US3861384A

US3861384A - Portable hydrotherapeutic device

Info

Publication number: US3861384A
Application number: US445452A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel E Casternovia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-02-25
Filing date: 1974-02-25
Publication date: 1975-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-21

Abstract

A hydrotherapeutic device which is useful in administering whirlpool therapy is provided which is of portable light-weight construction and is adapted for easy attachment to a conventional bathtub or other basin used for housing a water bath. The therapeutic device includes a housing, agitating means, such as pump means, connected to the housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, drive means such as an air-driven vane wheel, connected to the agitating means and adapted to drive the agitating means, and suction means in operative communication with the drive means for powering the drive means. The drive means and suction means are adapted to be disposed out of contact with the water bath and therefore away from the patient receiving therapy. The suction means may comprises any conventional vacuum cleaner apparatus such as of the cannister type or other conventional suction source. The above apparatus may be modified so that the drive means may be powered by a source of positive fluid pressure, such as by compressed air supplied by the exhaust side of a conventional vacuum cleaner. In addition, the hydrotherapeutic device of the invention may include means for varying and controlling the speed at which the agitator means is driven, such means comprising valve means which may be opened to allow air to pass into the housing of the device bypassing the vane wheel, thereby causing a corresponding reduction in the speed of rotation of the vane wheel.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Casternovia Jan. 21, 1975 [54] PORTABLE HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE [76] Inventor: Samuel E. Casternovia, 133

Baltusrol Way, Springfield, NJ. 07081 22 Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 445,452

Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lerner, David, Littenberg & Samuel [57] ABSTRACT A hydrotherapeutic device which is useful in administering whirlpool therapy is provided which is of portable light-weight construction and is adapted for easy attachment to a conventional bathtub or other basin l' e a y 4 used for housing a water bath. The therapeutic device includes a housing, agitating means, such as pump means, connected to the housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, drive means such as an airdriven vane wheel, connected to the agitating means and adapted to drive the agitating means, and suction means in operative communication with the drive means for powering the drive means. The drive means and suction means are adapted to be disposed out of contact with the water bath and therefore away from the patient receiving therapy. The suction means may comprises any conventional vacuum cleaner apparatus such as of the cannister type or other conventional suction source.

The above apparatus may be modified so that the drive means may be powered by a source of positive fluid pressure, such as by compressed air supplied by the exhaust side of a conventional vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the hydrotherapeutic device of the invention may include means for varying and controlling the speed at which the agitator means is driven, such means comprising valve means which may be opened to allow air to pass into the housing of the device bypassing the vane wheel, thereby causing a corresponding reduction in the speed of rotation of the vane wheel.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Jan. 21,1975 'i 3,861,384

2 Sheets-Sheet l IVA rm air /{76 Patented Jan. 21, 1975. 3,861,384

PORTABLE HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hydrotherapeutic device and more particularly to a whirlpool device which is employed for producing a whirlpool of liquid media for hydrotherapeutic purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Body conditioning and exercising has, for some time, been recognized as essentials to maintaining good health. However, all too frequently, those partaking in body-conditioning and exercising are in relatively poor physical condition. They are using muscles that they have not used in years with the result that even after light work outs, they find that they have developed various muscle soreness, aches, and pains. suffers from the above maladies often seek relief by taking therapeutic whirlpool baths or other hydrotherapeutic treatments where liquid is maintained in circulation and caused to flow over the body of a patient submerged in the bath. A most desirable comparatively gentle massaging effect is provided to the patient.

Unfortunately the devices required for producing the above therapeutic effects are rather expensive. They are usually only available at expensive health clubs or hospitals where they are designed to be permanently mounted on specially constructed tubs or basins.

Complicated structures have heretofore been proposed and offered for sale for converting conventional home bathtubs into apparatus for circulating water in the bathtub to create desired whirlpool activity for therapeutic and other effects such as therapeutic massage and the treatment or relief of sore muscles, rheumatic or arthritic conditions, and other medical or health-improving effects. Use of such structures or apparatus for this purpose involves making permanent changes and additions in the physical structure of the bathtub so that the bathtub would be provided with permanent, irremovable barriers and hazards which confine the user and which the user has to avoid for normal bathing purposes. Such prior proposed equipment is expensive and complex and requires special plumbing fixtures and electrical attachments. Accordingly, considerable training and experience is required to install the equipment and to use it. Moreover, parts of such apparatus are exposed within the tub, and when they are removed, the parts are so large that they have to be stored in a separate compartment of the bathroom or in another room. Perhaps the most negative factor concerning use of such equipment at home, in addition to its high cost and complexity, is the fact that it may include electrical components which are disposed in or located in close proximity to the bathtub, so as to provide a real or imaginary hazard to the patient.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a hydrotherapeutic device is provided, which is especially adapted for use with conventional bathtubs or other basins normally found in the home, for administering therapeutic massage by generating a whirlpool pattern in the tub or basin. Such apparatus is of simple, compact light-weight and portable construction occupying a minimum of space within the tub or basin, or in storage, and can be easily installed or disconnected by the average person.

The hydrotherapeutic device or apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having an air flow passage therein, said housing being adapted to be easily secured to a conventional bathtub or basin found in the home, agitating means connected to the housing and adapted to be submerged in a water bath, drive means in operative communication with the agitating means and the air flow passage in the housing and adapted to drive the agitating means, and suction means in operative communication with the air flow passage in the housing and with the drive means for powering the drive means. The drive means and suction means are adapted to be disposed out of contact with the water bath; thus, only the agitating means occupies space within the bathtub so that a maximum amount of space within the tub is available for whirlpool activity and for other normal bathtub functions.

The drive means preferably comprises a vane wheel which includes a vane housing, and a plurality of vanes radially disposed in the housing. The housing includes air inlet means in communication with the vanes for emitting air into the vane housing for driving the vanes and thereby causing the vane wheel to rotate. The housing also includes air outlet means in communication with the suction means, the purpose of which will be described in detail hereinafter. The drive means further comprises first gear means connected to the vane wheel and adapated to rotate as the vane wheel rotates, and second gear means connected to the agitating means, and disposed to mesh with and adapted to be driven by the first gear means, and thereby, in turn, drive the agitating means.

The agitating means, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises pump means which includes a pump body including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, impeller means disposed in the pump body and shaft means connecting the impeller means to the drive means. The shaft means is adapted to be rotated by the drive means and thereby cause rotation of the impeller means in the water bath. Water is thereby drawn into the fluid inlet of the pump body into contact with the impeller means and propelled back into the water bath to create whirlpool activity in such bath.

The suction means may comprise a suction source such as a domestic vacuum cleaner disposed away from the drive means, housing and water bath, and suction conduit means connecting the suction source to the air flow passage in the housing.

In another aspect of the present invention, air flow control means is provided in the housing and in communication with the air flow passage therein. Such air flow control means is movable between open and closed positions and positions intermediate thereof and controls the flow of air into the air flow passage and consequently the rotational speed of the vane wheel as will be described hereinafter.

The apparatus of the invention also includes means for introducing air into the pump body which air is subsequently propelled with the water into the water bath thereby creating an enhanced whirlpool effect.

Although it is preferred that the apparatus of the invention be driven by a suction source, such as that provided by a domestic vacuum cleaner, such apparatus may be adapted to be driven by a positive air pressure such as that provided by the exhaust side of a domestic vacuum cleaner or other source of compressed air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of a preferred embodiment of the hydrotherapeutic apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view of a vane wheel, partly in crosssection, employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the vane wheel shown in FIG. 3 taken along the lines 4-4; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the vane wheel as shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the gear means arrangement employed for driving the agitating means shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Referring now to the accompanying Figures wherein like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts in the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a hydrotherapeutic apparatus in accordance with the present invention designated by the numeral 10.

The apparatus includes a housing 16, drive means generally indicated by the numeral 11 disposed within the housing 16, and agitating means generally indicated by the numeral 13, the upper portion 15 of which is disposed in the housing 16, as shown.

The undersurface of the housing 16 has a generally inverted U-shape configuration and is adapted to be disposed on and supported by a side wall 12 of a bathtub 14 in a manner as shown. The horizontal leg 22 of the undersurface 20 is supported by the upper surface 24 of the tub wall 12. First vertical leg 26 is designed to extend into the interior of the tub 14 so as to contact and be held against the interior surface 28 of the tub wall 12, while second vertical leg 30 extends outside of the bathtub 14. Adjustable securing means, such as clamping means 32 extends through and threadably engages internal threads 34 of leg 30 as shown. The clamping means 32 includes head portion 36 connected to threaded shaft 38 which passes through and threadably engages internal threads 34, and thence terminates in gripping means, such as handle 40. The

legs

26 and 22 of the housing 16 as well as the head portion 36 of the clamping means 32 will preferably include resilient cushioning or gasketing mate rial 42 such as a natural or synthetic rubber, which is adapted to contact and grip the tub wall 12 when the housing 16 is secured to the tube wall 12. Furthermore, the resilient cushioning material 42 will serve to prevent scratching or other damage to the tub wall.

As will now be apparent, the apparatus 10 may be easily secured in place to a bathtub 14 by merely hooking the undersurface 20 of the housing 16 over the upper surface 24 of the tube wall 12 so that horizontal leg 22 contacts upper surface 24 and vertical leg 26 contacts the interior surface 28 of the tube wall 12. Thereafter head portion 36 of the clamping means 32 may be screwed against the exterior surface 28a of the tube wall 12 until the gripping material 42 thereof is in firm contact with the wall 12.

The upper portion 17 of the housing 16 includes an air flow passage 18 which extends from end 50 through the vertical leg 22 and terminates at end 52 of the leg 22. The end 52 of the leg 22 is connected by means of conventional connector means 54 to a conduit 56,

which preferably takes the form of a flexible hose, which in turn is connected to suction means 58 such as a domestic vacuum cleaner.

Driving means 11 is disposed within the housing 16 below the air flow passage 18. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, driving means 11 comprises vane wheel 60 which is connected to first gear means 62. The gear means 62 is rotatably connected to a portion 64 of the housing 16 as shown, so that rotation of the vane wheel 60 will cause corresponding rotation of the gear means 62. Second gear means 66 is disposed within the housing 16 in intermeshing relationship with gear means 62 so that rotation of the gear means 62 will cause rotation of the gear means 66.

The vane wheel 60 includes a bottom cover 70 a top cover 72 having an opening 73 therein and a plurality of vanes 74 radially disposed between the top and bottom covers in a manner such that the ends of the vanes and the space between each two vanes remains unobstructed. The vanes 74 may comprise a conventional impeller which is connected to and adapted to cause rotation of first gear means 62. However, the vanes 74 are preferably secured to and preferably made integral with the bottom cover 70 so that rotation of the vanes will cause corresponding rotation of the bottom cover 70 and thus rotation of the gear means 62.

The housing 16 also includes air inlet opening which extends into flow path 82 which in turn is in operative communication with the open sides of the vane wheel 60 and thus with the vanes 74. Accordingly, it will now be apparent that air entering housing 16 via inlet opening 80 and flowing through flow path 82 will enter vane wheel 60 and exert pressure on vanes 74 thereby causing vanes 74 and bottom cover 70 to rotate and thus cause the first gear means 62 to rotate.

Agitating means 13 may take the form of conventional pumping means and preferably comprises a rotatable, vertically positioned shaft 90, the upper end 92 of which is secured to the second gear means 66 by any conventional fastening arrangement and the lower end 94 of which is secured to impeller 96. Impeller housing 98 having inlet opening 100 in the lower portion thereof and discharge opening 102 extends around the impeller 96 and forms means for conveying fluids to the impeller and for directing the flow of fluids during impeller rotation. The impeller housing 98 is connected to the lower end of a sleeve member 104 which extends upwardly about the vertical shaft and is connected at its upper end to the housing 16 at a location below the second gear means 66.

It will be appreciated that the impeller housing 98 may be rotatably or otherwise adjustably secured to the sleeve 104 so that the position of the discharge opening 102 may be adjusted to effect the desired directional flow.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, means are provided for admitting air into the impeller housing 98 to increase the turbulence of flow of fluid through the discharge opening 102. Such means, as shown, may comprise a vertically extending shaft 110, having an air passageway extending therethrough from end to end, the lower end 112 of which shaft is secured to and is in communication with the in- 14. Control means 116 which may take the form of conventional valve means is connected to the upper end 114 of the shaft 110 so that the patient may control the amount of air admitted into the impeller housing 98.

The apparatus of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 may also include air flow control means 120 connected to the housing 16 and in communication with the air flow passage 18 therein. Air flow control means 120 may comprise a casing 122 having internal flow passage 124 which communicates with the passage 18 and the atmosphere. Closure member 126 having opening 125 is connected to casing 122 and is adapted to be moved between open and closed positions wherein it covers or opening 125 aligns with the flow passage 124 in casing 122. The flow rate of air entering the opening 80 and flow path 82 in the housing 16 may be controlled or adjusted by means of control means 120 and thus air pressure acting on the vane wheel 60 and the speed of rotation of the impeller 96 may be controlled as will be described hereinafter.

In order to put the present apparatus into operation, it is merely necessary to dispose the apparatus over one wall or side of a bathtub as described above and tighten the housing against the internal and external surfaces of such wall by means of clamping member 32 as described above. The tub 14 is filled with water to a desired level below the upper end 114 of the vertical shaft 110. Conduit 56 is connected by means of clamping means or connector 54 to the end 52 of the leg 22 of the housing 16. The other end of the conduit 56 is connected to a suction source 58 such as a domestic cannister-type vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner is started so that air is sucked from air flow passage 18 through the leg 22 and conduit 56 into the vacuum cleaner 58. Air from the surrounding atmosphere is thereby sucked through opening 80 and flow path 82 into contact with the vanes 74 of the vane wheel 60. The pressure of the air sucked into the vane wheel 60 acting on the vanes 74 causes the vanes 74 to rotate thereby causing the bottom cover 70 of the vane wheel to rotate. The first gear means 62 which is connected to the bottom cover or vanes 74 is thereby rotated which in turn causes rotation of the second gear means 66 and the vertical shaft 90 of the pumping means 11. The impeller means 96 is thereby rotated in the impeller housing 98 causing water to be drawn or sucked through the inlet 100 into the impeller 96 and thereafter discharged through the outlet 102 in the impeller housing 98.

The water flowing out of the outlet or discharge opening 102 of the impeller casing 98 will of course flow under an increased pressure thereby causing turbulence in the remainder of the water bath resulting in a whirlpool effect in the bath. Furthermore, the stream of liquid flowing out of the outlet 102 of the impeller casing 98 may comprise a massage stream itself thereby providing a therapeutic effect.

The amount of turbulence produced by the liquid currents or streams flowing into the water bath from the impeller housing 98 can be controlled by employing air flow control means 120. When air flow control means 120 is in its closed position, closing off the air flow passage 124 to the atmosphere, the flow rate of air entering the opening 80 and flow path of the housing 16 contacting the vane wheel 60 will be at its maximum. Accordingly, the rotational speed of the impeller 96 will be at its maximum thereby providing a maximum rate of flow of liquid leaving the impeller housing 98 and flowing into the water bath. This will, of course, produce the highest level of turbulence in the bath while maintaining the suction provided by the vacuum cleaner 58 at a constant level. However, where the air flow control means 120 is adjusted so that the closure member 126 is at least partially removed from the flow passage 124 in the casing 122, air from the surrounding atmosphere will flow into the flow passage 124 and thence into the air flow passage 18 bypassing the vane wheel 60. This will, of course, result in a reduced suction force on the vane wheel 60 and the flow path 82 in the housing 16 thereby reducing the flow rate of air entering the opening 80, flow path 82 and the vane wheel 60. The result is that the rotational speed of the impeller 96 is reduced and the rate of flow of liquid drawn into the impeller through opening 100 and the rate of flow leaving the impeller housing 98 via outlet 102 is decreased. Thus, the degree of turbulence provided by the liquid leaving the impeller housing 98 is decreased. As shown in the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, a patient seated in the tub 14 can easily manipulate the air flow control means 120 by adjusting the position of the closure member 126 with respect to the flow passage 124.

Where it is desired to further increase the whirlpool effect provided by the apparatus of the invention, the control means 116 may be adjusted so as to allow flow of air from the atmosphere to enter the passageway in shaft 110 so that air will be sucked into the impeller housing 98. Air drawn in through the top of shaft 110 passes downwardly through the shaft 110 into the impeller housing 98; the air entering the impeller housing 98 contacts the impeller 96 and flows out of the housing 98 by means of outlet 102 into the water bath. The stream of air entering the impeller housing 98 from a downward direction and the stream of liquid which en ters the housing 98 upwardly through the inlet or opening 100 intermixes thoroughly due to the turbulence created by the rapid rotation of the impeller 96. The intimately or thoroughly intermixed and agitated stream of liquid and air is ejected through the opening 102 into the water bath.

As indicated above, the direction of the stream discharged through the opening 102 of the impeller housing 98 may be adjusted manually by merely rotating the impeller housing 98 about the sleeve 104.

It will also be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention, such as shown in the accompanying Figures, may be operated by a positive source of air pressure. The apparatus set up as shown in the Figures may be employed in this case. However, the conduit 16 will be connected to a source of compressed air such as the exhaust side of a domestic vacuum cleaner so that compressed air is blown through the conduit 56 into the air flow passage 18 of the housing 16 and thence through the opening 73 in the top cover of the vane wheel 60 and into contact with the vanes 74 and bottom cover of vane wheel 60. The force of the air against the vane wheel will cause rotation of the vanes 74 and bottom cover 70 with resultant rotation of the gear means 62, 66, shaft and impeller 96. The air flowing into the vane wheel 60 may be exhausted by flowing out of the housing 16 through flow path 82 and opening 80.

It will be appreciated that where a positive source of air pressure is employed, rotation of the vane wheel will be in a direction opposite to that where a suction source is employed. Accordingly, in this case, the design of the vane wheel and the vane 74 therein will preferably be adjusted so that the vanes are positioned to receive the flow of air through the opening 73 of the vane housing as opposed to through the opening 80, flow path 82 and sides of the vane housing 60. Furthermore, the impeller 96 will be rotated in a direction opposite to that where a suction source is employed. Accordingly, the impeller will preferably be designed so that the fins thereof will be designed so as to rotate and draw liquid through in the inlet opening 100 into the impeller housing 98. Furthermore a funnel or collector 77 may be employed over the opening 73 in the top cover 72 of the vane wheel 60, said funnel or collector extending into air flow passage 18 to guide or direct air flowing through the passage 18 into the opening 73 of the vane wheel 60.

The apparatus of the invention is compact in size and of relatively light construction and may be readily used in normal homes for the production of beneficial massaging currents in connection with therapeutic or hydrotherapy baths. Accordingly, the housing 16 may be formed of conventional relatively light-weight plastic materials. The gear means 62, 66, as well as the impeller 96 and associated apparatus and the vane wheel 60 may be formed of conventional plastic materials, such as nylon, in order to reduce the total weight of the unit and reduce noise level of the rotating gears to a minimum. However, it will be appreciated that metallic materials may be employed in forming these components.

Furthermore, although the gear means described above in conjunction with the vane wheel 60 includes two gears, any conventional gear arrangement may be employed which will link up with the vane wheel and be driven by the vane wheel and thereby drive the shaft 90 and impeller 96.

As will be seen from the above description of the apparatus of the invention, the only portion of such apparatus which is immersed in the water bath is a portion of the agitating means 13 and the housing 16 (leg portion 26). The remaining components of the apparatus 10 including the drive means 11 and the power source, namely the suction source or source of compressed air are disposed away from the water bath. Accordingly, there are no electrical connections or electrical components in close proximity to or disposed in the water bath.

The apparatus of the invention is sufficiently light in weight so as to be portable and be easily removed, carried from the tub and stored in a relatively small place. In order to facilitate carrying or handling of the apparatus 10, the carrying handle 150 is provided which is connected to the top portion of the housing 16 as shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2.

It will also be appreciated that the apparatus in accordance with the invention may be combined with a conventional basin or tub and sold as a single unit. In this case, the housing 16 will be permanently attached to a wall of the tub or basin. However, it will be understood that the apparatus of the invention can be applied to or connected to any type of basin or receptacle from a small hand basin to a large communal bath used for hydrotherapy.

Various modifications may be made in the apparatus of the invention as disclosed above, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that all disclosure presented above is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising in combination, a housing, agitating means connected to said housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, drive means in operative communication with said agitating means and adapted to drive said agitating means, and suction means in operative communication with said drive means for powering said drive means, said drive means and suction means being adapted to be disposed out of contact with said water bath.

2. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a vane wheel which includes a vane housing, and a plurality of vanes radially disposed in said vane housing, said vane housing including air inlet means in communication with said vanes for emitting air into said vane housing for driving said vanes, and air outlet means in communication with said suction means.

3. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said vane housing comprises a top cover and a bottom cover, said top cover including said air inlet, and said plurality of vanes is disposed between said top cover and said bottom cover, said air outlet comprising the spaces between said vanes and communicating with said air inlet.

4. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said plurality of vanes are integral with said bottom cover.

5. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said drive means further comprises first gear means connected to said vane wheel and adapted to rotate as said vane wheel rotates, and second gear means connected to said agitating means and disposed to mesh with and adapted to be driven by said first gear means, and thereby drive said agitating means.

6. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said agitating means comprises pump means including a pump body including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, impeller means disposed in said pump body, and shaft means connecting said impeller means to said drive means, said shaft means being adapted to be rotated by said drive means and thereby cause rotation of said impeller means, which, in turn, causes water from said bath to be drawn into said fluid inlet of said pump body into contact with said impeller means and be propelled out of said pump body via said fluid outlet back into said water bath.

7. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 6 further including means for introducing air into said pump body, said air to be propelled from said body with water, through the fluid outlet of said body.

8. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 further including securing means for securely attaching said housing to a receptacle containing a water bath.

9. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes air flow passage means in communication with said drive means, and said suction means, and suction conduit means connecting said suction source to said air flow passage.

10. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 further including air flow control means movable between open and closed positions and positions intermediate thereto, in operative communication with said air flow passage of said housing, for controlling flow of air into said air flow passage, and controlling the amount of suction available for powering said drive means.

11. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim wherein said means for introducing air into said pump body comprises an air conduit, a first end of which is disposed above the level of water in which said pump body is disposed, and the second end of which is in communication with the interior of said pump body, said air conduit further including air flow control means for controlling flow of air through said conduit into said pump body.

12. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 6, further including means for adjustably positioning the pump body including the position of the fluid outlet, relative to the water bath in which said pump body is disposed.

13. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 further including a receptacle for holding a water bath, said housing being secured to said receptacle in a manner such that said agitating means extends into said receptacle in contact with a water bath contained therein, said drive means and said suction means being disposed away from and out of contact with said water bath.

14.. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising, in combination, a housing, agitating means connected to said housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, fluid motor means in operative communication with said agitating means and adapted to drive said agitating means, said fluid motor means comprising a vane wheel including a vane housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a plurality of radially extending vanes disposed in said housing, fluid supply means in communication with said fluid inlet of said vane housing, and adapted to deliver fluid to said vane wheel to power and thereby cause said vane wheel to rotate to drive said agitating means, said fluid motor means and fluid supply means being disposed out of contact with said water bath.

15. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 14 wherein said fluid supply means comprises means for delivering a supply of air under pressure to said fluid motor means.

16. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 14 wherein said fluid motor means further comprises first gear means connected to said vane wheel and adapted to rotate as said vane wheel is rotated, and second gear means in communication with said first gear means and said agitating means, said second gear means being adapted to be driven by said first gear means and, in turn, thereby drive said agitating means.

17. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 16 wherein said agitating means comprises pump means including a pump body including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, impeller means disposed in said pump body, and shaft means connecting said impeller means to said drive means, said sahft means being adapted to be rotated by said drive means and thereby cause rotation of said impeller means, which, in turn, causes water from said bath to be drawn into said fluid inlet of said pump body into contact with said impeller means and be propelled out of said pump body via said fluid outlet back into said water bath.

18. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 14 wherein said vane housing comprises a top cover and a bottom cover, said top cover including said fluid inlet, and said plurality of vanes is dispsoed between said top cover and said bottom cover, said fluid outlet comprising the spaces between said vanes and communicating with said fluid inlet.

19. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 18 wherein said plurality of vanes are integral with said bottom cover.

Claims

1. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising in combination, a housing, agitating means connected to said housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, drive means in operative communication with said agitating means and adapted to drive said agitating means, and suction means in operative communication with said drive means for powering said drive means, said drive means and suction means being adapted to be disposed out of contact with said water bath.

11. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said means for introducing air into said pump body comprises an air conduit, a first end of which is disposed above the level of water in which said pump body is disposed, and the second end of which is in communication with the interior of said pump body, said air conduit further including air flow control means for controlling flow of air through said conduit into said pump body.

13. The hydrotherapeutic device in accordance with claim 1 further including a receptacle for holding a water bath, said housing being secured to said receptacle in a manner such that said agitating means extends into said receptacle in contact with a water bath contained therein, said drive means and said suction means being disposed away from and out of contact with said water bath. 14.. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising, in combination, a housing, agitating means connected to said housing and adapted to be disposed in a water bath, fluid motor means in operative communication with said agitating means and adapted to drive said agitating means, said fluid motor means comprising a vane wheel including a vane housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a plurality of radially extending vanes disposed in said housing, fluid supply means in communication with said fluid inlet of said vane housing, and adapted to deliver fluid to said vane wheel to power and thereby cause said vane wheel to rotate to drive said agitating means, said fluid motor means and fluid supply means being disposed out of contact with said water bath.