US 12,232,659 B2
Reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in tub bathing installation with a single pump for multiple functions
Daniel Oliver, Linden, TN (US); Eric J. Kownacki, Rancho Bernardo, CA (US); and Graham J. Campbell, Irvine, CA (US)
Assigned to Daniel Oliver, Hohenwald, TN (US)
Filed by Daniel Oliver, Linden, TN (US)
Filed on May 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/142,102.
Application 18/142,102 is a division of application No. 17/081,881, filed on Oct. 27, 2020, granted, now 11,659,963.
Application 17/081,881 is a division of application No. 16/195,529, filed on Nov. 19, 2018, granted, now 10,874,260, issued on Dec. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0270293 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47K 3/02 (2006.01); A47K 3/10 (2006.01)
CPC A47K 3/02 (2013.01) [A47K 3/10 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in tub bathing installation including two 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 outlet port of the pump to two types of discharge ports, the pipe system including a valve to configure a first water path and a second water path between the valve and a respective one of the two types of discharge ports to selectively direct the pressurized water of the two types of discharge ports;
said pipe system includes a first pipe section connecting the pump output port to an input port of the valve, said first water path comprises a second pipe section connected between a first outlet port of the valve and the first type of discharge ports, and said second water path comprises a third pipe section connected between a second outlet port of the valve and the second type of discharge ports;
wherein a first type of discharge ports is one or more bath jets, and wherein when setting the valve to direct pressurized water to the first type of discharge ports, a bath jetting function is performed;
wherein a second type of discharge ports is a drain discharge port for discharging pressurized water from the walk-in bathing installation for rapid draining to a sanitary drain and wherein when water is directed to the second type of discharge ports, a drain function is performed,
wherein the valve in a first valve position directs water flow to the one or more bath jets, and in a second valve position prevents water flow to the one or more bath jets and allows water flow to the sanitary drain, and
wherein the water distribution system selectively enables the walk-in bathing installation to perform at least two different functions using a single pump.