Abstract:
Portable sauna-cabin for long-wave infrared dry-bath comprised of a floor-panel, a plurality of pillars holding a plurality of wall-panels and door, and a ceiling-panel mounted on the top of the pillars and wall-panels and strap all cabin together. Electric control boxes are preferably mounted on the front and side of the ceiling panel. The back wall-panels are provided with heat protected boxes with ceramic infrared emitters mounted inside for heating of the sauna unit. The floorpanel, pillars, front, side, back wall-panels and ceiling-panel are respectively connected into shape by means of groove and bolt-nut-joint. Everything may be conveniently detached when not in use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a sauna unit and relates more particularly to a detachable or portable sauna unit or long wave infrared bath which can be assembled in any place desired and easily dissembled to reduce space when it is not in use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various movable types of sauna bathing units have been known. A major disadvantage of the conventional movable types of sauna bathing units is their fixed structure, which are not easily dissembled or collapsible, and therefore, require a large amount of space for storing the sauna-bathing unit even when it is not in use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention has been accomplished to eliminate the aforesaid problem. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a movable sauna unit, which can be conveniently disassembled to reduce space when it is not in use, and, which can be conveniently assembled in any home, cottage or even small apartment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings in which:  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the sauna unit constructed according to the present invention;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a dismantled perspective view of the major components of the sauna of FIG. 1;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the connection of the components of the sauna of FIG. 1;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the top of the sauna of FIG. 1;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the heating unit of the sauna of FIG. 1; and  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bench for use in the sauna of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    Referring to the attached drawings in detail, a sauna unit  10  as constructed in accordance with the present invention is preferably a rectangular box in shape having a base floor-panel  12  at the bottom, side walls  14 , front wall  16  containing a door  18 , a back wall  20  which contains a heating unit  22  as will be described below and a ceiling panel  24 . As illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the walls is constructed of a wall panel  28  held by support pillars  30  extending between and connected to the base floor panel  12  and ceiling panel  24 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated seven pillars  30  are utilized to hold six wall-panels  28  and door  18 , although other configurations are possible. For example, different kind number of pillars and walls, wall panels with and without window or assembled from separate parts or boards may be utilized.  
         [0012]    The floor-panel  12  is constructed as a rectangular plate or rectangular frame with a floor plate  12   b  having on the top surface adjacent the edges, elongated grooves  32 , to hold the bottom edge of the wall-panels  28 , and holes  34  placed in the proper location to insert the bottom end of the pillars  30 . A bottom plate  12   a  may be attached to the bottom surface of the floor-panel  12   b.    
         [0013]    The ceiling-panel  24  is also constructed as a rectangular frame  36  with a ceiling plate  38  or rectangular finished plate without the frame and upwardly extending decorative panels on the front and side edges of the ceiling-panel  24 . The bottom surface of the ceiling-panel is provided with elongated grooves adjacent the edges to hold the top edge of the wall-panels, and holes placed in the appropriate locations to insert the top end of the pillars. As well, on the bottom surface of the ceiling-panel  24  may be mounted suitable lighting for the sauna such as halogen minilights.  
         [0014]    Each of the pillars  30  are provide with elongated grooves  40  extending the length thereof to hold the side edges of the wall panels  28 . The pillars  30  for the front panel at the door edge are preferably provided with one elongated groove  40  to insert the side end of front wall-panels  28 . Each of the corner pillars  30  are provided with two elongated grooves  40  on adjacent faces to hold the side edges of the wall panels  28 . The pillar  30  for use in the back wall  22  is provided with two grooves  40  on opposite faces to hold the side edge of the back wall-panels  28 . Alternatively, in the interest of ease of manufacturing, all of the pillars  30  may be constructed with a groove  40  on each of the four faces. In this situation, for aesthetic purposes, filler strips may be provided to fill in the exposed grooves  40 .  
         [0015]    The ends of all the pillars  30  are provided with a means of attachment of the pillar to the ceiling  24  and bottom panels  12 . In the preferred embodiment, this means of attachment is wooden rods  42 , which rest within the holes  34  in the ceiling  24  and bottom panels  12 . The wooden rods  42  at the top of the pillars  30  are provided with a metal bolt  44  to which is attached a washer  46  and nut  48  or bolt to provide a tight connection with the ceiling-panel. The wooden rods  42  at the bottom of the pillars  30  are provided with a metal nut  50  or bolt inside to which is attached a washer  52  and bolt  54  to provide a tight connection with the floor-panel  12 . Although other configuration of lock connections for the pillars  30  and floor panel  12  and ceiling panel  24  are possible.  
