Patent Publication Number: US-6669658-B2

Title: Apparatus for execution of hydromassages

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for execution of hydromassages to be used in big masses of water adapted for bathing and also suitable for treatments of thalassotherapy (therapy for the treatment of thalassemia), iodotherapy (treatment for lack of iodine) and the like. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     It is known that execution of hydromassages has been hitherto possible in common tubs of bathrooms or in bathtubs of thermal systems, in which the water, quantitatively limited, is submitted to typical turbulent motions necessary for hydromassage by use of apparatus that are placed at the bottom and/or in the side walls of the tubs themselves or integrated therewith. 
     Due to the necessary presence of tubs that must be expressly equipped, hydromassages have been excluded until now from places where big masses of water are present and in general from environments where a person can freely immerse himself/herself in water. In this way the advantages resulting from hydromassages get lost exactly in the places where contact with water is most sought-after. 
     Likewise, hydromassages are not available to persons using small- and medium-sized boats, taking into consideration the bulkiness of the necessary equipment that is not compatible with said small and medium-sized boats and this in spite of the fact that boats are naturally put in places having substantially unlimited water amounts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Under this situation the technical task underlying the invention is to devise an apparatus capable of substantially remedy the mentioned drawbacks. 
     Within the scope of this technical task it is an important aim of the invention to devise an apparatus enabling execution of hydromassages in open places that have been hitherto excluded from this practice, in particular in places suitable for swimming where great amounts of water in which a person can immerse himself/herself are available. 
     Another important aim is to devise an apparatus for execution of hydromassages that can be easily and quickly installed and then possibly removed. 
     A further important aim is to devise an apparatus that is of easy transportability and limited bulkiness above all when it is not in an operating position and is housed in a boat for example. 
     A still further aim is to devise a greatly versatile apparatus capable of adapting itself to the most different environmental conditions and users&#39; requirements, and also usable for treatments of different types such as thalassotherapy and iodotherapy. 
     The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are achieved by an apparatus for execution of hydromassages comprising at least one operating unit to be plunged into water and delimiting at least one space to house at least one person, said operating unit having at least one dispensing structure provided with diffuser holes for dispensing a fluid under pressure necessary for hydromassages and at least one float adapted to support said dispensing structure immersed in the water, the apparatus further comprising feeding means adapted to cause flowing of said fluid under pressure towards said space. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features and advantages of the invention will be best clarified in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing how an apparatus in accordance with the invention is used in the vicinity of a boat; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 highlights an enlarged portion partly in section of the apparatus shown in the preceding figure; 
     FIG. 4 shows a connection between tubular portions of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 shows a second further connection between tubular portions of the apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the apparatus. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, the apparatus for execution of hydromassages is generally identified by reference numeral  1 . It comprises an operating unit  1   a  adapted to hold at least one person and means  1   b  for feeding fluid under pressure, disposed externally of the operating unit  1   a.    
     The operating unit  1   a  comprises at least one dispensing structure  2  to be plunged into water and provided with diffuser holes  3  for emission of the fluid necessary to carry out the hydromassage or treatment: the fluid generally is air under pressure that sets in motion the water with which it comes into contact and makes it turbulent so as to form a multiplicity of flows suitable for hydromassage at the inside of the mass of water. 
     The dispensing structure  2  pierced with holes is connected by support means  4  to at least one float  5  conveniently sized so as to generate a hydrostatic thrust sufficient to keep the perforated dispensing structure  2  itself suspended in the water even when a person takes place therein. 
     Float  5 , which may be of the single or multiple type, may consist of a mere inflatable life belt or a rigid buoy. It forms the upper edge of the operating unit  1   a . Engagement between float  5  and the dispensing structure  2  pierced with holes can be obtained by any type of support means  4 , a mere sling for example, formed of bands in the form of loops, by virtue of which the dispensing structure  2  is hanging from float  5 . 
     The support means  4  can be conceived for a spaced apart and partly free mounting between float  5  and the perforated dispensing structure, or a close contact can be created between these parts so as to form a single body on installation. 
     The feeding means  1   b  is on the contrary associated with support structures or elements different from said float and is substantially independent of the support action of float  5 . 
     In particular, the fluid under pressure is conveyed to the operating unit  1   a  by the feeding means  1   b  comprising control members  6 , compression members consisting of a compressor  7  for example, and flexible channeling members  8  consisting for example of a flexible tube or hose. 
     Compressor  7  can be positioned on a boat  9  or on the border of a swimming-pool or on a wharf. 
     The control members  6  may also comprise a remote control switch for remote actuation of compressor  7 . 
     Advantageously float  5  has an annular conformation, in the form of a life belt, and in cooperation with the dispensing structure  2  it delimits a space or cavity or water volume  10  useful for hydromassage, substantially having the conformation of a bathtub to hold at least one person, possibly two or more persons. Float  5  practically is the upper edge of space  10 . 
     The dispensing structure  2  comprises a bottom or platform  11  enabling a person to rest thereon and defining the lower base of space  10 . 
     Platform  11  can be advantageously defined by a mere net, or it may itself be a dispensing element for the fluid under pressure. The distance of platform  11  from float  5  can be modified by adjusting means  12  described in the following, so that it can be adapted to the height of the person wishing to take advantage of the apparatus for hydromassage. 
     Since said apparatus can also be used in open waters and therefore with the possible presence of currents and wave motions, it is provided that a stabilization mass  11   a  of appropriate weight should be suspended below the dispensing structure  2 , under bottom  11 . 
     The stabilization mass  11   a  is not required if the dispensing structure  2  has a weight of its own of sufficient amount. 
     Then a bag or holding band  13  of the laminar type is preferably provided around the dispensing structure  2 ; it is preferably of colored or transparent plastic material and is capable of preventing the turbulence useful in carrying out a hydromassage from dispersing laterally of the structure, due to the presence of currents or wave motions for example. 
     However the band  13  itself is preferably provided with openings  13   a  to reduce the resistance of the operating unit to currents or wave motions. 
     The holding band  13  can be made rigid with the dispensing structure  2  so as to substantially define a bathtub therewith. 
     In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to  5 , the dispensing structure  2  is formed of tubular elements or tubes that are partly rectilinear and partly annular, are flexible and extensible and are made of plastic material. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing structure  2  comprises three and possibly only two annular perimetral tubular elements or rings  14  adapted to convey the fluid under pressure and provided with diffuser holes  3 . 
     Rings  14  are disposed in operating position spaced from one another parallel to each other and to float  5  so as to perimetral delimit at different levels the side surface of the useful water volume or space  10  and are connected and in communication with at least two or preferably four rectilinear elements or uprights  15  that preferably enable passage of the fluid under pressure through rings  14  by connecting them along the vertical extension direction of space  10 . 
     Both rings  14  and uprights  15  are divided into several portions so that they can be disassembled and are joined to each other by connection and communication sleeves or couplings  16 , that are preferably rigid. 
     When four uprights  15  are provided, rings  14  comprise four arc-shaped portions  14   a , whereas, if three rings  14  are provided, each upright  15  is divided into two lengths  15   a  each of which is interposed between two successive rings  14 . Preferably all couplings  16  are identical and each of them has a spider-like shape formed of a first horizontal arm  16   a , connected on opposite parts thereof to two arc-shaped portions  14   a  of a ring  14 , and of a second vertical arm  16   b  transverse to the first one and connected to an upright  15  at least at one side thereof, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     If only couplings  16  are rigid, the same are engaged with rings  14  and uprights  15  by appropriate fastening clamps  17 . 
     Couplings  16  put at the upper and lower ends of the dispensing structure  2  are closed by means of plugs  18 . 
     In one alone of the spider-shaped couplings  16  placed on top, an attachment  19  for the feeding hose  8  is provided instead of plug  18  (FIG.  3 ). 
     The arms  16   a ,  16   b  forming the couplings  16  can be not only straight and perpendicular to each other but they may also be constructed in a different way. 
     In FIGS. 4 and 5 in fact couplings  16  have the first arms  16   a , i.e. those intended to be part of rings  14 , extended in an arc-shaped configuration. 
     In addition, in FIG. 4 arms  16   a  and  16   b  completely intersect so that also the central axial lines of rings  14  and uprights  15  intersect with each other, whereas in FIG. 5 arms  16   a  and  16   b  are disposed externally close to each other and are provided with a side hole  20  for passage of the fluid under pressure therethrough. 
     In the last-mentioned case also the central axial lines of the rings and uprights do not intersect with each other and the fluid flowing in the uprights is mainly conveyed thereinto keeping said uprights well outstretched if they are at least partly flexible. 
     When uprights  15  are flexible and extensible as in FIGS. 2 and 3, they preferably include bellows-shaped portions. 
     With this construction the adjusting means  12  is used to delimit the length of the uprights  15  and comprises inextensible cables  12   a  disposed internally of the uprights themselves and locking elements  12   b  to be fastened to the cables, for instance clamps adapted to abut against end portions of said uprights  15  where the plugs  18  for the spider-like couplings  16  are present. 
     Obviously rings  14  and uprights  15  can be completely stiff and directly connected with each other at connection and communication points forming a single cage-shaped body. 
     This technical solution is preferred when the environmental conditions are unfavorable and there are dangerous conditions so that it is suitable for the person using the operating unit  1   a  to be well protected. 
     Alternatively, a combination of stiff elements and flexible elements may be provided. For instance, rings  14  may be stiff and uprights  15  may be flexible. Uprights  15  can also be the only tubular elements of the apparatus; rings  14  may be mere stiff metal straps in the form of a loop defining the position of the uprights  15  through which fluid under pressure flows. 
     FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention which is distinguishable for its simplicity. 
     Therein the dispensing structure  2  is mainly defined by platform  11  taking the conformation of an internally hollow blowing platform provided with holes  3  for emitting fluid under pressure at least at the upper portion thereof and directly connected with hose  8 . 
     In this embodiment the uprights  15 , support means  4  and adjusting means  12  are substantially coincident. 
     In fact, they are made up of tie-rods  21  that can be easily modified in length, thereby establishing the suspension depth of platform  11  relative to float  5 . In addition float  5  consists of a stiff unsinkable element. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 the dispensing structure  2  is formed of a series of substantially-annular inflatable tubular elements  22  pierced with holes, made of plastic material, and the bottom or platform  11  is pierced with holes as well and at least partly inflatable, so as to be made rigid by inflation. As visible, the dispensing structure may have a height that is smaller than the width. 
     Float  5  is inflatable too and directly supplied from the feeding means  1   b.    
     In particular the channeling members  8  are directly in communication with the inflatable float  5 . 
     This direct feeding can take place in parallel to or in series with feeding of fluid under pressure to the perforated dispensing structure  2 . 
     At all events, the whole operating unit  1   a  can be directly inflated in water and also maintained completely deflated when it is on a boat. 
     Preferably, as in the technical solution shown in FIG. 7, the channeling members  8  are exclusively connected to an attachment  5   a  of the inflatable float  5  and the perforated dispensing structure  2  is supplied from float  5  with which it is in communication. 
     In this case priority in operation is given to the inflatable float  5  ensuring the major floating thrust of the operating unit  1   a.    
     In this situation the condition of stable inflation—in water—of the inflatable float  5  is advantageously further ensured by an overpressure valve  23  interposed between float  5  and the underlying dispensing structure  2  and adapted to enable flowing of the fluid under pressure in the direction of the dispensing structure  2  only in the presence of a pressure in float  5  higher than a predetermined maximum inflation pressure. 
     In this way one can be sure that said float keeps perfectly inflated even in the presence of an interruption in the action of compressor  7 . 
     Obviously, the compressor must be provided with a stopping element  24  for the return flow, to be deactivated when deflation of the float  5  is desired. Use of the apparatus is as follows. 
     Under non-use conditions, all elements can be held close to each other and/or disassembled and/or nonrigid with a minimum bulkiness. 
     When desired, the apparatus can be assembled and/or inflated in an immediate manner and also conveniently arranged to size for the person wishing to use it. In this way it can be employed with the greatest safety by children too in the open sea. 
     The flow of fluid generated by compressor  7  gives rise to a great turbulence which is perfectly localized even in the presence of currents and waves. Since the feeding means can easily supply air with a pressure of many atmospheres, operation of the apparatus is ensured even in the presence of a great number of holes and also in the presence of possible losses at the junctions. 
     The holes can be directed in all directions so as to form, also together with possible losses, a wide turbulent environment which is very useful when possible currents or water displacements tend to deviate the turbulence generated by the air jets. 
     In addition the apparatus is steady and safe due to the presence of float  5 . It should be also recognized that, since a surrounding structure is provided around the persons utilizing the apparatus, the same also appears as a protection against possible attacks from sharks. The invention achieves important advantages. 
     In fact the apparatus in accordance with the invention enables to take advantage of the benefits obtainable from hydromassages or treatments contemplating a physical contact with jets of fluids or with fluids made turbulent, at any place, provided there is the presence of water volumes sufficient to enable immersion of the operating unit. 
     In particular, it should be pointed out that the minimum volume of the operating unit when it is not used enables the same to be easily transported and facilitates its use also in case of navigation with boats of limited tonnage, where it can be disposed at the stern board for example. 
     The apparatus can also become an important element for swimming pools, lakes, thermal stations.