US 4,716,605 AGranted

Liquid sensor and touch control for hydrotherapy baths

OwnerPhilip E. Shepherd, Gregory R. Johnsoninventors

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Abstract

A hydrotherapy system is provided including a hydrotherapy tub with a water circulation pump and motor. Electrical proximity sensor terminals are mounted to the tub on the outside surface, one at a relatively low level for detecting the presence of water in the tub and a second preferably at a higher level for detecting the presence of the user to serve as an "on" and "off" switch which the user can operate by placing his hand in proximity therewith. Neither of the terminals requires physical contact to be actuated. Each is connected to circuit means for establishing the presence of an object in proximity with it and each of the terminals is operatively connected to the pump motor so that the pump motor will operate only when both of the terminals are actuated.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A hydrotherapy apparatus comprising a hydrotherapy tub,

a water pump having inlet and outlet ducts connected to the tub and a drive motor connected to operate the pump,
at least a pair of electrical proximity sensor terminals comprising two non-moveable electrodes supported in fixed positions at two different elevations and being mounted in the vicinity of the tub including a first terminal mounted at a relatively low level in the vicinity of the tub to sense the presence of water in the tub,
the second terminal mounted in the vicinity of the tub for sensing the presence of the human body, but not being actuated by water in the tub,
circuit means operatively connected between the terminals and the motor to energize the motor only when the first terminal is actuated by the presence of water in the tub and the second terminal is actuated by the presence of the human body in proximity or contact therewith whereby the motor will operate only when both terminals are actuated, the first terminal by the water and the second terminal by the human body.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.