AU2023200810A1

AU2023200810A1 - Portable Shower Enclosure

Info

Publication number: AU2023200810A1
Application number: AU2023200810A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Easton
Original assignee: Easton Brian Wilfred
Current assignee: Easton Brian Wilfred
Priority date: 2022-02-14
Filing date: 2023-02-14
Publication date: 2023-08-31

Abstract

PORTABLE SHOWER ENCLOSURE ABSTRACT According to a first aspect there is disclosed a portable shower enclosure (10) including an enclosure base (12) upon which a bather stands when using the portable shower enclosure for taking a shower. The portable shower enclosure (10) further includes an enclosure roof (14) operatively associated with the enclosure base (12) and a collapsible side wall assembly (16) operatively adapted to provide a privacy screen for the bather taking a shower. The portable shower enclosure (10) is adapted to be located in (i) an erected position for use by the bather; and (ii) a collapsed position in which the collapsible side wall assembly (16) is collapsed and enclosed between the enclosure base (12) and the enclosure roof (14) to facilitate transport. 1/3 24 4 18 242 -1-8 24 ---- ---- 2 8 + 22 22 28.2 -34 ,-34 36 - 34 56- 30.2 ------- 34 --- -- - - ------- -------- -- -------- - - -16 S28.1 1 30 3 3426.2 342 3 4 --- - - - - - -- - ------- - - - 26. 441-- -4 40 44--------------------------- --- 44-- -- --,--50 38 44 42 + ~44 ++4 12/ 5 52)5 4 FIG. 1 10 24 24 14 241 4 24 --16 41 -20 FIG. 2

Description

1/3 4 18 24

242 -1-8

24 ---- ---- 28 + 22 22

28.2 -34 ,-3436 - 34 56- 30.2 ------- 34 - - -- - - ------- -------- -- -------- - - -16 S28.1 1

3 3426.2 342 34 - - -- - ------- - - - - - ----

26. 4 1- -4 40

44--------------------------- --- 44-- -- --,--50 38 44

42 + ~44 ++4

12/ 5 52)5 4

FIG. 1 10 14 241 24 24

4 24 --16

41 -20

FIG. 2

PORTABLE SHOWER ENCLOSURE FIELD

[0001] The invention concerns a portable shower enclosure. In one non-exclusive aspect the invention concerns a portable shower enclosure for use by campers or persons vacationing with a caravan.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Campers or persons spending extended periods of time outdoors will have need or desire to bathe. Camp sites will typically provide ablution facilities for use by campers. There are, however, instances where an outdoors enthusiast may be camping at a location without public ablution facilities. In other instances, a camper may prefer not to make use of public ablution facilities.

[0003] As camping and vacationing by caravan has increased in popularity many portable showers have been developed. One example of a portable shower includes a nozzle coupled to a tank which can be hung from a tree or other suitable elevated structure. In use a bather stands underneath the nozzle and water is dispensed from the tank onto the bather. An alternative shower includes a hand-held nozzle connected to a tank via a hose. A water pump delivers water from the tank to the hand-held nozzle. Another known portable shower includes a tank having a vertical post and a shower nozzle connected thereto. A foot pump is connected to the tank to deliver pressurised water from the tank to the shower nozzle. Yet another known portable shower comprises a rigid frame with a flexible curtain suspended therefrom. An overhead container retains a supply of water which is selectively delivered to a bather.

[0004] Drawbacks associated with existing portable showers include that they can be relatively expensive to manufacture due to complexities of design. Another drawback associated with some portable showers is that they tend to be cumbersome to construct at a camping site and inconvenient to use. Other portable showers suffer from the drawback that they do not provide a bather with sufficient privacy. Some portable showers which employ privacy curtains can suffer from the drawback that the curtain is susceptible to ripping or tearing and may be damaged outdoors by weather occurrences such as strong wind.

OBJECT

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative portable shower enclosure for use by campers and persons vacationing with caravans.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect there is disclosed herein a portable shower enclosure including:

an enclosure base upon which a bather stands when using the portable shower enclosure for taking a shower;

an enclosure roof operatively associated with the enclosure base; and

a collapsible side wall assembly operatively adapted to provide a privacy screen for the bather taking a shower,

wherein the portable shower enclosure is adapted to be located in (i) an erected position for use by the bather; and (ii) a collapsed position in which the collapsible side wall assembly is collapsed and enclosed between the enclosure base and the enclosure roof to facilitate transport.

[0007] Preferably the collapsible side assembly includes telescopic roof supports to support the enclosure roof when the portable shower enclosure is located in the erected position.

[0008] Preferably the collapsible side wall assembly includes a first, second and third enclosure wall and an enclosure door.

[0009] Preferably the first enclosure wall opposes the second enclosure wall.

[0010] Preferably the third enclosure wall opposes the enclosure door.

[0011] Preferably the third enclosure wall and the enclosure door are transversely orientated relative to the first and second enclosure wall.

[0012] Preferably the first enclosure wall includes a first wall lower panel and a first wall upper panel pivotally connected to the first wall lower panel.

[0013] Preferably the second enclosure wall includes a second wall lower panel and a second wall upper panel pivotally connected to the second wall lower panel.

[0014] Preferably the third enclosure wall includes a third wall lower panel and a third wall upper panel pivotally connected to the third wall lower panel.

[0015] Preferably the enclosure base includes a floor surface and a first base edge wall upwardly extending from the floor surface and a second base edge wall upwardly extending from the floor surface and transversely orientated relative to the first base edge wall.

[0016] Preferably the second base edge wall has an operative vertical height relative to the floor surface which is greater in magnitude to that of the first base edge wall.

[0017] Preferably the first wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the floor surface of the enclosure base.

[0018] Preferably the second wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the first base edge wall.

[0019] Preferably the third wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the second base edge wall.

[0020] Preferably the enclosure base defines a base slot.

[0021] Preferably the enclosure base includes a platform which is slidably movable relative to the slot so as to be located in an operative extended positions and an inoperative retracted position.

[0022] Preferably the enclosure base includes a plurality of height adjustable feet.

[0023] Preferably the enclosure base includes a floor drain and floor outlet in fluid communication with the floor drain.

[0024] Preferably the third enclosure wall includes a wall opening through which a conduit can operatively extend to supply water to a shower head locatable within the portable shower enclosure.

[0025] Preferably the enclosure roof includes handles to facilitate manual handling of the portable shower enclosure.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment the collapsible side wall assembly includes a first, second and third enclosure wall and an enclosure door, wherein each of the first, second and third enclosure wall and the enclosure door is provided in the form of a length of fabric fitted to a roller that can be pulled when is required to locate the portable shower enclosure in the erected position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter, by way of examples only.

[0028] In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment portable shower enclosure located in an erected position;

[0030] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the portable shower enclosure of Figure 1 located in a collapsed position;

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an enclosure base and a collapsible side wall assembly of the portable shower enclosure of Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the enclosure base and collapsible side wall assembly of the portable shower enclosure of Figure 3;

[0033] Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the enclosure base and collapsible side wall assembly of Figure 4;

[0034] Figure 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an enclosure base and a collapsible side wall assembly of a second embodiment portable shower enclosure located in an erected position; and

[0035] Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the enclosure base and collapsible side wall assembly of the portable shower enclosure of Figure 6 located in a collapsed position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment portable shower enclosure, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The portable shower enclosure 10 comprises an enclosure base 12 upon which a bather stands when using the portable shower enclosure 10 for taking a shower. In this embodiment the base is produced from a polycarbonate. It will of course be appreciated that the base could be produced from a range of materials such as but not limited to fibreglass or eco friendly materials.

[0037] The portable shower enclosure 10 further includes (i) an enclosure roof 14 operatively associated with the enclosure base 12, and (ii) a collapsible side wall assembly 16 operatively adapted to provide a privacy screen for the bather taking a shower. The portable shower enclosure is adapted to be located in (i) an erected position 18 for use by the bather; and (ii) a collapsed position 20, shown in Figure 2, in which the collapsible side wall assembly 16 is collapsed and enclosed between the enclosure base 12 and the enclosure roof 14 so as to facilitate transport of the portable shower enclosure 10. To facilitate manual handling of the portable shower enclosure the enclosure roof 14 includes a number of handles 22.

[0038] The collapsible side assembly 16 includes four telescopic roof supports 24 to support the enclosure roof 14 when the portable shower enclosure 10 is located in the erected position 18. The telescopic roof supports 24 are anchored to the enclosure base 12 at one end, and longitudinally extend from the enclosure base 12 to the enclosure roof 14 so as to be secured to the enclosure roof 14 at their other ends.

[0039] The collapsible side wall assembly 16 includes a first, second and third enclosure wall 26, 28, 30 and an enclosure door 32. In this embodiment the first enclosure wall 26 opposes the second enclosure wall 28 and the third enclosure wall 30 opposes the enclosure door 32. As shown, the third enclosure wall 30 and the enclosure door 32 are transversely orientated relative to the first and second enclosure walls 26, 28.

[0040] In this embodiment the first enclosure wall 26 includes a first wall lower panel 26.1 and a first wall upper panel 26.2 pivotally connected to the first wall lower panel 26.1 with panel hinges 34. The second enclosure wall 28 includes a second wall lower panel 28.1 and a second wall upper panel 28.2 pivotally connected to the second wall lower panel 28.2 with panel hinges 34. Further, the third enclosure wall 30 includes a third wall lower panel 30.1 and a third wall upper panel 30.2 pivotally connected to the third wall lower panel 30.2 with panel hinges 34. The embodiment enclosure door 32 comprises a length of fabric 36 mounted to a non-illustrated roller. The fabric 36 can be rolled and unrolled respectively to open and close the enclosure door 32.

[0041] In this embodiment the first, second and third enclosure wall 26, 28, 30 is produced from a polycarbonate with a frosted appearance. It will of course be appreciated that the enclosure walls 26, 28, 30 can be produced from a range of materials including, but not limited to, treated glass and fibre glass.

[0042] The enclosure base 12 includes a floor surface 38 and a first base edge wall 40 upwardly extending from the floor surface 38 and a second base edge wall 42 upwardly extending from the floor surface 38 and transversely orientated relative to the first base edge wall 40. The second base edge wall 42 has an operative vertical height relative to the floor surface 38 which is greater in magnitude than that of the first base edge wall 40.

[0043] The first wall lower panel 26.1 is pivotally mounted to the floor surface 38 of the enclosure base 12 with the use of base hinges 44. The second wall lower panel 28.1, in turn, is pivotally mounted to the first base edge wall 40 with base hinges 44. The third wall lower panel 30.1 is pivotally mounted to the second base edge wall 42 with base hinges 44.

[0044] The enclosure base 12 defines a base slot 46. The enclosure base 12 includes a platform 48 which is slidably movable relative to the base slot 46 so as to be located in an operative extended position, shown in Figure 1, and an inoperative retracted position, shown in Figure 2. The platform 48 provides a location upon which a bather can stand after a shower to dry themselves.

[0045] The enclosure base 12 includes a floor drain 50 and a floor outlet 52 in fluid communication with the floor drain 50 with a non-illustrated conduit. The floor outlet 52 is adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a non-illustrated pipe to feed wastewater from the enclosure base 12 to a wastewater sump. In one application the pipe can be coupled to a non illustrated pump for pumping water from the enclosure base 12.

[0046] The enclosure base 12 includes a plurality of height adjustable feet 52 downwardly extending therefrom. The feet 54 are adapted to be adjusted to ensure that wastewater will flow under the influence of gravity to the floor drain 50.

[0047] The third enclosure wall 30 includes a wall opening 56 through which a conduit can operatively extend to supply water to a non-illustrated shower head locatable within the portable shower enclosure 10.

[0048] Figures 3 to 5 depict how the portable shower enclosure 10 is moved from its erected position 18 to the collapsed condition 20. The first, second and third enclosure walls 26, 28, 30 are detachably connected to the enclosure roof 14 with non-illustrated fasteners. From the above description it will be appreciated that the first enclosure wall 26 has a length greater in magnitude than that of the second enclosure wall 28. The second enclosure wall 28, in turn, has a length that is greater in magnitude than that of the third enclosure wall 30. The lengths of the first, second and third enclosure walls 26, 28, 30 are specifically adapted to enable the first enclosure wall 26 to be collapsed to lie adjacent the floor surface 38 in the position shown, whereafter the second enclosure wall 28 is collapsed and located on top of the first enclosure wall 26. Hereafter the third enclosure wall 30 is collapsed and located on top of the second enclosure wall 28. Finally, the telescopic roof supports 24 are collapsed so that the enclosure roof 14 is located in the position depicted in Figure 2 so that it can be carried by the handles 22. The door 32, not depicted in Figures 3 to 5, is placed into the base 12 through base slot 46 after the roller has rolled-up the fabric 36.

[0049] To cause the portable shower enclosure 10 to be located in its collapsed position the above process is followed in reverse.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment portable shower enclosure 100, depicted in Figures 6 and 7, a collapsible side wall assembly 116 includes a first, second and third enclosure wall 126, 128, 130 and a non-illustrated enclosure door. The first, second and third enclosure wall 126, 128, 130 and non-illustrated enclosure door are provided in the form of a length of fabric 136 fitted to a roller 138. The lengths of fabric can be pulled to be extended when it is required to locate the portable shower enclosure 100 in the erected position. To collapse the portable shower enclosure 100 the fabric 136 is retracted via the rollers 138.

[0051] It is pointed out that the telescopic roof supports 24 could be hydraulically actuated.

[0052] It is further pointed out that an embodiment portable shower enclosure could include a coupling assembly adapted to secure the portable shower enclosure to a caravan or vehicle.

[0053] It is pointed out that the portable shower enclosure is sized such that it may be placed within a small compartment tent to ensure privacy for a bather.

[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

KEY TO REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

Portable shower enclosure 12 Enclosure base 14 Enclosure roof 16 Collapsible side wall assembly 18 Erected position Collapsed position 22 Handles 24 Telescopic roof supports

26 First enclosure wall 26.1 First wall lower panel 26.2 First wall upper panel 28 Second enclosure wall 28.1 Second wall lower panel 28.2 Second wall upper panel Third wall enclosure wall 30.1 Third wall lower panel 30.2 Third wall upper panel 32 Enclosure door 34 Panel hinges 36 Fabric 38 Floor surface First base edge wall 42 Second base edge wall 44 Base hinge 46 Base slot 48 Platform Floor drain 62 Floor outlet 56 Wall opening 100 Second embodiment portable shower enclosure 116 Collapsible side wall assembly 126 First enclosure wall 128 Second enclosure wall 130 Third enclosure wall 132 Enclosure door 136 Fabric 138 Roller

Claims

1. A portable shower enclosure including:

an enclosure roof operatively associated with the enclosure base; and

2. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible side assembly includes telescopic roof supports to support the enclosure roof when the portable shower enclosure is located in the erected position.

3. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 2, wherein the collapsible side wall assembly includes a first, second and third enclosure wall and an enclosure door.

4. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the first enclosure wall opposes the second enclosure wall.

5. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 4, wherein the third enclosure wall opposes the enclosure door.

6. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the third enclosure wall and the enclosure door are transversely orientated relative to the first and second enclosure wall.

7. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the first enclosure wall includes a first wall lower panel and a first wall upper panel pivotally connected to the first wall lower panel.

8. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 7, wherein the second enclosure wall includes a second wall lower panel and a second wall upper panel pivotally connected to the second wall lower panel.

9. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 8, wherein the third enclosure wall includes a third wall lower panel and a third wall upper panel pivotally connected to the third wall lower panel.

10. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 9, wherein the enclosure base includes a floor surface and afirst base edge wall upwardly extending from the floor surface and a second base edge wall upwardly extending from the floor surface and transversely orientated relative to the first base edge wall.

11. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 10, wherein the second base edge wall has an operative vertical height relative to the floor surface which is greater in magnitude than that of the first base edge wall.

12. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 11, wherein the first wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the floor surface of the enclosure base.

13. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 12, wherein the second wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the first base edge wall.

14. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the third wall lower panel is pivotally mounted to the second base edge wall.

15. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the enclosure base defines a base slot.

16. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the enclosure base includes a platform which is slidably movable relative to the slot so as to be located in an operative extended position and an inoperative retracted position.

17. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 16, wherein the enclosure base includes a plurality of height adjustable feet.

18. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 17, wherein the enclosure base includes a floor drain and floor outlet in fluid communication with the floor drain.

19. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 18, wherein the third enclosure wall includes a wall opening through which a conduit can operatively extend to supply water to a shower head locatable within the portable shower enclosure.

20. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the enclosure roof includes handles to facilitate manual handling of the portable shower enclosure.

21. A portable shower enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible side wall assembly includes a first, second and third enclosure wall and an enclosure door, wherein each of the first, second and third enclosure wall and the enclosure door is provided in the form of a length of fabric fitted to a roller that can be pulled when is required to locate the portable shower enclosure in the erected position.

Brian Wilfred Easton Patent Attorneys for the Applicant Meyer West IP