Massaging fluid filled bed

A massaging fluid filled bed. The massaging fluid filled bed comprises a bed having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a compartment disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface. A plurality of grippers is disposed on the bottom surface. A plurality of massaging elements is disposed beneath the top surface. The bed is further divided into a headrest section, a backrest section, a body section, and a footrest section. An insulation layer is affixed to the bottom surface. A filler fluidly is provided to fill the bed with a fluid. The plurality of massaging elements are attached to a base layer provided within the bed in a way that allows some movements for the massaging elements. The top surface of the body and the backrest section comprises a plurality of inverted U-shaped members.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a massaging fluid filled bed.

BACKGROUND

Numerous innovations for bathtub liners have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

In a first example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,672 to Levine teaches an article of manufacture constituting of a tub lining and comprising a plurality of inflatable rubber cushion elements flexibly joined to permit ready folding and serving as a seat in the tub, a flexible side wall lining connected to the cushion elements and having a re-enforcing border, and a plurality of spaced suction cups on the border of the side wall lining for supporting the lining on the walls of the tub.

In a second example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,892,000 to Morse teaches a liner for a bathtub that includes a soft, flexible cushion having a compressible thickness and separated into sections shaped to cover the bottom, back wall, side walls, and back and side rims of the tub. The bottom section has a hollow interior filled with water so the liner will not float when the tub is filled, and the sections covering the back, sides, and rims of the tub have hollow interiors inflated with air. Preferably, the water-filled bottom section has non-skid surfaces on both its inner walls and on its bottom outer wall. The liner provides a soft, comfortable receptacle in which to bathe, and protects the user from impact with the hard surfaces of the tub.

In a third example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,859 to Harris teaches a mattress envelope that has water therein for bathing part of a person on the mattress envelope. A backrest envelope having water therein extends from an area of the mattress envelope in the area of the tub portion thereof at an angle therewith. A pair of armrest envelopes has water therein and extends from opposite sides of the mattress envelope substantially perpendicularly thereto and about the backrest envelope.

In a fourth example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,563 to Clarke, Jr. teaches a cushioned liner that fits inside a bath tub has a back cushion provided by a flexible water bag conforming to the back of the tube and left and right side cushions provided by flexible bags conforming to the left and right sides of the tub, the bags being connected together end to end and across the bottom of the tub by a bottom portion that conforms to the tub bottom. The insides of the bags are interconnected and all are filled with water through a common filling hose after installing in the tub and before the tub is filled with water for bathing. When the tub is drained, the bags can be drained through one or more drain plugs and opening and the bottom of the liner are provided to permit draining.

In a fifth example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,132 to Rooney teaches an improved disposable bathtub liner that includes inflatable sub-compartments which detachably adhere to the interior surface of a bathtub through suction devices on the exterior surface of the liner. The bathtub liner includes opposite sidewalls, endwalls, and at least a partial bottom, and is made of a material which is durable, economical and disposable, while at the same time provides frictional engagement with a person, and which can be detachably sealed to the interior of the interior surface of the bathtub.

In a sixth example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,231 B1 to Smith teaches an inflatable liner for use with conventional bathtubs. For use with infants, elderly, physically disabled, or other instances where a cushioned and/or sanitary bathing surface is desired. A battery operated air pump is attached to the inflatable liner via small plastic tubes. The air pump is used to inflate the liner. The present invention also has an air trap valve to prevent over inflation. The inflatable liner is composed of separate air reservoir tubes that conform to the shape of the bathtub, surrounding the entire interior surface area of the bathtub. Once inflated, the actual tub itself provides the present invention with its shape and rigidity. A convenient drainage hole with cover is incorporated into the inflatable liner, which allows the user to drain water out of the invention and bathtub before the present invention is removed from the tub and stored.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for bathtub liners have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention pertains to a massaging fluid filled bed that in one application can be used to line a bathtub. In one embodiment, the massaging fluid filled bed comprises a body section, a footrest section, a backrest section, and a headrest section. All of the sections make up an integral bed that can be filled with a liquid or a fluid. The massaging fluid filled bed can also be filled with a liquid (e.g., hot/cold water or hot/cold gel or air) that provides a treatment. A filler fluidly communicates with all sections of the massaging liquid filled bed and to a liquid or fluid supply source, such as a faucet of the bathtub.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a massaging fluid filled bed is provided. The bed comprises a headrest section, a backrest section, body section, and a footrest section all connected to form an integral bed. All sections of the massaging liquid filled bed can be filled with a fluid or liquid such as water, gel, cold water, and/or hot water, air, or the like. In one embodiment, a filler fluidly communicates with the body and the water faucet of the bathtub. Other fluid sources can be connected to the filler to fill the bed with a fluid or a liquid.

