US3611448A

US3611448A - Steam bath

Info

Publication number: US3611448A
Application number: US33551A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eddie L Dudley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-01
Filing date: 1970-05-01
Publication date: 1971-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-12

Abstract

A BATHTUB HAS A SUPPORT MEANS THEREIN TO SUPPORT A PERSON ABOVE THE BOTTOM OF THE TUB. A CANOPY MEANS INCLUDES A PAIR OF FLEXIBLE CANOPY PORTION, AND A PAIR OF CASINGS ARE DISPOSED ADJACENT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BATHTUB. ONE END OF EACH OF THE CANOPY PORTIONS FIXED IN POSITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OF ONE OF SAID CASINGS, THE OTHER END OF EACH OF SAID CANOPY PORTIONS BEING SECURED TO ONE OF A PAIR OF MOVABLE CANOPY SUPPORT PORTIONS WHICH ARE SLIDABLY GUIDED IN THEIR MOVEMENT BY A PAIR OF ELONGATED GUIDE MEMBERS EXTENDING ALONG OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TOP OF THE BATHTUB AND HAVING CHANNELS RECEIVING THE LOWER ENDS OF THE CANPOY SUPPORT PORTIONS.

Description

Oct. 12, 1971 DUDLEY 3,611,448

STEAM BATH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1970 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR EDDIE L. DUDLEY ATTORNEYS Oct. 12; 1971 E. L. DUDLEY STEAM BATH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1. 1970 lll HJllIIlllh.

FIG. 5.

EDDIE L. DUDLEY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,611,448 STEAM BATH Eddie L. Dudley, 934 Laurel, St. Louis, Mo. 63112 Filed May 1, 1970, Ser. No. 33,551 Int. Cl. A61h 33/12 US. Cl. 4-162 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bathtub has a support means therein to support a person above the bottom of the tub. A canopy means includes a pair of flexible canopy portions, and a pair of casings are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the bathtub. One end of each of the canopy portions fixed in position within the confines of one of said casings, the other end of each of said canopy portions being secured to one of a pair of movable canopy support portions which are slidably guided in their movement by a pair of elongated guide members extending along opposite sides of the top of the bathtub and having channels receiving the lower ends of the canopy support portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to steam baths, conventional steam bath constructions usually being in the form of cabinets and the like which are separate, complex and expensive constructions which require considerable space and which are not practical for home use. It is accordingly desirable to provide an arrangement for converting a conventional bathtub as found in the average home into a steam bath.

In order to successfully convert a bathtub into a steam bth, the construction must be relatively inexpensive, easily installed and must present a neat and attractive appearance when not in use as a steam bath. The consrtuction should not substantially interfere with the normal use of the bathtub and must be readily moved into operative position when it is desired to be used. At the present time, there is no means available for accomplishing these desired end results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a support means is disposed within a conventional bathtub to support a person above the bottom of the tub. Canopy means is provided including a pair of separate canopy portions, each of these portions being formed of a flexible substantially waterproof and heat resistant material. At least one of these canopy portions is provided with a zipper extending longitudinally thereof, and a temperature indicating means in the form of a thermometer is supported by the canopy portion.

The present invention is relatively inexpensive in construction and can be readily installed with existing bathtubs. The construction presents a neat finished appearance and does not interfere with normal use of the bathtub. The steam bath can be readily moved into and out of operative position when so desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view partly broken away showing the steam bath of the present invention in operative position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the manner in which the steam bath may be moved into inoperative position so as to permit normal use of the bathtub;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 2 looking in a direction of the arrows; and,

3,611,448 Patented Oct. 12, 1971 ice FIG. 5 is a top perspective view partly broken away illustrating the manner in which the guide members serve to guide longitudinal movement of the canopy support portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a conventional bathtub is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. Disposed within and supported by the bottom of the bathtub is a table 12 having leg portions 14 which terminate in lower enlarged base portions 16. These portions 16 may have a suitable substance such as rubber or the like on the bottom thereof so as to prevent relative movement of the table with respect to the bottom of the bathtub when in use.

A chair or seat portion 20 is suitably contoured so as to support the body of a person using the steam bath, this seat portion being held in operative position by a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 22 which serve to rigidly attach the seat portion to the table. Both the seat portion and the table may be formed of a suitable waterproof material such as fiber glass or the like.

A pair of

casings

30 and 32 are fixedly secured to the walls adjacent the opposite ends of the bathtub by suitable fastening means, the casings including closure means 34 and 36 respectively in the form of flat members which are hingedly connected to the associated casings for closing otf portions of the casings and holding the respective canopy portions in place when the canopy portions are stored within the casings.

The canopy means includes a pair of canopy portions which are formed of a flexible substantial-1y waterproof and heat resistant material such as well-known fabrics presently on the market having the desired characteristics. A first canopy portion 40 has one end 42 thereof fixed Within casing 30 by means of a clamping member 46 held in place by suitable fastening members. A second canopy portion 50 has one end 52 thereof secured in place within casing 32 by means of a clamping member 54 held in position by suitable fastening members.

The opposite free end of canopy portion 40 is secured to a pair of relatively rigid canopy support portions 60 each of which includes an upstanding part which joins with an inwardly directed portion 62 as seen in FIG. 4. The ends 64 of parts 62 of each of these canopy support portions are joined by an arcuate reinforced end 66 of canopy portion 40 which is adapted to fit about the neck of a person using the steam bath. The free end of canopy portion 40 is suitably secured to the canopy support portions 60 by bindings 68 wrapped around the canopy support portions and engaging the canopy portion.

The free end of canopy portion 50 is similarly secured to a pair of canopy support portions 70 identical to canopy support portions 60', the inner ends of canopy support portions 70 being interconnected by an arcuate reinforced end 72 of canopy portion 50 which is also adapted to -fit around the neck of a person using the steam bath.

When the canopy portions have been moved into the operative position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arcuate ends 66 and 72 of

canopy portions

40 and 50 substantially surround the neck of a person using the steam bath and the ends of the two canopy portions are disposed in abutting relationship with one another so as to provide a substantially enclosed area within which steam may accumulate from hot water directed into the bottom of the tub from the conventional faucet associated therewith.

A zipper is provided in canopy portion 40 and extends longitudinally thereof. A manually engageable portion extends on either side of the zipper to facilitate operation of the zipper either from the interior or the exterior of the canopy portion. A temperature indicating means in the form of a thermometer 82 is also supported by canopy portion 40. This thermometer is adapted to measure the temperature within the steam bath and is in such a position as to be readily visible by a person using the steam bath.

Guide means is provided for guiding movement of the canopy support portions in the form of a pair of elongated relatively rigid guide members 90 which may be formed as a metallic extrusion for example. These guide members have channels 92 disposed therewithin and extending longitudinally thereof, each channel being in communication with the upper surface of the guide members by means of an elongated slot 94. The two elongated guide members are supported at opposite sides of the bathtub on the upper edges thereof and may be suitably adhesively secured in place or attached by means of mechanical fasteners if so desired.

As seen in FIG. 5, the lower end of each of canopy support portions 60 includes an enlarged part 96 of complementary configuration to the channel 92 formed in guide member 90. In a similar manner, the lower end of each of canopy support portions 70 is provided with an enlarged part 98 of complementary configuration to the channel in the guide member. It is apparent that this construction will insure that the canopy support portions are guided for movement longitudinally of the guide members, the canopy support portions being readily slidable along the guide members for movement between operative and inoperative positions.

The two canopy portions may be folded up and stored in the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 whereby the present invention presents a neat appearance and does not interfere with normal use of the bathtub. When it is desired to employ the steam bath, the table and seat portion are first disposed in operative position within the tub, whereupon the

closure members

34 and 36 are swung upwardly and two canopy portions are pulled out into operative position shown in FIG. 1. Hot water is then run into the bathtub producing steam which will accumulate within the enclosure defined by the canopy portions to effectively provide a steam bath.

As this invention may be employed in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:

1. A steam bath comprising a bathtub having a drain and means for supplying super-heated water to the bottom thereof, support means for supporting a person above the bottom of said bathtub, canopy means formed of flexible, substantially waterproof and heat resistant material, canopy support portions secured to said canopy means to support the canopy means in operative position, said canopy support portions being movable laterally to uncover the bathtub, and guide means operatively associated with said canopy support portions for guiding movement of said canopy support portions and said canopy means relative to said bathtub.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said 4 canopy means includes two separate portions, each of said portions having one end thereof secured in place, the other end of each of said portions being secured to one of said movable support portions.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said canopy portions includes an arcuate reinforced end to fit about the neck of a person.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said canopy means includes a zipper extending longitudinally of a portion of the canopy means, and temperature indicating means supported by said canopy means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said canopy support portions include upstanding parts the upper ends of which extend inwardly soas to provide clearance for a person using the steam bath.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of relatively rigid elongated guide members disposed at opposite sides of the bathtub.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said members has a channel formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof for receiving the lower end of the associated support portions.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said canopy means includes a pair of separate canopy portions, a pair of casings being mounted in fixed position adjacent opposite ends of the bathtub, each of said casings receiving one of said canopy portions.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said casings includes a movably mounted closure means for closing 011 a portion of the associated casing.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said canopy means includes a pair of separate canopy portions each of which has one end secured in place, each of said portions having the other end thereof secured to one of said movable support portions, said guide means comprising a pair of relatively rigid elongated members disposed at opposite sides of the bathtub at the top of the bathtub and having channels therein receiving the lower parts of said canopy support portions, a pair of casings supported in fixed position adjacent opposite ends of the bathtub, each of said casings receiving one of said canopy portions, and movable closure means for closing 01f a portion of each of said casings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,157,842 10/1915 Brandalle 4-162 1,652,437 12/1927 Handelan 4162 1,946,204 2/1934 Dillard 4- -l62 2,095,749 10/ 1937 Kellner 4-162 2,541,029 2/1951 Burton 4l62 3,115,645 12/1963 Spence 4l6-1 3,119,122. 1/ 1964 Weisback 4-162 3,375,534- 4/ 1968 Viecel 4-162 FOREIGN PATENTS 164,161 4/ 1950 Austria 4162 166,726 9/1950 Austria 4162 HENRY K.- ARIIS, Primary Examiner