Description

BATHTUB FOR FOOT AND FOOT BATHING DEVICE

INCLUDING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a foot bathing device, more particularly to a bathtub for foot which can contain bathing water. [2]

Background Art [3] Recently, a health maintenance method, which stimulates feet so as to facilitate excretion of waste matters from the body, has been known through mass media, and lots of people who lose their health because of stress, lack of exercise, and fatigue in the modernized society get interested in the health maintenance method. [4] A lot of foot bathing devices have been developed, which improve an imbalanced state of body temperature by activating blood circulation in hands or feet, in order to prevent blood circulation disturbance. [5] In general, a foot bathing device includes a bathtub in which bathing water is filled, a heating unit which heats the bathing water to a predetermined temperature, a bubble generating unit which generates bubbles in the bathing water, and a foot massage plate provided on the bottom surface of the bathtub. [6] The bathtub of the foot bathing device should have a sufficient space in which feet can be held and bathing water can be contained. Therefore, the volume thereof inevitably increases. Because of the large size of the bathtub, the foot bathing device can be used only in a restricted place such as a bathroom, and cannot be used elsewhere, for example, as carried by a user. [7]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [8] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub for foot and a foot bathing device including the same, of which the volume can be variably adjusted by a user such that they are easy to carry. [9]

Technical Solution [10] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a bathtub for foot comprising: a pair of side frames; a plurality of link members that are connected between the pair of side frames;

and a deformable waterproof cover that is attached to at least any ones of the side frames and the link members so as to contain bathing water. The link members are connected through joint portions, which are rotated along at least one direction, so as to allow a relative motion between the pair of side frames.

[11] The joint portions perform a first joint motion by which the joint portions are rotated along a direction where the pair of side frames approach each other or are separated from each other, and a second joint motion by which the joint portions are rotated along a direction different from that of the first joint motion.

[12] The joint portions may include an intermediate joint portion that is installed between the link members; and a corner joint portion that is installed between the link member and the side frame.

[13] The intermediate joint portion may include a pair of intermediate connection pieces connected through a first hinge shaft, and each of the intermediate connection pieces may be connected to one end of the link member through a second hinge shaft disposed in a direction crossing the first hinge shaft.

[14] The link member may have a groove provided at the end thereof, where the intermediate connection piece is installed, the groove preventing the interference between the link members when the link members are rotated about the second hinge shaft.

[15] The corner joint portion may include a corner connection piece connected to one side of the side frame through a third shaft, and the link member is connected to the corner connection piece through a fourth hinge shaft disposed in a direction crossing the third hinge shaft.

[16] The bathtub for foot may further comprise a base plate that is connected to the lower portions of the pair of side frames and of which the center is folded.

[17] The bathtub for foot may further comprise magnets that generate attraction between the pair of side frames.

[18] The waterproof cover may be formed of a transparent material.

[19] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foot bathing device comprising the bathtub for foot.

[20]

Advantageous Effects

[21] According to the invention, the foot bathing device includes a bathtub, which can be freely folded and unfolded, and a controller which can be selectively separated from the bathtub. Therefore, the foot bathing device is easy to carry and can be used in any place where a user wants to use the foot bathing device.

[22]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [24] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foot bathing device according to an embodiment of the invention; [25] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an intermediate joint portion of a bathtub for foot according to the embodiment of the invention; [26] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a corner joint portion of the bathtub for foot according to the embodiment of the invention; and

[27] FIGS. 4 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the bathtub shown in FIG. 1

[28]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [29] Hereinafter, a foot bathing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [30] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a foot bathing device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of an intermediate joint portion of a bathtub for foot according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a corner joint portion of the bathtub for foot according to the embodiment of the invention. [31] Referring to FIG. 1, the foot bathing device 1 according to the invention includes a bathtub 10 which can contain bathing water and a controller 20 which is detachably mounted on the bathtub 10 so as to partition the bathtub 10. [32] The bathtub 10 includes a pair of side frames 11, a plurality of link members 12 connected between the pair of side frames 11, a waterproof cover 13 which is connected to the side frames 11 and the link members 12 so as to contain bathing water, intermediate and corner joint portions 14 and 15 for the rotating motion of the link members 12, and a pair of base plates 16. [33] Each of the side frames 11 has an opening 111 formed at the center thereof such that a user can hold the side frames 11 easily. In this embodiment, the side frames 11 are formed in a rectangular shape as a whole, but may be formed in various other shapes such as a hexagon. [34] Magnets 112 are disposed at the upper corners of the side frames 11. When the side frames 11 come in contact with each other, the magnets 112 generate attraction between the frames 11, thereby increasing the coupling force between the side frames

11. [35] The bar-shaped link members 12 are connected to the upper portions of the side

frames 11. One end of a link member 12 is connected to the side frame 11 through the corner joint portion 15, and the other end thereof is connected to the other end of another adjacent link member 12 through the intermediate joint portion 14. Both of the intermediate and corner joint portions 14 and 15 are rotated along two directions.

[36] In this embodiment, four link members 12 are used. However, the number and arrangement of the link members 12 can be changed in various manners, if the relative motion between the side frames 11 can be secured.

[37] The waterproof cover 13 is attached to at least any ones of the side frames 11 and the link members 12 and is formed of such a material that can be deformed when the side frames 11 and the link members 12 are moved. Further, the waterproof cover 13 may be formed of a transparent material such as plastic resin. In FIG. 1, the waterproof cover 13 is indicated by alternate long and two short dashes lines.

[38] The pair of base plates 16 are hinge-coupled so as to be rotatable. Further, both ends of the base plates 16 are hinge-coupled to the lower ends of the side frames 11, respectively, such that the base plates 16 can be rotated. When the relative motion between the side frames 11 occurs, the pair of base plates 16 are rotated about the hinge-coupled portion thereof. The base plates 16 serve to support the waterproof cover 13 containing bathing water from the lower side.

[39] The controller 20 includes a housing 21 and a heater, a sterilizer, an oxygen generator, a vibrating element, and so on which are mounted in the housing 21. The controller 20 receives power through a power cord 22. The controller 20 is fixed to the base plates 16 by a fixing structure within the bathtub 10. Alternatively, the controller 20 may be used in a state where it is placed on the base plates 16 without a separate fixing structure. As for the controller 20, other known controllers may be used.

[40] Referring to FIG. 2, the intermediate joint portion 14 includes a pair of intermediate connection pieces 142 connected through a first hinge shaft 141. The respective intermediate connection pieces 142 are connected to the other ends of the link members 12 through a second hinge shaft 143. The second hinge shaft 143 is installed in a direction crossing the first hinge shaft 141. Accordingly, the intermediate joint portion 14 can perform a first joint motion and a second joint motion. In the first joint motion, the intermediate connection pieces 142 are rotated about the first hinge shaft 141. In the second joint motion, the link members 12 are rotated about the second hinge shaft 143. The angle formed by the first and second hinge shafts 141 and 143 does not need to be 90 degrees, but may be set differently.

[41] Meanwhile, the link member 12 has a groove 121 formed at the other end thereof.

When a pair of link members are rotated about the second shaft 14, the groove 121 prevents interference between the link members 12.

[42] Referring to FIG. 3, the corner joint portion 15 includes a corner connection piece

152 connected to a corner of the side frame 11 through a third hinge shaft 151. At the corner of the side frame 11, a sufficient space for securing the rotating motion of the corner connection piece 152 about the third hinge shaft 151 is formed. One side of the corner connection piece 152 is connected to one end of the link member 12 through a fourth hinge shaft. The third and fourth hinge shafts 151 and 153 are installed in directions crossing each other. The angle formed by the third and fourth shafts 151 and

153 does not need to be 90 degrees, but may be set differently.

[43] When the intermediate joint portion 14 performs the second joint motion, the third hinge shaft 151 is rotated. When the intermediate joint portion 14 performs the first joint motion, the fourth hinge shaft 153 is rotated.

[44] So far, the structure of the foot bathing device 1 has been examined. Hereinafter, the operation of the bathtub 10 for foot will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

[45] FIGS. 4 to 8 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the bathtub shown in FIG. 1, that is, a process where the unfolded bathtub 10 is folded completely.

[46] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bathtub 10 when the foot bathing device is used. When the bathtub 10 is completed unfolded, the plan shape of the bathtub 10 is set to a hexagon. Before the bathtub 10 is folded, the controller 20 is removed from the bathtub 10 previously.

[47] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bathtub 10 after the second joint motion. The respective link members 12 are rotated about the second and third hinge shafts 143 and 151, and the distance between the side frames 11 increases slightly. Accordingly, the entire shape of the bathtub 10 is set to a rectangle. The arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the direction where the link members 12 are moved. FIG. 6 is a side view of the bathtub 10 shown in FIG. 5.

[48] FIG. 7 is a side view of the bathtub 10 which performs the first joint motion. The respective link members 12 are rotated about the first and fourth hinge shafts 141 and 153, and the base plates 16 are rotated about the hinge coupled portion. When the rotating motion is performed continuously, the distance between the side frames 11 decreases gradually. That is, the side frames 11 approach each other or are separated from each other by the first joint motion.

[49] FIG. 8 shows a state where the bathtub 10 is folded completely. At this time, the side frames 11 are firmly attached to each other by the magnets 112. Further, since the waterproof cover 13 is formed of a deformable material, the waterproof cover 13 does not interfere with the motion of the bathtub 10, even when the bathtub 10 is folded completely.

[50] As shown in FIG. 8, when the bathtub 10 is folded completely, its volume decreases significantly, compared with when the bathtub 10 is completely unfolded. Therefore, the bathtub 10 is easy to carry.

[51] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[52]

Industrial Applicability

[53] The present invention provides a foot bathing device, including a bathtub for foot which can be freely folded and unfolded and a controller which can be separated from the bathtub.