Patent ID: 7665158
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. An air jet for an air massage system for use with a bathtub having a wall defining opposite visible and hidden surfaces, at least one opening being defined through the wall, comprising: a hollow body having an inlet and outlet and adapted to receive a unidirectional flow device therebetween, said inlet being adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of pressurized air, said unidirectional flow device being disposed for allowing air therethrough only in a direction from said inlet to said outlet, said hollow body defining an exterior thread adapted to be connected to an air distribution piping of the air massage system, said exterior thread being adapted to be threadably connected to a fitting of the air distribution piping of the air massage system; and a flange connected to the outlet and adapted to be mounted to the hidden surface of the wall of the bathtub opposite the opening such that air passing through the hollow body passes through the opening in the wall of the bathtub, the flange comprising: an annular seal adapted to be sandwiched between the flange provided at said outlet of said hollow body and a further flange provided at an outlet of the fitting; whereby the air jet is secured only to the hidden surface of the bathtub without any portion of the air jet extending beyond the visible surface of the bathtub during operation of the air jet.