U.S. patent application number 10/305092 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for bath apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to HoMedics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chi To, Alex Wong, Ferber, Roman S..
Application Number | 20030074730 10/305092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24532100 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030074730 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferber, Roman S. ; et
al. |
April 24, 2003 |
Bath apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the
feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid,
such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath
chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending
upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall structure has a contact area
adapted to be exposed when fluid is contained in the bath chamber.
A heating member is provided on the contact area for providing
heat, such as infrared rays, to the body part when the body part is
placed on the contact area. In addition, the bath apparatus can
include at least one massage attachment adapted to be received on
the contact area for massaging the body part when the body part
engages the massage attachment.
Inventors: |
Ferber, Roman S.; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Chi To, Alex Wong; (Sheung Shui,
HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS & KUSHMAN
1000 TOWN CENTER 22ND FL
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
|
Assignee: |
HoMedics, Inc.
Commerce Township
MI
|
Family ID: |
24532100 |
Appl. No.: |
10/305092 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10305092 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
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10047701 |
Jan 15, 2002 |
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6505358 |
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10047701 |
Jan 15, 2002 |
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09631643 |
Aug 2, 2000 |
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6385795 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/022 20130101;
A61H 35/006 20130101; A61H 15/00 20130101; A61H 33/6089 20130101;
A61H 2201/0157 20130101; A61H 33/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/622 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/022 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for bathing a body part, the apparatus comprising:
a bath chamber for containing a fluid and receiving the body part
therein, the bath chamber having a contact area; and a heating
member provided on the contact area, the heating member arranged to
be uncovered by fluid contained in the bath chamber for providing
heat to the body part when the body part is placed on the contact
area.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating member
further comprises an infrared heating element.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a heater
in communication with the bath chamber for maintaining the heat of
the fluid contained therein.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including an air
pump in communication with the bath chamber for directing air into
the bath chamber to generate air bubbles in the fluid contained
within the bath chamber.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air pump directs
air through a plurality of holes provided in the bath chamber.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a
vibration assembly in communication with the bath chamber for
imparting vibration to the bath chamber.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a
plurality of raised nodes provided on a bottom surface of the bath
chamber.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including at least
one massage attachment arranged to be received on the contact area
for massaging the body part when the body part engages the massage
attachment.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further including a storage
unit arranged to be attached to the bath chamber for storing the at
least one massage attachment therein.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of
the bath chamber has at least one roller provided thereon.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rollers are
detachable from the bottom surface of the bath chamber.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a lid
arranged to be attached to the bath chamber to at least partially
cover the bath chamber.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bath chamber
includes an upstanding wall structure and is generally
U-shaped.
14. A foot bath, comprising: a bath chamber for containing water
and receiving at least one foot therein, the bath chamber including
a contact portion; and a heating member provided on the contact
portion and arranged to be uncovered by water contained in the bath
chamber, the heating member providing infrared rays to a surface of
the foot when the foot surface is placed on the contact
portion.
15. The foot bath according to claim 14, further including a heater
provided on an underside of the bath chamber for maintaining the
heat of the water contained within the bath chamber.
16. The foot bath according to claim 14, further including an air
pump in communication with the bath chamber for directing air
through a plurality of holes provided in the bath chamber to
generate air bubbles in the water contained within the bath
chamber.
17. The foot bath according to claim 14, further including a
vibration assembly in communication with the bath chamber for
imparting vibration to the bath chamber.
18. The foot bath according to claim 14, further including at least
one massage attachment arranged to be received on the contact
portion for massaging the foot surface when the foot surface
engages the massage attachment.
19. The foot bath according to claim 14, wherein a bottom surface
of the bath chamber has at least one roller provided thereon.
20. The foot bath according to claim 14, wherein the bath chamber
includes an upstanding wall structure and is generally U-shaped.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/047,701 filed Jan. 25, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/631,643 filed Aug. 2, 2000, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,385, 795.
Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for bathing body
parts, such as the feet or hands.
Background Art
[0003] Most people experience foot problems at some time in their
lives. This is not surprising, considering that many people are
employed in jobs that require them to be on their feet all day. In
fact, even an average day of walking can exert force equal to
several hundred tons of pressure on the feet.
[0004] In an attempt to alleviate a variety of podiatric problems,
bathing of the feet has become a recognized therapeutic method. For
example, soaking soothes the feet and aids in recovery from
fatigue. Bathing of the feet also stimulates the circulation of
blood therethrough, which results in increased metabolism and
excretion. In addition, foot bathing facilitates the removal of
painful growths such as calluses, bunions, and corns.
