US2108268A - Electrothermo bath - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 15, M PETERSIME 2,368,268

ELECTROTHERMO BATH Filed Sept. 28, 1936 Patented Feb. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATE 2 ,108,268 nLnorao'rnnaMo BATH Ira P eters ime, Gettysburg, Ohio, assignor to The Petersime Incubator Company, Gettys burg, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 28, 1936, Serial No; 102,923

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrothermo bath. It is an object of this invention to provide an electrothermo bath comprising a cabinet provided with foot rest, seat and head-rest'means and equipped with means for raising the temperature therein to a predetermined degree and maintaining said temperature at saidprede'termined degree.

It is a further object of this invention to prol) vide such an electrothermo bath which is simple to operate, which requires no comprehensive adjustment and which is fool-proof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bath which is of strong construction, while of light weight and fully portable.

It is a further object of this invention to pro vide such a bath wherein the user is supported in a comfortable semi-recumbent position by means of a seat inclined. with respect to the horizontal and an inclined foot rest formed by a side of the cabinet of the bath, which cabinet is also provided with a head rest adapted to sup-port the head of the user in a comfortable position.

It is a further object of this invention to pro- 3 vide such a construction wherein the utmost ventilation is achieved and wherein the interior is relatively unobstructed whereby to achieve the utmost ease of cleaning. 1

It is a further object of this invention to pro- ,0 vide in such an apparatus a door construction wherein the door is kept in closed position by its own weight and wherein no latching means is necessary.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such structure wherein a foot rest is provided by an inclined side of the cabinet of the electrothermo bath. I 1 I It is a further object'of this invention to provide such an apparatus wherein the heater is placed 40 in position for greatest efliciency of heating by natural convection, wherein the least danger of injury to the user is encountered and wherein the ultimate degree of vaporization of water in the water pan is accomplished.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in such an apparatus a combined water pan and reflector for aiding in the transfer of heat to the body of the user, while, at the same time, providing vaporizing means for moistening the air in the bath.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in such an apparatus seating means including a back rest particularly adapted to provide the ultimate exposure of the back of the user to the heated air in the bath.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means in the cabinet of such an apparatus for retaining a thermometer in order to indicate the temperature of the interior of the bath.

These and other objects and advantages will 01. izs-s'iii appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a View in perspective of the bath with the cabinet door closed;

' Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the bath with the cabinet door open; and

Figure 3 is an elevational view in section of the bath cabinet, showing the heater in elevation.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the cabinet of the bath is composed of similar pentagonal side walls, generally designated 9, which are joined by means of a framework to a horizontal base wall 2, a substantially vertical rear wall 3, a forwardly, upwardly inclined bottom wall t and an upwardly and forwardly inclined member 5 which cooperates with a movable member, hereinafter more clearly described, to form an inclined top wall.

The front wall is formed by a door 6 which is hingedly attached to the framework at one side. The door is provided at its top edge with a rearwardly extended, downwardly inclined member 8 which is adapted to have its edge engage the edge of the member 5 to form the top wall of the cabinet. A substantially semicircular notch 9 is formed in the forward edge of the member 5 and a similar and oppositely disposed notch ii is formed in the edge ofthe member 8, which notches cooperate to form a substantially circular hole in the top wall of the cabinet which is formed by the members 5 and 8.

The framework joining the walls I, 2, 3, 4 and top wall member 5, and providing a support for the door 6 and top wall member 8, is preferably formed of wood and the walls may be formed of any suitable material such as plywood, which may or may not be provided on its inside surfaces with insulation, or the walls may, if desired, be formed of insulating wall board. The inclination, from the vertical, of the hinges H which connect the door e pivotally to the framework, makes it unnecessary to use any latching means on the door, as the door will be retained, by its own weight, in closed position, when it is placed in such position. A handle l2'is provided at the side of the door opposite the hinges H to permit of the opening and closing of the door by the user.

A hole 53 is provided in the framework adjacent the top' forward surface of one corner for retaining a thermomemter l4 (Figure 3) for indicating the temperature within the cabinet. Extending upwardly from the top wall member 5 and substantially perpendicular thereto is the head rest I5 which is attached by means of brackets Iii to the top wall member 5. The head rest I5 is substantially parallel to the plane of the door 6.

Secured to the inside surface of each side wall i is a strip H which is disposed at slight in- .clination to the horizontal, which strips ll support therebetween a seat l8 which has attached to the rear edge thereof a pair of spaced strips 19 which are attached at their opposite ends to the top wall member and which form a back rest of such nature as to provide support for the back of a user, while at the same time exposing the back of such user substantially fully to the heated air within the bath cabinet. The inner surface of the forwardly and upwardly inclined bottom wall 4 provides a foot rest for the user who sits upon the seat It with his feet resting on the inner surface of the wall 4, with his neck projecting through the aperture formed by the complementary notches 9 and Ill and with the back of his head supported by the head rest IS.

The semi-recumbent position afforded by this disposition of the head rest [5, the seat I8 and the foot rest defined by the wall 4 is such as to provide utmost ease and encourage complete relaxation and repose. The provision of the substantial skeleton frame of pentagonal section provides the utmost strength possible for the weight of the cabinet construction. The great number of angles provided by this pentagonal construction increases the rigidity of the structure. The inclination of the wall 4 forwardly and upwardly with respect to the horizontal makes it possible to utilize the inner surface of the wall 4 as a foot rest and to avoid the further addition of weight to the cabinet by attachment thereto of a separate foot rest.

As shown in Figure 2, the portion of the framework to which the hinges I l are attached provides a support for the door 6 when it is open. In this position, the door may be easily grasped by a user seated on the seat of the bath, with his feet resting upon the inner surface of the wall 4, and his neck disposed in the notch 10 of the top wall member 5. The user may then close the door and it will, or" its own weight, remain closed until it is pushed open from the inside by the user. This provides means whereby a user may, at any time, relieve himself from excessive heat within the cabinet.

As shown in Figure 2, an aperture 6a may be provided in the door 6 which may be opened from the inside to reduce the temperature within the bath cabinet. Any suitable means, such as a slidable or hinged door, may be provided for varying the effective size of the aperture 6d. Secured to the inside surface of the base wall 2 is a water pan 2!) which is provided with upwardly directed front and side flanges and a substan tially elongated inclined rear wall 2|, which has its upper end portion secured to the rear wall 3 and which is adapted to serve as a reflector for directing upwardly heat generated by a heater, generally designated 22, which is mounted within the water pan 28 and suitably insulated therefrom. This heater is provided with suitable resistance coils and electric energy is fed thereto by conduits 23 and 24 which are connected to a suitable, adjustable thermostat, generally designated 25. The thermostat is provided with a suitable base plug 26 which extends through a side wall I and which is adapted to accommodate an electric plug 2! which is connected by means of wires 28 and 29 with a suitable source of electric energy.

In using the electrothermo bath, approximately a glass-full of water is placed in the water pan 2!), the electrical plug 21 is inserted in the plug base 26. If the machine has not been previously adjusted, a thermometer is inserted in the hole or aperture l3 and the thermostat is adjusted until the temperature, during operation of the apparatus, remains at the constant desired value. After adjustment of the thermostat, in using the machine, it is merely necessary to place water in the Water pan and insert the plug 21 in the plug base 26, whereby to complete the electrical circuit through the thermostat to the heater 22. After the elapse of a few minutes, the temperature within the bath cabinet will reach and remain at the desired predetermined value, and the user may then open the door 6 and sit upon the seat l8 with his neck disposed within the notch 9 and his feet supported on the inner side of the wall 4 and then close the door 6, after placing a towel about his neck in order to avoid the escape of heat and/or moist air between his neck and the aperture provided by the complementary notches 9 and I0. After the temperature within the cabinet has reached the predetermined value, the thermostat 25 will act automatically to retain the temperature at the predetermined constant.

It will thus be seen that the illustrated structure provides an electrothermo bath of simple operation, of extremely light weight and portability, wherein the user is supported in a comfortable, restful, recumbent position, and that, due to the simplicity of the construction of the interior and the avoidance of encumbrance of the interior surfaces of the cabinet, the utmost ease of cleaning is achieved.

It will furthermore be seen that, by utilizing a I construction wherein the door is automatically retained in closed position, without the use of latching means, the user is continually enabled to leave the bath at any time. Likewise, he is able to reduce the heat momentarily by opening the aperture 6a or partially opening the door 6. It will furthermore be seen that the disposition of the heater is such that the feet of the user, when he is leaving the machine, will not contact the heater. It will furthermore be seen that the disposition of the heater is such that the utmost efficiency of vaporization of water in the water pan will be achieved and the ultimate circulation of heat under the force of natural convection will be achieved. Furthermore, the reflector 21 will aid in the direction of heat to the body of the user.

It will further be noted that the back rest construction is such as to comfortably support the back of the user without preventing heat from reaching the users back.

It will be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of one manner in which the principles of my invention may be utilized and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrothermo bath comprising a rigid cabinet having therein, electrically operated heating means, thermostat means for controlling said heating means, and a seat disposed at an angle to the horizontal, said cabinet having a wall adapted to serve as an inclined foot rest and a second wall having an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user supported in semi-reclining position by said seat and said foot rest.

2. An electrothermo bath comprising a rigid cabinet having therein, electrically operated heating means, thermostat means for controlling said heating means, and a seat disposed at an angle to the horizontal, said cabinet having a wall adapted to serve as a foot rest and a second wall having an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user supported in semi-reclining position by said seat and said foot rest, said second wall having a rigidly attached head rest adapted to support the head of a user.

3. An electrothermo bath comprising a closed rigid cabinet having therein, electrically operated heating means, thermostat means for controlling said heating means, a seat disposed at an angle to the horizontal, and a back rest adapted to support the back of a user while permitting access of heat thereto, said cabinet having a wall adapted to serve as a foot rest, and a second wall substantially parallel to said first wall having therein an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user supported in semi-reclining position by said seat and said foot rest.

4. In an electrothermo bath, a closed rigid cabinet of pentagonal cross section having a door adapted to serve as one wall, said door being adapted to be retained in closed position by its own weight, said cabinet having a second wall adapted to serve as an inclined foot rest, and a third wall provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user, said lastnamed wall having a head rest thereon and said cabinet being provided on its interior with an inclined seat connected by means of a back rest to said third wall, said back rest being adapted to support the back of a user while providing substantial exposure thereof to the heated air in said cabinet.

5. In an electrothermo bath, a closed rigid cabinet of pentagonal cross section having an inclined door adapted to serve as one wall, said door being adapted to be retained in closed position by its own weight, said cabinet having a second wall adapted to serve as an inclined foot rest, and a third wall provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user, said last-named wall having a head rest thereon and said cabinet being provided on its interior with an inclined seat connected by means of a back rest to said third wall, said back rest being adapted to support the back of a user while pro-- viding substantial exposure thereof to the heated air in said cabinet, said cabinet having therein a water pan provided with a thermostat controlled heater.

6. In an electrothermo bath, a closed cabinet of pentagonal cross section having a door adapted to serve as one inclined wall, said door being adapted to be retained in closed position by its own weight, said cabinet having a second wall adapted to serve as a foot rest, and a third wall provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user, said last-named wall having a head rest thereon and said cabinet being provided on its interior with an inclined seat connected by means of a back rest to said third wall, said back rest being adapted to support the back of a user while providing substantial exposure thereof to the heated air insaid cabinet, said cabinet having therein a water pan provided with a thermostat controlled heater and said water pan having an inclined reflector wall extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and adapted to direct heat through said back rest to the back of the user.

7. In an electrothermo bath, a rigid closed cabinet of pentagonal cross section having a door adapted to serve as one. inclined wall, said door being adapted to be retained in closed position by its own weight, said cabinet having a second wall adapted to serve as an inclined foot rest, and a third wall provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate the neck of a user, said last-named wall having a head rest thereon. and said cabinet being provided on its interior with an inclined seat connected by means of a back rest to said third wall, said back rest being adapted to support the back of a user while providing substantial exposure thereof to the heated air in said cabinet, said cabinet having therein a water pan provided with a thermostat controlled heater and said water pan having an inclined reflector wall extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom and adapted to direct heat through said back rest to the back of the user, said cabinet being provided with an aperture adapted to .a

support a thermometer within the range of vision of a user for indicating the temperature on the interior of said cabinet.

8. An electrothermo bath comprising a closed rigid cabinet having an inclined wall adapted to serve as a foot rest, an inclined door adapted, of its own weight, to be retained in closed position without latching means, means in said cabinet for supporting and exposing the back of a user, seat means attached thereto, and thermostat controlled heater means.

9. An electrothermo bath comprising a closed rigid cabinet having an incline-d wall adapted to serve as a foot rest, an inclined door adapted, of its own weight, to be retained in closed position without latching means, back rest means in said cabinet for supporting and exposing the back of a user, seat means attached thereto, a water pan attached to the floor of said cabinet and having an upwardly extending side adapted to direct heat through said back rest to the back of a user, and thermostat controlled heater means supported in said water pan and adapted to vaporize the water in said pan and heat the air in said cabinet.

10. In an electrothermo bath, a rigid closed cabinet having a base wall having attached thereto a pair of vertical side walls and a plurality of inclined walls, said walls being connected by a framework hingedly supporting an inclined door adapted, of its own weight, to be retained in closed position, one of said inclined walls being adapted to provide a foot rest and another of said walls, substantially opposite said last-named wall, being provided with a notch adapted to cooperate with a second notch associated with said door, to provide an aperture for accommodating the neck of a user when said door is closed.

11. In an electrothermo bath, a cabinet having a base wall having attached thereto a pair of vertical side walls and a plurality of inclined walls, said walls being connected by a framework hingedly supporting an inclined door adapted, of its own weight, to be retained in closed position, one of said inclined walls being adapted to provide a foot rest and another of said walls, substantially opposite said last-named wall, being provided with a notch adapted to cooperate with a second notch associated with said door, to provide an aperture for accommodating the neck of a user when said door is closed, said lastnamed wall being provided with a head rest substantially parallel to said door.

IRA M. PE'IERSIME.

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