Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an electric water pump adjacent the exterior wall of a bathtub or the like. The pump is fitted with mounting brackets having hooks and a separate mounting stand is provided to received those hooks and thus secure the pump at a desired location. The stand comprises an integral bottom plate and vertical plate preferably at right angles to one another. The vertical plate has numerous hook hanger slots located virtually from the bottom to the top of the plate and provided in numerous columns and rows to receive the hooks on the pump mounting plates. On the illustrated embodiment of the vertical plate there are 90 such hook hanger slots distributed in two spaced sections. A first section receives two hooks from one of the pump mounting brackets and a second section receives two hooks from another of the pump mounting brackets.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump for use in whirlpool bath systems has an offset inlet chamber configured to provide a smooth transition from inlet to impeller which is suitable for one-step injection molding using two opposed molding cores that may be removed from the inlet in opposite directions. The chamber has a double "D" profile with opposite flattened side surfaces. The cross-sectional area of the chamber decreases progressively between a larger offset inlet aperture and a smaller, centered entrance to the impeller. This configuration improves pumping efficiency while reducing noise.

Abstract: A suction assembly employs an air induction tube to induct air into the recirculating water pump to cause the pump to cease pumping operation when the front face of the assembly is blocked. The induction tube is connected to a bleed path formed between the induction tube and a surrounding coaxial face tube extended into the assembly from the front face. When the face is blocked by hair or the like, water in the induction tube bleeds into the main chamber of the assembly and empties the induction tube. Air is then pulled into the pump, causing the pump to lose prime thereby reducing pump pressure to zero and allowing the hair or other blocking material to be removed. In a preferred embodiment, the induction tube is connected to the air inlet of at least one venturi-type hydromassage jet assembly. The suction assembly employs a spring-loaded induction stem which bears compressively against the interior face of the suction cover, thereby permitting use of conventional suction covers.

Abstract: A suction assembly employs an air induction tube to induct air into the recirculating water pump to cause the pump to cease pumping operation when the front face of the assembly is blocked. The induction tube is connected to a bleed path formed between the induction tube and a surrounding coaxial face tube extended into the assembly from the front face. When the face is blocked by hair or the like, water in the induction tube bleeds into the main chamber of the assembly and empties the induction tube. Air is then pulled into the pump, causing the pump to lose prime thereby reducing pump pressure to zero and allowing the hair or other blocking material to be removed.

Abstract: A substantially transparent or open window injection molded plastic security container having an integral locking mechanism comprising a plurality of locking fingers designed to interface with a plurality of locking bars. The locking mechanism is generally inaccessible to a customer without a special key, which is preferably retained in a location inaccessible to customers but accessible to employees of a retail establishment, such as in a location behind a counter. The locking mechanism is designed to be inserted onto a stable, fixed key and then rotated relative to the key, whereby the key provides preselected movement of the fingers to release them from the locking bars and open the security package to release the contents thereof.

Abstract: An improved combination suction elbow assembly and light assembly for use in conjunction with whirlpool bath systems, wherein the embodiment of the invention shown herein is uniquely configured to provide a light assembly which may be readily removed from the inside of the bathtub for replacement of the bulb. The light assembly of the present invention is configured behind a removable deflector with a light transmissive angled surface. The deflector's angled surface minimizes the effect of the light assembly on flow through the suction elbow. In addition, the removable deflector provides a water tight seal connection to prevent any water from reaching the light assembly. A simple tool in the form of an elongated cylinder, having a plurality of wrench pin keys is disclosed.

Abstract: An air excitation bath system designed to produce a hydromassage effect in, for example, an ordinary bathtub. The system utilizes an air control serial array of adjustable nozzle assemblies preferably installed on the bottom of the tub to provide the user with means for adjusting the rate and direction of the air flow through the water to massage different parts of the body. The air control system is characterized by at least one and preferably two or more serial arrays of adjustable nozzle assemblies. Each such array is serially interconnected by a plurality of flexible hoses. The respective arrays are interconnected, preferably to a common flexible hose which is in turn connected to an air blower through at least one safety loop and a check valve. Each nozzle assembly is provided with a cap, a body and a foot as well as an additional check valve located between the cap and the body.

Abstract: A unitary apparatus combines the pneumatic switch and air control functions of separate conventional devices thereby eliminating the requirement to put two separate devices in a jetted whirlpool bath or spa. Two embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. In each such embodiment, in addition to the pneumatic pump there is an air control body joined to a threaded body, the latter housing an air outlet and a push tube positioned concentrically within a rotatable face member. The push tube provides a button the depression of which activates the air pump using a pneumatic pulse. The face provides a means for controlling the whirlpool action generated at the output of a plurality of Venturi jets attached to the system. The face is substantially resistant to removal which would expose an easily removable plunger tube, tapered ring and other small members of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing flexible interconnecting pipes primarily in a whirlpool bathtub or spa assembly and comprising an improved venturi fitting having a snap-in bracket for receiving an elongated semi-flexible rod around the outer periphery of the tub wall and a plurality of primary pipe support brackets each also having such a snap-in bracket and a pair of C-shaped retainers for receiving the air and water flexible pipes interconnecting the venturi fittings. The rod support brackets may be provided with an optional interconnecting member for receiving an additional C-shaped secondary bracket providing means for supporting additional flexible pipes such as the suction and drain lines of a whirlpool bathtub assembly.

Abstract: A suction outlet assembly providing a path through which water within a whirlpool bath may be pumped out for recirculation. The assembly comprises three principal components, namely, an elbow structure which includes an integral flange and threaded pipe for protruding through a suitable orifice in the wall of the whirlpool bathtub into the interior of the tub; a locking ring having a matching threaded annular surface for securing the elbow structure against the tub wall by tightening the locking ring from the readily accessible interior side of the tub wall; and a suction cover which is designed to engage the locking ring in a fixed spaced-apart relation to provide a finished asthetically appealing appearance to the assembly while providing safe multiple exit paths to the water flowing therethrough. These three components of the present invention are of unique but simple structure which may be manufactured from molded plastic.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle assembly primarily for controlling the direction of a water-air jet of the type commonly found in whirlpool or therapy baths. The assembly comprises four components, namely, a pair of threaded flanged fittings, an eyeball shaped nozzle having a cylindrical channel therethrough, and a retaining ring for securing the eyeball nozzle in one of the threaded fittings. The two fittings are of cylindrical construction adapted to be concentric to each other. An outer fitting has threads along both the internal and external cylindrical wall thereof. The external thread is adapted to mate the outer fitting with a suitable source outlet pipe. The inner thread of one outer fitting is designed to mate with the corresponding outer thread on the inner fitting which tightens down concentrically therewith.