Patent Application
20110167556
The present invention relates generally to a hygienic shower assembly apparatus and means to provide a temperature, volume, and intensity controlled deluge of water for showering. The particular methods and apparatus described relate to an easily installed and easily cleanable shower reservoir with a volume controlled fill, temperature controlled input and a volume controlled output. However, the invention as described more fully detailed below is not limited to this particular application or use and the invention is not intended to be limited to this particular use.
Throughout human history, bathing has long been not just as an exercise in human hygiene, but also as a form of relaxation in itself. The Roman bathhouses were legendary. The bathhouse Hammans of Turkey were known as “silent doctors” for their healing properties. The steam house “Banya” was popular in Russia. Traditional Japanese bathing included a freestanding wooden tub, called an “ofuro.” The traditional ofuro experience required a pre-soaking routine of filling a bucket of water, splashing yourself with water from the bucket, scrubbing, and repeating the process as often as necessary until you were clean. The ofuro was then used for post-bathe soaking. This bathing method was aesthetically pleasing and saved water use at a time when water was not readily available inside the home.
Today, both homeowners and day spa owners on the cutting edge of their field recognize that incorporating ancient rituals from around the globe into their spa menus enhances the spa experience for themselves or their clients. Traditional bathing customs common to other countries have met with resounding success in North American spas. The desire for a more exotic bathing experience has also found its way into upscale private housing. However, for the average spa or home owner, it has been too expensive to build a Roman style bath house, a Hamman, a Banya or an ofuro. Because of the expense, these aesthetic bathing experiences have not been available to the average homeowner.
One device that attempts to approximate the ofuro experience is shown in the Shower Assembly patent UK 2 364 908 to Richard Pearson (the ‘908’ device). It was designed to incorporate a cold water splash experience into the shower routine. The invention consists of a water container having an outlet closeable by a plug. A pull handle on a rope or chain lifts the plug and thereby opens a drain hole to provide a deluge of cold water. However, the UK '908 device has some specific limitations which detract from widespread use and feasibility. Bathroom hygiene is an important consideration for any shower apparatus and anything that facilitates the growth of mold or bacteria detracts from bathroom hygiene. A significant disadvantage of the '908 device is the inability to easily clean it. Further, the design is such that water is allowed to stand in its water container for undetermined periods of time, potentially leading to water stagnation, mold and mildew. Additionally, the device does not allow for controlling the water temperature or size of the water flow. Instead, it is specifically designed to provide a deluge of only cold water. Further, it cannot be easily or aesthetically incorporated into pre-existing shower plumbing. Other devices provide multiple shower heads, shower cleaning apparatus or variable shower head locations. But they do not provide an ofuro style shower experience.
While these devices fulfill their various objectives, no device provides an aesthetically pleasing, hygienic, temperature and flow controlled shower apparatus that simulates the ofuro experience while simultaneously allowing the user to configure the device to his/her individual comfort level. In contrast to prior art, the inventive device has an inlet to receive water, an outlet to dispense water, and a water reservoir that is capable of being easily integrated into a new shower fixture or pre-existing showers and additional features that enhance maintenance, hygiene and ease and versatility of use. For ease of use, it allows for the automatic shut-off of incoming water when the water reservoir is full. For better bathroom hygiene, the reservoir is easily disassembled for cleaning and has a drain that allows water to drain from the reservoir when the device is not in use. The inlet allows for temperature controlled water and the reservoir can include a heater to maintain water temperature. The automatic shut off may be adjusted to control the volume of water that the reservoir will receive. The outlet can be activated manually by hand or automatically by movement sensors to tilt the reservoir and dump water from the reservoir. The device is versatile and capable of a variety of designs for aesthetic purposes.
In these respects, the shower apparatus of the present invention substantially departs from conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an easily installed and hygienic apparatus that enhances the shower experience in contemporary shower enclosures.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shower apparatus now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new shower apparatus construction wherein the apparatus can be utilized for effectively providing a customized bathing/spa experience in a manner that is easily and affordably installed in contemporary shower enclosures.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail below, is to provide a new shower apparatus which has many of the advantages of the bathing facilities mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new shower apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art shower apparatus either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises structural support, a water inlet, a water reservoir comprising a water tank, an automatic shutoff, a heating element, ease of use features, cleaning elements to facilitate hygiene in the shower and a water outlet. It may be easily installed in pre-existing showers or incorporated into the design of showers under construction.
