US3720204A

US3720204A - Vibro-shower

Info

Publication number: US3720204A
Application number: US00112589A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Wojtowicz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-04
Filing date: 1971-02-04
Publication date: 1973-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-13

Abstract

A shower device for physical therapy. The device includes a rubber diaphragm which is activated by water pressure enabling it to be used in the bathtub as a massaging unit, the device being also adaptable for use by barbers for shampooing and massaging the scalp.

Description

United States Patent [191 Wojtowicz in 3,720,204 1March 13,1973

1 1 VIBRO-SHOWER [76] Inventor: Adam S. Wojtowicz, 3055 N. La-

wandole, Chicago, [11. 60618 [22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. N0.: 112,589

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,646,039 7/1953 Agosti ..l28/64 Z ,IIQIIIIIII 0 f f /4 A 4 l /5 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 125,829 5/1928 Switzerland ..128/64 262,520 12/1926 Great Britain I 28/64 736,066 9/1932 France 482,732 6/1936 Great Britain ..128/66 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-John W. Kozak et a].

[57] ABSTRACT A shower device for physical therapy. The device includes a rubber diaphragm which is activated by water pressure enabling it to be used in the bathtub as a massaging unit, the device being also adaptable for use by barbers for shampooing and massaging the scalp.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures zo /Z PATENTEDHARI3|373 V I ,720,204

FIG.2

VENTOR I Adam S. Kowicz VIBRO-SHOWER This invention relates to shower fixtures and more particularly to a physical therapy instrument for the body or scalp.

It is therefore the primary purpose of this invention to provide a physical therapy instrument which will be in the form of a shower head which will eliminate the former hazard of shock when using the electric massager in water on a persons body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a massaging shower device which will be used in the bathtub when the persons muscles are relaxed and warm, this being the most desired time for massaging the body.

- A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the type described which is also easily adaptable for shampooing and massaging the scalp.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vibro-shower device which will have a rubber diaphragm which will be activated by water pressure within the device and create the massaging action and the device may also be used only as a massaging unit by the addition of an outlet which will take the water backwards so that it can perform a dry massaging operation.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a vibro-shower device which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will become readily evident upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention shown in elevation and in section;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of an interchangeable attachment of the invention for use on the face;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another interchangeable attachment for use on the scalp;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of still another interchangeable attachment for use on the body;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7 7 of FIG. 4.

According to this invention, a vibro-shower device 10 is shown to include a rigid housing 11 having an extension 12 with a channel 13 for the passage of water into housing 11. A flanged insert 14 is carried against shoulder 15 of housing 11. The flanged insert 14 has a central and tubular portion 16 which extends outwards on both sides of insert 14, one portion'extending from the central and concave portion 17. Within the recessed area 18 of insert 14 is carried an interchangeable diaphragm which is held in place by means of a screw-on pressuretype cap 20 having a plurality of openings 21 for the passage of water during a massaging action. Water under pressure within channel 13 is forced through a connecting tube 21' to the cavity formed by the concave portion 17 of insert 14. The pressure behind this water causes diaphragm 19 to intermittently flex away from the end of the tubular portion 16 which allows the water to flow through the tubular portion 16 and into a bowl shaped cavity 22 formed within the housing 11. In turn, this water is then forced through openings located near the pheriphery of flanged insert 14 and discharged outwardly through the openings 21 of the cap 20.

It will be noted that one end of the tubular portion 16 will normally abut with the other side of the in terchangeable diaphragm 19 until the water starts to travel through device 10 and when the water is in constant motion, it will impart a vibrating effect for massaging the body or scalp.

It shall further be noted that a fitting 23 of a hose or attachment is threaded into the extension 12 of housing 11 and the extension 12 serves as handle means for operating device 10.

Looking now at FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawing, one will see a modified form of the diaphragm 24 for use in massaging the face.

Looking again at the drawing, the FIGS. 3 and 6 show another modified form of interchangeable diaphragm 25 having spaced apart prongs 26 for use on the scalp.

In FIGS. 4 and 7 one can see still another modified form of diaphragm 27 shown to have a domed portion 28, the diaphragm 27 being adaptable for use on a person's body.

What I claim is:

1. A vibratory shower device comprising: a housing which defines a shower head having an opened-top intemalcavity; input means for introducing water to the shower head; positioning means seated within the cavity for directing the flow of water thereto; a flexible diaphragm carried by said positioning means and arranged in operative contact therewith for controlling the flow of water to the cavity, said water flow causing intermittent flexing of said diaphragm so as to impart a vibratory massage action thereto; and spray means positioned adjacent said diaphragm and communicating with the cavity for discharging a spray of water outwardly therefrom.

2. A vibratory shower device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is removable to permit the insertion of different interchangeable diaphragms for use in massaging the various portions of the body.

3. A vibratory shower device comprising: a housing which defines a shower head having an opened-top, bowl shaped internal cavity, said cavity having a shoulder portion located about its upper periphery; a flanged insert seated upon the shoulder portion of said cavity and having an elongated tubular center portion for communicating with said cavity, said tubular portion extending perpendicularly outward from both the upper and lower surfaces of said insert and ringed on the upper surface by a recessed channel; supply means for introducing water to said recessed channel; a flexible diaphragm operatively carried. by the upper surface of the flanged insert for controlling the flow of water to the cavity, said diaphragm covering said recessed channel and abutting the upper end of said tubular portion so as to pulsate under the force of water passing from said channel to said tubular portion; and spray means positioned adjacent said diaphragm and communicating with said cavity for discharging a spray of water outwardly therefrom.

4. A vibratory shower device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spray means includes a pressure cap having a centrally positioned opening, sufficiently sized for receiving said diaphragm, and a plurality of spray holes positioned about said central opening.

Claims

1. A vibratory shower device comprising: a housing which defines a shower head having an opened-top internal cavity; input means for introducing water to the shower head; positioning means seated within the cavity for directing the flow of water thereto; a flexible diaphragm carried by said positioning means and arranged in operative contact therewith for controlling the flow of water to the cavity, said water flow causing intermittent flexing of said diaphragm so as to impart a vibratory massage action thereto; and spray means positioned adjacent said diaphragm and communicating with the cavity for discharging a spray of water outwardly therefrom.

3. A vibratory shower device comprising: a housing which defines a shower head having an opened-top, bowl shaped internal cavity, said cavity having a shoulder portion located about its upper periphery; a flanged insert seated upon the shoulder portion of said cavity and having an elongated tubular center portion for communicating with said cavity, said tubular portion extending perpendicularly outward from both the upper and lower surfaces of said insert and ringed on the upper surface by a recessed channel; supply means for introducing water to said recessed channel; a flexible diaphragm operatively carried by the upper surface of the flanged insert for controlling the flow of water to the cavity, said diaphragm covering said recessed channel and abutting the upper end of said tubular portion so as to pulsate under the force of water passing from said channel to said tubular portion; and spray means positioned adjacent said diaphragm and communicating with said cavity for discharging a spray of water outwardly therefrom.