US20040049842A1 - Remote control bath mat blower unit - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat. The blower unit includes a housing, an air pump, a control assembly, a remote control and a connector secured to the blower unit. The remote control unit controls the operation of the control assembly via a wireless communication protocol. Preferably, the remote control unit is conveniently and securely connected to the blower unit by connector.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• The present invention relates to a blower unit for a bath mat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blower unit for a bath mat that provides an aerated bubbling, therapeutic massage. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also provides a remote control unit that controls the operation of a control assembly of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol. The remote control unit may be connected to the blower unit.[0002]
• 2. Description of the Prior Art[0003]
• Examples of bubbling bath mats demonstrating the state of the art can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,403; 5,080,091; 4,962,759; 4,417,568; 4,409,693; and 3,809,073. In addition, German Patent Nos. 2,854,503 and 4,033,021 also reflect the state of the art.[0004]
• All of the above patents provide bubbling bath mats that introduce air into a body of water through a number of apertures located in an upper and/or side surface of the bath mat. However, the prior art bath mats lack the convenient operation desired by a user. It is not convenient for the user to exit the bathtub in order to operate a control disposed on the blower unit. Remote control of the bath mat blower unit would be advantageous. However, a blower unit having a remote control that controls operation of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol may become misplaced, damaged, or even pose a hazard in the operating environment of a bubbling bat mat.[0005]
• A preferred embodiment of the present invention addresses the above-mentioned deficiencies by providing a bubbling bath mat blower unit having the convenience of a remote control unit that is securely, safely, and conveniently connected to the blower unit, yet the remote control unit can control the functions of the blower unit via a wireless communication protocol.[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat having a remote control unit.[0007]
• It is another object of the present invention to provide such a remote control unit that is securely and conveniently connected to the blower unit by a connector.[0008]
• It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a remote control unit connected to the housing by a retractable connector.[0009]
• These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by the blower unit for a bubbling bath mat. The blower unit of the present invention includes a housing preferably having an air pump, a control assembly, a remote control, and preferably a connector for connecting the remote control to the blower unit. The remote control unit controls the operation of the blower unit's functions via a wireless communication protocol. Preferably, the remote control unit is connected to the blower unit.[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blower unit for a bubbling bath mat of the present invention with a remote control unit connected to the blower unit;[0011]
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary bath mat for use with the blower unit of the present invention;[0012]
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blower unit for a bubbling bath mat with a remote control unit connected to the housing of the blower unit by a connector, in accordance with the present invention;[0013]
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blower unit of FIG. 1, in which the remote control unit is connected to the housing of the blower unit by a retractable connector, in accordance with the present invention;[0014]
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the blower unit of FIG. 4, in which the remote control unit is connected to the blower unit by a retractable connector in accordance with the present invention;[0015]
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blower unit of FIG. 1, in which the remote control unit is connected to the housing of the blower unit by a coiled connector; and[0016]
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the blower unit of FIG. 6;[0017]
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and[0018]
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.[0019]
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a blower unit for a bath mat in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally represented by[0020]reference numeral10.Blower unit10 can be removably connected to thebath mat100 by anair hose140. Heated and pressurized air generated inblower unit10 is directed throughair hose140 intobath mat100. A user rests onbath mat100 within, for example, a bath tub for a relaxing aerated, heated massage. The user can selectively control the aerated and heating sensations generated in the blower unit with aremote control30. Typically,blower unit10 may be placed adjacent to the bath tub on a floor andbath mat100 placed in the bath tub for the user to selectively lie on top of the bath mat.
• With reference to FIG. 2,[0021]bath mat100 includes a receptacle for which heated and/or pressurized air may enter the bath mat fromair hose140.Bath mat100 may be made of a flexible material, a vinyl, or any suitable material having a surface that imparts beneficial aspects upon the user.Bath mat100 may also have a plurality of longitudinally disposed segments includinghead segment105 andbody segments110,115,120 and125 that extend the longitudinal length ofbath mat100. Preferably,segments105,110,115,120 and125 are made of a semi-rigid material.
• [0022]Head segment105 has anair distributor controller130. Preferably,air distributor controller130 has anair inlet orifice135 for receiving and engaginghose140.Head segment105 is connected tosegment110 by two or more air channels. Preferably, the air channels include at least two outer channels145 and at least two inner channels150. Outer channels145 and inner channels150 can extend substantially the entire longitudinal length ofbath mat100 and to flexiblytraverse joints155. Outer channels145 preferably run along opposing outer edges ofbath mat100 in the longitudinal direction. Inner channels150 preferably run along an inner portion ofmat100 in the longitudinal direction.
• Each[0023]segment110,115,120, and125 preferably has one ormore apertures175 randomly distributed throughout a surface of each segment. Preferably,apertures175 are sized differently.Segments110,115,120, and125 can be flexibly hinged together in any suitable manner, but preferably by link hinges156 laterally spaced and diametrically opposed along the outer edge ofbubbling bath mat100 at one ormore joints155. In this manner, heated and pressurized air generated withinblower unit10 is released throughapertures175 to provide the user with a relaxing heat, aerated sensation.
• Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown[0024]blower unit10 withremote control30.Blower unit10 has ahousing15. Inhousing15, there is an air pump, a control assembly, a transmitter, a heater, (all of which are not shown), acradle20, aremote control30, and aconnector45 for connecting the remote control toblower unit10. The air pump, control assembly, transmitter and heater are all conventionally known. The heater may be a thermally conductive plate, a heater wire, a positive thermal coefficient heater or in-line heater disposed inhousing15. The pump may be a centrifugal pump, a gear pump, a piston pump, a vane pump, a rotor or any other device or method suitable for pumping the heated air through theair hose140 to thebath mat100.Housing15 has a number oflegs16 disposed on the exterior thereof for supportingblower unit10 on a support surface in a stable manner, preferably adjacent to the bath tub. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art thathousing15 may be formed as a “U” shaped member or any other suitable shape to house the pump, the heater and the operational components of the blower unit.
• [0025]Housing15 also has anaperture12 for connectingair hose140 tobath mat100. Theblower unit10 is connected tobath mat100 byair hose140 in a suitable airtight manner to direct air into the bath mat.Air hose140 may be made from any suitable thermoplastic material that allows heated and pressurized air to communicate withbath mat100.Air hose140 is suitable to interface withaperture12.Aperture12 preferably has a diameter about the same diameter asair hose140 such thatair hose140 may selectively interface with aperture. In this manner, the user may removably detachair hose140 fromblower unit10 andbath mat100 for storage purposes. Thus, a user resting on top ofbath mat100, in for example, the bath tub may enjoy a relaxing aerated massaging sensation from air circulated from the pump (not shown) inblower unit10 to the user's skin tissues.
• An exemplary aspect of the present invention is that[0026]remote control30 is connected toblower unit10. Thehousing15 has acradle20.Cradle20 is intended for storingremote control unit30 therein.Cradle20 may be a longitudinally shaped notch structure formed in the exterior of the housing or in the interior space ofhousing15.Cradle20 may also have atranslucent plate25 that extends from the top side ofblower unit10 for selectively engagingremote control unit30.Cradle20 may be any suitable shape for receiving and preferably securingremote control unit30 with the cradle.Cradle20 is preferably constructed of a durable thermoplastic material and may have a detent or other retaining device for removably holdingremote control unit30 in the cradle.
• [0027]Housing15 also has areceiver14.Receiver14 receives a wireless communication protocol signal, for example, an infrared, a radio frequency, or other type of signal, either analog or digital, fromremote control unit30.Receiver14 is electrically connected to a control assembly (not shown) disposed inhousing15 for controlling the various functions ofblower unit10 such as the heater, the pump, an infrared therapy device, a vibration device, and a cooling device.
• As can be understood from the drawings,[0028]remote control unit30 is intended to be grasped by the hand and may be waterproof.Remote control unit30 may be oblong with atop side32, abottom side34, and arear side36. In an aspect hereof,top side32 has one ormore buttons38. Button(s)38 may be any configuration that corresponds and permits control of the operational and functional capabilities ofblower unit10 viaremote control unit30. For example, the button(s)38 may include a heater button, an air pump activation/deactivation button, a cooling button, a vibration feature activation/deactivation button, an infrared therapy activation/deactivation button, a timer button, or any combinations thereof.
• In an aspect of the present invention,[0029]remote control unit30 has a transmitter (not shown) disposed in the remote control unit adjacent to atranslucent plate36. Thetranslucent plate36 facilitates transmission of the control signal from the transmitter ofremote control unit30 ofblower unit10. The transmitter may emit an infrared, a radio frequency, or other type of signal, either digital or analog, throughplate36 toreceiver14 disposed withinblower unit10 for receiving the transmitted signal for controlling the various operational functions of the blower unit. Preferably, the signal is an infrared signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal. One skilled in the art should appreciate thatremote control unit30 may be fabricated in a watertight manner such that theremote control unit30 will not be damaged upon exposure to liquid.
• In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,[0030]receiver14 may be located incradle20, such that signals fromremote control unit30 may be received by transmitter (not shown) when remote control unit is seated in the cradle. In this manner, the need for control button(s)38 onblower unit10 is obviated. In another aspect of the present invention,remote control unit30 may include a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive or any combinations thereof for removably connecting theremote control unit30 to theblower unit10.
• As shown on FIGS. 3 through 6[0031]remote control unit30 is connected toblower unit10 by aconnector45. Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, apost40 having an aperture therethrough is connected to an exterior surface ofhousing15.Post40 may be any horizontal or vertical support structure having an aperture for securingremote control unit30 toblower unit10. One end ofconnector45 is connected to post40 and a second end ofconnector45 is connected toremote control unit30. In this manner,remote control unit30 may be conveniently and securely attached toblower unit10 to obviate the user from losing, misplacing or damaging the remote control unit.Connector45 may include a nylon cord, a sheathed wire, a chain, or other, preferably flexible, material.
• As shown on FIGS. 4 and 5,[0032]remote control unit30 may be attached or connected toblower unit10 byretractable connector50.Retractable connector50 may be disposed on an exterior surface ofhousing15, disposed inblower unit10 or on an interior surface ofcradle20. Referring to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown on FIG. 5,retractable connector50 may be disposed in the interior ofblower unit10.Retractable connector50 is preferably wound aroundexemplary spindle55.
• [0033]Spindle55 may have a housing56 connected to an interior surface ofblower unit10.Spindle55 is preferably biased with a spring or coil disposed in housing56 such thatretractable connector50 retracts with a sufficient force to wind and pullremote control unit30 from a remote location to a location substantially adjacent toblower unit10. In this manner, by retractingremote control unit30, the remote control unit avoids being lost, misplaced, and or damaged. Furthermore,remote control unit30 can be quickly and conveniently retrieved and stored usingretractable connector50 after the user is comfortably resting onbath mat100 in, for example a bath tub.
• Referring to FIG. 6,[0034]remote control unit30 may be connected toblower unit10 by an exemplary coiledcord60.Coiled cord60 may be connected aroundpost40.Coiled cord60 may be any slender length member of flexible material used to bindremote control unit30 withpost40 disposed onblower unit10.Coiled cord60 preferably provides tension sufficient to retractremote control unit30 from a remote location to a positionadjacent blower unit10. In yet another preferred embodiment shown on FIG. 7, coiledcord60 may be connected to a lateral flange ofhousing15. In this manner, coiledcord60 preventsremote control unit30 from becoming lost, misplaced, or damaged.
• Referring again to FIG. 1,[0035]bath mat100 is shown connected toblower unit10 byhose140.Bath mat100 preferably releases warm aerating bubbles that at least maintains the water temperature of, for example, a bath tub. The function of aeration, as well as other functions, may be controlled in response to a wireless communication protocol signal transmitted fromremote control unit30 attached or connected byconnector45 toblower unit10. The pressurized air is routed tobath mat100 viaair hose140.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on FIG. 8,[0036]blower unit10 may also include aremote control unit30 that is selectively separable fromblower unit10 and/or not connected toblower unit10. Theremote control30 may be waterproof and wirelessly transmit a control signal to the control assembly disposed inhousing15. Theremote control unit30 may have a disengageable connector, a hook and loop fastener, a tether, a wire, a reel or any other suitable connector. The control signal may include an infrared signal or a radio frequency signal. The signals will control the operational functions ofblower unit10. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,blower unit10 can include an ionic/ozone producing assembly (not shown) for introducing ions into the heated and pressurized air which in turn is routed tobath mat100 viaair hose140.
• In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on FIG. 9,[0037]blower unit10 has aremote control unit31 connected to the blower unit.Remote control unit31 is attached to the control assembly (not shown) in theblower unit10 by an insulated and waterproof electrical wire62. The electrical wire62 is suitable to communicate an analog or a digital signal through the wire to control unit (not shown) of the blower unit. The signals in therectangular control unit31 travel through the wire to control the operational functions ofblower unit10.
• It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular functions and other aspects of[0038]blower unit10 withremote control30 discussed herein are but examples of the present invention.
• It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.[0039]

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:

1. A blower unit for a bath mat comprising:

a housing;

an air pump being disposed in said housing;

a control assembly being disposed in said housing and operatively connected to said air pump;

a remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said control assembly; and

a connector for connecting said blower unit to said remote control unit.

2. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said remote control unit transmits an infrared signal.

3. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said remote control unit transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.

4. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said connector is selected from the group consisting of a retractable connector, a string, coiled cord, a sheathed wire, a magnet, and a hook and loop fastener.

5. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said remote control unit is fixedly attached to said housing.

6. The blower unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a cradle for holding said remote control unit.

7. The blower unit ofclaim 6, wherein said cradle is disposed on a top surface of said housing.

8. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said remote control unit is sealed watertight.

9. The blower unit ofclaim 1, wherein said remote control unit has at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said blower unit, and wherein said functions are selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared therapy, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.

10. The blower unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a hose for attaching said blower unit to a bath mat.

11. A bubbling bath mat comprising:

a blower unit having a housing, an air pump disposed in said housing, a first control assembly disposed in said housing, a remote control unit for wirelessly transmitting a control signal to said first control assembly, said remote control unit being selectively separable from said blower unit;

a bath mat; and

an air hose connected to said bath mat and said air pump, wherein said air hose has a second control assembly for manipulating air flow to said bath mat.

12. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said remote control unit is sealed watertight.

13. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said remote control unit has an infrared transmitter.

14. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said remote control unit transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal.

15. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said remote control unit has at least one button for controlling one or more functions of said blower unit, and wherein said functions are selected from the group consisting of heating a liquid, pumping air, providing infrared therapy, providing ions to said air, vibrating, and providing a timed operation.

16. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said second control assembly for manipulating said air flow to said bath mat is disposed on said bath mat.

17. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said bath mat has an ionic/ozone producing assembly for introducing ions into said air flow.

18. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 11, wherein said remote control unit transmits said control signal to said control assembly by an insulated electrical wire, said insulated electrical wire operatively connected to said control assembly and said remote control unit.

19. The bubbling bath mat ofclaim 18, wherein said insulated electrical wire is sealed watertight.

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