DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top view of the foot bath of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the removable water moving module 8 in place in the foot bath secured by alignment pin 10 . FIG. 3A shows the removable water moving module removed from the foot bath. FIGS. 3 and 3 A also show the speed control knob 6 for controlling the flow of the water. The water moving module 8 is also equipped with a handle 36 to lift the module out of the foot bath. Handle 36 expedites the removal of the module from one bath for easy and quick insertion into another foot bath. The water moving module can also comprise a heating element to provide warm water over an extended period of time preventing the water from cooling during use.

[0026] The foot bath of the present invention comprises an outer chamber 22 made of any suitable water retaining material such as plastic sized to accommodate the removable water moving apparatus, approximately 2 to 3 gallons of water and a pair of human feet. These dimensions are variable, but one design may typically measure approximately 22 inches long, by 17 inches wide, by 7 inches deep. The outer chamber 22 is clearly shown in FIGS. 2, 3 , and 4 .

[0027] Turning to FIG. 3 , outer chamber 22 comprises a module area 24 for receiving the removable water moving module 8 . Module area 24 is a recessed section in the front portion of the chamber 22 for receiving water moving module 8 . Water moving module 8 comprises a submersible pump and two nozzles 16 which extend into the bath section 28 .

[0028] Many submersible pumps are suitable for use in the water moving module of the present invention. For example, one suitable pump is a 12 volt DC pump capable of pumping 800 gallons per hour at 5 psi maximum. One such pump is Rule Pump model 20F from ITT Industries, headquartered in White Plains, N.Y.

[0029] Please refer to FIGS. 4 through 7 . Submersible pump 18 is equipped with intake port 20 which receives the water. The water exits the pump through outlet port 30 . Water exiting outlet port 30 drives paddle wheel 12 by pushing on vanes 32 . Paddle wheel 12 comprises two essentially parallel circular disc sides and a plurality of vanes 32 radially dispersed between the two circular disc sides perpendicular to the flow of the water exiting the outlet port 30 . Although a perpendicular arrangement is described, an angular arrangement other than perpendicular also would be operable. The force of the water hitting vanes 32 causes paddle wheel 12 to rotate. The rotation of paddle wheel 12 creates a pulsating effect due to openings 14 situated on the circular disc bottom portion of the paddle wheel 12 perpendicular to the vanes. The bottom surface of paddle wheel 12 which has openings 14 comprise valve plate 26 . When the paddle wheel 12 rotates, openings 14 on valve plate 26 also rotate and allow water to flow through the openings intermittently. The intermittent flow of water creates the pulsating effect. The openings in the paddle wheel effectively create a rotary slide valve, which oscillates the flow of water through nozzles 16 by interrupting the flow of water, thus creating an ocean-like wave motion in the water in the bath section. This oscillation of water is created when the openings allow water to flow intermittently into the nozzles 16 .

[0030] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the operation of plunger knob 34 . Plunger knob 34 controls the flow of water to the nozzles. When plunger knob 34 is pulled outward, toward the user, valve plate lifter 32 is raised, thus lifting the paddle wheel 12 permitting a steady flow of water to the nozzles. When plunger knob 34 is pushed in, it lowers paddle wheel 12 , allowing the water to rotate paddle wheel 12 resulting in the pulsating flow of water to nozzles 16 to create the ocean-like wave motion novel to the present invention.

[0031] Removable water moving module 8 can be easily removed from module area 24 by simply lifting the module using handle 36 . To permit easy and secure insertion of module 8 into module area 24 , an upwardly projecting alignment pin 10 on the bottom of area 24 near the center of area 24 mates with a female recession in the module 8 which is designed for this purpose. This serves to securely hold module 8 in place in module area 24 . Alignment pin 10 can be clearly shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .

[0032] In operation, the foot bath of the present invention is filled with water from an outside source. This allows the addition of therapeutic agents such as Epsom salts or skin softeners to be added. The user can control the flow rate of the water by adjusting the speed control knob. The user can also adjust the intensity of the pulsating massaging effect by controlling the plunger knob. When a patient or client is finished with the foot bath, the removable water moving module can be removed easily by the handle and placed in another foot bath for a second user. The first foot bath can then be easily cleaned and readied for the next user.

[0033] No other foot bath of the prior art taken singly or in. combination supplies all of the features of the present invention. The pulsating ocean-wave motion massage effect of the present invention is not found anywhere in the art and is unique to the present invention.

[0034] Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.