U.S. patent application number 12/011488 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-07 for contour spa basin with impeller enclosure.
This patent application is currently assigned to European Touch Holdings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thai Hoang Dang, Norman Fugate, James Robert Patterson, Yin Qian.
Application Number | 20080184481 12/011488 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38656662 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080184481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patterson; James Robert ; et
al. |
August 7, 2008 |
Contour spa basin with impeller enclosure
Abstract
A pedicure spa, including a fluid retaining basin including a
plurality of channels defined in a lower portion of the basin. A
contour bulge is aligned between two channels on each side of the
basin. There is also provided an impeller, the impeller operatively
coupled to the basin and an enclosure removably coupled to the
basin. The enclosure includes an upper region and a lower region,
and defines a plurality of orifices in the upper region and the
lower region, with the enclosure configured to enclose the impeller
and direct fluid flow through the plurality of channels towards a
foot region of the basin defined between a wall of the basin and
the lower region of the enclosure.
Inventors: |
Patterson; James Robert;
(Milwaukee, WI) ; Dang; Thai Hoang; (Milwaukee,
WI) ; Fugate; Norman; (Russellville, AR) ;
Qian; Yin; (Buffalo Grove, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
European Touch Holdings,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38656662 |
Appl. No.: |
12/011488 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2007/070736 |
Jun 8, 2007 |
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12011488 |
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PCT/US2007/073442 |
Jul 13, 2007 |
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PCT/US2007/070736 |
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60831071 |
Jul 14, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 35/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/622 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/022 20060101
A47K003/022 |
Claims
1. A pedicure spa, comprising: a fluid retaining basin including a
plurality of channels defined in a lower portion of the basin, with
at least one channel on one side of the basin and one channel on
another side of the basin; a contour bulge defined by the lower
portion of the basin, the contour bulge aligned between two
channels on each side of the basin, the contour bulge configured to
support an arch of a foot; an impeller operatively coupled to the
basin; and an enclosure removably coupled to the basin, the
enclosure including an upper region and a lower region, and
defining a plurality of orifices in the upper region and the lower
region, including an intermediate baffle positioned in the impeller
housing and separating the upper region and the lower region, with
the baffle defining an opening, wherein the upper region is in
fluid communication with the lower region, with the enclosure
configured to enclose the impeller and direct fluid flow through
the plurality of channels towards a foot region of the basin
defined between a wall of the basin and the lower region of the
enclosure.
2. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the channels are open to
the basin interior.
3. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the channels extend
radially from a center portion of the lower portion of the basin,
with each channel orientated at an angle other than 90.degree. to
an adjacent channel.
4. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is a
cylindrical impeller housing having a closed end proximate the
upper region and an open end proximate the lower region.
5. The pedicure spa of claim 4, including a lock plate coupled to
the basin, with the lock plate defining a tab on the lock plate
circumference edge, and the enclosure defines a key slot proximate
the open end and configured to engage the tab, wherein the
enclosure is secured to the basin.
6. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the impeller and enclosure
are configured to direct fluid flow from the basin into the upper
region of the enclosure and from the lower region of the enclosure
back into the basin.
7. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the orifices are one of
circular holes and elongated slots.
8. The pedicure spa of claim 9, wherein the orifices are configured
to produce a predetermined fluid pressure in the basin.
9. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is composed
of material from a group consisting of metal, plastic, and a
combination of metal and plastic.
10. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the orifices are defined
in a side wall of the enclosure.
11. The pedicure spa of claim 1, wherein the contour bulge includes
a plurality of protuberances configured to contact a foot of a user
of the pedicure spa.
12. The pedicure spa of claim 11, wherein the protuberances are
coupled to the contour bulge with a fastener.
13. A fluid basin in a pedicure spa, comprising: a walled structure
including a bottom portion; a drain defined in the bottom portion;
a plurality of channels defined in the bottom portion; and a
contour bulge defined by the bottom portion, with the contour bulge
disposed adjacent to at least one channel.
