EP0138318A2

EP0138318A2 - Weight operated shower system

Info

Publication number: EP0138318A2
Application number: EP84305398A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Irvine Lawrence Thatcher
Original assignee: OCTROOI INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: OCTROOI INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 1983-08-08
Filing date: 1984-08-08
Publication date: 1985-04-24
Also published as: EP0138318A3; GB8321343D0

Abstract

A shower system is provided which is weight operable by utilisation of the downwardly acting force of a massive body. Preferably the system comprises a movable platform 6 mounted over a compressible reservoir for shower water 1, confined by an inelastic surround 4 and 5 and having an outlet pipe 10 and a spray head 12.

Description

Preferably the shower unit is provided with a second, non-compressible, reservoir to replenish the main reservoir and allow a number of showers to be taken without the need to refill the system with water. It is preferred to spring bias the movable platform so that on removal of the weight therefrom,.the platform returns towards the starting position - preferably thereby drawing more water into the compressible reservoir from such a secondary reservoir.
An embodiment of a shower system according to the invention is exemplified in Figures 1 and 2.
In Figure 1 compressible reservoir I is filled with shower water. The reservoir 1 is sealed by filler plug 2. The water is retained by deformable lining 3 confined by rigid reservoir side wall portions 4, 5. As walls 4 move downwardly relative to walls 5, the reservoir I is compressed and the confined volume is reduced. Compression of reservoir 1 may be achieved by standing (or placing a massive object) on movable platform 6, which is attached to walls 4.
Platform 6 is biased by springs 7 in such. a way that in its resting position the reservoir 1 is extended.
A pipe 10 having a plurality of non-return valves 11 connects the reservoir 1 to a spray head 12. The system is primed before use by filling pipe 10 and spray head 12 with water using pump 13. Once the system is primed, a weight operating on platform 6 will cause

WEIGHT-OPERATED SHOWER SYSTEM

This invention relates to a weight-operated shower system which utilises the downwardly acting force of a massive body, e.g. a shower user. Operation of the system is passive since no exertion is required to maintain water flow.
The shower system of the present invention requires no external power source or pressurised water supply and is not driven by pressurised gas or stretched elasticated materials. It is simple and reliable in use, is inexpensive to manufacture and has the added advantage of being fully portable.
The apparatus comprises essentially a compressible reservoir connected to a pipe and spray head. In operation water is driven along the pipe and out of the spray head by the application of a downward force, e.g. the weight of a shower user, to a movable platform mounted over the compressible reservoir. Water is prevented from passing back into the reservoir by non-return valving in the pipe.
The compressible reservoir should be defined or contained by structure which prevents the reservoir from expanding, e.g. if the reservoir comprises an elastic bag, it should be confined by an inelastic surround.
It may be advantageous to incorporate a small priming pump for the pipe so that the pipe can be filled with water before the commencement of showering. a reduction in the confined volume of reservoir 1 and so will drive water out of spray head 12. Water will continue to flow so long as there is a weight on platform 6 and provided the reservoir has not reached the limit of its compressibility (i.e., maximum downward travel of platform 6).
In Figure 2 the reservoir 1 is shown substantially fully compressed. Walls 4 and.5 overlap and the deformable lining 3 has crumpled. A volume of water equal to the change in confined volume of reservoir 1 has been driven out of the spray head 12. When the weight is removed from platform 6 (e.g., by the shower user stepping off platform 6) bias springs 7 return the reservoir to its original volume, thereby drawing water from secondary reservoir 15 past non-return valve 11 into the reservoir 1 to refill it.
Numerous showers can be obtained provided that secondary reservoir 15 is replenished through plug hole 16.
The pipe 10 and spray head 12 may be self supporting (e. g. , in the form of a telescopic tube) or may be designed to be attached to structure supplied as part of the system or.may be hand .held or may be supportable by a structure on site (e.g., a pole, tree, caravan or building).
Whilst one particular shape and design of reservoir has been illustrated, other configurations may be used within the scope of the invention provided the reservoir is compressible and is confined by an inelastic surround. Similarly, whilst the system has been referred to as a. shower system, it could equally well be operated in other modes - e.g. without the spray head to produce a water stream.
Various non-essential design features may be incorporated in a shower system according to the . invention.
For example, the platform and the shower base may each be provided with a tubular member, mutually slidable one into the other, upon which a coaxial biassing spring is mounted. An arrangement of a . plurality of such members around the platform perimiter may improve the stability of the platform when the shower is in use.
The reservoir outlet may be placed above the lowest level of the reservoir so that, in use, some water is always retained in the reservoir when the platform has reached the point of maximum downward travel. This retained water mixes with refill water and thus acts as a safeguard against scalding if boiling water should be fed into the reservoir from the secondary reservoir.
A filter may be included in the shower head to prevent blockage of the shower rose by solid objects in the shower water.
In order that the maximum water uptake in the reservoir should be achieved when the platform moves upwardly to its resting position, a semi-rigid disc may be provided in the top of the reservoir lining, thereby holding the lining against the inner surface of the platform.

Claims

1. A shower system which is weight operable by utilisation of the downwardly acting force of a massive body.

2. A shower system according to claim 1 comprising a movable platform mounted over a compressible reservoir for shower water, the reservoir being confined by an inelastic surround and having an outlet pipe.

3. A shower system according to claim 2 having a shower head on the outlet pipe.

4. A shower system according to claim 2 or 3 having a non-return valve in the pipe.

5. A shower system according to claim 2, 3 or 4 having a non-compressible reservoir in flow communication with the compressible reservoir.

6. A shower system according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the platform is biassed to move to a resting position in which the compressible reservoir is not compressed.

7. A shower system according to any of claims 2 to 6 wherein movement of the platform to a position in which the compressible reservoir is not compressed causes water to be drawn into the reservoir.

8. A shower system according to any of claims 2 to 7 having a priming pump fox the pipe.

9. A shower system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.