Hydrotherapy Apparatus & Method

Abstract

A hydrotherapy apparatus used with a pool includes a hydrotherapy jet having an inlet and an outlet through which a pressurized water jet is expelled. A mounting structure immerses the hydrotherapy jet into water in the pool and is adjustable for moving the hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct a water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the pool. A floating recliner supports a user of almost any size in a seated or reclining position while at least partially immersed in the water in the pool. A water circulation system pumps water in the pool into the inlet and out the outlet of the hydrotherapy jet to provide the pressurized water jet.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/713,509, entitled “Modular, Portable, and Adjustable Hydrotherapy Jet Support System and Seating Attachment For The Pool Wall Perimeters of Various Types of Above Ground and In Ground Swimming and Wading Pools,” filed Sep. 2, 2005. This related application is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this application. If any conflict arises between the disclosure of the invention in this utility application and that in the related provisional application, the disclosure in this utility application shall govern. Moreover, the inventor incorporates herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this application.

DEFINITIONS

The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

The word “pool” includes any above or below ground water retaining structure that enables a person to immerse all or a substantially portion of his or her body therein, including indoor or outdoor swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, whether heated or unheated.

The word “hydrotherapy” has its usual and customary meaning and includes the therapeutic use of water, including massaging an area of a person's body as an external medical treatment of certain diseases or pain.

The word “recliner” is any structure for supporting a person in a substantially seated posture or in a substantially reclining posture.

The word “rectangular” includes square.

The word “jet” includes any liquid stream and may or may not incorporate in the stream a gas, small solid particles, or mixture thereof. The word also includes any spout, orifice, nozzle, or the like structure for emitting a jet.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In recent years there has been an increasing use of hydrotherapy jets in pools, spas, tubs, and similar water containing structures. Hydrotherapy jets of various configurations are well known in the art and are readily commercially available. Such hydrotherapy jets typically are mounted behind an opening in a peripheral wall of a pool or spa and discharge a water stream or a stream of water and air through an orifice that typically directs the flow of the stream below the surface of the water. Some hydrotherapy jets include a manually adjustable directional element that enables a user to select the direction of stream. The hydrotherapy jet itself, however, remains stationary. The user must then move his body relative to the stream to massage an area of the body inaccessible by merely manipulating the directional element. In other words, to massage these inaccessible areas of the body, the user has to shift their body position such that the output jet stream is directed towards the desired area.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention has one or more features as discussed subsequently herein. After reading the following section entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits. The benefits of this invention include, but are not limited to providing apparatus that: (1) enables a user to massage a greater selection of body areas with a water jet while in a pool while in a seated or reclining posture, (2) is mounted either in an above or in-ground pool, (3) has a floating, adjustable recliner with an adjustable position hydrotherapy jet, (4) is detachably mountable directly to a wall of a pool, and (5) is at the side of a pool to serve as a rest area with massage for swimmers and waders.

Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, some, but not necessarily all, of its features are:

One, the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention includes a hydrotherapy jet that expels a water jet and a mounting structure that enables the hydrotherapy jet to be immersed in water, for example, an above-ground or a below-ground pool. The mounting structure may be adjustable to move the entire hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the water. One, or a plurality of, hydrotherapy jets may be used in this invention. Air may be mixed with the water jet.

Two, the mounting structure may be attached to a wall segment forming a portion of a pool or attached to a floating recliner in which a person undergoing hydrotherapy sits while the recliner floats in a pool. In either case, the mounting structure may include a plurality of rigid rod members connected together by rotatable and lockable devices that are manually loosened and tightened to select a position of the hydrotherapy jet. The recliner may be moored adjacent a side of a pool. For example, the recliner may have a bracket that in a first position is adapted to moor the floating recliner while floating in an above-ground pool and in a second and inverted position is adapted to moor the floating recliner while floating in a below-ground pool.

Three, the pool may include a water circulation system that is attached to the hydrotherapy jet to pump water from the pool into an inlet and out an outlet of the hydrotherapy jet to provide the water jet. The floating recliner may include a flexible portion to which the hydrotherapy jet is adjustably attached to move up and down relative to a person sitting in the rediner. The floating recliner may also include a rigid frame that may include an adjustable portion to change dimensions of the frame or the frame may not be adjustable, for example, it may be rectangular and have a fixed length and width. The recliner may include an adjustable seat for the person that may be attached to the frame. The seat may include a bottom support and a back support including the hydrotherapy jet, and the bottom support and a back support may be moveable relative to each other so the hydrotherapy jet may be adjusted to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person sitting in the recliner. The seat may be attached to the frame by at least a pair of adjustable straps that carry and pass through the back support and rear portion of the bottom support and extend between the straight member and the bottom support.

Four, in an embodiment employing a rigid frame, for example a rectangular frame, such frame may comprise a substantially U-shaped, substantially solid member and a substantially straight member connected to the U-shaped member. The straight member extends between a pair of substantially parallel legs of the U-shaped member. The back support may be positioned between the legs and disconnected from the legs. Each leg terminates in an open end and these open ends are opposed to each other, and the legs may pass through a rear portion of the bottom support. The straight member extends between the opposed open ends, and it has at one end a stop element engaging one of the open ends and another end to which a retainer member is attached to the other end to secure the straight member in position between the parallel legs, thereby forming the rectangular frame.

Five, the bottom support and the back support may each include a buckle member attached thereto through which pass one of the adjustable straps.

These features are not listed in any rank order nor is this list intended to be exhaustive.

This invention also includes a method of using a hydrotherapy jet from which a pressurized water jet is expelled. The method includes the steps of:

(a) mounting the hydrotherapy jet to enable the hydrotherapy jet to be immersed in the water in the pool and manually manipulated to move the entire the hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the water in the pool, and

(b) placing the hydrotherapy jet in communication with a water circulation system for the water in the pool to pump water through the hydrotherapy jet to provide said water jet, and

(c) while in the pool said person moving the hydrotherapy jet to said different positions.

The hydrotherapy jet may be mounted to a floating recliner or to a wall of a pool.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious hydrotherapy apparatus and method of this invention as shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that the following drawings are not necessarily to scale. These drawings include the following figures FIGS. 1 through 23, with like numerals indicating like parts:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting structure and hydrotherapy jet used in the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an assembled cross sectional view of the hydrotherapy jet in taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 6B is an exploded plan view of the mounting structure shown in FIG. 6A showing its components disconnected from each other.

FIG. 6C is a side view of the mounting structure depicted in FIG. 6B mooring the hydrotherapy apparatus depicted in FIG. 6A to an above ground pool.

FIG. 6D is a side view of the mounting structure depicted in FIG. 6B mooring the hydrotherapy apparatus depicted in FIG. 6A to an in-ground pool.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention detachably mounted to the sidewall of a pool.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a plate attached to the vertical wall of the pool depicted in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing a floating recliner having rigid side supports.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is side view of another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention similar to that depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is side view of yet another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention similar to that depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 13 is a side view of another alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention having a floating recliner including a floating top portion and a bottom portion comprising a porous, flexible material.

FIG. 14 is a side view of still another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention having a floating recliner including a floating top portion and a molded bottom seat.

FIG. 15 is a perspective frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention also employing a floating recliner.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention depicted in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective frontal view of another alternate hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing another type of floating recliner.

FIG. 18 is a perspective frontal view of still another hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing a floating recliner is similar to that depicted in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the hydrotherapy apparatus shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20A is a perspective frontal view of yet another hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing still another type of floating recliner.

FIG. 20B is a rear view of hydrotherapy apparatus shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C is a schematic side view depicting the manner in which flexible straps are connected to the seat of the hydrotherapy apparatus shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20D is a fragmentary perspective view of a top corner of a frame of a floating recliner.

FIG. 21A is a rear view of yet another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention where buckles for straps are molded into the back support and bottom support of the recliner.

FIG. 21B is a fragmentary perspective taken along the line 21B of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21C is a fragmentary perspective taken along the line 21C of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22 is a top schematic view of a pool illustrating a hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing a pair of floating recliners and a water circulating system.

FIG. 23 is a top schematic view of a pool illustrating a hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention employing a plurality of floating recliners and an alternate water circulating system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

General

The hydrotherapy apparatus and method of this invention is adapted for use within pools, and it includes a conventional hydrotherapy jet 12. For example, a suitable hydrotherapy jet is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,444. The hydrotherapy jet 12 is attached to a mounting structure that immerses the hydrotherapy jet into the water in the pool. The mounting structure is manually adjustable to move the hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct a pressurized water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the pool. Water in the pool is circulated through the hydrotherapy jet continually or intermittently. The many modes of attachments illustrate herein depicted the general principle of this invention, one of which mounts the hydrotherapy jet 12 to a floating structure and another of which mounts the hydrotherapy jet 12 directly to a wall of a pool. The various embodiments illustrate different means of attaching the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention to a floating structure or a wall of a pool. As shown by the following embodiments, there are many adaptations for securing the hydrotherapy apparatus within either above or in-ground pools. The apparatus as described herein permits the user to adjust manually the water jet stream in selected directions and the user does not need to move his/her body relative to the stream to massage an area of the body. To massage other areas of the body, the user can further adjust the hydrotherapy jets such that the output jet stream is directed towards the desired body area. The apparatus as described and illustrated enables a user to treat selected body areas immersed in the water in a pool. The apparatus may be moored to a side of the pool or support the user while he or she floats in a seated or reclining position, or and the user selects the positioning of hydrotherapy jet by moving the entire jet relative to the user's body. More than one hydrotherapy jet may be in the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention, and a plurality of apparatus can be utilized to treat more than one individual user simultaneously.

FIGS. 1 Through 5

FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate one embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10 includes the hydrotherapy jet 12, a planar, a U-shaped mounting structure 14, a floating recliner 16, and an adjustable rod assembly 18 attaching the recliner 16 to the U-shaped mounting structure 14. The floating recliner 16 has a seat 11, a floatable headrest 42, and floatable armrests 44 that allow the user to float and sit comfortably, resting his/her head and either or both arms while utilizing the hydrotherapy apparatus 10. The U-shaped mounting structure 14 is positioned under a bumper 46 and fastened thereto on the underside of the bumper by hook and fabric connectors 31 such as sold under the trademark Velcro. Alternatively, the bumper may be sewn, heat bonded, or molded as a unitary, one-piece structure to the headrest 42. A rope or the like 32 attached to a topside of the bumper 46 moors the hydrotherapy apparatus 10 to an umbrella pole 7 at the side of an in-ground swimming pool to maintain the floating recliner 16 in substantially the same location in the pool. The bumper 46 has a passageway 23 (FIG. 3) through which pass a water line 22 and an airline 22a. These lines 22 and 22a also pass between the legs 14a and 14b of the U-shaped mounting structure 14 and are connected to the hydrotherapy jet 12.

While a user is sitting in the floating recliner 16 as shown in FIG. 1, a high velocity stream or jet of water and air from the hydrotherapy jet 12 impinges against the user's back at a location selected by manually positioning the adjustable rod assembly 18. Air is drawn into a water stream flowing through the hydrotherapy jet 12 to provide the jet of water and air. The water line 22 extends from a pump 20 and is attached to an inlet 12a (FIG. 5) of the hydrotherapy jet 12. The separate airline 22a is attached to an inlet 12b (FIG. 5) of the hydrotherapy jet 12. The pump 20 pumps water from the pool or other water containing structure through the water line 22 in communication with the water hydrotherapy jet 12. Concurrently, air is sucked by a venturi through the airline 22a into the water stream exiting hydrotherapy jet 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hydrotherapy apparatus 10 includes a holder 9 for the hydrotherapy jet 12 having an open front and an open back. A pair of aligned arms 4 project outwardly from dosed, opposite sides of the holder 9. These arms 4 are positioned to grasp or slide along a pair of parallel straps 9a extending from the headrest 42 to the seat 11 of the recliner 16. These arms 4 and the adjustable rod assembly 18 allow the user to move the hydrotherapy jet holder 9 upward and downward along the straps 9a. Side arm straps 6 of the recliner 16 may be adjusted by multiple buckles 8 on the straps to vary the length of the straps such that the user can rest his/her arms comfortably while utilizing the hydrotherapy apparatus 10. The hydrotherapy jet 12 is adjusted or manipulated into position through adjustments to rotatable and lockable cams 24, 26, 28 of the rod assembly 18.

FIG. 4 shows in greater detail the way the hydrotherapy jet 12, its holder 9, and the rod assembly 18 are attached to the U-shaped mounting structure 14 and the recliner 16. The rod assembly 18 includes rigid rods 18a and 18b connected together by the lockable cams 24, 26 and 28. The relative positions of the rods 18a and 18b are adjusted utilizing the lockable cams 24, 26 and 28, which are unloosened by rotating in one direction and tightened by rotating in the opposite direction. One end of the rod 18a is secured by the lockable cam 28 to the mounting support 14. The position of the rod 18a is adjusted by unloosening the lockable cam 28 by rotating in one direction, positioning the rod 18a, and then rotating lockable cam 28 in the opposite direction to hold the rod 18a in the selected position. The end of the rod 18b is connected by the lockable cam 24 to the hydrotherapy jet holder 9, and the adjacent ends of the rods 18a and 18b are connected together by the lockable cam 26. Loosening the cams 24, 26 and 28 enables the user to manipulate the rods 18a and 18b and hydrotherapy jet holder 9 to provide upward and downward adjustment along the user's body to select the location that the high velocity stream or jet of water will strike the user's back while sitting in the floating recliner 16. Tightening these cams 24, 26 and 28 holds the hydrotherapy jet 12 in the selected position. As shown, the rod assembly 18 is adjusted to provide an offset of a suitable distance from an adjacent pool wall W such that the hydrotherapy apparatus 10 has adequate clearance from the wall.

FIGS. 6A Through 6D

FIGS. 6A through 6D show an alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10a. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10a is designed to be attached to a top edge E1 of the wall W of an above ground pool as shown in FIG. 6C or to a location nearby a sunken or in-ground pool as shown in FIG. 6D.

The hydrotherapy apparatus 10a includes the hydrotherapy jet 12 as discussed above and a mounting structure MS that has four (4) main components: (1) an L-shaped mounting structure 14A including a plate p1 at a right angle to a plate p2 having central opening 5 for the lines 22 and 22a and a recessed ledge 25, (2) a stepped bracket 14B having a normally vertically oriented planar section 27a disposed at a right angle between a normally horizontally oriented planar section 27b and a pair of normally horizontally oriented planar arm members 27c and 27d, (3) a bracket 14C including a cross-plate 13 to which is attached a pair of bent support members 13a and 13b each terminating in free ends 13c1 and 13c2, respectively, and (4) a yoke member 14C including a tubular section 15 disposed between yoke arms 15a and 15b. The components 14A, 14B, and 14C are detachably connected together by any suitable fastener such as bolts (not shown). Specifically, the planar section 27b of the stepped bracket 14B is inserted into the recessed ledge 25 and bolted in position, and the cross-plate 13 of the bracket 14C is bolted to the planar arm members 27c and 27d. Each arm member 27c and 27d has a longitudinal slot 29a and 29b therein aligned with holes H1 and H2 in the plate 13 through which bolts pass for adjustably connecting the bracket 14C to the arm members. Moving the bracket 14C relative to the stepped bracket 14B prior to fastening these brackets together allows the cross-plate 13 to be moved towards or away from the plate P1 of the L-shaped mounting structure 14A to offset the hydrotherapy apparatus 10 and the floating recliner 16 from the pool wall W a suitable distance to provide adequate clearance. The yoke member 14C has its arms 15a and 15b connected respectively to the free ends 13c1 and 13c2 of the bracket 14C by a rotatable locking cam C2, which functions like the cams 24, 26 and 28. This enables the user to adjust the angular relationship between the arms 15a and 15b and the support members 13a and 13b. To moor the hydrotherapy apparatus 10a, the umbrella pole 7 passes through the tubular section 15 of the yoke member 14C and has a pointed tip (not shown) buried in a pot 35 resting on the surface of the ground.

In accordance with one feature of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10a, the bracket 14C may be connected in two alternate arrangements. In one arrangement as shown in FIG. 6C, the plate 13 is attached to undersides S1 of the planar arm members 27c and 27d of the stepped bracket 14B. The locking cam C2 has been locked so the planar arm members 27c and 27d and the support members 13a and 13b of the bracket 14C form an obtuse angle A, and the support members 13a and 13b are below the elevated edge E1 of the pool and point downward towards the ground away from the edge E1 of the pool. This arrangement is used when mooring to an above ground pool.

The other arrangement shown in FIG. 6D is used when mooring to an in-ground pool, and the bracket 14C has been inverted from the position shown in FIG. 6C. The plate 13 is now attached to top sides S2 of the planar arm members 27c and 27d of the stepped bracket 14B, and the locking cam C2 has been locked so the planar arm members 27c and 27d and the support members 13a and 13b of the bracket 14C are substantially aligned. In this inverted position, the support members 13a and 13b are above the edge E1 of the pool and point downward towards the edge E1 of the in-ground pool.

FIGS. 7 and 8

A further embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention is generally designated by the numeral 10b. This hydrotherapy apparatus 10b is fastened directly to the pool wall W as illustrated in FIG. 7 and does not employ a floating recliner. As depicted in FIG. 8, the hydrotherapy apparatus 10b includes the holder 9 containing the hydrotherapy jet 12 with an end of the adjustable rod assembly 18 connected to a mounting mechanism comprising a pair of detachable, interconnected plates 30 and 30a. The plate 30 has a keyhole cutout 36 along one edge and a socket 28a, which is attached directly to this plate 30, for the rotatable lockable cam 28 of the rod assembly 18. The other plate 30a, which is fastened directly to the pool wall W, contains a knob-like projection 34 over which the plate 30 slides vertically when this detachable plate 30 is being connected or disconnected to the plate 30a. This embodiment is meant to illustrate only one type of attachment that could be used for directly anchoring the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention directly to a pool wall without using a floating recliner.

FIGS. 9 Through 14

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict one alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention and FIGS. 11 through 14 each depict other alternate embodiments of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention. Each of these alternate embodiments is respectively generally designated by the numerals 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, and 10g. In all these embodiments the rod assembly 18 is replaced with a flexible member such as, for example, a strap, that carries the hydrotherapy jet 12, which slides along the flexible member.

As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the hydrotherapy apparatus 10c has a floating recliner 16a with rigid, inflexible side bars 66 connected at their outer ends by a lower front crossbar 54. The straps 6 are fastened to and extend from the ends of the side rods 66 and crossbar 54 to the armrests 44. The straps 6 are adjustable using the buckles 8. The hydrotherapy jet 12 is carried by one piece P1 of a two-piece seating platform 56. The piece P1 functions as a back support and the other piece P2 of the seating platform 56 functions as a seat or bottom support. Both pieces P1 and P2 are moveable, being mounted to slide along parallel flexible straps 57a and 57b connected between the headrest 42 and the front crossbar 54. The straps 57a and 57b pass through slits S in the pieces P1 and P2 of the seating platform 56. This arrangement enables hydrotherapy jet 12 to be adjusted up and down along the straps 57a and 57b as shown in FIG. 9 by the arrows indicating directional motion. Optionally, hand straps 48 are positioned on the armrests 44 to facilitate the user getting into and out of the recliner 16.

The hydrotherapy apparatus 10d depicted in FIG. 11 employs side bars 66″ (only one shown) that are adjustable through the use of a rotatable lockable cam 52 like those discussed above. This allows for variations in position of the jet stream from hydrotherapy jet 12 interacting with the body of a user sitting in the recliner 16a.

The hydrotherapy apparatus 10e depicted in FIG. 12 employs more than one hydrotherapy jet, namely, jets 12A and 12B, both slideable independently up and down along the straps 57a and 57b. Side support bars 66″ are telescopically adjustable, each side bar including a main rod 66A secured to a recliner frame (not shown) and a secondary rod 66B movable within the main rod 66A. Conventional adjusting means 108 comprising spring loaded buttons B within the secondary rod 66B interact with a series of holes 1 in the main rod 66A enable the length of the side bars 66″ to be increased or decreased by increments. This incremental increase or decrease allows for variations in the position the hydrotherapy jets 12A, 12B interacting with the body of a user. The upward and downward direction of motion is indicted by the arrows. The multiple hydrotherapy jets 12A and 12B can be moved in the direction of the arrows individually in either direction to provide for multiple jet streams to be focused simultaneously towards more than one desired area of the user's body.

The hydrotherapy apparatus 10f depicted in FIG. 13 has a floating recliner 16b wherein a top portion comprises a float 59 (such as the armrests) and a bottom portion 60 comprises a porous, flexible material such as a piece of mesh or cloth attached to a recliner frame (not shown) in a manner similar to that of a hammock.

The hydrotherapy apparatus 10g depicted in FIG. 14 has a floating recliner 16c with a firmer seat 62 such as one formed by a rigid material as, for example, a molded or formed plastic material held in place by straps 6 which are adjustable via buckles 8.

FIGS. 15 Through 19

FIGS. 15 and 16 depict one alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10h, FIG. 17 depicts other alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10i, and FIGS. 18 and 19 depict still another alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10j. All these different embodiments employ a floating recliner with a rigid frame F having the conventional adjusting means 108 to enable the long dimension of the frame to be increased or decreased by increments. The common features of the frame F in all these embodiments 10h, 10i, and 10j is an arrangement of tubular members TM forming at least a portion of an outline or boarder for a back BB and seat SS of a floating recliner. Fabric material FM extends between and around portions of the tubular members TM to form at least portions of the back BB and seat SS. The flexible material FM may be impervious to water or partially impervious to water. The seat SS may be fabricated from a plastic sheet or injection molded.

The back BB of the frame F of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10h includes a U-shaped upper tubular element 74a having an upper cross member C1 extending between parallel legs L1 and L2. Its seat SS includes a U-shaped lower tubular element 74b having a lower cross member C2 extending between bent, parallel legs L1′ and L2′. The ends of the legs L1 and L2 are received telescopically in open ends of the legs L1′ and L2′, enabling the overall height of the back BB to be increased or decreased and allowing adjustment of the headrest 42. The arrows indicate the direction of motion along the tubular elements 74a and 74b. The fabric material FM is stretched across a lower portion of the legs L1′ and L2′ to provide the seat SS. The back BB includes the straps 57a and 57b carrying the piece P1 holding the hydrotherapy jet 12 as discussed above (The piece P2 is eliminated in the hydrotherapy apparatus 10h). The upper ends of the straps 57a and 57b are connected to the upper cross member C1 and the lower ends of the straps 57a and 57b are connected to an inner edge of the fabric material FM. Flexible fabric straps 80 of a fixed length extend between the outer ends of the floatable armrests 44. This embodiment maintains a fixed distance for the front portion of the floating recliner while allowing for adjustment of the rear portion of the recliner to suit the individual preferences or requirements.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the back BB and seat SS of the frame P of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10i is similar to that of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10h. The main difference between these two embodiments 10i and 10h is the use of a lower frame LF comprising a U-shaped tubular element 94 and a cross member C3. The opposed ends of the cross member C3 are T-shaped tubes T1 and T2 and the legs L1″ and L2″ of the U-shaped tubular element 94 pass respectively through these tubes. The ends of the legs L1 and L2 of the U-shaped tubular element 74a are inserted telescopically into open ends of the legs L1″ and L2″ of the U-shaped tubular element 94. An adjustable strap 82 including a buckle 8 extends between a central portion of the cross member C3 and a central portion of a cross member C4 of the U-shaped tubular element 94. Connecting the U-shaped tubular elements 74a and 94 creates a rectangular frame structure that carries the seat SS. The seat SS may be moved along this rectangular frame structure, and the U-shaped tubular elements 74a and 94 may be moved relative to each other to alter the dimension of the rectangular frame structure. Adjustments in the length of straps 57a and 57b and the strap 82 are made accordingly as the dimension of the rectangular frame structure are altered. The straps 57a and 57b apply a tensioning force to the seat SS in one direction and the strap 82 applies a tensioning force in the opposite direction, to retain the seat SS in a selected position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the hydrotherapy apparatus 10j is substantially the same as the hydrotherapy apparatus 10i, except an enlarged, planar piece 100 carrying a plurality of hydrotherapy jets 12 is mounted to slide along the straps 57a and 57b.

FIGS. 20A Through 20D

FIGS. 20A through 20D depict another alternate embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10k. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10k includes a recliner 102 having a rigid, rectangular frame 103 that is not adjustable to change its dimensions. A seat 104 carried by the frame 103 includes a rigid curved bottom support 104a typically molded from a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene, and a rigid curved back support 104b typically molded from a plastic such as, for example, polypropylene. Typically, the polypropylene has a density slightly greater than water. The bottom support 104a has a curvilinear cross-sectional configuration with substantially aligned, spaced apart substantially rectangular slots 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, and 114e in its rear portion and a pair of substantially aligned, spaced apart rectangular slots 115a and 115b in its front portion. It may include the headrest 42, floatable armrests 44, and bumper (not shown) attached in essentially the same manner as discussed above.

Adjustable straps 157a and 157b connect the top of the frame 103 to the bottom support 104a having portions thereof passing through the back support 104b. The back support 104b is bowed to conform at least partly to the back of a user and includes multiple slots S4 in two rows A1 and B1. The strap 157a passes through the slots S4 in the row A1 and the strap 157b passes through the slots in the row B1. The back support 104b includes one centrally located hydrotherapy jet 12, and like some other embodiments the back support has dimensions that enable it to fit and move within the space between the bottom support 104a and the top and sides of the frame 103.

The frame 103 may be made of PVC welded together tubes, or it may be a substantially solid structure comprising a substantially U-shaped, substantially solid member 103a and a substantially straight, solid member 105a connected to the U-shaped member. A solid structure avoids collecting water within the frame 103, in contrast to tubes, which may collect water therein. The U-shaped member 103a has a pair of substantially parallel legs 105b and 105d, each terminating in an open end E2a and E2b, respectively. The ends E2a and E2b are opposed to each other. The legs 105b and 105d have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration of dimensions that allow them to pass through the slots 114a and 114e, respectively. The lower ends of the legs 105b and 105d are integral with a connector piece 105c having a central recess 113 receiving a lower portion the strap 82. The straight connecting member 105a extends between the open ends E2a and E2b and has a substantially cross-shaped cross-sectional configuration as shown in FIG. 20C to enhance the rigidity of the frame 103.

One end of the connecting member 105a is enlarged to provide a stop element S3 engaging an exterior surface of the leg 105d with an intermediate portion of the connecting member 105a disposed between the open ends E2a and E2b of the legs 105b and 105d. As illustrated in FIG. 20D, the other end of the connecting member 105a has an enlarged cylindrical configuration that abuts the interior surface of the leg 105b and includes a cavity 110 into which a retainer 112 is force fitted upon assembly of the U-shaped member 103a and straight member 103b. The retainer 112 has a pair of flexible and resilient prongs 112a that are depressed as the retainer is pushed into the cavity 110. When the retainer 112 is properly positioned in the cavity 110, the prongs 112a spring outward to engage opposed holes 110a (only one shown) in a wall of the cavity 110 to hold the retainer 112 in position by means of catch elements 111 on the prongs.

Typically, the components of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10k are delivered to a user unassembled, who manually attaches them together. The legs 157a and 167b are pushed respectively through slots 114a and 114e in the rear of the bottom support 104a and then the connecting member 105a is connected as discussed above using the retainer 112 to secure the frame components together. The straps 80 and 82 and straps 157a and 157b are then connected as illustrated and adjusted to raise or lower the bottom support 104a, which is guided by the legs 157a and 167b as it moves, and to position the back support 104b at a selected location relative to the back of the user sitting in the recliner 102.

In this embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 20C, the straps 157a and 157b are wound around the connecting member 105a with one free end of each strap respectively passing through the slots S3 in each row A1 and B1 and through the slots 114c and 114d and then being connected to another free end by the buckles 8. The straps 80 each extending downward from an outer end of the floatable armrests 44 each have a looped portion carrying a stop member 116 that slides along the looped portion when the straps 80 and the straps 157a and 167b are adjusted to raise or lower the bottom support 104a. The stop member 116 engages an underside of the bottom support 104a after adjustment. The strap 82 is centrally attached, having a portion passing through the slot 114c and another portion wrapped around the connector piece 105c, with the buckle 8, permitting the length of the strap 82 to be adjusted to provide tension after the bottom support 104a and back support 104b are positioned as desired. Thus, the bottom support 104a and back support 104b are moveable relative to each other so the hydrotherapy jet 12 is adjustable to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person sitting in the rediner 12.

FIGS. 21A Through 21C

FIGS. 21A through 21C depict still another embodiment of the hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention generally designated by the numeral 10l. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10l is similar to the hydrotherapy apparatus 10k, but employs only two straps 200a and 200b. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10l includes a pair of buckle base components BC1 as portions of the rigid back support 104b that are integral therewith and formed during molding of the back support, and a pair of buckle base components BC2 as portions of the rigid bottom support 104a that are integral therewith and formed during molding of the bottom support. Each of the buckle base components BC1 and BC2 has a lever element 202 hingedly connected thereto to form a buckle. When the lever element 202 is opened by pivoting it outward away from the buckle base component as shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C, a portion of a strap passing between the lever element is free to move up and down. When the lever element 202 is dosed by depressing it, pushing it towards the buckle base component, a portion of a strap between the lever element and the buckle base component is gripped firmly therebetween, preventing the strap from moving up and down.

As depicted in FIG. 21A, each buckle base component BC1 is aligned with the buckle base component BC2 directly beneath it, so the strap 200a engages the buckle base components BC1 and BC2 on the left side of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10l and the strap 200b engages the buckle base components BC1 and BC2 on the right side of the hydrotherapy apparatus 10l. The opposed ends of the straps 200a and 200b are connected respectively to the top and bottom of the solid frame 103, being spaced apart and extending substantially parallel to each other. The top end of each strap 200a and 200b is looped around the straight, solid member 105a of the frame 103 and sewn in position. A free end FE of each strap 200a and 200b is first passed through an upper slot S4 in the back support 104b, then between the lever element 202 and the buckle base components BC1 in the buckle in the back support, then through the lower slot S4. The free ends FE of each strap are then passed through one of the rectangular slot 114d or 114b, as the case may be, and then between the lever element 202 and the buckle base components BC2 in the buckle in the bottom support 104a. These free ends FE are each lopped around the lower connector piece 105c of the frame 103 and fastened with a buckle 8 to the body of the straps 200a and 200b, as the case may be.

When the straps 200a and 200b are connected and fastened with the buckles 8 as shown in FIG. 21A, the back support 104b and bottom support 104a may be repositioned by simply opening the levers 202 so the back support and bottom support may be manually moved up or down along the straps. When the repositioning has been achieved, the levers 202 are dosed to lock the back support 104b and bottom support 104a in the new position.

In both the embodiments 10k and 10l of hydrotherapy apparatus of this invention the slots 114a and 114e are longer then the long dimension of the legs 105b and 105d. This allows the bottom support 104a to tilt with respect to the horizontal substantially 25 degrees in both the up and down direction for a total of 50 degrees of movement as indicated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 21A.

FIGS. 22 and 23

FIG. 22 illustrates the use of two 74a and 74b apparatus 10 in a pool P with one arrangement for the supporting equipment of pump 20, namely, an optional filter 20A and optional heater 20B. The hydrotherapy apparatus 10 are drawn side by side for the purpose of illustration only and other arrangements are possible.

FIG. 23 illustrates an arrangement of two or more hydrotherapy apparatus 10 wherein at least one auxiliary pump 68 is incorporated into the support equipment to provide a consistent water jet stream with a valve V allowing control of the water stream.

Water from a return fitting (not shown) in the pool may be used to feed water into the hydrotherapy jet 12.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

Claims

1. A hydrotherapy apparatus comprising:

a hydrotherapy jet having an inlet and an outlet through which a water jet is expelled,

a mounting structure that enables the hydrotherapy jet to be immersed in water, said mounting structure being adjustable to move the entire the hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the water, and

a water circulation system that is attached to the hydrotherapy jet to pump water into the inlet and out the outlet of the hydrotherapy jet to provide said water jet.

2. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of hydrotherapy jets.

3. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water circulation system includes means for mixing air into the water jet.

4. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting structure is attached to a wall segment forming a portion of a pool.

5. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 1 adapted to be moored adjacent a pool.

6. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 1 including a floating recliner in which a person undergoing hydrotherapy sits while the recliner floats in a pool, said mounting structure being attached to the recliner and moveable up and down relative to a person sitting in the recliner.

7. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 6 wherein said floating recliner includes a flexible portion to which the hydrotherapy jet is adjustably attached to move up and down relative to a person sitting in the recliner.

8. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 6 wherein said floating recliner includes a rigid frame.

9. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rigid frame includes adjustable portion to change dimensions of the frame.

10. A hydrotherapy apparatus for use in a pool having a water circulation system, said apparatus comprising

a floating recliner in which a person sits while immersed in water in the pool,

a hydrotherapy jet having an inlet and an outlet through which a pressurized water jet is expelled, said inlet being adapted to be placed in communication with the water circulation system so water in the pool flows into the inlet,

said hydrotherapy jet being attached to the recliner and manually adjustable to move relative to a person sitting in the rediner to direct the water jet against selected parts of the body of the person sitting in the recliner.

11. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 10 wherein said recliner is adapted to be moored to a structure adjacent to a pool.

12. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rediner includes a flexible portion to which the hydrotherapy jet is adjustably attached to move up and down relative to a person sitting in the recliner.

13. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 10 wherein said floating recliner includes a rigid frame.

14. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 10 including a mounting structure having a bracket that in a first position is adapted to moor the floating recliner while floating in a above-ground pool and in a second and inverted position is adapted to moor the floating rediner while floating in a below-ground pool.

15. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 14 wherein the mounting structure includes a plurality of rigid rod members connected together by rotatable and lockable devices that are manually loosened and tightened to select a position of the hydrotherapy jet.

16. A hydrotherapy apparatus comprising

a floating recliner in which a person sits while immersed in water in a pool,

said recliner comprising a substantially rigid frame, a seat for a person attached to the frame including a back support having a hydrotherapy jet providing a water jet,

said back support being mounted to move up and down to direct water jet against a back of a person sitting in the recliner.

17. A hydrotherapy apparatus comprising

a floating recliner in which a person sits while immersed in water in a pool,

said recliner comprising a substantially rigid frame, a seat for a person mounted to the frame comprising a bottom support and a back support including a hydrotherapy jet providing a water jet,

said bottom support and back support being moveable relative to each other so the hydrotherapy jet is adjustable to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person.

18. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 17 wherein the rectangular frame comprises a first substantially U-shaped, substantially solid member with a pair of substantially parallel legs each terminating in an open end with said open ends opposed to each other and a second substantially straight member extending between said open ends, said second straight member having at one end a stop element engaging one of the open ends and another end to which a retainer member is attached to secure the second straight member in position between said parallel legs to form the rectangular frame.

19. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 17 where the legs pass through a rear portion of the bottom support and the back support is positioned between the legs and disconnected from the legs and includes at least a pair of adjustable straps that carry and pass through the back support and rear portion of the bottom support and extend between the second straight member and the bottom support.

20. The hydrotherapy apparatus of claim 19 where the bottom support and the back support each include a buckle member attached thereto through which pass one of the adjustable straps.

21. A hydrotherapy apparatus which comprises:

a hydrotherapy jet through which a water jet is expelled;

a mounting structure that enables the hydrotherapy jet to be immersed in water and mounting structure being adjustable;

a water circulation system that is attached to the hydrotherapy jet to pump water into and out of the hydrotherapy jet;

means for attaching the mounting structure in a plurality of in-ground and above ground pools; and

means for adjusting the position of the mounting structure to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person.

22. A hydrotherapy apparatus for use in a pool having a water circulation system, said apparatus comprising:

a floating recliner in which a person sits while immersed in water in the pool;

a hydrotherapy jet having an inlet and an outlet through which a pressurized water jet is expelled, said inlet being adapted to be placed in communication with the water circulation system so water in the pool flows into the inlet;

said hydrotherapy jet being attached to the recliner and manually adjustable to move relative to a person sitting in the recliner;

means for adjusting the hydrotherapy jet to direct the water jet against selected parts of the body of the person sitting in the recliner;

means for sliding the hydrotherapy jet in a horizontal direction relative to the recliner back frame to adjust the water jet direction and

means for adjusting the hydrotherapy jet and the recliner simultaneously to direct the hydrotherapy jet water direction against selected areas of the body of the person sitting in the recliner.

23. A method of using a hydrotherapy jet from which a pressurized water jet is expelled, including the steps of:

(a) mounting the hydrotherapy jet to enable the hydrotherapy jet to be immersed in the water in the pool and manually manipulated to move the entire the hydrotherapy jet into different positions to direct the water jet against different parts of the body of a person in the water in the pool, and

(b) placing the hydrotherapy jet in communication with a water circulation system for the water in the pool to pump water through the hydrotherapy jet to provide said water jet, and

(c) while in the pool said person moving the hydrotherapy jet to said different positions.

24. The method of claim 23 where the hydrotherapy jet is mounted to a floating recliner.

25. The method of claim 23 where the hydrotherapy jet is mounted to a wall of the pool.