2. Description of the Related Art Devices for massaging one's feet are known in the art. One particular device includes a portable foot bath or basin for holding water and placement of a user's feet. Such foot baths may typically include a vibrating foot support surface for providing a foot massage. Some of the known foot baths also include a pump mounted within the housing of the foot massager so that the water can be moved within the basin, thereby creating a therapeutic current of water within the foot bath. It is also known to pump air into the basin to agitate the water in the basin.

U. S. Patent No. 5,588, 161 to Barradas discloses a foot bath having a heated floor. The floor is heated to directly heat the user's feet through the floor and to indirectly warm the feet by warming the water within the foot bath. However, Barradas does not provide means for soothing a user's feet other than the sensation of warm water.

U. S. Patent No. 5, 729,841 to Chan discloses a foot massager having a heated floor positioned in a basin so that the user's feet may be covered by water. Chan discloses that the floor of the basin may be heated and have a plurality of massaging projections thereon that move to soothe the user's feet. Chan however does not provide any means for soothing the top of the user's feet.

PCT Patent Application WO 97/42926 discloses a foot massage apparatus having a substantially covered upper housing including a rubber curtain covering a portion of the upper housing. The rubber covering has foot insertion holes therein for accepting the feet of a user. The disclosed device has nozzles for spraying pressurized water down onto the top of and up onto the bottom of feet placed through the insertion holes into the foot massage apparatus. An interior floor of the device is tilted to aid in draining water into drain holes in a water inlet tube in communication with a tank that extends substantially the entire length of the foot massager.

U. S. Patent No. 4,807, 602 to Scarborough et al. discloses a foot massager having an inclined floor disposed internal to the housing of the device. The inclined floor includes a drain hole therein for communicating water to a tank that extends substantially the entire length of the foot massager. Like PCT Patent Application WO 97/42926, the housing of this device must be sufficiently sized (i. e., large) to accommodate the transition of the inclined floor disposed in the housing and the substantial water tank thereof.

Operation of the prior art foot massager devices is also characterized by directly vibrating and/or massaging feet, either dry or submerged in a basin of heated or unheated water. In the instance the foot massager provides a wet massage, the feet are submerged in a basin of water and massaged by a vibrating housing and/or moving water.

Thus, a rather large amount of water is required to cover the feet.

Even foot massagers such as those disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,807, 602 and PCT Patent Application WO 97/42926 (discussed above) in which the feet are not submerged, there is still an operational requirement to use a rather large quantity of water. The amount of water with which known foot massage devices are designed to operate makes using, transporting, and storing the devices an inconvenient and cumbersome proposition.

Therefore, there exists a need to provide a foot massager that provides a therapeutic waterfall massage and is efficiently operated and transported using a minimum amount of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot massager producing a massaging waterfall action.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that provides therapeutic tactile, visual and auditory sensations to aid in the overall relaxation and well-being of a user.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that efficiently moves fluid from a floor of the basin of the foot massager and disposes the fluid to a point above the floor, thereby creating the waterfall action for massaging feet.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that may be easily transported, even when containing an operational functional amount of water therein.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that is easily used, stored, and transported.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that is efficiently operated and transported using a minimum amount of water.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a foot massager that may be transported and stored in a vertical upright position.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the foot massager generally includes a housing having a foot supporting floor and walls extending upwardly therefrom to form a basin adapted to hold a fluid.

The fluid is preferably water. A fluid transport device is provided for transporting the fluid from the floor of the basin to a point above the floor of the basin. Preferably, the fluid transport device is disposed within the housing. The fluid transport device is operatively connected to a fluid inlet preferably located in or near the floor or lower portion of the walls of the foot massager. The fluid transport device is also operatively connected to a fluid outlet disposed above and in spaced relation to the floor of the basin. The fluid outlet and the basin floor define a foot receiving space therebetween. Fluid exiting the fluid outlet cascades down through the foot receiving space into the basin in a waterfall action.

A mechanical pump may be used to assist in pumping the fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

The fluid outlet in one aspect has a fluid distributor that assists in creating the waterfall effect of the fluid falling through the foot receiving space. The fluid distributor may include a laterally extending slot or other fluid dispersing mechanisms such as, for example, a manifold. The slot, and more generally the fluid distributor, may be disposed on a cover that extends over a portion of the basin and defines an upper limit of the foot receiving space.

The laterally extending slot or channel may have an upstanding lip on the front edge whereby the fluid fills up a space behind the lip and then overflows over the lip, falling into the basin to form a generally uniform layer (i. e. , shower) of fluid from the fluid outlet.

