Abstract:
A spa device including a basin with a pair of leg rests hingedly coupled to the basin. Each leg rest pivots from a first unengaged position to a second engaged position. In the engaged position, a client receiving a spa treatment may rest his/her legs on the leg rests. Each leg rest may be releasably locked into the engaged position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    It is known to provide spa devices such as health spas, whirlpools, and foot spas. In particular, it is known that the treatment of a person&#39;s foot may provide therapeutic relief to various points throughout the body. Such spa devices are generally used in commercial and recreational setting for hydrotherapy, massage, stimulation, pedicure and bathing purposes. 
         [0002]    Such spa devices may be used for spa treatments of both therapeutic and aesthetic varieties. 
         [0003]    Many spa devices currently on the market do not include means for supporting a customer&#39;s foot and/or legs. Therefore, the customer must rest their foot on the edge of the basin of the spa device while the technician is providing a therapeutic or aesthetic procedure. This can be inconvenient for the spa technician and uncomfortable for the customer. It is therefore desirable to provide a spa device including means for supporting a customer&#39;s foot and or legs during a spa treatment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a spa device including a basin a pair of leg rests. Each of the leg rests has an attachment end and a free end. The attachment end of each of the leg rests is hingedly coupled to the basin. 
         [0005]    The leg rests of the spa device may be pivotable between a first position and a second position. 
         [0006]    The second position of the leg rests of the spa device may be a client use position. 
         [0007]    The leg rests of the spa device may include a support portion adjacent the attachment end and a calf rest portion adjacent the free end. 
         [0008]    The second position of the leg rests of the spa device may is generally 90 degrees from the first position. 
         [0009]    The spa device may include a pair of pivot devices. Each of the pivot devices includes a pivot portion and a support portion. The support portion of each pivot device is coupled to the basin. The pivot portion of each pivot device is coupled to the attachment end of one of the pair of leg rests. 
         [0010]    The leg rest attachment ends may include an engagement portion. The engagement portion is sized and configured for engagement with the pivot portion of the pivot device. 
         [0011]    The spa device may include means for releasably locking each of said leg rests in the client use position. 
         [0012]    The spa device may include means for limiting the rotation of each of the leg rests. 
         [0013]    The means for limiting the rotation of each of the leg rests may include a slot with a first and second end formed in the pivot portion of the pivot device. 
         [0014]    The spa device may include a rotation guide member coupled to the engagement portion of each of the leg rests. The rotation guide member is sized and configured for engaging the slot formed in the pivot portion of the pivot device. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the spa device, when the rotation guide member is adjacent the first end of the slot the leg rest is in its first position and when the rotation guide member is adjacent the second end of the slot the leg rest is in its client use position. 
         [0016]    The means for releasably locking each of the leg rests in the client use position may include a locking portion formed at the second end of the slot. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a basin according to the present invention, the leg rests being in the down position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view the basin of  FIG. 1  with the leg rests in the up position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a close up perspective view of a portion of the basin of  FIG. 2 , with the leg rest cover removed. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the back side of the leg rest of  FIG. 3  with the leg rest cover removed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a portion of an embodiment of a leg rest and a leg rest pivot according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a portion of the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the basin of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the spa device  10  of the present invention preferably includes a basin  12  and a chair  14 . The spa device  10  is configured for use in foot massages, pedicures, and other activities related to the feet, including bathing, soaking, simulating, etc. 
         [0026]    The basin  12  is adapted to retain treatment fluid, generally water, for use with various cleaning or massage activities, as is known in the art. The basin  12  preferably includes a base portion  16 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the basin  12  and the base portion  16  are integrally formed, however, it is contemplated that these parts could be formed separately. 
