Patent Abstract:
A portable foot bath has a reservoir for holding a volume of liquid. The reservoir has a floor. The foot bath also has a jet connected to a pump. A first outlet is in a first location of the floor and a second outlet is in a second location of the floor that is a location different than the first location. The jet circulates the liquid in the reservoir. The liquid goes through the first outlet and the second outlet to create a first whirling flow pattern and a second whirling flow pattern, respectively, from the liquid in the reservoir.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/433,283 filed on Dec. 16, 2002 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/167,027 filed on Jun. 11, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a foot bath. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable foot bath with a reservoir having a number of adjustable jets on a floor of the reservoir.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Foot therapy, Jacuzzi, and bath devices are known in the art. A number of such devices are capable of massaging the feet with heat, vibration, brushes, scrubbing devices or resilient members disposed on a bottom of a reservoir.  
           [0006]    The prior art foot therapy devices may also provide a variety of massage sensations. These massage sensations include passing air bubbles across a surface of a user&#39;s feet in the foot therapy device, either alone or in combination with heat sensations, vibration sensations, and scrubbing sensations.  
           [0007]    Generally, an objective in the prior art foot therapy devices is that the user initially places his or her feet in a basin or a reservoir of the foot therapy device. Thereafter, the user activates the foot therapy device to actuate the heat, the vibrations, and/or the scrubbing devices to provide soothing and relaxing therapy to the feet by increasing blood circulation in the feet. Depending upon the temperature of the liquid placed in the foot therapy device and the contents of the liquid in the foot therapy device, the foot therapy device may soften the skin, and relax muscles and joints.  
           [0008]    However, the prior art foot therapy devices are limited in their operation. The prior art foot therapy devices pay little, if any, attention to the fluid flow patterns in the reservoir. This continuous and random movement or chaotic shaking is distracting to the user. This chaotic shaking is caused predominately by the air bubbles and the vibration.  
           [0009]    A vibrating device will cause the fluid disposed in the reservoir to flow in a turbulent manner. This turbulent flow pattern is distracting and aesthetically displeasing to the user, especially in the instance where the user initially places his or her feet in the reservoir.  
           [0010]    The turbulent flow pattern produced by the prior art may further cause the fluid in the reservoir to splash out of the reservoir and on to the floor. These turbulent flow patterns are generally uninviting and undesirable as they are distracting to the user. Accordingly, there is a need for a foot bath that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that creates a first whirling flow pattern and a second whirling flow pattern from a liquid in a reservoir.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that creates a relaxing flow pattern that is aesthetically pleasing to a user and relaxes the user.  
           [0013]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that does not shake chaotically and does not create any turbulent fluid flow pattern.  
           [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a foot bath with a reservoir that creates a laminar fluid flow in a predetermined whirling flow pattern in the reservoir.  
           [0015]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that has a first outlet and a second outlet in a floor of the reservoir that communicates with a pump in the foot bath.  
           [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that has a number of adjustable jets disposed through the floor that communicate with the pump.  
           [0017]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a foot bath that has an adjustable jet that sprays fluid in a horizontal manner, that can be adjusted to spray upwardly from the horizontal manner, and that can be further adjusted to spray downwardly from the horizontal manner.  
           [0018]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a portable foot bath of the present invention. The portable foot bath has a reservoir for holding a volume of liquid. The reservoir has a diameter, a wall, and a floor. The foot bath has a jet disposed on the floor with the jet being connected to a pump. The foot bath has a first outlet in a first location of the floor and a second outlet in a second location of the floor. The second location is in a different location than the first location. The jet circulates the liquid in the reservoir. The liquid escapes through the first and second outlets to create a first and second whirling flow patterns from the liquid in the reservoir. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the foot bath according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foot bath of FIG. 1 with a lid;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a an alternative embodiment of the foot bath of FIG. 2;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of a first footrest and a second footrest of the foot bath of FIG. 3;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an interior portion of the foot bath of FIG. 4 showing an aeration portion of the foot bath;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is an enlarged top perspective view of the aeration device of FIG. 5;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a reservoir of the foot bath of FIG. 2 showing a number of adjustable jets;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an adjustable jet of FIG. 7;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a section of the interior of the foot bath of FIG. 8 where the adjustable jet is connected to a tube;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the interior of the foot bath of FIG. 9;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is another top view of the foot bath of FIG. 2 showing a first drain and a second drain;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is an enlarged top perspective view of the second drain of FIG. 11;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is another interior view of the foot bath of FIG. 2;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the foot bath of FIG. 1 showing a first whirling flow pattern and a second whirling flow pattern;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 15 is a top view of the foot bath of FIG. 2;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 16 is still another interior view of the foot bath of FIG. 15;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of a heater of FIG. 16; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the foot bath of FIG. 2. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]    Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a foot bath of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral  10 . The foot bath  10  preferably is supported on a floor or a similar flat surface for treating, massaging and softening a user&#39;s feet. The foot bath  10  preferably imparts a relaxing massage to the user&#39;s feet by circulating water in a first and second whirling flow patterns around each foot in the foot bath. This overcomes deficiencies of the prior art foot baths with chaotic, violent, agitated and turbulent flow.  
         [0038]    The foot bath  10  has a housing  12  that forms a reservoir  14 . Preferably, the housing  12  is made from a resilient and durable material such as a thermoplastic, a thermoset, a metal, a composite, or any combinations thereof.  
         [0039]    The reservoir  14  is preferably a receptacle or chamber for storing a fluid, such as water or a water based mixture that has soap or skin softeners, disposed therein. Preferably, the reservoir  14  is generally circular in shape and has a suitable diameter  16  so that a pair of feet can be easily and comfortably positioned in the reservoir. Further, the housing  12  has a number of legs  18 . Each leg  18  is a disk shaped member. The legs  18  support the foot bath  10  on the floor or the ground for operation thereon.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 2, the reservoir  14  of the housing  12  has an inner wall  20  and a bottom floor  22 . The reservoir  14  retains the water. The inner wall  20  extends substantially perpendicular from a bottom floor  22 . The inner wall  20  has a height such that a volume of water can be disposed in the reservoir  14  to preferably substantially entirely cover the user&#39;s feet, and more preferably up to a user&#39;s ankles to maximize foot therapy.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 3, the reservoir  14  has a first foot rest  24  and a second foot rest  26 . Both the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  are positioned on the bottom floor  22  of the reservoir  14 . The first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  are both preferably a support structure in which the user&#39;s feet can comfortably rest. Preferably, the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  are a number of raised grooves disposed on or in the bottom floor  22  of the foot bath  10 .  
         [0042]    Alternatively, the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  could also be foot shaped indentations disposed above, on, or in the bottom floor  22  to comfortably rest the user&#39;s feet while engaging in the desired foot therapy. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  are comfortable and designed so that the user&#39;s feet may be disposed thereon for an extended period of time.  
         [0043]    Additionally, the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  preferably both provide a tactile feedback as to a correct orientation of the user&#39;s respective left and right foot in the reservoir  14  of the foot bath  10 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  can have lines, grooves, protrusions or demarcations. Alternatively, a pad can be connected on the bottom floor  22  of the reservoir  14  that is comfortable when the user&#39;s feet is disposed thereon for an extended period of time.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a close up or exploded view of the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26  of the foot bath  10 . The first foot rest  24  has a first aeration tube  28  disposed thereon, and the second foot rest  26  has a second aeration tube  30  disposed thereon. Each of the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  have a number of apertures  32  disposed therein. One skilled in the art should appreciate that each of the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  may have any shape known in the art and have any number of apertures thereon.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 5, beneath the bottom floor  22 , the first aeration tube  28 , and the second aeration tube  30 , there is shown a number of internal components of the foot bath  10  of the present invention. Preferably, the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  are both connected through the bottom floor  22  to an aeration device  70  in the housing  12  in the interior of the foot bath  10 .  
         [0046]    The aeration device  70  is preferably a suitable air pump. However, the aeration device  70  may be any suitable device that forces fresh air over time through the number of apertures  32  to massage and contact the user&#39;s feet. Referring to FIG. 6, the aeration device  70  is preferably connected to the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  by suitable tubing  71 . The aeration device  70  releases an amount of fresh air through the tubing  71  and to the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30 .  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 7, the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  preferably emit bubbling air through the water in the reservoir  14  under the soles of the user for a period of time. In this manner, the first aeration tube  28  and the second aeration tube  30  massage with air the soles of the user&#39;s feet that are disposed on the first foot rest  24  and the second foot rest  26 .  
         [0048]    The foot bath  10  has a number of adjustable jets  34 . Preferably, each of the number of adjustable jets  34  is substantially “L” shaped and is disposed through the bottom floor  22  as shown in a watertight manner. Alternatively, the adjustable jets  34  may be disposed in any suitable location in the housing  12  to create the first and the second whirling flow pattern. For example, the adjustable jets  34  may be alternatively disposed on the inner wall  20  or in any other suitable location on the bottom floor  22 . Each adjustable jet  34  preferably has a small diameter opening or a nozzle  36 . In this preferred embodiment, each adjustable jet  34  is at an edge of the foot bath  10  or at a location near an intersection on the bottom floor  22  and the inner wall  20 .  
         [0049]    As is shown in FIG. 8, each adjustable jet  34  may have one or more nozzles  36 . The one or more nozzles  36  provide for directing water in one or more directions from each adjustable jet  34 . Each adjustable jet  34  forces a high-velocity water stream under pressure out of the nozzle  36  for circulating the water in the whirling flow pattern in the reservoir  14  in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction.  
         [0050]    Each adjustable jet  34  may have a tab  37 . The tab  37  is preferably an orthogonal shaped projection, flap, or short strip connected to the adjustable jet  34 . Preferably, the tab  37  is connected to the top of the adjustable jet  34 . However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the tab  37  may be connected in any location on the adjustable jet  34  for manipulating the adjustable jet by an application of a force by the user. The tab  37  preferably facilitates rotating the adjustable jet  34  in one or more directions to allow the user to selectively change direction of the water escaping the nozzle  36 .  
         [0051]    Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, each adjustable jet  34  preferably is connected to a pump  72  in the housing  12  by a suitable tube  74 .  
         [0052]    Referring to FIG. 11, the adjustable jets  34  are preferably in a radial array around an edge of the reservoir  14  of foot bath  10 . Also, preferably, all of the adjustable jets  34  point in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. This arrangement preferably ensures that the first and the second whirling flow patterns are created. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the number of adjustable jets  34  may be disposed in any manner or orientation to ensure that the first and second whirling fluid flow patterns are created.  
         [0053]    Preferably, the foot bath  10  has four adjustable jets  34  as shown. However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the foot bath  10  may have any number of adjustable jets  34  to ensure that the first and second whirling flow patterns are created. Also each of the adjustable jets  34  may have any shape known in the art with any sized nozzle  36  for spraying water in the reservoir  14 . Preferably, each adjustable jet  34  with the nozzle  36  sprays the water in a substantially horizontal manner parallel with the bottom floor  22 .  
         [0054]    However, the user may selectively adjust the direction of the spray of each adjustable jet  34 , if the user desires a localized massaging action on, for example, a rear or lateral side of the treated foot. In a first aspect or embodiment of the present invention, the direction of each adjustable jet  34  may be changed either upwardly or downwardly relative to the bottom floor  22  by physically pushing or pulling each adjustable jet by the tab  37  upward or downward a desired amount. The direction may be further adjusted to spray water upward relative to the substantially horizontal manner or adjusted downward relative to the substantially horizontal manner, by pushing the adjustable jet  34  upward by the tab  37  or pulling the adjustable jet downward by the tab. Each adjustable jet  34  may further be selectively rotated from a clockwise position to a counterclockwise position to change a position of the spray pattern. The user may selectively twist each adjustable jet  34  in a counterclockwise or clockwise manner to further change a position of the spray pattern of the adjustable jet.  
         [0055]    The foot bath  10  has a first drain  38  and a second drain  40 . The first drain  38  is adjacent to the second drain  40 . Preferably, the first drain  38  is disposed a distance away from the second drain  40 . Preferably, the first drain  38  is about 6.25 inches away from the second drain  40 . The first drain  38  and the second drain  40  are preferably an outlet of the reservoir  14  disposed on the bottom floor  22 .  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 12, each of the first and the second drains  38 ,  40  have a suitable grate  42  connected thereto. The grate  42  is connected over each of the respective first drain  38  and second drain  40 . The grate  42  is preferably a convex shaped structure and extends outward an amount opposite from the bottom floor  22 .  
         [0057]    The grate  42  has framework of parallel or latticed bars for blocking an opening of each of the first and the second drains  38 ,  40 . Preferably, the grate  42  is positioned in a comfortable location of both the first foot rest portion  24  and the second foot rest portion  26 . Preferably, the grate  42  is located in the same location where an arch of the user&#39;s foot rests when on the bottom floor  22 .  
         [0058]    Referring to FIG. 13, each of the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  are disposed on an opposite side of the bottom floor  22  being generally represented by reference numeral  71 . The first drain  38  and the second drain  40  are connected to the pump  72  under the reservoir  14 . The pump  72  is preferably any mechanical device known in the art that moves the water from the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  to each adjustable jet  34  shown in FIG. 11, by pressure or suction through the tube  74 . The pump  72  is preferably connected to each adjustable jet  34  underneath the opposite side  71  of the bottom floor  22  in a watertight manner. Thus, the water exiting the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  is pulled toward the pump  72  and circulated back to each adjustable jet  34  to introduce and spray the water in the reservoir  14  in the first and second whirling flow patterns.  
         [0059]    In one aspect or embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 14, the foot bath  10  has the adjustable jets  34  arranged to surround the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  and thus to circulate the water around each of the first drain and second drain. Most preferably, the water through the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  create the first whirling flow pattern and the second whirling flow pattern, respectively from the water in the reservoir  14  in a direction of reference arrows  102 ,  104 , respectively.  