[0005] Many types of foot baths have been utilized as therapeutic
devices for the feet. Typically, foot baths provide heated water
for which the temperature is maintained via electrical means. In
addition, current foot baths often provide massage to the feet
through vibration of the foot bath. Vibratory massage enhances the
therapeutic results achieved with soaking alone by further
increasing circulation, as well as relaxing and massaging the
muscles.
[0006] While heat and vibration applied to the feet in an overall
manner is helpful, conventional foot baths are not designed with
the capability to target specific areas of the feet. For example,
it is common for a user to wish to concentrate treatment to a
specific part or parts of his/her feet such as the ball, heel, or
arch. Therefore, a need exists for a bath apparatus with the
capability to focus heat and/or massage at specific locations of
the body. Such a bath apparatus would not only allow users to
tailor therapy regimens to their individual needs, but would also
increase the speed at which therapy can be accomplished, thereby
increasing the convenience for the user.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, it is a principal object according to the present
invention to provide an apparatus for bathing body parts and
providing targeted therapy, including heat and massage, to the body
parts.
[0008] Accordingly, an apparatus is provided for bathing body
parts, such as the feet or hands. The bath apparatus includes a
bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the
body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a
wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall
structure has a contact area adapted to be uncovered by fluid
contained in the bath chamber. A heating member is provided on the
contact area for providing heat to the body part when the body part
is placed on the contact area.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
heating member uses infrared rays. In addition, a heater is
provided in communication with the bath chamber for maintaining the
heat of the fluid contained therein. Preferably, the heater
includes a rope heating element provided underneath the bottom
surface of the bath chamber. Furthermore, the bath apparatus
includes a pump in communication with the bath chamber for
directing air into the bath chamber to generate air bubbles in the
fluid contained within the bath chamber, wherein air flows through
a plurality of holes provided in the bottom surface of the bath
chamber. Still further, the bath apparatus includes a vibration
assembly in communication with the bath chamber for imparting
vibration to the bath chamber. The vibration assembly includes a
motor affixed to an underside of the bath chamber, an output shaft
rotatably driven by the motor, and a counterweight affixed to the
output shaft.
[0010] In further accordance with the present invention, the bath
apparatus includes at least one massage attachment adapted to be
received on the contact area for massaging the body part when the
body part engages the massage attachment. The massage attachment
can be stationary, or can be manually rotatable by a user.
Alternatively, rotation of the massage attachment can be motorized.
In this embodiment, a motor is disposed on the underside of the
bath chamber, and the massage attachment is adapted to be received
on an output shaft that is rotatably driven by the motor and
adapted to be accessible through the contact area. Optionally, the
motorized rotation of the massage attachment can be activated by
applied pressure of the body part on the massage attachment.
[0011] Preferably, a plurality of different massage attachments are
provided. The massage attachments can include, for example,
attachments with raised nodes, a roller, a pumice stone, and a
brush. A storage unit is provided which is adapted to be attached
to the wall structure for storing the one or more massage
attachments therein.
[0012] According to the present invention, an outer housing is
provided to encase the bath chamber. Preferably, the bath chamber
is generally U-shaped and the contact area is generally peninsular,
such that the contact area is centrally disposed within the bath
chamber. The bath chamber preferably includes a plurality of raised
nodes provided on its bottom surface. Additionally, the bottom
surface of the bath chamber can include rollers provided thereon,
wherein the rollers can be detachable from the bottom surface. The
bath apparatus can also include a lid adapted to be attached to the
wall structure to at least partially cover the bath chamber.
[0013] The above objects and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bath apparatus constructed
in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bath apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of
FIG. 1, wherein the wall structure is partially cut away to show a
user's foot engaging the contact portion;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the pump, heating, and
vibration assemblies located on the underside of the bath
chamber;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first stationary massage
attachment adapted to be received on the contact portion;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second stationary massage
attachment;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roller massage
attachment;
[0021] FIGS. 8a and 8b are fragmentary perspective views of the
first stationary massage attachment before and after attachment to
the contact portion, respectively;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
bath apparatus according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bath apparatus of FIG.
9;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of
FIG. 9, wherein the wall structure is partially cut away to show a
user's foot engaging the contact portion;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the bath apparatus of
FIG. 9 showing a storage unit for the massage attachments hanging
from the wall structure;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the pump, heating,
vibration, and massage assemblies located on the underside of the
bath chamber;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first rotatable massage
attachment adapted to be received on the contact portion;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the first rotatable massage
attachment;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second rotatable massage
attachment which includes a pumice stone;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third rotatable massage
attachment which includes a brush;
[0031] FIGS. 18a and 18b are fragmentary perspective views of the
first rotatable massage attachment before and after attachment to
the contact portion, respectively;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a base plate adapted to be
received on the bath chamber bottom surface, wherein the base plate
includes rollers rotatably affixed thereto;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a base plate without
rollers; and
[0034] FIGS. 21a and 21b are fragmentary perspective views of the
roller base plate before and after attachment to the bath chamber
bottom surface, respectively.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0035] Referring first to FIGS. 1-8, a bath apparatus constructed
according to the present invention is depicted and designated
generally by reference numeral 10. Bath apparatus 10 can be used to
provide heat, massage, bubbles, and combinations thereof to body
parts, such as the feet. Bath apparatus 10 is preferably
constructed from a plastic material so as to be lightweight and
portable, as well as durable, leakproof, and corrosion resistant.
Although bath apparatus 10 is illustrated and described herein as
being particularly adaptable for use as a foot bath, it is
understood that bath apparatus 10 of the present invention may be
used for bathing other body parts, such as the hands.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, bath apparatus 10 includes a bath
chamber 12 for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the
body part, such as the foot, therein. Bath chamber 12 includes a
bottom surface 14 and a wall structure 16 extending upwardly
therefrom. Wall structure 16 terminates in an upper surface 18 that
includes a contact portion 20 adapted to be exposed when water is
contained in bath chamber 12. Bottom surface 14 can be generally
parallel to a supporting surface on which bath apparatus 10 is
placed or, alternatively, bottom surface 14 could be slanted
downwardly toward the user.
[0037] Bath chamber 12 is of a length and width to accommodate the
feet of an adult user, such that sufficient space is provided to
permit the user to readily insert and remove his/her foot and to
allow the foot to be moved about slightly while in position within
bath chamber 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bath chamber 12 is
generally U-shaped and contact portion 20 is generally peninsular
and centrally disposed within bath chamber 12. With this
configuration, a user's feet are received on either side of
peninsular contact portion 20, wherein the feet are spaced apart
sufficiently to provide comfortable placement. For use, bath
chamber 12 is filled with water such that a user, preferably
seated, submerses his/her feet up to approximately the height of
the ankles. A user can then easily remove his/her foot for
placement on contact portion 20 for targeted therapy as described
below. Of course, it is understood that contact portion 20 can have
any location on bath apparatus 10 which remains uncovered by water
and is accessible to the user.
[0038] An outer housing 22 is provided to encase bath chamber 12,
wherein outer housing 22 is spaced from bath chamber 12 to provide
a location for housing the various mechanical/electrical assemblies
of bath apparatus 10, as described below with reference to FIG. 4.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, upper surface 18 of bath chamber 12
includes a downwardly extending flange 24 which aligns with an
upwardly extending flange 26 of outer housing 22. Flanges 24, 26
are secured together by screws (not shown) to fix bath chamber 12
in position with respect to outer housing 22. The base 28 of outer
housing 22 is preferably provided with feet 30 constructed from a
material such as rubber to prevent movement of bath apparatus 10
along a supporting surface.
[0039] Referring again to the top plan view of FIG. 2, bottom
surface 14 of bath chamber 12 preferably includes a plurality of
raised nodes 32 which can be of varying sizes. Nodes 32 function to
massage the feet upon contact, and also allow water and heat to
flow under the feet to improve blood circulation. As shown in FIGS.
1 and 2, bath apparatus 10 further includes a lid 34 adapted to be
attached to wall structure 16 to at least partially cover bath
chamber 12. As shown, lid 34 is attached to wall structure 16 by a
hinge 36, and includes tabs 38 that are securely received in
corresponding openings 40 provided on wall structure 16. Therefore,
as shown in FIG. 1, lid 34 can be positioned to partially cover
bath chamber 12 to prevent any accidental splashing of water, or
lid 34 can be rotated away from bath chamber 12 about hinge 36 for
ease of inserting and removing the feet and filling bath chamber 12
with water. Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
9-10, lid 134 can simply snap fit over wall structure 16 to be
completely removable. Lid 34 is preferably constructed from a
plastic material, and is sufficiently rigid so that it can be used
as a foot rest when only one foot is submersed within bath chamber
12.
[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, a selector 42 is located on
upper surface 18 of bath chamber 12, wherein selector 42 is
rotatable by a user to selectively provide various combinations of
heat, massage, and bubbles to the feet. Wiring interconnects
selector 42 with each of the mechanical/electrical assemblies
described below which are then powered via connection of a standard
power cord 44 to any 110 V AC outlet. In a preferred embodiment,
selector 42 can be set to provide three different combinations of
bath functions: 1) vibration massage, chamber heat, and targeted
infrared heat; 2) vibration massage, bubbles, chamber heat, and
targeted infrared heat; and 3) bubbles and chamber heat. However,
it is understood that other combinations are fully contemplated in
accordance with the present invention.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the several
mechanical/electrical assemblies of bath apparatus 10 of the
present invention will now be described. Each of the following
assemblies is housed in the space between bath chamber 12 and outer
housing 22 and is selectively powered as determined by the setting
of selector 42. First, a heating member 46 is provided on contact
portion 20 for providing heat to the foot surface when the foot F
is placed on contact portion 20. Advantageously, heating member 46
provides the capability of focusing heat on the specific region of
the foot desired by the user. According to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, heating member 46 uses infrared rays.
Infrared rays allow heat to penetrate deep underneath the surface
of the skin, causing the pores of the skin to be opened and
promoting metabolism and excretion of the body through increased
blood circulation. The applied pressure of the foot on heating
member 46 can be adjusted by the user for optimum comfort. Although
the surface of heating member 46 is shown herein to be generally
flat, heating member 46 could have any contour suitable for contact
with a user's foot.
[0042] In addition to heating member 46, a heater is provided in
communication with bath chamber 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, the
heater preferably includes a rope heating element 48 secured
underneath bottom surface 14 of bath chamber 12. Upon receiving
electrical power, as determined by selector 42, rope heating
element 48 is operable to conduct heat to the water contained
within bath chamber 12. The heated water maintained by rope heating
element 48 relieves tired muscles and promotes circulation of the
blood. Rope heating element 48 is positioned to wind back and forth
to substantially cover bath chamber bottom surface 14. Rope heating
element 48 preferably includes insulated conducting wires, wherein
the conductive materials are capable of transmitting heat to bath
chamber bottom surface 14 without generating temperatures that
exceed the melting point of the plastic material used to construct
bath apparatus 10.
[0043] Bath apparatus 10 further includes a pump 50 in
communication with bath chamber 12 for directing air into bath
chamber 12 to generate air bubbles in the water contained therein.
As shown in FIG. 4, pump 50 forces air through outlet tubes 52
which are connected to bubble egress strips 54 formed in bath
chamber bottom surface 14. Air is then forced out of a plurality of
egress holes 56 that are provided in bottom surface 14 along each
bubble egress strip 54 to form bubbles B in the water contained in
bath chamber 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Although bubble egress
strips 54 are shown herein as being linear in shape, any
configuration of bubble egress strips 54 and corresponding egress
holes 56 suitable for generating bubbles in bath chamber 12 can be
used in accordance with the present invention.
[0044] Still further, bath apparatus 10 includes a vibration
assembly 58 in communication with bath chamber 12 for imparting
vibration to bath chamber 12 to provide a massaging effect to the
feet. Vibration assembly 58 includes a motor 60 affixed to an
underside of bath chamber 12, an output shaft 62 rotatably driven
by motor 60, and a counterweight 64 affixed to output shaft 62.
Vibration assembly 58 is affixed underneath a central portion of
bath chamber 12 by a motor support bracket 66. When motor 60 is
electrically powered, rotation of output shaft 62 and attached
counterweight 64 imparts vibrations to motor support bracket 66,
and these vibrations are then transferred to bath chamber 12 and
the water contained therein in order to massage the feet. It is
fully contemplated that variable vibration intensities could be
provided in accordance with the present invention.
[0045] Turning now to FIGS. 5-8, in further accordance with the
present invention, bath apparatus 10 includes one or more
interchangeable massage attachments 68, 70, 72 adapted to be
received on contact portion 20 for massaging the foot F upon
engagement. As with infrared heating member 46, massage attachments
68, 70, 72 advantageously allow for massage to be targeted to
specific locations of the foot such as the ball, heel, or arch. In
greater specificity, attachments 68, 70, 72 each include a
projection 74 sized to be received in a corresponding recess 76
provided in contact portion 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
Massage attachments 68 and 70 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6,
respectively, remain stationary once received by contact portion
20, and include different sizes and configurations of raised nodes
78 to provide gently concentrated pressure to a user's foot.
Massage attachment 72 includes a roller 80 which is manually
rotatable, allowing a user to glide his/her foot back and forth
upon roller 80 to release tension. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
a cap 82 is provided to be received in recess 76 when the massage
attachments 68, 70, 72 are not in use. Of course, massage
attachments 68, 70, 72 are shown only by way of example, and any
other suitable massage attachment may be utilized with the present
invention.
[0046] FIGS. 9-21 illustrate a second embodiment of the bath
apparatus according to the present invention, which operates
substantially similarly to bath apparatus 10 except for the
additional motorized massage and bottom surface features described
below. The reference numerals for FIGS. 9-21 correspond generally
with the reference numerals for FIGS. 1-8 except for the addition
of a "1" prefix.
[0047] Bath apparatus 110 includes a contact portion 120 for
receiving massage attachments 184, 185, 186 (shown in FIGS. 14-18),
wherein rotation of massage attachments 184, 185, 186 is motorized.
As shown in FIG. 12, a motor 183 is disposed on an underside of
bath chamber 112, and massage attachments 184, 185, 186 are adapted
to be received on an output shaft 187 that is rotatably driven by
motor 183 and adapted to be accessible through contact portion 120.
With reference to FIGS. 15 and 18, massage attachments 184, 185,
186 each include a recess 188 configured to securely receive output
shaft 187 as it projects through contact portion 120. More
particularly, recess 188 includes a plurality of tabs 194 sized to
be received in corresponding slots 195 provided on output shaft
187. Therefore, rotation of output shaft 187 causes massage
attachments 184, 185, 186 to rotate, even when in contact with a
user's foot F. Optionally, the motorized rotation of massage
attachments 184, 185, 186 can be activated by pressure of the foot
F applied thereon, which then establishes electrical contact to
supply power to motor 183. In this case, the operation of motor 183
is preferably not governed by selector 142, but rather power is
supplied to motor 183 as long as bath apparatus 110 is plugged
in.
[0048] Three different massage attachments for use with bath
apparatus 110 are illustrated in FIGS. 14-17. A first rotatable
massage attachment 184, as shown in FIG. 14, includes raised nodes
178 which provide pressure points to gently massage a user's foot F
when contacted. FIG. 16 depicts a second rotatable massage
attachment 185 that includes a pumice stone 196 to smooth and
soften skin on the soles of the feet, and FIG. 17 depicts a third
rotatable massage attachment 186 that includes a brush 197 to clean
and exfoliate skin. As shown in FIG. 12, a storage unit 189 is
provided which is adapted to be attached to wall structure 116 for
storing the one or more massage attachments 184, 185, 186 therein
when not in use. Again, the particular massage attachments 184,
185, 186 shown and described herein are merely exemplary, and any
other suitable massage attachment can be used in accordance with
the present invention.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 19-21, bath apparatus 110
further includes a bottom surface 114 which can include rollers 190
provided thereon. A user can glide his/her foot back and forth
across rollers 190 to help relieve tightness and tiredness along
soles of feet, as well as for reflexology purposes. Rollers 190
include raised massage nodes 199, and are preferably rotatably
attached to a roller plate 191, which is detachable from bottom
surface 114, as shown in FIGS. 21a and 21b. In this embodiment,
bottom surface 114 includes indented regions 192 sized to receive
roller plates 191 therein, wherein indented regions 192 are of an
appropriate depth to allow for roller plates 191 to be generally
level with bottom surface 114 when inserted. Furthermore, bottom
surface 114 and plates 191, 193 include mating projections 198 and
recesses (not shown) for securing plates 191, 193 to bottom surface
114. When a user does not wish to use rollers 190, roller plate 191
can be removed and interchanged with an alternative foot plate 193
which resembles the existing contour of bottom surface 114.
[0050] In summary, bath apparatus 10, 110 of the present invention
provides the capability to target specific areas of the body with
therapeutic heat and massage. Therefore, bath apparatus 10, 110
allows users to tailor therapy regimens to their individual needs,
and also increases the efficiency of therapy sessions due to the
concentration of heat and massage at desired locations.
[0051] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *