GB2173398A - Collapsible shower unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A waterproof box which fits onto a car roof-rack for the containment of luggage. The box lid 1 which fits over the base 2 is fitted with a flange which provides a weatherproof seal to the unit. The lid and base can be separated by the insertion of four poles 6 into corner sockets to convert the box into a shower unit. Curtain track and runners are incorporated into the recessed rim of the lid to allow a shower curtain to be attached and which ensures that the curtain runners are not damaged when the unit is used as a luggage container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A convertible waterproof luggage container and shower unit This invention relates to a waterproof luggage container that converts into a shower unit.

Luggage carried on the roof-rack of cars can be protected from the weather if it is enclosed in a suitable container. This container must completely enclose the luggage to provide adequate protection and also provide a means whereby the luggage can be inserted and removed. Such luggage containers designed for use on car roof-racks may or may not be in current production.

Camping enthusiasts, in particular, often have need to carry luggage on the car roofrack. They also often have need of washing facilities which the average motorist does not.

The present invention would allow the camper, within minutes of arriving at the camp site, to unpack the luggage and convert the container into a shower cubicle.

According to the present invention there is provided a waterproof box comprising a lid and base in which the luggage is contained, a means for separating and holding apart the lid and base for the unit to function as a shower unit and a means of securing a track and runners, for the attachment of a shower curtain.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows in perspective the waterproof luggage container in position on a roof rack Figure 2 illustrates the two halves of the container Figure 3(a) shows one of the "female type" recesses 3 to accommodate the tent poles and (b) shows the overlapping flange 4 of the lid unit Figure 4 shows the shower curtain rail track 5 located inside the lid Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the base and lid unit which prevents damage to the curtain runner when the container is closed Figure 6 shows the complete unit assembled for use as a shower cubicle Referring to the drawing, the unit comprises two open side boxes 1 and 2, one of which is slightly larger than the other (the base) 2 and when placed over it forms a lid.The overlap 4 on the lid 1 prevents the lid from sliding on the base and also forms a weatherproof seal. Both base 1 and lid 2 will be manufactured in a waterproof material, for example fibre glass or plastic. The walls of the base unit will be approximately 0.32 cm.

thick and the base approximately 1.3 cm.

thick. The lid unit walls will be approximately 3.0 cm. to accommodate the curtain rail. In use the base 2 is placed manually onto the roof rack of the car, there to be filled with luggage. The lid is lowered manually onto the base and the whole container secured to the roof-rack by standard luggage strappings-- Fig. 1. To convert the luggage container into the shower unit the lid is removed and the luggage unpacked. The base is then placed on level ground. The lid which forms a canopy to this shower unit is supported above the base-Fig. 6 by four standard interlocking tent poles 6 which are secured by insertion into the "female type" sockets at each corner of the base and lid as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig.

3(a).

The shower curtain hooks onto the runners which are located within the curtain track 5 situated within the inner rim 7 of the lid as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. At one corner the curtain track will overlap to allow the curtain to fully close-see Fig. 4. When the lid is in the closed position on the base the runners are thereby protected from damage.

The shower head and hose supplying the shower unit would be standard equipment that is already commercially available and would clip onto one of the supporting poles, when the shower unit is in use. Likewise, the operation of the shower would be through a standard 12 volt, battery type, self-priming water pump.

To convert the shower unit into the luggage container the steps above are carried out in reverse sequence.

1. A waterproof box comprising lid and base, and means for separating and holding apart the lid and base for the unit to function as a shower unit and a means of securing a track and runners for the attachment of a shower curtain.

2. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 in which there is provided a means of holding the lid and base together and at the same time providing a weatherproof seal.

3. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 and claim 2 wherein a means is provided for the securing of supporting poles to hold apart the lid and base to allow the box to operate as a shower unit.

4. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 wherein the means is provided in the lid for the inclusion of a curtain track.

5. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the curtain track is positioned to facilitate movement of the runners and protection of the runners when the unit is closed.

6. A waterproof box substatially designed herein with reference to Figs. 1-6 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A convertible waterproof luggage container and shower unit This invention relates to a waterproof luggage container that converts into a shower unit. Luggage carried on the roof-rack of cars can be protected from the weather if it is enclosed in a suitable container. This container must completely enclose the luggage to provide adequate protection and also provide a means whereby the luggage can be inserted and removed. Such luggage containers designed for use on car roof-racks may or may not be in current production. Camping enthusiasts, in particular, often have need to carry luggage on the car roofrack. They also often have need of washing facilities which the average motorist does not. The present invention would allow the camper, within minutes of arriving at the camp site, to unpack the luggage and convert the container into a shower cubicle. According to the present invention there is provided a waterproof box comprising a lid and base in which the luggage is contained, a means for separating and holding apart the lid and base for the unit to function as a shower unit and a means of securing a track and runners, for the attachment of a shower curtain. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows in perspective the waterproof luggage container in position on a roof rack Figure 2 illustrates the two halves of the container Figure 3(a) shows one of the "female type" recesses 3 to accommodate the tent poles and (b) shows the overlapping flange 4 of the lid unit Figure 4 shows the shower curtain rail track 5 located inside the lid Figure 5 shows the arrangement of the base and lid unit which prevents damage to the curtain runner when the container is closed Figure 6 shows the complete unit assembled for use as a shower cubicle Referring to the drawing, the unit comprises two open side boxes 1 and 2, one of which is slightly larger than the other (the base) 2 and when placed over it forms a lid.The overlap 4 on the lid 1 prevents the lid from sliding on the base and also forms a weatherproof seal. Both base 1 and lid 2 will be manufactured in a waterproof material, for example fibre glass or plastic. The walls of the base unit will be approximately 0.32 cm. thick and the base approximately 1.3 cm. thick. The lid unit walls will be approximately 3.0 cm. to accommodate the curtain rail. In use the base 2 is placed manually onto the roof rack of the car, there to be filled with luggage. The lid is lowered manually onto the base and the whole container secured to the roof-rack by standard luggage strappings-- Fig. 1. To convert the luggage container into the shower unit the lid is removed and the luggage unpacked. The base is then placed on level ground. The lid which forms a canopy to this shower unit is supported above the base-Fig. 6 by four standard interlocking tent poles 6 which are secured by insertion into the "female type" sockets at each corner of the base and lid as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3(a). The shower curtain hooks onto the runners which are located within the curtain track 5 situated within the inner rim 7 of the lid as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. At one corner the curtain track will overlap to allow the curtain to fully close-see Fig. 4. When the lid is in the closed position on the base the runners are thereby protected from damage. The shower head and hose supplying the shower unit would be standard equipment that is already commercially available and would clip onto one of the supporting poles, when the shower unit is in use. Likewise, the operation of the shower would be through a standard 12 volt, battery type, self-priming water pump. To convert the shower unit into the luggage container the steps above are carried out in reverse sequence. CLAIMS

1. A waterproof box comprising lid and base, and means for separating and holding apart the lid and base for the unit to function as a shower unit and a means of securing a track and runners for the attachment of a shower curtain.

2. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 in which there is provided a means of holding the lid and base together and at the same time providing a weatherproof seal.

3. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 and claim 2 wherein a means is provided for the securing of supporting poles to hold apart the lid and base to allow the box to operate as a shower unit.

4. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 and Claim 3 wherein the means is provided in the lid for the inclusion of a curtain track.

5. A waterproof box as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the curtain track is positioned to facilitate movement of the runners and protection of the runners when the unit is closed.

6. A waterproof box substatially designed herein with reference to Figs. 1-6 of the accompanying drawing.