GB2394565A - Remotely controlled air pump for a bath mat - Google Patents
Remotely controlled air pump for a bath mat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2394565A GB2394565A GB0321428A GB0321428A GB2394565A GB 2394565 A GB2394565 A GB 2394565A GB 0321428 A GB0321428 A GB 0321428A GB 0321428 A GB0321428 A GB 0321428A GB 2394565 A GB2394565 A GB 2394565A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- remote control
- control unit
- bath mat
- blower unit
- unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000005587 bubbling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ozone Chemical compound [O-][O+]=O CBENFWSGALASAD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000002560 therapeutic procedure Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009849 deactivation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002040 relaxant effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000035807 sensation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001225 therapeutic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/02—Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths
- A61H33/025—Aerating mats or frames, e.g. to be put in a bath-tub
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/02—Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths
- A61H33/028—Means for producing a flow of gas, e.g. blowers, compressors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
- F04D25/02—Units comprising pumps and their driving means
- F04D25/08—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation
- F04D25/084—Units comprising pumps and their driving means the working fluid being air, e.g. for ventilation hand fans
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/005—Electrical circuits therefor
- A61H2033/0058—Electrical circuits therefor controlled by the user
- A61H2033/0079—Electrical circuits therefor controlled by the user using remote control signal transmission devices, e.g. ultrasonic, infrared
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
Abstract
A remotely controlled air pump unit, or blower unit, 10 for a 'bubbling bath mat' 100 comprises a housing 15, a control assembly connected to an air pump, a remote control unit 30 for wirelessly transmitting control signals to the control assembly and means for attaching the remote control unit 30 to the housing 15. The remote control unit 30 may be attached to the housing 15 by a string, a coiled cord (60, figure 6), a retractable cord (50, figure 5) a magnet or a hook and loop fastener. The remote control unit 30 may be watertight and may transmit radio frequency (RF) or infrared signals. An air hose 140 , and the mat 100 itself, may include further control means. The mat 100 may also include ionic or ozone producing means. In an alternative embodiment, the remote control unit 30 may transmit control signals along an insulated electrical wire.
Description
A REMOTE CONTROL BATH MAT BLOWER UNIT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
s Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a blower unit for a bath mat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blower unit for a bath mat that provides an aerated bubbling, therapeutic massage. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides a remote control unit that controls the operation of a control 0 assembly of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol. The remote control unit may be connected to the blower unit.
Examples of bubbling bath mats demonstrating the state of the art can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,090,403; 5,080,091; 4,962,759; 4,417,568; 4, 409,693; and 5 3,809/073. In addition, German Patent Nos. 2,854,503 and 4, 033,021 also reflect the state of the art.
All of the above patents provide bubbling bath mats that introduce air into a body of water through a number of apertures located in an upper and/or side surface 20 of the bath mat. However, the prior art bath mats lack the convenient operation
desired by a user. It is not convenient for the user to exit the bathtub in order to À. e. À operate a control disposed on the blower unit. Remote control of the bath mat blower À.. À. unit would be advantageous. However, a blower unit having a remote control that . controls operation of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol may À. 25 become misplaced, damaged, or even pose a hazard in the operating environment of a bubbling bat mat.
. À À À Hi. A preferred embodiment of the present invention addresses the above mentioned deficiencies by providing a bubbling bath mat blower unit having the 30 convenience of a remote control unit that is securely, safely, and conveniently connected to the blower unit, yet the remote control unit can control the functions of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat having a remote control unit.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a remote control s unit that is securely and conveniently connected to the blower unit by a connector.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a remote control unit connected to the housing by a retractable connector.
l o These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the blower unit for a bubbling bath mat.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided A blower unit for a bath mat comprising: 5 À a housing; À an air pump being disposed in said housing; a control assembly being disposed in said housing and operatively connected to said air pump; À a remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said 20 control assembly; and À a connector for connecting said blower unit to said remote control unit.
À À À À À. Conveniently the remote control unit may transmit either an infrared signal :. or a radio frequency (RF) signal. Typically the connector will be selected from the .. 2s group consisting of a retractable connector, a string, coiled cord, a sheathed wire, a magnet, and a hook and loop fastener.
