Steam footbath

Abstract

A steam foot bath device that includes a steam output vent, a steam basin, a water reservoir to be heated to produce steam, a boiler for producing steam, and multiple control devices including a remote control as well as a control panel on the body of the device. Alternate embodiments of the present invention include a detachable remote control that serves as a body control panel when selectively affixed to the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/964,364 filed on Oct. 13, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/510,973 filed on Oct. 14, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to footbath devices for therapy or comfort and, more particularly, to steam footbath devices.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known in the art to provide various types of footbaths and foot spa therapy devices. Typical footbaths utilize water that is heated, so that a user's feet may be submerged into the heated water. At least one known device utilizes steam that can be released into a footbath basin that is similar in construction to a water-type footbath. Such a device lacks convenient and versatile controls in order to vary functions among optional modes.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention described herein.

The present invention is directed to a steam footbath device that includes a steam output vent, a steam basin, a water reservoir to be heated to produce steam, a boiler for producing steam, and multiple control devices including a remote control as well as a control panel on the body of the device. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a detachable remote control that serves as a body control panel when selectively affixed to the device body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing an open lid mode.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a removable water tank and steam vent.

FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of the body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a front cross-sectional view of the body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a component of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an electronic control circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an infrared remote control circuit diagram according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an infrared receiver circuit diagram according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention steam foot bath 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The bath 10 comprises a body 12 that has a base 14 and a basin 16 formed therein. A lid 22 that is moveable between a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. A hinge 23 or multiple hinges can be used to enable the lid 22 to be pivoted between positions. When the foot bath 10 is being operated, the lid 22 can be placed in the closed position to act as a splash guard. In an alternate embodiment, the lid 22 can be spring loaded so that the lid is biased toward the closed position.

A steam vent 18 is provided in the basin 16 to emit steam into the basin 16. The steam can be generated by first filling a removable water tank 20 with water and replacing the water tank 20 into the body 12 as shown in FIG. 3. Once placed in the body 12, the water from the tank 20 can travel through valves 28 and conduits 30 to a boiler 32 or heater tank housed in the body 12, as can be seen in FIG. 4A. A heater 34 within the body 12 heats the water and converts it to steam.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a fan 36, powered by a motor 38, creates ventilation so that the steam may flow away from the boiler 32 and toward a steam outlet or vent 18. The fan 36 enables the steam to flow out from the vent 18 gently and evenly. In an alternate embodiment, the steam may flow out through the vent 18 under its own pressure. In a preferred embodiment, a steam cover 40 on top of the vent 18 directs the steam downward into the basin. The steam cover 40 also acts to prevent direct contact with the vent 18. One or more vents 18 may be implemented in the basin 16. The vent 18 may or may not be provided with flow control mechanisms including partially closeable louvers 42 and/or louvers 42 that may be aimed to direct the vapor flow.

A control unit 24 is provided having buttons that are connected to an electronic control circuit. An electronic control circuit is shown in FIG. 8. Various functions are controlled by the unit 24, such as power, steam, vibrations, water jets and heat, for example. The unit 24, in a preferred embodiment, is mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be a body control panel, and is removable as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to be used as a wireless remote control. The remote control can be selectively attached to the body through the use of a magnet 44, as shown in FIG. 5, or by any other applicable means. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the remote control 24 may be tethered by a cord 26 to the body 12. In another embodiment, the remote control 24 can have buttons to operate the footbath 10, in addition to a control panel located on the body 12. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary infrared remote control circuit diagram and FIG. 10 shows an exemplary infrared receiver circuit diagram.

A user fills the tank 20 with water and positions the user's feet into the basin 16. The lid 22 is closed. The removable water tank 20 is filled with water and placed in the body 12. The “steam” mode is activated by pushing the corresponding button on the controller 24. As the water is heated by the boiler 32, steam is emitted. The fan 36 gently directs the steam toward the vent 18 and the steam cover 40 directs the steam into the basin 16.

The bath 10 may include additional components such as a series of massage devices, water jets, and bubble jets as shown in the Figures and being of the type generally known. Thus, for example, the user may fill the basin 16 with water. The water will be heated and circulated by known means such that the device 10 can operate as a liquid foot bath with selectively actuable bubbles and/or water jets, as well as vibrational modes.

Thus, the device 10 may be a dedicated steam foot bath as described above, or it may be a combination steam foot bath and water foot bath. The device 10 may also be used for other functions where heat is applied to objects placed within the basin 16 including, but not limited to, heated stone therapy where heated stones are placed in the basin 16 to be heated and then removed for stone application to a user's body. The control panel 24, which may be removably attached to the body 12, may be adapted for toe control by having large buttons. The lid 22 may be double-hinged for compound folding. An additional alternative includes implementing a programmable timer circuit to time-out the steam function or other functions after a predetermined period of time.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A footbath comprising:

a body having a base;

a basin within said body;

a vent in said basin for emitting steam;

a removable water tank within said body for holding water to be heated into steam;

a boiler within said body for heating said water from said water tank; and

a control unit adapted to enable said boiler to generate steam.

2. A footbath according to claim 1, further comprising

a lid on said body.

3. A footbath according to claim 2, wherein

said lid is adapted to be selectively movable between an opened position and a closed position.

4. A footbath according to claim 3, wherein

said lid is biased toward said closed position.

5. A footbath according to claim 1, wherein

said control unit is detachably mounted on said body.

6. A footbath according to claim 1, wherein

said control unit is a wireless remote control.

7. A footbath according to claim 1, further comprising

a flow control mechanism for directing the flow of said steam.

8. A footbath according to claim 7, wherein

said flow control mechanism is an adjustable louver.

9. A footbath according to claim 1, further comprising

a fan to assist in transferring said steam from said boiler to said vent.

10. A footbath according to claim 1, further comprising

a steam cover adapted to direct said steam downward into said basin.