GB2120546A

GB2120546A - Improvements in or relating to water aerating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2120546A
Application number: GB8311241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Fitzgeorge Carr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-04-28
Filing date: 1983-04-25
Publication date: 1983-12-07
Also published as: GB8311241D0; GB2120546B

Abstract

Permanently installed in a roof- space or other convenient location spaced from a bath 4 is an air-blowing device (10), Fig. 1, having an outlet (20) which may be conveniently positioned in a bathroom ceiling (2), a rigid connecting tube (22) being insertable in the outlet (20) to connect the air flow to a loop of perforated pipe (34) secured to the inside of the bath (4) by suction means mounted on the pipe (34) for lengthwise and rotational adjustment. A projection (50), Fig. 2, on the end of the connecting tube (22) received in the outlet (20) is arranged to contact or release an on/off switch (58) operating the blower device (10) as the tube (22) is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise. The rotary movement of the tube (22) is also arranged to bring about alignment or non-alignment of venting orifices such as (56) in the outlet and connecting tube to control the flow of air to the perforated tube (34). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to water aerating apparatus The invention is concerned with improved in or relating to water aerating apparatus, particularly for the aeration of water in a container into which a person may be partially immersed.

Various devices have been proposed for producing aeration of water involving the provision of an apertured container or bath, the apertures of which are below normal water level and are supplied with air under pressure from an external source through a plurality of pipes. This creates turbulence in the bath water which has an effect on the human body variously alleged to be relaxing, stimulating or invigorating.

A disadvantage with this type of device is that it often involves expensive replacement of an existing conventional bath and therefore there have been suggestions for the provision of equipment adapted to be used with a conventional bath and comprising an external air blower supplying air to aerating pipes or tubes in contact with the inside surface of the bath. These devices have not been satisfactory, mainly because of problems associated with the regulations governing the use of electrical equipment in a bathroom.

The invention provides apparatus for use with a bath suitable for personal bathing, comprising a blower device for the supply of air and adapted to be spaced from said bath, a pipe connecting said blower device to an outlet for air, said outlet opening in the vicinity of the bath, a connecting tube a first end of which is receivable within said outlet and having an opposite end which is connectible to a perforated pipe attachable to the inner surface of a bath, wherein a switching means of the blower device is operable by remote controlled means. Preferably the connecting tube is capable of movement controlled by the occupant of the bath, said movement causing the first end of the tube to move in relation to the outlet to operate switching means of the blower device.

Advantageously, the movement of the connecting tube may also be caused to control the flow of air from the blower device through the connecting tube to the perforated pipe, which is in use below the water level. Conveniently, the movement of the tube may be rotary. . X Preferably, the perforated pipe may be secured in place on the inner surface of the bath by suction means, which may comprise a plurality of suction cups arranged along the length thereof, said suction cups being adjustable both lengthwise and/or rotationally of the pipe.

In a preferred example of the invention, it is arranged that, when not in use, the perforated pipe and the connection tube may be removed and stored elsewhere, leaving only the outlet of the blower pipe as visible evidence in the bathroom that it is adapted to use the apparatus of the present invention. This outlet will of course be positioned over the bath at a convenient point, for example, at about a mid-point of the length of the bath and to one side thereof. To facilitate storage, the tube may be formed in two or more connectible portions. The blower device which is to be spaced from the bath may preferably be housed at a level above the bath, either within a false ceiling or, conveniently, within the roofspace above the bathroom where this is situated on the uppermost storey of the building.In alternative arrangements, the blower may be situated behind a false wall or in an adjoining room, perhaps concealed by a cupboard or in any convenient manner, or in a below-stairs recess.

Advantageously, the movement of the connecting tube end portion in relation to the outlet of the blower pipe is rotary, a projection being provided upon the tube end portion arranged to contact the switching means during a portion of the path of the movement and to release the switching means when the tube is returned to the start position. The quantity of air from the blower device passing through the connecting tube and the perforated tube to agitate the water may be controlled by arranging orifices in the walls of the pipe and also of the tube end portion which may be brought into at least partial alignment as desired, or may be completely unaligned for maximum air flow into the water as hereinafter described in further detail.

There will now be described an example of apparatus according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is intended to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only, not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic side view, partly in section, of apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus; Figure 3 and 4 are plan views showing two alternative positions for parts iliustrated in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a perforated pipe of the apparatus, positioned in a bath; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows a modification to a suction cup device of Figure 6.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 is assembled in a bathroom situated below a roof space and divided therefrom by a ceiling structure 2. A conventional bath 4 is provided.

Supported upon joists 6 of the ceiling structure 2 is a platform 8 upon which is mounted an electrical blower device 10 incorporating a motor/fan arrangement, shown in broken lines at 1 A vibratiqn-absorbing pad 12 is provided between the blower device 10 and the platform 8 and further insulation 14 is provided which surrounds a pipe 1 6 leading downwardly from the housing of the blower device 10 at a region where the pipe passes through a circular aperture 1 8 in the ceiling structure 2.

Received within an outlet 20 of the pipe 1 6 is an end portion of a connecting tube 22 which comprises, for ease of storage, two interconnected rigid tube portions 24, 26, and a flexible tube portion 28. At the lower end of the tube portion 28 a connection piece 30 is provided with a suction cup 31 to secure it to the floor of the bath, and with two flexible connector nozzles 32 to which are connected the two open ends of a pipe 34 having perforations 36 (see Figures 6 and 7).

The pipe 34 is secured at intervals to the inside surface of the bath by means of suction devices, either as in the present example comprising a loose sleeve 38 (Figure 6) having integrally formed suction cups 40, or, as shown in Figure 7, comprising a pair of suction cups 42 on a support 44 held in place by a band 46. In both of these arrangements, the perforated pipe 34 may be secured to the bath surface at any desired position along its length simply by sliding the suction devices along or around the pipe as required.

A first, or upper, end of the tube portion 24 of the connector tube 22 is shown in detail in Figure 2, from which it will be observed that the end is formed with an inclined surface 48 forming a projection indicated by the arrow 50. At a position diametrically opposed to the projection 50, a lengthwise groove 52 is formed in an outer wall surface of the tube 24, which groove connects at right angles with a further groove 54 extending circumferentially around the tube.

Two lengthwise spaced orifices 56 are provided in the wall of the tube 24 at levels below that of the groove 54.

The pipe 1 6 into which the end of the tube portion 24 is received through the outlet 20 is provided with a switch 58 at its upper region, which switch controls the operation of the blower device 1 0. Positioned at a level below the switch 58 is a stud 60 having a diameter slightly less than the width of the grooves 52, 54. At still lower levels are two orifices 62, corresponding in size and spacing to the two orifices 56 of the tube portion 24.

The assembly and operation of the arrangement described above is as follows. It will be understood that the blower device 10 with the pipe 1 6 are permanently in place. Thus to convert a conventional bath into a so-called spa-bath, the two tube portions 24 and 26 are first connected together. The first end of the tube portion 24 is then inserted into the outlet 18 so that the stud 60 enters the groove 52. When the tube portion is fully inserted the stud is then able to enter the groove 54 in the manner of a bayonet fixing in order to retain the tube portions 24 and 26 in position.

The flexible tube portion 28 is then fitted to the lower end of the tube portion 26 and the perforated pipe 34 attached to the nozzles 32 of the connection piece 30, which is then secured in place by the suction cup 31. The pipe 34 is then secured around the inside of the bath, preferably in a loop to encircle the occupant.

In order to operate the apparatus, the occupant of the bath will simply twist the tube portion 1 6 manually to cause relative movement between the first, upper, end portion of the tube portion 24 and the pipe 26.

Figure 3 illustrates, in plan view, the inserted tube portion 24 with the stud 60 at the function of the grooves 52 and 54. The orifices 56 and 62 will be observed to be partially aligned and clockwise movement of the tube portion 24 will increase this alignment. The clockwise movement will also bring the projection 50 into contact with the switch 58 to depress a plunger thereof and switch on the motor/fan arrangement 11. Air will commence to be blown down the pipe 16, but some will escape through the aligned orifices 56 and 62. Thus a partial flow of air is established to the pipe 34 and a gentle turbulence of water in the bath is achieved.

Continued clockwise movement of the tube portions 24 and 26 however results in the condition shown in Figure 4, in which the orifices 56 and 62 are no longer in alignment and therefore the entire air flow from the blower device is directed into the water of the bath for maximum effect. Thus the amount of turbulence desired may be readily controlled while the occupant is sitting in the bath by a remotely controlled switching arrangement.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the following

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for use with a bath suitable for personal bathing, comprising a blower device for the supply of air and adapted to be spaced from said bath, a pipe connecting said blower device to an outlet for air, said outlet opening in the vicinity of the bath, a connecting tube a first end of which is receivable within said outlet and having an opposite end which is connectible to a perforated pipe attachable to the inner surface of a bath, wherein a switching means of the blower device is operable by remote controlled means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connecting tube is capable of movement controlled by the occupant of the bath, said movement causing the first end of the tube to move in relation to the outlet to operate switching means of the blower device.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the connecting tube is adapted to be moved to control the flow of air from the blower device.

4. Apparatus as claimed in either one of Claims 2 and 3, wherein the connecting tube is rigid and the movement thereof is rotary.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the switching device is situated upon the pipe leading from the blower device and the connecting tube is provided with a projection which, when the tube is inserted in the pipe, is movable into and out of contact with the switching device as the tube is selectively rotated.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein at least one orifice is provided in the pipe leading from the blower and at least one orifice is provided in the connecting tube, said orifices being arranged to be moved into and out of alignment with one another as the tube is selectively rotated.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perforated pipe is provided at intervals along its length with a plurality of suction devices the positions of which relative to the pipe are adjustable lengthwise and/or rotationally of the pipe.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the suction devices comprise suction cups mounted upon sleeves or bands loosely encircling the perforated pipe.

9. Apparatus for use with a bath suitable for personal bathing, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.