À À À: Preferably the remote control unit will be fixedly attached to said housing, and will he provided with a cradle for holding the same, which typically will be provided 30 on a top surface of said housing. Advantageously the remote control unit is sealed watertight...DTD:
Conveniently the remote control unit has at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said blower unit. Typically these functions will be one of more selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared therapy, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.
Preferably the blower unit additionally includes a hose for attaching said blower unit to a bath mat.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a bubbling lo bath mat comprising: a blower unit having a housing, an air pump disposed in said housing, a first control assembly disposed in said housing, a remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said first control assembly, said remote control unit being selectively separable from said blower unit; 5 À a bath mat; and an air hose connected to said bath mat and said sir pump, wherein said air hose has a second control assembly for manipulating air flow to said bath mat. 20 Advantageously the remote control unit will be sealed watertight.
À..e À À À Conveniently the remote control unit can be provided with either an infrared À À. transmitter or a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitter.
À.e À. Àe . 25 Preferably the remote control unit will include at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said blower unit, and wherein said functions are .. : À. selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared I:: therapy, providing ions to said air, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.
30 Preferably the second control assembly for manipulating said airflow to said bath mat will be disposed on said bath mat. Typically the bath mat will further include an ionic/ozone producing assembly for introducing ions into said airflow.
Conveniently the remote control unit transmits said control signal to said control assembly by an insulated electrical wire, said insulated electrical wire operatively connected to said control assembly and said remote control unit.
Advantageously the insulated electrical wire will be sealed watertight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat of the present invention with a remote control unit connected to the blower unit; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary bath mat for use with the blower unit of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the blower unit for a bubbling bath mat with a 5 remote control unit connected to the housing of the blower unit by a connector, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the blower unit of Fig. 1, in which the remote control unit is connected to the housing of the blower unit by a retractable connector, 20 in accordance with the present invention; À..e : À. À Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the blower unit of Fig. 4, in which the remote Abbe À control unit is connected to the blower unit by a retractable connector in accordance . with the present invention; Àe Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the blower unit of Fig. I, which the remote À. control unit is connected to the housing of the blower unit by a coiled connector; I. À Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the blower unit of 30 Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a blower unit for a bath mat in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 10. Blower unit 10 can be removably connected to the bath mat 100 by an air hose 140. Heated and pressurised o air generated in blower unit 10 is directed through air hose 140 into bath mat 100. A user rests on bath mat 100 within, for example, a bathtub for a relaxing aerated, heated massage. The user can selectively control the aerated and heating sensations generated in the blower unit with a remote control 30. Typically, blower unit 10 may be placed adjacent to the bathtub on a floor and bath mat 100 placed in the bathtub for 5 the user to selectively lie on top of the bath mat.
With reference to Fig. 2, bath mat 100 includes a receptacle for which heated and/or pressurised air may enter the bath mat from air hose 140. Bath mat 100 may be made of a flexible material, a vinyl, or any suitable material having a surface that 20 imparts beneficial aspects upon the user. Bath mat 100 may also have a plurality of longitudinally disposed segments including head segment 105 and body segments Àe À. ^ À 110, 115, 120 and 125 that extend the longitudinal length of bath mat 100. Preferably, e... À À À À segments 105, 110, 115, 120 and 125 are made of a semi-rigid material.
. 25 Head segment 105 has an air distributor controller 130. Preferably, air distributor controller 130 has an air inlet orifice 135 for receiving and engaging hose .. : À. 140. Head segment 105 is connected to segment 110 by two or more air channels.
À Ale. Preferably, the air channels include at least two outer channels 145 and at least two inner channels 150. Outer channels 145 and inner channels 150 can extend 30 substantially the entire longitudinal length of bath mat 100 and to flexibly traverse joints 155. Outer channels 145 preferably run along opposing outer edges of bath mat 100 in the longitudinal direction. Inner channels 150 preferably run along an inner portion of mat 100 in the longitudinal direction.
Each segment l lO, 115, 120, and 125 preferably has one or more apertures 175 randomly distributed throughout a surface of each segment. Preferably, apertures 175 are sized differently. Segments 110, 115, 120, and 125 can be flexibly hinged together in any suitable manner, but preferably by link hinges 156 laterally spaced and s diametrically opposed along the outer edge of bubbling bath mat 100 at one or more joints 155. In this manner, heated and pressurised air generated within blower unit 10 is released through apertures 175 to provide the user with a relaxing heat, aerated sensation. lo Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown blower unit 10 with remote control 30.
Blower unit 10 has a housing 15. In housing 15, there is an air pump, a control assembly, a transmitter, a heater, (all of which are not shown), a cradle 20, a remote control 30, and a connector 45 for connecting the remote control to blower unit 10.
The air pump, control assembly, transmitter and heater are all conventionally known.
is The heater may be a thermally conductive plate, a heater wire, a positive thermal coefficient heater or in-line heater disposed in housing 15. The pump may be a centrifugal pump, a gear pump, a piston pump, a vane pump, a rotor or any other device or method suitable for pumping the heated air through the air hose 140 to the bath mat 100. Housing 15 has a number of legs 16 disposed on the exterior thereof 20 for supporting blower unit 10 on a support surface in a stable manner, preferably adjacent to the bathtub. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that c* À, housing 15 may be formed as a "U" shaped member or any other suitable shape to a À house the pump, the heater and the operational components of the blower unit.
2s Housing 15 also has an aperture 12 for connecting air hose 140 to bath mat 100. The blower unit 10 is connected to bath mat 100 by air hose 140 in a suitable . À, airtight manner to direct air into the bath mat. Air hose 140 may be made from any À., suitable thermoplastic material that allows heated and pressurised air to communicate with bath mat 100. Air hose 140 is suitable to interface with aperture 12. Aperture 12 30 preferably has a diameter about the same diameter as air hose 140 such that air hose 140 may selectively interface with aperture. In this manner, the user may removably detach air hose 140 from blower unit 10 and bath mat 100 for storage purposes. Thus, a user resting on top of bath mat l OO, in for example, the bath tub may enjoy a
relaxing aerated massaging sensation from air circulated from the pump (not shown) in blower unit 10 to the user's skin tissues.
An exemplary aspect of the present invention is that remote control 30 is s connected to blower unit 10. The housing 15 has a cradle 20. Cradle 20 is intended for storing remote control unit 30 therein. Cradle 20 may be a longitudinally shaped notch structure formed in the exterior of the housing or in the interior space of housing 15. Cradle 20 may also have a translucent plate 25 that extends from the topside of blower unit 10 for selectively engaging remote control unit 30. Cradle 20 o may be any suitable shape for receiving and preferably securing remote control unit 30 with the cradle. Cradle 20 is preferably constructed of a durable thermoplastic material and may have a detent or other retaining device for removably holding remote control unit 30 in the cradle.
5 Housing 15 also has a receiver 14. Receiver 14 receives a wireless communication protocol signal, for example, an infrared, a radio frequency, or other type of signal, either analog or digital, from remote control unit 30. Receiver 14 is electrically connected to a control assembly (not shown) disposed in housing 15 for controlling the various functions of blower unit 10 such as the heater, the pump, an 20 infrared therapy device, a vibration device, and a cooling device.
À À- À. À As can be understood from the drawings, remote control unit 30 is intended to be grasped by the hand and may be waterproof. Remote control unit 30 may be À oblong with a topside 32, a bottom side 34, and a rear side 36. In an aspect hereof, 2s topside 32 has one or more buttons 38. Button(s) 38 may be any configuration that corresponds and permits control of the operational and functional capabilities of À. À À blower unit 10 via remote control unit 30. For example, the button(s) 38 may include Àeeee. À À a heater button, an air pump activation/deactivation button, a cooling button, a vibration feature activation/deactivation button, an infrared therapy 30 activation/deactivation button, a timer button or any combinations thereof.
In an aspect of the present invention, remote control unit 30 has a transmitter (hot shown) disposed in the remote control unit adjacent to a translucent plate 36.
The translucent plate 36 facilitates transmission of the control signal from the
transmitter of the remote control unit 30 of blower unit 10. The transmitter may emit an infrared, a radio frequency, or other type of signal, either digital or analog, through plate 36 to receiver 14 disposed within blower unit 10 for receiving the transmitted signal for controlling the various operational functions of the blower unit. Preferably, 5 the signal is an infrared signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal. One skilled in the art should appreciate that remote control unit 30 may be fabricated in a watertight manner such that remote control unit 30 will not be damaged upon exposure to liquid.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, receiver 14 may be lo located in cradle 20, such that signals from remote control unit 30 may be receiving by transmitter (not shown) when remote control unit is seated in the cradle. In this matter, the need for control button(s) 38 on blower unit 10 is obviated. In another aspect of the present invention, remote control unit 30 may include a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, ad adhesive or any combination thereof for removably connecting IS the remote control unit 30 to the blower unitl O. As shown on Figs. 3 through 6 remote control unit 30 is connected to blower unit 10 by a connector 45. Referring to Fig. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a post 40 having an aperture therethrough is connected to an 20 exterior surface of housing 15. Post 40 may be any horizontal or vertical support structure having an aperture for securing remote control unit 30 to blower unit 10.
À À One end of connector 45 is connected to post 40 and a second end of connector 45 is À À. connected to remote control unit 30. In this manner, remote control unit 30 may be :. conveniently and securely attached to blower unit 10 to obviate the user from losing, 25 misplacing or damaging the remote control unit. Connector 45 may include a nylon cord, a sheathed wire, a chain, or other, preferably flexible, material.
À. . À As shown on Fig. 4 and 5, remote control unit 30 may be attached or connected to blower unit 10 by retractable connector 50. Retractable connector 50 30 may be disposed on an exterior surface of housing 15, disposed in blower unit 10 or on an interior surface of cradle 20. Referring to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown on Fig. 5, retractable connector 50 may be disposed in the interior of blower unit 10. Retractable connector 50 is preferably wound around exemplary spindle 55.
Spindle 55 may have a housing 56 connected to an interior surface of blower unit 10. Spindle 55 is preferably biased with a spring or coil disposed in housing 56 such that retractable connector 50 retracts with a sufficient force to wind and pull 5 remote control unit 30 from a remote location to a location substantially adjacent to blower unit 10. In this manner, by retracting remote control unit 30, the remote control unit avoids being lost, misplaced, and or damaged. Furthermore, remote control unit 30 can be quickly and conveniently retrieved and stored using retractable connector 50 after the user is comfortably resting on bath mat 100 in, for example a lo bath tub.
Referring to Fig. 6, remote control unit 30 may be connected to blower unit 10 by an exemplary coiled cord 60. Coiled cord 60 may be connected around post 40.
Coiled cord 60 may be any slender length member of flexible material used to bind 5 remote control unit 30 with post 40 disposed on blower unit 10. Coiled cord 60 preferably provides tension sufficient to retract remote control unit 30 from a remote location to a position adjacent blower unit 10. In yet another preferred embodiment shown on Fig. 7, coiled cord 60 may be connected to a lateral flange of housing 15.
In this manner, coiled cord 60 prevents remote control unit 30 from becoming lost, 20 misplaced, or damaged.
À. À À À .. Referring again to Fig. 1, bath mat I 00 is shown connected to blower unit I O À À À by hose 140. Bath mat 100 preferably releases warm aerating bubbles that at least : maintains the water temperature of, for example, a bath tub. The function of aeration, A. 25as well as other functions, may be controlled in response to a wireless communication protocol signal transmitted from remote control unit 30 attached or connected by À À connector 45 to blower unit 10. The pressurised air is routed to bath mat 100 via air I: À À hose 140.
30 In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on Fig. 8, blower unit 10 may also include a remote control unit 30 that is selectively separable from blower unit 10 and/or not connected to blower unit 10. The remote control 30 may be waterproof and wirelessly transmit a control signal to the control assembly disposed in housing 15. The remote control unit 30 may have a disengageable
connector, a hook and loop fastener, a tether, a wire, a reel or any other suitable connector. The control signal may include an infrared signal or a radio frequency signal. The signals will control the operational functions of blower unit 10. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, blower unit 10 can include 5 an ionic/ozone producing assembly (not shown) for introducing ions into the heated and pressurised air which in turn is routed to bath mat 100 via air hose 140.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on Fig. 9, blower unit 10 has a remote control unit 31 connected to the blower unit. Remote lo control unit 31 is attached to the control assembly (not shown) in the blower unit 10 by an insulated and waterproof electrical wire 62. The electrical wire 62 is suitable to communicate an analog or a digital signal through the wire to control unit (not shown) of the blower unit. The signals in the rectangular control unit 31 travel through the wire to control the operational functions of blower unit 10.
It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular functions and other aspects of blower unit 10 with remote control 30 discussed herein are but examples of the present invention.
