Patent Application
20140082834
While showering, it is common for excess water spray from a shower head to escape from gaps left by each side of a shower curtain. This can not only drench any clothing or items which may be in the general vicinity of the shower, but can also pose a risk for slip and fall accidents.
The present invention generally relates to a water blocker. More specifically, the invention is a shower water blocker.
It is an object of the invention to provide a shower water blocker that prevents water from a shower from leaking onto a floor area near the shower causing a slip and fall hazard.
It is an object of the invention to provide a shower water blocker that channels and redirects water that can escape from a shower onto a floor area near the shower.
It is an object of the invention to provide a shower water blocker that can accommodate any sized shower and is relatively easy to install.
What is really needed is a shower water blocker that prevents water from a shower from leaking onto a floor area near the shower causing a slip and fall hazard that channels and redirects water that can escape from a shower onto a floor area near the shower that can accommodate any sized shower and is relatively easy to install.
The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.
Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.
The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.
The shower water blocker 100 includes a base drain 110, a bottom lip 120, an adhesive 130 and a vertical curved blocker 140. The shower water blocker 100 is placed on each front corner FC of a bathtub BT of a bathtub and shower BS to prevent water from a shower head SH from spraying through one or more open spaces between a shower curtain SC and an outside wall OW of the bathtub and shower BS.
The base drain 110 has a top surface 112, a bottom 113 and a bottom edge 114 and is disposed on each front corner FC of a bathtub BT of a bathtub and shower BS and directs water from the shower head SH downward into the bathtub BT. The bottom lip 120 is attached to the bottom edge 114 of the base drain 110 and extends downward into the bath tub BT approximately ½ of an inch but can extend downward an 1 inch, 1-½ inches, 2 inches or any other suitable length. The bottom lip 120 ensures against leaks from water directed from the base drain 110 to an exterior area such as an adjacent floor area AFA of the bathtub and shower BS as the directed water is directed into the bathtub BT. The adhesive 130 attaches the base drain 110 to each front corner FC of the bathtub BT of a bathtub and shower BS. The adhesive 130 is typically one-sided adhesive tape 132, two-sided adhesive tape 134, a plurality of two-sided adhesive strips 130 can be applied anywhere on the front corner FC and the bottom 113 of the base drain 136, an applied waterproof glue 138 or other suitable adhesive. The adhesive 110 but is typically applied between the outside walls OW and the base drain 110.
The vertical curved blocker 140 extends perpendicularly upward from the base drain 110. The vertical curved blocker 140 includes a first elongated portion 142 and a second elongated portion 144. The first elongated portion 142 of the vertical curved blocker 140 rests against the outside wall OW of the bathtub and shower BS. The second elongated portion 144 of the vertical curved blocker 140 is adjacent to the first elongated portion 142 of the vertical curved blocker 140 but is curved and fittingly positioned on an inside front portion IFP of the bathtub BT in front of each front corner FC. The first elongated portion 142 and the second elongated portion 144 of the vertical curved blocker 140 are approximately in the range of 4 to 5 feet in height and are adjacently parallel to each other. The first elongated portion 142 and the second elongated portion 144 of the vertical curved blocker 140 prevents the adjacent floor area AFA of the bathtub and shower BS from receiving water from the shower head SH of the bathtub BT by blocking and directing the water from the shower head SH into the bathtub BT. The vertical curved blocker 140 is typically made of injection molded plastic but can be made of any suitable material such as plastic.
The shower water blocker prevents water from escaping through gaps in one or more shower curtains. The shower water blocker is a well-suited alternative to a traditional shower water blocker product. The shower water blocker is relatively easy to use, where a user simply places two injection-molded elongated pieces of plastic approximately 4 to 5 feet tall on each end of a tub of a shower. The shower water blocker design curves with the contour of the tub of the shower, offering well-suited water blockage. The shower water blocker is fastened to the tub of the shower with one-sided adhesive tape, two-sided adhesive tape, one or more two-sided adhesive strips, an applied adhesive or any other suitable fastener, effectively securing the shower water blocker flush against a wall adjacent to the bathtub and shower. Among those who will find the shower water blocker relatively convenient and safe, are bathroom accessory manufacturers, as well as an everyday consumer.
The shower water blocker features approximate in the range of 4 to 5 foot long plastic barriers which effectively prevent water from escaping through gaps left by either side of one or more shower curtains which contains a base that allows for water to relatively easily drain back into the bathtub. The shower water blocker is designed in a multitude of colors to suit a plurality of user preferences and existing home decor.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention.
