U.S. patent application number 13/650593 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for spa jet face.
This patent application is currently assigned to LMI ROTO, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is LMI ROTO, LLC. Invention is credited to Gary Harder.
Application Number | 20140101840 13/650593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50474026 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140101840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harder; Gary |
April 17, 2014 |
Spa Jet Face
Abstract
A spa/tub jet is disclosed including a jet base portion and a
face portion and having a channel extending through the jet base
portion and through the face portion at a fluid exit. A plurality
of side-directed fluid orifices is included. Each of the
side-directed fluid orifices is in fluid communications with the
channel. To reduce pain to a user who moves their body too close to
the spa/tub jet, as the user's body impedes a flow of water out of
the fluid exit orifice, water pressure is directed out of the
side-directed fluid orifices.
Inventors: |
Harder; Gary; (Lake Mary,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LMI ROTO, LLC |
LAKE MARY |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LMI ROTO, LLC
LAKE MARY
FL
|
Family ID: |
50474026 |
Appl. No.: |
13/650593 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/6052 20130101;
A61H 2201/0173 20130101; A61H 33/6063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/541.6 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/00 20060101
A47K003/00 |
Claims
1. A jet comprising: a jet base portion; a face portion; an fluid
channel extending through the jet base portion and exiting the face
portion at a exit orifice; and a plurality of side-directed fluid
orifices, each of the side-directed fluid orifices in fluid
communications with the fluid channel.
2. The jet of claim 1, wherein each of the side-directed fluid
orifices interface with the fluid channel at right angles.
3. The jet of claim 1, wherein the channel increases in diameter
towards the face portion.
4. The jet of claim 1, wherein the jet base portion interfaces with
a jet body, the jet body having an input port for connection to a
source of water pressure, the input port in fluid communication
with the orifice.
5. The jet of claim 4, wherein the jet base portion and the jet
body seal within a tubular aperture in a wall of a spa/tub using
one or more o-rings.
6. The jet of claim 1, wherein the side-directed fluid orifices are
formed between a back wall of the jet and a face of the jet.
7. The jet of claim 3, wherein the fluid channel has a plurality of
directing ribs in the area of the fluid channel that increases in
diameter towards the face portion.
8. A method of directing water pressure comprising: providing the
jet of claim 4; connecting the input port to the source of water
pressure; installing the jet into a wall of a spa/tub, connecting
the jet face to the jet body; starting a flow of water into the
input port; when the exit orifice is not impeded, the water flowing
substantially from the exit orifice; and when the exit orifice is
impeded, the water flowing substantially to the side-directed fluid
orifices.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of installing includes:
attaching one or more o-rings around a tubular portion of the jet
body; pushing the jet body through a tubular aperture in a wall of
the spa/tub; connecting the jet base to the jet body, thereby
fluidly connecting the input port to the orifice.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the jet base threads into the
jet body.
11. A jet comprising: a jet body; a jet base portion, the jet base
portion connectable to the jet body; a face portion outwardly
extending from the jet base portion; an fluid channel extending
through the jet base portion and through the face portion at an
exit orifice; and a plurality of side-directed fluid orifices, each
of the side-directed fluid orifices in fluid communications with
the fluid channel.
12. The jet of claim 11, wherein each of the side-directed fluid
orifices interface with the fluid channel at right angles.
13. The jet of claim 11, wherein the fluid channel increases in
diameter towards the face portion.
14. The jet of claim 1, wherein the jet body has an input port for
connection to a source of water pressure, the input port in fluid
communication with the fluid channel when the jet body is engaged
with the jet base portion.
15. The jet of claim 11, wherein the jet base portion and the jet
body seal within a tubular aperture in a wall of a spa/tub using
one or more o-rings.
16. The jet of claim 11, wherein the side-directed fluid orifices
are formed between a wall of the jet base portion and a face of the
jet.
17. The jet of claim 13, wherein the fluid channel has a plurality
of directing ribs in the area of the fluid channel that increases
in diameter towards the face portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to U.S. design patent
application titled Spa Jet Design, attorney docket number 2699.13,
filed evendate herewithin. This application is also related to U.S.
patent application titled Spa Jet Interface, attorney docket number
2699.10, filed evendate herewithin. This application is also
related to U.S. patent application titled Method of Forming Spa Jet
Interface, attorney docket number 2699.11, filed evendate
herewithin.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to the field of water jets and more
particularly to a system for a water jet that requires no
adjusting.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many systems such as spas utilize jets to direct a flow of
water. In general, such jets are often used for therapeutic reasons
by directing the flow of water against a person's body. The water
pressure and/or heat (if the water is heated) are believed to
provide a therapeutic effect to aches and pains in the area at
which the flow of water is directed.
[0004] Jets are often integrated into spas, hot tubs, baths, etc.
In such applications, the person places a part of their body that
is experiencing pain or aching at the outflow of the jet(s),
thereby alleviating some of the pain from the flow and/or heat of
the water flow.
