GB2407032A - Shower assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A shower assembly comprising a substantially vertically extending column 1, a plurality of vertically spaced elongate support members 2,3,4,5 being mounted on and extending perpendicularly from said column 1, said support members being aligned in a common vertical plane, a substantially vertically arranged shower screen 6 being attached to and supported by distal ends of said support members 2,3,4,5, spaced from the column 1, such that the shower screen 6, at least in the region attached to the support members, lies in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, at least one water delivery pipe being housed within the column connectable to a water supply, the water delivery pipe communicating with at least one water outlet 8 extending from the column 1 to pass over the shower screen 6, said water outlet terminating in a shower head 7 and being of a length such that the shower head 7 is located on the side of the shower screen 6 remote from the column 1.

Description

SHOWER ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a shower assembly.

Showers have greatly increased in popularity in recent years due to their increased convenience and lower energy usage compared to a traditional bath. Accordingly many new properties provide a self contained shower enclosure in addition to or instead of a bath and most modern bathrooms include a shower.

Conventionally, showering is often within an enclosed space or more latterly in a space defined by a panel and a walk-in aperture. The shower itself is always either wall mounted or within a column that makes up the frame of the enclosure/panel. As such, the strength of the product is usually derived from the frame being connected to two perpendicular or parallel walls either using the frame itself or by the use of bracing bars.

According to the present invention there is provided a shower assembly comprising a substantially vertically extending column or post, a plurality of vertically spaced elongate support members being mounted on and extending perpendicularly from said column, said support members being aligned in a common vertical plane, a substantially vertically arranged shower screen or panel being attached to and supported by distal ends of said support members, spaced from the column, such that the shower screen or panel, at least in the region attached to the support members, lies in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, at least one water delivery pipe being housed within the column connectable to a water supply, the water delivery pipe communicating with at least one water outlet extending from the column to pass over or through the shower screen, said water outlet terminating in a shower head and being of a length such that the shower head is located on the side of the shower screen remote from the column.

The present invention uses a column spaced away from the shower screen.

The footprint creates a triangle (it's points being either end of the screen and the column) and is a way of making the product in effect selfsupporting which also enhances its aesthetic appeal. The fact that this column is located outside the main showering area means that space within the area is not lost.

The column may extend from the floor to the ceiling such that the water delivery pipe can be connected to a water supply either from beneath the floor or from above the ceiling. This will improve performance of the shower in terms of reduced resistance to flow but additionally in many cases will simplify the installation.

Preferably between two and eight support members may be provided on the column. In a preferred embodiment four support members are provided.

The shower screen may comprise a flat or curved panel, preferably formed from glass. The shower screen may extend to and be attached to an adjacent wall, but can be supported solely by the support members of the column.

The advantage of water spray away from the shower screen towards the back walls enhances the water retention of the product.

Preferably the support members extend through the shower screen such that their distal ends terminate on the side of the support screen remote from the column.

Preferably at least one water control valve is mounted on a distal end of at least one of the support members for controlling the flow of water from the water delivery pipe to the water outlet, such that the control valve can be operated by a user from the side of the shower screen remote from the column. Water heating means, such as electrical heating means, may be provided within the column for heating the water supplied to the shower head.

A further water outlet, such as a spray head or a body jet, may be provided in a distal end of at least one of the support members, said further water outlet communicating with said water delivery pipe or a further water delivery pipe.

At least one of said further water outlets may comprise a telescopically mounted flexible hose extendable from a distal end of one of said elongate support members and terminating in a shower or spray head.

A light source may be provided at or adjacent an upper end of the column for illuminating the shower area and/or room.

Shelves may be mounted on one or more of the elongate support members.

Furthermore, one or more of the elongate support members may be heated to form a heated towel rail. The support members are of sufficient length to have a functional value of their own - namely that they can function as a towel rail - heated or otherwise. Ergonomically, this is ideal in the sense that they are protected from water spray by the shower screen but are readily accessible after showering by virtue of the support members' proximity to the entry/exit area.

Further sanitary devices, such as a sink, bath, bidet or toilet may be mounted on the column on a side remote from the support members. Further water outlets and/or controls may be provided on the column for use with said further sanitary devices.

Preferably the column includes a removable section, panel or side to permit access to the components located therein.

The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a shower assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shower assembly of Fig. 1 from the opposite side of the shower screen; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shower assembly according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shower assembly of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the shower assembly of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; As shown in the drawings, in particular with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a shower unit according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow column 1 extending from the floor to or adjacent the ceiling having four vertically spaced elongate support members 2,3,4,5 extending therefrom in a common vertical plane to support a glass panel 6 spaced from the column.

The glass panel 6 is attached to the support members 2,3,4,5 to lie in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, spaced from the column 1. A shower head 7 is mounted on a further elongate support member 8 extending from an upper region of the column over the top of the glass panel 6 such that the shower head is located on the side of the glass panel 6 remote from the column 1, referred to hereinafter as the "wet" side of the shower assembly.

The arrangement permits the plumbing, water supply valves and electronics of the shower assembly to be housed within the column remote from the "wet" side of the shower assembly, since the glass panel 6 isolates the shower head 7 and other water outlets. The proportions of the column are sufficient to contain the necessary elements of water delivery namely mechanical, electronic and thermostatic flow and diverter valves and associated controls.

The manually operable controls 10, 11 for the shower assembly are provided on the distal ends of the support members 2, 3 which extend through apertures in the glass panel 6 to the "wet" side of the glass panel 6. The bodies of the elongate support members 2, 3, 4, 5 can be used as towel rails since they are on the "dry" side of the glass panel 6. The support members may be heated for this purpose. Alternatively shelves may be mounted on the support members on the "dry" side of the glass panel 6.

The close proximity of the water supply valves to the controls, unlike products that have valves (e.g. solenoids) located well away from the showering space (e.g. in the loft), minimises the time-lag between adjustment of the controls and the subsequent modification of fluid flow (e.g. hotter/colder adjustments).

A further shower or spray head (not shown) may be provided at the end of a flexible telescopic hose mounted within one of the support members to extend through the glass panel and be extendible and retractable therefrom. Further body jets may be provided in the distal ends of one or more of the support members.

A light source is concealed within the column adjacent an upper end thereof, the sides of the column adjacent the light source being formed from transparent or translucent panels 15 for providing illumination, not just for the illumination of the showering area but also for the rest of the bathroom - be it a conventional white light or chromatherapy based "mood lighting". The fact that the electrics required for this light can be away from the main showering area is a safety advantage compared with existing showering products that include a light.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the glass panel 6 is formed from two flat sheets of glass bonded or otherwise connected to each other along adjacent edges at right angles to one another to provide a shower enclosure having an open side entrance/exit. In an alternative embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the glass panel 6 comprises a curved panel. It is envisaged that other combinations of curves and straight sections could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the glass panel, similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 4, cooperates with a curved door panel 20, pivotally mounted on an adjacent wall 25, to provide a closed shower enclosure.

As shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, further sanitary devices may be mounted on or adjacent the column 1. In Fig. 6, a sink 30 is mounted on the column on the opposite side thereof from the elongate support members 2, 3, 4, 5. A water outlet 35 and suitable control means can also be mounted on the column connected to water delivery pipes housed within the column 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a bath 40 is mounted against the side of the column remote from the elongate support members, a water outlet 45 being mounted on the column above the bath.

As shown in Fig. 8, a bidet or toilet 50 may be mounted on the side of the column 1 remote from the support members, the associated plumbing being concealed within the column, an operating control 55 for operating the device beg. for flushing the toilet) being mounted on the column 1. i

Claims (21)

1. A shower assembly comprising a substantially vertically extending column or post, a plurality of vertically spaced elongate support members being mounted on and extending perpendicularly from said column, said support members being aligned in a common vertical plane, a substantially vertically arranged shower screen or panel being attached to and supported by distal ends of said support members, spaced from the column, such that the shower screen or panel, at least in the region attached to the support members, lies in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, at least one water delivery pipe being housed within the column connectable to a water supply, the water delivery pipe communicating with at least one water outlet extending from the column to pass over or through the shower screen, said water outlet terminating in a shower head and being of a length such that the shower head is located on the side of the shower screen remote from the column.

2. A shower assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the column extends from floor to ceiling such that the water delivery pipe can be connected to a water supply either from beneath the floor or from above the ceiling.

3. A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein between two and eight support members are be provided on the column.

4. A shower assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein four support members are provided on the column.

5. A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shower screen comprises a flat panel.

6. A shower assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shower screen comprises a curved panel.

7. A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shower screen is formed from glass.

8. A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shower screen extends to and is attached to a wall adjacent the column.

9. A shower assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shower screen is attached to and is supported by the column alone, with no further means for support.

10.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support members extend through the shower screen such that their distal ends terminate on the side of the support screen remote from the column.

11.A shower assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one water control valve is mounted on a distal end of at least one of the support members for controlling the flow of water from the water delivery pipe to the water outlet, such that the control valve can be operated by a user from the side of the shower screen remote from the column.

12.A shower assembly as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a further water outlet, such as a spray head or a body jet, is provided in a distal end of at least one of the support members, said further water outlet communicating with said water delivery pipe or a further water delivery pipe.

13.A shower assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of said further water outlets may comprise a telescopically mounted flexible hose extendable from a distal end of one of said elongate support members and terminating in a shower or spray head.

14.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein water heating means, such as electrical heating means, are provided within the column for heating the water supplied to the shower head.

15.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a light source is provided at or adjacent an upper end of the column for illuminating the shower area and/or room.

16.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more shelves are provided, said shelves being mounted or mountable on one or more of the elongate support members.

17.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the elongate support members is heated to form a heated towel rail.

18.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein further sanitary devices, such as a sink, bath, bidet or toilet are mounted on the column on a side remote from the support members.

19.A shower assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein further water outlets and/or controls are provided on the column for use with said further sanitary devices.

20.A shower assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the column includes a removable section, panel or side to permit access to the components located therein.

21.A shower assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.