IP Library Granted Patent US 10,874,260
Granted Patent B2
US 10,874,260 · App. 16/195,529 · Granted Dec 29, 2020

Reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in tub bathing installation with a single pump for multiple functions

Inventors: Eric J. Kownacki (Rancho Bernardo, CA); Graham J. Campbell (Irvine, CA)
Assignee: Balboa Water Group, LLC
A47K3/02A47K3/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,874,260
App. No.
16/195,529
Granted
Dec 29, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in tub bathing installation including two or more types of discharge ports for discharging water. The system includes a single motorized pump having an input connected to a suction port of the bathing installation, and an output port delivering pressurized water. A pipe system selectively connects the pump to the two or more types of discharge ports to selectively direct the pressurized water to the different ones of the types of discharge ports. The system selectively enables the bathing installation to perform a plurality of different functions using a single pump.

Claims (10)

1. A reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in tub bathing installation including two or more types of discharge ports for discharging water, the system comprising:

a single motorized pump having an input connected to a suction port of the bathing installation, and an output port delivering pressurized water;

a pipe system connecting the pump output port to the two or more types of discharge ports, the pipe system including one or more electrically controllable valves to configure water paths between the two or more types of discharge ports to selectively direct the pressurized water to the different ones of the types of discharge ports;

wherein the water distribution system selectively enables the bathing installation to perform a plurality of different functions using a single pump; and

wherein a first type of discharge ports is one or more bath jets, and a second type is a tub drain connection, and wherein when setting the one or more valves to direct the pressurized water to the first type of discharge ports, a bath jetting function is performed, and when setting the one or more valves to direct the pressurized water to the tub drain connection, a rapid water discharge function is performed to discharge water from the tub.

2. The reconfigurable water distribution system of claim 1 , wherein a third type of discharge ports is one or more small jets, and wherein when water is directed to the third type of discharge ports, a micro bubble jet function is performed.

3. The reconfigurable water distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves includes an open/close valve controllable to a closed position blocking water flow or an open position allowing water flow.

4. The reconfigurable water distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves includes a three-port diverter valve controllable to selectively direct water flow to one of two output ports.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves are electrically controllable in response to signals from a bathing installation controller or user interface panel.

6. The reconfigurable water distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the tub drain connection is an overflow connection port for the tub.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2023
From: PRECISION POLYMERS, LLC
To: OLIVER, DANIEL
Reel/Frame 063537/0828 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2021
From: BALBOA WATER GROUP, LLC
To: PRECISION POLYMERS LLC
Reel/Frame 058648/0306 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2021
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BALBOA WATER GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 057465/0040 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Nov 6, 2020
From: BALBOA WATER GROUP, LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 054341/0169 →
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Apr 6, 2020
From: BALBOA WATER GROUP, INC.
To: BALBOA WATER GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 052321/0383 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2018
From: KOWNACKI, ERIC J.; CAMPBELL, GRAHAM J.
To: BALBOA WATER GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 047602/0572 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,345,068