U.S. patent application number 10/243257 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for remote control bath mat blower unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONAIR CIP, INC.. Invention is credited to Prehodka, Barry Victor.
Application Number | 20040049842 10/243257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29250267 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040049842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Prehodka, Barry Victor |
March 18, 2004 |
Remote control bath mat blower unit
Abstract
There is provided a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat. The
blower unit includes a housing, an air pump, a control assembly, a
remote control and a connector secured to the blower unit. The
remote control unit controls the operation of the control assembly
via a wireless communication protocol. Preferably, the remote
control unit is conveniently and securely connected to the blower
unit by connector.
Inventors: |
Prehodka, Barry Victor;
(Ridgefield, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles N.J. Ruggiero, Esq.
Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.
One Landmark Square, 10th Floor
Stamford
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
CONAIR CIP, INC.
|
Family ID: |
29250267 |
Appl. No.: |
10/243257 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/025 20130101;
F04D 25/084 20130101; A61H 33/028 20130101; A61H 2033/0079
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/559 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A blower unit for a bath mat comprising: a housing; an air pump
being disposed in said housing; a control assembly being disposed
in said housing and operatively connected to said air pump; a
remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to
said control assembly; and a connector for connecting said blower
unit to said remote control unit.
2. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit
transmits an infrared signal.
3. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit
transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.
4. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said connector is selected
from the group consisting of a retractable connector, a string,
coiled cord, a sheathed wire, a magnet, and a hook and loop
fastener.
5. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit is
fixedly attached to said housing.
6. The blower unit of claim 1, further comprising a cradle for
holding said remote control unit.
7. The blower unit of claim 6, wherein said cradle is disposed on a
top surface of said housing.
8. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit is
sealed watertight.
9. The blower unit of claim 1, wherein said remote control unit has
at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said
blower unit, and wherein said functions are selected from the group
consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared
therapy, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.
10. The blower unit of claim 1, further comprising a hose for
attaching said blower unit to a bath mat.
11. A bubbling bath mat comprising: a blower unit having a housing,
an air pump disposed in said housing, a first control assembly
disposed in said housing, a remote control unit for wirelessly
transmitting a control signal to said first control assembly, said
remote control unit being selectively separable from said blower
unit; a bath mat; and an air hose connected to said bath mat and
said air pump, wherein said air hose has a second control assembly
for manipulating air flow to said bath mat.
12. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said remote control
unit is sealed watertight.
13. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said remote control
unit has an infrared transmitter.
14. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said remote control
unit transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.
15. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said remote control
unit has at least one button for controlling one or more functions
of said blower unit, and wherein said functions are selected from
the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing
infrared therapy, providing ions to said air, vibrating, and
providing a timed operation.
16. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said second control
assembly for manipulating said air flow to said bath mat is
disposed on said bath mat.
17. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said bath mat has an
ionic/ozone producing assembly for introducing ions into said air
flow.
18. The bubbling bath mat of claim 11, wherein said remote control
unit transmits said control signal to said control assembly by an
insulated electrical wire, said insulated electrical wire
operatively connected to said control assembly and said remote
control unit.
19. The bubbling bath mat of claim 18, wherein said insulated
electrical wire is sealed watertight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a blower unit for a bath
mat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blower
unit for a bath mat that provides an aerated bubbling, therapeutic
massage. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also
provides a remote control unit that controls the operation of a
control assembly of the blower unit via a wireless communication
protocol. The remote control unit may be connected to the blower
unit.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Examples of bubbling bath mats demonstrating the state of
the art can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,403; 5,080,091;
4,962,759; 4,417,568; 4,409,693; and 3,809,073. In addition, German
Patent Nos. 2,854,503 and 4,033,021 also reflect the state of the
art.
[0005] All of the above patents provide bubbling bath mats that
introduce air into a body of water through a number of apertures
located in an upper and/or side surface of the bath mat. However,
the prior art bath mats lack the convenient operation desired by a
user. It is not convenient for the user to exit the bathtub in
order to operate a control disposed on the blower unit. Remote
control of the bath mat blower unit would be advantageous. However,
a blower unit having a remote control that controls operation of
the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol may become
misplaced, damaged, or even pose a hazard in the operating
environment of a bubbling bat mat.
[0006] A preferred embodiment of the present invention addresses
the above-mentioned deficiencies by providing a bubbling bath mat
blower unit having the convenience of a remote control unit that is
securely, safely, and conveniently connected to the blower unit,
yet the remote control unit can control the functions of the blower
unit via a wireless communication protocol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a blower
unit for a bubbling bath mat having a remote control unit.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide
such a remote control unit that is securely and conveniently
connected to the blower unit by a connector.
[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide such a remote control unit connected to the housing by a
retractable connector.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are achieved by the blower unit for a bubbling bath mat.
The blower unit of the present invention includes a housing
preferably having an air pump, a control assembly, a remote
control, and preferably a connector for connecting the remote
control to the blower unit. The remote control unit controls the
operation of the blower unit's functions via a wireless
communication protocol. Preferably, the remote control unit is
connected to the blower unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower unit for a bubbling
bath mat of the present invention with a remote control unit
connected to the blower unit;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary bath mat for
use with the blower unit of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blower unit for a
bubbling bath mat with a remote control unit connected to the
housing of the blower unit by a connector, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blower unit of FIG. 1,
in which the remote control unit is connected to the housing of the
blower unit by a retractable connector, in accordance with the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the blower unit of FIG. 4, in
which the remote control unit is connected to the blower unit by a
retractable connector in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blower unit of FIG. 1,
in which the remote control unit is connected to the housing of the
blower unit by a coiled connector; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the blower unit of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1,
there is shown a blower unit for a bath mat in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention generally represented
by reference numeral 10. Blower unit 10 can be removably connected
to the bath mat 100 by an air hose 140. Heated and pressurized air
generated in blower unit 10 is directed through air hose 140 into
bath mat 100. A user rests on bath mat 100 within, for example, a
bath tub for a relaxing aerated, heated massage. The user can
selectively control the aerated and heating sensations generated in
the blower unit with a remote control 30. Typically, blower unit 10
may be placed adjacent to the bath tub on a floor and bath mat 100
placed in the bath tub for the user to selectively lie on top of
the bath mat.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, bath mat 100 includes a receptacle
for which heated and/or pressurized air may enter the bath mat from
air hose 140. Bath mat 100 may be made of a flexible material, a
vinyl, or any suitable material having a surface that imparts
beneficial aspects upon the user. Bath mat 100 may also have a
plurality of longitudinally disposed segments including head
segment 105 and body segments 110, 115, 120 and 125 that extend the
longitudinal length of bath mat 100. Preferably, segments 105, 110,
115, 120 and 125 are made of a semi-rigid material.
[0022] Head segment 105 has an air distributor controller 130.
Preferably, air distributor controller 130 has an air inlet orifice
135 for receiving and engaging hose 140. Head segment 105 is
connected to segment 110 by two or more air channels. Preferably,
the air channels include at least two outer channels 145 and at
least two inner channels 150. Outer channels 145 and inner channels
150 can extend substantially the entire longitudinal length of bath
mat 100 and to flexibly traverse joints 155. Outer channels 145
preferably run along opposing outer edges of bath mat 100 in the
longitudinal direction. Inner channels 150 preferably run along an
inner portion of mat 100 in the longitudinal direction.
[0023] Each segment 110, 115, 120, and 125 preferably has one or
more apertures 175 randomly distributed throughout a surface of
each segment. Preferably, apertures 175 are sized differently.
Segments 110, 115, 120, and 125 can be flexibly hinged together in
any suitable manner, but preferably by link hinges 156 laterally
spaced and diametrically opposed along the outer edge of bubbling
bath mat 100 at one or more joints 155. In this manner, heated and
pressurized air generated within blower unit 10 is released through
apertures 175 to provide the user with a relaxing heat, aerated
sensation.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown blower unit 10 with
remote control 30. Blower unit 10 has a housing 15. In housing 15,
there is an air pump, a control assembly, a transmitter, a heater,
(all of which are not shown), a cradle 20, a remote control 30, and
a connector 45 for connecting the remote control to blower unit 10.
The air pump, control assembly, transmitter and heater are all
conventionally known. The heater may be a thermally conductive
plate, a heater wire, a positive thermal coefficient heater or
in-line heater disposed in housing 15. The pump may be a
centrifugal pump, a gear pump, a piston pump, a vane pump, a rotor
or any other device or method suitable for pumping the heated air
through the air hose 140 to the bath mat 100. Housing 15 has a
number of legs 16 disposed on the exterior thereof for supporting
blower unit 10 on a support surface in a stable manner, preferably
adjacent to the bath tub. It should be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that housing 15 may be formed as a "U" shaped member or
any other suitable shape to house the pump, the heater and the
operational components of the blower unit.
[0025] Housing 15 also has an aperture 12 for connecting air hose
140 to bath mat 100. The blower unit 10 is connected to bath mat
100 by air hose 140 in a suitable airtight manner to direct air
into the bath mat. Air hose 140 may be made from any suitable
thermoplastic material that allows heated and pressurized air to
communicate with bath mat 100. Air hose 140 is suitable to
interface with aperture 12. Aperture 12 preferably has a diameter
about the same diameter as air hose 140 such that air hose 140 may
selectively interface with aperture. In this manner, the user may
removably detach air hose 140 from blower unit 10 and bath mat 100
for storage purposes. Thus, a user resting on top of bath mat 100,
in for example, the bath tub may enjoy a relaxing aerated massaging
sensation from air circulated from the pump (not shown) in blower
unit 10 to the user's skin tissues.
[0026] An exemplary aspect of the present invention is that remote
control 30 is connected to blower unit 10. The housing 15 has a
cradle 20. Cradle 20 is intended for storing remote control unit 30
therein. Cradle 20 may be a longitudinally shaped notch structure
formed in the exterior of the housing or in the interior space of
housing 15. Cradle 20 may also have a translucent plate 25 that
extends from the top side of blower unit 10 for selectively
engaging remote control unit 30. Cradle 20 may be any suitable
shape for receiving and preferably securing remote control unit 30
with the cradle. Cradle 20 is preferably constructed of a durable
thermoplastic material and may have a detent or other retaining
device for removably holding remote control unit 30 in the
cradle.
[0027] Housing 15 also has a receiver 14. Receiver 14 receives a
wireless communication protocol signal, for example, an infrared, a
radio frequency, or other type of signal, either analog or digital,
from remote control unit 30. Receiver 14 is electrically connected
to a control assembly (not shown) disposed in housing 15 for
controlling the various functions of blower unit 10 such as the
heater, the pump, an infrared therapy device, a vibration device,
and a cooling device.
[0028] As can be understood from the drawings, remote control unit
30 is intended to be grasped by the hand and may be waterproof.
Remote control unit 30 may be oblong with a top side 32, a bottom
side 34, and a rear side 36. In an aspect hereof, top side 32 has
one or more buttons 38. Button(s) 38 may be any configuration that
corresponds and permits control of the operational and functional
capabilities of blower unit 10 via remote control unit 30. For
example, the button(s) 38 may include a heater button, an air pump
activation/deactivation button, a cooling button, a vibration
feature activation/deactivation button, an infrared therapy
activation/deactivation button, a timer button, or any combinations
thereof.
[0029] In an aspect of the present invention, remote control unit
30 has a transmitter (not shown) disposed in the remote control
unit adjacent to a translucent plate 36. The translucent plate 36
facilitates transmission of the control signal from the transmitter
of remote control unit 30 of blower unit 10. The transmitter may
emit an infrared, a radio frequency, or other type of signal,
either digital or analog, through plate 36 to receiver 14 disposed
within blower unit 10 for receiving the transmitted signal for
controlling the various operational functions of the blower unit.
Preferably, the signal is an infrared signal or a radio frequency
(RF) signal. One skilled in the art should appreciate that remote
control unit 30 may be fabricated in a watertight manner such that
the remote control unit 30 will not be damaged upon exposure to
liquid.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, receiver
14 may be located in cradle 20, such that signals from remote
control unit 30 may be received by transmitter (not shown) when
remote control unit is seated in the cradle. In this manner, the
need for control button(s) 38 on blower unit 10 is obviated. In
another aspect of the present invention, remote control unit 30 may
include a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive or any
combinations thereof for removably connecting the remote control
unit 30 to the blower unit 10.
[0031] As shown on FIGS. 3 through 6 remote control unit 30 is
connected to blower unit 10 by a connector 45. Referring to FIG. 3,
in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a post 40
having an aperture therethrough is connected to an exterior surface
of housing 15. Post 40 may be any horizontal or vertical support
structure having an aperture for securing remote control unit 30 to
blower unit 10. One end of connector 45 is connected to post 40 and
a second end of connector 45 is connected to remote control unit
30. In this manner, remote control unit 30 may be conveniently and
securely attached to blower unit 10 to obviate the user from
losing, misplacing or damaging the remote control unit. Connector
45 may include a nylon cord, a sheathed wire, a chain, or other,
preferably flexible, material.
[0032] As shown on FIGS. 4 and 5, remote control unit 30 may be
attached or connected to blower unit 10 by retractable connector
50. Retractable connector 50 may be disposed on an exterior surface
of housing 15, disposed in blower unit 10 or on an interior surface
of cradle 20. Referring to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention shown on FIG. 5, retractable connector 50 may be disposed
in the interior of blower unit 10. Retractable connector 50 is
preferably wound around exemplary spindle 55.
[0033] Spindle 55 may have a housing 56 connected to an interior
surface of blower unit 10. Spindle 55 is preferably biased with a
spring or coil disposed in housing 56 such that retractable
connector 50 retracts with a sufficient force to wind and pull
remote control unit 30 from a remote location to a location
substantially adjacent to blower unit 10. In this manner, by
retracting remote control unit 30, the remote control unit avoids
being lost, misplaced, and or damaged. Furthermore, remote control
unit 30 can be quickly and conveniently retrieved and stored using
retractable connector 50 after the user is comfortably resting on
bath mat 100 in, for example a bath tub.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, remote control unit 30 may be connected
to blower unit 10 by an exemplary coiled cord 60. Coiled cord 60
may be connected around post 40. Coiled cord 60 may be any slender
length member of flexible material used to bind remote control unit
30 with post 40 disposed on blower unit 10. Coiled cord 60
preferably provides tension sufficient to retract remote control
unit 30 from a remote location to a position adjacent blower unit
10. In yet another preferred embodiment shown on FIG. 7, coiled
cord 60 may be connected to a lateral flange of housing 15. In this
manner, coiled cord 60 prevents remote control unit 30 from
becoming lost, misplaced, or damaged.
[0035] Referring again to FIG. 1, bath mat 100 is shown connected
to blower unit 10 by hose 140. Bath mat 100 preferably releases
warm aerating bubbles that at least maintains the water temperature
of, for example, a bath tub. The function of aeration, as well as
other functions, may be controlled in response to a wireless
communication protocol signal transmitted from remote control unit
30 attached or connected by connector 45 to blower unit 10. The
pressurized air is routed to bath mat 100 via air hose 140.
[0036] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
shown on FIG. 8, blower unit 10 may also include a remote control
unit 30 that is selectively separable from blower unit 10 and/or
not connected to blower unit 10. The remote control 30 may be
waterproof and wirelessly transmit a control signal to the control
assembly disposed in housing 15. The remote control unit 30 may
have a disengageable connector, a hook and loop fastener, a tether,
a wire, a reel or any other suitable connector. The control signal
may include an infrared signal or a radio frequency signal. The
signals will control the operational functions of blower unit 10.
In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, blower
unit 10 can include an ionic/ozone producing assembly (not shown)
for introducing ions into the heated and pressurized air which in
turn is routed to bath mat 100 via air hose 140.
[0037] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
shown on FIG. 9, blower unit 10 has a remote control unit 31
connected to the blower unit. Remote control unit 31 is attached to
the control assembly (not shown) in the blower unit 10 by an
insulated and waterproof electrical wire 62. The electrical wire 62
is suitable to communicate an analog or a digital signal through
the wire to control unit (not shown) of the blower unit. The
signals in the rectangular control unit 31 travel through the wire
to control the operational functions of blower unit 10.
[0038] It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the particular functions and other aspects of blower unit 10
with remote control 30 discussed herein are but examples of the
present invention.
[0039] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives
and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present
invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variances.
* * * * *