Hydrotherapy jet system having fluid line quick connector adapted for multiple sizes of jet fixture bodies and other plumbing fittings

Abstract

A hydrotherapy jet system includes a fixture body, an air line connector coupled to the fixture body, and a water line connector coupled to the air line connector. The air line connector is provided with structure adapted to couple about the outside of relatively small fixture bodies and about the inside of relatively large fixture bodies. As such, the air line connector is universal for multiple sizes of fixture bodies. The water line connector is coupled to the rear of the air line connector. The air and water line connectors may be rotated relative to the element to which each is coupled to facilitate assembly and plumbing. Other plumbing components and fittings may be coupled in manner which provides a fluidtight seal and permits the components and fitting to thereafter be rotated relative to each other.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system installable in a hole in a tub wall, said spa jet system comprising: 
 a) a first fluid line connector including a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a fluid outlet portion, 
 said fluid outlet portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining one of a first groove and a first bead, and said outer surface defining one of a second groove and a second bead; and  
   b) a fixture body including a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion defining a nozzle opening, and said rear portion defining a tubular surface having one of an inner groove, an inner bead, an outer groove and an outer bead, 
 said rear portion of said fixture body adapted to be longitudinally coupled to said fluid outlet portion of said first fluid line connector such that said one of an inner groove, an inner bead, an outer groove and an outer bead of said fixture body is engaged with one of said first groove, said first bead, said second groove, and said second bead of said first fluid line connector.  
   
     
     
         2 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said outer surface defining the other of a second groove and a second bead.    
     
     
         3 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said outlet portion of said first fluid line connector is sized to extend over said rear portion of said fixture body.    
     
     
         4 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 an o-ring, 
 wherein said rear portion of said fixture body defines a circumferential channel in which said o-ring sits,  
 said o-ring adapted to be compressed between said outlet portion and said rear portion when said outlet portion is extended over said rear portion.  
   
     
     
         5 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said outlet portion of said first fluid line connector is sized to extend into said rear portion of said fixture body.    
     
     
         6 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 an o-ring, 
 wherein said tubular surface of said rear portion of said fixture body is an outer surface of said rear portion, said outer surface defines a channel, and said o-ring is provided in said channel,  
 said o-ring adapted to be compressed between said outlet portion and said rear portion when said outlet portion is positioned in said rear portion.  
   
     
     
         7 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said fluid outlet portion of said first fluid line connector and said-rear portion of said fixture body are each a non-flanged tubular portion.    
     
     
         8 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 c) a hydrotherapy nozzle assembly provided in said nozzle opening of said front portion of said fixture body.    
     
     
         9 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 c) means for securing said fixture body in the hole in the tub wall.    
     
     
         10 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first fluid connector and said fixture body are adapted to rotate relative to each other when said first fluid connector is longitudinally coupled to said fixture body.    
     
     
         11 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said second fluid inlet of said fluid line connector has either an inner surface or an outer surface that is provided with one of a circumferential third groove and a third bead.    
     
     
         12 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 c) a second fluid connector including a first portion having a fluid inlet, a second portion having a fluid outlet, said fluid outlet having an end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, at least one of said inner surface and said outer surface defining one of a fourth bead and a fourth groove, 
 wherein said one of said circumferential third groove and said third bead of said second fluid inlet of said fluid line connector is adapted to engage with said one of said fourth bead and said fourth groove of said fluid outlet of said second fluid connector.  
   
     
     
         13 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said outer surface of said fluid outlet of said second fluid line connector defines a fourth bead.    
     
     
         14 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said first fluid connector and said second fluid connector are adapted to rotate relative to each other when said second fluid connector is engaged with said first fluid connector.    
     
     
         15 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 an o-ring, 
 wherein said fluid outlet of said second fluid connector defines a channel and said o-ring is seated in said channel, said o-ring adapted to be compressed when said second fluid connector is engaged with said first fluid connector.  
   
     
     
         16 . A hydrotherapy spa jet system according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said fluid outlet of said second portion of said second fluid line connector defines a non-flanged tubular portion.    
     
     
         17 . A fluid line connector, comprising: 
 a tubular construct having a first fluid port and a second fluid port in fluid communication with said first fluid port, said first fluid port having an end having a tapered or rounded edge, an inner surface defining a circumferential groove, and an outer surface defining a bead spaced apart from said end.    
     
     
         18 . A fluid line connector according to  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 an o-ring, wherein said outer surface of said first fluid port defines a channel in which said o-ring is received.    
     
     
         19 . A fluid line connector according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said channel is located between said bead and said end.    
     
     
         20 . A fluid line connector according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said second fluid port includes a barbed portion.    
     
     
         21 . A kit for a hydrotherapy spa jet system, comprising: 
 a) a first fluid line connector including a first fluid inlet and a fluid outlet portion, 
 said fluid outlet portion having an tubular portion defining an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining one of a first groove and a first bead and said outer surface defining one of a second groove and a second bead;  
   b) a fixture body including a rear tubular portion having an outer surface, and inner surface, and a front portion having an nozzle opening, 
 one of said outer surface and said inner surface of said rear portion including either a third bead or a third groove, and said fluid outlet portion of said first fluid line connector sized either to receive said rear tubular body or to be received within said rear tubular body such that said one of said first, second, and third beads is engageable in one of said first, second, and third grooves;  
   c) a hydrotherapy nozzle assembly adapted to be received in said nozzle opening of said fixture body; and    d) means for disassembling said first fluid line connector from said fixture body.    
     
     
         22 . A kit according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 e) a second fluid line connector including a first portion having a fluid inlet and a second portion having a fluid outlet, 
 wherein said first fluid line connector includes a second fluid inlet, said second fluid outlet of said second fluid line being adapted to couple with said second fluid inlet of said first fluid line connector, and  
 wherein said means for disassembling is further adapted to disassemble said second fluid line connector from said first fluid line connector.  
   
     
     
         23 . A kit according to  claim 21 , wherein: 
 said means for disassembling includes a rod portion having a plurality of sections of successively decreasing diameter, a handle portion, and a lip between the rod and handle portions.    
     
     
         24 . A plumbing fitting assembly, comprising: 
 a) a first plumbing component having an first opening including an end, an outer surface defining an outer diameter and having an at least partially circumferential bead spaced apart from said one end, and a channel defined in said outer surface between said bead and said one end,    b) an o-ring provided in said channel; and    c) a second plumbing component having a second opening including an end, and an inner surface defining an inner diameter and having a circumferential groove, said inner diameter corresponding in size with said outer diameter of said first plumbing component, 
 wherein said end of said first plumbing component is inserted into said end of said second plumbing component such that said bead resides in said groove and said o-ring is compressed within said channel by said inner surface of second plumbing component,  
 said o-ring providing a fluid-tight seal between said first and second plumbing components, and said first and second plumbing components, as assembled, capable of being rotated relative to each other.