US3286712A

US3286712A - Hydrotherapy apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3286712A
Application number: US315186A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roden Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-10-10
Filing date: 1963-10-10
Publication date: 1966-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1983-11-22

Description

Nov. 22, 1966 P. RODEN 3,286,712

HYDROTHERAPY APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 44 86 INVENTOR.

86 84 PHILIP RODEN F] G 3 LAZO a BARRY ATTORNEYS Nov. 22, 1966 P. RODEN 3,286,712

HYDROTHERAPY APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR.

PHILIP RODEN LAZO a BARRY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,286,712 HYDROTHERAPY APPARATUS Philip Roden, 1820 E. Wood Place, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Oct. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 315,186 Claims. (Cl. 128-66) In my co-pending application, a hydrotherapeutic device was disclosed which was a portable, self-supporting unit that could be positioned in a vertical relation adjacent to a body of water such as a bathtub. This device proved satisfactory in operation in that it provided the flexibility desired for a unit of this type since it could be positioned at any convenient location adjacent to the bathtub. It had some objectionable features in that it was difficult to prime because the water tank or reservoir was located in the bottom of the device, making it necessary to fill the reservoir through the inlet or suction tube. Since the reservoir was internal to the physical structure of the device, it was practically impossible to clean. This is of particular significance when it is realized that the water which is circulated through the tank is recirculated water from the bathtub and obviously contains impurities that should notbe allowed to remain in the unit.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an improved hydrotherapy unit that can be quickly and easily set up by the user at any desired position adjacent the bathtub.

Another object of this invention is to provide a home hydrotherapy unit that can be quickly and easily primed, drained and cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can be easily assembled and disassembled by an unskilled individual.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that can be easily primed from the top without any possibility of wetting the electrical components of the device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a,home hydrotherapy device that is free of electrical hazards.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a home hydrotherapy device that can be easily handled and stored when not in use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a low-cost light-weight, home hydrotherapy unit that can be quickly and easily moved to any position in a tub and adjusted to direct a flow of aerated water at any height or angle.

These objects are accomplished by molding the housing and cover for the hydrotherapy unit out of an electrically non-conductive plastic material that is light in weight and of sufficient strength to be a self-supporting unit. The housing and cover are designed so that the cover can be easily screwed onto the top of the housing thereby defining a water reservoir or priming chamber in the space between the cover and housing. The cover is centrally recessed to form a funnel around an inlet passage in the cover for filling the chamber. An outlet passage is located in the housing in axial alignment with the inlet passage for feeding water directly to a motor driven centrifugal pump. An outer vertical flange on the outer periphery of the cover overhangs the sides of the housing and acts as an umbrella to prevent water from dripping onto the housing.

The housing is molded in the shape of a bell having a wide base to support the unit and a flat top that forms the bottom of the reservoir. The motor driven pump is mounted within the housing so that it is protected from any water that might be splashed from the tub onto the unit. All of the parts that contact water are electrically non-conductive thereby eliminating the electrical hazard normally present in electrical devices used in water. Water is drawn from and discharged to the tub through flexible hoses. An aspirator is provided on the end of the discharge hose to aerate the water as it leaves the hose. One significant advantage of this arrangement is that the aerated water can be directed directly on the part of the anatomy that requires treatment, This will be more readily appreciated when it is realized that almost all units presently on the market are stationary and only develop a whirlpool effect in the tub. The direct application of aerated water to the anatomy has proven more beneficial than the whirlpool devices.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following detailed specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an end view partly in sections showing the home hydrotherapy unit positioned adjacent a bathtub.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hydrotherapy unit positioned as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view partly in sections of the hydrotherapy unit, and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the unit.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the hydrotherapy unit is shown standing next to a bathtub 10 with the inlet hose 12 and discharge hose 14 extending into the tub. The hoses are both made of an electrically nonconductive material such as spirally wound, flexible polyethylene plastic material.

Suction cups

16 and 18 are provided on the ends of the hoses so that they may be attached at any location within the tub. Since the only parts of the unit that extend into the tub are the ends of the inlet and discharge hoses, the versatility of the unit is greatly enhanced due to the small tub space required for the hoses. The end of the discharge hose can be placed at any position and at any required elevation.

The unit is housed within an umbrella type cover 20 and a bell-shaped base 22 both of which are made of electrically non-conductive material such as impregnated asbestos filled polypropylene. The cover has a threaded section 24 which is screwed onto a threaded flange 26 on the top of the housing. A rubber O-ring 28 is positioned on the flange to seal the chamber or reservoir 30 formed between the cover and housing. The central portion 32 of the cover is recessed to form a funnel around inlet passage 34. Filling of the chamber or reservoir is simplified considerably with this arrangement. The outer edge of the cover has a vertical flange 36 that overhangs the sides of the base to protect it from water that might be spilled or splashed on the cover.

The top of the base has a central passage 38 and a number of vent holes 40 located around the outside of the flange 26. A number of weep holes 42 are provided around the central passage to allow the chamber or reservoir 30 to drain dry when not in use. A second set of vent holes 44 are located around the bottom of the base to allow for the proper circulation of air in the base.

A pump housing 46 is secured to the inside surface of the top of the base by a number of nuts and bolts 48 and is sealed by a gasket 50. The outlet passage 52 of the pump housing projects through an opening 54 in the side wall of the base for discharging water from the housing. An electric motor 56 is secured to the pump housing by through bolts 58 with the armature shaft 60 extending into the pump housing through drive passage 62. A ball bearing 64 is secured to the shaft and is held in the drive passage by snap ring 66 which is seated in a groove 68. The centrifugal impeller 75 of the pump is secured to the end of the shaft with impeller inlet 78 extending upward into passage 38. The pump housing and impeller are both molded from an electrically nonconductive material such as Delrin.

The drive passage is sealed by means of a mechanical seal formed between a rubber lined ceramic ring 70 se cured in groove '72 and a spring biased seal ring 74 positioned on the shaft. The spring biased seal is seated on the ceramic ring by screwing centrifugal impeller 76 onto the end of the shaft. Once the impeller has been tightly screwed onto this shaft, the spring seal ring will be compressed so that it bears against the ceramic ring. The seal ring will rotate with the impeller while the ceramic ring remains stationary in the pump housing. The spring bias force applied to the contracting surface of the seal ring and ceramic ring provides a mechanical seal between the two rings which prevents water from contacting the armature shaft.

The electric motor is connected to a suitable power source by a conventional water tight cord (not shown) and can be provided with an oif-on type switch plug. A baffie ring 80 is secured to the housing by screws 82 and surrounds the central portion of the motor. A motor support plate 84 is secured to the housing by screws 86 and acts to support the motor and to close the bottom of the base. The motor is provided with a conventional fan for drawing air through openings 38 and discharging air through openings 90. The bafile ring prevents the air discharged from openings fit) from re-circulating back to openings 88. Cooling air is therefore continuously drawn through vent holes 40 in the top of the base and discharged through vent holes 42 in the bottom of the base. The overhanging flange on the cover prevents any water from entering Vent holes 411.

The inlet hose is provided with a connecting elbow 92 that fits snugly in passage 34. The elbow is free to swing or pivot in any direction around the unit and can be easily slipped out of the passage in the cover when the chamber 30 has to be primed.

A filtering screen assembly 94 is connected to the inlet of the inlet hose by a pin 96 to prevent any large objects from entering the unit. Suction cup 16 is mounted on the side of the screen assembly for securing the inlet at any position in the side of the tub. A ball 98 is positioned on valve seat 100 in the assembly and acts as a ball-type check valve to allow water to enter the hose but prevents back flow when the unit is turned off. It should be apparent that due to the relative positions of the chamber 30 and the inlet base, a siphoning effect may result each time the unit is turned oh? by the head of water in the inlet hose. This would necessitate a priming action each time the unit is turned otf which is undesirable when the unit is'turned off only momentarily. The head of water in the inlet hose acts against the hose causing it to seat on the valve seat thereby retaining the water in the hose.

The outlet hose is connected to the outlet of the pump housing by a connecting nipple 65. An aspirator assembly 102 is mounted on the end of the outer hose and is pivoted on bracket 1% on suction cups 18. The aspirator housing is molded in two sections with a groove 106 on the upper end and a discharge nozzle 108 on the other end. A tube 110 is positioned within the housing in communication with the discharge nozzle. An elbow 112, connected to the end of the discharge hose, has a circular flange 114 which fits snugly but loosely in groove 106 with the elbow loosely fitted in passage 107. An O-ring 120 is positioned below the flange in the entrance to tube 110. Air inlet holes 116 are provided in the top of the housing through which air is drawn by the venturi eifect caused at the necked down passage 118 adjacent the discharge end of the nozzle 108. A butterfly-type regular 122 may be placed in tube 110 to control the flow of water. A regulator button 124 is conveniently located on the side of the aspirator.

In operating the unit, the elbow 92 is removed from the cover. The chamber 30 is filled with water to prime the unit for starting. It may be necessary to elevate the aspirator during priming to prevent the water in the chamber from flowing out of the discharge hose. The elbow 92 is replaced in the cover and the inlet end secured to the side of the tub. The aspirator unit is then secured to the side of the tub in the area of the anatomy which is to be treated, the only limitation being that air holes 116 in the aspirator housing must be located above the level of the water in the tub. When the electric motor is switched on, the water in chamber 30 will be drawn into the pump housing and discharged into the aspirator. The water that discharges from nozzle 108 will be aerated by air which is drawn through vents 116 by the venturi effect at opening 118. The rate of water flow can be adjusted by turning button 124 which is connected to butterfly valve 122 in tube 110.

When the unit is turned 011?, the head of water in inlet hose 12 Will seat ball 98 on seat preventing the draining of chamber 30 by any siphoning efiect caused by water in the hose. If the unit is to be stored, elbow 92 should be pulled out of passage 34 in the cover and the water drained from the inlet hose. The water in the discharge hose and aspirator will often create a siphoning effect in the discharge hose which will draw the water out of chamber 30. Any water remaining in the pump housing can be drained by using flange 36 as a handle and raising the unit at an angle to pour the water from the pump housing. The hoses may be stored separately or wrapped around the housing.

Although only one embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it should be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable hydrotherapy unit for a body of Water COInpI1S1I1g a housing having a top and a cylindrical outer surface,

a motor driven pump mounted within said housing and having an inlet and an outlet,

said inlet projecting through said top and said outlet projecting through said outer surface,

a cover secured to the top of said housing,

said cover defining a chamber with the top of said housing above said pump inlet,

passage means in said cover for admitting Water to said chamber,

removable flexible hose means extending from said passage means in said cover for connecting to said body of water and outlet hose means for connecting the outlet of said pump to said body of water,

whereby water drawn from said body of water will flow into said chamber and from said chamber directly into said pump and will be returned to said body of water under pressure.

2. A portable hydrotherapy unit according to claim 1 wherein said removable flexible hose means includes a oneway valve to prevent the backflow of water from said chamber.

3. A unit according to claim 2 including aspirator means connected to the end of said outlet hose means, said aspirator means having an attaching means for selectively positioning said aspirator means within said body of water.

4. A portable hydrotherapy unit adapted to be positioned adjacent a tub of water comprising a housing,

a water reservoir in said housing,

an electrically non-conductive hose having one end removably connected to the reservoir and the other end adapted to be immersed in the water in the tub,

a pump having an inlet and an outlet mounted in said housing below said reservoir with the inlet connected to said reservoir,

5 a 6 a second electrically non-conductive hose having one References Cited by the Examiner end connected to the outlet of the pump and the other UNITED STATES PATENTS end adapted to be immersed in the water in the tub, 2 091 1 said other end of said hose being selectively securable 2 3; gi 23 5; any Part P i 5 2,447,123 8/1948 Jones IIIIII: 4-180 X a motor mounted 1n said housing below and operatively 2 793 640 5/1957 Schwartz 4 180 connected sald Pump 2,799,866 7/1957 Jawett 128--66 x said reservoir, pump and motor being axially aligned in a vertical relation. EIGN PATENTS 5. A portable hydrotherapy unit according to claim 4 10 280,670 7/1952 Switzerland.

including an aspirator unit connected to the other end of said second hose to aerate the water as it leaves the aspira- RICHARD GAUDET, Primary Examinertor unit. L. W. TRAPP, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

4. A PORTABLE HYDROTHERAPY UNIT ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED ADJACENT A TUBE OF WATER COMPRISING A HOUSING, A WATER RESERVOIR IN SAID HOUSING, AN ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE HOSE HAVING ONE END REMOVABLY CONNECTED TO THE RESERVOIR AND THE OTHER END ADAPTED TO BE IMMERSED IN THE WATER IN THE TUB, A PUMP HAVING AN INLET AND AN OUTLET MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING BELOW SAID RESERVOIR WITH THE INLET CONNECTED TO SAID RESERVOIR, A SECOND ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE HOSE HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO THE OUTLET OF THE PUMP AND THE OTHER END ADAPTED TO BE IMMERSED IN THE WATER IN THE TUB, SAID OTHER END OF SAID HOSE BEING SELECTIVELY SECURABLE TO ANY PART OF THE TUB, AND A MOTOR MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING BELOW AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID PUMP, SAID RESERVOIR, PUMP AND MOTOR BEING AXIALLY ALIGNED IN A VERTICAL RELATION.