Patent ID: 6199224
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
A hydromassage tub system having a hydromassage mode and a cleaning mode of the type having a tub with a plurality of nozzles therein for introducing water jets into the interior of the tub and a pump for supplying pressurized water to the nozzles, comprising:a water circuit connected to the nozzles for supplying water under pressure thereto;a pump connected to said water circuit for supplying pressurized water thereto, said pump having an inlet for receiving water to be pressurized for supply to said water circuit;an air circuit in flow communication with said nozzles for distributing air thereto in the hydromassage mode;first valve means for selectively connecting the pump inlet to a suction inlet in the tub for accepting water from the interior of the tub in the hydromassage mode and for selectively connecting said pump inlet to said air circuit for accepting water therefrom in the cleaning mode; anda second valve for selectively connecting the water circuit to the air circuit in the cleaning mode at a position in the water circuit to define a first water circuit portion having at least one nozzle therein and a second water circuit portion having at least one nozzle therein and to define a first air circuit portion and a second air circuit portion, said first water circuit portion and said second water circuit portion not in flow communication through said second valve when in the cleaning mode and defining, when in the cleaning mode, a first flow circuit portion in which water flows in said first water circuit portion and through said first portion of said air circuit and through said first valve means to the said pump inlet and a second flow circuit portion in which water flows in said second water circuit portion through said second portion of said air circuit and through said first valve means to said pump inlet.