Patent Publication Number: US-2011054572-A1

Title: Therapeutic electrolysis device with replaceable ionizer unit

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/229,629, filed on Jul. 29, 2009 and entitled “Therapeutic Electrolysis Device with Replaceable Ionizer Unit,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to electrolysis devices for use in connection with therapeutic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to therapeutic electrolysis devices that include a replaceable ionizer unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrolysis involves ionizing water by passing an electrical current through water. When water is ionized, the individual water molecules are split into their constituent elements, namely hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH−). 
     By creating a preponderance of either negative or positive ions in water, desirable effects may be realized. For example, charged particles may be drawn from the body by placing a body part, such as the feet, in a water bath having a preponderance of negative or positive ions. For example, metal cations may be attracted to alkaline water, or water in which a preponderance of negative ions has been produced. These metal cations may pass through the skin of a user and into the ionized water. 
     The ionizer unit may wear out or malfunction and require replacement. Generally, the ionizer unit in a conventional foot bath system is either fixedly secured to the foot bath, such as through rivets or welding, or otherwise secured using hardware that may be difficult to remove. Therefore, it may be difficult for a typical user, such as a home user or a therapeutic practitioner, to remove and replace an ionizer unit in a foot bath. To provide such maintenance, the user may be required to ship the foot bath system to a third party who performs the proper maintenance on the system. This may be both costly and inconvenient for the purchaser. Further, the purchase of a new ionic foot bath system may be cost prohibitive to some purchasers. Thus, what is needed is an ionic foot bath system that includes a conveniently replaceable ionizer unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention may include a method for replacing an ionizer unit of a therapeutic spa system. The method may include removing a fastener that joins a first plate of a frame assembly to a second plate of the frame assembly. The first plate may be spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the second plate when joined to the second plate by the fastener. The method may also include detaching the first plate and the second plate of the frame assembly from a first ionizer unit supported by the first and second plates, joining a second ionizer unit to the first and second plates, and rejoining the first and second plates with the fastener. 
     In another embodiment of the method, the frame assembly may further include a third plate configured to be releasably joined to the first and the second plates. The first ionizer unit may be joined to the third plate, and the first and second plates of the frame assembly may be detached from the third plate before joining the second ionizer unit to the first and second plates. In a further embodiment, the frame assembly may further include a fourth plate supporting the first ionizer unit, and the first and second plates of the frame assembly may be detached from the fourth plate before joining the second ionizer unit to the first and second plates. Additionally, the method may also include detaching from the first ionizer unit an electrical connection joining the ionizer unit to a power supply. 
     One embodiment of the present invention may include a therapeutic spa system. The spa system may include a frame assembly comprising a first plate, a second plate and a third plate. The first plate of the frame assembly may be releasably secured to the second plate of the frame assembly by a fastener. The first plate may be spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the second plate when joined by the fastener, and the third plate may be positioned between the first and second plates. The spa system may also include an ionizer unit including an electrical terminal. The ionizer unit may be supported by the frame assembly and positioned between the first and the second plates, and at least a portion of the electrical terminal may extend through a slot defined in the third plate. 
     In another embodiment of the therapeutic spa system, the third plate may include portions configured for receipt within respective openings in the first and the second plates. Additionally, at least a portion of the ionizer unit may be secured to the third plate. The frame assembly may further include a fourth plate releasably secured to and supporting the ionizer unit. The fourth plate may include portions configured for insertion into respective openings in the first and second plates. 
     In another embodiment of the therapeutic spa system, the electrical terminal may include a prong configured for insertion into an electrical receptacle of a control unit. The spa system may further include a basin configured to hold a fluid and a control unit configured to be coupled to a power source, and the ionizer unit may be coupled to the control unit. 
     In a further embodiment of the therapeutic spa system, an ionizer unit may be supported by a frame assembly comprising a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate. The first plate may be spaced apart from the second plate and the third plate may extend between the first and second plates. The ionizer unit may include a first plate assembly formed from conductive material and a second plate assembly formed from conductive material. The first plate assembly may include a first terminal portion and the second plate assembly may include a second terminal portion. The first plate assembly may include a portion received within a first slot defined in the first plate of the frame assembly, and the second plate assembly may include a portion received within a second slot defined in the first plate of the frame assembly. The first terminal portion may be releasably fastened to the second plate of the frame assembly proximate an end portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion may be releasably fastened to the second plate of the frame assembly proximate an end portion of the second terminal portion. The end portion of the first terminal portion may extend away from the second plate at an acute angle relative to the second plate. 
     In other embodiments of the therapeutic spa system, the third plate may include portions configured for receipt within respective openings in the first and second plates of the frame assembly. Additionally, the frame assembly may further include a fourth plate including portions configured for receipt within respective openings in the first and second plates of the frame assembly. In one embodiment, the end portion of the first terminal portion may include a prong configured for insertion into an electrical receptacle of a control unit. The therapeutic spa system may further include a basin configured to hold a fluid, and the control unit may be configured to be coupled to a power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a therapeutic spa system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the therapeutic spa system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly for the therapeutic spa system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of the ionizer unit depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded front perspective view of the ionizer unit depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 6   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 6   a.    
         FIG. 7   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 7   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 7   a.    
         FIG. 8   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 8   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 8   a.    
         FIG. 9   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 9   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 9   a.    
         FIG. 10   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 10   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 10   a.    
         FIG. 11   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 11   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIG. 12   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 12   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 12   a.    
         FIG. 12   c  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 12   a , as taken along line  12   d - 12   d , showing the end portion of the electrical terminal in a first compressed position. 
         FIG. 12   d  is a view similar to the view illustrated in  FIG. 12   c , showing the end portion of the electrical terminal in a second uncompressed position. 
         FIG. 13   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit supported in a frame assembly. 
         FIG. 13   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly of  FIG. 13   a.    
         FIG. 14   a  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly shown in  FIG. 6   a.    
         FIG. 14   b  illustrates a partial exploded perspective view of an ionizer unit and frame assembly. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of replacing an ionizer unit in a therapeutic spa system. 
         FIG. 16   a  illustrates a perspective view of an ionizer unit and a frame assembly before the ionizer unit is removed. 
         FIG. 16   b  illustrates a perspective view of the ionizer unit and frame assembly shown in  FIG. 16   a  with the fastener withdrawn from the frame assembly, but before the ionizer unit is removed. 
         FIG. 16   c  illustrates a perspective view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 16   a  with the ionizer unit removed. 
         FIG. 16   d  illustrates a perspective view of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 16   a  and a replacement ionizer unit before the fastener is secured to the frame assembly. 
         FIG. 16   e  illustrates a perspective view of the replacement ionizer unit shown in  FIG. 16   d  supported in the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 16   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are therapeutic ionic apparatuses with replaceable ionizer units. These apparatuses may include a frame assembly supporting an ionizer unit that can be selectively disassembled and separated from the ionizer unit. The ionizer unit may include an electrical plate assembly that includes terminal end portions that are selectively joined to removable electrical receptacles. In some versions of the apparatus, the terminal end portions may be joined to a replacement plate that forms a portion of the ionizer unit. In such versions of the ionic bath apparatus, the terminal end portions may extend through openings defined in the plate. The replacement plate may, in turn, be removably joined to one or more other plates forming the frame assembly. Some ionic bath systems may include a basin or a tub holding water that is ionized using the ionizer unit, as well as a control unit coupled to the ionizer unit. 
     A therapeutic ionic bath system  100  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . In general, the therapeutic ionic bath system  100  may include a therapeutic ionic apparatus  102  interconnected to a control unit  108 . The therapeutic ionic apparatus  102  may include an ionizer unit  104  joined removably to a frame assembly  304  and interconnected to a control unit  108 . In addition, the therapeutic ionic bath system  100  may include a basin  112  for receiving water  236  (see  FIG. 2 ) ionized by the ionizer unit  104 . Furthermore, in operation, the therapeutic ionic bath system  100  may utilize water  236  (see  FIG. 2 ) held in the basin  112 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of the therapeutic ionic bath system  100 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , the ionizer unit  104  may include a first male electrical prong  204  and a second male electrical prong  208 . The first male electrical prong  204  may be interconnected to a first switchable electrical terminal  212  on the control unit  108  by a first electrical conductor or conduit  202 . The first electrical conductor or conduit  202  may include a first female electrical receptacle  220  configured to receive the first electrical prong  204 . Similarly, the second male electrical prong  208  of the ionizer unit  104  may be interconnected to a second switchable terminal  216  of the control unit  108  by a second electrical conductor or conduit  224 . The second electrical conductor or conduit  224  may include a second female electrical receptacle  220  configured to receive the second electrical prong  208 . The first electrical prong  204  and the second electrical prong  208  may be connected to separate conductor plates within the ionizer unit. In general, the polarity of the first  212  and second  216  switchable terminals of the control unit  108  may be selectively reversed. In one implementation, the control unit  108  may supply 24V DC at the switchable terminals  212 ,  216 . However, the control unit  108  may be configured to operate at other voltages, use AC current, or some combination thereof. A power source  228  may provide electrical power to the control unit  108  over power supply cord  232 . In accordance with one implementation, the power source  228  may be a line voltage source or any other suitable source of power. 
     The water basin  112  contains a quantity of water  236 , such as ordinary tap water. The ionizer unit  104  may be partially submerged in the water  236 . Operation of the ionizer unit  104  via the control unit  108  causes water in the water basin  112  to ionize, as described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,434, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. By placing the feet, hands, or other body part of a user within the water basin  112  and powering the bath system, the user may experience a feeling of relaxation, as well as an enhanced feeling of well being. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the ionizer unit  104  and the frame assembly  304  are shown. In general, the ionizer unit  104  is supported in the frame assembly  304 . The frame assembly  304  may include a front plate  308 , a back plate  312 , a pair of side plates  316 ,  320 , and a top plate  324 . The frame assembly  304  may be formed from a non-conductive material such as plastic or the like. The front  308  and back  312  plates may each include an opening  311 ,  313  or a groove configured to receive and hold the front and back protruding portions  325 ,  323  of the top plate  324 . In addition, the front  308  and back  312  plates may also include additional openings  315 - 321  or grooves configured to receive and hold the front and back protruding portions  327 - 333  of the side plates  316 ,  320 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the frame may be assembled by inserting the protruding portions  325 ,  323  of the top plate  324  and the protruding portions  327 - 333  of the side plates  316 ,  320  into the openings  311 ,  315 - 321  in the front  308  and back  312  plates. Some or all of the plates  308 ,  312 ,  316 ,  320 ,  324  of the frame assembly  304  may be held together by an adhesive. Alternatively, or in addition, the frame assembly  304  may be held together by a screw  328  and an associated nut  332 . In one embodiment, the front  308  and back  312  plates may define a hole  309  configured to receive the screw  328 . The screw  328  may further be inserted through a sleeve  336  defining a bore  335  configured to receive the screw  328  therethrough. The sleeve  336  may function as a spacer to maintain a desired distance between the front  308  and back  312  plates. Additionally, the sleeve  336  may include a catalytic material or compound such as zinc or copper. The nut  332  may be configured to allow a user to easily disengage the nut from the screw  328 . For example, the nut  332  may be a wing nut or the like. Where a sleeve  336  formed from a catalytic material is used, the level of the water  236  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) should be such that the sleeve  336  is partially or fully submerged during use of the ionizer unit  104 . A hanger  340  may be provided for suspending the ionizer unit  104  and the frame assembly  304  from an edge of the basin  112  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     As described above, the frame assembly  304  supports the ionizer unit  104 . The ionizer unit  104  may include a first integral plate assembly  344  and a second integral plate assembly  348 . The first integral plate assembly  344  generally includes an odd number of substantially parallel plates  352 . The second integral plate assembly  348  generally includes an even number of substantially parallel plates  356 . The frame assembly  304  holds the first plate assembly  344  in a fixed position with respect to the second plate assembly  348 . For example, the frame assembly  304  may hold the plate assemblies  344 ,  348  such that the plates  352  of the first plate assembly  344  are interleaved with and spaced apart from the plates  356  of the second plate assembly  348 . Preferably, a plate  352  of the first plate assembly  344  is interspersed between each adjacent plate  356  of the second plate assembly  348 , and the side edges of the plates  352 ,  356  of the first  344  and second  348  plate assemblies are supported by the side plates  316  of the frame assembly  304 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the first  344  and second  348  plate assemblies are shown in a side view. As noted above, the first plate assembly  344  may include an odd number of plates  352 , while the second plate assembly  348  may include an even number of plates  356 . The plates  352  of the first plate assembly  344  may be electrically interconnected to one another in series by connecting portions  404 . Similarly, the plates  356  of the second plate assembly  348  may be electrically interconnected to one another in series by connecting portions  408 . The first integral assembly  344  may also include a first terminal portion  412  that electrically interconnects the plates  352  to the first prong  204 . Similarly, the second integral plate assembly  348  may include a terminal portion  416  for electrically interconnecting the plates  356  to the second electrical prong  208 . The first terminal position  412  may be configured to define the first electrical prong  204 , and the second terminal position  416  may be configured to define the second electrical prong  208 . The terminal portions  412 ,  416  are generally formed so that the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  are above the water when the ionizer unit  104  is in operation. 
     The top plate  324  of the frame assembly  304  can provide a mounting point to fasten the first  412  and second  416  terminal portions to the top plate  324 . For example, as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a portion of the first  412  and second  416  terminal portions can be attached to the top plate  324  via bolts  399  and/or screws, a nut-and-bolt structure, any other type of fastening structure, or any combination thereof. The first  412  and second  416  terminal portions may be bent proximate to the top plate  324  so that when mounted to the top plate  324 , the first  412  and second  416  terminal portions are substantially flush against the bottom surface of the top plate  324 . In another embodiment, the fasteners used to mount the first  412  and second  416  terminal portions to the top plate  204  may be removable fasteners that allow a user to readily detach the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  from the top plate  324 . The top plate  324  may include two openings  333 ,  334  that are spaced apart from each other. One opening  333  may receive the first  204  electrical prong, and the other opening  334  may receive the second  208  electrical prong. When the therapeutic ionizer apparatus  102  is fully assembled, the first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs may extend above the top plate  324  and above the water level in a substantially vertical orientation through the openings  333 ,  334 . In other embodiments, the top plate  324  may have a single elongated opening that receives both the first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs. In some embodiments, the first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs may be bent so as to extend through the openings  333 ,  334  at an acute or obtuse angle relative to the top plate  324 . In further embodiments, the first  412  and second  416  terminal portions may not be mounted to the top plate  324 , but may be mounted to another portion of the frame assembly  304 , such as to the side walls  308 ,  312 , or may not be mounted to the frame assembly  304 . 
     The first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs are received by respective first  220  and second  222  female electrical receptacles, which are connected to the control unit  108  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) via first  202  and second  224  electrical conductors. The female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  may include an insulating outer layer made from an insulating material, such as rubber or plastic, that covers the conducting portion of the electrical receptacles  220 ,  222 , thereby allowing the user to attach the female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  to their corresponding electrical prongs  204 ,  208  after the control unit  108  is plugged in. 
     The female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  are configured to maintain contact between the conducting portions of the receptacles  220 ,  222  and the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  when the ionizer unit  104  is in use. For example, the female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  may be sized and shaped so as to fit closely around the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  to reduce the possibility of the electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  sliding off the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  if, for example, the electrical conductors  202 ,  224  are jostled. The first  220  and second  222  female receptacles and/or the exposed portions of the first  202  and second  224  electrical conductors may be color-coded and/or labeled to make it easier for a user to plug each electrical prong  204 ,  208  into a proper corresponding electrical receptacle  220 ,  222 . Similarly, in other embodiments, the first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs and the first  220  and second  222  female electrical receptacles may have different configurations, such as different shapes, lengths, widths, and/or thicknesses so that the first electrical prong  204 , the second electrical prong  204 , or both, fit only their respective female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222 . 
     The first  204  and second  208  electrical prongs generally extend an appropriate distance above the top plate  324  to allow the electrical receptacles  212 ,  222  to substantially engage their respective prongs. Such engagement helps to reduce the likelihood of the electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  sliding off the electrical prongs  204 ,  208 . For example, the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  may extend least one-third of an inch above the top surface of the top plate  324 . In another embodiment, the electrical prongs  204 ,  208  extend at least a half-inch above the top surface of the top plate  324 . The foregoing examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to imply or require that the prongs extend a specific distance above the top plate  324 . The prongs may extend any distance above the top plate that allows for substantial engagement between the prongs and the electrical receptacles. 
     To replace the ionizer unit  104 , the ionizer unit  104  may be detached from the frame assembly  304  by removing the nut  332  from the screw  328  connecting the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304 . In one embodiment, the frame assembly  304  may be at least partially disassembled by disconnecting the front  308 , back  312 , and side plates  316 ,  320  from the ionizer unit  104 , which may remain attached to the top plate  324 . In some embodiments, the plate assemblies  344 ,  348  may also be fastened, either by adhesive, rubber bands and/or any known fastening mechanism, to the side plates  316 ,  320 , and the front  308  and back  312  plates may be disconnected from the side plates  316  and the top plate  324  of the ionizer unit  104 . Such a fastening system may help reduce the potential for a user to misplace or lose portions of the frame assembly  304  when disassembling and reassembling the frame assembly  304 . As such, the user may choose to discard and replace the ionizer unit  104  by itself or the ionizer unit and the top  324  and/or side  316 ,  320  plates of the frame assembly  304 . 
     One embodiment for replacing an ionizer unit  104  is shown in  FIGS. 16   a - 16   e .  FIGS. 16   a - 16   c  illustrate the operations for detaching an ionizer unit  104  designated for replacement from the frame assembly  304 . As shown in  FIG. 16   a , the female electrical receptacles  220 ,  222  may be removed from the terminal ends of the male electrical prongs  204 ,  208  to disconnect the ionizer unit  104  from the control unit  108  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In addition, the nut  332  may be rotated to loosen the nut  332  from the screw  328  connecting the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304 . As shown in  FIG. 16   b , the nut  332  may then be removed from the end of the screw  328 , and the screw may be withdrawn from the holes  309  defined in the front  308  and back  312  plates, as well as from the bore  305  defined by the sleeve  336  separating the front  308  and back  312  plates. The front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304  may then be pulled away from the top  324  and side  316 ,  320  plates of the frame assembly  304  to disconnect the ionizer unit  104 , top  324 , and side  316 ,  320  plates from the front  308  and back  312  plates.  FIG. 16   c  shows the frame assembly  304  with the ionizer unit  104  and the top  324  and side  316 ,  320  plates removed. 
       FIGS. 16   d  and  16   e  illustrate the operations for connecting a replacement ionizer unit  1604  to the frame assembly  304 . The replacement ionizer unit  1604  may include first  1644  and second  1648  plate assemblies connected to new side  1615 ,  1620  and top  1624  plates. As shown in  FIG. 16   d , the side  1616 ,  1620  and top  1624  plates of the replacement ionizer unit  1604  may be connected to the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304  by inserting the protruding portions  1625 ,  1623  of the top plate  1624  into respective openings  311  located on the front  308  and back  312  plates, and the protruding portions  1627 - 1633  of the side plates  1616 ,  1620  into respective openings  315 - 321  located on the front  308  and back  312  plates. Once the side  1616 ,  1620  and top  1624  plates of the replacement ionizer unit  1604  are connected to the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304 , the sleeve  336  may be positioned between the front  308  and back  312  plates such that the bore  335  defined by the sleeve  336  is axially aligned with the holes  309  for receiving the screw  328  defined in the front  308  and back  312  plates. As shown in  FIGS. 16   d  and  16   e , the screw  328  may then be inserted through the front  308  and back  312  plates and the nut  332  may be attached to the end of the screw  328  and tightened to hold the plates  1624 ,  308 ,  312 ,  1616 ,  1620  together. 
     As discussed above, if a user is replacing both the top plate  324  and an attached ionizer unit  104  with a new top plate  1624  and an attached replacement ionizer unit  1604 , the user may connect the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304  to the new top plate  1624  and the attached replacement ionizer unit  104 . Alternatively, if a user is only replacing the ionizer unit  104 , the user may attach a replacement ionizer unit  104  to the original top plate  324 , which can then be connected to the front  308  and back  312  plates of the frame assembly  304 . For example, the frame assembly  304  may be assembled by inserting protruding portions  325 ,  323  of the original top plate  324  into respective openings  311  located on the front  308  and back  312  plates, and may connect the new side plates  1616 ,  1620  by inserting the protruding portions  1627 - 1633  of the side plates  1616 ,  1620  into respective openings  315 - 321  located on the front  308  and back  312  plates. Once the plates  324 ,  308 ,  312 ,  1616 ,  1620  of the frame assembly  304  are connected, the user may insert the screw  328  through the front  308  and back  312  plates and attach the nut  332  to the end of the screw  328  to hold the plates  324 ,  308 ,  312 ,  1616 ,  1620  together. 
     Another embodiment of an ionizer unit  604  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . With reference now to  FIG. 6   a , an ionizer unit  604  is shown in a perspective view. The ionizer unit  604  may be supported by a frame assembly  606  including a front plate  608 , a back plate  612 , and a pair of side plates  616 ,  620 . The frame assembly  606  may be formed from a non-conductive material such as plastic. The frame assembly  606  may be held together by a rod  628  joining the front  608  and back  612  plates via front and back associated nuts  632 . The rod  628  may include a catalytic material or compound, such as zinc, copper or the like. Where a rod  628  formed from a catalytic material is used, the level of the water should be such that the rod  628  is partially or fully submerged during use of the ionizer unit. In other embodiments, the frame assembly  606  may be held together by a screw and nut using an attachment structure similar to that previously described with respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . 
     The frame  606  supports an ionizer unit  604 , which may include a first plate  644  and a second plate  648 . The first  644  and second  648  plates may be substantially parallel to one another. The back plate  612  of the frame assembly  606  may further include a protruding portion  666  that extends between the first  644  and second  648  plates from the back plate  612  toward the front plate  608 . The front plate  608  may include slots  696 ,  697  configured to receive edge portions of the first  644  and second  648  plates, thereby supporting the plates  644 ,  648  and holding the first plate  644  in a fixed position with respect to the second plate  648 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6   b , the first plate  644  may include a first terminal portion  622  that electrically interconnects the first plate  644  to a first prong  664 . The first terminal portion  622  may be formed by bending the upper portion of the first plate  644 . Similarly, the second plate  648  may include a second terminal portion  626  that electrically interconnects the second plate  648  to the second prong  668 . The second terminal portion  626  may be formed by bending the upper portion of the second plate  648 . The terminal portions  622 ,  626  are generally formed so that the electrical prongs  664 ,  668  are above the water when the ionizer unit is in operation. 
     The first  622  and second  626  terminal portions can be removably fastened to the back plate  612  of the frame assembly  606 . For example, as best illustrated in  FIG. 6   b , the first  622  and second  626  terminal portions can be removably attached to the back plate  612  by inserting bolts  617 ,  619  through holes  691 - 694  provided in the back plate  612  and the terminal portions  622 ,  626  and attaching corresponding nuts  627 ,  629  to the ends of the bolts  617 ,  619 . The bolts  617 ,  619  and nuts  627 ,  629  may be positioned on the frame assembly  626  to remain above the water when the ionizer unit is fully assembled and in operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6   a , when the ionizer unit is assembled, the first  622  and second  626  terminal portions are substantially flush against the back plate  612 , and the first  664  and second  668  prongs are bent at an acute angle relative to the back plate  612  such that the prongs  664 ,  668  extend away from the back plate  612 . For example, the prongs  664 ,  668  may be bent so as to define an angle of between 0-45 degrees with respect to the back plate  612 . In other embodiments, the prongs  664 ,  668  may be bent so as to define an angle of between 45-90 degrees with respect to the back plate  612 . The foregoing examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to imply or require that the prongs are bent so as to define a specific angle with respect to the back plate  612 . The first  664  and second  668  electrical prongs may be received within respective first  621  and second  623  female electrical receptacles, which are connected to a control unit (not shown) via first  672  and second  674  electrical conductors. The female electrical receptacles  621 ,  623  may include an insulating outer layer made from an insulating material, such as rubber or plastic, that covers the conducting portion of the electrical receptacles  621 ,  623 , thereby allowing the user to attach the female electrical receptacles  621 ,  623  to their corresponding electrical prongs  664 ,  668  after the control unit is plugged in. The female electrical receptacles  621 ,  623  may be configured so as to maintain contact between the conducting portions of the female electrical receptacles  621 ,  623  and the electrical prongs  664 ,  668  when the ionizer unit is in use. For example, the female electrical receptacles  621 ,  623  may be sized and shaped to fit closely around the electrical prongs  664 ,  668 . The first  621  and second  623  female receptacles and/or the exposed portions of the first  664  and second  668  electrical conductors may be color-coded, labeled, and/or shaped to assist a user with plugging each electrical prong  664 ,  668  into a proper corresponding electrical receptacle  621 ,  623 . 
     Other attachment mechanisms for removably mounting the plate assembly to the frame shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are illustrated in  FIGS. 7-13 . With reference to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the first  622  and second  626  terminals can be mounted to the back plate  612  via bolts  711 ,  712  that are inserted through the holes  691 - 694  provided in the back plate  612  and the terminals  622 ,  626  and received by respective snap fasteners  715 ,  716 , which are configured to snap onto the end portions of the bolts  711 ,  712 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the first  622  and second  626  terminals can be mounted to the back plate  612  via snap-lock nails  811  that are inserted through holes  691 - 694  provided in the back plate  612  and the terminals  622 ,  626 . The snap-lock nails  811  may include a slot along the nail head portion  812  of the nail  811  to allow the nail head portion  812  to constrict when inserted into the holes  691 - 694  in the back plate  612  and the terminals  622 ,  626  and to naturally expand to lock the back plate  612  and the terminals  622 ,  626  in place once the nail head portion  812  is received through the holes  691 - 694 . The snap-lock nails  811  may be formed from a resilient material, such as metal, rubber, plastic or foam that allows the nails  811  to constrict and then resiliently expand to their natural uncompressed shape. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , the first  622  and second  626  terminals can be mounted to the back plate  612  via bolts  911 ,  912  that are inserted through holes  691 ,  692  provided in the back plate  612  and received by respective caps  915 ,  916  positioned between the front-facing side of the back plate  612  and the back-facing side of the terminals  622 ,  626 . The front-facing side of the caps  915 ,  916  may include raised portions  917 ,  918  configured to snap into the holes  693 ,  694  in the first  622  and second  626  terminals to lock the terminals  622 ,  626  into place. The caps  915 ,  916  may be formed from a resilient material, such as plastic, rubber, foam, or any other resilient material that allows the front-facing side of the caps  915 ,  916  to constrict and expand once inserted into the holes  693 ,  694  in the terminals  622 ,  626 . As shown in  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , the first  622  and second  626  terminals can alternatively be mounted to the back plate  612  via bolts  1011 ,  1012  that are inserted through the holes  691 - 694  in the terminals  622 ,  626  and the back plate  612  and received by respective nuts  1013 ,  1014  that are screwed onto the end portions of the bolts  1011 ,  1012 . 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , in which the back plate  612  is manufactured to form grooves  1110 ,  1111  that are configured to receive and hold the terminals  622 ,  626 . The terminals  622 ,  626  may be received in the grooves by sliding them into the grooves  1110 ,  1111 . The grooves  1110 ,  1111  may each include one or more retaining tabs  1112  extending from the edges of the grooves  1110 ,  1111  to retain the terminals  622 ,  626  in the grooves  1110 ,  1111 . 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 12   a  to  12   d , in which the back plate  612  includes openings  1210 ,  1211  configured to receive a portion of the terminals  622 ,  626 , which are rearwardly bent  612  toward the back plate  612 . As shown, for example, in  FIG. 12   c , the terminals  622 ,  626  may be inserted through the openings  1210 ,  1211  by further bending or compressing the terminals  622 ,  626  into lowered position. Once the prongs  664 ,  668  are inserted through the openings  1210 ,  1211 , the terminals  622 ,  626  may be released so as to return toward their original shape. As shown in  FIG. 12   d , in this released position, the terminals  622 ,  626  may engage the areas of the back plate  612  defining the openings  1210 ,  1211 , thus helping to retain the terminals  622 ,  626  against the back plate  612 . As shown in  FIG. 12   a , the electrical prongs  664 ,  668  may extend an appropriate distance from the back plate  612  so as to limit the potential for the female receptacles  621 ,  623  from sliding off the prongs  664 ,  668 . 
       FIGS. 13   a  and  13   b  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a slidable bracket  1301  configured to slide along the back plate  612 . The bracket  1301  includes two slots  1302 ,  1303  that are configured to slide over the prongs  664 ,  668  of the electrical terminals  622 ,  626  to secure the terminals  622 ,  626  to the back plate  612 . As shown in  FIG. 13   b , the back plate  612  may include two recessed areas or grooves  1304 ,  1305  configured to receive the terminals  622 ,  626 . In this example, a user may remove the first  644  and second  648  plates by sliding the bracket  1301  over and above the electrical prongs  664 ,  668 . Once moved to this position, the plates may be removed from the frame assembly. New plates may then be joined to the frame assembly, and the bracket  1301  can be slid back to a position such that it is positioned over the new plates. 
       FIG. 14   a  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the ionizer unit  604  and the frame  606  shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . To remove the ionizer unit  604  from the frame  606 , a user may first unscrew nuts  632 ,  633  from the end of the rod  628  to detach the front plate  608  of the frame assembly from the side plates  616 ,  620  and the first  644  and second  648  plates of the ionizer unit  604 , and the side plates  616 ,  620  from the back plate  612 . The user may then detach the first  644  and second  648  plates from the back plate  612  by unscrewing nuts  627 ,  629  from bolts  617 ,  619 , and removing the bolts  617 ,  619  from the holes  691 - 694  provided in the first  622  and second  626  terminals and the back plate  612 . 
     To replace the ionizer unit  604 , a user may first attach new first  644  and second  648  plates to the back plate  612  by inserting bolts  618 ,  619  through holes  691 ,  694  in the terminals  622 ,  626  and the back plate  612 , and attaching nuts  626 ,  629  to the ends of the bolts  618 ,  619 . Once the terminals  622 ,  626  of the new plates  644 ,  648  are attached to the back plate  612  of the frame assembly  606 , the user may attach the side plates  616 ,  620  to the back plate  612  by inserting protruding portions  681 ,  683  of the side plates into receiving slots  685 - 686  on the back plate  612 . The front plate  608  may be attached to the side plates  616 ,  620  and the ionizer plates  644 ,  648  by inserting protruding portions  682 ,  684  of the side plates into receiving slots  685 ,  686  on the front plate  608 , and inserting the edge portions of the ionizer plates  644 ,  648  into receiving slots  696 ,  697  on the front plate  608 . The plates  616 ,  620 ,  608 ,  612  of the frame assembly  606  may then be secured together by inserting the rod  628  through the front  608  and back  612  plates and attaching nuts  633 ,  632  to the end of the rod  608 . 
       FIG. 14   b  illustrates an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the ionizer unit  1401  and supporting frame  1403 . In this embodiment, the first  1422  and second  1426  terminals may be more permanently secured to the back plate  1412  of the frame  1403  by rivets, adhesive, welding, or any other known fastening means. In contrast with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14   a , the mounting point  1425  for the connection  1426  to the control unit (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is located on the side plate  1416 , rather than on the back plate  1412 . To remove the ionizer unit  1404 , a user may first unscrew nuts  632 ,  633  from the end of the rod  628  to detach the front plate  1408  of the frame assembly from the side plates  1416 ,  1420  and the first  1444  and second  1448  plates of the ionizer unit  1404 , and the side plates  1416 ,  1420  from the back plate  1412 . The user may then remove and discard the back plate  1412  and attached ionizer plates  1444 ,  1448 . 
     To replace the ionizer unit  1404 , a user may attach the side plates  1416 ,  1420  to a new back plate  1412 , which is attached to replacement ionizer plates  1444 ,  1448 , by inserting protruding portions  1481 ,  1483  of the side plates into openings  1485 - 1486  on the new back plate  612  configured to receive the protruding portions  1481 ,  1483 . The front plate  1408  may then be attached to the side plates  1416 ,  1420  and the ionizer plates  1444 ,  1448  by inserting protruding portions  682 ,  684  of the side plates into respective openings  685 ,  686  on the front plate  608  and the edge portions of the ionizer plates  1444 ,  1448  into slots  1496 ,  1497  on the front plate  608 . The plates  1416 ,  1420 ,  1408 ,  1412  of the frame assembly  1403  may then be secured together by inserting the rod  628  through the front  1408  and back  1412  plates and attaching nuts  633 ,  632  to the end of the rod  608 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a method for replacing an ionizer unit in a therapeutic spa system. As shown in step  1501 , a fastener that joins a first plate of a frame assembly to a second plate of the frame assembly is removed. The first plate may be spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the second plate when joined to the second plate by the fastener. In step  1502 , the first plate and the second plate of the frame assembly are detached from a first ionizer unit supported by the first and second plates. In step  1503 , a second ionizer unit is joined to the first and second plates, and in step  1504 , the first and second plates are rejoined with the fastener. 
     It should be noted that the flowchart of  FIG. 15  is illustrative only. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may add operations, omit operations, or change the order of operations without affecting the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
     All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. 
     In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like. 
     In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present invention. From the above description and drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the particular embodiments shown and described are for purposes of illustrations only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.