GB2299937A

GB2299937A - Portable and collapsible bath

Info

Publication number: GB2299937A
Application number: GB9508799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masayuki Jinbo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-04-20
Filing date: 1995-04-20
Publication date: 1996-10-23
Also published as: GB9508799D0

Abstract

A portable and collapsible bath comprises a tub unit (2) and a hot water supply (3) which is detachably linked with said tub unit by linking means (4). The tub unit preferably includes pillar fittings (13) provided on the outer periphery of the tub into which rigid pillars (14) can be inserted, and beam support fittings (16) into which elastic beams (15) may be inserted. Said pillars and beams help to keep the tub extended.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION PORTABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE HOT TUB BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot tub, and in particular to a portable or collapsible hot tub which can be suitably used at places such as camp sites, refugee places, shelters where no bath or shower facility are installed.

Description of the Prior Art On war or disasters such as earthquake, hurricane, volcano explosion, refugees are obliged themselves to live in refugee places or shelters. There is few bath facilities and it is very inconvenient for the refugees.

Providing many bathes in order to overcome the abovementioned problem is possible. However it takes much cost, labor and time to transport and install them.

In outdoor camp site, bath and shower facilities are required to keep bodies clean.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable hot tub which can be used by extending the tub unit and linking it with a hot water supply unit and is collapsible to become more light and compact when not in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hot tub which can save storing space and can be easily or quickly transported to a camp site or refugee places where there is no bath facility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a sectional and front view showing an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a portable and collapsible hot tub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a portable and collapsible hot tub of the present invention, which is extended. The hot tub comprises a tub unit 2 which is collapsible and is made of flexible material and is formed into a tub shape when extended and a hot water supply 3 which is linked with the tub unit 2 by a linking member 4. The hot water supply 3 comprises a supply tube 5 for introducing water in and from the tub unit 2, a unit for heating water; and a hot water supply tube 7 for supplying hot water to a bath tub unit 2. The linking member 4 comprises a linking tube 8 which is externally fitted into the supply tube 5 and the hot water supply tube 7; and fastening rings 9 which can be externally fitted into the linking tube 8.A water supply portion 11 and hot water supply portion 12 which are in the form of pipes are mounted on the tub unit 2 by fastening nuts which are screwed to threads provided on the outer periphery of the tub 2 and packings P. Rigid support pillars 14 can be inserted into pillar fittings 13 provided on outer periphery of the tub 2 and elastic beams 15 are mounted on beam support portions 16 provided internally of the tub unit 2. The components serve to keep the tub unit extended.

Accordingly, the hot tub of the present invention is transported to a desired place while it is collapsed. In order to use the tub, the tub unit 2 is extended to form a bath tub shape. Rigid pillars 14 are inserted into pillar fitting portions 13. Elastic beams 15 are inserted into the beam support portions 16 to keep the tub unit extended and erected.

Subsequently, the water supply portion 11 and hot water supply portion 12 are sealingly linked with the water supply tube 5 and the hot water supply tube 7, respectively by the linking tube 8 and fastening rings 9 without causing any water leakage.

Thereafter, an appropriate amount of water is poured into the tub unit 2 and the hot water supply 3 is operated for supplying hot water for bath. If the tub unit is about 500 1 by volume (about 10 kg by weight) and the hot water supply is about 20 1 by volume (about 8 kg by weight) and a small size liquid propane gas bomb B is about 10 kg by weight in fully charged condition, the total weight is as light as 28 kg. Transportation is easy and two adults (or 3 children) can enjoy taking bath in the tub well.

Since the tub unit is linked with the hot water supply, reheating to a comfortable temperature is possible even if the hot water is cooled during bathing. Water resource can be effectively saved.

After use of the hot tub apparatus, working is conducted in a reversal manner to that for extending. The water supply portion 11 and the hot water portion 12 are released from the water supply tube 5 and hot water supply tube 7 and the pillars 16 and beams 15 are removed and the tub unit 2 is collapsed.

It is to be understood that the tub unit is not limited to collapsible type shown in embodiment and may be square cylindrical or other shapes. Any material such as vinyl, rubber, fabric, canvas sheet may be used if it is heat-resistant and water-proof sheet. The hot water supply unit may use any heat source using gas, electricity, kerosine. The linking means between the tub unit and the hot water supply unit is not limited to those illustrated as embodiment if it may be sealingly linked, without causing any water leakage. The number of and the positions of the pillars and beams is not limited to that of the embodiment. The hot tub unit may be also used as simplified pool or cool water bath.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A portable and collapsible hot tub comprising a tub unit which is in such shape so that it can be extended or collapsed in a simple and easy manner; and a hot water supply which is detachably linked with said tubunit by linking means.

2. A portable and collapsible hot tubas defined in Claim 1 in which said tub unit includes pillar fitting portions provided externally of the tub unit, into which pillars can be inserted and beam support portions provided internally of the tub, on which beams can be mounted.

3. A portable and collapsible hot tubas defined in Claim 1 in which said hot water supply includes a water supply tube for introducing water from the tub; a heating unit for heating water; and a hot water supply tube for supplying heated water to the tub.