GB2498967A

GB2498967A - A shower unit

Info

Publication number: GB2498967A
Application number: GB201201712A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Robilliard; Lena Joy Robilliard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-01
Filing date: 2012-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-01
Also published as: GB201201712D0; GB2498967B

Abstract

A shower unit comprising a fluid inlet 11, for receiving a supply of water; a plurality of fluid outlets 13, 14, 15 & 16, each configured to receive a part of the supply of water; and a plurality of fluid conduits 17, 18 & 19, each connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets, for receiving and directing the part of the supply of water, wherein a part of each fluid conduit is constructed out of a flexible material which may be coloured. The shower unit may comprise a plurality of switches 30, 31 for controlling the flow to the outlets, the switches and outlets may also be colour coded. The shower unit may comprise suction pads (5 figure 2) to mount the shower unit to the wall.

Description

1

A SHOWER UNIT

This invention relates to a shower unit.

5 Conventional shower units are generally mounted to a wall of a shower cubicle or over a bath. The shower unit includes a shower hose, connectable at a first end to the shower unit for receiving a supply of water and having a rose at a distal end for producing a jet of water to shower the user.

10 The conventional shower unit is not well suited for washing a disabled user, such as a person in a wheelchair, an elderly or infirm individual, or people with other disabilities such as the visually impaired. In the case of a person in a wheelchair (which may be a shower chair or commode), the user is generally positioned a large distance from the shower rose compared to an able-bodied person, such that the water pressure at the point of contact with 15 the wheelchair user's body is significantly less. The conventional shower is therefore less efficient at cleaning the disabled person's body. Furthermore, for users who are unable to detach and manually direct the jet of water, the shower rose is generally positioned above the user and therefore always wets the user's hair (which may not be desired).

20 It is therefore desirable to alleviate some or all of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower unit comprising a fluid inlet, for receiving a supply of water; a plurality of fluid outlets, each configured to receive a part of the supply of water from the fluid inlet; and a plurality of fluid conduits, each 25 connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets, for receiving and directing the

2

part of the supply of water, wherein a part of each fluid conduit is constructed out of a flexible material.

The shower unit of the present invention therefore provides a plurality of fluid conduits. 5 These fluid conduits may therefore direct the water to other parts of the body, e.g. torso or legs, and may include a spray jet in close proximity to that part of the body. Thus, producing a finer spray of water. Furthermore, the flexibility of the fluid conduits allows for increased adaptability. For example, each fluid conduit may be repositioned to spray water on any particular part of the body, and may be repositioned before or after the shower to allow the 10 user to enter/exit the shower installation.

The shower unit of the present invention is therefore more suitable for washing disabled users.

15 The shower unit may also be configured to distribute the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets independently. Thus, the user or carer may select which fluid outlet to eject water. In one arrangement, the shower unit may be configured such that a fluid outlet co-operating with a shower rose above the user's head may be controlled independently from the fluid conduits arranged along the body of the user. Thus, the user or 20 carer may wash the user's hair or body separately.

The shower unit may further comprise a shower hose connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets. Thus, if the shower unit of the present invention is retrofitted to an existing shower installation, the shower rose of an existing shower unit may be plugged into 25 one of the fluid outlets.

3

The shower unit may further comprise a plurality of switches for controlling the distribution of the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets. The user or carer may therefore control the distribution of the supply of water simply via the switches.

5

The plurality of fluid conduits may be constructed out of a flexible, coloured material. This construction helps a visually impaired user determine the orientation of the conduits and whether they need adjusting. Furthermore, a spray jet at a distal end of the fluid conduit may also be constructed out of a coloured material (which may be a contrasting colour to 10 that of the fluid conduit). This construction helps the visually impaired user determine the direction that water will eject from the spray jet.

Additionally, each one of the plurality of switches may be associated with one or several of the plurality of fluid outlets, and each of the plurality of switches may be colour coded to said 15 one or several of the plurality of fluid outlets. This arrangement helps a visually impaired user select the appropriate switch for operating the desired fluid outlets.

The shower unit may further comprise a pressure protection valve. The pressure protection valve allows the user or carer to turn on the shower unit with all switches turned off, such 20 that no water passes out of the fluid outlets but instead passes out of the pressure protection valve. The user or carer may therefore select the appropriate water temperature before washing. The pressure protection valve may also prevent excessive back-pressure to an existing shower unit (in the arrangement in which the shower unit of the present invention receives a supply of water from an existing shower unit).

25

4

The fluid conduit may include a junction, for splitting the fluid conduit into a first and second fluid conduit section. This may allow a wider coverage of the jet of water from the fluid conduit.

5 The shower unit may be mountable to a wall, e.g. via a suction pad. Alternatively, the shower unit may be mountable to a chair, such as a wheelchair, shower-chair or commode.

Preferably, each fluid conduit includes a rose at a distal end thereof.

10 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a shower unit of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the shower unit of Figure 1;

15 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shower unit of Figure 1, mounted to a wall;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a shower unit of the present invention, mounted to a wheelchair;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the shower unit of Figure 4, mounted to a wheelchair; and Figure 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of a shower unit of the present invention.

20

A first embodiment of a shower unit 1 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The shower unit 1 includes a housing 10, having a fluid inlet 11, a plurality of fluid outlets 13, 25 14, 15, 16, a pressure protection valve 29, and a plurality of switches 30, 31. The fluid inlet

5

11 is configured to receive a supply of water. In this embodiment, the supply of water is from a shower hose from an existing shower unit (Figure 3), which is connected to the fluid inlet 11 via a quick release connector 12.

5 As shown in Figure 1, the shower unit 1 also includes a plurality of fluid conduits 17, 18, 19, connected to a first, second and third fluid outlets 13, 14, 15 respectively at a first end thereof. At a distal end of a first and second fluid conduit 17, 18, there is provided a first and second jet body 20, 22 having a first and second colour coded spray jet 21, 23 respectively. The third fluid conduit 19 includes a Y junction 24, such that it is thereafter split into a first 10 and second fluid conduit sections 19a, 19b. The first and second fluid conduit section 19a, 19b each have a first and second jet body 25, 27 at a distal end thereof, also having a first and second colour coded spray jet 26, 28 respectively. The colour coding will be explained in more detail below.

15 The first, second and third fluid conduits 17, 18, 19 and first and second fluid conduit sections 19a, 19b are constructed out of a flexible material. In this embodiment, the fluid conduits 17, 18, 19 and fluid conduit sections 19a, 19b are constructed out of a modular plastic hose, such as the Loc-Line (RTM) modular hose system, to form a flexible conduit. Advantageously, this form of conduit is flexible and may also be adjusted in length by 20 removing modules. Furthermore, this form of conduit has a greater resistance to bending as fluid passes through (compared to, for example, some metallic hoses), and is therefore more likely to stay in the desired position and orientation during washing.

The housing 10 has internal plumbing for distributing the water supply between the plurality 25 of fluid outlets 13, 14, 15, 16. As shown in Figure 3, this includes an economical four-litre

6

flow regulator 32. The internal plumbing allows the unit 1 to distribute the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets independently. In this embodiment, the distribution of water is controlled by a first and second switch 30, 31. When the first switch 30 is activated, the internal plumbing is configured to direct part of the supply of water to the first, second 5 and third fluid outlet 13, 14, 15. When the second switch 31 is activated, the internal plumbing is configured to direct part of the supply of water to the fourth fluid outlet 16. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the fourth fluid outlet 16 is connected to a shower hose which is in turn connected to a shower rose. Thus, the two switches 30, 31 allow the shower unit 10 to direct water to either the shower rose or the spray jets 21, 23, 26, 28. This has the 10 benefit that the user may, for example, wash their body without washing their hair, by selecting only the first switch 30.

In this embodiment, the first, second, and third fluid conduits are constructed out of a coloured material, such as a dark blue. This helps a visually impaired user determine the 15 orientation of the conduit and re-arrange it as required. Furthermore, a spray jet at a distal end of the fluid conduit may also be constructed out of a coloured material (which may contrasting to the colour of the first, second and third fluid conduits, such as yellow). This helps the visually impaired user determine the direction that water will eject from the fluid conduit.

20

The pressure protection valve 29 is also connected to the internal plumbing, and is configured to release water to prevent excessive back-pressure. For example, when the fluid inlet 11 receives a supply of water but the switches 30, 31 are in an 'OFF' position (thus preventing the supply of water from passing out of any of the plurality of fluid outlets 13, 14, 25 15,16), water may be released from the pressure protection valve 29.

7

As show in Figure 2, the shower unit 10 includes a first and second suction pad 3, 5, for connecting the shower unit 10 to a wall.

5 A method of using the shower unit 10 will now be described. Initially, the first and second switches 30, 31 are in the 'OFF' position, thus preventing any fluid from passing through the first, second, third or fourth conduits 13, 14, 15, 16. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the fluid inlet 11 is connected to an existing shower unit. The existing shower unit is turned on such that the fluid inlet 11 receives a supply of water.

10

As the first and second switches are in the 'OFF' position, the internal plumbing directs the water out of the pressure protection valve 29. This allows the user to select the desired temperature before entering the shower installation. At the same time, the user may position the flexible fluid conduits 17, 18, 19 and fluid conduit sections 19a, 19b such that the 15 associated spray jets directs jets of water onto the desired areas of the user's body.

Once the shower unit 10 has been set up, the user may enter the shower installation and position themselves under the shower rose and adjacent the spray jets. If the user desires to wash their body, then the switch 30 is turned to an 'ON' position and water is distributed 20 through the first, second and third conduits 17, 18, 19 to the associated spray jets. This washes the user's body whilst keeping their hair dry.

Alternatively or additionally, when the user desires to wash their hair, the switch 31 is turned to an 'ON' position and water is distributed out of the fourth outlet 16 to the shower rose. 25 The skilled person will realise that, if the water is distributed through the fluid conduits and

8

the fourth outlet, the four litre flow regulator may be replaced with a six litre (or more) flow regulator.

Once the user has finished washing, the first and second switch 30, 31 are put in the 'OFF' 5 position. Water is therefore no longer distributed to either the shower rose or the spray jets, but is released from the pressure protection valve 29. If needed, the user may then move the flexible fluid conduits 17, 18, 19 such that he/she may move out of the shower installation. The water supply may then be turned off by switching off the existing shower unit.

10

A second embodiment of a shower unit 60 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 5. The shower unit 60 includes many of the same features of the shower unit 10 of the first embodiment, including a housing 70, a fluid inlet 71, a plurality of fluid outlets 73, 74, 75, a plurality of switches 90, 91, and a plurality of flexible fluid

15 conduits 77, 78, 79. As in the first embodiment, a third fluid conduit 79 is split into a first and second fluid conduit section 79a, 79b at a Y junction 84 and the fluid conduits and fluid conduit sections include jet bodies 80, 82, 85, 87 and spray jets 81, 83, 86, 88. The shower unit 60 also includes a pressure protection valve 89.

20 To use the shower unit 60 of the second embodiment, the user is positioned in the wheelchair 50 and the wheelchair is placed in a shower installation. The fluid inlet 71 is thus connected to a water supply (e.g. to a shower hose from an existing shower unit and the existing shower unit is turned on).

9

Initially, the first and second switches 90, 91 are in an 'OFF' position such that water is released from the internal plumbing via the pressure protection valve 89. The user or carer may then select an appropriate temperature for the water before any water touches the user's body.

5

As in the first embodiment, the user/carer may then selectively distribute water to either or both the side jets or shower rose by turning the switches 90, 91 to the 'ON' position.

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a third embodiment of a shower unit of the present 10 invention. The third embodiment of the shower unit is substantially the same as the first embodiment (thus like for like reference numerals have been used) and is mountable to a wall via suction pads. However, the housing 10 in the third embodiment is elongate in a horizontal direction, and the fluid inlets/outlets 11, 13, 14, 15, pressure protection valve 29, and switches 30, 31 are positioned accordingly. The skilled person will understand that 15 many other orientations and arrangements of these features are possible.

The skilled person will also understand that the shower unit of the present invention need not receive a supply of water from an existing shower unit. That is, the shower unit may be independently plumbed in to receive a direct supply of water. However, it is beneficial to be 20 adapted to receive a supply of water from an existing shower unit, as this allows the shower unit of the present invention to be simply retrofitted to existing shower installations.

The skilled person will also realise that the shower unit may be fitted and used in any form of shower installation, such as a shower cubicle, over the bath, wet-room or the like.

25

10

Furthermore, the skilled person will understand that the present invention is not limited to the number of fluid inlets, outlets and conduits outlined above, and the particular arrangement of control switches is described by way of example and is in no way limiting.

5 The skilled person will also understand that the whole length of the fluid conduits may be constructed of a flexible material, or a part of the fluid conduits may be constructed out of a flexible material. Furthermore, the fluid conduits need not be constructed out of the modular plastic hose as in the above embodiments (although this is beneficial for the reasons outlined above). Rather, the fluid conduits may be constructed out of any flexible material, 10 such as a flexible steel hose.

Furthermore, the skilled person will realise that the distribution of water may also be controlled by a plurality of valves, either alone or in combination with the switches.

15 In the above embodiments, the fluid conduits and spray jets are constructed out of a coloured material to assist visually impaired users. In another embodiment, the switches may also be colour coded to match the fluid conduits and fluid conduit sections they are associated with. This further helps the visually impaired user determine the switch they need to operate in order to open a particular fluid conduit. For example, the first switch may 20 a blue colour, and the associated parts (that is, the first, second and third fluid outlet; the first, second and third fluid conduit; the first and second fluid conduit section; and the jet bodies and spray jets) may also be blue. Accordingly, the second switch may be a contrasting colour, e.g. red, and the associated parts (that is, the fourth fluid outlet) may also be red.

25

11

The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as claimed.

12

Claims

1. A shower unit comprising a fluid inlet, for receiving a supply of water;

5 a plurality of fluid outlets, each configured to receive a part of the supply of water from the fluid inlet; and a plurality of fluid conduits, each connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets, for receiving and directing the part of the supply of water, wherein a part of each fluid conduit is constructed out of a flexible material.

10

2. A shower unit as claimed in Claim 1, further configured to distribute the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets independently.

3. A shower unit as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising a shower hose connectable

15 at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets.

4. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of fluid conduits are constructed out of a flexible, coloured material.

20 5. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of switches for controlling the distribution of the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets.

13

6. A shower unit as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each one of the plurality of switches is associated with one of the plurality of fluid outlets, and each of the plurality of switches is colour coded to said one of the plurality of fluid outlets.

5 7. A shower unit as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each one of the plurality of switches is associated with several of the plurality of fluid outlets, and each of the plurality of switches is colour coded to said several of the plurality of fluid outlets.

8. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a 10 pressure protection valve.

9. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the fluid conduits includes a junction, for splitting the fluid conduit into a first and second fluid conduit section.

15

10. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein the shower unit is mountable to a wall.

11. A shower unit as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the shower unit includes a suction pad 20 for mounting to the wall.

12.

A shower unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the shower unit is mountable to a chair.

14

13. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the fluid conduits includes a rose at a distal end thereof.

14. A shower unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in 5 any one of the accompanying drawings.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

15

A shower unit comprising a fluid inlet, for receiving a supply of water;

a plurality of fluid outlets, each configured to receive a part of the supply of water from the fluid inlet; and a plurality of fluid conduits, each connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets, for receiving and directing the part of the supply of water,

wherein a part of each fluid conduit is constructed out of a flexible material, such that, in use during washing, each fluid conduit stays in a predetermined position and orientation.

A shower unit as claimed in Claim 1, further configured to distribute the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets independently.

A shower unit as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising a shower hose connectable at a first end to one of the plurality of fluid outlets.

4. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of 20 fluid conduits are constructed out of a flexible, coloured material.

5. A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of switches for controlling the distribution of the supply of water to each of the plurality of fluid outlets.

10

CM O

CM

15

25

16

A shower unit as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each one of the plurality of switches is associated with one of the plurality of fluid outlets, and each of the plurality of switches is colour coded to said one of the plurality of fluid outlets.

A shower unit as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each one of the plurality of switches is associated with several of the plurality of fluid outlets, and each of the plurality of switches is colour coded to said several of the plurality of fluid outlets.

A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pressure protection valve.

A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the fluid conduits includes a junction, for splitting the fluid conduit into a first and second fluid conduit section.

A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein the shower unit is mountable to a wall.

12. A shower unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the shower unit is mountable to a chair.

5 7.

8.

10

CM O

CM

15

m

17

A shower unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the fluid conduits includes a rose at a distal end thereof.

A shower unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.