GB2239399A - Tanning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Tanning apparatus 1 is provided as a wall mounted structure having a sun canopy 3 suspended over a bed 4 which is supported over a bath by legs 4b. The bed is pivotable into a folded out-of-the-way position and the control panel 5 is electrically and mechanically isolated from the user whilst the bed is in the folded position. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HEALTH RADIATION OR TANNING APPARATUS This invention relates to improvements in or relating to health radiation or tanning apparatus which is more particularly of a space saving design.

There have been many designs of tanning apparatus employing a solar canopy and a bed which have been quite successful in their own right and some of these have been J space saving designs. Nevertheless, there tend to be inherent disadvantages with these designs in that their applications appear to be somewhat more limited than need necessarily be the case. For example, it may be useful to have a sun-tan or health radiation facility in a general environment incompatible with the usual solarium or domestic bedroom environment, such as in a bathroom.

It is an object of the present invention to provide health radiation or tanning apparatus of space-saving design which is safe to use in, for example, a bathroom and/or which is improved in at least some space saving or safety respect.

According to the present invention there is provided health radiation or tanning apparatus adapted for use in a bathroom environment, and, preferably, adapted for use over a bath.

Problems exist in designing health radiation or tanning apparatus which can safely be used in a bathroom environment and it is a safety feature of a much preferred embodiment of the invention that where the apparatus is installed over a bath it is not possible to use the apparatus whilst the bath is in use. Usually, the apparatus will comprise a solar canopy and a bed or lower support which, whilst said apparatus is in use, is in turn supported by the bath.When the bath is in use, the bed or lower support is moved out of the way and, preferably, the act of so moving the bed or lower support automatically electrically isolates the switch controls of the apparatus (so that it cannot. be switched on until the bed/support is moved into the required position relative to the remainder of the apparatus) and also preferably mechanically isolates the switch controls (so that it is no longer possible to gain access to the switch controls whilst the bath is in use).

The apparatus will usually be arranged to operate on lower voltage (also for safety reasons), for example 12 or 24 volts.

In one embodiment of the apparatus a bed or lower support is provided which is pivotally mounted, in use, onto a vertical support (such as a wall of the room) over a bath. The bed or lower support may thus be folded up out of the way when not in use or when the bath is in use. Where the act of moving the bed/support out of the way electrically isolates the switch controls as aforesaid this may be effected by the provision a tilt switch which is automatically tripped once the bed/support is pivoted to a convenient angle, preferably about 5@ to the horizontal. The control panel, is, preferably, arranged in parallel relationship with the bed/lower support for greater accessibility and safety.

Usually, the canopy will be movable (usually vertically reciprocable) into and out of an operative position and is, preferably suspended above the bed or lower support. Additionally, particularly where the canopy is to be arranged above the bath there are practical considerations regarding height restrictions since the canopy should not prove to be an obstacle to a person standing upright in the bath. This may not be easy to achieve with a ceiling mounted canopy and it is a feature of an embodiment of this invention to provide a wall mounted canopy which may be suspended from support brackets for vertical reciprocation and/or which is pivotable on the wall.

Further according to the present invention there is provided health radiation or tanning apparatus in combination with a bath, said combination, preferably, being arranged to have one or more of the following features: (a) switch controls for operation of the apparatus which are arranged to be electrically isolated or de activated while the bath is in use, preferably, automatically by movement of a bed or lower support from its operative position over the bath to a non operative position, (b) switch controls which are arranged to be mechanically isolated or rendered inaccessible whilst the bath is in use, preferably, by mounting the switch controls adjacent to a bed or lower support such that the switch controls are blocked off or removed from the apparatus once the bed/lower support is moved to a non-operative position, (c) the apparatus is arranged to operate on, or be controlled by, low voltage, for example, 12 to 24 volts, (d) the apparatus comprises a structure mounted or mountable to a vertical support (wall) adjacent to the bath and has a bed or lower support pivotable relative to the wall from an operative position over the bath (in which it is preferably supported by the bath) to an inoperative position, and said structure, preferably, extends underneath the bath, (e) a lift mechanism for a vertically reciprocable sun canopy, which lift mechanism is mounted or mountable to a vertical support (wall), and which, preferably has support brackets from which the canopy is suspended.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided health radiation or tanning apparatus comprising a sun canopy and a bed or lower support movable (preferably pivotably) from an operative position, in which switch controls for operation of the canopy are accessible and activatable, to an inoperative position in which the switch controls are automatically electrically isolated or de-activated, said switch controls preferably being inaccessible or disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus once the bed or lower support is moved to an inoperative position, said apparatus preferably having a wall and floor mountable or mounted frame structure carrying the canopy and the bed or lower support.

An embodiment of health radiation or tanning apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying much simplified, diagrammatic drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus installed in combination with a bath, and FIGURE 2 shows a cross sectional end view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE It FIGURES 3 and 4 show a modified version of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2, and incorporates modifications present in the production model;FIGURE 3 shows the modified apparatus in a stored away position whilst FIGURE 4 shows the "in use" position: FIGURE 5 shows, in more detail, a supporting framework of the apparatus shown in FIGURES 3 and 4; FIGURE 6 shows an exploded view of some component parts of the apparatus and illustrates assembly of an electronic control into the apparatus: FIGURES 7a and 7b show further cut-away detail views, FIGURE 7b relating to the ringed area in FIGURE 5; FIGURE 8 shows a cut-away view of one end of a sun canopy; FIGURE 9 shows a sectional view of one of a plurality of covers used in the canopy; and FIGURES 10 to 12 show circuit diagrams of the apparatus.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, health radiation or tanning apparatus 1 is installed in situ over a bath 2.

The apparatus 1 is specially adapted for use in a bathroom environment and, in this particular instance, for use, with the bath 2 itself.

Basically, the apparatus 1 is a wall mounted structure (although this need not necessarily be the case) having a sun canopy 3 (generally of known construction but of a somewhat truncated length) suspended above a bed or lower support 4. The bed or lower support is pivotable upwardly from the operative position shown in FIGURE 1, in the direction of the arrow X, about axis 4a, to a non-operative, out of the way position shown in chain-dotted lines in FIGURE 2.

As shown, when in use the bed or lower support 4 is supported on legs 4b (preferably hinged to the bed/support) by the bath 2 itself. The legs 4b allow the bed 4 to be conveniently supported above the level of any obstacle, for example bath taps. Of course, the configuration of the bed/support 4 may be varied to suit depending on how it is to be supported. If required the bed/support could be supported entirely from the wall.

The apparatus 1 has three main inbuilt safety features. Firstly, use of the apparatus 1 is prevented whilst the bath 2 is in use because the act of pivoting the bed/support 4 in the direction of arrow X, to move it out of the way to gain access to the bath, operates a tilt switch (not shown) within a controls panel 5. Once the bed/support 4 has been pivoted to an angle of about 5@ to the horizontal (any convenient angle may be provided for) the tilt switch is automatically tripped to electrically isolate or de-activate the switch controls 5a on the panel 5. Thus the sun canopy cannot be activated whilst the bed/support 4 is in its nonoperative, folded-up position against the wall.

Secondly, automatically due to the positioning of the controls panel 5 as shown on the bed/support 4 in parallel therewith, the switch controls 5a are facing the wall when the bed/support is folded out of the way, and thus they are inaccessible and mechanically blocked off or isolated.

Thirdly, the tanning apparatus is adapted to be controlled by low voltage electricity, for example 12 or 24 volts, rendering it well suited to a bathroom environment.

As shown more particularly in FIGURE 2, the tanning apparatus 1 has right-angled structural supports 6 fitted to the supporting wall and to the floor underneath the bath. This arrangement is believed to be the most efficient but, alternatively, the tanning apparatus may be arranged wholly above the level of the bath if desired.

The canopy 3 may be arranged to operate in any convenient way and may be fitted to the wall and/or ceiling. However, in order to comply with safety regulations and to meet practical considerations regarding height restrictions above the bath the arrangement as depicted is preferred (a person should be able to stand upright in the bath without discomfort due to the canopy being too low). In this embodiment the canopy is vertically reciprocable to move between operative and non-operative positions by two rubberised hoisting belts of known form per se, and the lift mechanism 7 for reciprocating the canopy is, advantageously (from a space saving point of view), mounted generally at right angles to the canopy on the supporting wall rather than on the ceiling since the canopy might then be too low. The canopy is suspended from support brackets B.

The lift mechanism 7 is operable by the switch controls 5a which are positioned approximately half way along the length of the controls panel 5 in order to cater equally for left and right handed operation. An alternative position for the controls panel 5 is indicated in dashed lines at 5' although since the switch controls 5a would still be accessible in the folded-up position of the bed/support 4 this panel position 5' is not preferred. The switch controls 5a themselves may be of generally known form to raise and lower the canopy 5 and to operate the sun tan mechanism over a selected time span.

It is possible in an alternative embodiment for the bed/support 4 to be lifted out of the way of the bath whilst being mounted in a generally horizontal position or otherwise moved upwardly (perhaps by automatic lifting means) out of the way rather than being pivoted, but once again, preferably, the switch controls are arranged to be automatically electrically isolated by movement of the bed/support 4 (perhaps by tripping a conveniently located micro-switch).

Alternatively, or additionally, the bed/support 4 may be removable from its operative position above the bath, but if so, once again the act of such disconnection from the remainder of the tanning apparatus 1, preferably, electrically isolates the switch controls and this can be arranged for in any convenient manner. It is possible, in such a case, that the bed/support may thus be utilised as part of other equipment (perhaps exercise equipment located elsewhere in the bathroom). It is also possible that the canopy itself may be pivotable into and out of an operative position and may be pivotally mounted on the wall. Thus, the canopy might be folded out of the way against a wall alleviating the aforementioned problem of height restriction.

Further, as yet another safety feature, the apparatus may be arranged such that the bed or lower support cannot be moved into its inoperative position until the switch controls have been activated to move the canopy fully into its inoperative position right out of the way. This is because in the preferred embodiment, once the bed/lower support is in its inoperative, out of the way, position the switch controls could not be accessed to further move the canopy, although of course the canopy might be arranged to be automatically retractable into its inoperative, out of the way position once it is switched off.

Indeed, it is an advantage of at least some embodiments of the present invention that the tanning apparatus 1 can be provided as part of an integrated health and fitness activity located in a relatively small space such as a bathroom. Indeed, to further this end the bath itself may be provided conveniently with side openings 9 for storing various items of exercise equipment such as weight training equipment e.g.

dumbells.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a neat space saving design in that the tanning apparatus 1 can be installed over an existing bath and also in that the bed/support can be folded up out of the way.

Additionally, the apparatus 1 is safe to use because it is controlled by low voltage and cannot be used whilst the bath is in use due to automatic electrical and mechanical isolation of the controls.

FIGURES 3 and 4 show an arrangement similar in many respects to the arrangement already described but these FIGURES depict the production version of the apparatus 1' which includes certain important refinements.

FIGURE 5 shows in more detail, a supporting framework 6' which is assembled and secured to the wall W and floor F by any suitable means (e.g. screws).

Brackets 10 (see FIGURE 7b) for greater detail) are secured to associated uprights 6a, 6b by any suitable means (e.g. fasteners and/or welding) and are arranged at the same height above floor level. The brackets 10 provide means for mounting right-angled tubular bedsupporting members 11 pivotably relative to the uprights 6a, 6b. The underside of the bed 4' is secured to the upper surfaces lla (see FIGURE 7b of the members 11 so that the members 11 pivot in unison with one another and the bed 4' about axis 12. Members 11 are pivotally mounted to the brackets 10 by pivot pins 13 about common axis 12 as should be apparent from the drawings. Lshaped rod members 14 are also pivotally attached to the brackets 10 and pivot about a common axis 15 parallel to axis 12.One end of each rod member co-operates with an associated leg 4b' hinged to a respective member 11 in such a way that as the bed 4' is lowered (by pivoting the bed downwardly about axis 12) the legs are automatically pivoted about common axis 15, from a position generally parallel with the bed 4', into a vertical position generally at right angles to the bed 4' and resting on the bath (see FIGURE 4).

In order to improve the action involved in raising and lowering the bed 4, a gas filled damper in the form of a piston and cylinder 16 is provided on each member 11. One end of the cylinder is pivotally fixed to the bottom of its associated bracket 10 and the rod is pivoted to the member 11 in a manner which should be evident from the drawings. The gas filled dampers 16 hold the bed in the folded-away position as well as, advantageously, controlling lowering of the bed as it is pulled fowards and downwards against the action of the dampers. Effectively, the dampers take the weight of the bed as it is moved to a horizontal position thereby providing a touch control for the user.

A modification has been made to the sun canopy itself which, as in the previous arrangement, is of truncated length. For safety, the sun canopy 3' is arranged so that, with the bed in a folded out-of-the-way position (see FIGURE 3) there is enough room for a person to stand upright in the bath. The sun canopy is now provided with individual plastics light covers 17 (one cover 17 is shown in section in FIGURE 9) as shown more particularly in the cut-away view of FIGURE 8.

Advantageously, the individual covers 17 protect the light tubes in the sun canopy from any inadvertent knocks and yet allow ultra-violet light from the tubes to pass therethrough unhindered. The covers 17 are formed from a flexible acrylic based plexiglass and can easily be snapfitted into position in the canopy 3' whilst squeezing the edges of the cover together. The covers 17 are shorter than their housings in the canopy 3' to allow for expansion in a bathroom environment and condensation can drip from the free edges at the ends of the covers, since said edges are spaced from the ends of the tube housings in the canopy 3'.

An important feature of the arrangement depicted in FIGURES 3 and 4 is the electrical operation and control of the sun canopy.

The electrical supply is fed to the apparatus via a double pole ceiling mounted pull switch (not shown) located in the immediate vicinity of the apparatus. The canopy lift mechanism 7' is basically a standard lift mechanism (normally ceiling mounted) which has been turned through 90 and fitted with a slidably fitted lift mechanism cover 7a'. The lift mechanism includes inertia reel belts b of a known form. Additionally fitted into the electrical control system of the apparatus is an electrical control board 18 (see FIGURE 7a) not featured in the known lifting mechanism. FIGURE 11 shows the circuit diagram of the control board 18. FIGURE 8 shows a simplified block circuit diagram of the overall power supply to the lift mechanism 7', which mechanism, as in the known apparatus, is arranged to operate on 24 V.D.C.

via transformer 19. The motor of the lift mechanism 7' is designated by reference numeral M. The control board 18 is connected into the control system via "Din" connecting block 20 and the board 18 provides a 9V A.C.

supply to a remote controls panel 5' (see FIGURE 6) incorporating an electronic touch control box 5'a.

As should be appreciated from viewing the cut-away FIGURES 7a, 7b and FIGURE 6, an electrical cable 21 is fed from connection point TB1 on the electronics control board 18 down the hollow right hand upright 6b (see FIGURE 7b) and into the controls panel 5' (see FIGURE 6) and finally to the touch control box 5a'. The control box 5a' is located halfway along the panel 5' to allow equal accessibility for left or right hand use whilst a person is lying on the bed 4'. The format of the electronic control 5a' and electrical supply system should be evident from the drawings although it is believed that the electronic control 5a' is entirely new and could be used in other situations where the apparatus is not necessarily intended for a bathroom environment.

Therefore, the control 5a' itself may be individually patent ably inventive.

More specifically control box 5'a has six touch sensitive controls s,s1,t,t1,u,d as well as a digital display D. When power is supplied to the apparatus via said switch on the ceiling and whilst the bed 4' is horizontal the display D is automatically set to read 30 minutes. The canopy 3' can be moved up or down to any desired location in between its pre-set highest or lowest positions.

Simply by touching the appropriate touch-sensitive "up" or "down" control u or d respectively, the canopy can be moved upwards or downwards in this manner whether or not the U.V. light tubes in the canopy are on or off.

If the start control S' is touched the light tubes are switched on and the display D reduces by one second intervals until the pre-set 30 minute tanning period is over; then the light tubes are automatically switched off and the canopy automatically returned to its uppermost position. If the stop control S is touched to end the tanning session prematurely the canopy is switched off and automatically moved to the highest position. The timer remains set to allow completion of the tanning session when convenient. Switching off at the ceiling switch cancels this stored time. If desired a reduced tanning period can be selected at any time (while the light is on or off) simply by touching the time reduction control t' (which changes the time setting in 1 minute increments).Similarly, a time increase control t may be pressed to again increase the tanning time (in increments of 1 minute) up to the maximum of 30 minutes. Previous remote hand controls for sunbeds have been electromechanical employing no separate stop/start facility. As with the arrangement shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, limit switches are incorporated in order to electrically isolate the control panel 5' when it is in the folded condition and these may be 450 mercury limit switches. Since the control box 5a' is inaccessible while the bed 4' is folded away, it is also mechanically isolated.

It is envisaged that the described apparatus could be modified for use without a bath or similar support, for example, the legs 4b' could be modified to provide long sturdy legs which rest on the floor (or on a support at or just above floor level) if required.

The bed 4' itself has a foam mattress f neatly located in a plastics zip cover C fixed to a rigid support rs. The foam mattress is thus easily replaceable within the cover. Showers can be installed in the bathroom with the apparatus 1 but should be of a rigid type in a water resistant enclosure over a shower tray.

It is to be to be appreciated that the present invention offers many improvements at least some of which might be patentable individually or in combination. Any individual feature as aforementioned or as shown or implicit herein or combinations thereof, or functions or methods appertaining thereto, may be patentably inventive and any specific term as used herein should not be construed as unecessarily or unduly limiting; the scope of such term should extend to, and may be replaced or supplemented by, any reasonable equivalent or generic expression.

Claims (4)

1. Health radiation or tanning apparatus comprising a sun canopy and a bed or lower support movable from an operative position, in which switch controls for operation of the canopy are accessible and activatable, to an inoperative position in which the switch controls are automatically electrically isolated or de-activated.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said switch controls are inaccessible or disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus once the bed or lower support is moved to an inoperative position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the bed or lower support is pivotably movable from said operative position into the inoperative position.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 having a wall and floor mountable or mounted frame structure carrying the canopy and the bed or lower support.