Bath apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall structure has a contact area adapted to be exposed when fluid is contained in the bath chamber. A heating member is provided on the contact area for providing heat, such as infrared rays, to the body part when the body part is placed on the contact area. In addition, the bath apparatus can include at least one massage attachment adapted to be received on the contact area for massaging the body part when the body part engages the massage attachment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for bathing a body part, the apparatus comprising: 
 a bath chamber for containing a fluid and receiving the body part therein, the bath chamber having a contact area; and    a heating member provided on the contact area, the heating member arranged to be uncovered by fluid contained in the bath chamber for providing heat to the body part when the body part is placed on the contact area.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating member further comprises an infrared heating element.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a heater in communication with the bath chamber for maintaining the heat of the fluid contained therein.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including an air pump in communication with the bath chamber for directing air into the bath chamber to generate air bubbles in the fluid contained within the bath chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the air pump directs air through a plurality of holes provided in the bath chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a vibration assembly in communication with the bath chamber for imparting vibration to the bath chamber.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a plurality of raised nodes provided on a bottom surface of the bath chamber.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including at least one massage attachment arranged to be received on the contact area for massaging the body part when the body part engages the massage attachment.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further including a storage unit arranged to be attached to the bath chamber for storing the at least one massage attachment therein.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the bath chamber has at least one roller provided thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the rollers are detachable from the bottom surface of the bath chamber.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a lid arranged to be attached to the bath chamber to at least partially cover the bath chamber.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bath chamber includes an upstanding wall structure and is generally U-shaped.  
     
     
         14 . A foot bath, comprising: 
 a bath chamber for containing water and receiving at least one foot therein, the bath chamber including a contact portion; and    a heating member provided on the contact portion and arranged to be uncovered by water contained in the bath chamber, the heating member providing infrared rays to a surface of the foot when the foot surface is placed on the contact portion.    
     
     
         15 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , further including a heater provided on an underside of the bath chamber for maintaining the heat of the water contained within the bath chamber.  
     
     
         16 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , further including an air pump in communication with the bath chamber for directing air through a plurality of holes provided in the bath chamber to generate air bubbles in the water contained within the bath chamber.  
     
     
         17 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , further including a vibration assembly in communication with the bath chamber for imparting vibration to the bath chamber.  
     
     
         18 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , further including at least one massage attachment arranged to be received on the contact portion for massaging the foot surface when the foot surface engages the massage attachment.  
     
     
         19 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , wherein a bottom surface of the bath chamber has at least one roller provided thereon.  
     
     
         20 . The foot bath according to  claim 14 , wherein the bath chamber includes an upstanding wall structure and is generally U-shaped.