. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one relaxation and / or massage sub-set is a massage system, a massage system and a massage system. air, a source of mechanical massage, a shower, a shower, a massage spear, a rolled-up simulator, a bubble torch, a musical sound source, an odor diffuser, a light source, a screen video display and / or any combination thereof.   4. Relaxation chair or hydrotherapy (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one supply (31, 32) in which circulates at least one of the fluids or at least one of energies necessary for the operation of the seat (1).   5. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (14) comprises at least one feeder (31, 32).   6. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (14) is connected to at least one fluid supply connection (3) or at least one supply connection in energy (4) via a fluid and energy distribution block.   7. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is connected to the fluid and energy distribution block by its base (12) or by its backrest (13).   8. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least one feeder (31, 32) carries the fluid or fluids for massage until at least one fluid injector (19).   9. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (14) comprises a fixing interface (15) and a support structure (16).   10. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wall of the seat (1) is connected to the support structure (16) by means of fixing lugs (22), and in that these fixing lugs (22) are extensions of at least one nanny (31, 32) and are capable of conveying a part of the fluid or fluids conveyed by this nanny (31, 32).   11. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that its wall is fixed to the support structure (16) by screws, connected to a feed nanny (31, 32 ) and in that these screws also act as fluid injectors (19).   12. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its wall is provided with several orifices (29) or lights (30) and in that pressurized air is injected under the wall of the seat (5).   13. Relaxation chair or hydrotherapy (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the fluid injectors (19) are of the air type, water or mixed.   14. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the fluid injectors (19) comprise movable parts for moving the flow of fluid and a system mechanics to make the flow of alternative fluid.   15. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the injectors (19) are arranged on the wall of the seat (1) or behind it.   16. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the support structure (16) is made with stainless steel parts (23, 24) cut and connected, so forming a hollow shell (25) in which the fluids can flow directly or through conduits.   17. Relaxation chair or hydrotherapy (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected to at least one fluid supply source (6), comprising a water inlet under pressure, pulsed water, filtered water, compressed air, forced air, massage substance, relaxation substance, essential oil or perfume.   18. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected to at least one energy supply source (7) comprising a water inlet under pressure or compressed air, a power supply, light or sound.   19. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is fixed to the basin (2) removably or not, via at least one piece adapter (8) disposed on an inner wall (9) of the basin (2) or in the bottom (10) of the basin (2).   20. seat relaxation or hydrotherapy (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of rigid or flexible parts hinged together and / or relative to the support (14), allowing provide an ergonomics adjustable and adapted to the user, and in that the modification of the seat profile is manual or mechanized by one or more actuators.   21. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the mechanical massage source is a device ensuring the deformation of one of the parts of the seat (5), a means setting in motion one or more of these parts or a mechanical massage device independent of the ergonomics.   22. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 21, characterized in that the support structure (16) is articulated to allow the modification of the seat profile.   23. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat wall (5) is formed of a thermoformed plastic sheet (28) and that it is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate (PC).   24. seat relaxation or hydrotherapy (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises armrests providing a massage function.   25. Relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armrests comprise integrated hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical controls allowing, for example, the adjustment of the seat profile, the modification of the flow of fluid dispensed for the massage or the starting and stopping of one of the functions related to the relaxation or hydrotherapy seat (1) or to the relaxation or hydrotherapy basin as a whole.