In pre-existing shower enclosures, structural support provides a place for positioning the present invention above the user in the shower. To provide structural support, a structural element attaches on one end to a surface of the shower enclosure. The other end attaches to the shower apparatus. In new construction, the structural support may be incorporated into the framing of the shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the reservoir is contained as a basin that mates with an aesthetically pleasing enclosure, similar to a drawer encased in a cabinet. The enclosure either attaches to the surface of the bathroom shower walls or penetrates the wall and provides the support element for the water reservoir.
In addition to structural support, the inventive device also contains a water inlet which directs water from a traditional indoor water source into the water reservoir. In pre-existing shower enclosures, the water inlet ties into an existing water source, such as a shower head assembly. In new construction, the water inlet can be directly linked into the plumbing. In either embodiment hot and cold water are combined by the user in a ratio that is comfortable for the user by using traditional methods. Also in either embodiment, a valve is provided to direct water flow into the showerhead, the water reservoir or both.
The water reservoir receives water from the water inlet and may consist of a variety of forms and shapes for aesthetic purposes. In the preferred embodiment, it is attached to the water inlet with fasteners such as hinged bolts, pins or similar devices. Also in the preferred embodiment, the fasteners allow the reservoir to tilt to dispense water and are adjustable to control the friction. In an alternative embodiment, the area surrounding the fasteners can be tightened to increase friction so as to reduce the speed of the delivery of water and thereby vary the expression of the water from a slow sheet to a vigorous downpour. To dispense water from the reservoir, the reservoir may be tilted by either pulling on a handle on the outside of the water reservoir or by activating a motion sensor incorporated into the invention. Additionally, the fasteners can be loosened or removed to disassemble the invention for periodic cleaning to maintain a hygienic environment. For ease of use, a mechanism is provided within the water reservoir to control the flow of water into the reservoir so that the flow stops when the reservoir is full. Additionally, a heating element is provided within the water reservoir to maintain water temperature. For safety, the heating element is monitored so that it turns off when there is no water in the reservoir. Closeable drain holes are provided in the reservoir to allow the excess water to drain from the reservoir after use to prevent ponding and stagnation. Additionally, the reservoir has a cover to both help prevent impurities from entering the water supply and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
In use, the user turns on the water in a shower enclosure. The water temperature is adjusted by the traditional methods of controlling the mix of hot and cold water. The user then chooses the desired shower experience by selecting the desired mode of use. In shower mode, the water exits the shower head as in a traditional shower. In shower/ofuro mode, the water enters the shower head and ofuro water reservoir simultaneously. The user may simultaneously shower and deluge himself with water from the water reservoir as desired. In ofuro mode, the water is directed solely to the water reservoir and the user may bathe in the traditional ofuro manner. After use, excess water drains from the water reservoir through drain holes. Periodically, the apparatus may be disassembled for cleaning.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new shower apparatus which has many of the advantages of the apparatus mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new shower apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art shower apparatus, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new shower apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new shower apparatus which is of a durable and reliable construction.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new shower apparatus which allows an enjoyable, hygienic and water efficient method of bathing.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new shower apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such shower apparatus economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new shower apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
These together with other objects or the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, it's operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should he made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:
A shower apparatus is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, specific component arrangements and constructions and other details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Some well known manufacturing methods and structures have not been described in detail so as to refrain from obscuring the present invention unnecessarily.
Referring first to
Because the shower apparatus 10 is not freestanding, structural support may be necessary to affix the shower apparatus 10 to the shower enclosure wall. There are several different embodiments for the structural support 12, depending primarily upon whether the apparatus 10 is installed in a pre-existing shower enclosure or a shower enclosure under construction. Some embodiments require a visible support structure 12 while other embodiments hide the support structure 12 in the shower enclosure framing. In a pre-existing shower enclosure, such as shown in
For all embodiments, the shower apparatus is connected to a water supply. In pre-existing construction, the water supply line 17 connects on one end to a showerhead fixture 18 and connects on the other end to the water inlet 50 of the shower apparatus 10. The water inlet 50 directs water into the water reservoir 20 of the shower apparatus 10. Water temperature into the water reservoir 20 from the water supply line is controlled through standard plumbing temperature controls for a shower. A user controlled multi-position valve 36 directs the water flow from the showerhead fixture 18 either solely to the showerhead fixture 18 or shower apparatus 10 or jointly to the showerhead fixture 18 and the shower apparatus 10. In new construction, the water inlet 50 and temperature controls can be integrated into the plumbing so that the shower apparatus 10 may have separately controlled water temperature and flow.
Referring next to
The automatic shut off 52 is integrated into the water reservoir 20 and uses standard technology well known in the industry, such as float valves, hudson valves, or electronically controlled valves that sense fluid levels or weight measurements. An overflow drain in the reservoir 20 prevents excess water in the reservoir 20 and also notifies the user that the basin has reached its maximum fill. In use, water is directed from the water inlet 50 into the water reservoir 20 until it is full. The shut off 52 is then activated to stop the flow of water from the water inlet 50. After the reservoir 20 is emptied, the shut off 52 allows more water into the reservoir 20. The heating element 54 and a heating element monitor 56 are also incorporated into the water reservoir 20. The heating element 54 maintains water temperature. To prevent fire, the heating element monitor 56 turns off the heating element 54 if it overheats. The device 10 also contains a hard stop block 32 that limits the latitudinal rotation (discussed below) of the reservoir 20 so that it does not exceed either a horizontal position when filling or a vertical position when rotated. A cover 14 over the water reservoir 20 prevents foreign substances from entering the reservoir 20 and serves aesthetically to hide the automatic shut off mechanism 52. For better hygiene, closeable drain holes 30 are incorporated into the bottom of the water reservoir 20 to prevent water ponding or stagnating inside the water reservoir 20. A handle 28 is provided on the outside of the water container to allow the user to tilt the container to empty its contents. The handle 28 for the reservoir 20 can be telescoping or foldable to allow for shorter and taller people who may use the same shower. A motion sensor 27 is also provided on the outside and is connected to a motor 25. The motion sensor 27 is typically activated by waiving a hand or other object in front of the sensor 27. When the motion sensor 27 is activated, the motor 25 latitudinally rotates the reservoir 20 to empty its contents.
Water is emptied from the reservoir 20 by tilting or latitudinally rotating the reservoir 20. To allow the reservoir 20 to be tilted, the water reservoir 20 is connected to the water inlet 50 by fasteners 22, such as hinge bolts, located axially on the water reservoir 20 across from each other and near the lip 24 of the reservoir 20. The fasteners 22 are designed and placed so that the reservoir 20 is allowed to rotate axially. By so rotating the reservoir 20, one edge of the reservoir 20 moves downward and water pours from the reservoir 20. Tightening and loosening of the area surrounding the fasteners 22 allows the user to set the preferred friction level to vary the speed of the pour. Therefore, the fasteners 22 are designed to allow the user to restrict speed of motion of the container 20. By tightening the fasteners 22, friction is brought to the place of motion forcing the rotation of the container 20 to be slowed. In the alternative, other devices well known in the industry, such as retaining rings, may be used to restrict the speed or range of motion. For easier use, dials may be incorporated into the fasteners 22. By dialing in a preferred friction setting user may adjust the speed at which the water that is released from the container 20 when rotated. Increasing friction to the joint of the fasteners 22 restricts the speed of the tilt to a slow pour which can deliver a gentler and more relaxing sheet of water, while less friction increases the speed of the tilt, which delivers an invigorating rush of the water with greater momentum and weight. Additionally, the fasteners 22 may be easily removed from the reservoir 20 to clean the shower apparatus 10. When rotating the reservoir 20, a block 32 located on the inside of the water reservoir 20 cooperates with the cover 14 to prevent excessive rotation. Whenever the reservoir 20 is rotated, a magnet/spring assembly (not shown) returns the reservoir 20 to the filling position.
Referring now to
In operation, the user first turns on the water in the shower and adjusts the temperature controls until he/she obtains the desired temperature. The user then switches the water flow to either shower mode, shower/ofuro mode, or ofuro mode and bathes as desired. In shower/ofuro mode, the user may shower in the traditional western fashion while deluging the user from time to time with temperature controlled water. In ofuro mode, the user may bathe in the traditional ofuro style without using the shower mode. To dump water from the reservoir 20, the user either activates the motion sensor 27 or pulls down on the handle 28. This causes the reservoir 20 to tilt, releasing water. When the user finishes the pour, he can release the handle 28. The reservoir 20 will automatically return to its filling position so that it can quickly be ready for its next use. In an alternative embodiment, the user slides the drawer 38 out and then rotates the drawer 38 to release water from a drawer 38. In another alternative embodiment, the user slides the drawer face to release water from the reservoir 20. Regardless of the form of the embodiment, after the shower, excess water will drain from the shower apparatus 10 through the drain holes 30.
To clean the shower apparatus 10, the user separates the water reservoir 20 from its structural support 12 by unloosening the fasteners 22. The water reservoir 20 is removed and internal access to the shower apparatus 10 is thereby created so that the different parts of the shower apparatus 10 may be cleaned or serviced. After cleaning, the water reservoir 20 is re-installed by re-attaching it to the structural support 12 by re-attaching the fasteners 22.
While the foregoing detailed description has described several embodiments of a device in accordance with the present invention, the description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiments discussed above and other embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is limited only by the claims set forth below.
