Abstract:
A hygienic water jet assembly for a spa includes a body having a conical jet outlet that receives pressurized water and air from suitable sources. A control insert is disposed within the conical jet outlet and spaced therefrom by a gap, such that the control insert serves to combine the water and air together for delivery to a jet nozzle carried by the control insert. The control insert also includes a pair of conical surfaces that allows residual water within the control insert to drain by gravity out of the control insert through apertures disposed therethrough. The water draining out of the control insert is then permitted to drain out of the jet nozzle via the gap by gravity.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to spas, hot tubs and related devices. In particular, the present invention relates to water jet assemblies for spas, hot tubs and related devices that deliver a combination of water and air therefrom. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water jet assembly for spas, hot tubs and related devices that has a conical cavity to allow residual water within the body of the water jet assembly to freely drain therefrom, to prevent the development of mold and mildew therein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Spas, hot tubs, and the like generally provide a large water containing vessel, such as a tub or pool, that includes a plurality of water jets that combines pressurized streams of water and air into a single stream, so as to deliver a therapeutic effect to the user of the spa. The spa is typically formed of fiberglass, SMC (sheet molding compound) or other moldable material, and is shaped and contoured so that the water jets are positioned to provide the water/air streams in strategic areas while the user is relaxing within the spa. To generate the pressurized stream of water and air, the water jets are fluidly coupled to a water pump system that receives water from a water inlet that is fluidly coupled within the vessel. Also fluidly coupled to the jets is an air pump that is capable of supplying pressurized air to the jet. The water and air are then combined in the jet to create a stream of pressurized water that is entrained with air bubbles, so as to form the therapeutic water/air stream previously discussed. An adjustment knob may also be provided to adjust the flow rate of the water and/or air as desired, such that the water/air steams exiting each water jet may vary between a strong stream or a weak steam. 
     Typically, to place the spa into operation, the vessel is filled with a quantity of water that is raised to a level that is above the position of the water inlet and above the position of the water jets. As such, during operation of the spa, the water inlet and the water jets remain submerged in the water. This ensures that the pump can continuously draw water from the water inlet for delivery to the water jets, while allowing the water jets to create a therapeutic bubbling/turbulence effect in the water contained in the vessel. 
     However, due to the nature of spas, it is generally required that they be taken out of operation periodically to conduct routine maintenance or for storage purposes due to a change in seasons. To complete this process, it is generally required that the water remaining in the vessel be removed in order to prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria in the spa when it is not in use. However, because the water jets are submerged in water during the normal operation of the spa, the water jets continue to retain a residual amount of water within the various internal components of its body after the vessel has been drained of water. That is, current water jet designs do not allow the residual water to drain out from the water jet, thus allowing the residual amount of water to remain within the water jet body. As such, the residual un-drained water within the internal surfaces of the water jet serves as the basis for the growth of mold and mildew, as well as other water-borne pathogens, thus leading to a spa that not only has a diminished appearance, but that is also a potential health hazard. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a hygienic water jet assembly for a spa or other water holding vessel that permits residual water remaining within the water jet assembly to drain out by gravity when the water holding vessel of the spa is drained of water. In addition, there is a need for a hygienic water jet assembly for a spa or other water holding vessel that inhibits the formation of water borne pathogens, as well as mold, mildew, and bacteria on the components of the water jet assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a hygienic water jet assembly having a body having a jet outlet with a conical surface that is in fluid communication with a water inlet and an air inlet. The water jet includes a control insert with a conical outer surface from which a plurality of spaced protrusions extend. The control insert is rotatably carried by the jet outlet, and the control insert has a cavity that is defined by a conical inner surface. In addition, at least one air control port and at least one water control port are disposed through the control insert. As such, the control insert is rotatably retained within the jet outlet, such that the at least one water control port and the at least one air control port are selectively movable so as to be in fluid communication with the water inlet and the air inlet, respectively. A nozzle is carried in the cavity, such that the nozzle is in fluid communication with the at least one water control port and the at least one air control port to allow the passage of water and air therethrough. In addition, the conical outer surface of the control insert is spaced from the conical surface of the jet outlet by the plurality of protrusions to form a gap therebetween. The gap is in fluid communication with the at least one water control port, the at least one air control port, and the water inlet, such that water within the jet outlet drains by gravity out of the body via the gap. 
     It is another aspect of the hygienic water jet of the present invention to provide a support housing that is attached to the conical inner surface of the cavity of the control insert to carry the nozzle. In addition, the support housing has a frusto-conical surface that is in fluid communication with the nozzle. 
     Another aspect of the hygienic water jet of the present invention is that the conical outer surface of the control insert has a first apex that is distal to the nozzle and that the frusto-conical surface of the support housing has a second apex that is proximate to the nozzle. 
     Yet another aspect of the hygienic water jet of the present invention is that the water inlet includes an elongated tube that extends from the water control inlet at an angle. 
     Still another aspect of the hygienic water jet of the present invention is that a bezel has an aperture that is disposed therethrough, the bezel being attached to the insert, such that the aperture is substantially aligned with the nozzle, such that the rotation of the bezel rotates the insert. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a spa including a plurality of hygienic water jet assemblies in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view showing the components of the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is another exploded view showing the components of the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an escutcheon and a control insert provided by the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the escutcheon and the control insert of the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the hygienic water jet assembly with the control insert and escutcheon removed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the hygienic water jet assembly with the control insert and escutcheon attached, whereby the control insert is rotated to a first position in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an other cross-sectional view of the hygienic water jet assembly with the control insert and escutcheon attached, whereby the control insert is rotated to a second position in accordance with the concepts of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view showing a gap formed between the water jet body and control insert of the hygienic water jet assembly in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A plurality of hygienic water jet assemblies designated by reference numeral  10  are disposed within a spa  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. The term ‘spa’ as used herein is defined as any tub or vessel capable of holding an amount of water or fluid. In particular, the spa  20  includes a water containing vessel  24  that may include one or more seats  30  that are positioned adjacent to a support wall  40  that includes a plurality of water jet assemblies  10 . Each of the water jet assemblies  10  are configured to deliver a stream of water that is entrained with air bubbles to the individuals positioned in the spa  20 . It should be appreciated that while the discussion of the water jet assembly  10  presented herein relates to the use of the jet assembly  10  with water, it should be appreciated that the jet assembly  10  may be used with any desired fluid. 
     The water jet assembly  10 , shown clearly in  FIGS. 2-10 , includes a jet body  100  having an inner surface  102  and an outer surface  104  and may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal for example. Shown clearly in  FIGS. 7-9 , the body  100  defines an elongated inlet tube  110  terminated at respective inlet and outlet apertures  112  and  114 . The inlet tube  110  comprises a substantially cylindrical cross-section, however, any suitable cross-sectional shape may be used. The outlet aperture  114  of the inlet tube  110  opens into a conical jet outlet  120  also provided by the body  100 . As such, the body  100  maintains the inlet tube  110  in fluid communication with the conical jet outlet  120 . The body  110  may also be configured, such that the inlet tube  110  or a portion thereof extends from the conical jet outlet  120  at an angle to facilitate the flow of water into the conical jet outlet  120 . 
     The inlet aperture  112  of the inlet tube  110  is configured to be coupled to any suitable water source, such as a pressurized water source supplied from a water pump or other fluid pump for example. As such, water delivered to the inlet aperture  112  is permitted to flow through the tube  110  and into the conical jet outlet  120  via the delivery aperture  150 . 
     Continuing, the conical jet outlet  120  includes a conical wall surface  142  that defines a conical jet cavity  143  that progressively opens from an apex end  144  to an open end  146 , as shown clearly in  FIG. 7 . As such, the open end  146  of the conical jet outlet  120  opens into the jet cavity  143  that is terminated by the apex end  144 . It should also be appreciated that the outlet aperture  114  that is disposed in the conical wall surface  142  is positioned proximate to the apex end  144  of the conical jet outlet  120 . Extending from the outer surface  102  of the body  100  is an air inlet tube  151  having an air inlet aperture  152  that is in fluid communication with an air receiving aperture  154  that is disposed in the wall surface  142  of the conical jet outlet  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . In one aspect, the air receiving aperture  154  is positioned between the water delivery aperture  150  and the open end  146  of the jet outlet  120 . It should be appreciated that the air inlet aperture  152  of the air inlet tube  150  is configured to be attached to any suitable pressurized air source, such as that supplied by an air compressor. As such, the fluid inlet tube  110  and the air inlet tube  151  are in fluid communication with the conical jet outlet  120 . Furthermore, positioned about the periphery of the open end  124  of the conical jet outlet  120  is an annular flange  160  that includes a face surface  162  having one or more retainer clips  164  disposed thereon. 
     The jet assembly  10  also includes a conical control insert  181  that is configured to be received within the jet cavity  143 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-10 . The control insert  181  includes a conical body  182  having an inner and outer surface  184  and  186 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . The conical body  182  extends from an open end  190  to an apex end  194 , such that the open end  190  opens into an insert cavity  196 . Disposed about the periphery of the open end  190  is a control flange  200  having a plurality of tabs  204  disposed thereon. In one aspect, the tabs  204  may be diametrically arranged on the flange  200 . At least partially circumscribing the conical body  182  of the control insert  181  are one or more spaced air control ports  210  that are positioned proximate to the opened end  190 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . In addition, a water control port  214  that is positioned proximate to the apex end  194  of the control insert  181  partially circumscribes the conical body  182  of the control insert  181 , also shown clearly in  FIGS. 3-5 . Specifically, the air ports  210  are separated by stop sections  211 . Thus, when the control insert  181  is inserted within the jet cavity  143  of the conical jet outlet  120 , the air ports  210  are positioned to be in selective fluid alignment with the air delivery aperture  154  of the air inlet tube  151 , while the water port  214  is configured to be positioned in selective fluid alignment with the outlet aperture  114  of the water inlet tube  110 . In order to rotatably retain the conical insert  181  within the jet cavity  143 , the control flange  200  of the conical insert  181  is rotatably retained by the retainer clips  164  of the conical jet outlet  120 . As such, the control insert  181  is configured to rotate within the jet cavity  143  of the conical jet outlet  120 , such that the air ports  210  and the water port  214  of the control insert  181  are selectively aligned with the air receiving aperture  154  and the water outlet aperture  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . That is, because the air ports  210  and the water port  214  do not fully circumscribe the control insert  181 , the control insert  181  may be rotated so that the air delivery aperture  154  and the water outlet aperture  114  are selectively blocked by the outer surface  186  of the control insert  181 . For example,  FIG. 8  shows the control insert  181  rotated so that both the air receiving aperture  154  and the water inlet aperture  114  are opened, while  FIG. 9  shows the air receiving apertures  154  opened and the water inlet aperture  114  closed. As such, the amount of air permitted to be combined with the incoming water within the jet  10  can be controlled, while the amount of water permitted to be combined with incoming air within the jet  10  can be controlled. In one aspect, the water supplied to the jet  10  by the inlet tube  110  may be completely turned off by rotating the control insert  181  to block the water outlet aperture  114 . 
     Furthermore, the jet cavity  143  is dimensioned such that when the control insert  181  is seated therein, the outer surface  186  of the control insert  181  is spaced from the conical wall surface  142 , thereby defining a gap  198  therebetween, as shown in  FIG. 10 . In addition, the control insert  181  forms a gap  199  between the control flange  200  of the conical insert  181  and the face surface  162  of the flange  160  of the body  100 . Such a configuration facilitates the flow of water out of the jet  10 . It should be appreciated that such gaps  198  and  199  may be formed by the use of a plurality of spaced apart protrusions  197  that extend away from the outer surface  186  of the body  182  and the control flange  200  of the control insert  181 . That is, the protrusions  197  serve to space the control insert  181  from the conical wall surface  142  of the jet outlet  120 , so as to define the gaps  198  and  199  therebetween, which allows for the flow of water within the jet  10  to be routed out. In one aspect, the protrusions  197  may be arranged in any suitable configuration, such as a random configuration or a predetermined configuration, such that specific water carrying channels are formed. 
