GB2177941A - Improved nozzle for hydromassage tubs - Google Patents

Abstract

An intake nozzle for a hydro-massage tub, which prevents stagnation of water in the nozzle regardless of the inclination and thickness of the walls of the tub, comprises a nozzle body (10) having a flange (12) which bears against the outer surface of tub wall (11), and a flanged sleeve 13 which is threaded into the body and bears against the inner surface of the wall. The body has a frusto-conical inner wall (19, 24), and is provided with 28 spokes (23) for supporting a cover (28). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved nozzle for hydromassagetubs The present invention relates to nozzles for hydromassage tubs and more specifically to an improved nozzleforsupplyofwaterto and drain ofwaterfrom the tub by means of a suction and drain pump.

As has been known for many years hydromassage tubs in which special nozzles provide input of water mixed with air under pressure have spread all over the world. It is clear that for the operation ofthese tubs part of the water must be sucked backoutofthe tub and recirculated to supply the input nozzles and this is normally accomplished by means of a circulation pump.

For this purpose there are provided in the walls of thetubsuction nozzles which open toward the tub and are connected outsidethetubtothe suction duct ofthe pump.

Sincethewalls ofthetub are normally inclined upward, given the normal flaring ofthetub and allowing forthe requirement of a seal between the body of the nozzle and the tub wall adjacent thereto, said nozzle is normally arranged with its axis inclined upward so that in periods of inactivity it is possible for water to stagnate in said nozzle, as happens in reality, with the obvious shortcomings of such a situation.

Another problem which is met with normallywith the nozzles in question is the one connected with the differentthickness ofthewallsofthetubs. Since these nozzles normally have a body located outside the tub and coaxial with the hole made in a wall of said tub, and a ring nut which is introduced in said hole from the inside of the tub being screwed into said body, it is clearthat depending onthethickness ofthe wall between the end ofthe ring nut and the end ofthe outer body ofthe nozzle there can remain and often remains an anular opening in which water inevitably stagnates in periods of inactivity of the nozzle.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate substantially said problems and short-comings and forthis purpose there is provided a suction and dis charge nozzle for hydromassagetubs open toward the inside of the tub and communicating at the rear with the suction duct of a circulation and discharge pump characterized in that it comprises a nozzle body cylindrical externally and terminating in a flange de signed to restagainstthe external wall ofthetub, there being formed in said body a n an anularcrown coaxial with the axis of said body and the innerwalls of which are inclined toward the inside ofthe tub so thatthe inside of said crown has the form ofatrun- cated cone with flaring directed toward the inside of the tub, said crown forming with the innersurfaceof the nozzle body an enclosed space and being threaded on its outer surface, and a locking sleeve having a flange designed to rest against the innerwall ofthetub and a cylindrical partthreaded insidede signed to pass through the hole made in said tub wall and penetrate into said space, screwing onto said anular crown.

In conformity with the preferred embodiment the nozzle body is equipped at the rear end with a shaped elbow union which prevents stagnation in this area.

The peculiar features and advantages of the present invention will be made clear by the detailed description given below with reference to the annexed drawings in which: Figure lisa cross section of an intake nozzle in accordance with the invention mounted on the side wall ofthetub, Figure2 is an axial section ofthe body of the nozzle shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a top view of the flanged sleeve which completes and thightens the body of the nozzle, Figure 4 is a top view of the flange-cover of the nozzle shown in Figure 1,and Figures Sand 6 are cross sections along plane of cut V-V and VI-VI of Figures 3 and 4 respectively.

As may be seen in Figure 1 the intake nozzle comprises a nozzle body 10 cylindrical on the outside and aflangedsleeve 13.

The body 1 Oterminates atthefront in a small flange l2which rests againsttheoutersurface ofthewall 11 of the tub (not shown) with the optional interposition of a gasket.

The body 10 includes a front portion 14which is the onewhichterminateswiththeflange 12 and a rear portion 15 of smaller diameterfor coupling to the intake duct ofthe circulation and drain pump (not shown), coupling taking place by means of an elbow union 16.

