US4000528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Whirlpool tub and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-03-10
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Granted: 1977-01-04
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Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A whirlpool tub for relaxation or hydrotherapeutic use characterized by a synthetic resinous shell having a plurality of spaced apart apertures in the bottom wall in communication with an air distribution channel formed in the rigidifying backing board conventionally used in plastic bathtubs. The channel in the backing board is connected to an air inlet which in turn is adapted for connection to a source of air under pressure. The method of manufacturing such a tub in which the air distribution channels are disposed within the backing board permits simplified manufacturing techniques compatible with existing mass production practices by which bathtubs are currently produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving H. Posnick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H33/00; A61H33/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/09; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1056; Y10T156/1057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A whirlpool tub comprising: A. an open topped synthetic resinous cavity shell having a bottom wall and side walls and adapted to contain liquid; B. a rigid backing board adhesively affixed in air- and water-tight sealed relation to the bottom outside wall of said shell; C. an elongated air distribution channel extending through the thickness of said backing board underlying said bottom wall; D. an enclosing cover over the bottommost edges of said channel air- and water-tight sealed relation thereto; E. a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the bottom wall of said shell and communicating with said channel; and F. an air inlet in communication with said channel for transmission of air to said apertures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A whirlpool tub comprising: A. an open topped synthetic resinous cavity shell having a bottom wall and side walls and adapted to contain liquid; B. a rigid backing board adhesively affixed in air- and water-tight sealed relation to the bottom outside wall of said shell; C. an elongated air distribution channel extending through the thickness of said backing board underlying said bottom wall; D. an enclosing cover over the bottommost edges of said channel air- and water-tight sealed relation thereto; E. a plurality of spaced apart apertures extending through the bottom wall of said shell and communicating with said channel; and F. an air inlet in communication with said channel for transmission of air to said apertures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A whirlpool tub according to claim 1 further characterized in that said elongated channel is positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall of said tub and said apertures are disposed in a pattern corresponding to that of the channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A whirlpool tub according to claim 1 further characterized in that a sealing liner is disposed within said channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A whirlpool tub according to claim 1 further characterized in that said enclosing cover is flat sheet material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A whirlpool tub according to claim 1 further characterized in that a sealing layer is disposed over said enclosing cover.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of making a whirlpool tub from a formed open topped synthetic resinous cavity shell having a bottom wall and side walls, which method comprises: A. applying a backup synthetic resinous reinforcing coating to the outer surface of said shell; B. adhesively adhering a rigid backing board in air- and water-tight sealed relation to the outside bottom wall of said tub, said backing board having an elongated air distribution channel extending through the thickness of said board; C. applying an enclosing cover over the bottommost edges of said channel in air- and water-tight sealed relation thereto; D. forming a plurality of apertures through the bottom wall of said shell and said resinous coating, said apertures communicating with said channel; and E. affixing an air inlet in sealed relation in communication with said channel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of making a whirlpool tub from a formed open topped synthetic resinous cavity shell having a bottom wall and side walls, which method comprises: A. applying a backup synthetic resinous reinforcing coating to the outer surface of said shell; B. adhesively adhering a rigid backing board in air- and water-tight sealed relation to the outside bottom wall of said tub, said backing board having an elongated air distribution channel extending through the thickness of said board; C. applying an enclosing cover over the bottommost edges of said channel in air- and water-tight sealed relation thereto; D. forming a plurality of apertures through the bottom wall of said shell and said resinous coating, said apertures communicating with said channel; and E. affixing an air inlet in sealed relation in communication with said channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 6 further characterized in that: A. said air distribution channel is formed in said backing board prior to adhering said board to the shell, said channel being in a configuration adapted when adhered to be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall of said tub, and B. said apertures are disposed in a pattern corresponding to that of the channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 6 further characterized in that: A. said backing board is first adhered to said shell and said air distribution channel is formed therein by routing, said channel being positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the perimeter of the bottom wall of said tub, and B. said apertures are disposed in a pattern corresponding to that of the channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6 further characterized in that a sealing resinous coating is applied to said air distribution channel as a liner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 6 further characterized in that a sealing resinous coating is applied over said enclosing cover.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10 further characterized in that a further backup coating is applied over said sealing coating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-04 | 1980-07-05 | 1981-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-04 | 1984-07-05 | 1985-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-04 | 1988-07-05 | 1989-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |