U.S. patent application number 10/313797 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for bath tab with built-in illumination device.
Invention is credited to Shimizu, Hideo.
Application Number | 20030079280 10/313797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18985235 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030079280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shimizu, Hideo |
May 1, 2003 |
Bath tab with built-in illumination device
Abstract
An illumination device is provided on the back surface side of
the bath tab vessel for receiving water formed of a transparent
material or a translucent material. Furthermore, in a bath tab unit
having a double-hulled structure consisting of an inner vessel and
an outer vessel, the inner vessel is formed of a transparent
material or a translucent material, and an illumination device is
provided in a space between the inner vessel and the outer
vessel.
Inventors: |
Shimizu, Hideo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
Suite 2100
5670 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles
CA
90036-5679
US
|
Family ID: |
18985235 |
Appl. No.: |
10/313797 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10313797 |
Dec 6, 2002 |
|
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09960804 |
Sep 21, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 33/004 20130101;
A47K 3/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/559 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2001 |
JP |
2001-138269 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device, wherein an
illumination device is provided on the back surface side of a bath
tab vessel for receiving water formed of a transparent material or
a translucent material.
2. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 1, wherein the bath tab vessel is formed of a plastic
material.
3. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 1, wherein the bath tab vessel is formed of a thermosetting
material.
4. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 1, wherein the illumination device illuminates the whole
surface of the inner vessel.
5. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 1, wherein the illumination device illuminates a part of the
inner vessel.
6. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is a liquid crystal
display for displaying color images.
7. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is a lamp.
8. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is a light emitting
diode.
9. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is a combination of a
light emitting diode and an optical fiber.
10. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 9, wherein illumination is achieved by the tip end portion of
the optical fiber.
11. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 10, wherein illumination is achieved by the side surface of
the optical fiber.
12. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is a combination of a
light source and a fluorescent member.
13. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 12 further comprising an optical fiber.
14. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 4 or 5, wherein the illumination device is an EL.
15. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device having a
double-hulled structure consisting of an inner vessel which forms a
bath tab and receives water and an outer vessel, wherein the inner
vessel is formed of a transparent material or a translucent
material, and an illumination device is provided in a space between
the inner vessel and the outer vessel.
16. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 15, wherein the illumination device is attached to the outer
vessel so as to illuminate the whole surface of the inner
vessel.
17. A bath tub with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 15, wherein the illumination device is attached to the outer
vessel so as to illuminate a part of the inner vessel.
18. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 16 or 17, wherein the illumination device is a liquid crystal
display for displaying color images.
19. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 16 or 17, wherein the illumination device is a lamp.
20. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 16 or 17, wherein the illumination device is a light emitting
diode.
21. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 16 or 17, wherein the illumination device is a combination of
a light emitting diode and an optical fiber.
22. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 16 or 17, wherein the illumination device is a combination of
a light source and a fluorescent member.
23. A bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
claim 22 further comprising an optical fiber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a bath tab with a built-in
illumination device, and in particular to a bath tab with a
built-in illumination device which illuminates inside the bath tab
by indirect lighting (viewed from the bathing person) and enables
the bathing person to watch images from inside the bath tab,
thereby realizing a bathing feel that improves a mental relaxation
effect as well as improving attraction.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A conventional bath tab unit has an appearance as shown in
FIG. 1, for example, of which cross-section structure along the
line Y-Y is shown in FIG. 2. That is, a bath tab 100 having a
rectangular shape is adapted to be embedded in a floor surface 110;
the bath tab 100 is adapted to be supplied with hot water or water
from a feed water port 101; and on the bottom surface of the bath
tab 100 is provided a bench portion 102 having a semi-circular
shape for a bathing person to sit thereon. In addition, on each
side of the bath tab 100 is provided a handle 103 for the bathing
person to rest his/her hand thereon, and on one end portion of the
bath tab 100 is provided a head rest 104 made of rubber or the like
for the bathing person to lay his/her head thereon in contact
state.
[0005] In an European style bath tab of a relatively shallow depth,
an inclined surface (so-called back rest) which inclines from the
upper part to the lower part is provided on the inner surface of
the bath tab in order to make the bathing position of a bathing
person comfortable. In such a general bath tab structure, it is
impossible to improve the attraction and to give an upscale
image.
