EP1668195B1

EP1668195B1 - Shower column

Info

Publication number: EP1668195B1
Application number: EP03758693A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Fornara
Original assignee: CRS SpA
Current assignee: CRS SpA
Priority date: 2003-09-30
Filing date: 2003-09-30
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-30
Also published as: WO2005031073A1; EP1668195A1; AU2003274731A1; ATE375420T1; DE60316855D1

Abstract

A shower column (4) comprising a column body (8), fixable to a support (6), which extends from a first end (12) suitable to receive the intake of a fluid to be distributed to a second end (16) adapted to distribute said, fluid; the column body (8) encloses a first feed conduit (28) extending from the first end (12) to the second end (16) for the supply of a first fluid flow (32) and a second feed conduit (36), fluidically separated from the first feed conduit (28) extending from one of said ends (12, 16), in order to receive inlet fluid, towards the one opposite of said ends (16, 12). The column body (8) comprises at least one aperture (54) on one side wall thereof (37) which is in communication with the second feed conduit (36) in such a way as to distribute a second fluid flow (58) from the second feed conduit (36) towards the outside of the column body (8).

Description

The present invention relates to a shower column, adapted to distribute a fluid, usually water.
As is known, water distribution devices which comprise a column terminating in a shower head to distribute water substantially according to a vertical direction, from above to below exist within showers.
Frequently, such devices are mounted on special panels fixed to a wall and having nozzles suitable to dispense water also according to a substantially horizontal direction, frequently with a hydro-massage function.
A drawback of such devices or shower columns is their considerable overall dimension above all in relation to the small amount of available space which such shower columns have within the specific shower box. Furthermore, the above mentioned panels are aesthetically unattractive and sometimes leave the tubes for drawing the water from the mains exposed. Such devices are known for example from WO 03/066975 A , US 2002 /040500 A1 , WO 98/02077 A .
The problem of the present invention is to provide a shower column which solves the abovementioned drawbacks with reference to the known art.
Such drawbacks and limitations are solved by a shower column in agreement with claim 1.
Other embodiments of the shower column according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.
Further characteristics and the advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the following description of a non limiting preferred embodiment thereof, wherein:
figure 1 represents a perspective view of a shower column,according to an embodiment of the invention;
figure 2 represents a side view of the shower column of figure 1, from the direction of arrow II of figure 1;
figure 3 represents a lateral view of the shower column of figure 1, from the direction of arrow III of figure 1;
figure 4 represents an exploded view of the shower column of figure 1;
figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view of the shower column of figure 1, taken along the plane of section A-A of figure 2;
figure 6 represents an enlarged detail from figure 5;
figure 7 represents an enlarged detail from figure 4.
The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described in the following will be indicated with the same numerals.
With reference to the above mentioned figures, by the number 4 has been generically indicated a shower column assembly, suitable for being fixed to a support, such as for example a wall 6.
The shower column 4 comprises a column body 8 extending substantially from a first end 12 to a second end 16, along a prevailing direction of extension X. The first end 12 is adapted to receiving inlet fluid, typically water, to be distributed through the shower column 8. In particular, at the first end 12, the column body 8 connects to a water tap 18 connected to a mains water supply, for example belonging to a dwelling.
The connection to the water tap of the dwelling can be on the wall 6 supporting the shower column 4, as shown in figure 1, or for example on the floor or on the shower tray base, thus providing a floor shower column.
According to one embodiment, the water tap 18 receives water which has been already pre-mixed by a mixing device or system upstream thereof which forms a mixture of hot and cold water, in a known manner.
For example, a ceramic disk cartridge mixing device, or a thermostatic mixing device comprising a thermostatic cartridge for example of a known type may be used; said mixing devices provide two connections for the hot water and cold water taps.
At the first end 12, the column body 8 comprises first fixing means 20 to a support, for example the wall 6.
Preferably, the first fixing means 20 provide both a structural attachment for the shower column 4 to the relevant support and the connection to the water mains to draw water to be distributed through the shower column 4.
The second end 16 of the column body 8 is suitable to receive the fluid to be distributed and, preferably, comprises second fixing means 24 of the shower column 4 to the relevant support.
Preferably, the column body 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends along the direction X, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the shower base.
The column body 8 comprises a first, cylindrically shaped, feed conduit 28, which extends from the first end 12 to the second end 16, for the distribution of a first fluid flow 32.
The column body 8 comprises a second feed conduit 36 which, preferably, extends from the first end 12 towards the second end 16 and is fluidically separated from the first feed conduit 28.
In other words, the first and second feed conduits 28,36 at least partially run along the column body 8, along the direction X, and are not fluidically connected to one another.
As is shown for example in figure 5, the column body 8 is essentially a hollow body delimited by a side wall 37 enclosing a cavity 38. Within said cavity 38 the column body comprises the first feed conduit 28 which is fluidically separated from the cavity itself. Preferably, the interspace formed between the side wall 37 and the first feed conduit 28 provides the second feed conduit 36.
Preferably, the first feed conduit 28 is substantially coaxial with the column body 8, in such a way that the first and second feed conduits 28,36 are substantially coaxial with each other; the second feed conduit 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular crown shaped base, with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction X.
The second feed conduit 36 is closed by a lid 39, at a length comprised between the first end 12 and the second end 16, along the prevailing direction X.
As is shown in figure 5, the lid 39 has a disk shape with a central hole for the water tight passage of fluid from the first feed conduit 28.
The column body 8, at the second end 16, comprises a supply tube 40, fluidically connected with the first feed conduit 28 and suitable to distribute the first fluid flow 32, for example through a shower head 42.
Preferably, the supply tube 40 bends towards the first end 12, so as to direct the first fluid flow 32 from the second end 16 towards the first end 12, i.e. in a vertical downward direction.
Advantageously, the supply tube 40 is rotatably connected to the column body 8, so as to allow for the rotation of the supply tube 40 substantially on a plane perpendicular to the prevailing direction of extension X of the shower column 4.
Preferably, the shower head 42 is pivotally connected to the supply tube 40, for example through a spherical, articulated-joint connection.
Advantageously, the column body 8, along the thickness of its side wall 37, comprises at least one aperture 54, passing through the wall itself so as to be communicating with the second feed conduit 36 and to allow a second fluid flow 58 outside the column body 8.
Advantageously, the shower column 4 comprises at least one nozzle 60, associable to the aperture 54 of the column body 8 and adapted to diffusing the second fluid flow 58.
Preferably, the nozzle 60 is at least partially inserted into the aperture 54 in such a manner as to ensure a fluid tight connection and comprises adjustable connection means 64, for example spherical articulated joints, in order to allow for the spatial orientation of the nozzle 60 and of the second fluid flow 58 with respect to the column body 8.
The apertures 54 are positioned along the prevailing direction X in such a way as to be comprised between the first end 12 and the lid 39 of the second feed conduit 36, in order to receive the fluid to be distributed.
Advantageously, the column body 8 comprises a third feed conduit 68, fluidically connected to one of the ends 12, 16 of the column body 8 and adapted to the distribution of a third fluid flow 72.
According to one embodiment, the third feed conduit 68 is connected to the first end 12, on the opposite side with respect to the second end 16, and develops substantially outwards of the column body 8 through a flexible arm 76.
The flexible arm 76 terminates, at one end opposite to the portion connecting to the column body 8, in a shower handle 80.
Preferably, the column body 8, on one outer side surface of the side wall 37, opposite to the first and second feed conduits 28,36, comprises support means 84, suitable to support the shower handle 80.
The support means 84, as shown for example in figure 4, comprise a circular portion 85 associable with the outer side surface of the column body 8, which is adjustable in position with respect thereto, and lockable for example through screwing means 86. The circular portion 85 comprises a support plate 87 suitable to support the shower handle 80.
The support means 84 may rotate and translate with respect to an axis of rotation which is parallel to the direction X.
The column body 8 comprises distribution means 90 suitable to channel the fluid flow to be distributed, which comes from the mains water supply, into the respective feed conduits 28, 36, 68.
In particular, the distribution means 90 comprise a flow deviating device 92 having a main body of an overall cylindrical shape and suitable to be housed within the support means of the column body, at least one end 12, 16 comprising the connection to the mains water supply.
The main body 96, at one end, which faces towards the water tap, comprises a fluid inlet 100, fluidically connectable to a plurality of entrances for as many feed conduits.
A deviating device 92, comprising for example a rotating body of a known type, is suitable to fluidically connecting the fluid inlet 100 with the entrances for the feed conduits 28,36,68.
According to the embodiment, shown for example in figure 7, the deviating device 92 comprises a first, a second and a third entrance 106, 108, 110 respectively suitable to channel the fluid into the first, second and third feed conduits 28,36,68, thus providing a three-position deviator. It is thus possible to distribute one of the three flows 32, 58, 72 at a time.
According to an additional embodiment, the deviating device 92, in addition to the entrances 106, 108, 110 for the feeding of the individual fluxes separately, comprises entrances suitable to channel the fluid flow into many feed conduits simultaneously, thus providing the feeding of any two conduits at a time or of the three conduits 32,58,72 simultaneously. In this way a seven-position deviator is provided.
The operation of the shower column 4 according to the invention will be now described.
In order to allow for the distribution of water through the conduits it is sufficient to open the water connection to the mains supply to which the shower column is attached. In particular, the already mixed water flows to the inlet of the deviating device 92; preferably the mixing tap channels the already mixed water towards said fluid intake 100.
Hence the deviating device 92, as a function of the position selected, sorts the water flow to the various feed conduits either individually or in a combination thereof.
A deviating device 92, preferably with seven positions is capable to distribute water either to the individual conduits, or to pairs of them or to three conduits simultaneously depending on the users requirements.
The supply tube 40, the shower head 42 and the nozzles 60 may be rotated and positioned according to needs.
As it will be appreciated from what has been described above, the shower column described allows to overcome the drawbacks of the known art shower columns.
In particular, the shower column described has reduced encumbrance and does not require the use of cumbersome and poorly aesthetic panels.
Furthermore, the shower column described is particularly practical to use and to install.
The combined use of the different feed conduits allows for the simultaneous accomplishment both of a normal washing function and of hydromassage using the lateral jets.
Those skilled in the art, aiming at satisfying contingent and specific needs, will be able to carry out a number of modifications and variations to the above described shower columns, which on the other hand are all within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

A shower column (4) comprising
a column body (8), which is fixable to a support (6) extending from a first end (12) suitable to receive from a water tap (18) a fluid to be sent to a second end (16) suitable to distribute said fluid, said column body (8) enclosing a first feed conduit (28) extending substantially from the first end (12) to the second end (16) for the supply of a first fluid flow (32) from said second end (16);
the column body (8) comprises a second feed conduit (36), extending from one of said ends (12,16), in order to receive inlet fluid, towards the opposite of said ends (16,12), said second feed conduit (36) being fluidically separated from the first feed conduit (28);
the first feed conduit is fluidically separated from the column body (8),
said column body (8) is a hollow tube extending from the first end (12) to the second end (16), comprising a side wall (37) characterised in that said side wall (37) delimits an internal cavity or interspace (38) of the column body (8), in such a way that said cavity defines said second feed conduit (36) comprised, between the side wall (37) of the column body (8) and the first feed conduit (28) and extending from the first end (12) to the second end (16),
the column body (8) comprising at least one aperture (54) on a side wall (37) thereof in fluid communication with said second feed conduit (36) in such a way as to distribute a second fluid flow (58) from the second feed conduit (36) towards the exterior of the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to claim 1, wherein said first and second feed conduits (28,36) are substantially coaxial to one another.
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second feed conduit (36) has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular crown shaped base, with respect to a plane substantially perpendicular to the prevailing direction (X).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second feed conduit (36) is closed by a lid (39) at a length comprised between the first end (12) and the second end (16) of the column body (8) along the prevailing direction (X).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one aperture (54) is provided within the thickness of the side wall (37) of the column body (8), in such a way as to be in communication with the second feed conduit (36).
A shower column according to any preceding claim, wherein said column body (8) comprises a third feed conduit (68), fluidically connected to one of said ends (12,16) of the column body (8) and suitable to form a third fluid flow (72).
A shower column (4) according to claim 6, wherein said third feed conduit (68), at one end opposite to the connecting portion to the column body (8), comprises a shower handle (80).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein said column body (8) comprises support means (84) which are attachable to the side walls (37) of the column body (8) and suitable to support said shower handle (80) of the third feed conduit (68).
A shower column (4) according to claim 8, wherein said support means (84) are adjustable in translation and in rotation with respect to the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein said column body (8) comprises distribution means (90), suitable to channel the fluid flow to be distributed at least one fluid inlet (100) and a plurality of entrances (106,108,110) which are selectively fluidically connectable with said feed conduits (28,36,68) in order to distribute the fluid through the feed conduits (28,36,68).
A shower column (4) according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of entrances (106,108,110) comprises at least one combined entrance, suitable to feed the fluid to at least two feed conduits simultaneously.
A shower column (4) according to claims 10 or 11, wherein said distribution means (90) are placed at said first end (12) of the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one nozzle (60) which is associable to said aperture (54) of the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to claim 13, wherein said nozzle (54) comprises adjustable connection means (64), suitable to allow the spatial orientation of the nozzle (54) with respect to the column body (8), in order to allow directing the fluid flow exiting from the second feed conduit (36).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the column body (8), at the first end (12) comprises first fixing means (20) of the shower column (8) to a support (6).
A shower column (4) according to claim 15, wherein the first fixing means (20) of the column body (8) provide a connection to a mains water supply for the drawing of water to be distributed through the shower column (4).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the column body (8), at the second end (16) comprises fixing means (24) of the shower column (8) to a support (6).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the column body (8), at the second end (16) comprises a supply tube (40), fluidically connected with the first feed conduit (28) and having, at one end opposite the first feed conduit (28), a shower head (42) for the distribution of the fluid flow.
A shower column (4) according to claim 18, wherein said supply tube (40) is rotatably connected to the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to claims 18 or 19, wherein said shower head (42) is pivotally connected to said supply tube (40).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, comprising a mixing device, suitable to mix hot and cold water and send said mixed water to the feed conduits (28,36,68) of the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to claim 21, wherein said mixing device is placed at one of said ends (12,16) of the column body (8).
A shower column (4) according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection to the water tap of the shower column (4) is provided substantially parallel to the prevailing direction (X), on the floor or shower tray base of the shower column (4).