     Attached to the inner surface  184  of the cavity  196  of the conical control insert  181  is an annular support housing  300  having an inner wall  302  and an outer wall  304 , such that the inner wall  302  defines an annular support aperture  308  that is dimensioned to retain a nozzle  310  therein. The support housing  300  also includes a frusto-conical or truncated conical surface  330  that extends from the annular support aperture  308 . It should be appreciated that the tapered or frusto-conical surface  330  is configured so that its apex (not shown) is proximate to the open end  190  of the control insert  181  and has an opening  332  that is proximate to the apex  194  of the conical insert  181 . As such, the control insert  181  includes two conical surfaces; the inner conical surface  184  provided by the body  182  of the control insert  181  and the frusto-conical surface  330  of the support housing  300  also provided by the control insert  181 . As such, the conical surfaces  184  and  330  effectively open into each other. 
     Continuing, the nozzle  310  may include tabs  320  that are configured to engage the support aperture  300 , such as in a “snap-fit” or “friction-fit” manner, to retain the nozzle  310  therein, however it should be appreciated that any suitable means of fixation may be used to retain the nozzle  310  within the support aperture  300 . In one aspect, the nozzle  310  may be pivotably retained within the support aperture so that it can be moved or articulated into any desired position, so that the water/air stream generated at the water jet outlet  120  can be routed in any desired direction. 
     Attached to the conical control insert  181  is an annular escutcheon or bezel  350  having an inner surface  352  and outer surface  354 , as shown clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Disposed through the bezel  350  is a centrally disposed bezel aperture  355 . Extending from the inner surface  352  of the bezel  350  is an annular wall  360  that circumscribes the periphery of the aperture  354 , and which defines a wall aperture  356 . As such, the wall aperture  356  is configured to receive the outer wall  304  of the annular support housing  300  of the control insert  181  therein so as to be interference fit therewith, thereby joining the bezel  350  with the control insert  181 . However, it should be appreciated that the bezel  350  may be attached to the control insert  181  using any suitable means of fixation, such as adhesive for example. It should also be appreciated that the bezel aperture  354  of the bezel  350  is dimensioned to allow at least a portion of the nozzle  300  to extend therethrough. Thus, rotation of the bezel  350  causes the conical insert  181  to also be rotated as well, so as to control or adjust the position of the air ports  210  and the water port  214  within the conical jet outlet  120  to control amount of water and air that is permitted pass from the air and water delivered thereby, as previously discussed. In addition, the inner surface  352  of the bezel  350  is spaced from an outer edge  380  of the body flange  160  to define a gap  382 , which is dimensioned to allow water exiting through gap  199  to drain therethrough. It should be appreciated, that in one aspect, the inner surface  352  of the bezel  350  may be angled to facilitate the flow of water out of the jet  10 . It should also be appreciated that because the retainer clips  164  do not fully circumscribe the face  162  of the flange  160  they do not impede the drainage of water out of the jet  10 . 
     Circumscribing the outer surface  104  of the body  100  proximate to the conical jet outlet  120  is a plurality of threads  390 , which allows a threaded nut  400  to be threadably received, so as to retain a portion of the wall  40  of the spa  20  between the body flange  160  and the nut  400 . However, it should be appreciated that any suitable means of fixation may be used to attach the jet  10  to the spa  20 . 
     As such, the gaps  198 ,  199 , and  382  together with the conical surfaces  330 , 184  of the control insert  181  and the conical surface  142  of the jet outlet  120  allows any residual water within the water jet  10  to be drained, by operation of gravity, out of the water jet  10 . 
     Therefore, one advantage of the present invention is that a hygienic water jet assembly for a spa has conical internal surfaces that routes unwanted water within the water jet to drain out, thereby preventing the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria therein. Still another advantage of the present invention is that a hygienic water jet assembly for a spa has internal gaps, which facilitate the drainage of residual water out of the jet. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the hygienic water jet assembly for a spa is able to be readily retrofit to existing spas. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied by the structure and its method for use presented above. While in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.