FR2709940A1 - Ergonomic device for spreading water in the form of jets, for use as a shower bath or for massaging all or part of the body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for use as a shower bath or for massaging the body by the concentric spraying of jets of water. It consists of a component, especially a hollow hoop (1), to which water is supplied through an orifice (3) with a tap (6) for adjustment. The hoop has perforations (5) which spray jets of water at the user, who may be sitting, standing or lying, tied in the middle of this hoop. The hoop is mounted on brackets (4) which enable it to be slid up and down fixed poles (2) which may be vertical, oblique or horizontal.

Description

 The present invention relates to an ergonomic device for spraying water in the form of jets, intended for showering or being massaged all or part of the body.

 A shower device generally consists of a shower head, often bulky because it requires a grip, projecting water unidirectionally over a small area, with a flow difficult to control, which systematically causes splashes. The fixing of the knob on a support generates other drawbacks: unidirectional jet, mandatory high position therefore sprinkling of the whole body, etc.

 The equipment for massaging with water jets is bulky and difficult for individuals to access.

 All of this equipment is difficult to use by people with reduced mobility, elderly or disabled, for whom the only suitable equipment is complex and expensive.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to compensate for these shortcomings, by providing very significant comfort due to the simultaneous arrival of concentric water jets: The shower is faster thanks to the free hands therefore more economical in water because watering at the same time the whole body and limiting splashing, and more practical because you can choose the parts of the body to water (allows not to get your hair wet if you wish).

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows in perspective the device according to the invention.

 Figures 2 and 4 show in section two non-limiting versions of the arch.

 Figure 3 shows in perspective the device according to the invention in use, in an application intended to shower in the "standing" position.

 Figure 5 shows in perspective the device according to the invention in use, in an application for washing hands inside a sink.

 Figures 6,7 and 8 show the device according to the invention in its version illustrated in Figure 3, with three different positions of the hoop.

 Figure 9 shows in perspective the device according to the invention, illustrating the possible orientation of the hoop.

 FIG. 10 shows in perspective an example of water flow due to the particular orientation of the jets of the device according to the invention.

 With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a hollow element (1), in particular an open or closed hoop, supplied with water by an orifice (3) regulated by a tap (6) which can be located inside or outside the device, and of sufficient diameter to embrace the user.

 According to particular embodiments, the element which can be round, square or of any other shape adapted to the furniture (shower tray, sink, sink ...), is calculated so as to receive a person seated, standing, lying or in a wheelchair, partially or partially (hands, feet ...). The orifice (3) can be simply connected to a conventional tap (8) by a power cord (7).

 The arch is pierced with orifices (5), oriented towards the user, through which the water will be projected. The projections will possibly be adjustable in power, direction and shape of the jet (direct jet or spraying) thanks to the insert of specific nozzles on the orifices (see FIG. 10 for a non-limiting example). These orifices (5) can be replaced by a sufficiently fine slot.

 According to particular embodiments, the device can consist of several hoops, identical or not, installed in series on the uprights.

 The arch is movable along fixed uprights (2), thanks to one or more sliding supports (4), which allows the user to limit the parts of the body to be watered (in the case of permed hair, flat arm. ..) and keep both hands free once the roll bar is positioned.

 The sliding supports are such that the arch can be stabilized at a given position, but can slide effortlessly along the uprights when the user so desires.

Without limitation, this quality may be due to the presence of one or more elastomer rings in the supports (4), in contact with the uprights (2).

 According to particular embodiments, the uprights can be vertical, oblique or horizontal, independent or fixed to a wall; The supports can be articulated so that the arch is oriented during use, or takes up less space at rest (see FIG. 9, for a non-limiting example).

 According to particular embodiments, the movement of the hoop can be motorized and obey a memorized movement program, varying the position of the hoop along the uprights at the same time as the power and the orientation of the jets.

 According to particular embodiments, the device can be completed with a bench for a version where the uprights would be horizontal, or with a stool for a version intended more particularly for the elderly.

 By way of nonlimiting example, for the variant illustrated in FIG. 3, which is limited to using the device in the form of a shower in the "standing" position, the arch (1) will have a reception diameter of the order of 70 cm and will consist of a cylinder of about 3 cm in diameter. The uprights will have a length of the order of 2 m.

 By way of nonlimiting example, for the variant illustrated in FIG. 5, which is limited to the use of the device in the form of a "hand basin", the oval arch (1) situated around the periphery of a sink will have a mean diameter. of the order of 40 cm and will be composed of a cylinder of about I cm in diameter. The tap (6) can be located on the ground, accessible by foot, so as to keep your hands free at all times.

 The device according to the invention can be intended for individual use or by communities, in the form of a complete assembly to be installed or of a kit complementary to existing equipment. The dimensions of the various components of the device according to the invention will vary depending on the intended user (elderly people using the device in a seated position, sports clubs favoring the massage function by lying users, etc.), the chosen function (aiming to intervene on the whole body or on a single part), and of the location (in the center of a room, in a bathtub, a sink, etc ...)

Claims (7)

 1) Ergonomic device for spraying water in the form of jets, intended for showering or being massaged all or part of the body, characterized in that it comprises a hollow element (1), in particular open or closed arch, irrigated d 'water and pierced with oriented holes (5) intended to water on all sides the user who took place in the center of this hoop.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that this hoop is movable by means of supports (4), sliding along fixed uprights (2) vertical, oblique or horizontal.  3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the hoop (1) and the uprights (2) are of variable shapes and dimensions depending on the position and dimensions of the body or the body part targeted by the device , and the location chosen to install this device.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orifices (5) are completed with nozzles varying the shape and direction of the jets.  5) Device according to any one of claims characterized in that the orifices (5) are replaced by one or more narrow slots.  6) Device according to any one of claims characterized in that the supports (4) are articulated to allow to orient the arch (1) relative to the uprights (2).  7) Device according to any one of claims characterized in that it can be intended for washing various objects, in a version suitable for sinks or sinks.