Hydro-massage tub control system
First Claim
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1. A hydro-massage apparatus comprising:
- a tub having a wall on one side of the tub and a drain opening;
a first plurality nozzles located in the wall of said tub to direct a flow of water into the tub, said first plurality of nozzles comprise first, second, third, fourth and fifth pairs of nozzles, the first, second, third and fourth pairs of nozzles being arranged vertically with respect to each other in the wall with the fifth air of nozzles arranged substantially horizontally between the fourth pair of nozzles;
a pump with an inlet connected to the drain opening; and
a first pulser mechanism coupled to receive water from said pump and having a plurality of outlets connected to said first plurality of nozzles with each outlet being connected to a different pair of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth pairs of nozzles, said first pulser mechanism directing a pulse of water sequentially through each outlet to produce a jet of water sequentially at different ones of said first plurality nozzles and thereby creating a pulsating pattern of water flow that has a massaging effect in the tub.
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Abstract
A whirlpool tub has a first set of nozzles located to direct water against the back of a bather and a second set of nozzles to direct water against the bather'"'"'s neck. A controller has different modes of operation in which water is emitted by either one or both sets of nozzles. Separate mechanisms are provided to direct a pulse of water sequentially through different nozzles in each set. This action produces a progression of pulsating water jets that create a massaging effect on the bather'"'"'s skin. A pillow is placed about the second set of nozzles. A sensor is provided to detect when the pillow is removed and disable water flow through the second set of nozzles.
128 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A hydro-massage apparatus comprising:
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a tub having a wall on one side of the tub and a drain opening; a first plurality nozzles located in the wall of said tub to direct a flow of water into the tub, said first plurality of nozzles comprise first, second, third, fourth and fifth pairs of nozzles, the first, second, third and fourth pairs of nozzles being arranged vertically with respect to each other in the wall with the fifth air of nozzles arranged substantially horizontally between the fourth pair of nozzles; a pump with an inlet connected to the drain opening; and a first pulser mechanism coupled to receive water from said pump and having a plurality of outlets connected to said first plurality of nozzles with each outlet being connected to a different pair of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth pairs of nozzles, said first pulser mechanism directing a pulse of water sequentially through each outlet to produce a jet of water sequentially at different ones of said first plurality nozzles and thereby creating a pulsating pattern of water flow that has a massaging effect in the tub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hydro-massage apparatus comprising:
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a tub having wall and a drain opening; a pump with an inlet connected to the drain opening and having an outlet; a nozzle assembly located in the wall of said tub to direct a flow of water into the tub; a valve connecting the outlet of said pump to said nozzle assembly; a pillow removeably attached over said nozzle assembly; and a control mechanism for detecting an absence of said pillow from said nozzle assembly and closing said valve in the absence of said pillow. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hydro-massage apparatus comprising:
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a tub having a wall at one end and having a drain opening; a pump having an inlet connected to the drain opening and having a pump outlet; a first pulser mechanism having a inlet and a plurality of outlets, said first pulser directing a pulse of water sequentially through each one of the plurality of outlets; a first valve coupling the pump outlet to the inlet of said first pulser mechanism; a plurality of nozzles located in the wall of said tub to direct a flow of water against a back of a bather sitting in said tub, and each one of said plurality of nozzles being connected to a different one of the plurality of outlets of said first pulser mechanism; a water outlet in the wall of said tub above the plurality nozzles; a pillow covering said water outlet; a second valve coupling the pump outlet to said water outlet; a second pulser mechanism connected in series with said second valve between the pump outlet of said water outlet to pulsate water flowing therebetween; a controller having a first mode of operation in which only the first valve is open so that water flows only through said plurality of nozzles, a second mode of operation in which only the second valve is open so that water flows only through said water outlet, and a third mode in which both the first and second valves are open so that water flows through said plurality of nozzles and said water outlet. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification