US3870040A - Bubble mat for bath tubs - Google Patents

Bubble mat for bath tubs Download PDF

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Publication number
US3870040A
US3870040A US386479A US38647973A US3870040A US 3870040 A US3870040 A US 3870040A US 386479 A US386479 A US 386479A US 38647973 A US38647973 A US 38647973A US 3870040 A US3870040 A US 3870040A
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United States
Prior art keywords
mat
bars
pipe sections
bubble
sections
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US386479A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ruth Kulisch Geb Klages
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Individual
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Individual
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/02—Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths
    • A61H33/025—Aerating mats or frames, e.g. to be put in a bath-tub
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump, consisting of at least one insert having a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat, a plurality of hollow pipe sections secured between each of the bars and including bubble openings disposed along the length of the pipe sections and a means for coupling the pipe sections to the air pump.
  • additional inserts are con nected together by means of articulated joints.
  • the pipe sections are joined at one end of the insert by means of a distribution element having a single input opening.
  • a bubble mat of this type is known from German Petty Pat. No. 1,773,840 wherein one unitary hose section is provided with bubble openings which is mounted in snake-like fashion to the articulately connected inserts. Therefore this bubble mat can be folded and can be'used in bath tubs of different depths such as seated tubs. The bubble effect can only be altered or adjusted over the total face of the mat. It is not possible to limit the bubble effect to defined areas of the mat.
  • German Pat. No. 1,155,562 shows a bubble mat which uses articulately connected and disconnectable inserts, wherein the unitary snake-like pipe is assembled with pipe line sections which can also be made in one piece, together with the inserts.
  • the ends of the pipe line sections are formed as line couplings which are shut off and sealed in the horizontal position of the bubble mat.
  • the disconnectable arrangement of a series of inserts has the advantage that the length ofthe mat can be varied.
  • the disadvantage is that the mat can only be used in a horizontal position. Therefore, if this bubble mat is used in a bath tub having a graduated bottom, the coupling points between the pipe-line sections are no longer sealed, so that an even bubble effect over the total mat area cannot be achieved. There is also the danger that the mat surfaces which are turned away from the pressure connection are completely without a bubble effect. Furthermore, this bubble mat also does not permit a bubble effect in defined mat areas. Accordingly, the present invention provides a bubble mat which can alsobe used in bath tubs having a graduated bath tub floor while still permitting a bubble effect in limited places of the mat. The assembly parts of the mat should be simple and easily installable.
  • the inserts essentially consist of a plurality of rectangular longitudinal boxes and a plurality of pipe line sections between the longitudinal bars thus forming a single unit.
  • the inserts of the mat are secured to each other by means of plastic articulate joints and flexible hinges.
  • the pipe line sections of adjacent inserts are bridged by flexible hose sections over the articulated points.
  • the flexible hose sections which bridge the articulated points permit a sealed flow through the pipe line sections even if the individual inserts of the mat are in angular position to each other. This sealed passage is maintained because the articulated points connect the individual inserts nonthe pipe line sections having the bubble openings are offset from the plane of theupper faces of the longitudinal bars.
  • the ends of the pipe line sections are preferably'provided with a connection piece onto which the end of a hose section may be mounted.
  • the connection of the pipe line sections are arranged to be shorter than the longitudinal bars. This, a longer curvadetachably with each other.
  • the arrangement of the articulated joints. made of plastic having a thin flexible hinge is advantageous in that the assembly parts are of simple construction, and a good plastic material has to be used only for this part of the mat.
  • the inserts essentially consist of longitudinal bars with their associated pipe line sections being rigid and yet inexpensive to manufacture, because they can be made by injection molding.
  • the boxlike longitudinal bars are closed on the upper face of the mat and provided with apertures in order to prevent the closure of the bubble openings in the mat by the body ofthe user.
  • the upper sides of ture of radius is obtained which results in a lesser dc gree of angle for the inserts.
  • the articulated point may be arranged so that each longitudinal bar of an insert is secured to a corresponding bar of an adjacent insert by means of a separate joint part. A reduction in assembly parts is made possible in that a single joint is fixedly connected with the longitudinal bars of the adjacent insert.
  • the flexible hinge of the joint is provided with a plurality of apertures in order to lessen the displacement force for the articulated joint.
  • each pipe line section of one insert is connected with the corresponding pipe line section of the adjacent insert by means of a hose section, and are connected by an articulated joint. and in that the articulated joint is fixedly connected with the longitudinal bars of the adjacent inserts which are in the range of the corresponding pipe line section.
  • the hose section may be connected with the articulated joint as a separate piece or may be made of one piece.
  • each hose section is provided with a plurality of flange-like circumferential ribs between their connecting ends. The ribs improve the flexibility of the hose section so that even under forceful bending, the inner diameter of the hose section is not crimped at the point of bending.
  • the hose connections may be designed so that they are of bellow-like shape outside their connecting ends.
  • the edges of the mat may be terminated so that the longitudinal edges of the inserts which end with longitudinal bars are provided with an angled edge which extends above the height of the pipe line sections.
  • a front end of the inserts which is connected with the mat is secured to a closing piece for the pipe line sections, while the other front end of the mat is secured to a distribution element by an articulated point formed by hose sections and articulate joints.
  • the distribution element connects the hose sections with a common pressure connection.
  • valves are provided in the I nously adjustable control valves.
  • valves may be provided in a lateral bore in the distribution element in form of axially displaceable pipe jackets which alternately close the inner ends of the outlet jackets for the pipe line sections with at least one valve head.
  • the inserts and the articulated joints can be connected without additional connecting elements since holes are provided in the inserts for retaining bolts which are molded onto the articulated joint and are thermoplastically deformed after insertion into the holes.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view off one piece insert for a bubble matin accordance with the invention consisting of Ion gitudinal bars andassociated pipe line sections;
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the insert according to FIG. 1, taken along lines II-II;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross section through the insert according to FIG. 1, taken along lines IIIIII;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the front end of the insert according to FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of an articulated joint with a hose section for connecting a single pipe line section of an adjacent insert
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the articulated joint according to FIG. 5, taken along line VI-
  • FIG. 7 is a view of the front end of the-articulated joint, according to FIG. 5;
  • FIGS is the side view of the articulated joint according to FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a hose connection in a partlycut-off side view
  • FIG. 9A is a front view of the hose connection of FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the distribution ele ment and the end piece of a bubble mat
  • FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the distribution piece of a bubble mat in accordance with the invention. de
  • a single insert 10 of the mat for use in a bath tub consists of longitudinal box-like bars 11. Pipe line sectionsl6 are arranged between these longitudinal bars. The six longitudinal bars 11 that are shown, and the five pipe line sections 16 exte,nd essentially across the total width of the bath tub. Longitudinal bars 11 are provided with apertures 15 which facilitate the submerging of the mat into the water. As'can be seen from sectional view of FIG. 2, the closing face of box-like longitudinal bars 11 define the resting plane or supporting surface for the user, while 'pipe line sections 16' with bores 17 are offset from that plane. Therefore, the bubble openings 19 of pipe line sections 16 are always free. As can beseen from FIG.
  • longitudinal bars 11 and pipe line sections 16 may be made in one piece, preferably in an injection molding process.
  • the articulated part is shown in FIG. 5.
  • the hinge parts 24 and 25, as well as the flexible hinge 29 with apertu're 27 are made of one flexible unit together with hose section 21 and its associated connecting section 22.
  • Hose section 21 may also be provided with bubble openings 50.
  • Hinge parts 24 and 25 can be provided with retaining bolts which can be inserted into holes 14 of inserts 10 and are retained therein due to thermoplastic deformation.
  • I-Iinge parts 24 and 25 may be provided with bores into which retaining elements are inserted which are mounted on inserts 10.
  • FIG. 9 shows another embodiment for the hose section 21.
  • Each hose section is provided with a round cross-sectional diameter, the connecting ends 22 which are provided with a square cross section to accommodate the receiving means 18 of pipe line sections 16.
  • the hose section is provided a plurality of flange-like extending circumferential ribs 21a which are closely spaced apart and integrally formed with the hose connection.