14. The fluid basin of claim 13, including an impeller enclosure
coupled to the bottom portion and in fluid communication with each
of the channels.
15. The fluid basin of claim 14, including another contour bulge
disposed a spaced distance from the other container bulge with the
another contour bulge adjacent to another channel.
16. The fluid basin of claim 13, wherein the channels are open to
the basin interior.
17. The fluid basin of claim 13, wherein the channels extend
radially from a center portion of the lower portion of the basin,
with each channel orientated at an angle other than 90.degree. to
an adjacent channel.
18. The pedicure spa of claim 13, wherein the contour bulge
includes a plurality of protuberances configured to contact a foot
of a user of the pedicure spa.
19. The pedicure spa of claim 18, wherein the protuberances are
coupled to the contour bulge with a fastener.
20. A method supporting an arch of a user foot in a pedicure spa,
comprising: providing a fluid retaining basin including a plurality
of channels defined in a lower portion of the basin, with at least
one channel on one side of the basin and one channel on another
side of the basin; providing a contour bulge defined by the lower
portion of the basin, the contour bulge aligned between two
channels on each side of the basin; coupling operatively an
impeller to the basin; and enclosing the impeller in an enclosure,
the enclosure removably coupled to the basin, wherein the contour
bulge is configured to support the arch of the user foot and align
the foot with the channels.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the enclosure includes an upper
region and a lower region, and defining a plurality of orifices in
the upper region and the lower region, including an intermediate
baffle positioned in the impeller housing and separating the upper
region and the lower region, with the baffle defining an opening,
wherein the upper region is in fluid communication with the lower
region, with the enclosure configured to enclose the impeller and
direct fluid flow through the plurality of channels towards a foot
region of the basin defined between a wall of the basin and the
lower region of the enclosure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of prior Patent
Application Number PCT/US2007/073442, filed Jul. 13, 2007 which
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/831,071, filed Jul. 14, 2006 and this
application is a continuation-in-part of prior Patent Application
Number PCT/US2007/070736 filed Jun. 8, 2007 which claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/451,674 filed Jun. 13, 2006, each of which is incorporated
herein in its entirety. A related design patent application titled
CONTOUR BULGES AND CHANNELS IN A BASIN, filed Jan. 25, 2008 (Atty.
Docket No. 024376-0129) is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of spa
devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a basin and
enclosure for an impeller to provide a massaging effect in a
pedicure spa.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is generally known to provide for a spa device, such as
pedicure spas, health spas, whirlpools, jet stream exercisers, foot
spas, etc. Such known spa devices are typically used in commercial
and recreational settings for hydrotherapy, massage, stimulation,
pedicure, and bathing purposes. However, such spa devices have
several disadvantages including being difficult to thoroughly
clean, requiring complicated maintenance schedules.
[0004] Water quality can become a problem in systems that use
circulating water that comes into contact with the human body where
the spa is not thoroughly cleaned. Several actions have been taken
in an attempt to overcome this difficulty, including the addition
of chemicals (e.g., bleach) into the water to help control bacteria
growth.
SUMMARY
[0005] There is provided a pedicure spa, including a fluid
retaining basin including a plurality of channels defined in a
lower portion of the basin, with at least one channel on one side
of the basin and one channel on another side of the basin. A
contour bulge is defined by the lower portion of the basin. The
contour bulge is aligned between two channels on each side of the
basin and is configured to support an arch of a foot. An impeller
is operatively coupled to the basin. An enclosure is removably
coupled to the basin. The enclosure includes an upper region and a
lower region, and defines a plurality of orifices in the upper
region and the lower region, including an intermediate baffle
positioned in the impeller housing and separating the upper region
and the lower region, with the baffle defining an opening, wherein
the upper region is in fluid communication with the lower region,
with the enclosure configured to enclose the impeller and direct
fluid flow through the plurality of channels towards a foot region
of the basin defined between a wall of the basin and the lower
region of the enclosure.
[0006] There is further provided a fluid basin in a pedicure spa
which comprises a walled structure including a bottom portion. A
drain is defined in the bottom portion. A plurality of channels is
defined in the bottom portion. A contour bulge is defined by the
bottom portion, with the contour bulge disposed adjacent to at
least one channel.
[0007] There is further provided a method supporting an arch of a
user foot in a pedicure spa. The method includes providing a fluid
retaining basin which includes a plurality of channels defined in a
lower portion of the basin, with at least one channel on one side
of the basin and one channel on another side of the basin.
Providing a contour bulge defined by the lower portion of the
basin. The contour bulge is aligned between two channels on each
side of the basin. Coupling operatively an impeller to the basin
and enclosing the impeller in an enclosure. The enclosure is
removably coupled to the basin. The contour bulge is configured to
support the arch of the user foot and align the foot with the
channels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spa including an enclosure
(in broken lines) for an impeller according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the spa in FIG. 1 including an
enclosure for an impeller according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of the spa in FIG. 1
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the spa in FIG. 1 according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section of the spa in FIG. 1 taken
along line 5-5 in FIG. 3 showing contour bulges including a
plurality of protuberances and channels provided in the basin that
direct streams of water towards the feet of a user.
[0013] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-section of the spa basin in FIG.
1 taken along the line 6A-6A in FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-section of the spa basin in FIG.
1 taken along the line 6B-6B in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section of the spa in FIG. 1 taken
along line 7-7 in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure for an impeller for a
pedicure spa 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a spa 10 includes a
fluid-retaining basin 12 that is configured for use in foot
massages, pedicures and other activities related to the feet,
including bathing, soaking, stimulating, etc. It should be
understood that other spa uses, for example a full body spa or a
bath tub can employ the impeller enclosure system.
[0017] Basin 12 includes upright walls 13 and is configured to
retain fluid (e.g., water) for use with various cleaning and/or
massage activities. A foot region 15 is defined between the walls
13 of the basin 12 and the enclosure 20. Basin 12 further includes
a bottom or lower portion 16. Spa 10 also includes an impeller 14
operatively coupled to basin 12, and a motor 17 located external to
basin 12 for rotating the impeller 14. An impeller coupling
assembly secures the impeller 14 to the motor 17 while providing a
water tight seal to prevent water from leaking from the basin 12.
Impeller coupling assembly includes a keyed shaft 23 that is
received within a keyed opening 52 of impeller 14.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, in one exemplary embodiment,
enclosure 20 is configured to substantially enclose impeller 14 and
separate impeller 14 from the interior of basin 12. Enclosure 20
includes a lock plate 22 and a cylindrical impeller housing 24. As
explained further below, fluid is pulled into enclosure 20 by the
action of impeller 14 and expelled from enclosure 20 wherein the
massage effect is created.
[0019] Lock plate 22 is a generally flat member that is coupled
between impeller housing 24 and basin 12. Lock plate 22 is an
annular body with a central opening 30, a plurality of apertures 32
and an outer circumference edge 34. Lock plate 22 may also provide
a sealing function and may be formed from any material that is
suitable for substantially sealing the space between impeller
housing 24 and basin 12 (e.g., silicone, polychloroprene rubber,
etc). Central opening 30 receives a shaft from the motor 17.
Apertures 32 may be provided circumferentially in lock plate 22 to
receive a fastening member, for example a screw, used to couple
lock plate 22 to basin 12. Outer circumference edge 34 includes one
or more generally evenly spaced coupling features, shown as tabs 38
(e.g., protrusions, projections, extensions, flaps, etc.). Tabs 38
are configured to engage features in impeller housing 24 to couple
lock plate 22 to impeller housing 24.
[0020] Impeller housing 24 is a generally thin-walled member with
an inner diameter approximately equal the outer diameter of lock
plate 22. Impeller housing 24 has an open end 40 and a closed end
42 opposite open end 40. Open end 40 has a plurality of L-shaped
key slots 44 spaced approximately equal to the spacing of tabs 38
on lock plate 22. Impeller housing 24 is coupled to lock plate 22
by sliding impeller housing 24 over lock plate 22, fitting tabs 38
into the vertical portions of key slots 44. Impeller housing 24 is
then rotated slightly, sliding tabs 38 into the horizontal portions
of key slots 44, substantially trapping tabs 38 in key slots 44 and
compressing lock plate 22 between impeller housing 24 and basin 12.
The closed end 42 of the impeller housing 24 has a plurality of
upper key slots 43 spaced approximately equal to the spacing of
upper tabs 45 on the enclosure 20. The closed end 42 is coupled to
the enclosure 20 by fitting upper tabs 45 into the upper key slots
43 and rotating slightly the closed end 42 substantially trapping
the upper tabs 45 in the upper key slots 43.
[0021] Impeller housing 24 also includes one or more orifices 49
about the periphery of impeller housing 24 proximate open end 40.
Orifices 49 are openings (e.g., apertures, holes, outlets etc.)
that allow fluid to be expelled from the enclosure 20 by impeller
14. Impeller housing 24 also includes one or more arcuate slots 47
evenly spaced about the periphery of impeller housing 24 proximate
closed end 42. Arcuate slots 47 are openings (e.g., apertures,
holes, inlets etc.) that allow fluid to be drawn into enclosure 20
by impeller 14. Impeller housing 24 may be composed of various
materials including plastic, metal, or some combination of plastic
and metal.
[0022] Impeller 14 includes a multitude of blades 50 that extend
outward from a central portion with a keyed opening 52 that engages
keyed shaft 23 of upper impeller shaft. As impeller 14 rotates,
blades 50 directs fluid out of orifices 49. A baffle disk 54 is
coupled to the enclosure 20. Baffle disk 54 is an annular body with
an outer edge and an inner edge where outer edge is higher than
inner edge. The profile of baffle disk 54 between outer edge and
inner edge may be generally linear or may be concave. The inner
edge defines a central opening 60 through which a fluid may flow.
According to one exemplary embodiment, baffle disk 54 is integrally
formed with impeller 14. According to other exemplary embodiments,
baffle disk 54 may be formed separately and mechanically coupled to
the enclosure 20.
[0023] Enclosure 20 defines an upper region 27 and a lower region
29. Enclosure 20 directs fluid flow towards the foot region 15
which in one exemplary embodiment is defined between a wall 13 of
basin 12 and lower region 29 of enclosure 20. Upper region 27 and
lower region 29 of enclosure 20 are separated by baffle disk 54.
The circular opening 60 in the baffle disk 54 provides fluid
communication between upper region 27 and lower region 29 of
enclosure 20 and provides a funneling effect of the fluid from
upper region 27 to lower region 29. This provides enhanced flow
from impeller 14 to orifices 49 in the impeller housing 24.
[0024] According to other exemplary embodiments, the fluid pressure
may be raised or lowered by changing the shape or number of either
orifices 49 or arcuate slots 47.
[0025] Orifices 49 are aligned with depressed regions or channels
62 and 66 (e.g., canals, slots, passages) provided in basin 12. In
an exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 6B), channels 62 and 66 are open
passages having a curved radius at an end portion, such that the
fluid that exits orifices 49 is directed along the channel and then
upward at the terminal end of the channel. According to an
exemplary embodiment, orifices 49 are offset from the centerlines
of the corresponding channels 62 and 66 by an angle of
approximately 6 degrees, as shown in FIG. 2. The offset compensates
for the force applied to the fluid exiting orifices 49 by impeller
14 that causes the stream to be angled slightly, urging the fluid
flow into the channel. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
spa 10 includes two front channels 62 and two rear channels 66. The
front channels 62 are configured to direct fluid flow towards the
ball of the user's feet. The rear channels 66 are configured to
direct fluid flow towards the heels of the user's feet.
[0026] The open channels 62 and 66 provide an easy way to clean the
surfaces of the channels 62 and 66. However, it is also possible
for the fluid to be directed from orifices 49 to closed tubes in
other configurations. Channels 62 and 66 extend below foot region
15 of the basin 12 such that a user places his or her feet in the
foot region 15 above the channels 62 and 66. The fluid is then
directed upwardly under a user feet providing a cleaning and
massaging action.
[0027] A contour bulge 64 is disposed and aligned between the front
channel 62 and the rear channel 66. The contour bulge is configured
to contact and support the arch of a foot of a user of the pedicure
spa 10. For example, a user would place one foot on one side of the
enclosure 20 and one foot on the other side of the enclosure 20.
The arch of each foot would contact the contour bulge 64 thereby
positioning each foot to align with the front channel 62 and the
rear channel 66 as explained above. The contour bulge 64 can be
integrally molded in the lower portion 16 of the basin 12. In an
exemplary embodiment, the contour bulge 64 can be a separate member
and mechanically coupled to the lower portion 16 of the basin 12
with suitable fasteners or suitable adhesives.
[0028] The contour bulge 64 may be provided with a plurality of
protuberances 65 coupled to a surface of the contour bulge 64. The
protuberances 65 may be molded integrally with the contour bulge
64. Another embodiment provides the protuberances mechanically
coupled to the contour bulge 64 with suitable fastener or suitable
adhesives. The protuberance 65 may be of any size, shape and
number. The figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a contour
bulge 64 including six, round protuberances 65.
[0029] Impeller housing 24 includes an outwardly extending finger
70 that houses a magnet 72. Magnet 72 is held within finger 70 by a
retaining plate 74. According to an exemplary embodiment, plate 74
is ultra-sonically welded to the underside of finger 70. Other
methods of welding such as vibration weld, chemical weld, heat
stake weld, or the like, can also be performed. According to other
exemplary embodiments, plate 74 may be otherwise coupled to finger
70. When impeller housing 24 is coupled to lock plate 22, magnet 72
interfaces with a switch (not shown) coupled to the underside of
basin 12 and allows motor 17 to operate and to turn impeller 14. If
impeller housing 24 is removed, magnet 72 is moved away from the
switch, disengaging the switch and preventing motor 17 from
activating. In this way, magnet 72 provides an interlock measure
that allows impeller 14 to turn only if impeller housing 24 is
locked in place.
[0030] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means
the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly
or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in
nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the
two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional
intermediate members being integrally defined as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two components or the two
components and any additional member being attached to one another.
Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be
removable or releasable in nature.
[0031] The present disclosure has been described with reference to
example embodiments, however workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example,
although different example embodiments may have been described as
including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it
is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged
with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in
the described example embodiments or in other alternative
embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is
relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are
foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the
example is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For
example, unless specifically otherwise noted a single particular
element may also encompass a plurality of such particular
elements.
[0032] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the preferred
and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only
a certain number of embodiments have been described in detail in
this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, the pitch of
the blades of impeller 14 may be changed to change the direction of
fluid flow from the bottom to top of the impeller housing. The
pitch of the blades could also be configured to increase the
pressure of the fluid flow if this is desired. Additionally, the
blades of the impeller could be arranged such that the water flowed
into the impeller housing through orifices 49 and exited through
slots 47. It is also contemplated that slots 47 could be located on
the lower region of impeller housing 20 and orifices 49 could be
located on the upper region of impeller housing 20. Impeller as
used herein covers both an impeller and propeller. Further,
elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple
parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed,
the operation of the assemblies may be reversed or otherwise
varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or
connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the
nature or number of adjustment or attachment positions provided
between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the
elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from
any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength
or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred
and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit
of the present subject matter.
* * * * *