EP2896338B1

EP2896338B1 - Shower unit

Info

Publication number: EP2896338B1
Application number: EP13837588.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Toshihiro Ishikawa; Toshinari ISHIDAO; Takanobu Kondo; Kazushige Kawahara; Noriyoshi Nakaoka
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-14
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2020-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-06
Also published as: JP6432833B2; EP2896338A4; WO2014041780A1; CN104619223A; KR102042544B1; MY183233A; EP2896338A1; JPWO2014041780A1; KR20150056776A; CN104619223B

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a shower device.

Background Art

Document 1 ( JP 2003-190037 A ) discloses a shower tower including an overhead shower for supplying a fall of hot water or a handheld shower.
The overhead shower provides a spray of water to a user from above and therefore there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to receive a spray of water provided from the overhead shower at a desired portion of the user's body. Further, when the user is sitting on a chair or the like in a bathroom, the overhead shower is likely to be far from the user. In this case, similarly, it becomes difficult for the user to receive a spray of water provided from the overhead shower at a desired portion of the user's body.
In contrast, a handheld shower includes a shower head and a flexible hose or the like connected to the shower head. Therefore, a user can move the shower head of the handheld shower and thereby can receive a spray of water to a desired portion of the user's body. However, to use the handheld shower, it is necessary to hold the shower head by hand and thus the handheld shower is not easy-to-use in this sense.
JP 2001 000502 A discloses a shower device by which a user properly takes a shower regardless of his posture or height and comfortably uses it without feeling cold comparatively even in the case of warm water shower in a low temp. season. The device is provided with a base placed on the arrangement surface, a frame which is extended upward from the base and can be changed in height from the arrangement surface and shower pipes, which are arranged in the frame to extend to the circumference of the user, can be connected to the water supply source and have a plurality of nozzles in the length direction, which are for spraying warm water from the connected source toward the user as a shower and also adjusting the spraying direction. US 6 775 865 B1 discloses an improved structure of swivel shower spray arms, wherein, a swivel connection is provided between each spray arm and the showerhead to allow manual adjustment for the spray angle as desired by the bather. JP 2005 073959 A discloses a shower unit favorably used by a disabled person and a caregiver by individually turning and holding arms. This shower unit is provided with two arms, on the left and right side, which have a plurality of water spray nozzles and are vertically and freely turned. The two arms are provided with arm support parts, which can be held at vertically arbitrary angles or stepwise angles and the respective arms are independently turned and held.

Summary of Invention

In view of the above insufficiency, the present invention has aimed to propose a shower device which allows a user to easily receive a spray of water at a desired portion of a user's body and is easy-to-use.
The shower device of the first feature in accordance with the present invention includes the features of claim 1.
With regard to the shower device of the second feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the at least one shower arm is allowed to be rotated between a position at which the at least one shower arm arrives by being rotated upward from a horizontal position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a standing posture in the bathroom and a position at which the at least one shower arm arrives by being rotated downward from the former position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a sitting posture in the bathroom.
With regard to the shower device of the third feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the shower arms are situated on opposite sides of the fixture.
With regard to the shower device of the fourth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the third feature, the shower arms are allowed to be rotated upward and downward independently of each other.
With regard to the shower device of the fifth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the fixture is constituted by a mixer tap, and the mixer tap is connected with a handheld shower.
With regard to the shower device of the sixth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the fixture is constituted by a mixer tap, and the mixer tap is connected with an overhead shower.
The shower device of the seventh feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, further includes a folding chair allowing a user to sit at a place to receive a spray of water provided from the at least one shower arm.
With regard to the shower device of the eighth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the fixture serves as a horizontally long mixer tap, the mixer tap includes a water temperature adjustment manual-operation part for adjusting water temperature, and the at least one shower arm is connected to an end in a length direction of the mixer tap to be rotated in the upward and downward direction.
With regard to the shower device of the ninth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, the fixture is configured by a horizontally long mixer tap, the mixer tap includes a manual operation part for manually operating the mixer tap, and the manual operation part is situated outward from a center in a length direction of the mixer tap.
The shower device of the tenth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, further includes a water outlet part to eject water downward, and an second shower nozzle to eject water directed to a user using the water outlet part. The shower device is configured to provide both water from the water outlet part and water from the second shower nozzle simultaneously.
With regard to the shower device of the eleventh feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the first feature, at least one of the plurality of shower nozzles provided to the at least one shower arm is a shower nozzle having an adjustable jet direction.
With regard to the shower device of the twelvth feature in accordance with the present invention, in addition to the twelfth feature, at least one of shower nozzles which are the closest one to the fixture and the furthest one from the fixture of the plurality of shower nozzles in a length direction of the shower arm is a shower nozzle having an adjustable jet direction, and one or more shower nozzles of the plurality of shower nozzles other than the shower nozzle having the adjustable jet direction have a fixed jet direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the shower device according to the present embodiment in a state where the shower device is installed on a wall of a bathroom.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the shower device constituted by a device body only in a state where the shower device is installed.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the shower device constituted by the device body only in a state where the shower device is installed, and the shower device is connected to an overhead shower.
FIG. 4 is a systematic diagram of pipe arrangement of the shower device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory view illustrating a scene where a user in a standing posture is using the shower device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5B is an explanatory view illustrating a scene where a user in a sitting posture is using the shower device according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6A is a sectional view illustrating another example of the shower nozzle.
FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating further another example of the shower nozzle.

Description of Embodiments

A shower device 1 of one embodiment according to the present invention includes a device body 10 having main functions and may optionally includes a chair 3 and an overhead shower 4. That is, the chair 3 and the overhead shower 4 are not always necessary components of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shower device 1 is disposed against a wall 5 of a bathroom. Note that the following explanations are made based on directions defined in a situation where the shower device 1 is installed on the wall 5. In the explanations, a direction perpendicular to the wall 5 is defined as a forward and backward direction, and a rear side of the shower device 1 is defined as a side of the shower device 1 close to the wall 5.
The shower device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes the chair 3 as an option. The shower device 1 shown in FIG. 2 is constituted by the device body 10 only. The shower device 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes the overhead shower 4 as an option.
The device body 10 includes a mixer tap 20, a shower arm 22, a handheld shower 23, and a body cover 24.
The mixer tap 20 provides water having a desired temperature by mixing cold water supplied from public water supply via a cold-water supply pipe 60 (see FIG. 4) and hot water supplied from a water heater via a hot-water supply pipe 61 (see FIG. 4). For example, the cold-water supply pipe 60 and the hot-water supply pipe 61 (see FIG. 4) are drawn from the outside of the barthroom into the inside of the bathroom through an opening of the wall 5 which faces the body cover 24 and are connected to the mixer tap 20 at their ends inside the bathroom.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cold-water supply pipe 60 is provided with a stop cock 62 for determining whether to supply cold water to the mixer tap 20. The hot-water supply pipe is provided with a stop cock 63 for determining whether to supply hot water to the mixer tap 20. The stop cock 62 and the stop cock 63 each include a check valve. The stop cock 62 is provided to a part of the cold-water supply pipe 60 which is drawn from the wall 5 into the inside of the bathroom. The stop cock 63 is provided to a part of the hot-water supply pipe 61 which is drawn from the wall 5 into the inside of the bathroom.
As shown in FIG. 1 et al., the mixer tap 20 has a horizontally elongated shape. An outer casing of the mixer tap 20 is constituted by a counter 200 and a cylindrical part 201 situated at a front end of the counter 200. The counter 200 is formed into an almost rectangular box shape which is elongated in a left and right direction. The mixer tap 20 is attached to the wall 5 so that a rear end of the counter 200 is disposed against the wall 5 standing vertically. That is, in the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the mixer tap 20 serves as a fixture 2 to be fixed to the wall 5.
As described above, the shower device 1 of the present embodiment includes the fixture 2 to be fixed to the wall 5 of the bathroom. The fixture 2 is constituted by the mixer tap 20.
The mixer tap 20 is disposed such that a top surface of the counter 200 is substantially horizontal. The top surface of the counter 200 serves as a rest part on which small articles such as a soap dish and a shampoo bottle are to be placed. The cylindrical part 201 of the mixer tap 20 is situated at a front end of the mixer tap 20. The cylindrical part 201 is situated at such a position that the cylindrical part 201 is in front of and apart from the wall 5 in a case where the mixer tap 20 is attached to the wall 5.
The shower arms 22 are provided to opposite ends in a length direction of the mixer tap 20. Each of the shower arms 22 includes an arm part 220 and a plurality of shower nozzles 221 (first shower nozzles) provided to the arm part 220.
The arm part 220 of each of the shower arms 22 is formed into a straight shape, specifically a cylindrical shape. One end (first end 220A) of each arm part 220 in a length direction is connected to the mixer tap 20 via a rotation member 222. Each rotation member 222 is provided to the cylindrical part 201 of the mixer tap 20 to be allowed to be rotated around a left-right axis (first axis). Being able to be rotated around the left-right axis means being able to be rotated around an axis parallel to a left and right direction. The both shower arms 22 are allowed to be rotated with respect to the mixer tap 20 independently of each other. The mixer tap 20 does not limit a range of rotation in an upward and downward direction of the shower arm 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 et al., the shower arm 22 is allowed to be rotated between a lower position and an upper position. The lower position means a position where the shower arm 22 protrudes in a diagonally downward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20 and one end of the shower arm 22 is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom. The upper position means a position where the shower arm 22 protrudes in a diagonally upward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20 and one end of the shower arm 22 is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom.
As described above, the arm part 220 extends in one direction. The arm part 220 includes the first end 220A and a second end 220B. The first end 220A is an end of the arm part 220 which is closer to the mixer tap 20 in a length direction. The second end 220B is an opposite end of the arm part 220 from the first end 220A in a length direction. The rotation member 222 is provided to the first end 220A. The arm part 220 and the mixer tap 20 are connected to each other via the rotation member 222. The rotation member 222 connects the arm part 220 to the mixer tap 20 in such a manner that the arm part 220 is allowed to be rotated around the first axis. Thereby, the second end of the arm part 220 is allowed to move between a position (lower position) where the second end is below the mixer tap 20 and is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom and a position (upper position) where the second end is above the mixer tap 20 and is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom. Further, the arm parts 220 respectively provided to opposite sides of the mixer tap 20 are configured to be rotated upward and downward independently of each other.
The rotation member 222 is allowed to be rotated with respect to the mixer tap 20 only when certain force is applied to the rotation member 222. That is, the rotation member 222 allows rotation of the mixer tap 20 around the left-right axis (first axis) only when rotative force equal to or more than a predetermined force around the left-right axis is applied to the arm part 220. In contrast, the rotation member 222 does not allow rotation of the arm part 220 if rotative force less than a predetermined force around the left-right axis is applied to the arm part 220. Thereby, the shower arm 22 is configured to be held by the mixer tap 20 at a desired rotation position.
The plurality of shower nozzles 221 are provided to each of the arm parts 220 to be arranged in a length direction of the arm part 220. The respective shower nozzles 221 eject water supplied from the mixer tap 20 to the shower arm 22 as a spray of water (shower water). The spray of water includes multiple water streams which are spread in a wide area. Further, each of the streams is a stream of fine water particles of approximately 400 µm in diameter.
The shower nozzles 221 of each of the shower arm 22 are arranged in a line at a regular interval in a length direction of the arm part 220. The respective shower nozzles 221 are in the same position with regard to a circumferential direction of the arm part 220. All of the shower nozzles 221 provided to one arm part 220 face in the same direction. Thereby, the respective shower nozzles 221 provided to one arm part 220 eject sprays of water in substantially the same direction. The left and right arms 220 are bilaterally symmetric. Therefore, the shower nozzles 221 respectively provided to the left and right arms 220 can be arranged so as to face each other.
As mentioned above, in the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of shower nozzles 221 provided to one arm part 220 have the same jet direction. However, the shower device 1 may have the following structure.
Each of the arm parts 220 includes multiple nozzle attachments 27 (see FIG. 6) for attaching the shower nozzles 221. By attaching one shower nozzle 221 to each of the nozzle attachments 27, the plurality of shower nozzles 221 are situated at a regular interval in the arm part 220. The shower nozzles 221 are aligned. The direction in which the shower nozzles 221 are arranged is parallel to a length direction of the arm part 220.
Additionally, each of the shower nozzle 221 which is one of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 and closest to the fixture 2 (closest to the first end 220A) and the shower nozzle 221 which is one of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 and farthest from the fixture 2 (closest to the second end 220B) is a jet direction adjustable nozzle 25. Further, the shower nozzles 221 other than the jet direction adjustable nozzles 25 are jet direction fixed nozzles 26.
FIG. 6B shows one example of the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25. The jet direction adjustable nozzle 25 is configured to allow change of its jet direction. Specifically, the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25 is configured to allow change of its jet direction within predetermined ranges in a length direction of the arm part 220 and in a direction perpendicular to the length direction such that the jet direction can be adjusted within the range of 360 degree when viewed in a direction of the arrow A in FIG. 6B.
The jet direction adjustable nozzle 25 includes a nozzle body 250 and a jet part 251. The nozzle body 250 includes a movable part 252 to be held by the nozzle attachment 27 in such a manner to be allowed to revolve, and a projection 253 projecting from the movable part 252. The jet part 251 is attached to a projecting end of the projection 253. Because of existence of the projection 253, the jet direction of the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25 can be adjusted within such a range that the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25 is not in contact with the arm part 220.
FIG. 6A shows one example of the jet direction fixed nozzle 26. The jet direction of the jet direction fixed nozzle 26 is limited to one direction. The jet directions of the jet direction fixed nozzles 26 which are respectively attached to the nozzle attachments 27 are parallel to each other. Each of the jet direction fixed nozzles 26 includes a nozzle body 250 and a jet part 251. The jet part 251 is attached to the nozzle body 250. The nozzle attachment 27 exists in the vicinity of the jet part 251. Therefore, the jet direction of the jet direction fixed nozzle 26 cannot be changed because the jet part 251 is in contact with the nozzle attachment 27, and as a result, the jet direction is limited to one direction.
Note that either of the shower nozzle 221 closest to the fixture 2 and the opposite shower nozzle 221 which are of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 may be configured as the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25. Further, the shower nozzle 221 at the end of the line of the shower nozzles 221 arranged in the length direction of the arm part 220 may serve as the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25, or one of all of these shower nozzles 221 may serve as the jet direction adjustable nozzle 25
The arm part 220 of each of the shower arms 22 is attached to the rotation member 222 to be allowed to be rotated around an axis (second axis) parallel to a length direction (direction perpendicular to a left and right direction) of the arm part 220. The directions of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 provided to the arm part 220 can be adjusted to a desired direction by rotating the arm part 220 with respect to the rotation member 222. The arm part 220 can be rotated 360 degrees or more around the second axis with respect to the rotation member 222. Therefore, for example, the direction of one shower nozzle 221provided to one arm part 220 can be changed from a direction toward the other arm part 220 to an outward direction which is opposite from the other arm part 220. The arm part 220 of the shower arm 22 is allowed to be rotated with respect to the rotation member 222 only when certain amount of or more force is applied to the arm part 220. Therefore, the arm part 220 is held by the rotation member 222 at a desired rotation position around the second axis.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with regard to a horizontally sectional view, the body cover 24 of the device body 10 has a groove opening rearward. The body cover 24 is detachably attached to either one or both of the mixer tap 20 and the wall 5. The body cover 24 is disposed under and adjacent to the mixer tap 20. The body cover 24 covers portions of the cold-water supply pipe 60 and the hot-water supply pipe 61 drawn from the wall 5 into the inside of the bathroom and the stop cocks 62 and 63 respectively provided to these portions. The stop cocks 62 and 63 can be manually operated when the body cover 24 is removed.
The body cover 24 has a width in a left and right direction. There is a water outlet part 240 provided to a central part in a width direction of a bottom surface of the body cover 24. The water outlet part 240 opens downward. The water outlet part 240 is connected to the mixer tap 20 via a pipe covered with the body cover 24 and not shown in any figures. Warm water supplied from the mixer tap 20 to the water outlet part 240 flows out downward in the form of one water stream. The water stream is much wider than each stream provided from the overhead shower 4 or the handheld shower 23.
There are bases 241 respectively protruding downward from opposite sides in a width direction of the bottom surface of the body cover 24. Each of the bases 241 has a front surface directed diagonally downward. There is a shower nozzle 242 (second shower nozzle 28) formed at the front surface of each of the bases 241. The shower nozzles 242 are situated at the same level. The shower nozzles 242 are also arranged at the same level as the water outlet part 240. The shower nozzles 242 are situated at a lower level than the mixer tap 20. Further, the shower nozzles 242 and the water outlet part 240 are situated between the shower arms 22 in a left and right direction.
Each of the shower nozzles 242 is connected to the mixer tap 20 via a pipe which is covered with the body cover 24 and not shown in any figures. Each of the shower nozzles 242 is formed so as to protrude forward from the base 241 and is provided at the front end with a nozzle hole for ejecting water. The shower nozzles 242 eject warm water supplied from the mixer tap 20 in the form of a spray of water. As is the case with the spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 221 of the shower arm 22, this spray of water is constituted by multiple of water streams which are ejected by being widely diffused. Further, each of the streams constituting this spray of water is a fine water stream of approximately 400 µm in diameter.
The shower nozzles 242 are rotatively attached to the bases 241 of the body cover 24 via adjustable joints 243, individually. Thereby, the directions of the shower nozzles 242 can be adjusted in any of upward, downward, right and left directions.
The installation height of the device body 10 of the shower device 1 is appropriately determined depending on its usage or the like. For example, in a case where the shower device 1 includes the chair 3, the device body 10 is situated at a higher position. In contrast, in a case of the shower device 1 devoid of the chair 3, the device body 10 may be situated at a lower position as shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively may be situated at a higher position as shown in FIG. 3.
In a case where the device body 10 is situated at a lower position as shown in FIG. 2, the shower nozzles 242 are situated to be in the vicinity of legs of a user standing just in front of the shower device 1 or a user sitting on a shower chair or the like. In this situation, a spray of water ejected by the shower nozzles 242 is directed to mainly the user's legs. In contrast, in a case where the device body 10 is situated at a higher position as shown in FIG. 3, the shower nozzles 242 are situated to be in the vicinity of a waist of a user standing just in front of the shower device 1. In this situation, a spray of water ejected by the shower nozzles 242 is directed to mainly the user's waist.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the handheld shower 23 includes a bendable connection tube 231 and a shower head 232 situated at one end of the connection tube 231. The connection tube 231 is constituted by a bendable bellows tube, a flexible hose or the like.
The opposite end of the connection tube 231 from the shower head 232 is connected to one end of the mixer tap 20 in a length direction. Further, the handheld shower 23 is detachably attached to a hook 65 attached to the wall 5. That is, the handheld shower 23 is connected to the mixer tap 20. The shower head 232 is detachably held by the hook 65.
Warm water supplied from the mixer tap 20 to the handheld shower 23 flows to the shower head 232 through the connection tube 231 and thereafter flows out through multiple of spout holes of the shower head 232. The shower head 232 ejects a spray of water constituted by water streams each flowing out through any one of the spout holes of the shower head 232, and being a relatively wide water stream of approximately 1 mm in diameter.
The overhead shower 4 is attached to the shower device 1 as an option. The overhead shower 4 is, as shown in FIG. 3, constituted by a stand pipe 40 and a shower head 41.
The stand pipe 40 is connected to the counter 200 of the mixer tap 20. The stand pipe 40 extends upward from a central part in a left and right direction of the counter 200, is bent forward to extend in an opposite direction from the wall 5 and is further bent downward. The part of the stand pipe 40 which extends upward from the counter 200 is fixed to the wall 5 at multiple points in an upward and downward direction. The shower head 41 is formed at the extending end of the stand pipe 40. The shower head 41 is situated at a position higher than the mixer tap 20. Further, the shower head 41 is disposed at a higher position than the upper ends of the shower arms which are situated at a highest position.
As mentioned above, the overhead shower 4 includes the stand pipe 40 and the shower head 41. The stand pipe 40 is connected to the mixer tap 20. The stand pipe 40 includes a long pipe part 40A, a lateral pipe part 40B and a short pipe part 40C. The long pipe part 40A, the lateral pipe part 40B and the short pipe part 40C communicate with one another. The long pipe part 40A extends upward from the counter 200. The lateral pipe part 40B extends forward from the upper end of the long pipe part 40A. The short pipe part 40C extends downward from the front end of the lateral pipe part 40B. The shower head 41 is formed at the bottom end of the short pipe part 40C.
Warm water supplied from the mixer tap 20 to the overhead shower 4 flows to the shower head 41 through the stand pipe 40 and thereafter flows out downward through multiple spout holes formed in the bottom surface of the shower head 41. A relatively wide water stream of approximately 1 mm in diameter flows out through each of the spout holes of the shower head 41.
The chair 3 is folding (that it, the shower device 1 includes a folding chair). The chair 3 is, as shown in FIG. 1, constituted by a chair body 30 and a back 31. The back 31 includes a cover 310 and shower nozzles 311 provided to the cover 310. With regard to a horizontally sectional view, the cover 310 has a groove opening rearward. The cover 310 has a width in a left and right direction. The width of the cover 310 is the same as the width of the body cover 24. The cover 310 is attached to either one or both of the wall 5 and the body cover 24. The cover 310 is situated under and adjacent to the body cover 24. The cover 310 appears to consecutively extend to the body cover 24. The cover 310 covers the water outlet part 240 and the shower nozzles 242 of the body cover 24. In a case where the chair 3 is formed as an option, the water outlet part 240 and the shower nozzles 242 are not used. Further, in this case, the water outlet part 240 and the shower nozzles 242 are not connected to the mixer tap 20. Note that with respect to the shower device 1 including the chair 3, the body cover 24 devoid of the water outlet part 240 and the shower nozzles 242 may be used.
A backrest part 312 slightly protruding forward is formed on the front surface of the cover 310. A recess 313 being set back is formed at the upper portion of the backrest part 312. The shower nozzles 311 are formed at opposite sides of the innermost surface of the recess 313, respectively. The shower nozzles 311 are situated at the same level. The shower nozzles 311 are connected to the mixer tap 20 through pipes (not shown) covered with the body cover 24 and the back 31.
The respective shower nozzles 311 eject warm water supplied from the mixer tap 20 in the form of a spray of water. This spray of water is constituted by multiple water streams which are ejected by being widely diffused, as is the case with the spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 221 of the shower arm 22. Further, each of the streams constituting the shower is a fine water stream of approximately 400 µm in diameter.
Each of the shower nozzles 311 is formed to protrude forward from the innermost surface of the recess 313, and is provided at the front end thereof with a nozzle hole 315 for ejection of a spray of water. The shower nozzle 311 is provided to the backrest part 312 via an adjustable joint 314 to be allowed to be rotated with respect to the backrest part 312. Thereby, the directions (jet directions) of the shower nozzles 311 can be adjusted in any of upward, downward, right and left directions. Note that the jet direction of the shower nozzle 311 means a direction parallel to a center line of a spray of water.
The chair body 30 is constituted by a seat 300, a front leg 301 and a back leg 302. The back leg 301 is attached to either one or both of the wall 5 and the back 31. The leg 301 has a width in a left and right direction. The width of the leg 301 is the same as the width of the cover 310 of the back 31. The leg 301 is situated under and adjacent to the back 31. The leg 301 appears to consecutively extend to the cover 310 of the back 31. The leg 301 is to be disposed between the back 31 and a floor of the bathroom. Further, the leg 301 is to be disposed on the floor of the bathroom.
The seat 300 is formed into an almost plate shape. The back end of the seat 300 in a substantially horizontally-positioned state is connected to the upper end of the leg 301 to be allowed to be rotated around a left-right axis. Thereby, the seat 300 is allowed to be rotated in an upward and downward direction within a range from a substantially horizon position (use position) as shown in FIG. 5B to a substantial vertical position (non-use position) facing the front surface of the back 31 as shown in FIG. 5A.
The front leg 302 is formed into an approximate plate shape. The upper end of the leg 302 in a substantially vertically-positioned state is connected to the opposite end of the seat 300 from the leg 301 to be allowed to be rotated around a left-right axis. Thereby, the leg 302 is allowed to be rotated within a range from a position (use position) substantially perpendicular to the seat 300 as shown in FIG. 5B to a position (non-use position) substantially parallel to the seat 300 as shown in FIG. 5A.
When the seat 300 is disposed at the use position as shown in FIG. 5B, the seat 300 protrudes forward from the back leg 301. Further, in this situation, when the front leg 302 is disposed at the use position, the leg 302 protrudes downward from the front end of the seat 300 and the bottom end of the leg 302 is placed on the floor of the bathroom. Thereby, a user can sit down on the seat 300 as shown in FIG. 5B and sit in such a state where the user leans back against the backrest part 312 and faces in the opposite direction from the wall 5. The shower nozzles 311 are situated such that the shower nozzles 311 are behind the user when the user sits on the chair 3. Further, the shower arms 22 are placed in positions which allow the shower nozzles 221 to provide a spray of water directed to the user sitting on the chair 3 as mentioned above.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the seat 300 and the front leg 302 are disposed at the non-use position, the seat 300 and the front leg 302 face the front surface of the backrest part 312 and accordingly the chair body 30 is folded.
The shower arms 22, the water outlet part 240, the shower nozzles 242, the handheld shower 23, the overhead shower 4 and the shower nozzles 311 constitute a warm water provision part of the shower device 1.
The cylindrical part 201 (see FIG. 1) of the mixer tap 20 includes a cylinder not shown inside. A thermos valve 202, a first switch valve 203 and a second switch valve 204 shown in FIG. 4 are embedded as a valve gear in the cylinder.
The cold-water supply pipe 60 and the hot-water supply pipe 61 are connected to and communicated with the thermos valve 202. A downstream flow path 205 of the thermos valve 202 formed in the cylinder bifurcates into two flow paths 206 and 207. One flow path 206 further bifurcates into a first supply line 208 and a second supply line 209. The other flow path 207 further bifurcates into a third supply line 210 and a fourth supply line 211.
The handheld shower 23 is directly connected to the first supply line 208. The water outlet part 240 is connected to the second supply line 209 via a pipe (not shown) covered with the body cover 24. Further, when the chair 3 is provided as an option, instead of the water outlet part 240, the shower nozzles 311 are connected to the second supply line 209 via pipes covered with the body cover 24 and the back 31. Further, when the overhead shower 4 is provided as an option, the overhead shower 4 is directly connected to and communicated with the third supply line 210. The shower arms 22 are directly connected to and communicated with the fourth supply line 211. In a case where the shower nozzles 242 are used, the shower nozzles 242 are connected to and communicated with the fourth supply line 211 via pipes covered with the body cover 24. A high-cut valve 213 is provided at an upstream portion of the shower arms 22 and the shower nozzles 242 in the fourth supply line 211.
The first switch valve 203 is provided to a portion of the flow path 206 at which the flow path 206 bifurcates into the first supply line 208 and the second supply line 209. The second switch valve 204 is provided to a portion of the flow path 207 at which the flow path 207 bifurcates into the third supply line 210 and the fourth supply line 211.
As shown in FIG. 1 etc., the horizontally-elongated cylindrical part 201 of the mixer tap 20 is provided with a plurality of handles 214 to 216 serving as a manual operation part 21. The manual operation part 21 is used for manually operating the mixer tap 20. The manual operation part 21 includes the handles 214, 215 and 216. The handles 214 to 216 are situated inward in a length direction (left and right direction) from opposite ends of the cylindrical part 201 connected to the shower arms 22. Further, the handles 214 to 216 are situated outward from a center in a length direction of the mixer tap 20. That is, none of the manual operation parts 21 is situated at the center in the length direction of the mixer tap 20.
Each of the handles 214 to 216 includes a cylinder part 217 and a protrusion 218. An outer peripheral surface of each of the handles 214 to 216 is flush with an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 201. The protrusion 218 of each of the handles 214 to 216 protrudes outward in a radial direction from a part of the outer periphery of the cylinder part 217. The cylinder part 217 is allowed to be rotated around a left-right axis with respect to the cylindrical part 201 of the mixer tap 20. The handles 214 to 216 are allowed to be rotated upward and downward with respect to the cylinder part 217 in response to manual operations on the protrusion 218.
The handle 214 is situated at the left side of the mixer tap 20 in a front view. By rotating the handle 214 upward and downward, a ratio of hot water to cold water mixed with the hot water by the thermos valve 202 is adjusted. That is, the handle 214 serves as a water temperature adjustment manual-operation part 29 for adjusting water temperature.
The handle 215 is situated at a right side of the mixer tap 20 in a front view. By rotating the handle 215 upward or downward, the first switch valve 203 is switched to any one of the first supply line 208 side, the second supply line 209 side, and a water stop state. When the first switch valve 203 is switched to the first supply line 208 side, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is supplied to the handheld shower 23. When the first switch valve 203 is switched to the second supply line 209 side, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is supplied to the water outlet part 240 or the shower nozzles 311. When the first switch valve 203 is switched to the water stop state, supply of warm water to the first supply line 208 and the second supply line 209 is stopped.
The handle 216 is situated at the right side of the mixer tap 20 in a front view. The handle 216 is situated on the right side of and adjacent to the handle 215. By rotating the handle 216 upward or downward, the second switch valve 204 is switched to any one of the third supply line 210 side, the fourth supply line 211 side, and a water stop state. When the second switch valve 204 is switched to the third supply line 210 side, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is supplied to the overhead shower 4. When the second switch valve 204 is switched to the fourth supply line 211 side, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is supplied to the shower arms 22 and the shower nozzles 242. When the second switch valve 204 is switched to the water stop state, supply of warm water to the third supply line 210 and the fourth supply line 211 is stopped.
The shower arms 22, the water outlet part 240, the shower nozzles 242, the handheld shower 23, the shower nozzles 311 and the overhead shower 4 are used as follows, for example. Note that, before using these, the stop cocks 62 and 63 are opened and the handle 214 is manually operated in order to adjust temperature of warm water.
A user can use the shower arms 22 by manually operating the handle 216 of the mixer tap 20 so as to switch the second switch valve 204 to the fourth supply line 211 side. By doing so, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is supplied to each of the shower arms 22 through the fourth supply line 211 and flows out from the shower nozzles 221. In this way, by positioning between the both shower arms 22, the user can take a shower with warm water (a spray of water) ejected from each of the shower nozzles 221.
By rotating the shower arms 22 upward and downward with respect to the mixer tap 20, the user can receive a spray of water from the shower arms 22 with a desired position of its body, irrespective of whether the user is in a standing posture or in a sitting posture in front of the shower device 1.
For example, when the user intends to take a shower while being in a standing posture right in front of the shower device 1, it is sufficient that, as shown in FIG. 5A, the shower arms 22 are rotated upward from a horizontal position thereof to become vertical, and the shower nozzles are adjusted to face forward. By doing so, the user can receive a spray of water provided from the shower arms 22 to its head, upper body and the like while standing in the bathroom. Further, when the user intends to take a shower while sitting on the chair 3, a shower chair or the like just in front of the shower device 1, it is sufficient that the user rotates the shower arms 22 downward from the position of the shower arms 22 as shown in FIG. 5A. By doing so, the user can set the shower arms 22 to be substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. 5B or to be situated at a rotation position lower than the horizontal position (to be inclined such that the part closer to the tip is positioned more downward). Therefore, the user can take a shower with a spray of water provided from the shower arms 22 while sitting on the chair 3, a shower chair or the like.
The both shower arms 22 are allowed to be rotated upward and downward independently of each other. Therefore, by rotating one shower arm 22 to be situated at a higher position than the horizontal position and rotating the other shower arm 22 to be situated at a lower position than the horizontal position, the user can receive a spray of water provided from the both shower arms 22 to a large area of its body. Further, by rotating the arm part 220 of each of the shower arms 22 with respect to the rotation member 222, the user can adjust the plurality of shower nozzles 221 so as to direct them to the user's desired portion.
In a case where the shower device 1 does not include the chair 3 as an option, when warm water can be provided from the shower arms 22 as mentioned above, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is also supplied to each of the shower nozzles 242. The warm water is ejected forward from the shower nozzles 242. Therefore, the user standing or sitting on a shower chair or the like in the bathroom can receive a spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 242, which are situated closer to the wall 5, to its back, waist, legs and the like, while taking a shower with a spray of water provided from the shower arms 22. Further, the user can adjust the directions of the shower nozzles 242 in any of the upward, downward, right and left directions. Therefore, the user can receive a spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 242 to its desired portion.
When the shower arms 22 are not used, by rotating the respective shower arms 22 with respect to the mixer tap 20 to be closer to the wall 5, the user can dispose the shower arms 22 to lie in a diagonally downward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20, as shown in FIG. 1 etc. In this case, the user may dispose the shower arms tolie in a diagonally upward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20.
As mentioned above, by positioning the shower arms 22 to protrude in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, it is possible to dispose the shower arms 22 at a position where the shower arms 22 are unlikely to become an obstacle for a person being in the bathroom. Further, by positioning the shower arms 22 to protrude in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, it is possible to make a space 64 for inserting a hand between the wall 5 and the shower arms 22. Therefore, when pulling out forward the shower arms 22 protruding in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, the user can easily grasp the shower arms 22 by inserting its hand through the space 64.
The user can use the water outlet part 240 by manually operating the handle 215 of the mixer tap 20 so as to switch the first switch valve 203 to the second supply line 209 side. By doing so, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 flows out through the water outlet part 240. Further, even while warm water is flowing out from the water outlet part 240, the user can switch the second switch valve 204 to the fourth supply line 211 side to allow the respective shower arms 22 to provide warm water, too. Further, in this regard, it is also possible to allow the respective shower nozzles 242 (second shower nozzle 28) to eject a spray of water.
The user can use the handheld shower 23 by manually operating the handle 215 of the mixer tap 20 so as to switch the first switch valve 203 to the first supply line 208 side. By doing so, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 flows out through the shower head 232 of the handheld shower 23 in the form of a spray of water. Thereby, the user can receive a spray of water provided from the handheld shower 23 to its desired portion. Further, even while warm water is flowing out from the handheld shower 23, the user can switch the second switch valve 204 to the fourth supply line 211 side to allow the respective shower arms 22 to provide warm water, too. Further, in this regard, in a case where the shower device 1 does not include the chair 3, it is also possible to allow the respective shower nozzles 242 to eject a spray of water.
In a case where the shower device 1 includes the chair 3 as an option, the user can use the respective shower nozzles 331 provided to the back 31. To use the respective shower nozzles 311, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5B, the user simply pull out the chair body 30 forward and manually operate the handle 215 of the mixer tap 20 to switch the first switch valve 203 to the second supply line 209 side. By doing so, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 is ejected through the respective shower nozzles 311 of the back 31. Therefore, the user can receive a spray of water ejected from the respective shower nozzles 311 to any of its back, waist and the like while sitting on the chair 3. Further, as mentioned above, the directions of the respective shower nozzles 311 can be adjusted in any of upward, downward, left and right directions. Therefore, the user can receive a spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 242 to its desired portion such as its back and waist.
Further, even while warm water is flowing out from the respective shower nozzles 311 as just described, the user can allow the respective shower arms 22 to provide a spray of water by switching the second switch valve 204 to the fourth supply line 211 side. Therefore, while sitting on the chair 3, the user can receive a spray of water provided from the respective shower nozzles 311 situated behind the user to any of its back, waist and the like, while taking a shower with a spray of water provided from the shower arms 22.
In a case where the shower device 1 includes the overhead shower 4 as an option, the user can use the overhead shower 4 by manually operating the handle 216 of the mixer tap 20 so as to switch the second switch valve 204 to the third supply line 210 side. By doing so, warm water obtained by mixing by the mixer tap 20 flows out from the showerhead 41 of the overhead shower 4 in the form of a spray of water. Therefore, the user can receive a spray of water provided from the overhead shower 4 to it head (the upper side).
As mentioned above, the shower device 1 of the present embodiment has the following first feature.
In the first feature, the shower device 1 incudes the features of claim 1.
Therefore, the user can easily receive a spray of water provided from the shower arm 22 to its body's desired portion just by rotating the shower arm 22 in an upward and downward direction with respect to the mixer tap 20, and hence the shower device 1 is easy-to-use. Further, the shower arm 22 includes the plurality of shower nozzles 221 arranged in a length direction of the shower arm 22 and is allowed to be rotated around the axis parallel to the length direction of the shower arm 22. Therefore, the user can also receive a spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 221 to the user's desired portion by rotating the shower arm 22 with respect to the rotation member 222. Further, it is possible to change the directions of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 simultaneously by a single action of rotating the shower arm 22 with respect to the rotation member 222, and accordingly the shower device 1 is also convenient.
The shower device of the present embodiment may have the following second to thirteenth features. Note that the second to thirteenth features are optional.
With regard to the shower device of the second feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the at least one shower arm 22 is configured to be allowed to be rotated between a position at which the at least one shower arm arrives by being rotated upward from a horizontal position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a standing posture in the bathroom and a position at which the at least one shower arm arrives by being rotated downward (in the example shown in FIG. 5B, downward from the horizontal position) from the former position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a sitting posture in the bathroom. Note that the shower arm 22 to provide a spray of water directed to the user sitting in the bathroom may be inclined downward or upward relative to the horizontal position, or be horizontal.
Therefore, due to the second feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can take a shower with a spray of water provided from the shower arm 22 by appropriately rotating the shower arm 22 in the upward and downward direction, irrespective of whether the user is in a standing posture or in a sitting posture in the bathroom.
With regard to the shower device of the third feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the shower arms 22 are situated on opposite sides of the fixture 2.
Therefore, due to the third feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can take a shower with a spray of water provided from the shower arms 22 respectively situated at the opposite sides of the fixture 2.
With regard to the shower device of the fourth feature, realized in combination with the third feature, the shower arms 22 (shower arms 22 respectively situated at the opposite sides of the fixture 2) are configured to be allowed to be rotated upward and downward independently of each other.
Therefore, due to the fourth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can rotate the both shower arms 22 separately and accordingly the shower device 1 is easy-to-use.
With regard to the shower device of the fifth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the at least one shower arm 22 is connected to a portion of the fixture 2 which is in front of and away from the wall 5 of the bathroom, to be rotated upward and downward. The at least one shower arm 22 is configured to be allowed to be rotated to a position where the at least one shower arm 22 lies along a diagonally downward and backward or a diagonally upward and backward direction.
Therefore, due to the fifth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, by disposing the respective shower arms 22 to protrude in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, the user can dispose the shower arms 22 at a position where the shower arms 22 are unlikely to become an obstacle for a person being in the bathroom.
Further, by disposing the respective shower arms 22 to protrude in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, it is possible to make the space 64 for allowing the user to insert the user's hand between the wall 5 and the shower arms 22. Therefore, when pulling out forward the shower arms 22 protruding in a diagonally downward and backward direction or in a diagonally upward and backward direction, the user can easily grasp the shower arms 22 by inserting the user's hand into the space 64.
Further, the tip of the shower arm 22 lying along a diagonally downward and backward direction or a diagonally upward and backward direction can be kept in contact with the wall 5. Therefore, the wall 5 bears the tip of the shower arm 22, and as a result, the shower arm 22 can be fixed.
With regard to the shower device of the sixth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the fixture 2 is constituted by the mixer tap 20. The mixer tap 20 is connected with the handheld shower 23.
Therefore, due to the sixth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can receive a spray of water to its body's desired portion by use of the handheld shower 23. Further, it is possible to unitize the mixer tap 20, the shower arm 22 and the handheld shower 23, and as a result, installation of the shower device 1 can be facilitated.
With regard to the shower device of the seventh feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the fixture 2 is constituted by the mixer tap 20. The mixer tap 20 is connected with the overhead shower 4.
Therefore, due to the seventh feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can receive a spray of water from above by use of the overhead shower 4. Further, it is possible to unitize the mixer tap 20, the shower arm 22 and the overhead shower 4, and as a result, installation of the shower device 1 can be facilitated.
With regard to the shower device 1 of the eighth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the shower device 1 includes the folding chair 3. The folding chair 3 allows a user to sit at a place to receive a spray of water provided from the at least one shower arm 22.
