US2654894A

US2654894A - Foot bath

Info

Publication number: US2654894A
Authority: US
Priority date: 1952-03-14
Filing date: 1952-03-14
Publication date: 1953-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-13

Description

Oct. 13, 1953 c VAN U 2,654,894

FOOT BATH Filed March 14, 1952 FIG. I

Jnnentor 40 0. M. G. Van Duck 20 D I M E attorney) Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOOT BATH Charles M. G. Van Dijck, Antwerp, Belgium Application March 14, 1952, Serial No. 276,610

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to bathing apparatus which may be employed as foot baths.

An important object of the invention is to provide a bathing apparatus including a tub, having a discharge port and housing a grid structure of liquid spraying conduits which, when actuated by the occupants body, either automatically closes or opens the port.

Another important object is to provide, in such a grid structure, for the discharge from the conduits of one or more liquids, without mixing the liquids prior to discharge.

A further important object is to provide, in a bathing tub, a structure which will cause a spray of liquid within the tub followed, if desired, by a turbulence in the sprayed liquid filling the tub.

Yet another important object is to provide a novel pedal associated with the grid structure for aiding in actuating the latter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this disclosure and in which drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the new bathing apparatus, portions of the walls of the tub thereof being broken away so as to better illustrate the grid structure and other parts within the tub.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of a manifold of the grid structure, substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of another manifold of the grid structure, substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the grid structure, substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the central portion of the grid structure with the structure depressed and a discharge port closed.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse section of two pipes of the grid structure, substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A designates the new bathing apparatus as a whole and comprising a receptacle or tub B; liquid distributing means C within the receptacle or tub B; means D to conduct one liquid to the means C; means E to conduct another liquid to the means (3; means F to move the means 0 to open orclose a discharge port of the receptacle or tub B; and means G to assist in moving the means C.

The bathing apparatus A may be employed as a foot bath and may be portable or fixed.

Preferably, the receptacle or tub B is rectangular with two opposite upstanding walls [0 and II joining two opposite upstanding walls 12 and I3 which four walls, with a bottom wall I4, define a chamber I5 having an upwardly opening mouth. Legs l6 may be provided to elevate the bottom wall above any suitable conventional supporting surface (not shown), so that the bottom wall is substantially horizontal. The receptacle or tub may be of sheet metal and be provided, in the bottom Wall 14, with a discharge or drainage port I! communicating with a conventional discharge conduit l8 carried beneath the wall M.

The liquid distributing means C comprises a movable or rockable grid structure of two sub stantially paralleling, elongated, spaced-apart major manifolds and 2|, a minor manifold 22 associated with the manifold 20 and a plurality of elongated spaced-apart conduits connecting one or another of the manifolds, as will be described, and forming (l) a grid-like connection of the manifold, (2) liquid conduits, (3) partial supports for the means G, and (4) means to cooperate with a part of the means F so as to prevent accidental shifting of the grid structure in two directions.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 the

manifolds

20 and 22 comprise two tubular sections with the major manifold 29 provided with one end wall 25 and may have an opposite end wall 26, while the minor manifold 22 may be of the same diameter as that of the manifold and have a wall 21 at one end and be joined, at its other end, to the end wall 26 as by welding, soldering or the like. Thus, there is provided a chamber 28 in the manifold 26 and a chamber 28 in the manifold 22.

In the manifold 28 are a plurality of spaced apart outlet openings or ports 29 disposed in a row longitudinally of the manifold 20 and an outlet opening or port 30 in the manifold 22, with the axes of all the

openings

29 and 30 intersecting a straight line, paralleling the longitudinal axis of the two manifolds 26 and 22. In each

manifold

20 and 22 is an upwardly-opening inlet opening or port 3| and 32 respectively.

The manifold 2|, shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, is a tubular section provided with

end walls

35 and 36 and its overall length is substantially the same as the combined overall lengths of the manifolds 2B and 22. It is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart outlet openings or ports 31 and an inlet opening or port 38 arranged in a straight row longitudinally of the manifold 2|. The positions of the openings 31 are staggered with respect to the openings 29 but the opening 38 is directly opposite the opening when the three manifolds are associated as will be described.