[0005] In existing designs, the jets are typically adjustable to
control both the volume of water flow as well as the direction of
water flow. The direction has been adjustable in various ways
using, for example, an eye-socket arrangement where an outflow tube
of the jet is attached to the eye portion and can be bent into the
direction desired.
[0006] Because most spas, hot tubs, bathtubs, utilize a fixed speed
motor or two-speed motor to drive a water pump, the resulting flow
of water through the pump is not adjustable. Therefore, adjustment
of the flow rate at the jet requires a valve mechanism at the jet,
typically controlled by a knob that is part of the face plate of
the jet. One reason for adjusting the flow rate at the jet is
predicated by the positioning of the user. When there is some
distance between the user and the jet, the user will be comfortable
with a high pressure, but as the distance between the user and the
jet decreases, the same pressure may become painful, especially
when the user gets close enough to the jet to be abutting the
outflow. Therefore, a user who wishes to rest against a jet will
often adjust the jet flow to lower the pressure being emitted from
that jet. One can imagine how difficult it is to properly adjust an
array of jets, as is often provided in many modern spas and
tubs.
[0007] The valve mechanism used in many jets has the actual valve
portion (e.g. an iris valve), an adjustment knob, and linkage
between the actual valve portion and the knob. The adjustment knob
is often the face of the jet, having knurls, indentations, ribs,
etc., to enable gripping while turning to adjust the valve portion.
Any device that is used with/in water is prone to build up and
chemical change due to organic materials, suspended solids (e.g.
sand), and harsh chemicals used to combat some of the organic
materials. These act against any submerged control mechanism,
working their way into the adjustment mechanism of the typical jet,
making the adjustment mechanism difficult to turn or impossible to
turn. Furthermore, because the jet is often held to the spa/tub
wall by a rotating member (e.g. threaded nut), there are many
examples where instead of adjusting the jet valve, the turning
operation often results in turning the entire jet body, resulting
in eventual loosening of the nut and leakage.
[0008] Spas, hot tubs, and bathtubs often have many jets, numbering
from a few to several dozen, making the reliability of the overall
spas, hot tubs, or bathtubs dependent upon the reliability of many
individual jets. When one or two jets fail or become difficult to
use, the quality reputation of the manufacturer often suffers.
[0009] Often, due to biological material build-up and water
treatment chemicals, etc., the eye-socket directional adjustment
often becomes difficult or impossible to change. Furthermore, with
the introduction of arrays of jets, the ability to individually aim
each jet becomes less important and the user can easily find a
position where the jets are properly aimed without changing the
direction of flow of the jets.
[0010] What is needed is a jet system that is comfortable when used
in close proximity yet does not require adjustment.
SUMMARY
[0011] In one embodiment, a jet is disclosed including a jet base
portion and a face portion with an orifice extending through the
jet base portion and through the face portion at an exit. A
plurality of side-directed fluid orifices is included. Each of the
side-directed fluid orifices is in fluid communications with the
orifice.
[0012] In another embodiment, a method of method of directing water
pressure is disclosed including providing the jet as describe above
and connecting the input port of the jet to the source of water
pressure then installing the jet into a wall of a spa/tub and
connecting the jet face to the jet body. When the exit of the jet
is not impeded, the water flows substantially from the exit of the
jet and when the exit of the jet is impeded (or partially impeded),
the water flow is redirected to the side-directed fluid
orifices.
[0013] In another embodiment, a jet for spa/tub is disclosed
including a jet body and a jet base portion. The jet base portion
is connectable to the jet body. The jet base portion has a face
portion that outwardly extends from the jet base portion. An
orifice extends through the jet base portion and through the face
portion at an exit opening. There is a plurality of side-directed
fluid orifices. Each of the side-directed fluid orifices is in
fluid communications with the orifice such that when the exit is
blocked, fluid flows through the side-directed fluid orifices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention can be best understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a jet.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the jet.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the jet showing
water/air flow when unobstructed.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the jet showing
water/air flow when obstructed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following
detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same
elements in all figures.
[0020] Throughout this description, for brevity purposes, the term
"spa jet" will refer to any type of jet for any type of usage,
including, but not limited to, spa jets, tub jets, hot tub jets,
pool jets, etc. Throughout this description, as an example, water
and/or air flow through such jets. The term "water" refers to a
liquid that comprises water (H.sub.2O) and optionally various other
dissolved or suspended chemicals and minerals including, but not
limited to, pool chemicals, salts, biological materials, dissolved
oxygen, suspended sand/dirt particles, etc. The term "air" refers
to a gas of which our atmosphere comprises having amounts of
various gases, suspended particles, water vapor, etc.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a jet face
80 is shown. The jet 80 has a face 82 and an exit orifice 86
through which water from the rear of the jet 80 exits. A plurality
of side-directed exits 89 is visible. As will be discussed, the
side-directed exits 89 provide escapes for water pressure should
the exit orifice 86 become impeded.
[0022] In some embodiments, the fluid channel 84 (see FIG. 2)
increases in diameter towards the face portion 82 and exit orifice
86, although in other embodiments, the fluid channel 84 has a
substantially constant diameter. In some embodiments, though not
required, the exit orifice 86 has a plurality of directing ribs 91
in the area of the fluid channel 84 where the diameter of the fluid
channel 84 increases (towards the exit orifice 86 in the face
portion 82). The jet base portion 85 is partially visible, better
views of which follow.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, a rear perspective view of the jet 80
is shown with a base portion 85 that interfaces to a jet body 60 as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this example, the back wall 87 is
substantially planar to abut a substantially planar spa wall 40
(see FIGS. 3 and 4), though curved or angled, or any surface back
wall 87 is anticipated. The fluid channel 84 is shown centrally
located through an axis of the jet 80, though any location is
anticipated. Water is directed through the fluid channel 84 towards
the exit orifice 86 in the face 82.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, cross sectional views of the jet
80 showing water/air flow when unobstructed (FIG. 3) and when flow
is obstructed (FIG. 4) are shown. Although, in this example, the
spa jet 60/80 is shown interfaced to the spa wall 40 using o-ring
seals 66/68, this is an exemplary method of mounting and any spa
wall interface is anticipated. The interface that is shown has a
double o-ring seal 66/68 and requires little or no pressure from
the spa jet 80 against the spa body 60 to retain this seal because
the o-rings 66/68 seal between o-ring seats and the inner wall 44
of the formed orifice. The spa jet 60/80 has a retainment mechanism
(e.g. a snap, wedge, press-fit, threads, screw, snap, etc.) that
retains the spa jet 80 against/coupled-to the spa body 60. In this
example, the jet base 85 threads into the jet body 60.
[0025] In the exemplary installation of FIG. 1, the spa jet body 60
has a substantially tubular insertion area having at least one
o-ring seat (two are shown). The outer diameter of the tubular
insertion area is close to, but less than the inner diameter of the
inner wall 44 of the formed orifice, allowing free insertion of the
tubular insertion area into the inner wall 44 of the formed orifice
(before addition of o-rings 66/68).
[0026] As with most spa jets, the spa jet 60/80 has a water inlet
70 and air inlet 72, though in some embodiments, only a water inlet
70 or only an air inlet 72 is present.
[0027] The jet 60/80 is installed by seating the o-rings 66/68 into
the at least one o-ring seats, and pushing the tubular insertion
area into the formed orifice. The o-rings 66/68 compress and apply
a sealing force between the o-ring seats and the smooth inner wall
44 of the formed opening. The jet 60/80 is held in place by the
base 85 of the jet 80 being inserted into the tubular insertion
area and locked in place by any retainment mechanism known. As
shown, the base 85 of the jet 80 press fits into the tubular
insertion area of the jet body 60.
[0028] The jet 80 is a self-adjusting jet. The high-pressure water
and/or air flows through the fluid channel 84 in the jet body 85
towards the fluid exit 86 in the face 82 of the jet 80. The fluid
channel 84 optionally increases in diameter towards the fluid exit
86, providing an expansion of the outward flow. The fluid channel
84 is fluidly interfaced at angles (e.g. right angles) to a
plurality of side-directed fluid orifice 89 preferably situated
between the face 82 and the inner wall 87 of the jet 80. Normally,
as fluid flows (e.g. spa water) unimpeded through the fluid channel
84, little fluid escapes through the side-directed fluid orifices
89 and most of the fluid is directed out the fluid exit 86. When
the fluid exit 86 is impeded or partially impeded, the fluid
pressure is redirected and flows through the side-directed fluid
orifices 89, thereby reducing direct pressure against whatever is
blocking the fluid exit 86 and, therefore, eliminating the need to
have a pressure adjustment on each oft the jets 60/80. By this
mechanism, the jets 60/80 are "self-adjusting" to accommodate a
user 90 laying against the jet 60/80. Again, the jets 60/80
function with any other spa-jet interface and seal including, but
not limited to the exemplary o-ring interfaces, washer interfaces,
shoulder washer interfaces, caulked interfaces, combinations of
such, etc.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, there is no restriction of the flow of
water through the fluid exit 86 and, hence, most of the water flow
is directed outwardly (e.g. towards a user). In FIG. 4, the fluid
exit 86 is blocked or at least partially blocked, for example, by a
person 90 resting against the spa jet face 82. If not for the side
exits 89, the water pressure would continue to push through the
fluid exit 86 and provide discomfort to the person 90, possibly
causing bodily harm to the person 90. When the fluid exit 86 is
blocked or impeded, some or all of the fluid/water is directed out
of the plurality of side exits 89 and the pressure from the exit 86
is minimized.
[0030] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set
forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner
in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same
result.
[0031] It is believed that the system and method as described and
many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the
foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent
that various changes may be made in the form, construction and
arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its
material advantages. The form herein before described being merely
exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention
of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
* * * * *