US3870040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bubble mat for bath tubs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-07
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump, consisting of at least one insert having a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat, a plurality of hollow pipe sections secured between each of the bars and including bubble openings disposed along the length of the pipe sections and a means for coupling the pipe sections to the air pump. In other embodiments, additional inserts are connected together by means of articulated joints. In still further embodiments, the pipe sections are joined at one end of the insert by means of a distribution element having a single input opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Ruth Kulisch Geb Klages
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H33/00; A61H33/02; A61H33/025; A61H33/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and integrally formed therewith, and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and coupling means comprising a plurality of articulated joints each having a flexible hinge portion for joining said bars to adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and integrally formed therewith, and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and coupling means comprising a plurality of articulated joints each having a flexible hinge portion for joining said bars to adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mat as recited in claim 1, wherein said articulated joints comprise flexible hose sections each bridged over a joint across its fiexible hinge portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mat according to claim 2, wherein said bars include flanges secured to their longitudinal ends, said flanges being tapered and extending beyond the length of said pipe sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mat according to claim 3, wherein said flanges include bores, and said articulated joints include retaining bolts which are deformed thermoplastically after they are inserted into said bores.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises receiving means formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises hose jackets formed on the ends of said pipe sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mat according to claim 1, wherein said pipe sections are shorter than said longitudinal bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A bubble mat for use in a bathtub and the like and adapted for connection to an air pump comprising: a plurality of longitudinal spaced-apart bars defining a planar support surface for the mat; a plurality of hollow pipe sections, each secured between each of said bars and having a plurality of bubble openings disposed along their length, said pipe sections being recessed below the planar support surface of said bars; and a single articulated joint having a flexible hinge portion, for joining said bars to the adjacent bars of a further mat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mat accoRding to claim 19 wherein the hinge portion of said articulated joint includes a plurality of apertures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mat according to claim 8, wherein said articulated joint includes guide ribs which are vertical with respect to the planar surface of the bars and lateral with respect to said pipe sections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a hose section having a plurality of flange-like circumferentially arranged ribs integrally formed with the hose section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The mat according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises a closing piece for sealing one end of said pipe sections, a distribution element for coupling the opposite end of said pipe sections, and articulated joints having hose sections for joining said distribution element to said pipe sections, said distribution element including a single input pressure connection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mat according to claim 12, wherein said distribution element additionally comprises valve means for controlling the pressure to said pipe sections.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mat according to claim 13 wherein said valve means comprise continuously adjustable control valves.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mat according to claim 12, wherein said hose sections are bonded to said pipe sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1699198A
Cited
US2719307A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |