Outdoor Shower

Abstract

A rigid, portable, and modular outdoor shower enclosure has a base, walls, and a shower fixture. The shower enclosure may be quickly and easily reassembled after disassembly for storage or transportation. When assembled, pegs, sockets, and gravity constrain the shower enclosure in all degrees of motion. Bolts, screws, and other means of affixing the panels to the base and frame are not necessary to make the shower enclosure rigid. The pegs and sockets are not visible when the shower enclosure is in its assembled position, giving the shower enclosure the pleasing appearance of a permanent structure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to outdoor shower enclosures.

BACKGROUND

A number of shower enclosures have been developed to permit persons to shower outdoors. Most prior art devices involve some type of frame supporting a shower curtain or other non-rigid, non-transparent material that affords privacy to the person using the shower. See Barney U.S. Pat. No. 20,110,094,027; Jackson U.S. Pat. No. 20,080,040,851; Zheng U.S. Pat. No. 20,110,226,298; Suarez U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,536; Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,927; Roberts U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,369; Patterson U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,992 and Witczak U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,310.

Outdoor shower enclosures which have rigid side panels are known. For example, Mazpule U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,778 discloses a portable enclosure assembly with panelized walls. Each wall panel is comprised of at least three wall segments that interlock along mating tongue-and-grove edges. While this assembly is rigid, it does not have the pleasing appearance of a permanent shower because of its segmented wall panels. The visible mating tongue-and-grove interconnecting means also necessitates a number of assembly steps for each panel.

Boegler U.S. Pat. No. 7,979,926 discloses a collapsible outdoor shower enclosure. The panels of the enclosure are connected by hinges, allowing it to fold into its collapsed position. The enclosure does not include a base or a means of attaching the enclosure to a base.

Sedala U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,310 also discloses a portable shower stall. The side walls of the shower stall are secured to posts at the corners of the shower stall. The only means of securing the side panels to the posts disclosed involves the use of screws.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a knock-down outdoor shower enclosure that can be easily assembled without tools and may be easily disassembled for storage or transportation. A further object is to provide a shower that is structurally sound and sturdy, durable, that has the pleasing appearance of a permanent structure.

In accord with the invention, an embodiment of a rigid, portable, and modular outdoor shower enclosure comprises a base, walls, and a shower fixture. When assembled, pegs, sockets, and gravity constrain the shower enclosure in all degrees of motion. Bolts, screws, and other means of affixing the panels to the base and frame are not necessary to make the enclosure rigid.

In an embodiment of the invention, the sockets that accept the pegs at the bottom and top of each side panel are formed by the hollow bore of columns that extend from the bottom to the top of the panels. The columns are vertical when assembled. Alternating slats fitted to the columns block the line of sight into the shower enclosure, affording privacy to the user.

A tapered drain pan may rest in the base to collect greywater from the shower and direct it to a drain. Greywater flowing down the drain passes through a plumbing fixture to an outlet. Adapters may be fitted to the outlet. In one embodiment of the invention, the adapter is threaded to accept a garden hose.

A plumbing fixture that includes one or more overhead or handheld shower fittings, knobs to adjust the water temperature and pressure, and adapters to accommodate hot and cold water supply may be affixed to the interior side of one of the panels. The adapters for hot and cold water supply may be threaded to accommodate garden hoses.

The shower enclosure is shipped and stored in a disassembled fashion. The panels can be set on the base, or removed for storage or shipping. The shower will most commonly be assembled and used outdoors, but may also be assembled and used indoors.

The invention presented in this application is an advancement over the prior art as it is a rigid, portable, and modular shower enclosure that has the pleasing appearance of a permanent shower but that can be easily assembled without tools and disassembled for storage or transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a single-occupant shower enclosure when assembled;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the single-occupant shower enclosure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the single-occupant shower enclosure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the single-occupant shower enclosure of FIG. 1 when disassembled.

FIG. 5 is a simplified rendering of the base, side panels, top and doors of a shower enclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates peg and socket connections of the single-occupant shower enclosure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows the perspective view of a double-occupant shower enclosure when assembled;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the double-occupant shower of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modification of a single-occupant shower enclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The invention was previously described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/821,412 filed May 9, 2013, entitled “Outdoor Shower.” The disclosure thereof is hereby incorporated by reference. The various embodiments of the invention described below are preferably made with the frame, base, columns, and shower fixtures made of polished metal; the wall slats made of finished wood; and the pegs made of plastic. Other materials of construction may be used.

A single-occupant outdoor shower enclosure 20, having features which make it particularly suitable for use outdoors, is first described. Another product, a double-occupant shower enclosure 10, is then described. The single-occupant and double-occupant shower enclosures have similar inventive features. It will thus be understood how still other shower enclosures comprising panels and a base may embody the principles and features of the invention.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3 show shower enclosure 20 in different orientations. FIG. 4 shows shower enclosure 20 when disassembled. A stick-figure rendering of a shower enclosure comprised of a base, three panels, a top, and two doors appears in FIG. 5 with doors open. FIG. 6 illustrates peg and socket connections of shower enclosure 20. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show shower enclosure 10 when assembled and disassembled.

