US2026981A - Massaging and bathing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

jam. 7, 1936.

E. KAHNT MASSAGING AND BATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. '7, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 7, 1936. E. KAHNT MASSAGING AND BATHING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 7', 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 7, 193 6. E, KAHNT 2,026,981

MASSAGING AND BATHING APPARATUS I Filed Fb. 7, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Tag v 04 90 14 ii 6.5 [I

Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE MASS AGING AND BATHING APPARATUS Ellis Kahnt, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 7, 1934, Serial No..'710,047

' Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in massaging and bathing apparatus and more particv.ularly to a massaging and bathing apparatus of a unitary construction and has as its principal objects to provide a combined bathing and massaging apparatus of a novel and improved construction wherein a power actuated massaging device is provided in combination with a shower which may be so arranged as to readily be applied to any portion of the body, which device may have water impinged thereon for use for both masaging and cleansing purposes and is arranged with a view towards compactness and utmost efliciency in operation and use of water.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds.

My invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my invention with parts broken away and in section to show certain details thereof;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure l with certain parts removed to more clearly show certain details thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section to show certain details of my invention;

Figure a is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 4--4 of Figure 3 showing certain details of my invention not shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Figure 3 showing certain details of my invention not shown in Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the massaging device of my invention;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along line l---'! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line Sil of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of Figure '7.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now to the details of construction of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, the main elements thereof consist of a base it having suitable side walls I I, H extending upwardly therefrom a distance suflicient to retain water therein and prevent it from splashing on the floor and permit it to be discharged through a suitable drain (not shown) a power and storage unit 52 carried by said base adjacent one end thereof; a shower nozzle l3; a cleansing and massaging device, generally indicated by reference character M; a skeleton frame i5 extending vertically upwardly from said base; and fluid repellant curtains l6, it carried thereby in the usual manner.

The skeleton frame it includes three members ll, herein shown as extending upwardly from the corners of the base it and secured thereto in a suitable manner. The members ll, ll are connected together adjacent their upper ends by means of horizontal connecting members l8, l3. Members l9, iii are hingedly connected to the upper ends of the members H, H and their outer ends abut each other and are braced by means of detachable braces I911, Wu. The members IS, 59 may be connected together at their ends and said members with the members l8, l8 are so arranged that their outline in plan is substantially a rectangle. The members l8, l3 and !9, I9 serve as a support for rings 26, 28 which carry the shower curtain IS, I 6 thereon. Suitable arcuately formed rods 2|, 2! are provided adjacent the lower ends of the shower curtains l6, l6 beneath the top of the side walls I I, l l for slidably supporting the lower ends of the curtains it, I 6.

With reference now in particular to the details of the power and storage unit 12 and several of the novel features of my invention, said unit is enclosed by means of side walls 23 and 24 extending upwardly from the base 16 and abutting the side Walls H, l I, and a cover 25 enclosing the top thereof. The side wall 23 is lower than the side wall I I so the cover 25 may be inclined to permit water to drain therefrom. The joints between the cover and side walls ll, ll, 23 and 24 may be of a suitable water-tight construction to prevent water from entering the enclosure for the power unit.

A fluid storage tank 21 is provided within the enclosure formed by the side walls H, H, 23 and 24 and is of an ordinary construction being provided with an opening closed by a cover 28, a pressure outlet including a pipe 29 and a by-pass opening 3G. As herein shown, the storage tank 21 may be filled with water of the desired temperature through the opening, closed by the cover 28, although it is obvious that if desired the device may be so arranged that either heated or cold water taken from the ordinary household hydrant may be discharged into said storage tank, and that suitable heating and temperature control apparatus may be provided for said tank, said apparatus not herein being shown since it is no portion of my present invention.

The pipe 29 is connected to and serves as an inlet to a pressure pump indicated by reference character 3|. The pump 3| may be of any suitable construction, but is herein preferably shown as being a gear pump of a usual construction, so arranged as to take up a small amount of vertical and lateral space and still be of suflicient capacity to effect the required pressure to the system. A pipe line 33 is connected to the pressure side of the pump 3| and extends upwardly therefrom. The pipe line 33 is braced to the members H, H in a suitable manner, as is clearly shown in Figure 1, and forms a fluid conductor for the shower nozzle I3 which nozzle is mounted in a ball and socket 34 so it may be directed where desired. A valve 35 is provided in the pipe line 33 to control the flow of water through the nozzle l3. A T 36 is connected in the pipe line 33 and has a flexible tube 31 connected thereto in a suitable manner, which tube leads to the massaging device l4 for directing water thereon under control of the operator in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described.

A by-pass line 38 leads from the pipe line 33 to a by-pass valve 39 connected to the by-pass opening 38 in the storage tank 21. The by-pass valve 39 is of the ordinary spring controlled ball type for by-passing water to the storage tank 31 when the valves to the shower and massaging device are not in use and when pressures in the system become excessive.

The pump 3| is mounted on a base 40 spaced above the bottom Ill of the enclosure for the power and storage unit I2 and extending from the storage tank 21 to the end thereof. A motor 4| is mounted on the base 40 adjacent an end thereof opposite the tank 21 and is insulated therefrom by means of suitable insulating members indi cated by reference character 43. (See Figure 4.) The motor 4| may be of any type well known to those skilled in the art, but is herein preferably shown as being an enclosed electric motor of a water tight construction. The motor 4| may be controlled in any suitable manner; as, for instance, a push button control remote from the motor and mechanism (not shown), so that it must be turned on before the bather enters the apparatus and can turn on the water, in order to minimize the danger of electrical shocks.

The motor 4| is provided with a shaft 44 which has driving connection with an alined shaft 45 by means of a coupling member 46. The shaft 45 is journaled in a gear housing 4'! secured to the base 48. A pinion 48 is keyed on the shaft 45 and meshes with and drives a spur gear 49 keyed on a shaft 50. The shaft 58 is journaled in the gear housing 41 and has an eccentric formed integral therewith adjacent the spur gear 46 and is operatively connected with the pump 3| in a suitable manner for driving said pump.

An eccentric strap 53 is journaled on the eccentric 5| and has a connecting member 54 formed integral therewith pivotally connected with a push rod 55 by means of a pivotal pin 55. The push rod 55 is guided within an upstanding projection 51 from the gear housing 41, which projection extends through the cover 25. Suitable packing may be provided between the projection 57 and the cover 25 as well as between the pipe line 33 and said cover to keep water from passing through said cover.

With reference now in particular to the details of the massaging device M and several other of the novel features of my invention, a flexible drive shaft 59 is secured to the upper end of the push rod 55 and held thereto by means of a nut 65. The opposite end of the flexible drive shaft 5 59 has an annular formation 6| thereon having a convex face which is carried within a ball shaped socket 62 formed in the end of. a rod 63 for pivotal movement with respect to said rod. The rod 63 is carried in a member 64 for slidable movement with respect thereto. The member 64 in turn is carried within a handle 65 of the massaging device l4 and held from movement with respect thereto by means of a set screw 56.

A flexible housing 91 is spaced from and sur- 5 rounds the flexible drive shaft 59 and is secured to the projection 51 adjacent one of its ends by means of a member 68 threaded on said projection. The opposite end of the flexible housing 61 is secured to the member 64 in a suitable manner by means of a member 99 threaded on the rearward end of said member.

A body portion 70 is herein shown as being formed integral with handle 65 and is provided with a pair of inwardly facing parallel-spaced longitudinally extending guides 1|, 1| formed therein and adapted to form a slidable support for a plate 13. The plate 13 has an integral bifurcated connecting portion 14 extending rearwardly therefrom connected to the rod 63 by means of a pin 15.

A brush I6 is adapted to be detachably secured to the plate 13 by means of a clip and ball connection, generally indicated by reference character 11. The arrangement is such that the type of brush used may be readily changed, or a sponge rubber or analagous massaging device may be substituted therefor if desired.

It is thus apparent that rotation of the motor 4| will reciprocably move the brush 16 at a relatively high rate of speed through the eccentric 5| and flexible shaft 59 and that said brushmay be so reciprocated when in various positions on the body, said flexible shaft being of sufficient length to permit said brush to reach any portion on the body. It should be noted that while I have herein shown the brush 16 as being reciprocably driven by means of a motor and eccentric that it may be reciprocated by water pressure or various other means without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

With reference now to the means for controlling the flow of water from the flexible tube 31 to the bristles of the brush 16 said tube is held to the flexible housing 61 in a suitable manner for movement therewith and secured to the end of a connecting member 19 threaded within the handle 65, which member leads to a chamber 88. The chamber leads to a passageway 8| in the handle 65 and may be closed by means of a valve 60 83, which valve is normally held in a closed position by means of a spring 84 encircling an extension 85 of the stem of said valve and interposed between a collar 86 and said handle. The valve 83 and chamber 80 may be opened to admit 65 fluid under pressure into the passageway 8| by means of an operating lever 81 having a forked portion 88 pivotally secured to opposite sides of the handle 65 and having a recessed portion 89 adapted to engage the end of theextension 85 70 of the stem of the valve 83 so that movement of said operating handle in one'direction will compress the spring 84 and open said valve.

A pair of pipes 99, 90 lead forwardly from the passageway 8| and upwardly therefrom and along 7.5

opposite sides of the body portion and are secured to flanges 9|, 9| formed integral with said body portion and disposed adjacent opposite sides of the brush 16. The ends of the pipes 93, 90 are closed and a plurality of openings 92, 92 directed towards the brush 16 are provided therein so that water under pressure may be directed to said brush.

It is thus apparent that when using the massaging device I4 for massaging purposes it is not necessary to apply Water thereto, but that water under pressure may be applied to said massaging device when desired by squeezing the operating lever 81. It may also be seen that since the flow of water is under the control of the bather and is normally shut off, that a considerable saving in water may be effected in normal bathing operations, the shower nozzle [3 only being in use when it is desired to completely rinse off.

It may now be seen that I have provided a new and useful bathing apparatus of a novel, compact, efficient and unitary construction which may readily be moved from place to place and is particularly adapted for use in places having a limited water supply and where water is not supplied under pressure.

It may also be seen that the device of my invention may be used for massaging as well as bathing purposes and that where conditions are such that water is supplied under pressure, the tank 2'! and pump 3! may be eliminated and the water connections may be made direct from the ordinary plumbing connections.

While I have herein shown and described one form of my invention, it will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific form illustrated, execepting as it may be specifically limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A massaging apparatus including a handle, a massaging member supported thereby for reciprocable movement with respect thereto, and means for reciprocably moving said massaging member with respect to said handle comprising a frame remote from said massaging member, a motor, a reciprocably movable member driven by said motor and supported in said frame, and a flexible drive connection between said reciprocably movable member and massaging member comprising a flexible housing connected between said handle and frame and a flexible drive shaft carried within said housing and operatively connected between said reciprocably movable memher and massaging member.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame having a reciprocably driven member guided for movement therein, a massaging device, flexible drive means for operating said massaging device including a flexible housing secured to said frame at one of its ends and a flexible drive shaft carried therein and secured at one of its ends to an end of said reciprocably driven member, said massaging device including a body portion having a handle extending rearwardly therefrom, said body portion having parallel spaced guides on one side thereof having a support plate slidably mounted therein, said plate having a massaging member secured to the upper face thereof and having a portion extending rearwardly therefrom within said handle, and a drive connection from said flexible drive shaft to said plate for reciprocably moving said plate in said guides including a member guided for reciprocable movement in said handle and having operative connection with said portion of said plate extending within said handle at one of its ends,

a connection between the free end of the hous- 5 ing and the rearward end of said handle, and an operative connection between the free end of said flexible drive shaft and said member guided in said handle.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a 10 frame having a reciprocably driven member guided for movement therein, a massaging device, flexible drive means for operating said massaging device including a flexible housing secured to said frame at one of its ends and a flexible drive shaft carried therein and secured at one of its ends to an end of said reciprocably driven member, said massaging device including a body portion having a handle extending rearwardly therefrom, said body portion having parallel spaced guides on one side thereof having a support plate slidably mounted therein, said plate having a massaging member secured to the upper face thereof and having a portion extending rearwardly therefrom within said handle, and a drive connection from said flexible drive shaft to said plate for reciprocably moving said plate in said guides including a member guided for reciprocable movement in said handle and having operative connection with said portion of said plate extending within said handle at one of its ends, a connection between the free end of the housing and the rearward end of said handle, and an operative connection between the free end of said flexible drive shaft and said member guided in said handle comprising a substantially ballshaped socket on the end of said member and an annular formation on the end of said flexible drive shaft having a convex outer periphery adapted to engage said socket. 4O

4. In a massaging apparatus, a massaging device comprising a member having a brush reciprocably movable with respect thereto, a handle extending from said member, a flexible housing interposed between said handle and a frame remote therefrom, and a reciprocably driven flexible drive shaft carried within said housing, said drive shaft being connected with a reciprocably driven member guided within said frame at one of its ends and with a member slidably guided within said handle at its other end, and said last-named member having operative connection with said brush for reciprocably driving said brush, said handle having a fluid passageway therein, and means communicating with said passageway leading to opposite sides of said brush for applying fluid to said brush independently of reciprocable movement thereof, and an operating lever pivoted to said handle for controlling the passage of fluid to said brush, whereby said lever may be manually operated by the hand which holds said handle while applying said massaging device to the body.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a massaging device including a support member having a massaging member guided for reciprocable movement with respect thereto, a handle extending from said support member, a flexible drive shaft having connection with said massaging member adjacent one of its ends and a reciprocably driven member adjacent its opposite end, and a flexible housing enclosing said drive shaft and connected between said handle and a member fixed from reciprocable movement with respect to said reciprocably driven-member, said handle having a fluid passageway therein, means for conmovement thereof, and an operating lever on said handle for controlling said valve so arranged that said lever may be manually operated by the hand which holds said handle While applying said massaging device to the body. 5

ELLIS KAHNT.

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