In one aspect, the present invention includes a vibration actuator for vibrating the basin floor or the entire massager unit. The foot massager may also include a heater such as a heating coil for warming the fluid as

desired by a user. The heater may include an inline heater disposed in the housing of the massager.

Preferably, control of the waterfall massaging action, vibratory action, and heat features of the foot massager, can be controlled to operate independently or in combination.

The present invention may include a center portion in the basin that allows the user to change a removable attachment, preferably positioned thereon. The removable attachment may be used to provide additional massaging actions to the user's feet. The removable attachment may be operable to rotate and may include a pumice stone, a roller, a bristle brush, and other therapeutic massaging attachments. The user can place their feet on the attachment to be relaxed by the soothing sensations imparted to their feet by the attachment.

The basin of the present invention may include pivotally mounted rollers on the floor thereof to further provide soothing sensations to the user's feet. The rollers are preferably freely movable and are not actuated by a motor. Vibrations from the vibrator actuator may also be transmitted through the rollers positioned on the floor of the basin.

In an aspect of the present invention, the foot massager may have a low profile housing that is easily stored and transported. The low profile of the foot massager presents a foot massager having reduced dimensions, thereby providing a foot massager that is easier to store, use, and transport. Thus, the low profile of the housing tends to encourage the use of the foot massager.

In another aspect of the present invention, a leg is attached to the housing of the foot massager for selectively positioning the basin of the foot massager at an incline. The leg may be connected to the housing in a fixed, retractable, or selectively retractable manner. Positioning of the

basin on the incline assists in the circulation of the water disposed in the foot massager, contributes to lowering the requisite amount of water sufficient for operating the foot massager, and presents a comforting interface for supporting the user's feet.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the foot massager includes a tank for containing water operatively circulated by the foot massager. The tank is preferably integrated into the housing of the foot massager. The tank may also contain an operationally functional amount of water therein such that the foot massager tank can be conveniently and reliably transported without the threat of the water spilling from the foot massager. A handle may also be disposed on or in the housing for carrying the foot massager in a natural, easy, and intuitive manner.

Preferably, the handle provides a convenient handhold for transporting the foot massager in an upright vertical position.

The above and other objects, advantages, and benefits of the present invention will be understood by reference to following detailed description and appended sheets of drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a waterfall foot massager of the present invention having a portion of a cover thereof cutaway for clarity purposes; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 further depicting the path of fluid exiting a fluid outlet thereof; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the foot massager of Fig. 1, including gel insert footpad; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a retractable leg for selectively positioning the basin of the device at an incline ; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the foot massager of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is side elevation view of the foot massager of Fig. 5 in an upright vertical position; Fig. 8 is a rear elevation view of the foot massager of Fig. 5 in an upright vertical position; and Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the foot massager of Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the present invention directed to a foot massager 10 adapted to retain a fluid, such as water, and receive a user's feet in the fluid. Foot massager 10 includes a housing 12 having a foot supporting floor 16 and side walls 18 extending upwardly therefrom to define an open basin 14. In one aspect of the present invention, basin 14 is of a sufficient size to receive a person's feet generally placed side by side next to each other therein.

Foot massager 10 may include a vibrating motor 13 to vibrate basin 14 to provide a stimulating vibration to a user's feet. Foot massager 10 is relatively light weight to facilitate easy transport, use, and storage.

In order to more fully provide therapeutic soothing visual, auditory and tactile sensations, foot massager 10 provides a massaging waterfall

action 20 that deposits fluid from above into basin 14. A user's foot placed between the floor 16 of basin 14 and cover 34 is soothingly massaged by waterfall action 20.

In one aspect hereof, waterfall 20 is created by transporting fluid held in basin 14 to a point above a foot receiving space 22 and permitting the water to cascade down into basin 14. The falling water soothingly flows over the top of the user's feet, thereby creating a pleasant massaging sensation. In addition, the gentle sound and visual sensations generated by the cascading water contributes to the overall soothing experience provided by the foot massager of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention not only soothes feet but also aides in the overall therapeutic relaxation of the user.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the present invention has a housing 12 having an outer wall 70 and inner wall 72. Inner wall 72 forms interior side walls 18 of basin 14. In one aspect hereof, floor 16 preferably has a textured surface 74. Textured surface 74 may include a plurality of nodes 76 extending upward from floor 16. Preferably, nodes 76 have a semi- circular cross section to form a stimulating surface for the user's feet.

Nodes 76 may be constructed of a rigid material such as rubber or a hard plastic. One benefit of nodes 76 is that when vibration actuator 13 is activated, the vibrations created thereby may be transmitted through nodes 76 to stimulate and soothe the user's feet.

Floor 16 may include a roller 78 preferably having a textured surface such that the user may soothe their feet by placement thereon. Roller 78 preferably has a textured surface, including a plurality of raised nodes 80.

Roller 78 may be pivotally mounted to floor 16 to freely rotate around its center axis 82. The user can move their feet over roller 78 to receive a massaging sensation. In another aspect, the nodes may be moved by a vibration actuator to provide stimulation.

The present invention may further include a heating element (not shown) for warming the fluid in the basin. The heating element may be used to warm the fluid in the basin to further soothe the user feet by proving a quantity of heat therapy.

The foot massager of the present invention provides various functional features such as waterfall, vibration, and heating sensations.

These functions may be selectively controlled by a control circuit 89.

Control circuit 89 includes a control mechanism 90 connected to a control knob 50. Control knob 50 is preferably disposed in an upper portion of housing 12 for easy access by the user. Control mechanism 90 may be operatively connected to a heating element, eccentrically weighted motor 13, and pump 24. Control mechanism 90 may allow for various combinations of settings, such as but not limited to, all options off/on, vibration only, waterfall only, and waterfall and vibration simultaneously. In one aspect, it is contemplated that the heat feature will be continuously activated when any of the options are activated.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, center portion 52 separates basin 14 into two sections, each for receiving a foot of the user. Center portion 52 is also used to conceal various components of foot massager 10, including a foot care station 53. Foot care station 53 is preferably located in a substantially central location of basin 14 to provide easy access to the user. Foot care station 53 preferably includes an attachment section 58 positioned thereon to further facilitate easy access. Attachment section 58 may include selectively removable attachments 60 that can be interchanged by the user. Attachments 60 may include a brush, a roller, a pumice stone, and other foot therapy attachments. Attachments 60 are preferably held in place by a friction fit. The friction fit should be of sufficient strength to hold attachment 60 in place while the user rubs their feet against the attachment.

One benefit of the attachment section 58 is that attachments 60 may

be easily changed without the need for any special skills or tools.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 2A, the present invention includes a fluid transport device 23 to move the water from basin 14 to an area above foot receiving space 22 in order to create the waterfall effect. Foot receiving space 22 is defined as the space between basin floor 16 and a fluid outlet 47. Preferably, fluid transport device 23 includes is a pump 24. It should be appreciated that pump 24 may be chosen from any one of a number of pumps known in the art.

Preferably, pump 24 is operatively and sealingly connected to a fluid inlet 26 by an inlet passage 28 and to a fluid outlet 47 by an outlet passage 30. Fluid inlet 26 is preferably formed in basin floor 16 or a lower portion of side wall 18 such that it is covered or at least in communication with water during operation of the foot massager. It is also within the scope of the present invention that there may be a plurality of fluid inlets formed in basin 14.

Preferably, both inlet passage 28 and outlet passage 30 are made of a non-corrosive tubing, such as PVC. Outlet passage 30 extends upward to a point above basin floor 16 such that pump 24 transports the fluid from basin 14 to a point above basin 14 and the users feet. The water is dispersed from the elevated area above the foot receiving space 22 into basin 14 onto the upper surface of the user's feet.

In an aspect of the present invention a cover 34 may be located on an upper end of a side wall 18 to partially cover basin 14. Cover 34 permits a user to place their feet within basin 14 by covering only a portion of basin 14. Cover 34 may be pivotally attached to upper wall 18 in order facilitate easier placement of feet into basin 14. Cover 34 can be operative to pivot between a closed/down position as shown and an open/up position (not shown).

Cover 34 may have fluid outlet 47 positioned thereon for dispersing the water into basin 14. Thus, in a preferred embodiment fluid outlet 47 and floor 16 define foot receiving space 22 therebetween such that a user's feet inserted in foot receiving space 22 can be massaged by water falling from water outlet 47. In the instance cover 34 pivots, cover 34 may be adjusted to assist in controlling the directional flow of waterfall 20 It is contemplated that inlet passage 28 and outlet passage 30 may be integrally molded into housing 12 of the foot massager. The molding of the fluid passages into the housing of foot massager 10 eliminates the need for discrete (PVC type) tubing and further facilitates production efficiencies of the foot massager. For example, another advantage of having the fluid passages molded into the housing includes producing fewer parts for the manufacture and assembly of the foot massager.

It should be appreciated that the routing of fluid from fluid inlet 26 to fluid outlet may vary. An important aspect of the present invention is that the fluid transported from basin 14 is deposited into the basin 14 from a point above and in spaced relation to basin 14.

Prior to the water falling into basin 14, outlet passage 30 terminates to allow the water to exit at fluid outlet 47. In one aspect hereof, fluid outlet 47 includes a fluid distributor 51 (Fig. 1) that permits the fluid to fan out (i. e. , disperse) so that it generally falls in a longitudinal sheet, similar to a naturally occurring waterfall.

In an aspect of the present invention, fluid distributor 51 may have a split passage that creates a separate waterfall action for each side of basin 14. Referring to Fig. 1, the present invention may have fluid outlet 47 terminating at a junction 49 that directs the fluid to fluid distributor 51.

There may be one fluid distributor 51 positioned over each side of basin 14, thereby creating a dual waterfall 20 effect.

Fluid distributor 51 may include a waterfall shelf 36 contained in or on cover 34. As shown in Fig. 3, waterfall shelf 36 includes a trough 40 extending along the length of waterfall shelf 36. Preferably, shelf 36 is inclined to facilitate the cascading of fluid from trough 40. Trough 40 has a bottom portion 42 with upward rising wall 44 that defines an open space 46 of trough 40.

Outlet passage 30 may have an outlet or exit passage opening 48 is positioned above trough 40 in open space 46 such that exit opening 48 will tend to fill trough 40 with fluid. Opening 48 may be positioned adjacent to trough 40 in an alternative embodiment. Trough 40 has a front lip 46 positioned under the front edge of waterfall shelf 36. Front lip 46 is formed by one of the upward rising walls 44. When fluid coming out of opening 48 fills trough 40 such that the fluid level in the trough 40 is sufficient to overflow, the fluid flows over front lip 46 into basin 14.

Cover 34 is preferably constructed so that it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye while at the same time concealing trough 40 and outlet passage opening 48.

Referring to Fig. 2A the present invention shows the path of the fluid exiting fluid distributors 51.

In another aspect of the invention, the fluid distributor 51 may include at least one laterally extending slot integrally formed in cover 34 (not shown). Either one slot extending substantially the entire width of cover 34 or a pair of slots positioned on each side of cover 34 and extending from the center thereof to form an individual waterfall for each side of basin 14 may be employed. Preferably, the outlet connected to fluid distributor 51 allows the fluid or water to fill the slots with water so that the water is then dispersed to form a wide laterally extending fluid output. The water, upon spreading laterally, then flows over the upwardly extending walls of the slots formed in the cover 34 and over front lip 46 of cover 34.

Foot massager 10 of preferably includes a vibration actuator 13 for providing vibratory massage therapy to the user. The vibration actuator 13 may include an eccentric weighted motor 13 disposed within the housing 12. It is preferable that vibration actuator 13 be positioned such that it evenly distributes a vibrating sensation to the bottoms and sides of the user's feet. Preferably, the entire housing of the massager will vibrate such that any part of the user's feet contacting basin 14 can receive the sensation of a soothing vibrating massage.

The various types of eccentrically weighted motors suitable for use in the present invention should be appreciated by those skilled in the art and are thus not discussed in further detail herein. In addition, it is within the scope of the present invention that other vibratory mechanisms may be employed to provide the desired massage.

Referring to Fig. 4, a cushioning footpad insert 100 may be placed in basin 14 to further assist in soothing a user's feet. In one aspect, cushioning insert 100 is a gel pad or other cushioning material. One such material that can be used is Shell Krayton TPE, shore"A"scale, number 13 through 15. Preferably, cushioning insert 100 is contoured to matingly fit on basin floor 16 to provide a comforting cushioned area for placement of the user feet.

Cushioning footpad insert 100 may be heated or cooled prior to using by heating in a microwave or cooling in a refrigerator, respectively.

Cushioning footpad insert 100 can be used to facilitate the even dispersion of vibrations generated by vibration actuator 13.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is depicted another exemplary embodiment of a foot massager in accordance with the teachings herein. While the embodiment of Fig. 5 may include many of the aspects of the present invention thus far discussed in relation to the embodiment of Fig. 1, certain

aspects will be discussed in reference to Fig. 5 in greater detail below. It should be understood however that the particular aspects of the present invention discussed in conjunction with Fig. 5 may also be incorporated in the embodiment of Fig. 1 (and other embodiments), and vice versa. Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the foot massager of Fig. 5 and may be referenced throughout the discussion thereof.

Referring to Figs. 5,6, and 9, foot massager 200 includes a housing 202 having an upper housing 205 and a lower housing 210. Foot massager 200 has an interior floor 214 and walls 216 extending upward from floor 214 to define a basin 212. Preferably, floor 214 and upwardly extending walls 216 are integrally molded in the lower housing 210. A center portion 230 of housing 202 serves to generally separate basin 212 into two sections, one for each foot of the user. Center portion 230 also functions to conceal certain electro-mechanical parts of the foot massager, such as a heater and a pump In one aspect of the present invention, foot massager 200 includes a retractable leg 215 attached to housing 202. Retractable leg 215 is provided for selectively positioning the foot massager 200 at an incline relative to the surface (e. g. , the thefloor) supporting the foot massager as shown in Fig. 5. Retractable leg 215 may be turned about its pivot and folded into a receiving area in the foot massage. Retractable leg 215 may also be implemented to be received into an interior space of housing 202.

When housing 202, including floor 214 of basin 212 is positioned at an incline by the selective positioning of leg 215 as shown, water dispensed in the massaging waterfall from a fluid outlet 250 is urged by gravity to flow towards the low end of foot massager 200.

Due in part to the inclined housing, foot massager 200 requires less water to operate since the water used by the foot massager is urged to the low end of the inclined foot massager. For example, foot massager 200

may operate using a quantity of water in the range about 1 liter.

At the low end of the inclined foot massager, there is located a fluid inlet (not shown) for receiving water disposed in foot massager 200.

Access to the fluid inlet is preferably provided by an aperture formed between upper housing 205 and lower housing 210. In one aspect hereof, wall 232 of upper housing 205 terminates short of lower housing 210, thereby providing an access to the interior of housing 202. The access aperture providing access to the interior of the foot massager is preferably a narrow gap formed between wall 232 and lower housing 210. Water dispersed into basin 212 via the massaging waterfall can flow through the access thus formed into the interior of housing 202.

There is space in the interior of housing 202 for a tank to hold the water used for operating foot massager 200. The tank may comprise a void formed between wall 232 of upper housing 205 and structural components of lower housing 210. The tank may be used to contain the functionally operational amounts of water used in operating foot massager 200. This aspect of foot massager 200 contributes to the user being able to transport foot massager 200 filled with its functionally operational amount of water without the spilling water therefrom.

For example with reference to Fig. 7, foot massager 200 is shown in an upright vertical position that is convenient for transport and storage of the foot massager. In this position, water used in operating the foot massager is contained in tank 255. Wall 232 acts to substantially cover tank 255 since the access aperture provided to tank 255 and the interior of the foot massager is preferably a narrow gap formed between wall 232 and lower housing 210. Therefore, foot massager 200 may be transported in the upright vertical position without the possibility of spilling water from the foot massager.

Fig. 8 depicts an exemplary handle 245 for carrying and transporting

the foot massager. Handle 245 is disposed on or in housing 202. Handle 245 is preferably adapted for carrying the foot spa in the vertical upright position. Due to foot massager's low profile housing the foot massager may be easily and conveniently carried close to the user's body. This mode of carrying the foot massager, made possible by its low profile housing and handle is easy for a user, even when filled with operationally functional amounts of water in the tank thereof.

Transport of foot massager 200 is also aided by the reduced amount of water required for operating the foot massager. As discussed above, the inclined basin reduces the amount of water required for operation by the foot massager. Thus, it is easier to fill and transport the foot massager filled with water. Additionally, since housing 202 is tilted to an inclined position by virtue of selective positioning of retractable leg 215 the depth of housing can be minimized. The depth of housing 202 need not accommodate a transition of an inclined floor and the low profile housing 202 can be achieved.

As shown in Fig. 6, gel footpads 235 and 240 may be inserted onto floor 214 for providing a comfortable footrest for the user's feet. Control 225 can be used to selectively actuate the various features of the foot massager.

It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the particular foot massager functions and other aspects of the teachings herein are but examples of the present invention. Thus, they do not limit the scope or variety of applications that the present invention may be suitably implemented. For example, water jets may be provided in the basin of the foot massager and selectively controlled to jet water to the user's feet. Thus, it should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of a present implementation of the teachings herein.

Various alternatives and modification may 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 that fall within the scope of the appended claims.