Apparatus and method for insulating whirlpool bath noise and vibration

• US 6,477,723 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1997
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Industrial Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Jason International Incorporated
• Inventors: Cunningham, Jeffrey L., Jacuzzi, Tullio, Jacuzzi, Remo V., Jacuzzi, Remo C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US08/872,930
• Time in Patent Office: 1,980 Days
• Field of Search: 454/11--415, 459/2-5-4, 453/8, 458/4
• US Class Current: 4/541.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0169 Noise reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/0087 Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/601 Inlet to the bath

Abstract

The invention includes a method and apparatus for quieting and insulating a bath during its operation in order to reduce the amount of noise and vibration transmitted to its user. The bath comprises a bath vessel and a pre-molded high density insulation pad secured thereto for insulating the bath vessel from noise, vibration and heat transfer. The pre-molded insulation pad is positioned on the bottom of the bath vessel while the laminate of the bath vessel is still wet so that the pad bonds with the bath vessel as the laminate cures. After the pre-molded insulation pad has bonded to the bath vessel, an upper surface of the bath vessel is leveled with a lower surface of the pre-molded pad so that these upper and lower surfaces are parallel to each other. Further, the pump assembly is positioned away from the bath vessel during installation and operation so that vibrations generated by its pump are not directly transmitted from the pump assembly to the bath vessel. The invention also includes a method of preparing a bath for being packed into a shipping container so that the pump assembly and bath vessel are securely held together as a unit during shipping.

Claims

1. A bath vessel for use with a fluid pump to relax and comfort a user comprising:

inner wall surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces defining an outer bath shell, said outer wall surfaces including a bottom surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom surface; and

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad being sized and arranged to substantially cover said bottom surface, said insulation pad being secured to said bottom surface such that said sidewalls are positioned entirely above said pad.

2. The bath vessel of claim 1 wherein said insulation pad is formed with a recess at one end for receiving plumbing capable of being attached to the bath shell.

3. The bath of claim 1 wherein said pad includes a polyurethane foam material having a density of at least 3 pounds per cubic foot.

4. The bath of claim 1 wherein said insulation pad includes a coating of a polyester resin.

5. The bath vessel of claim 1 wherein said insulation pad is bonded to said bottom surface.

6. The bath vessel of claim 1 wherein said insulation pad is a pre-molded foam insulation pad.

7. A bath for relaxing and comforting a user comprising:

inner wall surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces substantially surrounding said inner wall surfaces and defining an outer bath shell, said outer wall surfaces including a bottom surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom surface;

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad substantially covering said bottom surface and being secured thereto such that said sidewalls are positioned entirely above said pad; and

a pump assembly comprising a pump and pump support stand, wherein said pump assembly is spaced from said insulation pad so that noises and vibrations generated by the operation of said pump are isolated from said bath shell and the user.

8. The bath of claim 7 wherein said insulation pad is formed with a recess at one end thereof for receiving plumbing capable of being attached to the bath shell.

9. The bath of claim 7 wherein said insulation pad includes a polyurethane foam material.

10. The bath of claim 7 wherein said insulation pad includes a coating of a polyester resin.

11. A bath for relaxing and comforting a user comprising:

inner wall surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces substantially surrounding said inner wall surfaces and defining an outer bath shell;

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad substantially covering a bottom surface of said outer bath shell, said insulation pad being secured to said bottom surface such that said outer wall surfaces are positioned entirely above said insulation pad;

a pump assembly comprising a pump and a pump support stand secured to said pump, said pump assembly being spaced away from said insulation pad during operation of the bath so that noises and vibrations generated by the pump are isolated from said bath shell; and

at least one flexible hose extending between said pump and said outer bath shell, whereby vibrations generated by the operation of the pump are dampened by said pad and said at least one flexible hose.

12. The bath of claim 11 wherein said insulation pad is bonded to said bottom surface of said outer bath shell.

13. The bath vessel of claim 11 wherein said insulation pad is a pre-molded foam insulation pad.

14. A bath for relaxing and comforting a user comprising:

inner wall surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces substantially surrounding said inner wall surfaces and defining an outer bath shell, said outer wall surfaces including a bottom surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom surface;

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad substantially covering said bottom surface and being secured thereto such that said sidewalls are positioned entirely above said pad;

a pump assembly comprising a pump and a pump support stand, wherein said pump assembly is spaced from said insulation pad so that noises and vibrations generated by the operation of said pump are isolated from said bath shell and the user; and

a bracket attached to said pad and secured between a portion of said pad and said outer bath shell, said bracket being operatively securable to said pump support stand so that the pump support stand is operatively attached to the pad and the bath shell during assembly of the bath and detached therefrom during installation of the bath.

15. A bath vessel for use with a fluid pump to relax and comfort a user comprising:

inner surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces including an outer bath shell, said outer wall surfaces including a bottom surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from said bottom surface;

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad being sized an arranged to substantially cover said bottom surface, said insulation pad being secured to said bottom surface such that said sidewalls are positioned entirely above said pad; and

a bracket attached to said pad and secured between a portion of said pad and said bottom surface of said outer bath shell for being operatively secured to the fluid pump.

16. A bath for relaxing and comforting a user comprising:

inner wall surfaces defining an inner cavity for receiving and containing a fluid therein;

outer wall surfaces substantially surrounding said inner wall surfaces and defining an outer bath shell;

a high density insulation pad for absorbing vibrations, said insulation pad substantially covering a bottom surface of said outer bath shell, said insulation pad being secured to said bottom surface such that said outer wall surfaces are positioned entirely above said insulation pad;

a pump assembly comprising a pump and a pump support stand secured to said pump, said pump assembly being spaced away from said insulation pad during operation of the bath so that noises and vibrations generated by the pump are isolated from said bath shell;

at least one flexible hose extending between said pump and said outer bath shell, whereby vibrations generated by the operation of the pump are dampened by said pad and said at least one flexible hose; and

a bracket attached to said pad and secured between a portion of said pad and said bottom surface of said outer bath shell, said bracket being operatively securable to said pump support stand so that the pump support stand is operatively attached to the pad and the bath shell during assembly of the bath and detached therefrom during installation of the bath.