         [0060]    Preferably, the first whirling flow pattern and the second whirling flow pattern are both a spiral motion of water in the reservoir  14 . Preferably, the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  are at a substantially centermost portion of each of the spiral motions of the first whirling flow pattern and the second whirling flow pattern. Preferably, the first drain  38  and the second drain  40  draws all of the water near the center of the respective first and second whirling flow patterns to the pump  72  in the housing  12  underneath the bottom floor  22  shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the first and the second whirling flow patterns are created in the reservoir  14  for an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing foot massage. This ordered pattern is superior to the prior art chaotic shaking foot bath and that is distracting and aesthetically displeasing to the user.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIG. 15, the foot bath  10  has a controller or control button  44 . The control button  44  is on a raised structure  46  of the housing  12 . The control button  44  may alternatively be in any suitable location on the housing  12  for easy and comfortable access. Preferably, the control button  44  may be a waterproof button, a knob, an analog dial, a switch, or any number of buttons. The control button  44  may alternatively be digital controller or be any other controller with any configuration known in the art.  
         [0062]    The control button  44  is adjustable, to various settings including, for example, “vibration on”, “vibration off”, “heat on”, “heat off”, “aeration on”, “aeration off”, “jets on” and “jets off”, or any combinations thereof, to activate or deactivate one or more features of the foot bath  10 .  
         [0063]    Alternatively, the foot bath  10  may have a receiver  77 . The receiver  77  is preferably an infrared receiver or a radio frequency receiver for remote operation. Preferably, the receiver  77  may be disposed on a portion of the raised structure  46  of the foot bath  10  for communication with a suitable complementary remote control unit. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the remote control unit may be optionally tethered to the housing  12  to prevent misplacing the remote control unit.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIG. 16, the foot bath  10  has a vibration device  76  in the housing  12 . The vibration device  76  preferably imparts a shaking or a limited reciprocating motion to shake the housing  12  and massage the user&#39;s feet. Preferably, the vibration device  76  is secured under the bottom floor  22  shown in FIG. 15 in the housing  12  under the reservoir  14 . Preferably, the vibration device  76  shakes the first foot rest portion  24  and the second foot rest portion  26  shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0065]    The foot bath  10  has a heater  78 . The heater  78  is preferably a high electrical resistance heater wire that is connected to a power supply (not shown). Preferably, the power supply is external from the foot bath  10  and the foot bath is for use with a 120 volt circuit. Once actuated, the heater wire  78  preferably receives an electrical current from the power supply. The electrical current traversing through the heater wire  78  causes the heater wire to emit heat that preferably heats a portion of the user&#39;s feet or soles and the water in the reservoir  14 . In one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 17, the heater wire  78  is in a serpentine fashion in a channel  80  formed underneath the bottom floor  22  of the reservoir  14 , preferably under the first foot rest portion  24  and the second foot rest portion  26 .  
         [0066]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the foot bath  10  also has a first pad  48  and a second pad  50 . The first pad  48  and second pad  50  are both preferably a thin, cushion-like mass of soft material that is connected to the inner wall  20  or alternatively connected to a lid that is hinged to the reservoir  14  shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the first pad  48  and the second pad  50  are removably connected to a lid being shown in FIG. 15. Less preferably, the first pad  48  and the second pad  50  may be directly connected to the bottom floor  22  or in any suitable location on the housing  12 . The first pad  48  and the second pad  50  are disposed above the first and the second foot rest portions  24 ,  26 . Preferably, the first and the second pads  48 ,  50  may be made from an absorbent material. In this manner, the first pad and the second pad  48 ,  50  dry the user&#39;s feet upon completion of the foot therapy when the user desires to exit the reservoir  14 . Alternatively, the first pad  48  and the second pad  50  may be made from a gel to impart comfort or alternatively may be made from a dried loofa. The first pad  48  and the second pad  50  are used as a washing sponge to remove dead skin from the user&#39;s soles during foot therapy.  
         [0067]    The foot bath also has a massaging attachment  52  also shown in FIG. 1. The massaging attachment  52  is a circular structure that has a number of convex protrusions  54  thereon. The massaging attachment  52 , when actuated, preferably vibrates and rotates to massage the foot that is on the massaging attachment. In an embodiment of the present invention, depressing the massaging attachment, such as by a user&#39;s foot an amount preferably actuates the massaging attachment from an “on” to an “off” position or from “off” to an “on” position. This actuation of the massaging attachment  52  preferably vibrates the massaging attachment and also causes the massaging attachment to rotate for added foot therapy.  
         [0068]    Referring to FIG. 18, the foot bath  10  preferably has four legs  18 , a power cord  81  for linking the foot bath  10  to the power supply for household use and a number of vents  82 . The number of vents  82  are arranged in a circular configuration and preferably draw an amount of fresh air therethrough for the aeration device  70  and to cool the pump  72 , vibration device  76  and other components of the foot bath  10 .  
         [0069]    It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0