Whirlpool jet for bathtubs

• US 3,890,655 A
• Filed: 08/27/1973
• Issued: 06/24/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cleo D. Mathis
• Original Assignee: Cleo D. Mathis
• Inventors: Mathis, Cleo D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Artis, Henry K.
• Application Number:
  US05/392,046
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 4/180,181,173,178,1 138/40,39,41-46 128/66
• US Class Current: 4/541.6
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/027 Gas-water mixing nozzles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6052 Having flow regulating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6063 Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 7/30 the first liquid or other fluent material being fed by gravity, or sucked into the carrying fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 35/00 Pumps producing waves in liquids, i.e. wave-producers for bath tubs A47K3/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/75 Flowing liquid aspirates gas

Abstract

A whirlpool jet outlet for bathtubs, therapy tanks, swimming pools and the like. A housing has a hollow interior chamber. A water inlet supplying water under pressure is connected through one side of the housing to the inner end of the chamber. A Venturi air inlet is connected to the inner end of the chamber to speed the flow of water through and out of the chamber. A water outlet is screw threadedly mounted in the front of the chamber. The housing extends through an opening in the side of the tub, the water outlet being substantially flush with the inside of the tub. The wall of the tub is gripped between the water outlet and the housing. A jet outlet control is mounted for rotation by a coin or the like within the water outlet to control the direction of water flow into the tub.

Claims

1. A whirlpool jet for bathtubs and the like comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a water inlet connected at one end thereof to a source of water supply under pressure and at the opposite end thereof to the inner end of said chamber, a Venturi air inlet eXtending through said housing to the inner end of said chamber, whereby the movement of water through said chamber is speeded by a Venturi effect, a water outlet extending through a circular opening in the wall of the bathtub, said water outlet being threadedly mounted within the outer end of said chamber, said water outlet having an annular radial flange, said flange having an inner surface abutting against the inside of the bathtub wall, said housing having a flat outer end abutting against the outside of the bathtub wall, said water outlet having an annular groove formed therein adjacent to said flange, a resilient O-ring bushing mounted in said groove, said bushing making sealing engagement with the inner edge surface of said opening, the bathtub wall upon rotational tightening of said water outlet with respect to said housing being held between said flange and said housing to mount said jet on the bathtub without any fastening members being connected to the bathtub, the threaded engagement between said water outlet and housing providing automatic adjustment of said jet to fit various thicknesses of bathtub walls.

2. The structure described in claim 1, said flange being thin and comprising the only portion of said jet disposed on the inside of said bathtub, said flange fitting substantially flush with the inner wall of said tub to prevent injury by occupants of the tub falling and striking against said jet.

3. The structure described in claim 2, and a jet outlet control threadedly mounted within said water outlet, said control having an angularly directed water passage extending therethrough, said control being rotatable with respect to said outlet to control and change the direction of water flow into said bathtub from said jet.

4. The structure described in claim 3, said control having a pair of diametrically spaced slots on opposite sides of the control opening, said slots being adapted to receive a coin or the like to rotate said control.

5. The structure described in claim 4, said flange having a pair of diametrically spaced circular openings extending inwardly from its outer face to accommodate a wrench for use in rotating said water outlet with respect to said housing in mounting said jet on a bathtub.

6. The structure described in claim 2, said source of water supply comprising a water inlet pipe connecting with an inlet passage extending transversely into the side of said housing inwardly from the end thereof, said inlet pipe also being disposed inwardly from the end of said housing toward the wall of the bathtub.

7. The structure described in claim 6, said passage extending completely through said housing, and an outlet pipe connecting the opposite end of said passage with at least one additional housing.