         [0027]    The chair  14  may be coupled to the basin  12  or may be separate from the basin  12 . It is further contemplated that the chair  14  may be coupled to the basin  12  through a frame  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The chair  14  may be any type of chair  14  known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the chair  14  includes a seat  20 , a backrest  22 , and a pair of sidearms  24 . The chair  14  sits adjacent and above the basin  12 , such that the feet of a person sitting in the chair  14  extend into the basin  12 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the illustrated embodiment includes a pair of leg rests  26  hingedly connected to the basin  12 . The leg rests  26  swing from a first position in which the leg rests  26  fit around a portion of the basin  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) to a second position in which the leg rests  26  extend across a portion of the basin  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). When the leg rests  26  are in the first position ( FIG. 1 ), the customer may sit in the chair  14  and place his/her legs in the basin  12 . When the leg rests  26  are in the second position ( FIG. 2 ), the customer may place his/her legs on top of the leg rests  26 . The customer&#39;s feet will then preferably extend beyond the basin  12 , and a spa service provider or technician may easily access the customer&#39;s feet to provide spa treatments. 
         [0029]    The leg rests  26  preferably include a leg rest frame  28  and a leg rest cover  30  which fits over the leg rest frame  28 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In the preferred embodiment the leg rest cover  30  is molded to the leg rest frame  28 , however it is contemplated that the leg rest cover  30  could be configured such that the leg rest cover  30  is removable from the leg rest frame  28 . It should be understood that each spa device  10  preferably includes two leg rests  26 , one for each leg of a customer using the spa device  10 . It should further be understood that the leg rests  26  are preferably mirror images of each other. It is also contemplated that in some applications, a single leg rest  26  may be utilized. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show an embodiment of the leg rest frame  28 . The leg rest frame  28  has an attachment end  32  and a free end  34 . The leg rest frame  28  preferrably includes a face member  36  and at least one rib  38  extending along the back surface of the face member  36  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The rib  38  extends generally perpendicular to the face member  36 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the illustrated embodiment includes two spaced apart ribs  38  on each leg rest frame  28 . The ribs  38  may be integrally formed to the face member  36  or may be separately formed and attached using any known methods. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the leg rest frame  28  is preferably wider at the free end  34  than the attachment end  32 . The leg rest frame  28  is curved between the free end  34  and the attachment end  32 , such that the front surface of the face member  36  is convex. The frame may be made of any material known in the art. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5 , shows an engagement portion  40  which may be formed at the attachment end  32  of the leg rest frame  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement portion  40  is generally unshaped. The engagement portion  40  may comprise an end piece  42  and a pair of side flanges  44 . These pieces  42 ,  44  may be integrally formed or may be formed separately and coupled by any known means including but not limited to welding. The engagement portion  40  may be integrally formed to the leg rest frame  28 , or may be formed separately and coupled to the leg rest frame  28  by any known means including but not limited to welding or any standard coupling devices such as bolts. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first  46  and second  48  aperture are formed in each of the side flanges  44 . The apertures  46 ,  48  are aligned such that the first aperture  46  in the first flange  44   a  is aligned with the first aperture  46  in the second flange  44   b . In this manner, a pin  78  or other coupling device may be inserted through the apertures  46  in both flanges  44  to couple the leg rest  26  to the basin  12 , as will be described in more detail below. In the preferred embodiment the leg rest frame  28 , including the engagement portion  40 , is made of a metal material. However, it is contemplated that other materials, including but not limited to plastics, may be used for the leg rest frame  28 . 
         [0034]    In the illustrated embodiment, the leg rest  26  is coupled to the basin  12  through a leg rest pivot  56  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The engagement of the attachment end  32  of the leg rest  26  with the leg rest pivot  56  allows the leg rest  26  to rotate from the first position (see  FIG. 1 ) to the second position (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0035]    An illustrative embodiment of a leg rest pivot is shown in  FIG. 5 . The leg rest pivot  56  includes a support portion  58  and a pivot portion  60 . The support portion  58  is adapted to be coupled to the basin base  16  or its supporting frame  84 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The pivot portion  60  is adapted to engage the attachment end  32  of the leg rest  26 . In use, the leg rest pivot  56  is coupled to the basin  12 . The leg rest  26  is then coupled to the leg rest pivot  56 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the support portion  58  extends from the pivot portion  60 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion  58  comprises a generally rectangular projection. The support portion  58  includes at least one aperture  62  extending therethrough. The illustrated embodiment includes two apertures  62  formed in each support portion  58 . The at least one aperture  62  may be molded in the support portion  58  or may be created by any other known method such as drilling. The support portion  58  may be coupled to the basin base  16  using any known methods. In the illustrated embodiment the support portion  58  is coupled to the basin base  16  using bolts  64  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
         [0037]    The pivot portion  60  of the leg rest pivot  56  is formed with a slot  66  extending therethrough, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The slot  66  is preferably generally curved between the first end  68  and the second end  70 . At the first end  68  of the slot  66 , there is a locking portion  72 . As will be described in more detail below, the slot  66  limits the rotation of the leg rest  26 . The leg rest pivot  56  is also formed with an aperture  74  extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the configuration of the aperture  74  is a generally oblong shape. The aperture  74  is generally parallel to the locking portion  72  of the slot  66 . When the leg rest pivot  56  is in place on the spa device  10 , the aperture  74  is generally vertical. 
