PULSATING WATER JET MASSAGE ASSEMBLY FOR SHOWERS AND HANDSPRAYS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a massaging water jet assembly for use in a showerhead, handspray or comparable water delivery device. More particularly, the present invention is an improved assembly for a pulsating water jet massage assembly having a valve rotor with widely curved blades to achieve a higher rotation speed. This feature is provided in combination with one or more nozzles that are arranged ortohogonally on an adjacent rotor base for repeatable and predictable production of symmetric water jets. In this configuration, a shower handspray or like device delivers water with a desirably intense effect over an optimally large skin surface area, achieving desirable therapeutic effects without the additional consumption of potable water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals have long recognized the therapeutic benefits of massage for treatment of numerous physical and psychological maladies and also for attainment of general wellness. Massage in its numerous forms is a well-accepted means of reducing stress and aiding relaxation, relieving muscle tension and stiffness, enhancing athletic performance, alleviating depression and anxiety, reducing exacerbated respiratory and pulmonary rates, lowering blood pressure, alleviating musculoskeletal pain, increasing blood circulation and lymph flow, improving range of motion, enhancing health and nourishment of the skin and increasing endorphins

(source: American Massage Therapy Association, www.atntamassage.org). As people all over the world engage in increasingly hectic schedules, there is an escalating need for pampering and treatment from readily accessible sources found in the home and workplace .

Sanitary manufacturers increasingly recognize consumers' desire to derive the benefits of massage during daily activities such as bathing and showering. Delivery of water to the skin is inherently pleasant and provides the potential for enhanced pampering, rather than mere cleansing, in the bathroom. Such manufacturers have developed numerous sanitary products, such as showerheads and handsprays, which deliver pulsating massage action and generate various massage effects (i.e., Shiatsu, acupressure, deep tissue, etc . ) .

As is well-known in the industry, pulsating water massage constructions typically employ a water jet assembly having an annular cap member disposed adjacent a stationary nozzle member such that the cap and nozzle members house a rotary valve member therebetween. A typical nozzle member (10) (shown in detail in Figure 1) has a generally annular base 10a within which a plurality of nozzles 12 are defined in tangential relation to a circular aperture 14. Nozzles 12 are shown in a conventional arrangement wherein two or more nozzles are aligned in each of two or more nozzle groups 12a such that each group 12a assumes a predetermined tangential configuration relative to aperture 14. Nozzle member 10 is typically disposed in combination with a rotary valve member 16 comprising a

rotor base 16a having a window 17 defined along at least a portion thereof (see Figure 2) . Rotor base 16a supports a plurality of annularly disposed blades 20 thereon, wherein each such blade is a generally straight member that extends tangentially relative to an annular blade hub 22. When fluid enters the water jet assembly through a single port provided in the cap member (as is known in the art) and impinges on at least one blade 20, rotary valve member 16 freely rotates adjacent nozzle member 10. Such rotation intermittently permits water delivery through one nozzle group 12a when window 17 is positioned thereover so as to deliver discrete water volumes upon a user' s skin. See also, for instance, US Patent No. 4,203,550 to On which discloses a shower head assembly having a rotor blade 7 with straight blades 7A and base portions 7B that intermittently occlude one or more groups of nozzles 4A of a water chamber. A lower casing member 3 is provided with windows 3A and arranged such that windows 3A can be brought into registry with all three groups 4A. Occlusion of at least one group 4A incurs a continuous spray and diminishes any pulsating effect of the spray on a skin surface . Although such conventional water jet assemblies provide some massaging effect, the assembly configurations described hereinabove suffer from a number of inherent drawbacks . A straight blade configuration inhibits rotor speed during operation of the assembly, negatively affecting both the massage effect felt by the user and the noise sensed by the user (thereby attenuating the enjoyment of a

purportedly relaxing experience) . In addition, the employment of a single fluid entry port allows registry of the port with only one nozzle group at a time. This configuration limits the skin surface area to which water is delivered and prevents predictable and repeatable delivery of water through the unoccluded nozzles .

It is therefore desirable to achieve dependable massage effects in a fluid delivery device such as a shower or handspray without installation and/or extensive renovation of existing sanitary installations. It is further desirable to deliver a repeatably intense massage effect without increasing water consumption. Such benefits should be realized in a pulsating water jet assembly construction that is easily manufactured and inexpensively installed in a plurality of bathroom configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a water jet massage assembly that consistently and repeatedly delivers optimal massage effects to a user.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a water jet massage assembly that can be installed with new or existing showers and handsprays .

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to deliver symmetric and homogenous pulsating jets to a skin surface for benefits of a deeper massage.

It is also an advantage of the present invention to provide an enhanced water jet massage assembly that

achieves the aforementioned advantages without sacrificing potable water resources.

In the achievement of these and other advantages, the present invention provides An improved a water jet massage assembly having a housing with a cavity that accommodates a rotary turbine member therein. The housing cavity is defined by a generally circumferential wall having a plurality of threads along an outside surface to accommodate securement of the assembly with a water delivery device. The housing cavity is delineated by a housing wall proximate extent, adjacent a static cap member, and a housing wall distal extent, adjacent a static housing base. A plurality of fluid ports is radially disposed along a circumferential periphery of the proximate extent, and each port has a predetermined entry angle. The housing base has a floor from which a cylindrical shaft depends normally upwardly such that the shaft is concentrically disposed relative to the housing wall and accommodates free rotation of the turbine member in the housing cavity. The housing base further includes a plurality of nozzles arranged in at least two nozzle groups. Each nozzle group comprises a single nozzle or at least two nozzles aligned along a common axis. The nozzle groups are desirably defined along orthogonal axes relative to the shaft to produce a requisite water discharge phase.

The turbine member has a generally cylindrical hub portion from which a plurality of vanes or blades radially extends. Each blade assumes a wide curvature and a back-curved configuration wherein each blade's varying thickness can be viewed along the respective blade profile. In this configuration, maximum torque on

the turbine is realized in a predictable and repeatable manner. The blades are desirably disposed in equidistant succession along the circumferential extent of the hub. The turbine member further includes a pair of symmetric rotor tabs provided at the base of the hub and orthogonally disposed relative thereto. A window is defined between successive tabs so that rotation of the turbine member reveals one or more of the nozzle groups in the housing floor. Rotation of the turbine member moves the symmetric tabs, and thereby the symmetric windows, in alternating registry with the nozzle groups for alternating water delivery therethrough.

Various other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 is a top view of a nozzle member used with a water jet massage assembly of the prior art. Figure 2 is a top view of a rotary turbine member used with a water jet massage assembly of the prior art.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a water jet massage assembly of the present invention. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a water jet massage assembly of the present invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are sectional and exploded sectional views, respectively, of the water jet assembly of the present invention. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a rotary turbine member used in the water jet assembly of the present invention.

Figure 7 (A) is a top view of the rotary turbine member of Figure 7.

Figure 7 (B) is a sectional view of the rotary- turbine member of Figure 7(A) taken along line A-A. Figure 7 (C) is a detailed view of area A of Figure 7(A) .

Figure 8 is a top view of the rotary turbine member of Figure 7 in communication with a housing having a pair of axially disposed nozzle groups therein.

Figure 9 is a top view of the rotary turbine member of Figure 7 in communication with a housing having an alternate nozzle configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to the figures, wherein like elements are identically numbered, a water jet massage assembly 100 of the present invention is shown having a housing 110 with a cavity 112 that accommodates a rotary turbine member 120 therein (see Figures 4 to 6) . Housing cavity 112 is defined by a generally circumferential wall 112a and more particularly by an inside surface 112a' thereof. Along an outside surface 112a' 'of housing wall 112a, one or more threads 300 are circumferentially disposed for securement of assembly 100 with a water delivery device such as a shower, handspray or equivalent thereof . Securement means for assembly 100 is not limited to threads 300 and may include friction fit engagement means, notch and recess engagement means, tongue and groove engagements means, epoxy or any equivalent thereof that is amenable to

practice of the present invention. Such securement means does not form a part of the present invention.

Housing cavity 112 is delineated by a proximate extent 112b of housing wall 112a, adjacent a static cap member 130, and a distal extent 112c, adjacent an annular housing base 114 (also a static element) . Cap member 130 is a generally annular member having an outside planar surface 130a and an inside planar surface 130b together defining a predetermined thickness therebetween. Inside cap surface 130b lays proximate turbine member 120 upon closure of housing cavity 112 by cap member 130. A protrusion 132 may depend normally from inside cap surface 130b for communication with at least one of turbine member 120 and housing 110. Cap member 130 is secured to housing wall 112a via frictional, threaded or snap-tight engagement, or any other securement means that effects detachable fastening of cap 130 to housing wall 112a.

Housing base 114 includes a generally annular flange portion 114a that circumscribes distal extent 112c of housing wall 112a. A housing floor 116 is provided with a circumferential extent defined by inside wall surface 112a' . Floor 116 is a generally planar member having a cylindrical shaft 117 depending normally upwardly therefrom such that shaft 117 is concentrically disposed relative to housing wall 112a and accommodates free rotation of turbine member 120 thereabout. Housing base 114 further includes a plurality of nozzles 118 arranged in at least two nozzle groups 118a, wherein each nozzle group 118a comprises a single nozzle or at least two nozzles aligned along a common axis (see Figure 8) . Nozzle

groups 118a may alternatively be defined along orthogonal axes relative to shaft 117 (see Figure 9) . In each embodiment, water is delivered through nozzles 118 so as to produce a homogeneous, "axial-symmetric" pulsating jet (described further hereinbelow) . It is essential to provide successive nozzles 118 along orthogonal axes in order to achieve a water discharge phase that sufficiently delivers the desired wide- reaching spray without detrimentally impeding water flow.

A plurality of fluid ports 119 is provided along proximate extent 112b of housing wall 112a so as to be radially disposed along a circumferential periphery thereof (as particularly shown in Figure 4) . Each port 119 establishes fluid communication between a fluid source and housing cavity 112 to effect operation of turbine member 120 therewithin. As seen in Figures 4 and 6, each port 119 has a predetermined entry port angle such that port 119 assumes a slight inclination (preferably at or about 17°) for transport of water along a designated flow path and consequential direction of the water flow to operate turbine member 120. Unlike conventional water jet massage assemblies, the radially disposed ports of the present invention inhibit turbulent flow and thereby optimize available energy for delivery to the user. Securement of cap member 130 to housing wall 112a ensures that ports 119 provide the only entry for water to assembly 100. Further sealing is optionally provided by one or more sealing members such as O-ring 135 shown in Figure 6) .

Now referring to Figures 7 and 7(A) to 7(C), turbine member 120 can be described in further detail.

Turbine member 120 is a freely rotating member having a generally cylindrical hub portion 122 with a cylindrical aperture 122a having a diameter D (see Figure 7(B)). Aperture 122a is sufficiently sized to accept insertion of shaft 117 therein and permit free movement of turbine member 120 thereabout. Protrusion 132 from inside cap surface 130b desirably communicates with at least one of aperture 122a and shaft 117 to effect releasable attachment of cap member 130 as part of assembly 100 (although such construction is not essential) . It is understood that turbine member 120 may have a shaft that is in insertable communication in a complementary aperture defined in housing member 110 so as to permit free rotation of the turbine member relative to the housing. It is further understood that rotatable communication between turbine member 120 and housing 110 may be effected by any means amenable to practice of the present invention and is not limited to the insertable shaft configuration shown and described herein.

Hub 122 supports a plurality of vanes or blades 124 thereby, wherein the blades 124 have a uniform height H (see Figure 7(B)) and a uniform angular extent over θ° (see Figure 7(C)). The quantity of blades 124 is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. Each blade 124 assumes a wide curvature such that an inside radius Rl of each blade is sufficient for the blade to assume a back-curved configuration (see Figure 7(C)) . Each vane has varying thickness viewed along the length of the respective blade and defined by the range of radiuses between R2 and R3 as measured from a common central axis (designated at X in

Figure 7(C)). Although the range of thicknesses can be altered among different turbine members, any one turbine member 120 must have consistently defined thickness ' variations along the profile of each blade. In this configuration, maximum torque on the turbine is realized in a predictable and repeatable manner. Although it would be desirable to provide blades that are generally spoon-shaped so as to be tangent with the turbine's external and internal circumferences, such configuration would incur a back flow with a consequential braking action on successive blades. Therefore, each blade is provided with a slight inclination that is at or about the same inclination assumes by port 119 in order to avoid sharp deviations in water flow. Although any number of blades 124 may be employed that is amenable to successful operation of the present invention, blades 124 are desirably disposed in equidistant succession along the circumferential extent of hub 122 to prevent detrimental pressure and fluid velocity differences along the blade profiles.

Turbine member 120 further includes a pair of symmetric rotor tabs 126 provided at the base of hub 122 and orthogonally disposed relative thereto (see Figures 8 and 9) . A window 128 is defined between successive tabs 126 such that rotation of turbine member 120 reveals one or more nozzle groups 118a when turbine member 120 operates in housing cavity 112. Symmetric windows 128 desirably comprise an area equal to that assumed by tabs 126, thereby creating two main symmetric jets that are arranged orthogonally.

In operation, assembly- 100 is threadedly fastened to a shower or handspray via threads 300 disposed along outer surface 112a'' of housing wall 112a. A water source in fluid communication with the shower or handspray delivers water through at least one fluid entry port 119 so as to initiate rotation of turbine member 120. Consequent turbine rotation moves symmetric tabs 126, and thereby symmetric windows 128, in alternating registry with aligned nozzle groups 118a for alternating water delivery therethrough. The wide curvature of blades 124 ensures that turbine member 120 operates at an enhanced velocity while maintaining predictable and symmetric water jet delivery during rotation of turbine member 120 relative to nozzles 118a.

At least one of cap member 130, housing 110 and turbine member 120 may be manufactured from polyoxymethylene (POM) or any other equivalent material that ensures low friction without wear (and consequent durable operation of assembly 100) . The material composition of any element of assembly 100, however, is not limited to this material, and any material (metal, plastic, composite, etc.) may be used that is amenable to use with the present invention. The water jet massage assembly of the present invention incorporates turbine blade shapes having wide curvature in combination with a slight inclination and equidistant radial placement. With this turbine configuration, the present invention realizes effective use of water energy (in terms of flow rate and pressure) to achieve a higher rotation speed. As a result, the pulsating jets have a desirably higher

frequency distributed over a larger surface area, thereby producing a deeper and more enjoyable massage for the user. Such high speed rotation additionally reduces noise inherent in conventional water jet massage assembly constructions. These benefits are achieved without excessive consumption of potable water .

The present invention water jet massage assembly can come pre-installed with a variety of shower and handspray designs to provide a plurality of aesthetic appearances and sizes. The water jet massage assembly of the present invention may also be readily installed in existing commercial or residential bathrooms, locker rooms and the like. The present invention can therefore also coexist alongside conventional fluid delivery devices or completely replace such devices without changing the number of showerheads or the structural integrity of the water delivery system in fluid communication therewith. Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art . The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is therefore offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims .