US3806964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrotherapeutic apparatus for a bath tub
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1974-04-30
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A hydrotherapeutic apparatus for use with a bathtub and the like comprising a plurality of telescoping tubes having an outlet to provide a snorkel. The tubes are movable between an extended position and an elevated position, wherein the outlet is spaced above the water-line of the tub to provide an efficient device which may be raised easily to prevent clogging of the snorkel when the apparatus is not in use and to allow the entire space within the tub to be used for conventional bathing. The apparatus further includes a drain, conduit means connecting the snorkel with the drain, and a pump in the conduit means for withdrawing water from the bathtub and for ejecting it under pressure from the outlet. Air-regulating means are provided for varying the whirlpool action of the circulating water.
Inventors
- 👤 G Vanegas
- 👤 J Kaiser
- 👤 J Niemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H33/00; A61H33/60; A61H33/6068; A61H33/6073; A61H33/6078; A61H33/601; A61H33/6021; A61H33/6026; A61H33/02; A61H2033/022; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/75; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/8807; Y10T137/88078; Y10T137/88094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising a plurality of linear telescoping tubes, one of which is held stationary and the others movable upwardly or downwardly in a vertical direction, a bullet-shaped plug, a fluid entrance tube having a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of said plug, said entrance tube being mechanically fixed to the stationary telescoping tube, means for raising said telescoping tubes to their upper position, said raising means including means for moving said plug into said entrance tube so as to seal said entrance tube to substantially prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising a plurality of linear telescoping tubes, one of which is held stationary and the others movable upwardly or downwardly in a vertical direction, a bullet-shaped plug, a fluid entrance tube having a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of said plug, said entrance tube being mechanically fixed to the stationary telescoping tube, means for raising said telescoping tubes to their upper position, said raising means including means for moving said plug into said entrance tube so as to seal said entrance tube to substantially prevent the flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A snorkel control apparatus according to claim 1, in which the raising means includes a rod which engages the bullet-shaped plug to advance the plug into the entrance tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A snorkel control apparatus according to claim 1, in which the raising means includes an elbow section which is coupled to and movable with the movable telescoping tubes, and a rod supported by said elbow section and making contact with the bullet-shaped plug to control the movement thereof into the entrance tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising two vertically-arranged concentric tubes of different cross-sectional dimensions, both of said concentric tubes being fixed in a stationary position, a plurality of linear telescoping tubes coupled to the outer concentric tube so that said telescoping tubes may be raised or lowered in a vertical direction, a cage which is affixed to the inner concentric tube, a plug which normally is seated in said cage, said plug having a cross-sectional dimension which is substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimension of the inner concentric tube, and means for raising said plug out of said cage and into said inner concentric tube when the telescoping tubes are raised so as to substantially reduce the flow of fluid through the inner concentric tube, said plug being returned to said cage when said telescoping tubes are dropped to their lower position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising two vertically-arranged concentric tubes of different cross-sectional dimensions, both of said concentric tubes being fixed in a stationary position, a plurality of linear telescoping tubes coupled to the outer concentric tube so that said telescoping tubes may be raised or lowered in a vertical direction, a cage which is affixed to the inner concentric tube, a plug which normally is seated in said cage, said plug having a cross-sectional dimension which is substantially the same as the cross-sectional dimension of the inner concentric tube, and means for raising said plug out of said cage and into said inner concentric tube when the telescoping tubes are raised so as to substantially reduce the flow of fluid through the inner concentric tube, said plug being returned to said cage when said telescoping tubes are dropped to their lower position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A snorkel control apparatus according to claim 3, in which the raising means includes a rod which engages said plug to move it out of the cage and allows the plug to be returned to its position within the cage upon release of the raising means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A snorkel control apparatus according to claim 3, in which the raising means includes an elbow section affixed to and movable with the lowermost of the telescoping tubes, and a rod supported by and movable with the elbow section to advance the plug into the inner concentric tube when the telescoping tubes are raised and to allow the plug to return to its seat in the case when the telescoping tubes are lowered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising a plurality of linear telescoping tubes one of which is held stationary and the others movable upwardly to clear the plumbing fixture downwardly in a vertical direction so that the tubes will be extended into the plumbing fixture an elbow tube which is coupled to and movable with the lowermost tube and is rotatable with respect to the lowermost tube, a retainer mechanism which is affixed to the uppermost tube, said retainer mechanism having a flange and a rib, a projection affixed to said elbow tube, the projection being passable over said rib so that the projection will rest on said flange after the telescoping tubes are moved into their uppermost position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
A snorkel control apparatus for a plumbing fixture, comprising a plurality of linear telescoping tubes one of which is held stationary and the others movable upwardly to clear the plumbing fixture downwardly in a vertical direction so that the tubes will be extended into the plumbing fixture an elbow tube which is coupled to and movable with the lowermost tube and is rotatable with respect to the lowermost tube, a retainer mechanism which is affixed to the uppermost tube, said retainer mechanism having a flange and a rib, a projection affixed to said elbow tube, the projection being passable over said rib so that the projection will rest on said flange after the telescoping tubes are moved into their uppermost position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A snorkel control apparatus according to claim 7, in which the retainer mechanism has a flange and short and long ribs, the projection affixed tO the elbow tube being passable over the short rib so as to allow said projection to rest on the flange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-29 | 1977-10-29 | 1978-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-29 | 1981-10-29 | 1982-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-29 | 1985-10-29 | 1986-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |