GB2089656A - Shower supply devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-heating device or a water-mixing device 11 is connected to the upper end of a hollow rod 12 and a control means 13 is connected to the lower end of the rod 12. The rod 12 is utilised to transmit operational signals from the control means to operate the water-heating device or the water-mixing device 11. The shower head 14 is connected to an outlet of the device 11 by means of flexible ducting means 15, the head 14 being adjustably located on the rod 12 by means of a movable member 16. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved shower unit The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to shower units.

At the present time there are many shower units being manufactured and offered for sale. Included as part of a shower unit is a water-heating device or a water-mixing device. Currently, such water-heating devices comprise comparatively large box-like arrangements which are located within the shower area at a height convenient to the hand of the operator. Such water-mixing devices are similarly located and generally include a bulky operating knob. This normally means that such devices are located at about a height of 3' to 4' above the base of the shower. Installation of such devices can be both time consuming and costly. In the case of waterheating devices it is necessary for both water and electrical power to be supplied, whilst in the case of water-mixing devices, both hot and cold water supplies are needed.However, in both cases, the plumbing and electrical work can be complex since the relevant supplies are usually introduced in the region where the water-heating device or the watermixing device is located. Moreover, since the majority of bathrooms have at least a portion of the side walls tiled, it is generally necessary for a portion of such tiling to be removed so that the various plumbing and electrical supply means can be provided therebehind.

In new properties it is necessary, after such devices have been installed, to tile therearound which can be extremely difficult.

The remainder of the shower unit comprises a shower head which is connected by fixed or flexible ducting means to the water-heating device or the water-mixing device. Occasionally a pillar or rod is provided to accept a sliding collar carrying the shower head, so permitting height and angle adjustment.

We have now unexpectedly discovered an improved shower unit which avoids the disadvantages referred to above and which provides an arrangement which is extremely simple to instal without incurring substantial expense in connection of the water-heating device or the water-mixing device to the water and electricity supplies.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shower unit comprising a hollow elongate support member locatable so as to extend in a vertical or substantially vertical direction, said support member being connected at or adjacent to its upper end to a water-heating device or a water-mixing device, a shower head being connected by flexible ducting means to an outlet of the water-heating device or the water-mixing device, and said support member being connected at or adjacent to its lower end to control means for controlling operation of said water-heating device or said water-mixing device, a signal from the control means being conductable through the hollow elongate support member to the water-heating device or the watermixing device, as well as providing means for adjustably locating the position of the shower head thereon.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hollow elongate support member comprises a pillar or hollow rod which has heretofor been utilised to adjustably locate the height of the shower head. In such arrangement, the water-heating device or watermixing device is connected to the upper end of the pillar or rod and the control means is connected to the lower end of the pillar or rod. Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides an arrangement whereby the location of the previously bulky water-heating device or water-mixing device is transferred to a much higher location than heretofor, orto the space above the ceiling.Such arrangement means that the attachment of the water supply and the electrical power supply is made easier since the water-heating device or water-mixing device is now located nearer to or above the region where the ceiling meets the relevant wall against which the shower unit is located. This means that the provision of appropriate plumbing and electrical leads is made much easier, the arrangement being such that no tiles need be disturbedwhetherthewall is completely or partially tiled.

The pillar or rod is fixed to the wall as heretofor whilst the control means, which is comparatively small compared with the previously used waterheating or water-mixing devices, may be affixed to an adjacent tile, for example, by securing or adhering thereto.

The control means can be operated by any suitable means, e.g. mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means and the signal generated by operation of the control means is passed up the hollow rod or pillar to the water-heating device or water-mixing device connected to the upper end of the rod or pillar.

In one preferred arrangement, the control means is in the form of two slider members which are respectively connected to the hot and cold water supply of a water-mixing device. Operation of one or both of these slider members operates the flow of the hot andlor cold water to the shower head. The water-mixing device connected to the upper end of the hollow rod or pillar which is also used to adjust the height of the shower head, will also be supplied with a solenoid valve for the hot and cold water supply and an anti-scald device. Should, for any reason, the cold water supply be interrupted, then the antiscald device would immediately come into operation and cause the solenoid valves connected to the water supplies to cut off the water flow immediately.

The slider members may be connected to the hot and cold water supply by any suitable means, e.g.

nylon rods.

It will thus be seen that the shower unit of the present invention provides an arrangement whereby the water-heating device or water-mixing device is transferred from its presently located position at conventional height to a much higher location and operation of such water-heating device or watermixing device being effected by a control device located at conventional level, and the hollow rod or pillar used for adjusting the height of the shower head is also utilised to carry signals from the control member to the water-heating device or water-mixing device. It can thus be seen that the water-heating device or water-mixing device is now located at a position above the shower head and will therefore be out of contact with water when operating the shower unit.Furthermore, the device can be made smaller than heretofor and will be cheaper two produce than the presently utilised bulky devices; moreover, fitting of the water-heating device and/or water-mixing device is simplified and less wiring and piping will be involved.

The present invention will be further illustrated with reference to the accompanying informal drawing in which the single Figure shows a shower unit in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, a water-heating device or a water-mixing device 11 is connected to the upper end of a hollow rod 12. Connected to the lower end of the rod 12 is a typical control means 13. The rod 12 is utilised to transmit operational signals from the control means 13 to operate the water-heating device or watermixing device 11. The shower head 14 is connected to an outlet of the device 11 by means of flexible ducting means 15, the head 14 being adjustably located on the rod 12 by means of movable member 16. Schematically shown in the drawings are the water supply 17 and electrical lead 18.

It can thus be seen that the arrangement of the present invention achieves unexpected advantages having regard to prior art water-heating devices or water-mixing devices. Not only is the water-heating device or water-mixing device transposed to a higher position, butthe hollow rod previously used to enable the height of the shower head to be adjusted, is now also used for location 6f means to transmit signals fom the control means to the water-heating device or water-mixing device.

Claims (8)

1. A shower unit comprising a hollow elongate support member locatable so as to extend in a vertical or substantially vertical direction, said support member being connected at or adjacent to its upper end to a water-heating device or a water-mixing device, a shower head being connected by flexible ducting means to an outlet of the water-heating device or the water-mixing device, and said support member being connected at or adjacent to its lower end to control means for controlling operation of said water-heating device or said water-mixing device, a signal from the control means being conductable through the hollow elongate support member to the water-heating device or the watermixing device, as well as providing means for adjustably locating the position of the shower head thereon.

2. A shower unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the hollow elongate support member comprises a pillar or hollow rod.

3. A shower unit as claimed in claim 2 in which the water-heating device or the water-mixing device is connected to the upper end of the pillar or rod and the control means is connected to the lower end of the pillar or rod.

4. A shower unit as claimed in claim 2 or 3 in which the control means is operated by mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means and the signal generaed by operation of the control means is passed up the hollow rod or pillar to the waterheating device or water-mixing device connected to the upper end of the rod or pillar.

5. A shower unit as claimed in any preceding claim having a water-mixing device, in which the control means comprises two slider members which are respectively connected to the hot and cold water supply of the water-mixing device.

6. A shower unit as claimed in claim 5 in which the water-mixing device additionally includes a solenoid valve for the hot and cold water supply and an anti-scald device.

7. A shower unit as claimed in claim 6 in whch the slider members are connected to the hot and cold water supply by means of plastics material rods.

8. A shower unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.