Footbath with seating unit that is movable between a stored position and a use position

Abstract

A footbath ( 110 ) comprises a bath body ( 112 ) defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed the bath body and a seating unit ( 116 ). The bath body is configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water. The seating unit is movable relative to the bath body between a stored position in which the seating unit is at least partially disposed over the bath body and a use position in which the seating unit is retracted from the stored position.

1 . A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water and the seating unit being movable relative to the fixed bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position. 
     
     
         2 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bath body defines recessing for receiving a portion of said seating unit such that said seating unit can be moved from said stored position to said use position by a sliding movement of said seating unit in which said portion of said seating unit moves in said recessing. 
     
     
         3 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said portion of said seating unit comprises a plurality of foot members disposed in opposed spaced apart relation and said recessing comprises respective recesses for said foot members. 
     
     
         4 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said recesses for said foot members are elongate grooves extending along respective sides of said bath body at a basal edge thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said bath body comprises a wall that partially defines said receptacle, said seating unit comprises at least one leg and said recessing comprises a leg receiving recess provided in said wall for the or each leg. 
     
     
         6 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each leg receiving recess is disposed in a free edge of said wall. 
     
     
         7 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said seating unit comprises a support frame, said frame being contoured to at least partially wrap around said bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position. 
     
     
         8 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said support frame comprises an elongate member bent to define at least one foot member and at least one leg contiguous with said foot member. 
     
     
         9 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 8  comprising a said leg that comprises a first portion that extends transversely of a said foot member in a first direction that is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of said bath body and a second portion connected with an end of said first portion that is remote from said foot member and extends transversely of said longitudinal axis in a direction generally opposite said first direction. 
     
     
         10 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said first direction is generally away from a front end of said bath body and said second direction is generally towards said front end. 
     
     
         11 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bath body defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and/or a drainage system can be received such that said bath body can be installed against a wall of a premises with said pipes hidden between said wall and bath body. 
     
     
         12 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said bath body is provided with a mounting aperture for mounting a tap to said bath body for controlling said supply of running water. 
     
     
         13 . A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a movable seating unit, said bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water, and having a footprint, at least a portion of said seating unit being disposed within said footprint when in a stored position and said seating unit being movable from said stored position to a use position in which less or none of the seating portion is within said footprint. 
     
     
         14 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said bath body defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and/or a drainage system can be received such that said bath body can be installed against a wall of a premises with said pipes hidden between said wall and bath body. 
     
     
         15 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said bath body is provided with a mounting aperture for mounting a tap to said bath body for controlling said supply of running water. 
     
     
         16 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said bath body comprises indents in which portions of said seating unit move when said seating unit is moved from said stored position to said use position. 
     
     
         17 . A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit that is slidable relative to the bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position, said bath body being provided with recessing in which a seat support portion of said seating unit can move when the seating unit slides between said stored and use positions. 
     
     
         18 . A footbath installation comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being fixed in position and connected with a supply of running water and having at least one tap for controlling supply of said running water into the bath body and the seating unit being movable from a stored position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a first area and a use position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a second area, said second area being greater than said first area. 
     
     
         19 . A footbath installation as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said bath body is contoured to receive portions of said seating unit when said seating unit is in said stored position. 
     
     
         20 . A footbath installation as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said bath body is provided with at least one channel in which portions of said seating unit can move during movement of said seating unit between said stored and use positions. 
     
     
         21 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said bath body is fixed in position adjacent an upright wall and defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and a drainage system are received such that said pipes are hidden between said wall and bath body. 
     
     
         22 . A footbath as claimed in- claim 18 , comprising a said tap mounted in a mounting aperture defined by said bath body, said tap being operable to control said supply of running water. 
     
     
         23 . A footbath comprising:
 a bath body comprising a bottom wall, a generally upright wall for positioning against an upright wall of a premises and a generally U-shaped wall connected with said upright wall so as to enclose said bottom wall, said bath body having a drainage aperture defined in said base ball and a mounting aperture for a tap for controlling a supply of running water to said bath body and being provided with external recessing, said external recessing comprising two oppositely disposed recesses extending through a rim of said U-shaped wall and two oppositely disposed elongate channels defined by a basal portion of said U-shaped wall; and   a seating unit comprising a seat portion and a seat support portion, said seating unit being movable between a stored position in which said seat portion is disposed over said base wall and a use position in which said seat portion is disposed at least partially outwardly of said bath body and said seat support portion comprising elongate members defining respective feet that can move in said elongate channels and respective legs extending upwardly of said feet and having portions that can pass through said recesses when said seating unit is moved between said stored and use positions.   
     
     
         24 . A footbath comprising:
 a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water; and   a seating unit movable relative to the fixed bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position, said seating unit comprising a support frame contoured to at least partially wrap around said bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position.   
     
     
         25 . A footbath as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein said support frame comprises a member that has a ground contacting portion and a portion that is non-vertical and extends over the bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position.