Patent Publication Number: US-6209148-B1

Title: Floating water massage device

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional No. 60/097,157 filed Aug. 19, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of floating devices capable of supporting a person at the surface of water in a pool, such as a buoyant pad, chair or cylindrical float, and more particularly to such devices in combination with means to direct pressurized streams of fluid, such as a water or water and air mixture, against the body of the person supported by the device, where the means to direct the pressurized fluid streams is separated a short distance from the body and is adjustable relative to the body of the user. 
     The therapeutic and relaxation effects of subjecting pressurized streams of water or water/air mixtures against a person&#39;s body are well known, and tub or small pool structures commonly referred to as personal spas, such as sold under the brand name JACUZZI, are well known. Such structures typically provide molded seating regions to support one or more users and a plurality of nozzles directed at differing locations within the structure to deliver pressurized, aerated water into the body of water in the spa and against the body of the user. The structures are typically provided as self-contained, stand-alone units or are formed as an adjunct structure to a larger swimming pool structure. These spa structures are relatively expensive and therefore many swimming pool owners cannot enjoy the benefits of a personal spa since they opt not to expend the additional funds. Several portable or individualized devices have been developed which provide the spa effect to an individual floating in a swimming pool in a relatively inexpensive manner. For example, Bryant in U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,944 provides a buoyant chair having nozzles directed toward the person occupying the chair, the nozzles releasing streams of water and air mixed together. The plumbing for the chair is connected to a pool water heater and a booster pump is required to provide the pressure to force the heated water from the nozzles. McKay in U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,822 teaches a floating lounge chair frame which in one embodiment directly supports a standard pool lounge chair or in another embodiment has webbing or other supporting means incorporated directly therein to support the user, the frame of the lounge chair being apertured to provide pressurized water streams. Smith in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,781 shows a floating lounge pad, the pad being formed of a buoyant material and containing a hollow interior passageway with apertures on the upper support surface of the pad through which pressurized fluid is emitted directly against the body of the user. 
     These known devices all suffer from the drawback that either the user&#39;s body is directly supported by webbing or other means which interfere with, diffuse or completely block the flow of the pressurized fluid stream or that the user&#39;s body is in direct contact with the apertures or nozzles in the structure providing the pressurized fluid. In either event the therapeutic and relaxation effects of the pressurized stream are greatly diminished. In all the known devices, the pressurized fluid delivery means is fixed relative to the body support component of the device, such that the user cannot adjust the location of the apertures or nozzles for maximum benefit or enjoyment. To obviate these problems, the invention at hand provides a buoyant body support structure which supports the user in the water which in one embodiment minimizes the total contact area between the user&#39;s body and the support structure, or which in another embodiment having a greater area of contact for supporting the user provides for a region of non-contact in the area where the pressurized fluid streams are directed. The invention provides a fluid distribution structure for directing plural streams of pressurized water or a water/air mixture against the user&#39;s body which is distinct and separated a short distance from the support structure, such that there is no direct contact between the user&#39;s body and the fluid distribution structure. The invention further provides a structure where the fluid distribution structure is adjustable relative to the body support structure so that the pressurized streams can be directed to different areas of the user&#39;s body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a floating or buoyant device capable of supporting a person&#39;s body at or near the water surface of a swimming pool, the device providing a plurality of steady or pulsating streams of pressurized fluid, such as water or a water and air mixture, against the person&#39;s body in a massaging manner for relaxation or therapeutic purposes. The body support structure of the device supports the user&#39;s body in a generally reclined or horizontal position with the head situated above the surface of the water. In one embodiment, the body support structure has a first buoyant member for supporting the neck and head of the user and a second buoyant member for supporting the lower legs and feet of the user. The first and second buoyant members are connected to each other by one or more connecting members, which may be relatively rigid or non-rigid, such that the two buoyant members are maintained at a separation distance necessary to properly support the user so that the user&#39;s head remains above water. Preferably the buoyant members provide for a relatively small contact area against the user&#39;s body, with contact by the first buoyant member being limited to the head and neck area and contact by the second buoyant member being limited to the feet, ankle and lower leg area or the back of the knees. A separate fluid dispersal means is suspended between the first and second buoyant members at a distance below the first and second buoyant members such that the fluid dispersal means itself does not contact the user&#39;s body. The fluid dispersal structure comprises a plurality of water nozzles, jets or apertures which are directed upward toward the area occupied by the user&#39;s body. The fluid dispersal structure is connected by a hose or other conduit to a source of pressurized water, preferably the pressurized water source of a pool cleaning apparatus or to the outlets of the pool filtering and circulation system. Preferably, a means to supply air and to mix the air into the water stream is also provided, with the preferred supply source means being a tube open to the atmosphere which connects to the water delivery conduit through a venturi device such that air is pulled through the tube and mixed with the water by the flow of the water. The fluid dispersal structure is adjustable relative to the first and second buoyant members such that the pressurized streams of fluid may be directed at different areas of the user&#39;s body as desired. 
     In a second embodiment, the body support structure is generally composed of a floating pad material made of a closed cell foam which is configured in the shape of a lounge chair having a preformed V-shaped area to support the user&#39;s torso and upper legs such that most of the user&#39;s body is supported by the floating pad in a generally reclined position, with the pad preferably having arm supports disposed above the main pad member and a lower leg support portion. An opening is provided in the back support region through which the pressurized fluid stream is directed. The fluid dispersal means is connected to the source of pressurized water and is mounted onto the underside of or within the support structure in a manner such that the nozzles or apertures do not contact the body of the user. The fluid dispersal means is adjustable in the longitudinal direction so that the streams can be aimed at variable locations. Preferably a control valve is provided such that the user can vary the pressure of the fluid stream. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention, but showing non-rigid connecting members joining the first and second buoyant members. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention, where the body support means is a floating pad configured in the general shape of a lounge chair, where the fluid dispersal means is enclosed within a housing. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the second embodiment showing the fluid dispersal means mounted on rail members. 
     FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the floating chair showing the fluid dispersal means internally mounted within multiple foam layers. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial top view showing an alternative configuration for the opening in the float pad and an alternative configuration for the fluid dispersal means. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. A first major embodiment is directed toward the device constructed with separate floating body support members and the second major embodiment is directed toward the device where the floating body support member is configured as a pad or lounge chair. 
     The invention is a floating water massage device, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises in general floating body support means  10  and fluid dispersal means  20 . The body support structure  10  has a first buoyant member  11  and a second buoyant member  12 , which are joined to each other by connecting means  13 . The buoyant members  11  and  12  may be composed of any suitable material which floats in water and is sufficiently buoyant to support the weight of a person such that at least the person&#39;s head remains above water. For example, the buoyant members  11  and  12  may be composed of solid or hollow plastic, wood, relatively rigid or flexible polymer foam, hollow metal, inflatable bladders, etc., but are preferably formed of a soft, closed cell, polymer foam material having a vinyl coating, such as for example the material sold under the brand name ENSOLITE. As shown in the drawings, the buoyant members  11  and  12  may be formed as cylindrical members which are joined by connecting means  13  in a parallel manner. Alternatively, the buoyant members  11  and  12  may be shaped, curved or contoured to better conform to the user&#39;s body, such as by providing recesses in the surfaces of the members  11  and  12  specifically designed to receive the user&#39;s neck or legs. The connecting means  13  may be composed of relatively rigid depending frame members  14  and relatively horizontal rail members  15 , such as a frame composed of polymer tubing or the like, as shown in FIG. 1, but may also be formed as a non-rigid member  16  such as a rope, cord or flexible tubing, as shown in FIG. 2 where the non-rigid member  16  is joined to the fluid dispersal means  20  by fasteners  17 , such as spaced eyelets. With non-rigid frame members  16  the buoyant members  11  and  12  are prevented from separating too far, but the distance between them will automatically adjust or can be altered in relation to the size of the user. 
     Suspended between the first and second buoyant members  11  and  12  and joined to the connecting means  13  as shown in the drawings is fluid dispersal means  20 . Fluid dispersal means  20  contains a plurality of apertures  21  located in an upper surface  23 , the apertures  21  containing individual nozzles  22  to direct a stream of water or a water/air mixture upward from the surface  23 , or the apertures  21  themselves may be sufficiently sized to act in the same manner as individual nozzles  22 . The fluid dispersal means  20  preferably comprises a single hollow body chamber member  26  as shown, or it may be constructed of a plurality of interconnected tubes which form a manifold  48 , an example of which is shown in FIG.  7 . The fluid dispersal means  20  is provided with a water inlet  24  for passage of water into the hollow body  26 , with a conduit connection means  25  for joining the water dispersal means  20  to a conduit  99  connected to a pressurized source of water, such as a water hose, the pool filter circulation system or the water source conduit for an automated pool cleaner apparatus. Preferably the conduit connection means  25  allows the conduit to be quickly removed and reattached when desired, and such connectors are well known in the industry. The chamber  26  or manifold  48  is a pressurized reservoir, such that pressurized fluid streams are emitted through and significant distance from the apertures  21  or nozzles  22 . It is preferred that means also be provided for supplying air into the pressurized water stream, as the water/air mixture results in improved massage and therapeutic effects, and the mechanism for accomplishing this is explained in detail below with regard to the second embodiment. 
     The fluid dispersal means  20  is most preferably joined to the connecting means  13  between the buoyant members  11  and  12  so that it is relatively adjustable between the two. With this construction the fluid dispersal means  20  can be moved toward the first buoyant member  11  or toward the second buoyant member  12  to properly position the apertures  21  relative to the desires of the user by sliding the chamber  26  along rails  15  or non-rigid members  16 . As shown in FIG. 1, the rail members  15  of the connecting means  13  may be disposed within longitudinal channels formed within the chamber  26 . Other alternative means for attaching the water dispersal means  20  to the rails  15  or non-rigid members  16 , such as through external fasteners or the like, could also be utilized. 
     In addition to the structure set forth above, a pair of lateral buoyant members  30  may be joined by surface connecting means  31  to the first and second buoyant members  11  and  12  to provide floatation support for the user&#39;s arms. The lateral buoyant members  30  may be constructed in any suitable manner, similar to the buoyant members  11  and  12 , and the surface connecting means  31  may be relatively rigid or non-rigid. The lateral buoyant members  30  may also be contoured for comfort or efficiency. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 through 7, wherein the body support means  10  is constructed as a floating pad or chair  41 , preferably configured similar to a lounge chair with a back supporting region  42 , an upper leg supporting region  43 , a lower leg supporting region  44 , and arm supports  45 . The overall perimeter of the chair  41  is generally rectangular, with the back supporting region  42  joined to the upper leg supporting region  43  in a V-shaped or concave manner, and with the lower leg supporting region  44  joined to the upper leg supporting region  43  in an inverted V-shaped or convex manner. The chair  41  is preferably composed of a relatively soft, flexible, closed cell polymer foam encased in a vinyl coating, although other materials with similar buoyancy and comfort properties may be utilized, such as inflated bladders, hollow plastic members or the like. A relatively large opening  46  is located in the back supporting region to provide unobstructed passage for the pressurized fluid streams to reach the user&#39;s body. Opening  46  may be configured in a generally oval or rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 4, or may be configured in an H-shape or as a pair of slots, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, where central longitudinal support is desired for the user. The opening  46  preferably extends over a relatively large portion of the back supporting region  42  so as to correspond generally to the area from the shoulder region to the lower back region of the user. The chair  41  may be formed from a single layer of buoyant material or from multiple layers bonded together to form regions of increased thickness, as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The fluid dispersal means  20  is affixed to the chair  41  such that the upper surface  23  of the main chamber  26  is disposed a short distance away from and beneath upper surface  47  of the back supporting region  42 . The fluid dispersal means  20  as shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 comprises a hollow main chamber  26  with a plural number of apertures  21  disposed in the chamber upper surface  23 , whereby pressurized fluid streams are emitted upwardly from the chamber  26  and through the opening  46  in the chair  41 . Nozzles  22  may be provided in the apertures  21  to better control the fluid stream. The nozzles may be individually adjustable as to direction or strength. In an alternative construction, the fluid dispersal means  20  may be constructed as a combination of tubing, such as shown in FIG. 7 where the fluid dispersal means  20  comprises three tubes joined to form an H-shaped manifold  48 . 
     A water inlet  24  is provided for delivery of pressurized water into the chamber  26  or manifold  48 , which communicates with conduit connection means  25  for joining the fluid dispersal means  20  to a source of pressurized water, preferably in a manner which allows for easy and quick connection and disconnection. The pressurized water source is preferably a conduit from the discharge side of the pool pump. In pools having a built-in automatic pool cleaning apparatus, the invention may be directly connected to the water conduit used for operation of the pool cleaning apparatus. Thus when the pump is operating, pressurized water is directed into the chamber  26  or manifold  48  and emitted as a plurality of pressurized fluid streams from apertures  21  or nozzles  22  and through opening  46 . 
     In the most preferred embodiment, an air entrainment means  50  is provided which supplies air into the pressurized water such that the pressurized stream emitted from the fluid dispersal means  20  is a combination of air and water. While air entrainment means  50  may comprise a pump which draws air from the atmosphere and delivers it into the fluid dispersal means  20 , the preferred mechanism is to provide a venturi-type mixing junction member  51  as part of the water inlet  24 , such that the flow of the water through the mixing junction member  51  causes air to be drawn through a tube  52  which is open to the atmosphere. With this structure no extraneous pump is required. The tube  52  is preferably attached to one of the arm supports  45  of the chair  41  to insure that the tube  52  remains above the water during use. A control valve  53  may be incorporated for adjusting the flow volume of the air into the tube  52 , which allows the user to increase or decrease the force of the pressurized fluid streams striking the user&#39;s back. Alternatively, a water control valve may be incorporated into or connected in-stream with the water inlet  24  to allow the user to adjust the flow of water into the chamber  26  or manifold  48 . 
     The fluid dispersal means  20  is preferably adjustable in the longitudinal direction relative to the opening  46  in the chair  41 , which allows the user to vary the position of the pressurized fluid streams so as to strike different areas of the user&#39;s body. Different structures can be utilized to accomplish this. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a housing  61  made of plastic or similar material and having a longitudinal slot  62  may be attached to extend from the rear of the chair  41  to enclose the chamber  26 , the slot  62  allowing the chamber  26  to be moved longitudinally. As shown in FIG. 5, the chamber  26  may be mounted onto one or more rail members  63  extending from the back of the chair  41 , with the major portion of the rail member  63  extending generally longitudinally and relatively parallel to the back supporting region  42 . The rail or rails  63  may extend through the chamber  26  or may be connected by externally mounted fasteners. As shown in FIG. 6, the back support region  42  of the chair  41  may be formed from multiple layers of buoyant material, with lateral guide slots  64  extending longitudinally along each side of opening  46  internally within the back support region  42  to receive lateral runners  65  connected to the main chamber  26 . Reinforcing members of relatively hard plastic or the like may be inserted within the lateral guide slots. A longitudinal slot  62  is positioned beneath the opening  46  to receive water inlet  24 . In all of these embodiments, the chamber  26  can be moved longitudinally such that the pressurized streams can be directed toward the upper, lower or any intermediary region of the opening  46 . 
     The fluid dispersal means  20  may also be adjustable in relation to the separation distance from the back supporting region  42 . One mechanism for accomplishing this is shown in FIG. 5, where separation adjustment means  70  comprises a telescoping arrangement with an inner member  71  and outer sleeve member  72  which are coaxially extendable. 
     It is understood that substitutions and equivalents to certain elements set forth above may be obvious to those skilled in the art, and the true scope and definition of the invention therefore is to be as set forth in the following claims.