GB2364908A

GB2364908A - Shower assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2364908A
Application number: GB0110166A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Pearson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-04-25
Filing date: 2001-04-25
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: WO2002087401A1; GB0110166D0

Abstract

A shower assembly comprises a cold-water container (2) having an outlet (3) closable by means of a plug (4) and means for lifting the plug so as to provide a deluge of cold water from the outlet. The lifting means preferably comprises a lever mechanism (5-7) and handle (8). The container is suitably mounted above a shower cubicle and may be provided with filling means controlled by a float (11).

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Shock-Shower Device The present invention relates to a shock-shower device and a shower assembly having a shower and such a device. On grounds of health or fitness a cold shower may frequently be desired or even recommended by a doctor. Alternatively, a cold sharp shock can be effected after a sauna by submerging in a cold pool. In a private house a cold-shock shower cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Although the usual mixer control for a domestic shower provides a rapid change from hot or warm water to cold water, a full shock effect is not possible, since normal water pipes do not provide the necessary quantity of water instantly. The invention provides a shock-shower device comprising a cold-water container mountable above a shower and having means for opening the container to release a deluge of cold water as a shock shower. The invention also provides a shock-shower assembly having a shower and a shock- shower device as in the preceding paragraph and arranged to provide a separate cold- water deluge. Thus, the shock-shower device may be fitted to any installed shower, or may be installed at the same time as a shower is installed. The shock-shower device is preferably arranged above the shower, but could be arranged at the same height as, or even below, the shower if the shower were fitted at a sufficient height. In use, the shock-shower device may be actuated when normal showering with warm or hot water has been completed.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. I is a schematic perspective view of a shock-shower device in accordance with the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a shower assembly having a shock-shower device similar to that of Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 a shock-shower device 1 comprises essentially a cold-water container in the form of a tank 2 having an outlet 3 closable by means of a plug 4. The plug 4 may be raised by lifting means 5 comprising a lever mechanism 6, 7 and a handle 8.

The tank 2 has filling means comprising a cold-water inlet 9 connectable to a cold-water supply 10. The filling means also comprises a float I I controlling the flow of water through the inlet 9 and thereby controlling the level of cold water in the tank 2. Preferably, the outlet 3 of the tank 2 has a flared nozzle 12 for directing a deluge of cold water onto a person below.

It will be seen that the shock-shower device I fills and empties in a similar manner to a WC cistern.

In hot climates, or if the device I is installed in a heated area, if the cold water in the tank 2 is not used for some time, it will heat up so that the shock of the water deluge is reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a control valve or tap 13 in the cold- water supply 10. If the valve 13 is opened shortly before the shock-shower device I is used, cold water will flow into the tank 2 and have little time to warm up before the outlet 3 is opened.

Fig. 2 shows the shock-shower device I installed above shower 14 comprising a shower cubicle 15 provided with a mixer tap 16 and a sliding shower head 17.

Here, the tank 21 of the shock-shower device I has been shaped aesthetically to fit in a comer, and the handle 81 is stirrup shaped. In use, a person washes using the shower head 17. When washing has been completed, the handle 81 is pulled to actuate the shock-shower device 1, ie lift the plug 4, and release an invigorating cold-water deluge 18 from the nozzle 12 in a sudden "whoosh". The shock-shower device I could be incorporated over a bath, with or without a normal shower, but preferably with a shower curtain or shower screen to contain the flow of the cold-water deluge 18 into the bath and prevent flooding. Obviously, the shock-shower device I could be installed as a separate device, or as part of a shower assembly simultaneously with the installation of a shower. Although it is intended that the shock-shower device be used in domestic situations, it could also be installed in health clubs, sports clubs, hospitals etc.

Claims

Claims: 1. A shock-shower device comprising a cold-water container mountable above a shower and having means for opening the container to release a deluge of cold water as a shock shower. 2. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the container has a cold- water outlet, a plug for closing the outlet, and means for lifting the plug so as to provide a cold-water deluge from the outlet. 3. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lifting means comprises a lever mechanism and handle. 4. A shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having means for automatically filling the container with cold water. 5. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the filling means comprises a cold-water inlet and a float mechanism for controlling the flow of cold water through the inlet so as to limit the level of cold water in the container. 6. A shock-shower device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 7. A shower assembly comprising a shower and a shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to provide a separate cold-water deluge. 8. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the shock-shower device is arranged above the shower. 9. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the cold-water container has a cold water supply selectively operable to fill the container shortly before

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use so as to ensure that the water in the container is at the temperature of the cold-water supply. 10. A shower assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A shock-shower device comprising a cold-water container mountable above a shower and having means for opening the container to release a sudden deluge of cold water as a shock shower.
2. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 1. wherein the container has a cold- water outlet, a plug for closing the outlet, and means for lifting the plug so as to provide a sudden cold-water deluge from the outlet.
3. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lifting means comprises a ]ever mechanism and handle.
4. A shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having means for automatically filling the container with cold water.
5. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the filling means comprises a cold-water inlet and a float mechanism for controlling the flow of cold water through the inlet so as to limit the level of cold water in the container.
6. A shock-shower device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. A shower assembly comprising a shower and a shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to provide a separate sudden cold-water deluge.
8. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the shock-shower device is arranged above the shower.
9. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the cold-water container has a cold water supply selectively operable to fill the container shortly before