GB2355184A

GB2355184A - Inflatable shower enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2355184A
Application number: GB9920192A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Adamson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-27
Filing date: 1999-08-27
Publication date: 2001-04-18
Also published as: GB9920192D0

Abstract

The present invention provides an inflatable shower enclosure (10) including a base (11) and a frame (12) ; and<BR> ```shower means (15; 16), which, in use, are connectable to a water source wherein the frame (12) is inflatable and is provided with, or connectable to, inflation means such that when in use the frame (12) can be inflated thereby providing a shower enclosure and when not in use the frame (12) can be deflated such that the shower enclosure can be collapsed for storage.

Description

2355184 AN ENCLOSURE The present invention relates to an enclosure. In

particular, the present invention relates to a shower enclosure. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inflatable, portable shower enclosure.

Persons working in the chemical industry are more likely to work in close proximity to harmful chemicals, which can cause injury on contact.

In the event of an accident involving a harmful chemical or chemicals coming into contact with a person, the best course of action is to wash the chemical off.

Depending on the scale of contact, such washing may be effected under a tap or may be effected by placing the person into a safety shower.

In order to comply with current health and safety requirements, permanent safety showers need to be installed at numerous locations within a chemical plant, for example, in each laboratory. It will be appreciated that such showers need to be present in sufficient number, and at appropriate locations, to ensure that any person involved in an accident resulting in contact with a harmful chemical or chemicals, can reach such a shower in a short period of time.

One of the problems associated with such permanent safety showers is that they take up a lot of space within a laboratory. Additionally, and as such showers are permanent structures, a lot of time is spent by planners of a chemical plant, or any structure where harmful chemicals are located, to ensure that such showers are present in sufficient number, and at appropriate locations, such that regardless of the location of the accident it will be possible to get the injured party to such a shower in a short period of time.

2 According to the present invention there is provided a portable shower enclosure including a base and a frame; and shower means, which, in use, are connectable to a water source wherein the frame is inflatable and is provided with, or connectable to, inflation means such that when in use the frame can be inflated rapidly thereby providing a shower enclosure and when not in use the frame can be deflated such that the shower enclosure can be collapsed compactly for storage.

It is believed that a portable shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention overcomes the problems outlined above. In particular, since a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention is portable, it can be taken to an injured party and rapidly erected regardless of the location of such person. Moreover, and as a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention can be collapsed compactly for storage, it takes up less space than known permanent safety showers. Additionally, and by providing such a portable, compact shower enclosure, the need for planners of chemical plants and the like of having to spend much time in planning the suitable location of safety showers throughout such a plant is dispensed with. Furthermore, it is believed that a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention has more utility as same can be utilised by emergency services who, when called to the scene of an industrial accident involving harmful chemicals, may require the use of a portable shower enclosure, which can be erected rapidly to treat an injured party.

In a preferred embodiment, the base is provided with drainage means. This has the advantage in that, in use, the shower water, which may include harmful chemicals, can be drained safely into a container for safe disposal.

In a preferred embodiment, a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention is stored within a case such that when erected, one side of 3 the case provides a base for the shower enclosure and the other side of the case provides the top or roof of the shower enclosure. Further preferably, the outer surface of the case is provided with a handle and/or back or shoulder straps, so that same is easy to carry to the scene of an accident involving harmful chemicals. Further preferably, the case is small enough such that when a person is carrying same on their back, access through doors etc. and passage up ladders of the type surrounded by safety hoops will not be hindered as a result of carrying the case. Further preferably, the case is further provided with suitable attachment means such that, when not in use, it can be attached to a suspending member, for example, a hook, located on a support structure, such as a wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the base of the shower enclosure upon which a user will stand, is provided with a non-slip surface. This has the advantage in that it will prevent a user from slipping over when located within the shower enclosure.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame is further provided with means that enable same to be manually inflated. This has the advantage in that if for some reason the inflating means do not inflate the frame fully, full inflation can be achieved by utilising such manual inflating means.

In a preferred embodiment, the shower enclosure is made from a lightweight, robust material, for example, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or any other material having the desired qualities. This has the advantage in that the shower enclosure is light enough to carry.

Non-limiting embodiments of a portable shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

4 Figure IA is a side view of a shower enclosure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B is a side view of the shower enclosure of Figure 1A from a different side; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a shower enclosure in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated, a shower enclosure 10 in accordance with the present invention includes a base 11, a top or roof 13 and an inflatable frame 12.

When not in use, i.e. when deflated, base 11 and roof 13 form a case, within which the shower enclosure 10 may be collapsed and stored.

As illustrated, the base 11 may be provided with handle 11b, which assists with carrying the shower enclosure 10 to the location of an injured party.

As illustrated in Figure 1B, the shower enclosure 10 further includes shower means which include a showerhead 15 connected via piping 14 to an inlet 17 that is connectable to a water source. Preferably, the shower means are provided with a control valve 16 between the water source and the showerhead 15 such that the pressure of the water exiting the showerhead 15 can be controlled. Preferably, the showerhead 15 is suitably located such that water exiting therefrom is directed towards the centre of the shower enclosure 10.

As illustrated, the base 11 of the shower enclosure 10 is preferably provided with a drain outlet 18 connectable to a container (not illustrated), which can collect the shower water, which may include harmful chemicals, for safe disposal.

As illustrated, the floor 11 a of the base 11 is preferably provided with an anti-slip surface, for example, ribbing, to prevent a user from slipping over.

Although not illustrated, the inflatable frame 12 will be connected to inflation means which when actuated will inflate the frame 12 of the shower enclosure 10. Such inflation means may be similar to those used on life jackets or life rafts of the ripcord variety. It is to be understood that in an alternative embodiment, rather than being provided with actuatable inflation means, the inflatable frame 12 may be adapted to be connected to such inflation means, such that the inflation means is separate from the shower enclosure and will need to be carried separately.

As illustrated in Figure 1A, the frame 12 includes a mouthpiece 19, which can be utilised in the event that after initial inflation the frame needs further inflation.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the shape of the shower enclosure may differ depending on the anticipated use of the shower enclosure. For example, in the event that the shower is to be used by emergency service personnel wearing protective clothing, then it will be appreciated that the width of the frame and base must be large enough to enable access of such personnel to and from the shower enclosure 10.

In the event of an accident involving harmful chemicals, a shower enclosure 10 in accordance with the present invention can be carried to the scene of the accident and erected by actuation of the inflation means. Once erected, a water source is connected to inlet 17 of the shower means and the shower is ready for use. When no longer required, and after suitable cleaning, the water source is disconnected from inlet 17, and the frame 12 is deflated such that the enclosure can be stored compactly within the case formed by the base 11 and roof 13.

6 Alth. ough the present invention has been described by way of example to a shower for use as a safety shower, it is to be understood that same can be used in any other application where a portable shower enclosure is required, for example, for camping.

7

Claims

1 A portable shower enclosure including a base and a frame; and shower means, which, in use, are connectable to a water source wherein the frame is inflatable and is provided with, or connectable to, inflation means such that when in use the frame can be inflated thereby providing a shower enclosure and when not in use the frame can be deflated such that the shower enclosure can be collapsed for storage.

2. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base is provided with drainage means.

3. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drainage means are connectable to storage means to collect the shower water such that same may be safely disposed of.

4. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of the base of the shower enclosure upon which a user may stand is provided with a non-slip surface.

5. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is further provided with means that enables same to be manually inflated.

6. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower enclosure is made from PVC, polyethylene or polypropylene.

7. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper part of the frame is provided with a roof portion.

8 8. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the roof portion and the base form a case into which the portable shower enclosure can be collapsed for storage.

9. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the case is provided with a handle and/or shoulder straps to assist with the carrying of the portable shower enclosure.

10. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the case is provided with attachment means such that, when not in use, the case can be attached to a suspending member located on a support structure.

11. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower means include a showerhed and a control valve located between the water source and the showerhead such that the pressure of the water exiting the showerhead can be controlled.

12. A portable shower enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shower head is suitably located or positioned such that water exiting therefrom is directed towards the centre of the base of the shower enclosure.

13. A portable shower enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanyinng drawings.