Patent Application
20060207014
The present invention relates to a shower unit, and more particularly to a corner shower unit with a lumbar cushion.
Oversized luxury showers and accessories are becoming increasing desirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such showers typically include one or more multi-function showerheads individually mounted to a ceiling or wall of the shower. Each showerhead typically provides a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays. Multi-function showerheads may also have flow control valves to allow the user to adjust the flow pressure to a desired level.
Although somewhat effective in providing a desired shower experience, even luxury showers may lack various massage and bathing features more associated with a whirlpool tub. However, the time requirements associated with filling a whirlpool bath often outweigh and operate as an impediment to more regular usage of the whirlpool tub.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a shower which provides the massage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience without the time requirements associated with filling a relatively large whirlpool tub.
The shower system according to the present invention provides a corner shower unit with a track defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support and a multitude of showerheads are mounted to the track for vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit such that the lumbar support is positionable for bathers of various heights. The corner shower unit permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support while a multitude of shower jets to provide a massage action. The shower unit is manufactured of relatively soft resilient materials to cushion a bather leaning thereupon.
Each of the multitude of showerheads are also mounted to the track. The multitude of showerheads are individually adjustable along the length of the track to shower the bather from various directions.
A steam generation system is incorporated into the corner shower unit to mist steam from steam ports such that shower may also be utilized as a steam room.
The present invention therefore provides a shower system that provides the massage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience without the time requirements associated therewith.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
A corner shower unit 18 is mounted in a corner intersection of the walls 14. The corner shower unit 18 is preferably a single molded component having an inner periphery defined by a radius 20.
An overhead showerhead 22 extends adjacent an upper segment 24 of the corner shower unit 18. A rectilinear showerhead 26A, 26B preferably flank the overhead showerhead 22 to dispense water in sheets to provide a waterfall effect upon the bather. It should be understood that although a rectilinear waterfall shower is preferred, other shower effects will also be usable with the present invention.
The corner shower unit 18 includes a track 28 preferably defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support 30 is mounted to the track 28 for vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit 18 to position the lumbar support 30 for bathers of various heights. The corner shower unit 18 permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support 30. The lumbar support 30 supports a lower back while a multitude of spray jets 32 provide a water jet massage spray action. Most preferably, the shower unit 12 is manufactured of relatively soft resilient materials such as a semi-rigid waterproof foam to cushion a bather leaning thereupon.
The lumbar support 30 is attached to the track 28 through a tab 31 and groove 33 sliding interface arrangement 35 formed with the track 28 (
The lumbar support 30 includes a shelf area 34 upon an upper surface to store bathing supplies or such like. Various raised surface details 41 are further located upon the surface of the lumbar support 30.
Each of the multitude of spray jets 32 are located within a recess 36 such that water spray is not blocked when a bather leans upon the lumbar support 30. By locating the spray jets 32 in the lumbar support 30 a significant massage action is provided to the lower back of the bather. The spray jets 32 provide a soothing massage while the bather is standing in the shower. In other words, the massage effect of the water jets common to a whirlpool tub experience is combined with the convenience of a shower.
A multitude of showerheads 38 are also mounted to the track 28. The multitude of showerheads are preferably spherical in shape and may be individually adjusted along the length of the track 28 in a manner as the lumbar support 30. The multitude of showerheads 38 may also be aimed through various attachments such as a ball and socket arrangement. A portion of each showerhead 38 defines a ball portion 40 which is received within a complementary socket 42 (
A steam generation system 44 is preferably incorporated into the corner shower unit 18 to mist steam from steam ports 46. The steam ports 46 are located along an outer edge 48 of the corner shower unit 18 such that shower may then be utilized as a steam room.
Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.
The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
