US3814399A

US3814399A - Water aerating device

Info

Publication number: US3814399A
Application number: US00217849A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Melreit
Original assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1972-01-14
Filing date: 1972-01-14
Publication date: 1974-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-04

Abstract

A device for aerating water in a bathtub by a flow of heated air supplied to the device from a remote source. The device comprises a generally oval flat bottom base with a top section permanently attached thereto. The top section is formed with an inverted outer U-shaped channel extending around the periphery of the top section and forming an air passage with the base. Another similarly shaped central channel extends from one end of the top section longitudinally along the top section forming another air passage. The channels are supplied with the heated air under pressure through a connected hose, and the air then flows into the water through a plurality of spaced holes formed in the channels. An opening is formed in the outer channel to provide access into both outer and central channels for cleaning. A slip collar is mounted on the supply air hose coupling to permit regulation of the amount of water aeration. A seat is formed integrally on the top section to provide a comfortable area upon which the bather may sit when using the device.

Description

United States Patent [191 Melreit 1 1 June 4, 1974 15 WATER AERATING DEvicE [75] inventor: Robert V. Melreit, Gates Mills, Ohio [73] Assignee: Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co.,

Inc., Highland Heights, Ohio [22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 217,849

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 727,425 5/1903 Vonorth 4/180 1,034,919 8/1912 Leuschner 4/180 2,663,178 12/1953 Schwartz 1 1 1 1 4/180 X 2,793,640 5/1957 Schwartz 1 4/180 X 2,848,203 8/1958 Misiura 4/180 X 3,075,520 1/1963 Sparks 128/66 3,240,208 3/1966 Everston.... 128/66 3.417.747 12/1968 Beger t 128/66 3,614,792 10/1971 Sierant .1 4/185 X Primary Examiner-Tim R. Miles Assistant ExaminerWilliam Cuchlinski 57 1 ABSTRACT A device for aerating water in a bathtub by a flow of heated air supplied to the device from a remote source. The device comprises a generally oval flat bottom base with a top section permanently attached thereto. The top section is formed with an inverted outer U-shaped channel extending around the periphery of the top section and forming an air passage with the base. Another similarly shaped central channel extends from one end of the top section longitudinally along the top section forming another air passage. The channels are supplied with the heated air under pressure through a connected hose, and the air then flows into the water through a plurality of spaced holes formed in the channels. An opening is formed in the outer channel to provide access into both outer and central channels for cleaning. A slip collar is mounted on the supply air hose coupling to permit regulation of the amount of water aeration. A seat is formed integrally on the top section to provide a comfortable area upon which the bather may sit when using the device.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Pmsminm 4 914- WATER AERATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionrelates to an aerating device and in particular to a water aerating device for use by an individual in a bathtub while bathing. The aerating device is placed in the bathtub and is connected to a remote source of heated air which is blown under pressure into the device. The heated air leaves the aerating device through a plurality of openings, aerating the bath water and providing a soothing feeling to a bather sitting on the device.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous devices for blowing air or a mixture of air and water into a bathtub filled with water to provide greater comfort to a bather have been developed and used throughout the years. Examples of such devices are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 1,034,919, 1,350,974, 2,793,640 and 3,240,208.

Such devices generally are formed by two halfsections, a bottom and top, which are connected together to form the completed unit. The two sections are removably connected so that the sections can be separated for cleaning since deposits of soap and dirt form easily on the inner surfaces of the sections.

These sections heretofore have been difficult to fabricate so that a water and airtight seal is formed when the sections are joined due to the need for providing a means for easy separation of the sections for cleaning. Likewise, these prior devices are formed of rigid materials which are uncomfortable to sit or recline on, thus defeating the purpose for which they were intended, that of relaxation for the bather, These prior rigid devices also do not deform to match the contour of the particular bathtub in which they are used, occasionally resulting in an unevenly positioned or improperly positioned device.

It is difficult and impractical to use less rigid materials in the manufacture of prior devices, since greater flexibility of the sections increases the problem of providing a water and airtight connection.

Unless the air entering the device is heated, the temperature of the bath water quickly decreases due to the agitation caused by the air flow through the water, thus shortening the bathing time or increasing the amount of hot water needed to maintain a uniform water temperature.

Accordingly the need has existed for a water aerating device for use in a bathtub which can be fabricated easily from semi-rigid material to form a single air and watertight unit, which can be cleaned easily to provide a sanitary device and which is comfortable to sit upon while bathing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing a water aerating device for use in a bathtub to aerate the bath water with heated air to provide a comforting and soothing effect to a bather; providing a water aerating device which is formed easily and inexpensively in two dissimilar half-sections which are permanently secured together with an air and watertight seam; providing a water aerating device which is formed of a semi-rigid material which enables the device to conform to the shape of the bathtub bottom surface on which it is used when seated upon, and which is formed with a contoured seat further adding to the comfort of a bather; providing a water aerating device having a regulating device permitting the bather to control easily and conveniently the amount of water aeration and agitation; providing a water aerating device having an access opening for cleaning and sanitizing the device to prevent buildup of soap and dirt film within the device; providing a water aerating device which is formed with air passages having a plurality of openings arranged to provide a uniform flow of air around a bather; and providing a water aerating device which is simple in construction and operation, which is inexpensive to manufacture and sturdy and durable in use, and which eliminates difficulties heretofore encountered, achieves the objectives indicated, and solves problems and satisfies needs existing in the art.

These objects and advantages are obtained by the water aerating device, the general nature of which may be stated as including upper and lower sections of semirigid material; means permanently securing said sections together; the lower section being generally elongated and flat, and adapted to rest on the bottom surface of a bathtub; the upper section having a plurality of upwardly projecting generally U-shaped channel means, the channel means having top and side walls forming air passages; said lower section forming the bottom for said air passages when said upper and lower sections are secured together; said channel means being formed with a plurality of spaced holes communicating with said air passages; the channel means including a first or outer channel section extending around the outer edge of the upper section, and a second central section communicating with said first channel section and extending longitudinally along the upper section; seat means formed integrally of the upper section at one end thereof and extending upwardly beyond the channel means, so that a bather may sit upon the seat means when using the device; access means formed in a side wall of the channel means first section generally aligned with the axis of the channel means second section, and communicating with the air passages of said channel means first and second sections to enable cleaning of said air passages; air inlet means in the upper section communicating with the air passages for distributing air blown from a remote source into the air passages and thence out through the channel means holes; and adjustment means mounted on the air inlet means for adjusting the amount of air flowing into the air passages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved water aerating device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the water aerating device taken on line 3-3, FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 1;

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation, with portions in section, looking in the direction of arrows 5-5, FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view taken on line 66, FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view looking in the direction of arrows 7-7, FIG. 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The improved water aerating device is generally indicated at 1 (FIG. 1) and is shown placed in a usual bathtub 2 located within an alcove formed by walls 3. A usual air blower unit 4 is located remote from device 1 and is connected thereto by a flexible hose 5. Air

blower 4 is connected to a usual source of electric power by means of supply cord 6 and the blower supplies a flow of heated air through hose 5 to aerator The upper half-section 7 is an integral sheet of such material having generally the same outline and size as base 8. Section 7 is formed with an inverted U-shaped channel 11 whichextends around the periphery of section 7, having channel side portions which extend inwardly longitudinally from the larger oval end and join at the smaller oval end as shown in FIG. 2. Channel 1] has side walls or legs, 13 and which project upwardly with respect to base 8 and terminate in top web wall 11a.

Walls

13, 15 and 11a form an air passage 12 which is closed by base 8. Outer wall 13 terminates in a flange 14 which forms the outer edge of section 7. Inner wall 15 terminates in the flat central area 16.

In accordance with the invention, flange l4 and the portion of area 16 adjacent wall 15 are attached permanently to base 8, preferably by an adhesive 17 or other bonding agent, or by dielectric welding. This permanent and rigid attachment of flange 14 and area 16 to base 8 along the sides of channel 11 provides a water and airtight connection between

section

7 and 8 in forming air passage 12.

Another inverted U-shaped channel 18, similar to channel 11, is formed in the central area 16 of section 7 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and extends longitudinally along aerator 1 from the junction of the inwardly extending side portions of channel 11 at smaller end 10, approxiof channel 18 in. a manner similar to channel 11, such as by adhesive 17. 5

The remaining portions of area 16 between channels 11 and 18 also may be bonded to base 8 by an adhesive or may be attached thereto by rivets or other fastening means.

A further improvement in aerator l is the formation of a seat, indicated generally at 25, and located at larger end 9 of aerator 1. Seat 25 is platform-like and includes a laterally gextendingfront wall portion 26, a continuous curved side and rear wall portion 27, and a top wall 28, all of which are integrally formed in upper section 7.

Wall portion 27 of seat 25 and inner leg 15 of channel ll join in a flat area 29 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is bonded by adhesive 17 to base 7 to seal the remaining portion of channel 11 to form air passage 12.

Seat top wall 28 is slightly concave and has a raised portion 30 in order to provide greater comfort to a bather. Seat 25 will have some degree of resilience due to the semi-rigid nature of the material used, adding further comfort to the bather. A bather will not sit or recline directly on the flat or channeled surface of the aerator body or shell as is the case with prior devices, but can sit comfortably on a raised seat.

A coupling tube '31 is formed on outer channel 11 at the junction with channel 18 and extends upwardly therefrom and is attached to hose 5 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

Hose 5 is telescoped over tube 31 and held frictionally thereon, permitting'easy attachment and removal of hose 5 for use of aerator 1.

An annular groove 32 is formed on tube 31 by spaced annular collars 33 which retain split-ring 34 on tube 31.

A vent opening 35 is formed in tube 31 within groove 32 for regulating the amount of aeration, which vents a portion of the flow of heated air. Split-ring 34 may be rotated to cover or expose various portions of opening 35,- which enables varying amounts of air to escape to the atmosphere through the open portion of opening 35, thereby reducing correspondingly the amount of air flowing into

air passages

12 and 24.

FIG. 5 shows opening 35 completely exposed by split-ring 34 thus reducing considerably the amount of aeration produced by aerator 1. Split-ring 34 preferably is formed of rust-resistant plastic and is manipulated easily by a bather while seated on the aerator. The

mately one-half the length of aerator 1. One end 19 of channel 18 flares outwardly and connects to and communicates with the junction of the inwardly extending side portions of channel 11 at end 10 of aerator l and the opposite end 20 of channel 18 is closed. Side walls 21 and 22, and top web wall 23 of channel 18 form air passage 24 similar to air passage 12 of channel 11.

Walls 21 and 22 of-channel l8 terminate in flat area 16 (FIG. 4) which is secured permanently to base 8 along both channel side walls and around closed end 20 flow of heated air through tube 31 prevents bath water from flowing through opening 35 into tube.31.

An access opening 36 is formed in a thickened portion 37 of channel 11 at the junction with channel 18 at smaller end 10 of aerator 1. Opening 36 is longitudinally aligned with central channel 18 and is sealed by a plug 38 threaded into opening 36.

Opening 36 enables the inner surfaces of aerator 1 to be cleaned easily by inserting a long stem flexible brush, such as a tube or bottle brush, through opening 36 directly into air passage 24of channel 18 and into air passage 12 of channel 11. vThe scrubbing action of the inserted brush bristles will loosen any scale or soap film formed or collected on the inside surfaces of channels 11 and 18. A disinfectant or deodorizing liquid also may be poured through opening 36 into

channel passages

12 and 24.

Channels 11 and 18 are formed with a plurality of spaced holes 39 through whichthe heated air from blower 4 escapes and aerates the bath water. Holes 39 preferably are spaced along channels 11 and 18 with a uniform axial separation, as indicated by the distance X on channel 11 (FIG. 7), in groups of three extending diagonally across the channels. The middle hole 39a is formed in the top walls of the channels with holes 3% and 390 being formed in the side walls of the channels.

This particular arrangement of holes 39 provides for a uniformly and evenly dispersed air flow into the bath water, and also reduces the possibility of sealing the holes by the legs or arms of the bather. Holes 3% and 39c especially are less susceptible to sealing due to their location on the sides of the channels.

Seat raises the bather above most air holes 39 thereby preventing their sealing and enables the air flow to surround the bather due to the location of seat 25 within the periphery of channel 11. Channel 18 provides considerable water aeration and agitation about the outstretched legs of a bather seated on seat 25.

Blower 4 preferably has a motor of the usual type in which the intake airfor the blower first passes through the motor housing for cooling the motor before being discharged from the blower. In this manner the blown air is heated before it enters hose 5 and aerator 1.

Thus, the heat from the motor is transferred to the bath water as the air bubbles up through the water from

passages

12 and 24, and rapid cooling of the water is prevented, which would 'occur if the air flow had an ambient air temperature. This type of motor-blower 4 has the dual benefit of cooling the motor and of heating the air supplied to aerator 1.

The improved water aerator H has a number of advantageous features. Upper and lower section '7 and 8 are secured permanently together providing a secure sealed connection which enables

air passages

12 and 24 to be water and airtight.

Sections

7 and 8 can be molded easily and inexpensively of a semirigid plastic, each section being an integral component free of additional parts and attachments. The use of such plastic material enables the aerator to conform to the contour of a bathtub bottom surface without loosening the bond between the two sections. Such plastic material enables aerator l to be produced in various colors, is rust resistant, and will not scratch or mar the bathtub. Seat 25 provides a comfortable support on which a bather may sit during use of aerator l and raises the main portions of the bathers body above air holes 39, thereby reducing considerably the possibility of sealing holes 339 closed. Opening 36 and removable plug 38 enable the inner surface of aerator 1 to be cleaned and sanitized easily.

Other advantages include the adjustment of the amount of aeration by the simple twisting of slip-ring 34 while the bather remains seated on aerator l in a tub. Likewise, air-blower 4 is remote from the tub reducing the possibility of electrical shock to the bather, and blower .4 supplies heated air to aerator I preventing rapid cooling of the bath water.

Another advantage is the particular arrangement of

air passages

12 and 24 and air holes 39, whereby the flow of air surrounds and contacts most portions of the bathers body submersed in the water.

Accordingly, the improved water aerating device is simplified, provides an effective, sanitary, inexpensive and efficient device for aerating bath water; provides a water aerating device achieving all the enumerated objectives; and provides for eliminating difiiculties encountered with prior aerators, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the in vention is not limited to the exact detailsshown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the water aerating device is constructed and used, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A water aerating device for use in a bathtub including upper and lower sections of semi-rigid plastic material; said upper and lower sections being generally oval in shape with one end of each of said sections having a larger radius of curvature than its opposite end; means permanently securing said sections together; the lower section being generally elongated and fiat, and adapted to rest on the bottom surface of a bathtub; the upper section having a plurality of upwardly projecting generally U-shaped channel means, the channel means having top and side walls forming air passages; said lower section forming the bottom for said air pas-- upper and lower sections including side channel portions extending longitudinally inwardly from the larger oval end and joining at the smaller oval end; the central channel section communicating with the outer channel section at the smaller oval end at the junction of the inwardly extending side channel portions, and extending longitudinally along the upper section toward the larger oval end; seat means having a raised platform with integral top and side walls formed integrally of the upper section; said seat means being spaced from and within the outer channel section at the larger oval end and extending upwardly above the channel means, so that a bather may sit upon said seat means when using said device; access means including an opening formed in a side wall of the channel means outer section at the junction of the side channel portions and central channel section, and being aligned with the axis of the channel means central section at the smaller oval end; said access opening communicating with the air passages of said channel means outer and central sections to enable cleaning of said air passages; the access means having a plug removably mounted in said opening; and air inlet means in the upper section communicating I with the air passages at the junction of the outer and central channel sections for distributing air blown from a remote source into the air passages and thence out through the channel means holes.

2. The device defined in claim 1 in which the air inlet means includes a coupling tube section; and in which said coupling is provided with means for adjusting the amount of blown air flowing into the air passages.

sphere through said openings.

Claims

1. A water aerating device for use in a bathtub including upper and lower sections of semi-rigid plastic material; said upper and lower sections being generally oval in shape with one end of each of said sections having a larger radius of curvature than its opposite end; means permanently securing said sections together; the lower section being generally elongated and flat, and adapted to rest on the bottom surface of a bathtub; the upper section having a plurality of upwardly projecting generally U-shaped channel means, the channel means having top and side walls forming air passages; said lower section forming the bottom for said air passages when said upper and lower sectioNs are secured together; said channel means being formed with a plurality of spaced holes communicating with said air passages; the channel means including an outer channel section extending around the outer edge of the upper section, and a central channel section; said outer channel section being generally oval in shape matching the contour of the upper and lower sections including side channel portions extending longitudinally inwardly from the larger oval end and joining at the smaller oval end; the central channel section communicating with the outer channel section at the smaller oval end at the junction of the inwardly extending side channel portions, and extending longitudinally along the upper section toward the larger oval end; seat means having a raised platform with integral top and side walls formed integrally of the upper section; said seat means being spaced from and within the outer channel section at the larger oval end and extending upwardly above the channel means, so that a bather may sit upon said seat means when using said device; access means including an opening formed in a side wall of the channel means outer section at the junction of the side channel portions and central channel section, and being aligned with the axis of the channel means central section at the smaller oval end; said access opening communicating with the air passages of said channel means outer and central sections to enable cleaning of said air passages; the access means having a plug removably mounted in said opening; and air inlet means in the upper section communicating with the air passages at the junction of the outer and central channel sections for distributing air blown from a remote source into the air passages and thence out through the channel means holes.

3. The device defined in claim 2 in which the adjustment means includes an annular split-ring having split ends providing an opening, the ring being mounted on and concentric with the coupling tube; and in which the coupling tube is formed with an opening; whereby the ring may be moved so that the ring opening is in or out of alignment with the tube opening, thereby venting amounts of the blown air into the surrounding atmosphere through said openings.