System for jetted tubs and apparatus therefor

• US 5,245,221 A
• Filed: 04/27/1992
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chemical Bank
• Original Assignee: American Standard Companies Incorporated (Ideal Standard International Topco SCA)
• Inventors: Schmidt, Adam R., Bailey, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US07/875,557
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/116, 307/118, 361/395, 361/412, 361/413, 361/415, 361/424, 4/541.1, 4/541.2, 4/541.3, 4/541.4, 4/541.5, 4/541.6
• US Class Current: 307/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0054 with liquid level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0066 with low-voltage switching, e.g. using optical isolators, isolated transformers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/00 Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H35/00 takes precedence; sprays acting on a body or body part not immersed in water A61H9/00; means for washing bed-ridden persons A61G7/0005; for sub aquatic intestinal cleaning A61M9/00; isolation chambers A61M21/0094; electric or magnetic baths, applying ionised fluids A61N1/44 ; heater for bath tubs F24H1/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/02 Bathing devices for use with gas-containing liquid, or liquid in which gas is led or generated, e.g. carbon dioxide baths A61H33/6026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/601 Inlet to the bath
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 5/105 responsive to deterioration or interruption of earth connection for preventing switching-on H02H11/001

Abstract

The present invention discloses a control box for enclosing at least one main control circuit electrically connected to at least one or more electrically-controllable function providing operating units mounted through or operably connected to a jetted tub. The control box in general comprises a high voltage compartment and a low voltage compartment, separated by a partition having at least one access opening to permit electrical connection of at least one control unit to a high voltage terminal block installed in the high voltage compartment. Another aspect of the present invention concerns a control system for use with the jetted tub having one or more function providing operating units electrically connected to the control system. The control system comprises a control box having high and low voltage compartments separated by a partition. The high voltage compartment has a high voltage terminal block mounted therein which is connectable to a power source, while the low voltage compartment has at least one main control circuit mounted therein. The main control circuit is electrically connected to the high voltage terminal block through the partition, and is capable of receiving one or more auxiliary control circuits to provide control over the operation of one or more function providing operating units. The control system also includes a switch which is connected to the main control circuit so as to permit the operation of at least one of the function providing operating units installed on the jetted tub.

Claims

1. A jetted tub system comprising:

a jetted tub including a tub wall and a plurality of jets mounted in said tub wall, a pump connected to said jets by a water supply line, and a return line connected to said jetted tub at a first end of said return line and to an intake side of said pump at a second end of said return line;

said jetted tub also including means, operatively associated with said jetted tub for sensing the water level;

a control box including a high voltage compartment having at least one input access opening for passing high voltage conductors therethrough and a high voltage terminal block mounted therein, said high voltage terminal block being electrically connectable to a power source and to said pump, and said water sensing means;

said control box further including a low voltage compartment having at least one access opening formed therein, and adapted for mounting at least one main control circuit board therein, and being capable of receiving low voltage conductors, said low voltage conductors being capable of carrying a signal so as to operate said pump and said water sensing means;

said low voltage compartment capable of housing one or more auxiliary circuit boards for carrying out auxiliary control functions;

a partition, integrally formed in said control box to separate said high and low voltage compartments, said partition having at least one access opening to permit the electrical connection of at least said main control circuit to said terminal block; and

a cover for placement over said high and low voltage compartments.

2. The jetted tub system of claim 1 further including

means, operatively associated with said jets and said water supply line, for providing a stream of air, each jet including a venturi nozzle operatively connected to said air supplying means by an air supply line;

and

said control box further including means, as an auxiliary control function operatively associated with said controller, for controlling the operation of said air supplying means.

4. The jetted tub system of claim 1 further including

means, operatively associated with said return line, for heating water in the return line;

and

said control box further including means, as an auxiliary control function operatively associated with said control box, for controlling the water temperature.

5. The jetted tub system of claim 4 further including

means, mounted in said tub wall, for illuminating water;

and

said said control box further including means, as an auxiliary control function operatively associated with said control box, for controlling said illumination means.

6. The jetted tub system of claim 1, further including

means, mounted in said tub wall, for illuminating water;

and

said said control box further including means, as an auxiliary control function operatively associated with said control box, for controlling said illumination means.

7. The jetted tub system of claim 6 further including

means, operatively associated with said jets and said water supply line, for providing a stream of air, each jet including a venturi nozzle operatively connected to said air supplying means by an air supply line;

and

said control box further including means, as an auxiliary control function operatively associated with said control box, for controlling the operation of said air supplying means.

8. The jetted tub system of claim 1, further including

means, operatively associated with the jets and the water supply line, for providing a stream of air, each jet including a venturi nozzle operatively connected to the air supplying means by an air supply line;

means, operatively associated with the return line, for heating water in the return line;

means, mounted in said tub wall, for illuminating water;

said high voltage terminal block being further electrically connectable to said air supply means, said heating means, and said illumination means;

said low voltage compartment further including auxiliary circuit boards for controlling the operation of said air supply means, said heating means, and said illumination means.

3. The jetted tub system of claim 3 further including

means, operatively associated with said return line line, for heating water in the return line or;

and