GB2060368A - A shower - Google Patents

Abstract

An industrial shower has a main body (1), an upper outlet (3) and a valve. When the valve is closed it connects an upper part of the main body (1) and the valve chamber to drain to minimise the possibility of water standing in the main body or valve chamber from freezing and damaging the shower. Alternatively, fig. 4 (not shown), or additionally, the main body can have a central heating unit comprising a conducting tubular sheath and a heating element mounted on a member disposed within the sheath to be easily removed for replacement and/or repair of the heating element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A shower The present invention relates to a shower and particularly, but not exclusively, to a safety shower for industrial use.

Safety showers for industrial use are disposed at various points on a chemical processing installation, for example, where there is an ever present danger to the installation personnel of chemically induced burns. These showers are positioned outside to be easily accessible, and they are therefor exposed to the elements. In presently known showers, when the showers were switched off, the body of the shower remained full of water. Under freezing conditions, this body of water froze, expanded and either distorted the shower and/or destroyed the shower valves. Forthe period oftimethatthefreezing conditions lasted, the shower was completely inoperative and at the end of that period, when the ice melted, the stresses to which the shower had been subjected were found to have caused leaks.It is important that the downtime of such safety equipment is kept to an absolute minimum and for this purpose showers were fitted with some form of internal heater in order to prevent freezing. Problems were again experienced here, however, because the heater which was in the form of a tape wrapped around the cold water supply pipe absorbed water formed by condensation as a result of which the tape insulation broke down causing a fault and resulting in the shower once again being out of action. The disposition of the heating means in the shower made it dif ficultto remedythe fault without removing the shower completely from its operative location.

Safety equipment regulations required a replacement shower two be installed when such removal was necessary, even though the removal was onlytemporary. This was a laborious and expensive solution to the problem.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower comprising a main body defining a water passage, an uppershoweroutlet leading from the passage, a shower inlet leading to the passage, and a lower shower outlet leading from the passage and disposed intermediate the first shower outlet and the shower inlet, and inlet valve means disposed adjacent the lowershoweroutlet, the valve means being movable between a first position in which the passage from inlet to outlets is shut off and the passage between the upper and lower outlets is open and a second position in which the passage from inlet to outlet is open.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower comprising a main body defining a water passage, a shower outlet leading from the passage and a shower inlet leading to the passage remote from the shower outlet, valve means disposed between inlet and outlet and movable between a first position in which the passage between inlet and outlet is open and a second position in which the passage between inlet is closed and heating means comprising a heating tape disposed on a former and housing in a tube which extend through the water passage over the major portion thereof.

Whilst these showers operate satisfactorily under normal circumstances, it is possible for the shower platform to be obstructed, for example, by a stone.

When this happens, it may be impossible to depress the platform to operate the shower. This could be a serious matter particularly in the emergency conditions for which these showers are particularly provided. A further object of the present invention is to try and offset this disadvantage by providing a shower foot actuating mechanism which can operate satisfactorily when no obstruction as aforesaid is present, but which is such that it will not prevent alternative actuation when an obstruction is present.

The shower of the present invention can have a foot operable actuator for opening and closing the valve comprising a foot depressable member, means connecting the memberto the valve and a further manually operable actuator, comprising a manually operable member and means for connecting the member to the valve, the means for connecting being such that should operation of the foot operable actuator be obstructed that will not directly prevent obstruction of the manually operable actuator.

Preferably any one or more of the following advantageous features are provided: (a) The foot depressable member comprises a platform, (b) The means for connecting the foot depressable member to the valve comprises a flexible element.

(c) The flexible element is a chain.

(d) The flexible element is connected to a lever which in turn controls the opening and closing action of the valve, (e) The manually operable actuator comprises a lever, (f) The lever of (e) is pivoted to the body of the shower and is hinged at a point between its ends so that that part of the lever on the side of the hinge remote from the pivot can depend substantially vertically when not in use, but can, in its operative position, be brought into line with the part of the lever on the other side of the hinge, and with the two parts in line pivoted to operate the valve, (g) The means connecting the manually operable actuator to the valve comprises a solid rod.

(h) The solid rod of (g) connects the lever of (d) to the lever of (e) on that side of the pivot of the lever of (e) remote from the hinge.

(i) The lever of (d) is connected to the lever of (e) by a spring.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shower, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a valve of the shower of Figure 1 in an open position, Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve of Figure 2 in a closed position; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative shower to the shower shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the shower of Figure 4; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a different possible pedal and handle arrangement; and Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a further different pedal and handle arrangement.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the shower comprises a main body 1 which defines an internal water passage extending between a water inlet 2 and a water outlet 3. Further water outlets 4 and 5 from the water passage are positioned between the inlet 2 and outlet 3. Spray heads are formed at the outlets 3,4 and 5 so that water is emitted from the outlets in sprays.

Adjacent the water outlet 5, inside the water passage, a valve 6 is disposed (see Figures 2 and 3). This valve is adjustable between a first open position (shown in Figure 2) and a second, closed position (shown in Figure 3). The valve comprises a valve closure ball 7 disposed between neoprene valve seats 8 and 9 which are themselves held in respective recesses 10 and 11 formed in a central valve body 12 by respective housing end parts 13 and 14.

The valve ball defines a main through bore 15 and a subsidiary bore 16 leading from the bore 15. In the first, open, position of the valve, the main bore 15 is substantially aligned with the water passage and in the second, closed, position of the valve, the bore 15 is transverse to the main water passage and the water passage is closed.

In the first valve position, water flows along the water passage to all three water outlets 3, 4 and 5.

The water emanates directly from the water passage at outlets 3 and 4 and indirectly from the water passage via the subsidiary bore at outlet 5. The valve is moved to the first, open position from the second, closed position by means of a lever 20, which is connected to a spigot 21 which is in turn connected to the valve ball 7 so that the lever 20 can pivot with respect to the shower body 1. The lever 20 is connected at a point intermediate its ends via another lever 22 to a pivotally mounted platform 23. The end of the lever remote from the spigot 21 is connected via a spring 24 to a point 25 on the body 1 of the shower. This spring urges the lever 20 upwards and the valve closure ball 7 to the closed position.When a person stands on the platform, the valve ball is moved to its first, open, position and water emanates from the outlets 3,4 and 5 to spray the person all over. When the person steps off the platform 23, the valve moves automatically to its second, closed, position. Any water in the water passages downstream of the valve drain out of the shower body 1 through the subsidiary bore 7, main bore 15 and outlet 5. A lamp 30 is disposed above the platform 23.

Thus, with the above described shower, no water remains in the major part of the shower. Damage to this part of the shower due to the formation of ice is therefore avoided. Water will of course fill the inelt up to the upstream side of the valve 6, but this is a relatively minor part of the shower and can be relatively easily and inexpensively insulated if required.

In addition, all or most of the metal parts of the shower are of stainless steel to reduce corrosion and problems arising from it.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, another type of shower is illustrated. In this shower, problems resulting from ice are dealt with by heating the main body of the shower. The shower comprises a main body 40 defining a water passage extending from an inlet 41 to a first, upper outlet 42. A second outlet 43 also leads from the water passage. Valves 44 and 45 control egress ofwaterfrom respective outlet 42 and 43.

These valves 44 and 45, which may be of the type described with reference to Figures 1,2 and 3, comprise rotatable valve closure members. These members are rotatable by respective levers 46 and 47. The levers 46 and 47 are operated by a common operating rod 48 which is pivotally connected to the levers and also to an operating platform 49. A return spring 50 urges the rod 48, levers 46 and 47 and valve closure members to their non-operative or closed positions. The valves 44 and 45 are provided with respective drain outlets 51 and 52.

The main body 40 of the shower is surrounded with a jacket 53. This jacket acts to insulate the shower body from the exterior and, if desired, the space between jacket 53 and shower body 40 may be filled with insulating material. As stated above, the shower is also heated. For this purpose, an elongate tubular member 54 of heat conducting material extends along the length of the upright part of the shower body 40. Inside this member 54 extends a further member 55 and disposed around this member 55 is an electrical heating tape 56. The tape 56 is a self limiting heating cable specifically authorised for use in hazardous locations. Advantageously the material and disposition of the members 54 and 55 and the heating tape 56 is such as to press the tape into contact with the member54to improve heat transfer.The tape 56 is secured to the member 55 by ties (not shown) and the ends of the tape are brought out to a junction box 57 at the top of the shower. A lamp may be fed from this junction box as in the embodiment of Figure 1.

With the above described arrangement, the maintenance difficulties with previously known heated showers of this general type are overcome.

Replacement of the heating tape is a relatively easy matter. The tape is disconnected from its terminals in the junction box 57 and the member 55 with the faulty heating tape 56 attached is withdrawn. A new cable is wrapped around the bottom of the member 55 in an elongated U-shape and secured to it by ties.

The member 55 is then pushed down into the tube 54, the tape reconnected to the junction box terminals and the shower is once again ready for use.

In a first variation (Figs. 6 and 7), connecting link 22 is replaced by a chain, cable or similar flexible element 60 and lever 20 is extended forwardly and provided with a handle 61. The lever 20 is also extended rearwardly (to the right in Fig. 6) and has a pivoted extension 62 with a stop 63 which enables the shower to be tested without an operative getting wet, but does not obstruct passage past the shower in its inoperative position.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, in a second modification of the shower of Fig. 1 the rigid link 22 is replaced by a chain 32 and the spring 24 is replaced by a spring 34. This spring 34 is connected between the free end of the lever 20 and a manually operable lever 35.

This lever 35 is pivotally connected at 36 to the main body 1 of the shower, hinged at 37 and pivotally connected via a rod 38 to the lever 20. The hinged arrangement of the lever 35 is such that in the inoperative position of this leverthe part 35a on the side of the hinge 37 remote from the pivot 36 hangs down vertically under its own weight. When the valve 6 is to be opened using the part 35a of lever 35, the dependent part is lifted up until it is aligned with the other part of the lever on the other side of the hinge 37 at which point further relative rotational movement of the two parts is prevented by a stop 39 and the leverthen pivots as a whole about the pivot 36 and against the restraining action of the spring 34.

This in turn, through the connecting rod 38, pivots the lever 20 to open the valve. Even if a stone obstructs downward movement of the platform 23, the valve 6 will still be opened, since the chain 32 permits downward opening movement of the lever 20 relative to the platform 23. In addition. the manually operable lever 35 permits the showerto be easily tested by an operative, without him getting wet, but does not obstruct passage past the shower due to the hinged nature of the lever and the downward dependency of part of it in its inoperative position.

Both these modified pedalihandle arrangements can be applied, with appropriate modification, to the shower of Figs. 4 and 5. For example portion 48a could be replaced by a chain and lever 47 extended and provided with a handle 47a.

Claims (17)

1. A shower comprising a main body defining a water passage, an upper shower outlet leading from the passage, a shower inlet leading to the passage, and a lower shower outlet leading from the passage and disposed intermediate the first shower outlet and the shower inlet, and inlet valve means disposed adjacent the lower shower outlet, the valve means being movable between a first position in which the passage from inletto outlets is shut off and the passage between the upper and lower outlets is open and a second position in which the passage from inlet to outlet is open.

2. A shower comprising a main body defining a water passage, a shower outlet leading from the passage and a shower inlet leading to the passage remote from the shower outlet, valve means disposed between inlet and outlet and movable between a first position in which the passage between inlet and outlet is open and a second position in which the passage between inlet is closed and heating means comprising a heating tape disposed on a former and housing in a tube which extend through the water passage over the major portion thereof.

3. A shower as claimed in Claim 1 or2 and having a pedal arrangement, for opening and closing the valve, comprising a foot depressable member, means connecting the member to the valve and a further manually operable actuator, comprising a manually operable member and means for connecting the member to the valve, the means for connecting being such that should operation of the foot operable actuator be obstructed that will not directly prevent obstruction of the manually operable actuator.

4. A shower as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the foot depressable member comprises a platform.

5. A shower as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the means for connecting the foot depressable member to the valve comprises a flexible element.

6. A shower as claimed in Claim 3,4 or 5, wherein the flexible element is a chain.

7. A shower as claimed in Claim 3,4,5 or 6, wherein the flexible element is connected to a lever which in turn controls the opening and closing action of the valve.

8. A shower as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the manually operable actuator comprises a lever.

9. A shower as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the lever is pivoted to the body of the shower and is hinged at a point between its ends so that that part of the lever on the side of the hinge remote from the pivot can depend substantially vertically when not in use, but can, in its operative position, be brought into line with the part of the lever on the other side of the hinge, and with the two parts in line pivoted to operate the valve.

10. A shower as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the means connecting the manually operable actuator to the valve comprises a solid rod.

11. A shower as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the solid rod connects the first lever to the second lever on that side of the pivot of the second lever remote from the hinge.

12. A shower as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the first lever is connected to the second lever by a spring.

13. Ashowerasclaimed in Claim 1, wherein the drain outlet from the valve constitutes a foot-spray nozzle when the shower is turned on.

14. Ashowerasclaimed in Claim 13, wherein the shower has three outlets including the foot spray.

15. A shower as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the hollow tube is closed at its lower end and can itself be removed completely from an upright column of the shower.

16. A shower as claimed in Claim 2 or 15, wherein the member within the hollow tube and carrying the heating element is of resilient material.

17. A shower substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.