20 It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the
present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those À À skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present À À. invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.
À. À À Àe À: À. À À À*e À
Claims (21)
1. A blower unit for a bath mat comprising: À a housing; an air pump being disposed in said housing; s À a control assembly being disposed in said housing and operatively connected to said air pump; a remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said control assembly; and a connector for connecting said blower unit to said remote control unit.
In
2. A blower unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote control unit transmits an infrared signal.
3. A blower unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote control unit transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.
4. A blower unit as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said connector is 15 selected from the group consisting of a retractable connector, a string, coiled cord, a sheathed wire, a magnet, and a hook and loop fastener.
5. A blower unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said remote control unit is fixedly attached to said housing.
6. A blower unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a cradle for 20 holding said remote control unit.
.
7. A blower unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cradle is disposed on a top À surface of said housing.
À - -
8. A blower unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said remote control unit Àe-. À. ' is sealed watertight.
À. 25
9. A blower unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said remote control unit . has at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said blower unit, and À wherein said functions are selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, ..e pumping air, providing infrared therapy, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.
10. A blower unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a hose for 30 attaching said blower unit to a bath mat.
11. A bubbling bath mat comprising: a blower unit having a housing, an air pump disposed in said housing, a first control assembly disposed in said housing, a remote control unit for
wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said first control assembly, said remote control unit being selectively separable from said blower unit; a bath mat; and an air hose connected to said bath mat and said sir pump, wherein said air 5 hose has a second control assembly for manipulating air flow to said bath mat.
12. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in claim 1 1, wherein said remote control unit is sealed watertight.
13. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said remote lo control unit has an infrared transmitter.
14. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein said remote control unit transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.
1 S. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in any one of claims I I to 14, wherein said remote control unit has at least one button for controlling one or more functions of I S said blower unit, and wherein said functions are selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared therapy, providing ions to said air, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.
16. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in any one of claims I 1 to 15, wherein said second control assembly for manipulating said air flow to said bath mat is disposed on 20 said bath mat.
17. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in any one of claims I 1 to 16, wherein said bath , * mat has an ionic/ozone producing assembly for introducing ions into said air flow.
À
18. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in any one of claims I 1 to 17, wherein said remote control unit transmits said control signal to said control assembly by an 2s insulated electrical wire, said insulated electrical wire operatively connected to said control assembly and said remote control unit .. . À
19. A bubbling bath mat as claimed in claim 18, wherein said insulated electrical wire . is sealed watertight.
20. A blower unit for a bath mat substantially as hereinbefore described with 30 reference to Figures I to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A bubbling bath mat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/243,257 US20040049842A1 (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2002-09-13 | Remote control bath mat blower unit |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0321428D0 GB0321428D0 (en) | 2003-10-15 |
| GB2394565A true GB2394565A (en) | 2004-04-28 |
Family
ID=29250267
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0321428A Withdrawn GB2394565A (en) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-09-12 | Remotely controlled air pump for a bath mat |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20040049842A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2440586A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2394565A (en) |
Families Citing this family (78)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008006218A1 (en) * | 2006-07-13 | 2008-01-17 | C.G. Air Systèmes Inc. | Magnetotherapy system for tubs |
| US20080172784A1 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-24 | Kam Fai Fung | Bath mat blower assembly with cord reel |
| GB2452593A (en) * | 2007-09-04 | 2009-03-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A fan |
| US20090089924A1 (en) * | 2007-10-06 | 2009-04-09 | Jonathan Jan | Spa tub apparatus |
| GB2463698B (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2010-12-01 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A fan |
| GB2464736A (en) | 2008-10-25 | 2010-04-28 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Fan with a filter |
| GB2466058B (en) * | 2008-12-11 | 2010-12-22 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Fan nozzle with spacers |
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| DE2731594A1 (en) * | 1977-07-13 | 1979-01-25 | Baumann Beltron Gmbh | Therapeutic air spray mat hose - has internal actuator connected to fan and controls on mat |
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| EP0331606A2 (en) * | 1988-03-01 | 1989-09-06 | FIT S.à.r.l. | Control device for the air distribution valve of an aerated bath |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2440586A1 (en) | 2004-03-13 |
| US20040049842A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
| GB0321428D0 (en) | 2003-10-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |