Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Wash receptacles – With human body support
Patent
1997-02-12
1998-03-24
Eloshway, Charles R.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Wash receptacles
With human body support
601104, 601 99, 601158, 601166, 607 86, 607 87, A47K 3022
Patent
active
057298416
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a footbath and in particular to a footbath having a massaging function.
Footbaths are known for soothing tired and aching feet. The footbath will comprise means for receiving water, optionally means for heating water, and optionally means for generating bubbles in the water to create a spa or JACUZZI-like effect. Also known are such footbaths provided with some form of massaging function. To date however the massaging functions provided by such prior footbaths have been very limited.
GB 2156218A describes a footbath which is in addition provided with various massaging means. In particular a vibrator is provided in order to have a massaging effect on the calf of a user, while massaging projections act on the soles of the feet. A vibrator is provided so that the massaging projections exert a massaging function. U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,337 discloses a massaging apparatus for the feet which is reversible between a dry condition in which it simply acts as a massager and a wet condition in which it acts as a footbath. A vibrator for effecting the massaging action is referred to, but is not described in any detail. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,580 discloses a footbath where the foot supports within the footbath are reciprocated to achieve a massaging effect. U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,735 describes a footbath where foot supports are provided with protuberances, and in combination with a vibrating motor assembly and a vibrating plate these protuberances will carry out a massaging action.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,602 discloses a footbath having a housing containing a water storage tank, and an inclined floor on which are two feet receiving areas. On the floor is a reciprocating plate which supports a plurality of spaced upstanding foot supporting nipples of soft rubber material. The reciprocating plate is slidably received in a slot in the floor. The nipples extend through slots in a cover plate over the reciprocating plate. A motor reciprocates the reciprocating plate.
According to the present invention there is provided a footbath comprising, a bath unit for receiving a user's feet and having a base having first and second foot receiving areas on which in use rest the feet of a user, said base being provided at said feet receiving areas with a plurality of moveable massaging elements, the base being provided with overlying first and second members, the lowermost of said first and second members being provided with said massaging elements and the uppermost of said first and second members being provided with apertures corresponding to but larger than said massaging elements and through which said massaging elements protrude, and means or reciprocating the lowermost of said first and second members whereby said massage elements are caused to reciprocate within said apertures, characterised in that said massaging elements comprising massaging wheels mounted on said lowermost member for rotation, the axis of rotation of said wheels being substantially parallel to said lowermost member and normal to the direction of reciprocating movement.
Preferably the footbath includes heating means for heating the water therein. The footbath may include means for circulating the water and/or to aerate the water and/or to generate a whirlpool effect.
Preferably the drive means comprises a cam member that acts upon said lowermost member to cause reciprocal movement thereof. In one embodiment the cam member may comprise an eccentric member received within a recess formed in the underside of said lowermost first member.
In preferred embodiments of the invention the positions of the massaging elements within the feet receiving areas of the base of the footbath may be selected to correspond to predefined positions on the sole of a foot, and in particular to such positions that are considered to have an effect not only on the well-being of the foot but of the person generally.
The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foot
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China Pacific Trade Ltd.
Eloshway Charles R.
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