As maybe seen. in Figs. 1, 2 and: 3, there are provided a plurality of elongated substantially paralleling, spaced-apart conduits or laterals and 4|, connecting the

manifolds

20 and 2| and with the alternate conduits 40 opening into theports 29 and closed by the wall of the manifold 2| at their other ends, while the conduits 4 open into the ports 31 and are closed at their other ends by the wall of the manifold 20'. Preferably, except for the end conduit 49 which has one; row of spaced apart discharge openings 42, the other conduits 4.0 have two. rows of spaced apart discharge. openings 42. all. arranged. to. discharge liquid outwardly and upwardly}.

There is an elongated conduit or lateral 4,3 which Opens tov the ports. 30,. and. 3.8 and may. be welded or soldered to. the manifolds 2| and, 22..

The means D. to conduct one liquid to the meansC. may comprise an upstanding conduit. opening at its lower end into.- theinlet. opening 3| and joined at its. other end to a. flexible (as rubber). tube. or conduit 46 which. is joined to a, conduit. 47 in. which is interposed a conventional. hand operated valuve 4.8,. The conduit 41 may lead to a suitable. supply of liquid.

Except that the means E conducts liquid tothe manifold 22, of the means C by way of, an. up.- standing conduit 50, opening. to the inlet, open,- ing 32, the means E is preferably like the means. D and includes a flexible tube 5|, conduit. 52 and, valve. 53.,

Meansf! to move. the means. C. to. open or, close the discharge port [.1 is shown particularly in, Figs) 1,, 3,, 4 and 5, and includes, the spaced-apart bearings. 55 of Figs. 1,4 and 5 each of which comprises, a bearing block 55, secured in any approved way asby welding, soldering or the use ofscrews to the. bottom wall M and having an upwardlyopening arcuate recess. toreceivea portion of the. manifold 29,, and a cap, 5'! having an arcuate recessto. receive anad-jacent portion of the manifold 20, with securing means 58 as nut. and, boltv assemblies to detachably secure the block 55 and cap 51, together, so that the manifold 25. may rotate in. the. bearings 55.. It, will be noted. in Fig. 1 that. the width of each bearing 55 is, very slightly less than. the nearest distance two; ad.- jacent. conduits 4|. are. spaced apart ancL, thus, the. bearings. 5.5 and these adjacent conduits pre.- vent longitudinal shifting of the manifold 2.0 and. consequently, shifting of the entire grid. structure in two; directions.

The means F also includes the resilient structure of Figs. 1, 3 and 4. This structure preferably. comprises two expansion spiral springs. 59 with their lower endsseated in the sockets of:up standing socketed members 60 secured to the bottom wall beneath the manifold 2| and their upper ends. extending into. the sockets of socketed members. 5| secured to the manifold, 2|. These members 5|. may include clamps to be removably clamped aboutthe manifolds 2| by means of nut and bolt assemblies 62. Thus, the springs 59 urge the manifold 2| upwardly to swing inan arc with therest of the-grid structure;

. Isl-1e means F also includes a. closure or pl 63 shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, secured to the central part of the manifold 2| to extend downwardly therefrom and with the discharge port I! disposed in the path of travel of the free or lower end portion of this closure as the manifold 2| descends, so that this port may be closed, as in Fig. 5.

It has been found very desirable to provide the means G to assist in moving the means Q. The means G preferably com-prises liwo, pedals; or foot sole-receiving members, each of which has an upwardly slanting portion 65 with its lower end having two arcuate recesses to accommodate the upper. portions of two adjacent conduits 40 and 4|, a foot engaged portion 66 extending at one end! from the upper end of the portion 65, and a portion 61. slanting downwardly from the other end of the portion 66, between two adjacent con- (1111115141 and 4| to rest upon the bottom wall l4. These means G may be disposed as most convenient for the occupant. of the new bathing a-pparatus since they may be. moved nearer together or fartherapart.

In use, the occupant, or attendant. opens either or bothvalves 48. and 53, If. only the valve 48. is, opened, the liquid (preferably under pressure) from. the conduit. 4.11 will flow into, the. manifold 2.0 and conduits 4D to be discharged from the discharge openings 42 in thelatten, At. this; time (or at a desired. time.) the. occupant,- places his. feetupon the portionsfifi of the meansF depress-- ing the end of the grid structure containing the: plug. or closure. 63 until. the. plug closes the, discharge, port, Several steps. may follow, Firstly, the liquid discharge. from the discharge. openings 42 sprays the. feetof the. occupant then, as. the.- tub, or receptacle B; fills. up the. liquid. immerses, the. feet and the. liquid discharged. from the Openings 42' causes a turbulence of, theliquid, in. the nature of. swirls, eddies and bubblin clients, all beneficial to certain. treatments. of the, feet.

Of course, if the, occupant raises, his feet from the. portions 5.6,, the springs 59, cause, the.

Y manifold 2| to rise and the plug 63 to open the;

port. H to discharge the liquid in the tub B but this, will not cause stoppage of. the. discharge. from. the discharge openings.- 42 of the conduits 411 and. the steps may be repeated. If it is desired. a. ditferent liquid or. a liquid at a. different temperature than. that discharged. from. the. conduits 4.0,,v be employed in conjunction with, or instead of the discharged liquid mentioned, then the valve 53 may be opened and liquid preferably under pressure from the conduit 52, will flow into thev manifold, 22., through the. imperforated. conduit 43, into the manifold, 2| and through the conduits. 4| to, be, discharged from their openings 42.1,

It. is now clear. that-the degree: of turbulence of the liquid may be increased by opening both. valves. 4.8 and.v 53, or they (either of them); may be rhythmatically opened and closed to provide surges of the liquid.

Various, changes may-be. made to the form. of the invention: hereinv shown and, described with. out, departing from the. spirit of the invention or scope of the. claims...

What is claimed is:

1. A foot bath including, a. stationary tub having-a bottom wall provided with a, tub drain port rock-able means within the. tub to receive. liquid and discharge the liquid into the tub including a plurality of spaced-apart rigid conduits; a foot sole-receiving member having anupwardly-extendingportion. provided with a pair of arcuate recesses accommodating portions of two adjacent conduits, a foot sole-receivin portion extending from an end thereof to form an obtuse angle and a portion extending downwardly from the other end thereof, disposed. between said two adjacent conduits, and with its lower end resting upon said bottom wall; and means operable upon rocking of said rockable means to selectively open and close said port.

2. A foot bath including a stationary tub having a tub drain port; rockable means within the tub to receive liquid and discharge the liquid into the tub including a grid structure having two elongated manifolds and a third manifold rigid with one of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits, having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only one of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only the other of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both manifolds, and a conduit rigid with said third manifold and the other of said elongated manifolds opening into said third manifold and said other of said elongated manifolds; and means operably upon rocking of said rockable means to selectively open and close said port.

3. A foot bath including a stationary tub having a drain port; rockable means within the tub to receive liquid and discharge the liquid into the tub including a grid structure having two elongated manifolds and a third manifold rigid with one of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits, having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only one of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only the other of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both manifolds, and a conduit rigid with said third manifold and the other of said elongated manifolds opening into said third manifold and said other of said elongated manifolds, means rockably supporting said rockable means including a bearing for one of the elongated manifolds and having a width very slightly less than the shortest distance separating two adjacent conduits; and means operable upon rocking of said rockable means to selectively open and close said port.

4. A foot bath including a stationary tub having a tub drain port; rockable means within the tub to receive liquid and discharge the liquid into the tub including a grid structure having two elongated manifolds and a third manifold rigid with one of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits, having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only one of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both of said elongated manifolds, a plurality of elongated conduits having discharge ports intermediate their ends, opening into only the other of said elongated manifolds and rigid with both manifolds, and a conduit rigid with said third manifold and the other of said elongated manifolds opening into said third manifold and said other of said elongated manifolds; means rockably supporting said rockable means including a bearing for one of the elongated manifolds and having a width very slightly less than the shortest distance separating two adjacent conduits, and an expansion spiral spring with one end bearing against the other of said elongated manifolds and with the other end of said spring bearing against said tub; and means operable upon rocking of said rockable means to selectively open and close said port including a plug for said port carried by the last-named elongated manifold and with said port disposed in the path of travel of said plug when said grid structure is rocked to compress said spring.

CHARLES M. G. VAN DIJCK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 643,094 Hensel Feb. 6, 1900 1,025,612 Donovan May 7, 1912 1,364,891 Schosson Jan. 11, 1921 1,715,043 Oye May 28, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 482,613 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1937