In a single body with the front part 14, which is perfectly cylindrical in form and has its inside diameter identical to that of the hole made in the wall 11 ofthetub, is formed an anularcrown 17whichforms withthe innersurface ofthe body 14aspace 18.As may be clearly seen in Figures 1 and 2 the inner surface 19 of the anularcrown 17 has a truncated cone shape flaring toward the interior of the tub.

Theoutersurface20oftheanularcrown 17 hasa threading 21 which is thus positioned inside the space 18.

Axially in relation to the anularcrown 17 is arranged a boss the purpose of which is setforth below and which is formed in a single piece with the crown 17 by means of spokes 23.

The rear part 15 ofthe body 10 ofthe nozzle is formed internally like a truncated cone with an opening corresponding to the opening of the surface 19 of the crown 17 and with corresponding diameters so thatthe inner surface 24 ofthe rear part 15 is the extension of said surface 19.

As mentioned above the nozzle in accordance with the invention calls for a flanged s!qeve 13which includes a flange 25 designed to restagainstthe inner surface ofthe wall 11 1 or 11 tub while the tubular body 26 passes through the hole made in the wall 11 ofthe tub and is housed in the space 18. Forthis purpose the inner surface of the tubular body 26 is provided with threading 27 which screws onto the threading 21 formed on the anularcrown 17 by tightening the nozzle on thetub and in particularthe body 10 against the wall 11 by screwing oftheflanged sleeve 13.

In Figure 1 it may be seen thatwhatever bethe thickness ofthewall 11 no stagnating water can remain in the space 18.

The conicityofthe innerwall ofthe anularcrown 17 and ofthe rear part 15 makes impossible stagnation of water in the nozzle within the normal limits (1 5-20") of inclination of the wall 11 of the tub.

A nozzle cover 28 covers the mouth of the nozzle inside the tub and is fixed to the body 10 of the nozzle by a sleeve 29 which couples with the boss 22, a screw (not shown) being screwed in the inner hole ofthe boss 22 to complete locking of the cover 28. It is possibleto mou nt a conventional fiíter under said cover28.

Finally as shown in Figure 1 the elbow 16 coupled for example by screwing orwith a spigot & socket jointwiththe rear part 15 ofthe body 10 of the intake nozzle, further eliminates the possibility of water stagnation in this partofthe nozzle.

From the above description it appears to be clear that the present invention solves in a substantial mannerthe technical problem outlined above.

It is also clear that conceptually and mechanically equivalent modifications and variants are possible without exceeding the scope ofthe present invention.

For example fixing of the flanged sleeve to the body of the nozzle and in particularto the inside ofthe anular space may be accomplished by other means, e.g. a bayonet joint.

Claims (4)

1. Intake and drain nozzleforhydromassagetubs opening toward the inside of the tub and communicating at the rearwith the intake duct of a circulation and drain pump characterized in that it comprises a nozzle body cylindrical on the outside and terminat ingatthefrontin aflange designed to restagainstthe outer surface ofthe side wall of the tub there being formed in said body an anular crown coaxial with said outer body with which it describes a space, said anu- lar crown having the inner surface, which describes the duct for passage ofwaterthrough the nozzle, shaped like a truncated cone flaring toward the inside ofthetub and aflangedtubularsleeve having aflange attheinnerenddesignedto restagainsttheinner surface of said wall of said tub and a tubular element designed to pass into the hole made in said wall and penetrate said space, the surfaces in mutual engagement of said tubular element and of said space being threaded for mutual screwing and tightening.

2. Nozzle in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said nozzle body has a rear part with smaller diameter for coupling to the pump inlet duct, the inner surface of said rear part being formed like a truncated cone having opening and diametercorresponding to those of the truncated cone inner surface ofsaid anular crown so that it ensures continuousness oftheflowsurfaces.

3. Nozzle in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that said rear part is fixed one end of an elbow turned downward, the other end being fixed to the inletductofsaid pump.

4. Nozzle in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that integral with said anular crown there is an axial boss for fixing a nozzle cover mounted inside the tub.