BUBBLING BATH MAT WITH SEGMENTED VALVE CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath mat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bubbling bath mat that provides a variable bubbling massage having a therapeutic aeration effect. The present invention also provides a foldable mat for easy handling and storage.

2. Description of the Prior Art Examples of bubbling bath mats relating to the present invention and demonstrating the state of the art can be found in U. S. Patent No.

5,090, 403; U. S. Patent No. 5,080, 091; U. S. Patent No. 4,962, 759; U. S.

Patent No. 4,417, 568; U. S. Patent No. 4,409, 693; and U. S. Patent No.

3,809, 073. In addition, German Patent Nos. 2,854, 503 and 4,033, 021 also reflect the state of the art.

All of the above provide for bubbling bath mats that introduce air into a body of water through a plurality of apertures located in an upper and/or side surface of the mat. The drawbacks associated with these different configurations include : (1) upper surface apertures can be blocked by a user's body, and (2) side surface apertures have a dissipated therapeutic massaging effect since only a limited area of the body of water is affected.

The present invention addresses the above-mentioned deficiencies by providing a bubbling bath mat adapted such that air escapes through a plurality of small apertures from a bottom surface of one or more air channels. This arrangement improves aeration for improved therapeutic massaging effect. In addition to the foregoing, the present invention is distinct over the prior art in that it provides for a bubbling bath mat having four or more distinct rigid segments having padding optimally affixed thereto. These four or more segments not only allow for greater flexibility in positioning the mat within a tub, but also allow the mat to be folded up on itself. The present invention also provides for a bubbling bath mat having a number of valve controls providing a user with the ability to vary the airflow distribution throughout the mat. Also, the present invention provides for a bubbling bath mat adapted to produce differently sized bubbles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bubbling bath mat with an improved aeration effect.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a bubbling bath mat adapted to produce bubbles of different sizes.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a

bubbling bath mat with an adjustable airflow control means.

It is further another object of the present invention to provide a number of separate valve controls for varying the distribution of the airflow exiting the bubbling bath mat.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide such a bubbling bath mat that can be folded into a compact unit for convenient handling and storage.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a bubbling bath mat configured to adjustably fit in a tub or basin.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a bubbling bath mat having flexible padding optimally affixed thereto adapted for improved user comfort without impeding aeration.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a bubbling bath. The mat is preferably adapted for use with a device for emitting compressed air into the mat. The mat has an elongated body with a plurality of interconnected segments, air channels, and an air distributor controller. The mat also preferably has a number of valve controls integral with the air channels for manipulating the airflow distribution exiting the mat. The surface of each segment has a plurality of differently sized apertures for producing bubbles of different size. The surface of one or more of the segments can also be adapted with a

plurality of soft pads having apertures therein that correspond in size and shape to the plurality of differently sized apertures in the surface of each segment. The segments preferably extend the entire width of the mat.

The segments are connected at a plurality of joints. Each joint preferably has a pair of link hinges laterally spaced and diametrically opposed and secured along the outer edges of each segment. The joints allow the mat to be compactly folded for easy handling and storage.

The present invention provides for an improved bubbling bath mat having improved aeration and therapeutic massaging effect, and being foldable into a compact size for easy transport and storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bubbling bath mat, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the bubbling bath mat of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a first bottom view of the bubbling bath mat of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a blown up view of a portion of the bottom surface of the bubbling bath mat of Fig. 1, shown by circle 126; Fig. 5 is a second bottom view of the bubbling bath mat of Fig. 1, showing a number of valve controls and an example airflow distribution;

Fig. 6 is two section views taken along line A-A and line B-B of the bubbling bath mat of Fig. 5, showing the valve controls in a closed and open position respectively ; and Fig. 7 is a side view of a suction cup of the bubbling bath mat of Fig.

1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a bubbling bath mat in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 1.

Bubbling bath mat 1, preferably, has a plurality of longitudinally disposed segments, including a head segment 5 and body segments 10,15, 20 and 25, which extend the longitudinal length of bubbling bath mat 1.

Preferably, segments 5,10, 15,20 and 25 are made of a rigid material.

Head segment 5 has an air distributor controller 30. Preferably, air distributor controller 30 has an air inlet orifice 35 for receiving and engaging a hose 40. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, head segment 5 is connected to segment 10 by two or more air channels. Preferably, the air channels include at least two outer channels 45 and at least two inner channels 50. Outer channels 45 and inner channels 50 are adapted to extend the entire longitudinal length of bubbling bath mat 1 and to flexibly

traverse joints 55. Outer channels 45 preferably run along opposing outer edges of mat 1 in the longitudinal direction. Inner channels 50 preferably run along an inner portion of mat 1 in the longitudinal direction. One or more cross channels 46 intersect outer channels 45 and inner channels 50. Preferably, cross channels 46 traverse at least a portion of mat 1 in the latitudinal direction.

Each segment 10,15, 20 and 25 preferably has one or more apertures 125 randomly disposed throughout a surface 115 thereof.

Preferably, apertures 125 are differently sized. Segments 10,15, 20 and 25 can be flexibly hinged together in any suitable manner, but preferably by link hinges 56 laterally spaced and diametrically opposed along the outer edge of bubbling bath mat 1 at one or more joints 55.