  • Ribs 21a improve the flexibility of the hose section in such a manner that the internal diameter of the hose section is not diminished,at the bending point, even under a forceful bending.
  • the section can be made in the form of a bellow.
  • connecting ends 22 of hose section 21 may be bonded or welded to receiving means 18 ofpipe line sections 16, so that the pipe lines are completely sealed at the articulated joint between inserts 10.
  • the assembled mat is closed with a distribution piece'30 at one front face having a pressure inlet jacket 31 which is in connection with outlets 33 by means of a transverse channel 32.
  • Outlets 33 and short bar pieces 34 actually form one connecting end which corresponds to the end of insert 10, and can be connected with insert with equal sized articulated joints and hose sections 21.
  • Adjustable valve bodies 39 are mounted in channel 32, so that an arresting element 35 can be moved in a slot 36.
  • Element 35 can be adjusted by an adjustment knob 37 so that outlets 33 may be gradually opened or closed by means of the flow through channel 38 of valve body 39. This permits the bubble effect of the associated pipe line section to be continuously adjusted. It is therefore possible to regulate all pipe line sections of the mat individually or in groups.
  • the valves may be made of a valve body which is adjustable in transverse channel 32 either radially, or axially.
  • end piece 40 which is provided with a retaining rib 43 and a closing jacket 41.
  • Closing jackets 41 close receiving means 18 of pipe line sections 16 of insert 10.
  • End piece 40 is connected with insert 10 by means of retaining rib 43.
  • Retaining rib 43 is provided with an eyelet 42 for mounting the mat.
  • Insert 10 which joins end piece 40 is provided with a larger number of bubble openings 19 than the insert portion which joins distribution piece 30, so that the bubble effect can be balanced over the total length of the mat.
  • the diameter of bubble openings 19 may also be varied.
  • FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of distribution piece 30.
  • Adjustment slides 45 are provided at the outer ends of transverse channel 32 and include an adjustment knob outside of the channel.
  • a pipe jacket 46 is connected with the adjustable knob and is axially slideable in the transverse channel.
  • Pipe jacket 46 is provided with a valve head 47 which is mounted on a flange-like flexible extension of pipe jacket 46.
  • On the side away from the valve head pipe jacket 46 is provided with a hook-like extending abutment 48 which extends into a slot 49 in the wall of channel 32.
  • valve head 47 closes the inner end of outlet 33, so that pipe line section 16 is also closed because it is connected with the outlet jacket.
  • the adjustment slide 45 can be moved outwardly from channel 32 until abutment 48 engages the end of slot 49, so that valve head 47 completely opens the opening of outlet 33. In this manner, the outer pipe line sections 16 may be shut on and off, as desired.
  • a bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising:
  • coupling means comprising a plurality of articulated joints each having a flexible hinge portion for joining said bars to adjacent bars of a further mat.
  • said articu- 5 lated joints comprise flexible hose sections each bridged over a joint across its flexible hinge portion.
  • said coupling means comprises receiving means formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
  • said cou pling means comprises hose jackets formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
  • a bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising:
  • said articulated joint includes guide ribs which are vertical with respect to the planar surface ofthe bars and lateral with respect to said pipe sections.
  • said cou pling means comprises a hose section having a plurality' of flange-like circumferentially arranged ribs integrally formed with the hose section.
  • said coupling means comprises a closing piece for sealing one end of said pipe sections, a distribution element for coupling the opposite end of said pipe sections, and articulated joints having hose sections for joining said distribution element to said pipe sections, said distribution element including a single input pressure connection.
  • said distribution element additionally comprises valve means for controlling the pressure to said pipe sections.
  • valve means comprise continuously adjustable control valves.
  • valve means comprises an axially displacable slide disposed in said distribution element, said slide including a flexible flange-like extension, valve head means mounted on said extension and in communication with said pipe sections. and an abutment formed on said slide and in contact with said distribution element to limit the displacement path of said slide.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Bathtub Accessories (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
US386479A 1972-11-25 1973-08-07 Bubble mat for bath tubs Expired - Lifetime US3870040A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2257935A DE2257935C2 (de) 1972-11-25 1972-11-25 Sprudelmatte für Badewannen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3870040A true US3870040A (en) 1975-03-11

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ID=5862758

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US386479A Expired - Lifetime US3870040A (en) 1972-11-25 1973-08-07 Bubble mat for bath tubs

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US3870040A (ja)
JP (1) JPS5427789B2 (ja)
AT (1) AT337347B (ja)
BE (1) BE802180A (ja)
CA (1) CA965553A (ja)
CH (1) CH562608A5 (ja)
DE (1) DE2257935C2 (ja)
FR (1) FR2210373B1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1423419A (ja)
IT (1) IT992298B (ja)
SE (1) SE392399B (ja)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4008498A (en) * 1975-06-18 1977-02-22 Thomas Stephen R Tub pad
US4048266A (en) * 1974-08-30 1977-09-13 Baumann Ludwig G Air bubbling mat for use in bathtubs for producing bubbling and full-foam baths
US4101988A (en) * 1976-06-14 1978-07-25 Stanley Leslie Sierant Baths
US4269797A (en) * 1979-11-22 1981-05-26 Nikki Co., Ltd. Bubble generator
US4409693A (en) * 1981-04-23 1983-10-18 Peter Baumann Bubble bath device
US4984583A (en) * 1987-06-26 1991-01-15 Associated Mills, Inc. Air bubbling mats for therapeutically agitating bath water
US6752773B2 (en) 2001-08-30 2004-06-22 Conair Corporation Bubbling bath mat
US6775862B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2004-08-17 Fjordbad As Whirlpool bathtub with releasable bottom element
US20150143625A1 (en) * 2013-11-22 2015-05-28 Shawn Veurink Versatile Personal Spray Apparatus
US10968314B2 (en) * 2015-12-14 2021-04-06 Evonik Operations Gmbh Polymer powder for powder bed fusion methods
CN112932300A (zh) * 2021-01-26 2021-06-11 沈声发 一种折叠式泡澡桶组装辅助装置
US11118367B2 (en) * 2017-12-21 2021-09-14 Vincent Conrard Device for enhancing swimming pools by creating a bubbling and/or sparkling effect

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2840859C2 (de) * 1978-09-20 1982-09-09 Royalpatent Anstalt, Vaduz Sprudelmatte für Badewannen
DE2936713C2 (de) * 1979-09-11 1989-12-14 Baumann-Beltron GmbH, Niederhelfenschwil, Sankt Gallen Verteilerkopf für die Gebläseluft einer mehrteiligen Sprudelmatte
DE3822170A1 (de) * 1988-06-30 1990-01-11 Beltron Gmbh Niederhelfenschwi Luftverteiler-unterlage fuer eine sprudel-badeeinrichtung

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1699198A (en) * 1928-05-10 1929-01-15 Millmather Ernest Aerating apparatus
US2719307A (en) * 1953-07-14 1955-10-04 Reid Rachel Footrest for animal hydrotherapy

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1699198A (en) * 1928-05-10 1929-01-15 Millmather Ernest Aerating apparatus
US2719307A (en) * 1953-07-14 1955-10-04 Reid Rachel Footrest for animal hydrotherapy

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4048266A (en) * 1974-08-30 1977-09-13 Baumann Ludwig G Air bubbling mat for use in bathtubs for producing bubbling and full-foam baths
US4008498A (en) * 1975-06-18 1977-02-22 Thomas Stephen R Tub pad
US4101988A (en) * 1976-06-14 1978-07-25 Stanley Leslie Sierant Baths
US4269797A (en) * 1979-11-22 1981-05-26 Nikki Co., Ltd. Bubble generator
US4409693A (en) * 1981-04-23 1983-10-18 Peter Baumann Bubble bath device
US4984583A (en) * 1987-06-26 1991-01-15 Associated Mills, Inc. Air bubbling mats for therapeutically agitating bath water
US6775862B1 (en) * 1999-09-20 2004-08-17 Fjordbad As Whirlpool bathtub with releasable bottom element
US6752773B2 (en) 2001-08-30 2004-06-22 Conair Corporation Bubbling bath mat
US20150143625A1 (en) * 2013-11-22 2015-05-28 Shawn Veurink Versatile Personal Spray Apparatus
US10881252B2 (en) * 2013-11-22 2021-01-05 Shawn Veurink Versatile personal spray apparatus
US10968314B2 (en) * 2015-12-14 2021-04-06 Evonik Operations Gmbh Polymer powder for powder bed fusion methods
US11118367B2 (en) * 2017-12-21 2021-09-14 Vincent Conrard Device for enhancing swimming pools by creating a bubbling and/or sparkling effect
CN112932300A (zh) * 2021-01-26 2021-06-11 沈声发 一种折叠式泡澡桶组装辅助装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT992298B (it) 1975-09-10
FR2210373A1 (ja) 1974-07-12
GB1423419A (en) 1976-02-04
FR2210373B1 (ja) 1977-05-13
DE2257935C2 (de) 1974-07-18
CH562608A5 (ja) 1975-06-13
DE2257935A1 (ja) 1973-12-13
CA965553A (en) 1975-04-08
BE802180A (fr) 1973-11-05
ATA557973A (de) 1976-10-15
DE2257935B1 (de) 1973-12-13
JPS4982463A (ja) 1974-08-08
AT337347B (de) 1977-06-27
JPS5427789B2 (ja) 1979-09-12
SE392399B (sv) 1977-03-28

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