GB2395429A

GB2395429A - Shower apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2395429A
Application number: GB0227279A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Philip Blanksby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-22
Filing date: 2002-11-22
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: GB0227279D0

Abstract

A shower apparatus 20 comprising a housing 10 and a water conduit 3 defining a water inlet 9 and a water outlet 5 interconnected by a passageway, the water outlet adapted to extend through an opening in the housing 10, wherein the position of the water outlet 5 is adapted to be moveable substantially parallel with, and substantially outwardly from, an outer face of the housing 10.

Description

Shower Apparatus The present invention relates to a shower apparatus.

5 Shower units for use in a stand alone shower cubicle or while a user stands in a bath, are available in a number of different forms. Some shower units have a fixed shower head which is firmly secured to a wall in the cubicle or next to the bath usually set to the height of the tallest 10 member of the family. Such fixed shower head units are tidy and easy to use. However, because the shower head is fixed so high up, smaller members of the family always have to get their hair wet, and often cannot reach the fixed head secured to the wall to change the spray paten, 15 i.e. from wide spray to narrow spray to champagne spray etc. Shower units are also available having a flexible shower head which are very versatile. Such shower units include a 20 vertical guide rail which is fixed to the wall and a shower head the height of which can be adjusted by sliding it up and down the rail. In addition, the head may be taken off the rail and this is possible because the shower head is attached to the rest of the shower unit via a 25 flexible hose which hangs naturally down the wall of the shower unit. Unfortunately, the hose may be pulled on by small children resulting in a broken bracket, or in the shower head crushing down into the shower tray or bath.

Additionally, with such flexible shower head units, the 30 hose often gets dirty with soap, shower gel and shampoo eta and is often very difficult to clean efficiently.

It is one aim of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide a flexible shower apparatus which may be adjusted to any height or position in the shower or bath, which is tidy and which 5 may be easily cleaned.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower apparatus comprising a housing and a water conduit defining a water inlet and a water 10 outlet interconnected by a passageway, the water outlet adapted to extend through an opening in the housing, wherein the position of the water outlet is adapted to be moveable substantially parallel with, and substantially outwardly from, an outer face of the housing.

Preferably, the housing is adapted to be secured to a surface, for example, a wall, by suitable means. The housing may be supported in a cavity in the wall.

Preferably, the housing is substantially elongate and is 20 preferably adapted to be secured substantially vertically to the surface. Preferably, the opening in the housing and the water outlet of the water conduit extend through the outer face of the housing. By outwardly, we mean the water outlet is adapted to move away from the outer face of the 25 housing in a direction towards a user of the shower apparatus. Preferably, the water outlet comprises a shower head the position of which may be adjustable. Preferably, the water 30 outlet is adapted to move in any direction substantially parallel with the outer face of the housing. Preferably, the water outlet is adapted to move along a substantially vertical axis with respect to the housing. Preferably, the

outlet is adapted to move up and down with respect to the housing. Preferably, the water outlet is adapted to move in any direction substantially transverse to the outer surface of the housing. Preferably, the water outlet is 5 adapted to be pulled away from the housing.

Preferably, the opening comprises an elongate slot through which the water outlet may extend. Preferably, the water outlet is adapted to slide along the slot. Preferably, the 10 water outlet is attached to a slide bracket which is adapted to slide along the slot. Preferably, the opening is covered by cover means which is adapted to cover regions of the opening not accommodating the water outlet.

Preferably, the cover means is flexible and is preferably 15 slidable over the opening. Preferably, the cover means comprises a slide panel which moves to accommodate movement of the water outlet. Preferably, the water conduit is adapted to move freely with respect to the opening in the housing and with respect to the cover 20 means.

Advantageously, the slide panel prevents excessive inflow of water into the housing when the shower head is slid up and down and/or pulled away from the housing.

