GB2426193A

GB2426193A - A shower apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2426193A
Application number: GB0510238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Buckingham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-19
Filing date: 2005-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-22
Also published as: GB0510238D0

Abstract

A shower apparatus comprises a water container 2 to hold water that is adapted to sit on the floor of a bath 20 underneath the baths tap(s), a moveable shower head 12 and a pump 13 to deliver water from the water container 2 to the moveable shower head 12. Water enters the water container 2 via an inlet aperture 18. The water container may have a separate container to hold the pump and its power supply, a rechargeable battery. The separate container may be detachably fastened to the top of the water container and may be placed inside the water container when not in use. Preferably the shower head is supported by a flexible shaft 11 that will support itself. A thermostatic cut-out may be provided to prevent operation of the pump when water exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Description

Title: Shower ADparatus The present invention relates to a shower

apparatus, especially for allowing elderly or infirm persons to create a shower in a bath tub.

Many infirm or elderly people find it difficult to use a bath tub as they cannot get in and out of the bath. One solution is use of a bath board which spans the side walls of a bath tub, but it is awkward to wash whilst sitting on a bath board. Another solution is to use a shower, but many people do not have a shower and this can be expensive to install. Also showers tend to deliver large amounts of water all over the body and some people can find this overwhelming. Also a standard shower usually requires that a person is able to stand, but many infirm or elderly cannot stand especially on a slippery surface.

The invention seeks to provide an apparatus which delivers a shower in a bath tub, and preferably when a person is sitting on a bath board.

According to the present invention there is provided a shower apparatus comprising: a) a water container adapted to sit on the floor of a bath tub, b) a water container inlet aperture positioned on the container to sit under a bath tap or taps when the container is on the floor of a bath tub, c) a moveable shower head, and d) a pump to deliver water from the container to the shower head, in use a person can sit on a bath board spanning the side walls of a bath, and position the shower head adjacent their body to deliver water from the container.

Preferably the shower head is connected to the container by a flexible shaft moveable to different positions.

Preferably the container includes a base and a tower which sit in the base. Preferably the flexible shaft extends from the tower. Preferably the tower includes the pump and a power supply therefore. Preferably a tube extends from the pump inlet and extends into the base. Preferably the tower slides from a first position above the base to a second position extending proud from the base. Preferably the tower is placeable in the base when the apparatus is not in use to facilitate storage and transport of the apparatus.

Preferably a control mechanism is provided for the pump. The control mechanism may be provided on the tower.

Preferably a thermostatic cut-out is provided to prevent operation of the pump when water in the container exceeds a predetermined temperature.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus in a bath tub, and Figure 2 shows a perspective of the tower inside the base.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a shower apparatus 1.

Apparatus 1 has a water container in the form of a base 2 adapted to sit on the floor of a bath tub with hot and cold taps 21A,21B. Base 2 is adapted to fit snugly within the side walls of bath tub 20 so that it has maximum volume for the length of the bath tub it occupies. Base 2 also has three feet 3A,3B,3C (see Figure 2) to sit on the floor of the bath tub 20.

The water container also includes a base lid 4 hinged to the base 2 by hinges 5A,5B. Lid 4 has a rectangular cut-out 6 with side runners 7A,7B extending inward from an edge opposite the hinges 5A,5B.

A tower 8 with handle 9 has elongate grooves 1OA,1OB which engage with the runners 7A,7B allowing the tower to slide in and out of the cut-out 6 whist sitting on the base. Tower 8 thus slides from a first position above the base to a second position (as shown in Figure 1) extending proud of the base. Extending from tower 8 is a flexible shaft 11 with a shower head 12 at one end. Shaft 11 can be bent into any desired position and will support itself in its bent shape.

Tower 8 includes a pump 13, powered by a rechargeable battery 14, and a pump controller 15, such as an on/off switch. Pump 12 is connected at its output port to shaft ii by pipe 16, and has its inlet port connected to a flexible tube 17 extending into the bottom of the base 2.

Base 2 includes an inlet aperture in the form of an elongate slot 18 positioned adjacent a base edge to sit under a bath tap or taps when the base is on the floor of a bath tub.

In use, base 2 is first filled with water at a desired temperature through slot 18 from the taps 21A,2lB. A person can sit on a bath board "X" spanning the side walls of a bath, and position the shower head 12 adjacent their body. Water from the base 2 can then be pumped by pump 13 through tube 17, through pipe 16, through flexible shaft 11 to the shower head 12 to deliver water on a person.

In order to get their legs into the bath, the tower 8 can first be moved into the first position above base 2. When the legs are in the bath, the tower 8 can be brought closer towards them by moving it into the second position.

When not in use, as show in Figure 2, tower 8 can be removed from recess 6. Lid 4 can then be raised and the tower 8 placed in the base 2 to facilitate storage and transport of the apparatus.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example a thermostatic cut-out may be provided to prevent operation of the pump when water in the container exceeds a predetermined temperature to prevent a user being scalded with water that is too hot.

The controller 15 could be more sophisticated, e.g. to control the water flow rate. Shower head 12 could be designed to deliver different water flow patterns to that of a conventional shower head.

The invention allows a person to sit on a bath board and yet have a shower without the cost of installing a shower and without having to stand on a slippery surface. The ability to position the shower head in any desired position means that they need not be overwhelmed with water.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shower apparatus comprising: a) a water container adapted to sit on the floor of a bath tub, b) a water container inlet aperture positioned on the container to sit under a bath tap or taps when the container is on the floor of a bath tub, c) a moveable shower head, and d) a pump to deliver water from the container to the shower head, in use a person can sit on a bath board spanning the side walls of a bath, and position the shower head adjacent their body to deliver water from the container.

2. A shower apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shower head is connected to the container by a flexible shaft moveable to different positions.

3. A shower apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container includes a base and a tower which sits in the base.

4. A shower apparatus according to claim 2 and 3, wherein the flexible shaft extends from the tower.

5. A shower apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tower includes the pump and a power supply therefore.

6. A shower apparatus according to claim 3,4 or 5, wherein a tube extends from the pump inlet and extends into the base.

7. A shower apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the tower slides from a first position above the base to a second position extending proud from the base.

8. A shower apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the tower is placeable in the base when the apparatus is not in use to facilitate storage and transport of the apparatus.

9. A shower apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a control mechanism is provided for the pump.

10. A shower apparatus according to claim 9 as dependant on claim 3, wherein the control mechanism is provided on the tower.

11. A shower apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a thermostatic cut-out is provided to prevent operation of the pump when water in the container exceeds a predetermined temperature.

12. A shower apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.