GB2177622A

GB2177622A - Hydromassage nozzle unit with flow regulator

Info

Publication number: GB2177622A
Application number: GB8615732A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emanuele Villafranca Soissons
Original assignee: Jacuzzi Europe SpA
Current assignee: Jacuzzi Europe SpA
Priority date: 1985-07-08
Filing date: 1986-06-27
Publication date: 1987-01-28
Also published as: DE8618098U1; GB2177622B; GB8615732D0; IT8522426V0

Abstract

The combination of a flow regulator (Figure 1) and a hydromassage nozzle (Figure 3) enables accomplishment of a unit which can be mounted on a flexible water supply tube for application of local hydromassage with adjustable flow rate of water mixed with air. The regulator has a manually operated plunger 22 which lifts a spring-loaded ball 17 from its seat 15 to control the flow of water between an inlet nipple 13 and outlet 30. A handle or grip which is movable in slots in the body of the regulator acts on the plunger (Figure 2, not shown). The nozzle is mounted on the outlet, and incorporates a venturi in which an air inlet tube 35 is located. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hydromassage nozzle unit with flow regulator The present invention relates to an improved hydromassage nozzle and in particular a unit comprising a nozzle connectable to a flexible tube and associated with a flow regulator to permit application of local hydromassage.

Hydromassage devices consisting of tubs or pools in the walls of which are installed in fixed positions nozzles designed to supply a jet of water under pressure mixed with air are known.

It is clear that in this manner it is the patient or bather who must set himself before the outlet nozzle.

This means also that in practice the hydromassage is limited to those areas of the body which can be set in said position.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a hydromassage nozzle which would permit local application in accordance with the user's choice with no need to move the body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydromassage nozzle associated with a flow regulator in such a manner that the user can easily choose the water flowrate with which the massage is to be applied.

These and other objects are achieved with a hydromassage nozzle and flow regulator of the type wherein the nozzle has an axial duct of which the end or outlet section has the shape of a venturi and is supplied with water under pressure and air which mixes with the water at said venturi section characterized in that air intake takes place through a direct passage transversely to the axis of said axial duct due to the vacuum effect created in the restricted section of the venturi, the unit including also a flow regulator having an axial duct for passage of water under pressure and valve means controllable by means of a grip or handle to regulate the flow rate of the water passing through said axial duct of said flow regulator.

The peculiar features and benefits of the unit in accordance with the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description given with reference to the annexed drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 shows an exploded axial cross section of the flow regulator of the unit in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of the flow regulator represented in Figure 1 with the grip detached, and Figure 3 shows an axial cross-section of the nozzle of the unit in accordance with the inventidn.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the flow regulator of the unit in accordance with the invention comprises a body 10 having an outlet duct 11 and an inlet duct 12 on which is fixed a nipple 13 with a seal 14 to be mounted on a flexible tube to supply water under pressure coming from a water source under pressure such as a pump or similar or even a fixed nozzle not illustrated.

Between the duct 12 and the duct 11 is interposed a regulation valve which in this specific case comprises a lower seat 15 and an upper seat 16 between which is imprisoned the total or partial closing ball 17. The upper seat 16 is held in position by a plug 18 associated with a compression spring 19. The plug is screwed into the seat 20 communicating through the duct 21 with the inlet duct 12.

At the lower seat 15 is provided an operating piston 22 with a seal 23 mounted in a sliding manner in the channel 24 of the body 10.

The piston 22 terminates in a tapered end 24, i.e.

of reduced diameter, designed to act through the valve seat 15 on the closing ball 17.

In the body 10 is formed symmetrically on the two opposite sides of said body a recess 25 which constitutes the seat for a grip 26 which can be anchored to the recess 25 by means of pins 27 housed in slots 28.

Inside the grip 26 is formed a shaped notch 29 which engages with the lower end of the piston 22.

It is clear that when pressing the grip 26 against the body 10 with sliding of the pins 28 the piston 22 is operated and in turn opens partially or entirely the valve 17, thus allowing flow of water under pressure through the duct 11 in a quantity dependant on the extent to which said valve is opened.

On the end of the body 10 opposite to that fitted with the nipple 13 is provided a nipple 30 on which is mounted the nozzle illustrated in Figure 3 through the related opening 31.

The nozzle includes a body 32 having an axial duct with sections of differing diameters and more specifically the inlet section of the opening 31, the outflow section 33 shaped like a venturi, and an intermediate section 34 in which is inserted the nipple 35 for air inlet. Said nipple 35 is shaped like an elbow in such a manner that its downstream end 36 is aligned with the axis of the venturi-shaped section 33 while the upstream end has a flange 37 which seats in a chamber 38 communicating with an air intake duct 39.

The flange 37 and hence the nipple 35 are held in position by a plug 40 and by the compression spring 41.

The unit in accordance with the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment it being understood that conceptually and mechanically equivalent modifications and variants are possible and foreseeable without exceeding the scope thereof.

1. Hydromassage nozzle unit and flow regulator of the type wherein the nozzle has an axial duct the end or outflow section of which is shaped like a venturi and is supplied with water under pressure and with air which mixes with said water at said venturi section characterized in that air intake takes place through a passage transverse to the axis of said axial duct due to the effect of the vac

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Hydromassage nozzle unit with flow regulator The present invention relates to an improved hydromassage nozzle and in particular a unit comprising a nozzle connectable to a flexible tube and associated with a flow regulator to permit application of local hydromassage. Hydromassage devices consisting of tubs or pools in the walls of which are installed in fixed positions nozzles designed to supply a jet of water under pressure mixed with air are known. It is clear that in this manner it is the patient or bather who must set himself before the outlet nozzle. This means also that in practice the hydromassage is limited to those areas of the body which can be set in said position. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a hydromassage nozzle which would permit local application in accordance with the user's choice with no need to move the body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydromassage nozzle associated with a flow regulator in such a manner that the user can easily choose the water flowrate with which the massage is to be applied. These and other objects are achieved with a hydromassage nozzle and flow regulator of the type wherein the nozzle has an axial duct of which the end or outlet section has the shape of a venturi and is supplied with water under pressure and air which mixes with the water at said venturi section characterized in that air intake takes place through a direct passage transversely to the axis of said axial duct due to the vacuum effect created in the restricted section of the venturi, the unit including also a flow regulator having an axial duct for passage of water under pressure and valve means controllable by means of a grip or handle to regulate the flow rate of the water passing through said axial duct of said flow regulator. The peculiar features and benefits of the unit in accordance with the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description given with reference to the annexed drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In said drawings: Figure 1 shows an exploded axial cross section of the flow regulator of the unit in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of the flow regulator represented in Figure 1 with the grip detached, and Figure 3 shows an axial cross-section of the nozzle of the unit in accordance with the inventidn. With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the flow regulator of the unit in accordance with the invention comprises a body 10 having an outlet duct 11 and an inlet duct 12 on which is fixed a nipple 13 with a seal 14 to be mounted on a flexible tube to supply water under pressure coming from a water source under pressure such as a pump or similar or even a fixed nozzle not illustrated. Between the duct 12 and the duct 11 is interposed a regulation valve which in this specific case comprises a lower seat 15 and an upper seat 16 between which is imprisoned the total or partial closing ball 17. The upper seat 16 is held in position by a plug 18 associated with a compression spring 19. The plug is screwed into the seat 20 communicating through the duct 21 with the inlet duct 12. At the lower seat 15 is provided an operating piston 22 with a seal 23 mounted in a sliding manner in the channel 24 of the body 10. The piston 22 terminates in a tapered end 24, i.e. of reduced diameter, designed to act through the valve seat 15 on the closing ball 17. In the body 10 is formed symmetrically on the two opposite sides of said body a recess 25 which constitutes the seat for a grip 26 which can be anchored to the recess 25 by means of pins 27 housed in slots 28. Inside the grip 26 is formed a shaped notch 29 which engages with the lower end of the piston 22. It is clear that when pressing the grip 26 against the body 10 with sliding of the pins 28 the piston 22 is operated and in turn opens partially or entirely the valve 17, thus allowing flow of water under pressure through the duct 11 in a quantity dependant on the extent to which said valve is opened. On the end of the body 10 opposite to that fitted with the nipple 13 is provided a nipple 30 on which is mounted the nozzle illustrated in Figure 3 through the related opening 31. The nozzle includes a body 32 having an axial duct with sections of differing diameters and more specifically the inlet section of the opening 31, the outflow section 33 shaped like a venturi, and an intermediate section 34 in which is inserted the nipple 35 for air inlet. Said nipple 35 is shaped like an elbow in such a manner that its downstream end 36 is aligned with the axis of the venturi-shaped section 33 while the upstream end has a flange 37 which seats in a chamber 38 communicating with an air intake duct 39. The flange 37 and hence the nipple 35 are held in position by a plug 40 and by the compression spring 41. The unit in accordance with the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment it being understood that conceptually and mechanically equivalent modifications and variants are possible and foreseeable without exceeding the scope thereof. CLAIMS

1. Hydromassage nozzle unit and flow regulator of the type wherein the nozzle has an axial duct the end or outflow section of which is shaped like a venturi and is supplied with water under pressure and with air which mixes with said water at said venturi section characterized in that air intake takes place through a passage transverse to the axis of said axial duct due to the effect of the vac uum created in the narrowed section of the venturi, the unit also including a flow regulator having an axial duct for passage of water under pressure and valve means controllable by means of a grip or handle to regulate the flowrate of the water passing through said axial duct of said flow regulator.

2. Unit in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said air intake takes place through an elbow-shaped nipple the downstream end of which is aligned with and near to the inlet section of said venturi while the upstream end is fitted with a flange housed in a separate chamber communicating with a duct communicating freely with the outside, said glange being blocked in said chamber by closing means with an interposed compression spring.

3. Unit in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said valve means of said pressure regulator include a ball for partial or total closing housed between two seats and piston means are provided and controllable by said grip to move said ball between a position of totally stopped flow and a position of full flow.