Preferably, the shower apparatus comprises first and second cover retaining rollers which are preferably, located inside the housing. Preferably, the first and second rollers are fixed at upper and lower sections of 30 the housing or at either end of the opening. Preferably, the cover means is adapted to be rolled on and off the first and second cover retaining rollers respectively as the water outlet is moved along the opening. For example,

as the water outlet is moved from one end of the slot to the other, the cover means is rolled off the first cover retaining roller and rolled on the second cover retaining roller thereby preventing the cover means from becoming 5 slack.

Advantageously, the shower head can be slid up and down in the slot in the housing thereby adjusting 'the height thereof and, in addition, it can be pulled away from the 10 housing to enable washing close to the body.

Preferably, the water conduit comprises a hose or pipe, which is preferably flexible. Preferably, the inlet enters the housing substantially at a lower region thereof.

15 Preferably, the water conduit is substantially enclosed within the housing, preferably resiliently therein.

Preferably, the shower apparatus comprises tensioning means which is adapted to maintain the tension of the 20 water conduit irrespective of the position of the water outlet. Preferably, the tensioning means comprises first and second conduit retaining rollers which are preferably mounted such that elongate axes thereof are substantially horizontal inside the housing. Preferably, the first and 25 second conduit retaining rollers are adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis.

Preferably, the first conduit retaining roller is resiliently attached to a first end of the housing and, 30 preferably, the second conduit retaining roller is resiliently attached to a second end of the housing.

Preferably, the conduit retaining rollers are attached to their respective ends of the housing by at least one

spring. Preferably, the rollers are attached to their respective end of the housing by two springs, one on either end of each roller. Preferably, the conduit retaining rollers are 'floating' rollers whose position 5 'floats' inside the housing, dependent on the extension of the springs.

Preferably, the first conduit retaining roller is an upper roller and the second conduit retaining roller is a lower 10 roller. Preferably, the water conduit is adapted to extend over the first conduit retaining roller and under the second conduit retaining roller. Preferably, the water conduit is fed over the top of the upper conduit retaining roller, downwardly and around the underneath of the lower 15 conduit retaining roller.

Advantageously, because the hose is maintained resiliently in the housing by the pulleys, the shower head and the hose never become slack and hang loose down the front of 20 the housing. Advantageously, the hose and shower head are pulled back into the housing by the resilient nature of the tensioning means. Advantageously, having the upper and lower conduit retaining rollers both being attached to their respective ends of the housing by springs enables 25 the hose and hence shower head to be pulled out much further than if one of the conduit retaining rollers was rigidly fixed in the housing.

Preferably, the shower apparatus comprises drainage means.

30 Preferably, the drainage means comprises an aperture extending through a lower region of the housing.

Preferably, the aperture is in operable communication with

a drainage pipe and adapted to carry fluid from inside the housing to outside the housing.

All of the features described herein may be combined with 5 any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the 10 accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the shower unit in a first configuration; 15 Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of the shower unit in a second configuration; Figure 3 shows a crosssectional side view of the shower unit shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the shower unit in a third configuration.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a shower unit 20 25 consisting of an elongate housing 10 which is secured vertically to a wall 30 on an inside of a shower cubicle (not shown), or a wall 30 next to a bath (not shown). When the shower unit 20 is secured in position, the wall 30 is tiled and then sealed with silicon. Alternatively, the 30 shower unit 20 may be mounted into a cavity (not shown) in the wall 30. The outer face of the housing 10 is then flush with the wall 30 thereby providing more space in the shower cubicle, and also looking tidier.

A face plate 12 surrounds the housing 10 which covers internal parts thereof as shown in Figure 1, and this can be removed to service the shower unit 20. The front of the 5 housing 10 consists of a slide panel 11 to which is attached a slide bracket 4 on which a flexible, slideable shower head 5 is secured.

As shown in Figure 3, water 28 is delivered to the shower 10 head 5 via a hose 3 which is attached to a water inlet pipe 9 which enters the shower unit 20 at the base of the housing 10. The hose 3 passes through a hole (not shown) in the centre of the slide bracket 4 against which the shower head 5 is maintained. A drain pipe 8 is provided at 15 the base of housing 10 so that any water that may enter the shower unit 20 through the slide panel 11 can drain away, thereby avoiding excess water build up.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shower head 5 is 20 adjustable in terms of its height on the housing 10. The slide bracket 4 against which the head 5 is maintained, may be slid up and down the housing 10 as desired. As the position of the head S is adjusted, the slide panel 11 moves to accommodate the movement thereof. The shower unit 25 20 includes an upper roller 7 and a lower roller 6 onto which the slide panel 11 can be rolled depending on the direction in which the head 5 is slid.

For example, as the shower head 5 is slid downwardly in 30 the direction of arrow 'B' shown in Figure 3, the slide panel 11 is unrolled from the upper roller 7 and rolled up onto the lower roller 6. As the shower head 5 is slid upwardly in the direction of arrow 'A', the slide panel 11

is unrolled from the lower roller 6 and rolled up onto the upper roller 7. The purpose of the slide panel 11 is to cover the interior of the housing 10 at all times irrespective of the position of the shower head 5.

5 However, as mentioned above, should any unwanted water work its way into the housing, then it is directed away via the drain pipe 8 as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 2,3 and 4, the water hose 3 is shown 10 held in position inside the housing 10 by an upper horizontally orientated roller 1 and a lower horizontally orientated roller 2. The upper roller 1 is spring-loaded by means of two springs 22, each having a first end 22a which is attached to either end of the upper roller 1, and 15 each spring 22 having a second end 22b which is attached to the roof of the housing 10. The lower roller 2 is spring-loaded by means of two springs 24 each having a first end 24a which is attached to either end of the lower roller 2, and a second end 24b which is attached to the 20 roof of the housing 10.

Referring to Figure 3, the hose 3 is shown being fed upwardly from the base of the housing 10 where it is attached to the water inlet 9, over the top of the upper 25 roller 1, downwardly and around the underneath of the lower roller 2, and then through the slide bracket 4 where it is attached to the shower head 5. This arrangement allows the slide bracket 4 to slide up and down the slide panel 11 with the shower head 5 in its fixed position 30 adjacent the housing 10.

As shown in Figure 2, in order for the shower head 5 to be fixed in the lower position, both spring loaded rollers

1,2 rest in their resting position, i.e. with the respective springs 22, 24 in an unextended configuration.

As shown in Figure 3, in order for the shower head 5 to be 5 fixed in the upper position, the spring loaded upper roller 1 rests in the upper position (unextended spring 22), and the spring loaded lower roller 2 extends approximately midway up the housing 10 (extended spring 24). As the shower head 5 is slid up and down, the rollers 1,2 maintain the hose 3 taut, and the shower head 5 firmly in place in the slide bracket 4. The tension prevents the shower head 5 and the hose 3 from hanging loose.

Referring to Figure 4, in addition to adjusting the height of the shower head 5 with respect to the housing 10, an operator can pull the shower head 5 away therefrom in the direction of arrow 'D', for example, for washing the bath 20 or base of the shower cubicle etc. or for washing close to the body. When the shower head 5 is pulled away from the slide bracket 4 when at any position on the slide panel 11, the hose 3 is also pulled out of the housing 10, through the bracket 4 and constantly maintained under 25 tension by the upper and lower rollers 1,2 and associated springs 22,24. The hose 3 can only be fully extended in its flexible position when the slide bracket 4 is at the very bottom of the shower housing 10 as shown in Figure 4.

30 The shower head 5 is then pulled back towards the slide bracket 4 and the housing 10 by the tension exerted by the springs 22,24 on the hose 3 which is pulled back into the housing 10 where it is stored. Hence, the shower unit 20

is very tidy when not in use and hence, very easily cleaned. Advantages of the shower unit 20 reside in the effective 5 manner in which the spring loaded rollers 1,2 maintain the hose 3 taut, and also the shower head 5 firmly in place in the slide bracket 4 as the shower head 5 is slid up and down. The tension in the springs 22,24 prevents the shower head 5 and the hose 3 from hanging loose. The shower head 10 5 is fully flexible in terms of the position since the height of the head 5 can be adjusted. Secondly, the head 5 can be pulled away from the housing 10 for showering close to the body. The slide panel 11 prevents water 28 working its way into the inside of the housing 10, although a 15 drainage pipe 8 is provided in case some water does manage to get in. The shower unit 20 is flexible, fully adjustable, tidy and may be easily cleaned.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and 20 documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and

documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, 30 except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including

any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated 5 otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the 10 foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any 15 method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A shower apparatus comprising a housing and a water conduit defining a water inlet and a water outlet 5 interconnected by a passageway, the water outlet adapted to extend through an opening in the housing, wherein the position of the water outlet is adapted to be moveable substantially parallel with, and substantially outwardly from, an outer face of the housing.

2. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening in the housing and the water outlet of the water conduit extend through the outer face of the housing.

À. - À À À e A. À..... 15

3. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the water outlet comprises a shower head.

À. À: :

4. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water outlet is adapted to move in any À 20 direction substantially parallel with the outer face of À the housing.

5. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water outlet is adapted to move along a 25 substantially vertical axis with respect to the housing.

6. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outlet is adapted to move up and down with respect to the housing.

7. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water outlet is adapted to move in any

direction substantially transverse to the outer surface of the housing.

8. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, 5 wherein the water outlet is adapted to be pulled away from the housing.

9. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opening comprises an elongate slot through 10 which the water outlet may extend.

10. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the water outlet is adapted to slide along the slot.

À. Àe À À À Àe À..... 15

11. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the water outlet is attached to a slide ... À À bracket which is adapted to slide along the slot.

À.- e.

À

12. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, À À-e 20 wherein the opening is covered by cover means which is À. - À adapted to cover regions of the opening not accommodating the water outlet.

13. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the 25 cover means is flexible and is slidable over the opening.

14. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the cover means comprises a slide panel which moves to accommodate movement of the water outlet.

15. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the water conduit is adapted to move freely

with respect to the opening in the housing and with respect to the cover means.

16. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, 5 wherein the shower apparatus comprises first and second cover retaining rollers which are located inside the housing.

17. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the 10 first and second rollers are fixed at upper and lower sections of the housing or at either end of the opening.

18. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 16 or Àe.. À claim 17, wherein the cover means is adapted to be rolled A. À..... 15 on and off the first and second cover retaining rollers respectively as the water outlet is moved along the Àe À opening. Àee.. À

19. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, À Àe e 20 wherein the shower apparatus comprises tensioning means À.ee.e À À which is adapted to maintain the tension of the water conduit irrespective of the position of the water outlet.

20. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the 25 tensioning means comprises first and second conduit retaining rollers which are mounted such that elongate axes thereof are substantially horizontal inside the housing. 30

21. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first and second conduit retaining rollers are adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis.

22. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the first conduit retaining roller is resiliently attached to a first end of the housing.

5

23. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second conduit retaining roller is resiliently attached to a second end of the housing.

24. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to 10 23, wherein the conduit retaining rollers are attached to their respective ends of the housing by at least one spring. Àe.e À

25. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to À... À..... 15 24, wherein the rollers are attached to their respective end of the housing by two springs, one on either end of A... À À each roller.

I.. À

26. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to À À -.25, wherein the first conduit retaining roller is an upper Àe..-. À roller and the second conduit retaining roller is a lower roller.

27. A shower apparatus as claimed in any of claims 20 to 25 26, wherein the water conduit is adapted to extend over the first conduit retaining roller and under the second conduit retaining roller.

28. A shower apparatus as claimed in either claim 26 or 30 claim 27, wherein the water conduit is fed over the top of the upper conduit retaining roller, downwardly and around the underneath of the lower conduit retaining roller.

29. A shower apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shower apparatus comprises drainage means.

30. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the 5 drainage means comprises an aperture extending through a lower region of the housing.

31. A shower apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the aperture is in operable communication with a drainage pipe 10 and adapted to carry fluid from inside the housing to outside the housing.

32. A shower apparatus substantially as herein described À.. À À with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.

A.. À..... 15

I... À I À Àe À A.. Àe- À