FIG. 1 shows shower enclosure 20 in the assembled position with left door 14 and right door 16 closed and a shower head plumbing fixture 18 installed. Shower enclosure 20 has six base columns. Four base columns 221, 222, 223 and 224 of the six total base columns are visible in FIG. 1. The orientation of shower enclosure 20 in FIG. 1 blocks the remaining two base columns, which form the base at corner 17. Upper base side rails 241 and 242 and lower base side rails 261 and 262 connect base columns 221, 222, 223 and 224. Corners under doors 14 and 16 have one base column each, such as 221 and 222 at corners 13 and 15, respectively. Alternate embodiments of the invention, such as shower enclosure 800 of FIG. 9 have to additional base columns 703 and 707, resulting in two base columns at all corners. Corners 11 and 17 have two base columns each, such as 223 and 224 located at corner 11.

Three side panels rest on six base columns when shower enclosure 20 is in the assembled position. Side panel 272 comprised of columns 274 and 276, side rail 278, and slats 279 rests on base columns 222 and 223. Columns, side rails, and slats similarly comprise side panel 282 and side panel 292, which each similarly rest on two base columns each. Base pegs 92, 94, 96 and 98 and top pegs 91, 93, 95, 97, 99 and 101, which are visible when shower enclosure 20 is disassembled, as in FIG. 4, are not visible when shower enclosure 20 is assembled, as in FIG. 1.

When in the assembled position, top frame 202 mounts to the tops of columns 274, 276, 284, 286, 294 and 296. Pegs 91, 93, 95, 97, 99 and 101 shown in FIG. 4 mounted to top frame 202 insert into sockets at the tops of columns 274, 276, 284, 286, 294 and 296 when shower enclosure 20 is assembled, as in FIG. 1. Mounting top frame 202 to the tops of the panels prevents the panels from swaying about base columns and generally adds rigidity to shower enclosure 20.

In an embodiment of the invention, slats 12 attach to columns, obstructing the line of sight into the shower enclosure. Slats attached to the exterior side of columns alternate with slats attached to interior side of columns. In other embodiments of the invention, slats may connect to wooden ribs that mount on columns. This embodiment is preferred when metal columns are used to reduce the amount of drilling into columns. The alternating slats overlap slightly. Notwithstanding the slight overlap, the width of the columns creates an air gap between the alternating slats. Such construction spacing provides good ventilation through the side, enables rapid drying and inhibits mold growth, while at the same time substantially blocking visibility of a person within the enclosure.

Doors 14 and 16 attach to columns 284 and 276, respectively, of side panels 282 and 272, respectively, by means of hinges. Alternatively, doors 14 and 16 may attach to independent columns 701 and 703 as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 2 illustrates the non-symmetrical doors of shower enclosure 20, an embodiment of the invention. Right door 45 may be comprised of interior wood slats 46 attached to the interior of right door frame 31 and exterior wood slats 47 attached to the exterior of right door frame 31. Right door 45 has a handle 44. Exterior slats 47 of right door 45 overlap right door frame 31, creating a doorjamb for right door 45.

Similarly, left door 48 may be comprised of interior wood slats 34 attached to the interior of left door frame 32 and exterior wood slats 33 attached to the exterior of left door frame 31. Left door 48 does not have a handle. Interior slats 34 of left door 48 overlap right door frame, creating an additional doorjamb for door 45.

Base top 39 shown in FIG. 2 may be a permeable floor. A permeable floor may be constructed from boards 74 as shown in FIG. 3. Boards 74 making the permeable floor rest on upper side rails 71. Boards 74 may be connected by joists affixed to the underside of boards 74. Space 76 between boards 74 makes the floor permeable and prevents greywater from the use of the shower water from accumulating on floor 39 by passing through to the ground below or to drain pan 500 shown in

A plumbing fixture may be attached to a panel. A plumbing fixture may be comprised of shower head 71 attached to pipe 72 that receives hot and cold garden hose adapters 75 and 76, respectively. The plumbing fixture may include a means of controlling the water pressure and temperature at the shower head, such as a water faucet.

FIG. 4 shows shower enclosure 20 when disassembled. The various individual components shown in FIG. 4, being base 81, drain pan 500, left door 48, right door 45, left side panel 83, right side panel 87, back panel 85, and top frame 202 may be stacked in various configurations not shown for storage or shipping. The taper of drain pan 500 causes water to flow into drain 502 and out adapter 504, which is threaded to accept a garden hose.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the peg and socket connections of shower enclosure 20. The cross-section of pegs 421 and 419 can take the form of many shapes, including that of a circle, triangle or a rectangle. The embodiment presented in this application has pegs 421 and 419 with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Another embodiment of the invention would involve complimentary pegs that are mounted to the base and panels and that are mated with a double-ended socket that acts as a coupling. Channels 423 and 425 or holes cut lengthwise into or through pegs 421 and 419 prevent water from becoming trapped above pegs 421 and 419. Pegs may be tapered to facilitate insertion into sockets or, the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the bore of columns 415 and 417.

The bore of base sockets 411 and 413 is shorter than the length of pegs 421 and 419, such that when pegs 413 and 411 rest in base sockets 413 and 411 the pegs 421 and 419 protrude from base sockets 413 and 411 (as shown in FIG. 4) and are available to insert into the sockets 417 and 415 formed by the bore at the bottoms of columns of adjacent panels. When in the assembled position, pegs fit completely in sockets and are not visible, as in FIG. 1.

As an alternative to fitting into sockets in both base and panel sockets, pegs may be fixed to the base and insert only into panel sockets. Likewise, pegs may be fixed to the panels and insert only into base sockets.

When assembled, the pegs, sockets, and gravity constrain the shower enclosure in all degrees of motion. Bolts, screws, and other means of affixing the panels to the base and frame are not necessary to make the enclosure rigid.

FIG. 6 is a simplified rendering of shower enclosure 20 illustrating alternate axes along which the peg and socket assembly of FIG. 5 may be aligned. While locating two peg and socket assemblies to secure panel 607 to base 601 along axes EE and GG gives the pegs the most mechanical advantage, the assemblies can be located at other locations, such as along axes EE′ and GG′. Pegs at the top of panel 607 may not lie along the same axes as pegs at the bottom of panel 607.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in the form of shower enclosure 10, which is suitable for two or more occupants. The exploded drawing of shower enclosure 10 shown in FIG. 8 demonstrates that shower enclosure 10 shares the peg and socket construction of shower enclosure 20 shown in FIG. 1 et seq.

Components of the shower may be formed of metals, woods, molded synthetic resin or other materials as desired.

The invention, with explicit and implicit variations and advantages, has been described and illustrated with respect to several embodiments. Those embodiments should be considered illustrative and not restrictive. Any use of words which relate to the orientation of an article pictured in space are for facilitating comprehension and should not be limiting should an article be oriented differently. Any use of words “preferred” and variations thereof suggest a feature or combination which is desirable but which is not necessarily mandatory. Thus embodiments lacking any such preferred feature or combination may be within the scope of the claims which follow. Persons skilled in the art may make various changes in form and detail of the invention embodiments which are described, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. An outdoor shower assembly adapted to be assembled and disassembled for storage or transport comprising: a. A base, having columns connected by side rails, sockets or pegs, and a floor that rests on the side rails that provides a surface upon which the user of the shower may stand;b. A back panel, that when in assembled position connects to the base by pegs that insert into sockets fitted to the back panel and the base, pegs mounted to the panel that insert into sockets of the base, or sockets that receive pegs of the base;c. Opposing left and right side panels, each side panel having an upper end and a lower end, and when each side panel is in assembled position it connects to the base by pegs that insert into sockets fitted to the back panel and the base, pegs mounted to the panel that insert into sockets of the base, or sockets that receive pegs of the base;d. A top frame, that when in assembled position connects to the back panel and the side panels by pegs that insert into sockets fitted to the top frame or the back panel and side panels;e. Wherein said back panel, left side panel, and right side panel for a three (3) sided shower enclosure that is removably secured to said base in assembled position;f. Wherein said back panel, left side panel, and right side panel form a chamber therein when said shower enclosure is in assembled position thereby providing an area for said user to shower privately.

2. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 wherein the floor of the base has openings making it water-permeable.

3. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 2 further comprising a rectangular tapered pan having a flange, the flange captured between at least one bottom rail of the base to thereby fixedly hold the pan in position beneath said floor, so shower water flowing vertically through said openings in the floor is received in the pan.

4. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 3 further comprising a drain at the lowest point in the tapered pan that directs water collected by the pan to an outlet.

5. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 4 wherein the outlet is fitted with an adapter to accept a garden hose.

6. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 wherein one of said panels has an opening defined in part by opposing side vertical edges running upwardly from the base further comprising at least one door hingedly attached to one of said vertical edges.

7. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 further comprised of one or more doors hingedly mounted to one or more panels.

8. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 further comprised of one or more doors hingedly mounted to one or more columns.

9. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 6 wherein magnets hold the door or doors in the “closed” position.

10. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 wherein the back and side panels have columns that are vertical when the panels are in the assembled position.

11. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 10 wherein the bore of the columns form sockets that accept pegs protruding from the base.

12. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 10 wherein the bore of the columns form sockets that accept pegs mounted to the top frame.

13. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 10 wherein slats are mounted to the columns.

14. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 13 wherein the slats are mounted to the outer side of the columns.

15. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 13 wherein the slats are mounted to the inner side of the columns.

16. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 13 wherein some of the slats are mounted to the inner side of the columns and some of the slats are mounted to the outer side of the columns.

17. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 10 wherein the slats attach to ribs that mount to the columns.

18. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 1 wherein a shower fixture mounts to one of the panels.

19. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 18 wherein the shower fixture is fitted with an adapter to accept water from a garden house.

20. The outdoor shower enclosure of claim 19 wherein the shower fixture is fitted with an adapter to accept hot water from a garden hose and a second adapter to accept cold water from a garden hose.