Therefore, due to the eighth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can take a shower with sprays of water provided from the respective shower arms 22 while sitting on the chair 3. Further, by folding the chair 3, it is possible to dispose the chair 3 at a position where the chair 3 is unlikely to become an obstacle for a person being in the bathroom. Further, by folding the chair 3, it is possible to make a space for allowing the user to stand just in front of the shower device 1.
With regard to the shower device of the ninth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the fixture 2 is constituted by the mixer tap 20 having a horizontally long shape. The mixer tap 20 includes the water temperature adjustment manual-operation part 29 for adjusting water temperature. The at least one shower arm 22 is connected to an end in a length direction of the mixer tap 20 to be rotated in the upward and downward direction.
Therefore, due to the ninth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, since the shower arms 22 are connected to the horizontally long mixer tap 20, it is possible to unitize the mixer tap 20 and the shower arms 22. Accordingly, in the process of installation of the shower device 1, it is possible to omit a troublesome step of connecting the shower arms 22 to the mixer tap 20 through pipes and the like, and thereby installation of the shower device 1 can be facilitated. Further, it is possible to dispose the shower arms 22 in the vicinity of the water temperature adjustment manual-operation part 29 provided to the mixer tap 20. Therefore, the user using the shower arms 22 can manually operate the handle 214 easily.
With regard to the shower device of the tenth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the fixture 2 is constituted by the mixer tap 20 having a horizontally long shape. The mixer tap 20 includes the manual operation part 21 for manually operating the mixer tap 20. The manual operation part 21 is situated outward from a center in a length direction of the mixer tap 20.
Therefore, due to the tenth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, even when the user standing in the bathroom or sitting on the chair 3, a shower chair or the like in the bathroom comes close to the mixer tap 20, the manual operation parts 21 (the handles 214 to 216) are unlikely to be in contact with the user. Thereby, it is possible to improve usability of the shower device 1.
With regard to the shower device of the eleventh feature, realized in combination with the first feature, the shower device 1 further includes the water outlet part 240 to eject water downward and the second shower nozzles 28 to eject water directed to a user using the water outlet part 240. The shower device 1 is configured to provide water from the water outlet part 240 and water from the second shower nozzle 28 simultaneously.
Therefore, due to the eleventh feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can comfortably use the water outlet part 240 while taking a shower with sprays of water ejected from the second shower nozzles 28.
With regard to the shower device of the twelfth feature, realized in combination with the first feature, at least one of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 provided to the at least one shower arm 22 is a shower nozzle having an adjustable jet direction.
Therefore, due to the twelfth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can receive a spray of water ejected from the shower nozzles 221 at its body's desired portion by individually adjusting tilts of the shower arms 22 and the jet directions of the shower nozzles 221.
The shower device 1 of the thirteenth feature, realized in combination with the twelfth feature, is configured as follows. At least one of shower nozzles 221 which are the closest one to the fixture 2 and the furthest one from the fixture 2 of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 in a length direction of the shower arm 22 is a shower nozzle having an adjustable jet direction. One or more shower nozzles 221 of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 other than the shower nozzle 221 having the adjustable jet direction have a fixed jet direction (configured so that the change of the jet direction is not allowed). Note that in a case where two shower nozzles 221 having the adjustable jet direction are provided, three or more shower nozzles 221 including these two shower nozzles 221 are provided.
Therefore, due to the thirteenth feature of the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, since the jet directions of most of the shower nozzles 221 are set to the same direction, it is possible to easily control the jet directions of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 just by rotating the shower arms 22 around the second axis. Further, among the shower nozzles 221 arranged in a line, the jet direction of at least one endmost shower nozzle 221 can be adjusted. Therefore, even when the shower arms are inclined, it is possible to easily direct sprays of water ejected from all the shower nozzles 221 to the user's body.
As mentioned above, the shower device 1 of the present embodiment has the above structure and thereby it is possible to easily direct a spray of water provided from the shower arm 22 to the user's desired portion just by rotating the shower arm 22 in an upward and downward direction with respect to the mixer tap 20. Further, the shower device 1 of the present embodiment has the above structure and thereby the user can also receive sprays of water ejected from the shower nozzles 221 to the user's desired portion by rotating the shower arm 22 around the axis (second axis) parallel to the length direction of the shower arm 22. Further, due to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can adjust the directions of the plurality of shower nozzles 221 just by rotating the shower arm 22 around the axis (the second axis). Thereby, owing to the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can easily receive a spray of water to a desired portion of the user's body.
In the present embodiment, the shower arms 22 are connected to the mixer tap 20. However, the shower arms 22 may be connected to a fixture 2 which is to be fixed to the wall 5 and is different from the mixer tap 20. Further, in the present embodiment, the shower arms 22 are situated at opposite ends of the mixer tap 20. However, the shower arm 22 may be situated only at one end of the mixer tap 20. Further, the respective shower arms 22 are allowed to be rotated between a lower position and an upper position. The lower position means a position where the shower arm 22 lies along a diagonally downward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20 and one end of the shower arm 22 is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom. The upper position means a position where the shower arm 22 lies along a diagonally upward and backward direction from the mixer tap 20 and one end of the shower arm 22 is in contact with the wall 5 of the bathroom. However, the rotation range of the shower arm 22 in an upward and downward direction is not limited to the aforementioned range. For example, the shower arm 22 may have such a structure that the shower arm 22 reaches the lower position but does not reach the upper position. Also, the shower arm 22 may have such a structure that the shower arm 22 reach the upper position but does not reach the lower position. Further, the shower arm 22 may have such a structure that, when being situated at the upper position or the lower position, the shower arm 22 is not in contact with the wall 5 but is in the vicinity of the wall 5. Further, the shower arm 22 may have such a structure that the shower arm 22 does not reach such a position that the shower arm 22 lies along a diagonally backward direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the arm part 220 is formed into a linear shape and, but may be formed into a curved shape. Further, in this case, it is preferable that the arm part 220 is allowed to be rotated around an axis parallel to a length direction at an interconnecting part (the rotation member 222) with the mixer tap 20. Further, the rotation range of the shower arm 20 with respect to the rotation member 222 may be less than 360 degree. Further, the chair 3 of the present embodiment is fixed to the wall 5, but may be detachably fixed to the wall 5.
Further, in the shower device 1 of the present embodiment, the both shower nozzles 242 are situated at the same level as the water outlet part 240, but may be situated at a lower level than the water outlet part 240 or situated at a higher level than the water outlet part 240. Further, the directions of the shower nozzles 242 of the present embodiment can be adjusted in any of upward, downward, left and right directions, but may be able to be adjusted in an upward and downward direction only or in a left and right direction only.

Claims

A shower device (1), comprising:
a fixture (2) to be fixed to a wall (5) of a bathroom, wherein a mixer tap (20) is configured to serve as the fixture (2) to be fixed to the wall (5), the fixture (2) comprising:
- an outer casing of the mixer tap (20) constituted by:
a counter (200) with a top surface for placing small articles thereon, wherein the counter (200) is formed into an almost rectangular box shape which is elongated in a left-right direction, wherein a rear end of the counter (200) is disposed against the wall (5), and

a cylindrical part (201) situated at a front end of the counter (200), wherein the cylinder part (201) is provided with a plurality of handles (214, 215, 216) serving as a manual operation part (21) for manually operating the mixer tap (20), and

- at least one rotation member (222) provided to the cylindrical part (201) to be allowed to be rotated around a first rotation axis extending in the left-right direction; and

at least one shower arm (22) connected to the at least one rotation member (222) and configured to be rotated in an upward and downward direction around the first rotation axis to a position where the at least one shower arm (22) lies along a diagonally downward and backward direction or a diagonally upward and backward direction from the fixture, wherein the at least one shower arm (22) is configured to be held at a desired rotation position at the first rotation axis,

wherein the at least one shower arm (22) includes a plurality of shower nozzles (221) arranged in a length direction of the at least one shower arm (22), and

wherein the shower arm (22) is allowed to be rotated around an axis parallel to the length direction,

wherein the shower device (1) comprises two rotation members (222) together with two shower arms (22).
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one shower arm (22) is allowed to be rotated between a position at which the at least one shower arm (22) arrives by being rotated upward from a horizontal position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a standing posture in the bathroom and a position at which the at least one shower arm (22) arrives by being rotated downward from the former position so as to provide a spray of water directed to a user in a sitting posture in the bathroom.
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, wherein
said two shower arms (22) are situated on opposite sides of the fixture (2).
The shower device (1) according to claim 3, wherein
the shower arms (22) are allowed to be rotated upward and downward independently of each other.
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a handheld shower (23), wherein
the fixture is constituted by the mixer tap (20); and

the mixer tap (20) is connected with the handheld shower (23).
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an overhead shower (4), wherein
the fixture is constituted by the mixer tap (20), and

the mixer tap (20) is connected with the overhead shower (4).
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a folding chair (3) allowing a user to sit at a place to receive a spray of water provided from the at least one shower arm (22).
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
the fixture (2) is constituted by a horizontally long mixer tap (20);

the mixer tap (20) includes a water temperature adjustment manual-operation part (29) for adjusting water temperature; and

the at least one shower arm (22) is connected to an end in a length direction of the mixer tap (20) to be rotated in the upward and downward direction.
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, wherein:
the fixture (2) is constituted by a horizontally long mixer tap (20), and

the manual operation part (21) is situated outward from a center in a length direction of the mixer tap (20).
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising:
a water outlet part (240) to eject water downward; and

a second shower nozzle (28) to eject water directed to a user using the water outlet part (240),

the shower device (1) being configured to provide both water from the water outlet part (240) and water from the second shower nozzle (28) simultaneously.
The shower device (1) according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of the plurality of shower nozzles (221) provided to the at least one shower arm (22) is a shower nozzle (221) having an adjustable jet direction.
The shower device (1) according to claim 11, wherein:
at least one of shower nozzles (221) which are the closest one to the fixture (2) and the furthest one from the fixture (2) of the plurality of shower nozzles (221) in a length direction of the shower arm (22) is a shower nozzle (221) having an adjustable jet direction; and

one or more shower nozzles (221) of the plurality of shower nozzles (221) other than the shower nozzle (221) having the adjustable jet direction have a fixed jet direction.