[0006] In view of the above, a bath tab with an illumination device
which illuminates inside the bath tab by a direct light source has
appeared in recent years. FIG. 3 shows a bath tab unit 120 in which
inside of a bath tab 121 is illuminated, the bath tab unit 120
being so configured that inside of the bath tab 121 is illuminated
by a light source 122 by providing the light source 122 such as
lamp on the side surface part of the bath tab 121, hollowing a part
of wall surface or bottom surface of the bath tab 121 for allowing
light transmission, and providing a transparent material (such as
lens or glass) 123 on the front side thereof, and that a rigid
sealing structure for preventing water (hot water) in the bath tab
121 from causing a leakage of current in the light source 122. When
the light source 122 is turned ON with a switch (not shown), the
inside of the bath tab 121 is brightly illuminated.
[0007] In the above-described conventional bath tab with the
built-in illumination device 120, however, since there is a
hollowed part in the wall of the bath tab for enabling light
transmission, it is necessary to provide sealing means for
protecting the light source 122 from a leakage of current, and even
if such sealing means is provided, the possibility of leakage of
current and water due to fatigue with time or the like remains, and
constant maintenance inspections are necessary for confirming the
safety. Furthermore, because of the direct lighting, there is a
problem that eyes of the bathing person are fatigued so that the
relax feeling is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention was made in view of the
above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present
invention to provide a bath tab with a built-in illumination device
which illuminates inside the bath tab by indirect lighting of soft
feeling (such as monochromatic light, color light, image), thereby
improving a mental relax feel of a user and giving an upscale
image.
[0009] The present invention relates to a bath tab with a built-in
illumination device, and the above-mentioned object of the present
invention is achieved by providing an illumination device on the
back surface side of a bath tab vessel for receiving water formed
of a transparent material or a translucent material.
[0010] Also, the present invention relates to a bath tab unit of
double-hulled structure consisting of an inner vessel and an outer
vessel, and the above-mentioned object of the present invention is
achieved by forming the inner vessel of a transparent material or a
translucent material, and providing an illumination device in a
space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the accompanying drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an appearance view showing an example of a
conventional general bath tab unit;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a section structural view along the line Y-Y of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a section structural view showing one example of a
conventional bath tab with a built-in illumination device;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a section structural view showing one example of a
bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a configuration view showing one example in which
the illumination device is configured by a lamp and an optical
fiber;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a configuration view showing another example in
which the illumination device is configured by a lamp and an
optical fiber;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective structural view showing one example
of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a assembly view of another configuration example
of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device according to
the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a section configuration view along the line X-X in
FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a section configuration view of the bath tab with
a built-in illumination device according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a section structural view showing yet another
example of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a section structural view showing yet another
example of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device
according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a section structural view showing yet another
example of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device
according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a section structural view showing yet another
example of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device
according to the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 15 is a section structural view showing yet another
example of the bath tab with a built-in illumination device
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In a bath tab with a built-in illumination device according
to the present invention, an illumination device is provided in a
space on the back surface side of a bath tab vessel for receiving
water formed of a transparent material or a translucent material.
The transparent material or the translucent material may form the
whole or part of the surface of the bath tab vessel. And, the
illumination deice is adapted to illuminate a part or the whole of
the back surface of the bath tab vessel to allow the light to
transmits through the wall of the bath tab vessel and reach inside
of the bath tab, thereby improving the relaxation effect by the
light.
[0028] Furthermore, the bath tab with a built-in illumination
device according to the present invention has a double-hulled
structure consisting of an inner vessel and an outer vessel, and
between the inner vessel and the outer vessel is provided a space
capable of providing an illumination device such as light source.
The inner vessel is formed of a plastic material of a transparent
material or a translucent material, and the outer vessel is formed
of a thermosetting material. The double-hulled structure consisting
of the inner vessel and the outer vessel can be produced by a
molding process called a vacuum molding, for example. Then, the
illumination device such as lamp or light emitting diode is
provided in a space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel,
or in other words, the illumination device is attached to an inner
surface of the outer vessel, whereby the whole or a part of the
inner vessel is illuminated. Of course, the illumination device may
be attached to a back-surface of the inner vessel. As the
illumination device, combination of a light source such as lamp or
light emitting diode and an auxiliary material such as optical
fiber or fluorescent member will realize more effective
illumination.
[0029] For this reason, according to the present invention, it is
not necessary to take measures against leakage accidents of the
illumination device, and it is possible to give a smart upscale
image by soft indirect lighting and accordingly give a relaxation
feeling by the light to the bathing person.
[0030] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be described with reference to the drawings.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a section view of one embodiment of the present
invention, wherein a bath tab vessel 1 for receiving water formed
of a transparent material or a translucent material is embedded in
a floor 2, and on the rear surface (back surface) side of the bath
tab vessel 1 is provided a space 3 which is sufficient to provide
an illumination device. The material of the bath tab vessel 1 may
be a plastic material or a thermosetting material.
[0032] Then, a lamp (including a fluorescent lamp) 4 is provided in
the space 3 so as to enable ON/OFF-control of illumination from
outside. When the lamp 4 illuminates, the light reaches inside the
bath tab through the wall portion of the bath tab vessel 1 so that
water shines. Furthermore, on the back surface of the bath tab
vessel 1, a liquid crystal 5 may be bonded and an LED 6 may be
provided. Additionally, it is possible to illuminate a part of or
the whole surface of the back surface of the bath tab vessel 1 by
combining an optical fiber. Though in FIG. 1, the lamp 4, the
liquid crystal 5 and the LED 6 are provided in combination, it is
also possible to provide each device separately.
[0033] In the case where illumination is achieved by combining an
optical fiber and a light source such as lamp, as shown in FIG. 5,
an optical fiber 51 transmits the illumination light of a lamp 50
to a bath tab wall 52, and the tip end portion of the optical fiber
51 illuminates the bath tab wall 52. Furthermore, the example shown
in FIG. 6 shows the case where illumination is achieved on the side
surface part of an optical fiber 53. In the case of illuminating by
the side surface part of the optical fiber 53, as shown in FIG. 7,
a round-sliced side surface portion 10A of the bath tab 10 is
formed of a transparent material or a translucent material and the
optical fiber 53 is provided on the back surface of the
round-sliced side surface portion 10A. Though the round-sliced side
surface portion 10A is configured by one step in the configuration
of FIG. 7, the number of steps can be arbitrarily selected.
Furthermore, in the present example, the bath tab 10 is provided
with a head rest 11 of a bent shape on which the head of a bathing
parson will contact, and a handle 12 on which a bathing person will
rest his/her hand, however, these are optionally provided and other
members (for example, jet nozzle) may be provided.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a structural example of other embodiment of the
present invention, which comprises an inner vessel 10 formed of a
translucent material of plastic material (for example, acrylic or
methacrylic resin, polystyrene), and an outer vessel 20 formed of a
thermosetting material (for example, formaldehyde resin (phenol
resin, urea resin, melamine resin), crosslinked resin (unsaturated
polyester resin, diallyl phthalate resin, alkyd resin, epoxy
resin)), and in the present example, the head rest 11 for the
bathing person to lay his/her head in contact state, and the handle
12 for the bathing person to rest his/her hand are provided inside
the inner vessel 10. The inner vessel 10 may be formed of a
transparent material (for example, resin or polyethylene containing
foams in transparent material).
[0035] The size of the inner vessel 10 is smaller than that of the
outer vessel 20 so that the inner vessel 10 can be engaged in the
outer vessel 20 with some margin. Furthermore, on the top surface
of the inner vessel 10 is provided a collar 13 in a surrounding
manner, and also on the top surface of the outer vessel 20 is
provided a collar 22 so that the lower surface of the collar 13 and
the upper surface of the collar 22 come close contact with each
other when they are engaged with each other. The bath tab having
such a double-hulled structure can be produced by vacuum molding.
In addition, on the inner surface (four side surfaces and bottom
surface) of the outer vessel 20, an EL (Electro Luminescence) 21
having a plane structure is provided as an illumination device so
as to be driven (turned ON/OFF) by an external power supply
apparatus (not shown).
[0036] The cross section structure of the inner vessel 10 and the
outer vessel 20 along the line X-X of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 9,
and the state that the inner vessel 10 and the outer vessel 20 are
engaged with each other is shown in FIG. 10. Since the size of the
outer vessel 20 is larger than that of the inner vessel 10, a space
is formed between the inner vessel 10 and the outer vessel 20, in
which the EL 21 can be provided.
[0037] As for the bath tab unit in the state as shown in FIG. 10,
since the EL 21 is driven and turned ON by means of the power
supply apparatus, the illumination light gives optical changes and
intonations via the translucent inner vessel 10 and hence via the
water (hot water) filled in the inner vessel 10, with the result
that it is possible to improve the attraction of the bath tab unit,
as well as give an upscale image by improving relaxation by the
light. The EL 21 may be controlled so as to repeat turning ON/OFF
of the illumination in place of continuous illumination.
[0038] In the above example, the case where the EL of a plane
structure is used as the illumination device, however, it is also
possible to illuminate the inner vessel 10 by using a lamp
(including a fluorescent lamp) 30 as shown in FIG. 11. The lamp 30
can be provided on the bottom surface of the outer vessel 20. By
arranging a color filter on the front surface of each of plurality
of lamps 30, it is also possible to illuminate by color lights, or
give a change to illumination by controlling ON/OFF of the lamp
30.
[0039] Furthermore, it is also possible to bond a fluorescent
member 31 having a plane structure on the inner side of the outer
vessel 20 as shown in FIG. 12, and thereby Illuminate the
fluorescent member 31 with a lamp 32. In such a case, since
fluorescence is emitted by the fluorescent member 31 when the lamp
32 is turned off after illumination of the lamp 32, it is possible
to illuminate the bath tab with week light. Though not shown in the
drawing, it is also possible to carry out wiring with an optical
fiber between the lamp 32 and the fluorescent member 31, thereby
illuminating the fluorescent member 31 by the output light from the
optical fiber.
[0040] Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows an example where LEDs (Light
Emitting Diodes) 33 are arranged in plural positions on the bottom
surface of the outer vessel 20, and when LEDs of three colors, R,
G, B are disposed in each position, by controlling ON/OFF and light
emission amount of the plurality of LEDs, it is possible to
illuminate the bottom surface of the bath tab with multicolor
lights. In connection with this, the LEDs 33 are ON/OFF controlled
by remote control by a driving apparatus (not shown), and the LEDs
33 may be provided on the inner side surface of the outer vessel
20.
[0041] On the other hand, in FIG. 14, the whole inner surface (four
side surfaces and bottom surface) of the outer vessel 20 is covered
with a color liquid crystal display 34, and the color liquid
crystal display 34 is connected with an image display/control
device (not shown). This enables display of a color image on the
color liquid crystal display 34, making it possible for the bathing
person to watch a moving image or still image while bathing.
According to the present example, it is possible to obtain a
dynamic live effect due to pictures, as well as the illumination as
described above.
[0042] Furthermore, FIG. 15 shows an alternative example of the
present invention, in which it is also possible to introduce
illumination light of a lamp 40 or an LED 41 provided outside to
the interior of the inner vessel 10 via an optical fiber 42,
thereby illuminating inside the inner vessel 10 by means of the
optical fiber 42. Furthermore, it is also possible to introduce
illumination light of an LED 43 to the interior via an optical
fiber 44, thereby illuminating a fluorescent member 45 bonded on
the outer vessel 20 with output light from the optical fiber
44.
[0043] In the above embodiments, a lamp (including the fluorescent
lamp), an EL, an LED and a liquid crystal display are exemplified
as the illumination device, any devices are applicable so far as
they emit light or image. Furthermore, also the shape and structure
of the bath tab vessel, the shape and the number of illumination
device and the like are not limited to the above examples. The
switch, control device and the like of the illumination device may
be arranged so as to be operable while sitting on the bath tab or
from outside.
[0044] According to the bath tab with a built-in illumination
device of the present invention, an illumination device (including
an image display) such as lamp, light emitting diode or the like is
provided on the back surface side of a bath tab for receiving water
formed of a transparent material or a translucent material, thereby
illuminating a part or the whole of the bath tab. Furthermore, in
another example, the bath tab has a double-hulled structure
consisting of an inner vessel formed of a transparent material or a
translucent material and an outer vessel, an illumination device
(including image display) such as lamp, light emitting diode or the
like is provided in a space between the inner vessel and the outer
vessel, and an optical fiber, a fluorescent member and the like are
combined as necessary, thereby illuminating a part or the whole of
the surface of the inner vessel.
[0045] For this reason, according to the present invention, it is
possible to give a deep relaxation and a satisfied feel to the
bathing person without taking measures against a leakage accident
for the light source and without fatiguing the eyes of the bathing
person because the illumination is realized by indirect
lighting.
* * * * *