Referring to Fig. 2, head segment 5 has a first chamber 75, which surrounds a second chamber 85 and is separated from second chamber 85 by a wall structure 90. First chamber 75, preferably has at least two air orifices 95, which allow air to be fed from first chamber 75 to outer channels 45. Second chamber 85 preferably has one or more air orifices 100, which allow air to be fed from second chamber 85 to inner channels 50. Outer channels 45 and inner channels 50 preferably have end caps 105. Preferably end caps 105 are removable to enable a user to drain water trapped inside said channels.

Air distributor controller 30 preferably bisects wall structure 90 to

connect first chamber 75 and second chamber 85. Controller 30 preferably is also adapted to rotate. When controller 30 is rotated in a first direction into a first position 60, air can be forced through inlet orifice 35 and then through a first wall opening 70 into first chamber 75. When controller 30 is rotated in a second direction, opposite that of the first direction, into a second position 65, air can be forced through inlet orifice 35 and then through first wall opening 70 and a second wall opening 80 into both first chamber 75 and second chamber 85.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, for air to pass between segments 10,15, 20 and 25, preferably outer channels 45 and inner channels 50 have sections of flexible hose 130 traversing joints 55. Preferably, each flexible hose section 130 is configured to provide enough rigidity to withstand collapse and enough flexibility to enable mat 1 to be folded as an integral unit.

Referring to Figs. 5, each of the one or more cross channels 46 preferably has at least one valve control 47 for controlling airflow.

Preferably, each valve control 47 has a handle portion 52, a plate structure or gate 51 and a shaft 53. Preferably, handle 52 and gate 51 are operatively connected by shaft 53. Preferably, each gate 51 can be adjusted to any position from a fully closed position, shown in section A-A of Fig. 6, in which airflow is completely inhibited to a fully opened position, shown in section B-B of Fig. 6, in which airflow is completely uninhibited.

Alternatively, each valve control 47 can be adjusted incrementally between the opened and closed position and vise versa. Preferably, each valve control 47 is formed as a gate valve. However, other valves may also be used, such as for example, a ball valve, a rotary valve, or a lever valve.

Each valve control 47 preferably allows a user to vary the distribution of the airflow exiting the bubbling bath mat and thereby alter the therapeutic massaging effect.

Outer channels 45 and inner channels 50 preferably have a plurality of small apertures 135 (shown clearly in Fig. 4), which run along a lower or bottom surface 140 of any and/or all outer channels 45, inner channels 50, and/or traversing channels 46, for air to escape from mat 1. Air escaping from apertures 135 flows downward toward the surface of the tub or basin and then upward through apertures 125 in the surface of segments 10,15, 20 and 25 producing bubbles of different sizes for a unique massaging effect.

Bubbling bath mat 1 preferably has a plurality of suction cups 150 (section shown in Fig. 7) mounted to the bottom of segments 5,10, 15,20 and 25. Each suction cup 150 preferably has a lower concave cup portion 155 and a hollow cylindrical portion 160. Cup portions 155 preferably are adapted to contact the surface of a tub or basin to hold securely bubbling bath mat 1 in position. Each cylindrical portion 160 preferably is adapted to connect cup portions 155 to segments 5,10, 15,20 and 25. Each

cylindrical portion 160 preferably creates a gap 165 between bottom surface 140 of channels 45 and 50 and the surface of the tub or basin.

Gap 165 preferably functions to facilitate air bubble emanation.

Surface 115 of each segment 15,20 and 25 has preferably a number of soft pads 110 (shown in Fig. 2) preferably affixed thereto. Soft pads 110 preferably have a plurality of apertures 120. Apertures 120 preferably are sized and distributed to correspond to and align with apertures 125 in the surface of segments 15,20 and 25 so that air escaping from apertures 135 and flowing through apertures 125 is not inhibited.

In addition to the foregoing, bubbling bath mat 1, preferably can be adjustably fastened to the surface of a conventional tub or basin to accommodate different sitting positions. Segments 10,15, 20 and 25 are preferably made of rigid material and flexibly hinged together at joints 55, to enable a user to affix mat 1, via suction cups 150, to the surface of a tub at various locations. For example, a user is able to fasten mat 1 to the surface of a tub such that one or more of the preferably rigid segments 10, 15,20 and 25 are affixed to a back side surface of the tub and the remaining segments are affixed to a bottom surface of the tub. This arrangement would preferably allow a user to rest the majority of their weight on those segments fastened to the bottom surface and to lean back against those segments fastened to the side surface to receive an

improved and more direct massaging effect to their back region. Also, segments 10,15, 20 and 25 can be selectively separable allowing mat 1 to be adjusted in size to fit in various different types of tubs or basins having a variety of different shapes, sizes and/or configurations.

Further, bubbling bath mat 1 preferably can be easily removed and folded up on itself into a compact size for efficient handling and storage.

Joints 55, flexibly connecting segments 10,15, 20 and 25, preferably have link hinges 56 that allow segment 10 to be folded over segment 15, segment 15 to be folded over segment 20, and segment 20 to be folded over segment 25. Thus, this combination of two or more rigid segments flexibly interconnected enables mat 1 to be conveniently folded.

Bubbling bath mat 1, in conjunction with a compressed air source (not shown) that produces heated air, preferably produces warm bubbles that help maintain water temperature. Still further, bubbling bath mat 1 may preferably be operated in conjunction with the compressed air source using a floating waterproof remote control device (not shown) to improve safety.

The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined herein.