         [0016]    To assemble the sauna  10  of the present invention, the bottom  12  is placed on the floor in a suitable location. One of the corner pillars  30  is attached to the bottom  12  and the side panel  28  slid into the groove  32  on the bottom  12  and the groove  40  on the pillar  30 . The next pillar  30  is then attached to the side panel  28  and bottom  12 . The remaining walls  14  and  16  are assembled in a similar manner. The door  18  is placed between two front pillars  30  at the middle. Once all of the walls  14  and  16  have been assembled on the bottom  12 , the top  24  is placed oven the pillars  30  and wall panels  28  and the nuts  48  and bolts  54  tightened to complete the assembly. To disassemble the sauna  10 , the above is repeated in reverse.  
         [0017]    The heating unit (heating elements with reflectors)  22  and  68  is preferably installed in the back wall-panel  20 . Each of the panels  20  is provided with three rectangular holes  60  to hold the ceramic heating elements (emitters)  68  To each hole is attached a metal box or metal sides and wooden bottom box with a heat resistant coating over the inside surface of the box. Preferably, the heat resistant coating is a ceramic paper cover over the inside of the box. The heating elements with reflectors  22  and  68  are then installed in the boxes. Preferably, two reflectors with double ceramic infrared emitters are installed in boxes  60  near the top of the back wall-panel  20  and one reflector with a single ceramic infrared emitter is installed in a box  60  near the bottom of the back panel  20 . The heater elements with reflectors  22  and  68  are mounted inside the boxes by means of bolts with stand off insulators to space the heater elements away from the surface of the box and provide for air circulation around the heater elements with reflectors. The heater elements with reflectors  22  and  68  on each back-panel  20  are connected to a plug  62  on the top of the ceiling-panel through suitable wiring  64  and a junction box  66 . The plug, which can plug  62  into a typical household receptacle.  
         [0018]    Electric control boxes  70  are preferably mounted on a frame  36   a  front and side decorative board of the ceiling-panel  24 . The electric control box  70  or electrical controller includes a connection to a temperature sensor  72  to provide a signal to an analog/digital converter and a motherboard, which comprises a time display and a temperature display. The converter provides signals to turn on and off the infrared emitters. The electric control box can be set to produce heat according to individual preference. Once the temperature inside the sauna-cabin exceeds the desired range, the power supply to the heaters will be automatically cut off to stop the operation. When temperature inside the sauna-cabin goes below the desired range, the power supply will automatically turn on the infrared emitters to continue the operation.  
         [0019]    As noted above, the ceiling panel  38  of the sauna  10  may be provided with suitable lighting  74  connected to the control box  70 . The sauna  10  may also be provided with speaker  76  connected to a radio on plug  78  adapted to connect to an external sound system. The ceiling panel  38  may be provided with a receptacle  80  to which the heater plugs  62  may be connected, all of the power circuits being connected to a plug  82  for connection to the household electric circuits.  
         [0020]    The sauna of the present invention is preferably provided with a removable bench  90  and back support  2  to rest against the back wall and provide protection against direct contact with the heaters. As shown in FIG. 6, the bench is a typical sauna bench of a height and width to accommodate the bather. The back support is preferably of a height to extend above the heater elements in the back wall and provide protection against direct contact with the heater element. The back support has a very open grid to allow for free air circulation to allow the heaters to heat the air in the sauna to the desired temperature.  
         [0021]    The sauna of the present invention provides for an easy to assemble and disassemble unit convenient for any household. The sauna of the present invention provides for numerous benefits compared with traditional built in place saunas. Infrared heaters make the level of conveniences, technical parameters and effectiveness of the portable sauna, of the present invention incomparable with conventional or usual sauna:  
                                               SAUNA OF THE PRESENT       POINTS   Usual SAUNA   INVENTION                   Health mate   Some limitations   Much more effective as a           because of hot air.   whole body therapy result           Can harm respira-   because less air temperature           tory organs.   and more time to use the               sauna, unharmed respiratory               organs.       Temperature for   180 F.-220 F.   100 F.-130 F. (38 C.-55 C.),       the same sweating   (83 C.-105 C.)   but if you want really hot       result       air temperature - controller               allows you to increase               temperature up to 194 F. (90 C.)       Heat transmission   Electric stove:   Ceramic Infrared Ray 80% and           Hot Air 80% and   only 20% Hot Air           only 20% infrared           Ray       Electric power   6000 w and up-   1500 w-14 amp (Like iron       (watt-amp)   min 20 amp   kettle)       Power line   Special power line   Plugs into 110 V household           needed   power       Pre-heat time   30-90 minutes   5-10 minutes       Fresh air circula-   Not allowed   Allowed. Fresh air accessible       tion       Energy cost   Expensive   $2-$3/Month if use 1 hour               everyday       Length of time to   Short period in   Extensive       stay in   sauna       Installation   Extensive time, may   10 Minutes. Completely           have to employ   knocks down into few easy to           tradesman   re-assemble pieces       Appearance   Separate sauna room   High quality furniture with               indoor lights and built-in               sound system       Additional   Plumbing, special   Requires no plumbing, no       requirements   water proof wiring   special water proof wiring           and ventilation are   and no ventilation           required                  
 
         [0022]    Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.