Whirpools operating with air insufflation systems

Abstract: Whirlpool systems comprising an air insufflation system with insufflation jets and an air pump. The insufflation jets have a flat, disc-shaped head with a plurality of radial air outlets and at least one air outlet extending approximately transversely to the plane of the disc-shaped head.

Description: This invention relates to a whirlpool system according to the preamble of claim 1. A whirlpool system of this type is known from GB-A-2 114 021. The exhausts of the jet of this known whirlpool system are directed only laterally. As the jets are mainly provided in the bottoms of bathtubs, this precludes purposive exhaust of air in upward direction. The ball, or alternatively a disc, forms a non-return valve closing the bore purporting to keep water out of the air pipes of the whirlpool system. The head of this known jet is bonded to the jet body. From DE-C-3 720 637, a whirlpool jet comprising a head and a jet body is known wherein the head comprises a tubular part which is screwed into an enlarged chamber in the jet body. The jet further comprises a non-return valve in form of an elastic membrane abutting against a valve sleeve, which is in turn sealed relative to the wall of the enlarged chamber. Also in this whirlpool system, the exhausts are directed only laterally. It is an object of the present invention to provide a whirlpool system of which the jets produce a more purposive jet of air, of which the non-return valve keeps water out of the air pipes more effectively, which can easily be maintained and cleaned, and which is nevertheless of a simple, low cost construction. According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by providing a whirlpool of the initially identified type with the characterizing features of claim 1. In mounted condition, the whirlpool system according to the present invention provides both an upward and a lateral exhaust, so that an accurately defined local effect as well as a more spatially distributed effect occur. The inside of the jet can easily be cleaned when the head is screwed off the jet body and water-tightness of the system is reliably ensured by the two seals. Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are a diagrammatic top view, and a side view, respectively, of an example of a bath tub having a whirlpool system; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of an embodiment of an exhaust jet according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the exhaust jet of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a bottom view of a part of an insufflation jet according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a pipe system according to the present invention. Fig. 1 and Fig.2 are a diagrammatic top view, and a side view, respectively, of an example of a bath tub 1 having a whirlpool system. Provided in the bottom 2, and in the example shown also in the back portion 3, of the bath tub are air insufflation means, the so-called jets, indicated at 4. Through the jets, air can be insufflated into the water-filled bath, as diagrammatically shown at 5. To prevent reflexes of the muscles, the air to be insufflated is preferably heated to above the body temperature by means, not shown, comprising e.g. an electric heating element, whether or not combined with the air pump. Figs. 3-5 diagrammatically show an embodiment of a jet for a whirlpool system according to the present invention. The jet is designed in such a manner that there is no exclusively upward or exclusively lateral exhaust, but both an upward and a lateral exhaust, so that both an accurately defined local effect and a more spatially distributed effect occur. The jet shown includes a head 10, which is very flat, having a beveled edge 11, so that the jet can be placed conveniently in the bottom of a bath tub. In the example shown, the head 10 is substantially disc-shaped with a central axial outlet 12 and a plurality of radial outlets 13. The disc-shaped head is provided at the underside with a central tubular portion 14, which is threaded externally. The tubular portion forms an air chamber that communicates directly with the outlet 12 and through radial channels 15 with the outlets 13. The threaded tubular portion, in mounted condition, is screwed into a tubular jet body 16 having a flat upper flange 17 which, through a sealing ring 17a, lies on the bottom of the bath tub. The jet body 16 is furthermore provided with external screw thread 18 spaced apart from flange 17, and can be secured with a nut 19. In the mounted condition, the threaded portion 14 of the head is screwed in an enlarged chamber 20 in the jet body. The enlarged chamber 20 connects to a narrower axial air supply channel 21, which can be supplied with air through e.g. a flexible hose 22. Hose 22 can be mounted on a narrowed portion 23 of the jet body e.g. with a hose clamp. The chamber 20 contains a ball 24, made e.g. from stainless steel, and which, in the rest position, closes air supply channel 21 under the influence of pressure exerted by a spring 25. Spring 25 has its end remote from ball 24 bearing on a valve member 26 extending axially within chamber 20 into the tubular portion 14 of the head. The valve member has an upper, e.g. cylindrical, portion 27, extending above a peripheral shoulder 28, and loosely fitting in the tubular portion 14. Resting on the peripheral shoulder is a spring 29 placed around portion 27, which spring bears at its other end on the upper wall of the air chamber in the head. Spring 29, consequently, presses valve member 26 downwards. Provided underneath peripheral shoulder 28 is a sealing ring 30, e.g.an O-ring, adapted to sealingly coact with a recessed edge 31 formed in chamber 20. Preferably, the sealing ring lies in a recess 32 in the valve member. The jet described can be cleaned in a simple manner, because the head can be screwed out of the jet body. Besides, the water-tightness of the system is ensured, because two seals are employed. The first seal is formed by ring 30 and the second by ball 24. Preferably, spring 29 has a higher tension than spring 25. During the insufflation of air, the two springs are compressed, so that the air can pass the ball and the ring. At that moment, no water penetration is possible due to the air pressure. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a bath tub 1 filled up to the maximum level 40 defined conventionally by an overflow. The bath tub is provided with jets, not shown in Fig. 6, which can be provided with air through an air supply system. The air supply system includes an electric pump 41, which may have a heating element, and which can supply air to the jets through a pipe 42. Pipe 42, in this example, includes a substantially horizontal portion 43, sometimes called "air buffer", and which is connected to the jets again through branch pipes and flexible hoses. The pipe further includes an inverted-U-shaped portion 44 whose horizontal path 45 lies above the maximum level 40. Even if both seals of a jet are inoperative, water can still not reach the electric pump. At any rate, the U-shaped portion is preferably made from hard tube secured to the pump, so that a vertical position is maintained. To provide for the case that the overflow of the bath is clogged, a non-return valve 46 can be provided in the horizontal path 45 for the sake of security. Various modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art after reading the above. Thus the air output may for instance be controllable. It is also possible for the air pump to continue blowing for a while after bathing, so that the bath can be after-dried. As an additional security, a germ-removing or germ-destroying installation can be incorporated in the system. The system described can be used in any bath of any design, material and model, also in a shower cubicle or shower bath as a foot massaging device. In addition to massaging purposes, the system can be employed for any purpose contemplated by the user. Besides baths, the system can be utilized in any other environment, unit, combination etc. contemplated by the user. These and similar modifications are deemed to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims: Whirlpool system comprising an air insufflation system with air insufflation jets (4) and an air pump (41), the jets (4) comprising a flat, disc-shaped head (10) with a plurality of radial outlets (13) and a substantially tubular jet body (16) with a bore (21) terminating in an enlarged chamber (20) and closed by a ball (24), characterized in that the disc-shaped head is provided with at least one axial air outlet (12) extending approximately transversely to the plane of the disc-shaped head (10), a central tubular portion (14) forming an air chamber and screwed into the enlarged chamber (20) of the jet body (16), the enlarged chamber (20) comprises a peripheral edge (31) spaced from the bore (21), a valve member (26) with a sealing ring (30) extends within the air chamber and into the enlarged chamber (20), in rest condition, the valve member (26) is spring-biased towards the bore, abutting the sealing ring (30) against the peripheral edge (31), and in rest condition, the ball (24) is spring-biased relative to the valve member (26) and towards the axial bore (21). Whirlpool system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the valve member (26) has peripheral shoulder (28) and a portion (27) extending from the peripheral shoulder (28) into the tubular portion (14) of the head (10) and a pressure spring (29) provided between the peripheral shoulder (28) and the head (10), the sealing ring (30) is provided between the peripheral shoulder and the peripheral edge (31), and a spring is mounted between the ball (24) and the valve member (26). Whirlpool system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air insufflation system includes a pump (41) and a pump-connected inverted U-shaped pipe section (44) which is dimensionally stable and a horizontal portion (45) of which, in the operative condition, is situated above the overflow level (40) of a bath tub in which the system is incorporated. Whirlpool system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that a non-return valve (46) is provided in the horizontal portion (45). Whirlpool system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized by a heating element for heating the air to be insufflated. Whirlpool system as claimed in any of the claims 3-5, characterized in that at least the inverted U-shaped portion (44) is made from hard tube and, in fixed position, is connected to the pump (41).

Inventors: LEEUWERIK BEREND, LEEUWERIK, BEREND
Applicants: LEEUWERIK BEREND, LEEUWERIK, BEREND
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61H33
IPC codes: A61H33