         [0038]    In use, the leg rest  26  is positioned such that the engagement portion  40  engages the pivot  56  as shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 . The first pin  78  is inserted such that the pin  78  extends through the first aperture  46  in the first flange  44 , through the aperture  74  in the pivot  56  and through the first aperture  46  in the second flange  44   b . The first pin  78  may then be secured in place. In the illustrated embodiment the first pin  78  is pressed in place, however the pin  78  may be secured by any other means. The leg rest  26  may then pivot about the first pin  78  in the aperture  46  of the leg rest pivot  56 . The second pin  80  is then inserted such that the pin  80  extends through the second aperture  48  in the first flange  44   a , through the slot  66  in the leg rest pivot  56 , and through the second aperture  48  in the second flange  44   b . The second pin  80  may then be secured in place. In the illustrated embodiment the second pin  80  is pressed in place, however the pin  80  may be secured by any other means. The engagement of the second pin  80  with the slot  66  controls the pivoting motion of the leg rest  26 . 
         [0039]    Specifically, the slot  66  is configured such that when the leg rest  26  is rotated to the down position, the second pin  80  engages the second end  70  of the slot  66  and prevents the leg rest  26  from further rotation. When the leg rest  26  is pivoted to the up position, the second pin  80  engages the first end  68  of the slot  66 . The weight of the leg rest  26  then causes the pin  80  to drop into the locking portion  72  of the slot, locking the leg rest  26  in the upright position. In order to pivot the leg rest  26  back to the down position, a user must first lift up slightly on the leg rest  26 , to remove the second pin  80  from the locking portion  72  of the slot  66 , and then rotate the leg rest  26  to the down position. It should be understood that the shape of the aperture  74  in which the first pin  78  is configured to accommodate the locking motion of the leg rest  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture  74  is generally oval. It should be understood that while the illustrative embodiment utilizes a pair of pins, other means of attachment, including but not limited to a bolt restrained with a nut, could be utilized. 
         [0040]    In the illustrated embodiment the leg rest pivot  56  is made of a molded plastic material. However, it is contemplated that other materials, including but not limited to metals, may be used for the leg rest pivot. 
         [0041]    The leg rest cover  30  has an attachment end  50  and free end  52 . The shape of the leg rest cover  30  is similar to that of the leg rest frame  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, free end  52  of the leg rest cover  30  is generally wider than the attachment end  50 . The leg rest cover  30  is preferably contoured to support the leg of a customer using the spa device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface  54  of the leg rest cover  30  has an indentation  76  formed to support a customer&#39;s calf. While the leg rest cover  30  may be made of any material known in the art, the leg rest cover  30  of the illustrated embodiment is made of self-skinning foam. 
         [0042]    In the illustrated embodiment, the basin is provided with a lip  82  formed around a portion circumference of the basin. It is also contemplated that it may be desirable to form the circumference of the basin  12  with a pair recesses  86  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) to accommodate the leg rests  26  in their down position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The recesses  86  allow the leg rests  26  to be generally flush with the lip  82  of the basin  12  when the leg rests  26  are in the down position. However, it is also contemplated that the basin could be formed without the lip  82 . 
         [0043]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.