Skid protectors are disposed at least on the body section and prevent slipping by a user. Skid protectors can also be disposed along all sections of the bed. Grippers (such as suction cups) are disposed on the bottom surface of the bed and along the headrest section, the backrest section, the body section, and the footrest section. In one embodiment, the grippers can replaceably attach the bed and its respective sections to the bottom of the bathtub. In another embodiment, the lowermost surface (or the bottom surface) of the bed section is substantially flat. The grippers extend from the bottom surface of the bed. The uppermost surface (or the top surface) of the bed is formed into a plurality of inverted U-shaped members disposed side-by-side and extending longitudinally on the lowermost surface, thereof so as to form therewith a plurality of inverted U-shaped tubes having a plurality of through bores extending through adjacent ones, thereof that allow adjacent ones of the plurality of tubes of the body to fluidly communicate with each other and isolate motion by displacing the water therein accordingly.

In one embodiment, the massaging liquid filled bed comprises a headrest section, a backrest section, a body section and a footrest section that are formed as an integral unit. A plurality of grippers are provided at the bottom surface of every section and a plurality of massaging elements are provided along each section of the bed. The bottom surface of the bed is lined with an insulation layer. The top surface is not lined with such insulation layer to allow the effect of the heated or cold liquid to be felt by a user laying on the top surface of the bed. The insulation layer on the bottom surface prevents temperature to transfer through the bottom surface of the bed, for example, heat lost to the bathtub.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

10Massaging fluid filled bed11Massaging balls/elements12Bathtub13Base layer of bed14Bottom interior surface of bathtub1215Headrest section16Water section faucet of bathtub1217Backrest section18Body section for resting on bottom of interior surface14of bathtub1219Footrest section20Filler for fluidly filling the bed22Skid protectors for preventing slipping by user (not shown)24Grippers for replaceably attaching the bed10to a surface25Insulation layer26Bottom surface of the bed1027Compartment for liquid28Uppermost surface of the bed1029Middle support layer30Plurality of members of uppermost surface of2832Plurality of tubes34Plurality of through bores extending through tubes3236Strips of non-skid roughened material of skid protectors2238Adhesive of skid protectors2240Strips of non-skid roughened material of skid protectors2241Plurality of suction cups of grippers2442Through bore in uppermost surface28of body1844Neck around through bore4246Hose of filler2048First end of hose46of filler2049Second end of hose46of filler2050Female connector of first end48of hose46of filler2052Female connector on second end49of hose46of filler2054Cap filler2055Drain flap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly toFIGS. 1-4, which illustrate the massaging fluid filled bed shown generally at10. In one embodiment, the bed10is adapted for used with a bathtub12. The bathtub12has a bottom interior surface14and a water faucet16. It is to be appreciated that the bed10can be adapted for use with other surfaces, such as a conventional bed, sofa, floor, mat, or the like.

The massaging fluid filled bed10comprises several sections, a body section18, a backrest section17, a footrest section19, and a headrest section15. The body section18, backrest section17, footrest section19, and headrest section15all form an integral unit for the bed10. The body section18, backrest section17, footrest section19, and headrest section15have folds56between each two sections to allow for bending or conforming to the surface that supports the bed10. The massaging fluid filled bed10also comprises a filler20that communicates fluid to fill all sections of the massaging liquid filled bed. The body section18rests on the bottom interior surface14of the bathtub12.

In one embodiment, the filler20takes in fluid from a water faucet16and allows filling throughout the sections of the bed10. Preferably, each section of the bed10includes a compartment for fluid reservoir. The filler20can also take fluid from other sources such as a gas source or other dispenser. In one embodiment, the fluid that fills the bed10is a heated gel or fluid or a material that will produce heat. In another embodiment, the fluid that is filled in the head10is a cold gel or fluid or a material that produce a cold temperature. The material that fills the head10thus can provide a treatment such as heat or cold treatment depending on the applications or needs.

The bed10further comprises a skid protector22or a plurality of skid protectors22and grippers24. The skid protectors22are disposed on the top surface28of the bed10and the grippers24are disposed on the bottom surface26of the bed10. In one embodiment, the skid protectors22are disposed along the body section18and prevent slipping by a user (not shown). In another embodiment, the skid protectors22are disposed on the body section18as well as the backrest section17. In one embodiment, the skid protectors22are disposed on all sections of the bed10. The grippers24are disposed along the body section18, the backrest section17, the headrest section15, and the footrest section19. The grippers24replaceably attach the sections of the bed10to a surface. For example, in the grippers24replaceably attach the sections of the bed10to the bottom interior surface14of the bathtub12.

The bed10is made of plastic, thin, and generally rectangular shaped or box-line shaped. The bed10can be made of a lightweight vinyl material, easy cleaning, waterproof, puncture resistant, tear resistant, compatible to cleaning materials, and able to contain the fluid that fills the various sections of bed10. In one embodiment, the material for the bed10is also resistant to a heated liquid or a cold liquid such that the heated liquid or the cold liquid will not destroy the material of the bed10. An exemplary material is plastic vinyl. In one embodiment, the bottom surface26of the bed10can include an insulation layer that prevents heat lost or temperature lost are transfer through the bottom side of the bed10. For instance, the bottom side of the bed10can be lined with a layer of fiber material (an insulation layer25) such as fiber wool or glass fiber to prevent heat loss through the bottoms side of the bed10. Other insulation materials can also be used without exceeding the scope of the invention. In this way, the fluid that fills the bed10can be heated or cooled and the temperature maintained within the bed10to effect a therapeutic treatment (e.g., heat treatment) on the user). Additionally, any heat or cold transfer would be toward the top surface28of the bed10and thus applied toward the user and not lost through the bottom of the bed10.

Referring toFIGS. 3A-3B, in one embodiment, the bed10comprises a lowermost surface26, an uppermost surface28, a compartment27to be filled with a fluid, and a middle support layer29(FIG. 3A). The middle support layer29is disposed below the uppermost surface28and above the compartment27. In one embodiment, a fluid only fills compartment27and below the middle support layer29. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid fills both the compartment27and the space between the middle support layer29and the uppermost surface28. The massaging elements or balls11are attached to the middle support layer29. In one embodiment, the massaging elements11are moveably attached to the middle support layer29in a way that allow the elements11to sway back and forth to enhance the massaging effect for the user.

In one embodiment, the massaging elements11are attached to a base layer13disposed above the lowermost surface26(FIG. 3B). The fluid that fills the bed10would fill through the space between the base layer and the uppermost surface layer11. In one embodiment, the massaging elements11are moveably attached to the base layer13in a way that allow the elements11to sway back and forth to enhance the massaging effect for the user.

The massaging elements11can have varying degree of hardness and softness depending on the particular section of the bed10. In one embodiment, the massaging elements11A for the headrest section15and the massaging elements11B for the backrest section17(FIG. 1) can be softer than the massaging elements11C for the body section18and the massaging elements11D for the backrest section19. Softer and harder rubber materials, for example, can be used to form the massaging elements11of varying degree of softness and hardness.

FIGS. 5-6illustrate a section of each of a top surface and a bottom surface of the bed10. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the bed10has a lowermost surface (top surface)26and an uppermost surface (bottom surface)28. The lowermost surface26of the bed10faces a support structure. In one embodiment, the lowermost surface26faces the bottom interior surface14of the bathtub12. The uppermost surface28of the bed10is opposite to the lowermost surface26of the bed10and faces away from the support structure, e.g., faces out of the bathtub12.

Also shown inFIG. 5, the top surface28includes the plurality of skid protectors22. The skid protectors22are placed at least over the top surface28of the body section18and the backrest section17. Optionally, the skid protectors22are also placed over the footrest section19and the headrest section15(not shown inFIG. 5).

Also shown inFIG. 6, the bottom surface26includes the plurality of grippers24. In one embodiment, the grippers24are placed along all sections of the bed10.

As shown inFIG. 7, the lowermost surface26of the bed10is substantially flat, and the uppermost surface of the bed10is formed into a plurality of members30that are inverted U-shaped and disposed side-by-side and extending longitudinally on the lowermost surface28of bed10so as to form therewith a plurality of tubes32that are inverted U-shaped and make up the body18. The grippers24extend from the lowermost surface26of the bed10. Although not visible inFIG. 7(in order to not obscure the illustration), it is to be noted that the plurality of massaging elements11are disposed within the tubes32as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

As shown inFIG. 8, the plurality of tubes32of the body18have a plurality of through bores34that extend through adjacent ones thereof so as to allow adjacent ones thereof to fluidly communicate with each other and isolate motion by displacing the water therein accordingly.

The specific configuration of the skid protectors22can best be seen inFIGS. 9 and 10, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

As shown inFIG. 9, strips of non-skid roughened material36are attached to the uppermost surface28of the body18by adhesive38, or in the alternative, as shown inFIG. 10, strips of non-skid roughened material40are integrally formed with the uppermost surface28of the body18.

The specific configuration of the grippers24can best be seen inFIG. 11, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The grippers24comprise a plurality of suction cups41. The plurality of suction cups41of the grippers24depend from the lowermost surface26of the bed10and are for replaceably attaching to the bottom interior surface14of the bathtub12. Each of the sections of the bed10should include a set of grippers24for attaching the respective sections to the interior surface14of the bathtub12.

The specific configuration of the filler20can best be seen inFIG. 12, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The filler20comprises the uppermost surface of the body18having a through bore42formed with a neck44therearound.

The filler20further comprises a hose46. The hose46has a first end48and a second end49. In one embodiment, the first end48of the hose46of the filler20has a female connector50thereon that fluidly receives the neck44on the uppermost surface28of the bed10(e.g., at the footrest section19). The second end49of the hose46of the filler20has a female connector52thereon for fluidly receiving the water faucet16(or other liquid or fluid dispenser device) of the bathtub12so as to allow the water from the water faucet to fill the body18.

The filler20further comprises a cap54. The cap54of the filler20closes the neck44of the body18once the body18has been filled with the water and the hose46of the filler20has been removed.

In one embodiment, the bed10also includes a drain plug or outlet55(FIG. 1) that allows water filled into the bathtub12, and over the bed10to drain out. For instance, when the bed10is placed into the bathtub12and water is used to fill the bathtub12, which has the bed10lined therein, the drain plug55is closed to keep the water within the tube and above the bed10, and fills the bathtub12. When ready, the plug55is opened to allow water drainage or replacement.

In alternative embodiments, the footrest section19of the bed10is divided into two sections19A and19B (FIG. 1) that extends upward to accommodate the user's feet portions. A cutout section19C is provided between section19A and19B through which access to the drain of the bathtub12is provided. Thus, draining the water out of the bathtub12can be done as conventionally would.

It will be understood that each elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a water bed for a bathtub, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.