US3014117A - Automatic electric hot water mat - Google Patents

Description

' Dec. 19, 1.961 R. T. MADDING 4, 7

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC HOT WATER MAT Filed May 15, 1959 Robert 7. Modding INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,014,117 AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC HOT WATER MAT Robert T. Madding, 1115 Jackson, Amarillo, Tex. Filed May 15, 1959, Ser. No. 813,472 3 Claims. (Cl. 219-46) This invention relates generally to mats or mattresses and more particularly to aportable mat including means for heating hot water received therein.

Of course, it is well known that hot water bottles and similar devices have been used for many years for the comfort of those who are ailing from particular causes. The utilization of the hot water devices has proved entirely satisfactory and accordingly it is the contemplation of this invention to provide a novel and improved hot Water device which besides being beneficial to the users health, is extremely comfortable and efliciently portable.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel construction in hot water mats wherein a flexible hollow container or mat is. adapted to receive water through an aperture in one surface thereof. A closure member is provided for covering the aperture to retain the water within the mat.

It is a further object of'this invention to provide novel heating means for water .received within the hot water mat which includes first and second circuits consisting'of insulated electrical heating elements which are received within the hollow container or mat. Associated with the first and second circuits-are electrical supply means for selectively heating the first circuit ort'ne second circuit alone or simultaneously as desired. Also, thermostatic means are utilized conjunction vwith'the supply means for regulating th e temperature of the water within the mat to the desired level. Y i

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a hot water mat which is easily portable and accordingly the mat, which is'extremely thin, is adapted to be folded along a center line parallel to its end surfaces and handles carried by the end surfaces may be utilized for carrying the mat in a luggage like manner.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a headrest cushion which is hinged to the mat adjacent an endlsurface thereof and. which folds downwardly to engage the top surface when the mat is folded and the upper and lower portions of the top surface are fit flush against each other when the mat is positioned in the luggage like position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the hot water mat laid flat in position to be utilized;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating the hot water mat folded into its luggage like condition; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane 3-3 of FIGURE I particularly illustrating the insulated electrical heating elements.

With continuing reference to the drawings numeral generally represents the hot water mat comprising this invention. The mat is preferably formed of rubber or leather and it is made watertight for apparent purposes. The mat 10 includes a top surface 12 and a bottom surface 14. A pair of side surfaces 16 bridge the top and bottom surfaces 112 and 14 while a pair of end surfaces 18 and 20 further enclose the volume defined between the top and bottom surfaces 12 and 14 and the side surfaces 16.

empty, foldable along an approximate center line parallel -to the end surfaces 18 and 20 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The aligned handles 26 and 28 may .then be utilized to carry the mat 10 in a luggage like manner.

A first electrical circuit 30 is received within the volume defined by the mat surfaces proximate the first handle 26.

The first circuit 30 includes electrical resistance heating elements 32 which are insulated by a satisfactory dielectric 34 upon which water 36 received within the mat 10 has no deleterious effect. A second electrical circuit 38 is received within the hollow mat volume spaced from the first circuit 30. The second circuit 38 lies proximate the second handle 28 and also includes a resistance heating element 32 insulated by a good dielectric 34.

Each of the electrical circuits 30 and 38 have conductors 40 and 42 respectively which are electrically connected to a thermostatic element 44 which may be set at a desired temperature for satisfactorily regulating the tem perature of the water 36 within the mat 10. A conventional male plug 46, or for that matter any plug or jack is adapted to electrically connect thecircuits 30 and 38 to an electrical supply source. A conductor 48 extends from the plug 46 to a conventional male plug 50 having prongs 52 and 54 for reception in any wall outlet. Interposed in the conductor 48 is a three position switch 56 having a selector actuator 58 which may be moved to any of three positions where illustrated on the face of the switch 56. It is contemplated that in a first position the electrical circuit 30 will be energized while in a second position the electrical circuit 32 will be energized. In a third position it is contemplated to energize both the first and second electrical circuits 30 and 38. The particular switch construction is not illustrated inasmuch as conventional switching means may here be utilized and the precise structure thereof does not form a part of this invention. It will be appreciated that the three position switch 56 facilitates the utilization of the device inasmuch as by providing for selective heating, the precise body area to be treated may be treated without uncomfortably affecting other portions of the body.

A headrest cushion 60 is pivotally hinged to the end surface 20 at 62, inwardly of or on top of the top surface 12. By so doing, it is apparent that the cushion 60 may add extreme comfort to the device while it will not hinder the portability thereof as it neatly pivots to a position within the top and bottom portion of the top surface.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a hot water mat has been disclosed for utilization by persons as a comfortable resting mat or for health purposes in particular. The particular mat construction relative to the types of materials utilized is not limited and any good material as rubber, or leather having a rubber inner coating, will suffice as long as the mat construction is leakproof. The aperture in the first end surface 18 along with the plug 24 allows the device to be properly filled and sealed. The switch 56 provides for the selective energization of either or both of the electric circuits for heating the particular body areas desired while the thermostatic means 44 insure the achievement of the desired temperature conditions of the hot water mat.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An automatic electric hot water mat comprising a flexible hollow container including spaced top and bottom surfaces, a pair of spaced end surfaces and a pair of spaced side surfaces, a first handle member secured to a first of said end surfaces, a second handle member aligned with said first handle member secured to a second of said end surfaces, a first circuit including insulated electrical heating elements, a second circuit including insulated electrical heating elements, said first circuit received within said hollow container proximate said first end Surface, said second circuit being spaced from said first circuit by a foldable section of said mat and received within said hollow container proximate said second end surface, said hollow container adapted to be folded into two parallel symmetrical sections when empty and adapted to be completely filled with water when said sections are coplanar.

2. An automatic electric hot water mat for supporting a human body comprising a flexible hollow container including spaced top and bottom surfaces, a pair of spaced end surfaces and a pair of spaced side surfaces, 21 first handle member secured to a first of said end surfaces, a second handle member aligned with said first handle member secured to a second of said end surfaces, a first circuit including insulated electrical heating elements, a second circuitincluding insulated electrical heating elements, said first circuit received within said hollow container proximate saidfirst end surface, said second circuit being spaced from said first circuit by a foldable section of said mat and received within said hollow container proximate said second end surface, said hollow container adapted to be folded into two parallel symmetrical sections when empty and adapted to be completely filled with water when said sections are coplanar, electrical supply means connected to said first and second circuits for the energization thereof, said supply means including a three position switch for selectively energizing either of said circuits individually or simultaneously and thermostatic means for controlling the temperature within said container, an aperture in said container for receiving water therethrough, a closure member associated with said aperture, and a headrest cushion pivoted to said container adjacent one of said end surfaces.

3. An automatic electric hot water mat for supporting a human body comprising a flexible hollow container including spaced top and bottom surfaces, a pair of spaced end surfaces and a pair of spaced side surfaces, a first handle member secured to a first of said end surfaces, a second handle member aligned with said first handle member secured to a second of said end surfaces, a first circuit including insulateed electrical heating elements, a second circuit including insulated electrical heating elements, said first circuit received within said hollow container proximate said first end surface, said second circuit being spaced from said first circuit by a foldable section of said mat and received within said hollow container proximate said second end surface, said hollow container adapted to be folded .into two parallel symmetrical sections when empty and adapted to be completely filled with water when said sections are coplanar, electrical supply means connected to said first and second circuits for the energization thereof, said supply means including a three position switch for selectively energizing either of said circuits individually or simultaneously and thermostatic means for controlling the temperature within said container, an aperture in said container for receiving water therethrough, a closure member associated with said aperture, and a headrest cushion pivoted to said container adjacent one of said end surfaces, said handles lying adjacent one another and said headrest positioned between said sections when said mat is folded whereby the folded mat may be carried as conventional luggage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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