Apparatus for increased volume hydrotherapy

• US 5,044,357 A
• Filed: 09/19/1989
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johns C. Richard
• Original Assignee: Johns C. Richard
• Inventors: Johns, C. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rafa, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/409,089
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 128/65, 128/66, 128/62, 4/158
• US Class Current: 601/166
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/022 with control means for regulating the air volume aspirated by a water jet
• 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: A61H 35/006 for the feet

Abstract

A foot and leg hydrotherapy apparatus consisting of a housing forming a well that is adapted to receive a user'"'"'s feet and lower legs. The inner walls of the well have a plurality of precisely directed jets that provide an adjustable air/water jet spray on each foot and leg of the subject. A separate drain motor is utilized for evacuating water from the system.

Claims

1. Apparatus for foot and leg hydrotherapy, comprising:

a housing for receiving a person'"'"'s feet and legs that defines a well having at least front and back walls, left and right side walls and a bottom, wherein said front wall is further formed to define a lower foot space by the front wall bending forward at approximately 90°

to form a foot top wall and reversing at an acute angle to form said bottom;

a transverse sump with plural drain holes formed integrally with said housing bottom at the lowermost position;

a plurality of jets disposed at selected similar positions on each of the left and right side walls, the front wall, the bottom and the back wall;

a motor driven pump having inlet and outlet with the inlet connected to the transverse sump and the outlet connected to each of said jets;

a suction tube providing a source of air connected to each of said jets; and

means for adjusting the amount of air drawn into the suction tube thereby to adjust the pressure of air/water from the jets;

whereby a volume of water is maintained in circulation from the pump outlet to the jets, and through the sump for return to the pump inlet.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized by:

plural jets similarly disposed on right and left sides and positioned in the foot top wall.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include:

a drain valve actuatable between open and closed connected to the transverse sump;

a motor driven drain pump connected to said drain valve and operable to evacuate said volume of water when the drain valve is actuated open.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality comprises:

fourteen air/water jets positioned with seven each on the right and left sides, the seven being disposed with one from the foot top wall, two from the bottom, two from the back wall directed at the lower leg and one from the back wall directed at the calf, and one from the respective side wall directed at the outer ankle.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized to include:

a drain valve actuatable between open and closed connected to the transverse sump;

a motor driven drain pump connected to said drain valve and operable to evacuate said volume of water when the drain valve is actuated open.