Arm rest massage feature for whirlpool tubs

Abstract

A bathing device preferably includes at least one armrest, a seat and a wall connecting the armrest to the seat. The wall preferably defines an undercut arrangement that increases a volume of the bathing device below the armrest to provide additional space for a bather while the bather is seated. The armrest is positioned at a height to support an arm of the bather and preferably defines one or more air and/or fluid emitting orifi that direct a flow of pressurized fluid (e.g., water) and/or air onto a hand, finger, and/or forearm of the bather. The bathing device may be a bath tub, hot tub, spa, whirlpool, or pool and may have various jets or other fluid emitting features for conducting fluid and/or air to give the user pleasure or relief from pain. The bathing device may also be sized and shaped to accommodate multiple bathers simultaneously.

1 . A water tight bathing tub comprising: 
 a generally vertical sidewall of generally consistent height terminating in an upper peripheral edge, the tub defining a watertight volume which can be filled with water for bathing;    the sidewall comprised of a front sidewall portion, and rear sidewall portion, a first sidewall side portion and a second sidewall side portion, the first and second sidewall side portions being substantially mirror images of each other and each extending between the front sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion;    a first arm rest connected to the first sidewall side portion;    a second arm rest connected to the second sidewall side portion opposite the first arm rest;    the first arm rest defining a first arm rest inner edge;    the second arm rest defining a second arm rest inner edge;    a seat portion connected to at least the first and second sidewall side portions along first and second junctures respectively, the first and second junctures being substantially parallel to the upper peripheral edge of the sidewall;    the first and second arm rest inner edges being spaced apart by a first horizontal distance, and the first and second junctures being spaced by a second horizontal distance, the first horizontal distance being substantially less than the second horizontal distance, such that the first and second armrest inner edges are closer to each other than the first and second junctures such that a substantial space is created for the bather's lower body;    the first armrest defining a first armrest hand grip, the second armrest defining a second armrest hand grip, each hand grip adapted to permit the grasping thereof by a bather to facilitate the stabilization of the bather while moving into and out of the tub;    the first armrest defining at least one orifice in a horizontal surface thereof adapted to direct a flow of water or air upward into at least one of a hand, a finger, and a forearm of the bather;    
   
   
       2 . The tub of  claim 1 , wherein the second armrest further defines at least one orifice adapted to direct a flow of water or air upward onto at least one of a hand, a finger and a forearm of the bather.  
   
   
       3 . The tub of  claim 1 , further including at least one water jet connected to the first armrest adapted to emit a flow of water under pressure there through to provide hydrotherapy massage to the hand of the user.  
   
   
       4 . The tub of  claim 2 , further including at least one water jet connected to the first armrest adapted to emit a flow of water under pressure there through to provide hydrotherapy massage to the hand of the user.