GB2565560A - A kit for a shower assembly and an adjustable manifold - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a kit for a shower assembly which is category 5 compliant. The kit comprises a manifold 6a having an internal cavity, an inlet 8 for connection to a water source and an outlet 10; a hose 2 to secure the connection to the outlet of the manifold at one end and a shower head at the other. The length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5meters or greater above the base (22 figure 4) of a shower tray or maximum fill level and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end, the other end of the hose is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray. The invention also provides an adaptable manifold for a shower assembly and a method for providing a kit for a shower assembly.

Description

A Kit For A Shower Assembly and an Adjustable Manifold

The present invention relates to a kit tor a shower assembly and to an adjustable manifold for a shower assembly.

In the UK and around the world, the installation ot plumbing systems, water fittings, and water appliances is dictated by regulations which are incorporated in law. As part ot the water supply regulations 1999 in England, water is grouped into 5 separate fluid categories moving trom category 1 to category 5 as purity and cleanliness otthe fluid decreases. It a fluid is judged to be category 5 this means that the concentration of pathogenic organisms, radioactive, or extremely toxic substances in the water falls above a certain high threshold. Plumbers must ensure that the way in which a shower head is fitted in a domestic or hospital bathroom prevents it from being contaminated with potentially hazardous category 5 fluid.

Products which serve somehow to restrict or limit the possibility for contamination of a pure water source with a category 5 fluid are known.

Traditional assemblies include a mixer valve at hand height to allow the temperature to be adjusted easily. A shower hose is then attached directly to the mixer valve or a wall outlet at this level and extends upwards during use to a shower head mounted on a holder which may be moveable up and down a riser rail for convenience.

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate two examples of such prior art shower installations. As mentioned above, the shower hose may be connected directly to a mixer valve as shown in figure 1A, or may be coupled to a wall outlet to which water is directed from a mixer valve as in figure 1B. The hose 2 leading to the shower head is fixed at an anchor point 4 either on the mixing valve or at the wall outlet. In both cases the anchor point for the shower hose is low down as compared to the rest of the installation (e.g., roughly level with the base of the riser rail or lower). In order to provide enough flexibility in terms of movement otthe shower head in such a configuration, the hose must also be fairly long. This means that if a user drops the shower head, the hose will extend from the anchor point and downwards far enough for the shower head to be able to drop into any dirty water in the tray or bath below. This type of shower fitting will not comply fully with the regulations regarding category 5 fluids and prevention from contamination.

GB2419287 (Kohler Mira Limited) describes a shower fitting designed with the category 5 problem in mind. This fitting includes a bracket that is fixed to the wall or riser rail and has an opening through which a shower hose can pass. Ends of the hose are large enough that they are not able to pass through the opening, meaning that the hose can move within the fitting but cannot become detached from it. So long as the fitting is fixed at the correct height, the end of the hose near to the shower head is prevented from dropping into dirty water within the shower tray. This is true even if the shower head becomes detached from the hose. The retainer, however, restricts movement of the hose, which results in less flexibility in terms of positioning the head for washing. This can be particularly inconvenient where an elderly or ill person needs to be washed by a nurse or carer.

US-A-2002/0148915 describes a shower system wherein water flows through a riser rail incorporating a water treatment system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for a shower assembly comprising: a manifold having an internal cavity, a first inlet port for connection to a water source, and an outlet port; a shower head; and a hose for connection to the outlet port of the manifold at one end and the shower head at the other, wherein the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters or greater above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray.

The 1.5 meter height for the manifold represents a minimum height for the fixing. In other words, fixing of the manifold at a height above 1.5 meters would also prevent the shower head from reaching the base of the shower tray. The manifold may, for example, be fixed at a height of 2 meters or so above the base of a bath or tray such that the shower head is prevented from reaching the maximum fill level of the bath. In embodiments, the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.25 meters above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray. In embodiments, the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1 meter above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray.

The fixing may be permanent or temporary. For example, it may be a mechanism for removably coupling the manifold to a shower rail in order that the manifold can be fixed at a particular height for one user, the fixing loosened to allow the manifold to slide up or down the riser rail, and then the fixing tightened again such that the manifold is fixed at a greater or lesser height for a different user. It should not be possible for the manifold to slide downwards far enough that the shower head can reach the base of the tray. This ensures category 5 compliance at all times. If the manifold is fixed to a wall of the bathroom at a particular height (either directly or via another component such as the riser rail) then the fixing can be considered permanent.

By providing an anchor point for an end of the hose that acts as an inlet to the hose and is far enough above a base of the shower tray to prevent a shower head attached the hose from reaching the base of the tray, a shower fitting can be provided which is category 5 compliant but does not require additional fixings (such as a retaining ring on the riser rail) which may restrict movement of the hose during use.

In embodiments, the manifold comprises fixing means in the base for connection to a riser rail. In embodiments, the kit comprises the riser rail. The manifold thus acts both to direct water from an inlet to the hose but also as an upper fixing for the riser rail, reducing the required number of parts for the fixing and anchoring the hose at conveniently just above head-height such that the length of the hose can be sufficient to provide a good reach for the shower head in a category 5 compliant fitting.

In embodiments, the shower head is prevented from reaching a height lower than 30 cm above the base of the shower tray when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters. This ensures that the end of the hose cannot become immersed in dirty water even if the shower tray or bath tub below the shower is fully or partially filled with water.

The fitting may be configured such that a shower head coupled to the other end of the hose is also prevented from reaching the base of a shower tray or a height lower than 30 cm above the base of the tray once the manifold is fixed at a height at or above 1.5 meters.

In embodiments, the connection between the shower hose and the outlet port of the manifold is formed of corresponding interlocking portions on the outside of the hose and the inside of the port. This provides for a straightforward fitting process. In embodiments, the interlocking portions are screw threads or resilient ridges.

In embodiments, the shower hose is fixed securely to the outlet port of the manifold. In embodiments, the hose and manifold are integrally formed. In both cases, once the shower is fitted the hose cannot be separated from the manifold and/or another hose cannot be fitted in its place. This prevents a longer hose from being fitted at a later time which may result in the fitting no longer complying with category 5 requirements.

In embodiments, the kit comprises an adaptor configured to fit to the hose and to a connector portion in the outlet of the manifold to couple the hose to the manifold via the adaptor. More detail of two possible configurations of such a connection is given below. Generally, these include an additional adaptor on the end of the hose which can be fitted to the outlet port or to a specific connector fitted into the outlet port of the manifold. Such a fitting will help to prevent a different hose from being attached to the assembly, thus ensuring category 5 compliance. For example, a hose of standard length and having a standard end fitting cannot be used with the manifold of the assembly if no adaptor is present.

In embodiments, the manifold comprises at least one additional inlet port. Including more than one inlet port provides a degree of flexibility during the fitting process. One port, for example, may be located in the side of the manifold facing the wall and another in the top of the manifold. The fitter can decide which port is to be used as an inlet for the fitting and can plug the other port using a blanking cap. In embodiments, one port is provided in the top of the manifold for cases in which the inlet pipe from a mixing valve extends from a ceiling of the room or from above the shower. A second inlet port is provided in the base of the manifold for fixing to a riser rail such that water can flow through the riser rail into the manifold and a third inlet port is provided in the side of the manifold extending towards the wall in use such that water can flow from an inlet pipe within the wall behind the shower.

In embodiments, the kit comprises at least one blanking cap for fixing into one of the at least two inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough. In embodiments, the manifold comprises two additional inlet ports and the kit comprises two blanking caps for fixing into two of the three inlet ports for preventing the flow of water therethrough. The manifold may be such that fluid can flow within the cavity between all of the ports such that the actual path of the water through the manifold once fitted is extremely flexible and can be decided based on where blanking caps are provided in the ports during fitting.

In embodiments, the manifold is configured to change the direction of flow of water as it passes from the inlet port to the outlet port. Again, this provides flexibility in terms of the way in which water is fed into and out of the manifold. Any of the inlets provided can be used as the actual inlet for water once fitted and water can be provided to the outlet no matter where a water source is located with minimal additional piping.

In embodiments, the manifold comprises a wall fixing for attachment ofthe manifold to a bathroom wall and the first inlet port passes through the wall fixing such that water flows from a pipe within the wall into the manifold through the first inlet port in use. The manifold is therefore capable of directing water from a source within the wall to the outlet hose without any visible piping being required. The configuration ofthe manifold and the fact that water can be redirected from the inlet to an outlet using the various blanking caps means that the hose can still be fixed at the base of the manifold for a compact configuration.

In embodiments, the riser rail is coupled in use to an inlet port ofthe manifold such that water flows up through the riser rail into the internal cavity ofthe manifold and out of the outlet port. Water can conveniently be provided to a hose anchored at the top ofthe riser rail while minimising the additional piping required to deliver water from a mixing valve located at hand height.

In embodiments, the kit comprises an additional manifold including fixing means in an outlet port of the manifold for coupling to corresponding fixing means at the other end of the riser rail. This provides a means for delivering water to the riser rail from a water source.

In embodiments, both manifolds are identical. The multi-functional manifolds will have the same appearance and may resemble that of a traditional riser rail fixing thus simplifying the design and production of the kit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for a shower assembly comprising: a manifold having an inlet for connection to a water source, an outlet, and a fixing for attaching the manifold to a wall; a riser rail comprising a connecting portion at one end for coupling with a mating connecting portion in a base of the manifold; a hose for secure connection to the outlet of the manifold at one end and a shower head at the other, wherein the manifold is configured to change the direction of flow of water passing from the inlet to the outlet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptable manifold for a shower assembly comprising: a body comprising an internal cavity; an outlet port for providing a path for fluid from the internal cavity to a shower hose; a wall fixing for attachment of the manifold to a wall; a first and second pluggable inlet port through which fluid can flow into and out of the internal cavity, wherein one pluggable port comprises fixing means for fixing to a riser rail.

In embodiments, the manifold comprises a blanking cap for plugging into one of the inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough.

In embodiments, the manifold comprises a third inlet port through which fluid can flow into and out of the internal cavity and a second blanking cap for plugging into another of the inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough.

In embodiments, fluid can flow within the internal cavity between all three of the inlet ports and the outlet port.

In embodiments, the first inlet port is located within the wall fixing such that in use water can flow into the internal cavity from a water source within a wall to which the manifold is fixed.

In embodiments, the blanking cap comprises interlocking portions which correspond to interlocking portions in the inlet port.

In embodiments, all three inlet ports comprise identical interlocking portions which correspond to interlocking portions on the blanking caps. A set of blanking caps can therefore be provided which are able to be plugged into any of the three inlet ports, providing a degree of flexibility in the configuration of the manifold and the flow of fluid therethrough in use.

In embodiments, the interlocking portions on the cap and in the inlet port are resilient ridges or screw threads.

In embodiments, in use only one inlet is left unplugged and water flows from the unplugged inlet to the outlet through the internal cavity.

In embodiments, the outlet includes connecting means for attachment to a shower hose. In embodiments, the connecting means comprises an adaptor for attachment to the shower hose which is configured to couple to a complementary connector portion in the manifold. Including a specifically shaped adaptor means that a hose cannot be fitting to the manifold unless the special adaptor is present. This helps to ensure category 5 compliance because a different, longer, hose cannot be used to replace the original hose on the manifold.

In embodiments, the outlet is located in the base of the manifold. This means that the hose extends directly downwards from the manifold once fitted which can provide a more compact and more attractive configuration of the assembly. This also helps to ensure that the hose does not catch on other parts of the shower fitting when used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a kit for a shower assembly comprising: providing a manifold having an internal cavity, a first inlet port for connection to a water source, and an outlet port; providing a shower head; and providing a hose for connection to the outlet port of the manifold at one end and the shower head at the other, wherein the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters or greater above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A illustrates a prior art shower fitting including a hose connected directly to the mixing valve;

Figure 1B illustrates a prior art shower fitting including a wall-mounted inlet for the shower hose;

Figure 2 shows a shower assembly installed in a bath or shower room;

Figure 3 illustrates the unrestricted movement of a shower hose in the shower fitting shown in figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a shower assembly with a hose extending towards the base of a shower tray;

Figure 5A shows an upper manifold, blanking caps, and a portion of a riser rail in accordance with a first configuration of the manifold;

Figure 5B shows an upper manifold, blanking caps, and a portion of a riser rail in accordance with a second configuration of the manifold;

Figure 5C shows an upper manifold and a lower manifold, blanking caps, and a portion of a riser rail in accordance with a third configuration of the manifold;

Figures 6A - 6C illustrate a hose connector including an adaptor and a method for coupling the adaptor to a connector in the manifold;

Figure 7 illustrates another possible configuration of the connection between the hose and the manifold;

Figure 8 shows a cross section of the manifold including return portions on the covering shroud;

Figure 9 shows a cross section of the manifold taken at 90 degrees to that shown in figure 8;

Figure 10A shows a shower fitting in place including a manifold as shown in figure 5B;

Figure 10B shows a shower fitting in place including a manifold as shown in figure 5C;

Figure 11 shows a wall fixing and inlet port for a manifold;

Figure 12 shows a simplified manifold;

Figure 13 shows the simplified manifold of figure 12 as part of a shower assembly.

Figure 2 illustrates a category 5 compliant shower assembly for which a hose retainer such as that described in GB2419287 is not required. The fitting or assembly is shown installed within a bathroom or shower room and includes at least one manifold 6a fixed to a wall and through which water can flow from an inlet 8, which may be located at the side of the manifold facing the wall, to an outlet 10 which also acts as an anchor point for the hose. The outlet of the manifold is coupled to a shower hose 2 and to the upper end 12 of a riser rail 14 (the end of the riser rail that is furthest away from a bath or shower tray in use). The bottom end 16 of the riser rail is coupled either to an identical manifold 6b as shown or to any other type of wall fitting capable of fixing the riser rail to the wall. The manifolds 6a and 6b may have the appearance of a traditional riser rail fixing. A holder 18 is also included, having a supporting portion for a shower head 20 and a fixing which slidably couples the holder to the riser rail 14 such that the height of a shower head and the holder can be adjusted while showering. The shower head is coupled via a hose to the upper manifold 6a and is thus anchored at the top end of the riser rail.

The length of the hose 2 is chosen so that when the riser rail 14 is fixed at a convenient height (height “h” in figure 4 which is measured from the point on the manifold at which the hose outlet is provided) above a shower tray or bath the shower head must be prevented from reaching dirty water in shower tray 22 below when the hose is fully extended directly downwards towards the ground as shown in figure 4. A convenient height for the riser rail might be that at which the top of the rail is fixed just above head-height for the average person, or fixed at around 160cm to 220cm above the base of the bath, shower tray, or other container in which water may collect when the shower is in use. The length “I” of the hose may therefore be between 120cm and 180cm.

The combination of a pre-determined height at which the upper manifold 6a is fixed and the particular length of hose 2 coupled to the manifold allow maximum flexibility in terms of movement of the hose. Adjustments may be made to the height of the upper manifold and to the length of the hose in order to adapt the fitting to taller or shorter users. For example, if a user is old and likely to be in a seated position whilst using the shower then the riser rail may be mounted lower with a hose that is correspondingly shorter in order to prevent the head from being immersed in water when the hose is fully extended in a downwards direction. The manifold may be fixed at a height above the base of a shower tray or bath that, together with the particular length of hose provided, ensures that a shower head cannot reach the maximum fill level of the bath or shower tray.

The height of the riser rail 14 and manifold 6a once fitted and the length of the hose 2 may be such that the shower head can extend to a maximum of between 20 cm and 50 cm from the base of the shower tray or bath in use. This accounts for the presence of a certain depth of water in the bath or shower. A shower head that is dropped over a partially full or full bath or shower tray will still not come into contact with water which might be contaminated. The height of the riser rail and manifold once fitted and the length of the hose may be such that the shower head can extend up to but not as far as, or can extend no further than the maximum fill level of the shower tray or the bathtub over which the shower apparatus is mounted. The maximum fill level may be equivalent to the height of the rim of the bath or shower tray above the base. In some embodiments, the maximum fill level may be lower if a drain is provided at or near to the top of the bath tub at which height water drains out of the bath or shower tray rather than continuing to fill it with water. Generally, the maximum fill level is the maximum height above a base of the bath or shower tray to which water can be made to fill the bath or tray when the drain in or near the base is blocked (for example with a bath plug).

The fixing between the hose and the manifold may be a secure fitting. Some kits may be sold with the manifold and hose already securely coupled together or sold as an integrated unit (hose and manifold formed of one piece of material) to ensure that the cat 5 requirements are met. A secure fitting coupling a shower hose to the manifold may be a fitting which requires specific (possibly specialised) tools in order to remove the hose from the manifold or may require a particular dextrous movement in order to remove the hose from the manifold. A similar mechanism could be used to that used on a tamperproof medicine bottle, wherein the sides of the lid of a bottle are squeezed in a particular place before the lid is turned to remove it from the bottle. A user of the assembly cannot later replace the hose with a longer version which may allow the shower head to reach dirty water in the base of a shower tray when the assembly is installed.

The manifold 6a may, as shown in figures 2 and 3, have the appearance of a fixing bracket and may serve both to direct water from an inlet to an outlet fixed to the shower hose and as an upper support for the riser rail 14. This configuration provides a simple and attractive appearance to the fitting and negates the need for a hose from the mixer valve. The riser rail at the top comprises a male connecting part which mates with a female connecting part in the underside of the manifold (or vice versa). These connecting portions may comprise interlocking surfaces such as complimentary ridges or threads (threads 24 in figures 5A to 5C) to ensure a secure connection between the two once fitted.

Because the anchor point for the shower hose is higher than in traditional shower assemblies, there is no need for an additional retainer to prevent the shower head from being immersed in dirty water when dropped. This minimises restriction to the movement of the shower head by allowing for full reach of the hose 2 as shown in figure 3. The hose connection 26 may be located behind the riser rail connection 28 on the manifold 6a as shown in figures 2 to 5 (towards the wall connecting portion otthe manifold) and therefore will sit between the riser rail and the wall once the assembly is fitted. This appears neater and avoids interference between the hose near to the shower head and the hose near to the manifold. The hose connection may alternatively be located in front of the riser rail so that the upper end of the hose is located further away from the wall than the rail once fitted, which may provide a slightly improved reach for the hose.

Figure 5A shows an example of a manifold 6a in cross section. The manifold is shaped similarly to a traditional riser rail support and includes a wall mounting portion 30 for fixing to a wall, for example via screw fixing. An inlet port 32 can be provided in the wall fixing portion to ensure a path for water to flow from a pipe or inlet in the wall into an inner cavity 34 of the manifold. The manifold may contain pluggable ports 36 which allow the position of the inlet and outlet, and the flow path for fluid through the internal cavity, to be adapted according to requirements. The inlet within the wall fixing portion is also a pluggable port. Varying fluid flow paths through the manifold are illustrated by the arrows in figures 5A to 5C. These flow paths are determined by which of the ports are plugged using blanking caps 38, which are connected to the riser rail 14 and the hose, and which port is coupled to a water source.

The manifold shown in figures 5A to 5C contains two pluggable ports in the underside and one pluggable port in the top. The inlet 32 within the wall fixing is also pluggable so that one of the ports can be used as an alternative inlet. Each port 36 (and the inlet within the wall fixing) may comprise a series of protrusions 24 which interlock with corresponding shapes in respective blanking caps 38, on the riser rail 14 and on the hose or hose connector 44. Protrusions may take the form of threaded connections or ridges or ridged portions may be provided on the blanking caps, connectors, and riser rail and may be slightly compliant so that the riser rail, connector, or blanking caps can be pushed into one or any port within the manifold and will be held in place. As an alternative, any kind of connector can be used, such as a snap fit connector or a plug.

All of the ports and the inlet lead directly into the internal cavity and thus provide for fluid flow between the cavity and between all of the ports when blanking caps are not fitted.

In Figure 5A, the manifold 6a and blanking caps 38 are arranged in use such that water flows from a mixing valve through the inlet within the wall fitting into the manifold, and out of one of the pluggable ports 36 into which is fixed the end of the shower hose or a connector 44 for coupling to a shower hose. The water is thus redirected substantially 90 degrees by the manifold from the wall inlet to the hose.

A secure connection may be provided between the shower hose 2 and the manifold 6a. A second port in the base of the manifold is plugged with an upper end of the riser rail 14. The remaining port in the top of the manifold is fitted with a blanking cap 38 which extends into the end of the riser rail as shown. The cap thus prevents water in the internal cavity 34 from flowing into the riser rail and causes it to pass directly from the inlet to the hose outlet. The portion of the long blanking cap 38 which sits against the inside of the riser rail 14 may be rubberised or may fit tightly therein so as to provide a watertight seal between the rail and cap.

The above is one possible configuration of the shower assembly in use, however the fact that the pluggable ports 36 and internal cavity 34 provide for variation in the positioning of the inlet and outlet allows for several different uses of the manifold and several different routes therethrough for the water from an inlet to the shower hose. The manifold design therefore provides for an extremely flexible shower fitting which complies with category 5 requirements. In particular, the fact that the manifold acts to direct water from an inlet to an outlet along whatever path is desired as well as acting as a fixing between the top of a riser rail and the wall means that the hose is always anchored near to the top of the riser rail. So long as the top of the rail is mounted at a distance above the base of a shower tray or bath that is longer than (or at least 20cm to 50cm longer than) the length of the hose, the fitting will be category 5 compliant.

Figures 5B and 5C illustrate two other possible configurations of the same manifold 6a. Different blanking caps 38 are provided to force water to flow through the manifold along the desired flow path. In figure 5B, water flows from an inlet above the manifold (such as an inlet pipe in a ceiling of the shower or bath room) and is redirected through the manifold and towards the wall due to a short blanking cap 38 provided in the end of the riser rail. The water then travels down into the shower hose due to a blanking cap 38 fitted into the inlet or port within the wall fitting portion. The cap within the end of the riser rail and the inlet pipe may be integral as shown and may be provided as part of a kit as described below. The integral inlet pipe and blanking cap shown in figure 5B includes one or more holes (in this case 4 openings) which allow water to flow from the inlet into the cavity 34 no matter the orientation of the blanking cap and inlet pipe.

As shown in figure 5C, such a fitting can also be configured so that water flows up to a hose outlet through the riser rail 14 itself. This is achieved by the provision of two identical manifolds 6a and 6b at either end of the riser rail. The top port of the upper manifold 6a and the bottom right port of the lower manifold 6b (as shown in the figure and which is located directly below the riser rail in use) are fitted with small blanking caps 38, which may be identical to one another. The riser rail comprises connecting portions for the manifold ports at both the top and bottom so that the riser rail can be fitted to the bottom right hand port of the upper manifold 6a and to the top port of the lower manifold 6b. The wall fitting of both manifolds is fitted with a blanking cap 46 and the bottom left port of the bottom manifold 6b is coupled to an inlet pipe (or a connector 44 for an inlet pipe) which may be connected at an opposite end to a mixer valve. Lastly, the bottom left hand port of the upper manifold 6a is fitted with a similar or identical connector 44 to which a shower hose can be attached.

Water flows (as indicated by the arrow in the figure) from a mixer valve into the lower manifold 6b through the bottom left hand port and is redirected through the manifold 6b up through the riser rail and into the internal cavity 34 of the upper manifold 6a. Within the upper manifold the water is redirected through the cavity and down into the shower hose through connector 44.

The assembly may be sold in kit form including at least one manifold 6 and a set of blanking caps 38. The kit may include at least one cap for each of the three ports and wall fixing with inlet (see figure 11) or with blanking cap (as shown in figure 5C), but may include a variety of different types of cap or connector which can be fitted within any of the three ports. For example, in order to provide for all three configurations shown in figures 5A to 5C, a kit must include two manifolds 6a and 6b, a plug 46 for the inlet port provided through the wall fitting, an wall fitting including an inlet as shown in figures 8, 9, and 11, two connectors 44 for attachment to a shower hose or inlet pipe, two short blanking caps, a long blanking cap which fits within the riser rail coupled to an opposite port, and an inlet fitting with integral blanking cap as shown in figure 5B.

Pluggable ports 36 can comprise identical connecting portions (the same configuration for the ridges or threads, for example) which correspond to complimentary connecting portions on blanking caps 38, connectors 44, and on the riser rail 14.

The kit may also include a riser rail with a connecting portion at the top of the rail for plugging into a port in the bottom of manifold 6a and optionally a connecting portion at the bottom of the rail for plugging into a port in the top of an identical or similar manifold 6b acting as a wall attachment for the base of the riser rail. Such a kit minimises the number of different parts required (since, for example, two identical manifolds can also be used as wall fittings) whilst maximising the flexibility of the fitting and ensuring category 5 compliance.

Instead of including the open connector 44 shown in figures 5A to 5C, a hose can be provided with a fitting at one end to allow it to be attached directly to the manifold. Either fitting may include a secure connection as described above. The kit may therefore be sold with the hose already coupled to the manifold, or the coupling may require expert fitting which makes it difficult or impossible for a user without expert knowledge or specific tools to remove the hose from the manifold. The same may be true ofthe connection between the manifold and the top ofthe riser rail. The kit may be sold with both the riser rail and shower hose ready-fitted to the upper manifold or a secure connection such as that described above may be provided for both.

Figures 6A to 6C illustrate a hose connector including a hollow adaptor 56 which connects to a mating hollow connector 58 fitted to the manifold housing (or integral with the housing). Figure 6A illustrates the upper end portion of a traditional hose to which is fitted an adaptor 56. The connection between the hose and adaptor may be via a screw fitting as shown. The adapter may be able to be coupled to most widely available shower hoses. A mating connector portion 58 is fitted within the outlet port in the manifold. Again, this may be by screw fit such that the outlet port can also be capable of being fitted with a blanking cap if another port is desired to be used as the hose outlet. One or both of the screw fittings may include half inch BSP (British Standard Pipe) thread fittings. Both the connections (hose to adaptor 56 and manifold to connector 58) can be provided with sealing rings (or O-rings) 60 as shown to ensure a watertight connection and prevent loss of water as it passes from the internal cavity of the manifold through the connector and adaptor and into the hose.

Adaptor 56 may include protrusions 62 and connector 58 may include a shaped wall portion 64 including channels 66 which allow the adaptor to be pushed up into the connector when the protrusions on the adaptor are aligned with the channels in the connector. Figure 6B shows an adaptor that has been pushed up into the connector during the fitting process. Once the adaptor has been pushed into the connector, the adaptor can be turned such that protrusions are aligned with seat area 68 on the interior wall of the connector and can drop down into the seat area as has been done in the case of the connector and adaptor shown in figure 6C. This may require, for example, a half turn or a quarter turn of the adaptor. The seat may include a lip portion 70 which prevents the adaptor from turning back in the opposite direction and coming free during use. To remove the adaptor it must be pushed a little way into the connector before turning until channels are aligned with the protrusions again and the adaptor can be pulled out of the connector. Since the hose will generally extend downwards (particularly in embodiments where the hose outlet is formed on the bottom of the manifold) some downwards force will act on the hose to maintain the protrusions of the adaptor within the seat portion of the connector.

Additional O-rings may be used to provide a watertight seal between the adaptor and connector. In an alternative embodiment, the adaptor may be coupled to or form part of the manifold and the connector portion with a shaped wall designed to cooperate with protrusions on the adaptor may be coupled to the end of the hose.

A hose which does not include an adaptor such as that described above cannot be attached to the manifold via the connector. This helps to make sure that only the correct length of hose required to ensure category 5 compliance is used with the assembly. To help with this, the adaptor may be locked into the hose such that it is impossible or difficult to remove, or the hose may be integral with the adaptor (i.e., may be formed of the same material and may be shaped to form the adaptor during manufacture).

Figure 7 illustrates another possible configuration of the connection between the hose and the manifold. This connection is made secure by the use of different sized threads such that a standard hose connection cannot be used to directly connect to the manifold. Instead, a captive nut connection is used as shown in the figure. The adaptor portion in this case provides a connection to a standard thread on the hose (which may be a 0.5 inch BSP thread as above) and to a non-standard thread connection on a second adaptor 72 which fits into the outlet of the manifold.

The manifold shown in figures 5A to 5C may be assembled from several separate parts. Each manifold includes an outer cover 48, an internal portion 50 forming the internal cavity 34, and a wall fitting 30. An inlet 32 may be provided within the wall fitting as shown in figure 5A or alternatively the wall fixing may comprise a blanking cap or plug 46 as shown in figures 5B and 5C. These parts can be sold separately as part of the kit or pre-configured as a manifold. A manifold can be assembled during the fitting process by pushing the internal portion 50 into the outer cover 48.

The outer cover may be cylindrical as shown or any other shape and has ports which align with ports in the internal portion once assembled so that water can flow from outside the manifold into the internal cavity 34. Ridges or threads 24 which correspond to ridges or threads on blanking caps and riser rails can be formed in the internal portion 50 as shown in the figures. Once the internal portion is in place, a wall fitting with an inlet port 32 or plug 46 can be fitted by pushing it into a portion of the internal housing which extends outward of the cover as shown. If an inlet is used, this may comprise ridges which correspond to ridges in the internal portion in order to fix the inlet in place. Screws 52 can be used to keep both the internal portion and the blanking cap or inlet in place within the outer cover 48. These may extend through the outer cover and in front of a lip formed in the wall fixing. An additional shroud 54 (which may be integral with the outer cover or may be fitted at a later stage) extends around the outer cover in order to provide a more attractive appearance. This shroud can be used as well as, or instead of, the wall fixing in order to attach the manifold to a shower or bathroom wall.

In figure 8, a wall fitting with an inlet is shown in place within the inner and outer housing. The inlet and inner housing are held in place by grub screws 74 which extend into indents 76 in the inlet portion. In this embodiment, the shroud 54 is provided with internal lips 78 which extend back towards the wall and in front of grub screws 74 or alternative means for securing the inlet/wall fitting portion to the outer housing. This prevents the grub screws from being accessed and removed once the shower assembly is in place. The inlet portion may additionally or alternatively include extending parts 80 which lie flat against the wall and which include holes which can be used to attach the inlet portion to a wall (see figure 9). The cross section shown in figure 9 is at 90 degrees to that shown in figure 8 and the same inlet portion may include both attachment means for attaching to a wall and holes into which grub screws can be fitted to secure the internal housing in place. Again, O-rings 60 can be used to ensure a watertight seal between the shroud 54 and outer housing 48 and/or between the inner housing 50 and the inlet 32.

Rather than a single design for a manifold being provided as part of a kit, manifolds may be provided with different, predefined, configurations. Plugs or blanking caps may not therefore need to be included. Instead one inlet and one outlet port are provided in varying positions depending on which configuration of the manifold is required. This may minimise the risk of leaking and the complexity of the fitting process. As an example, where a fitting such as that shown in figure 5A is desired, the manifold may include a central cavity, a wall fitting and only two ports, one through the wall fitting and one in the base for coupling to the shower hose. The riser rail may be pre-fitted to the manifold or may include a connection which does not extend into the cavity. This way the internal cavity can be made smaller and can include curved bends in the optimum positions to provide for smooth flow of the water through the cavity from the inlet in the wall to the outlet.

Figure 3 illustrates a fitting having the configuration shown in figure 5A and demonstrates the reach of the hose when attached to the upper manifold. The only anchor point for the hose is on the upper manifold as explained above. Figure 10A illustrates a fitting having the configuration shown in figure 5B wherein water flows from an outlet in the ceiling or located above the riser rail. Figure 10B illustrates a fitting having the configuration shown in figure 5C which allows connection direct to the shower valve. The combination of the adaptable manifolds and hose connection in the upper manifold provide for an extremely compact fitting which is category 5 compliant. As in figure 5C, water flows through the riser rail and is redirected by the upper manifold into the shower hose. Here the shower head holder, which may be slidable up and down the riser rail so as to be adjustable in height, is also shown.

Figure 11 illustrates a wall fixing 30 with inlet 32 where water is desired to enter the manifold from the wall-ward side (as shown in place within the manifold in figure 5A). The inlet port includes a backing plate which may itself be used to fix the manifold to a wall via screws through cut out portions or via other means. The plate includes lips 82 which extend away from the wall once fitted and can be used to attach the rest of the manifold to the plate as shown in figure 5A. The inlet portion may also take the form shown in figures 8 and 9. The backing plate includes a tube portion which extends away from the wall and forms the inlet 32. A cover is provided over the tube to ensure a tight seal with the walls of the cavity which may be rubberised and may include ridges corresponding to ridges provided on the outside of the tube for securing the cover to the tube. O-rings may sit within the ridges formed in the cover to ensure a watertight connection with the inner housing of the manifold.

The inlet shown in figure 11 may be replaced with a wall fitting having a blanking cap 46. This has a similar configuration but the end of the tube either near to the wall or furthest from the wall is covered to prevent water flowing through the tube. The fixing to the wall and to the rest of the manifold may be as described above with reference to figures 5, 8 and 9. Such a blanking cap may be included if one of the other ports is intended to be used as the inlet rather than water flowing into the cavity from behind a wall.

In an embodiment, a simplified manifold 84 can be provided. An example is shown close up in figure 12 and as part of an assembly in figure 13. The manifold may include a hole with an attachment which allows it to slide up and down the riser rail 14 or may be fixed at a particular point on the riser rail. The point at which it is fixed will depend on the length of the hose used with the fitting since the hose should not extend far enough that a shower head attached to it can extend to the base of the shower tray or bath (or to the maximum fill level of the bath or shower tray) above which the manifold is mounted. If the manifold is slidable up and down the riser rail and can reach a minimum height (as shown in the figure as the height at which it is prevented from dropping further by the riser rail fixing) then the hose must be short enough that a shower head attached thereto cannot extend to the base of the shower tray or to the maximum fill level of the bath or shower tray when the manifold is at this minimum height.

The manifold includes coupling means for attachment to the riser rail (coupling may also be to a wall or another part of the assembly) and a single inlet 86 and outlet 88. The inlet and outlet ports are interchangeable such that either can be used as the inlet or the outlet. A hose from a water source attached to the inlet and a hose coupled to a shower head attaches to the outlet such that water flows from the inlet, through the internal cavity 90 of the manifold, and through the outlet to the hose and shower head. The outlet and inlet may comprise threads 92 for coupling to the inlet and outlet hose (as shown) or may comprise any other means for coupling the ports to the hoses. In embodiments, a secure connection or an adaptor such as those described above may be used in the connection, or the manifold and hoses may be sold together as an integral part.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (31)

1. A kit for a shower assembly comprising:

a manifold having an internal cavity, a first inlet port for connection to a water source, and an outlet port;

a shower head; and a hose for connection to the outlet port of the manifold at one end and the shower head at the other, wherein the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters or greater above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the manifold comprises fixing means in the base for connection to a riser rail.

3. The kit of claim 2, comprising the riser rail.

4. The kit of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the shower head is prevented from reaching a height lower than 30cm above the base of the shower tray when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters.

5. The kit of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connection between the shower hose and the outlet port of the manifold is formed of corresponding interlocking portions on the outside of the hose and the inside of the port.

6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the interlocking portions are screw threads or resilient ridges.

7. The kit of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shower hose is fixed securely to the outlet port of the manifold.

8. The kit of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hose and manifold are integrally formed.

9. The kit of any of claims 1 to 4, comprising an adaptor configured to fit to the hose and to a connector portion in the outlet of the manifold to couple the hose to the manifold.

10. The kit of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the manifold comprises at least one additional inlet port.

11. The kit of claim 10, comprising at least one blanking cap for fixing into one of the at least two inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough.

12. The kit of any of claims 10 and 11, wherein the manifold comprises two additional inlet ports and the kit comprises two blanking caps for fixing into two of the three inlet ports for preventing the flow of water therethrough.

13. The kit of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the manifold is configured to change the direction of flow of water as it passes from the inlet port to the outlet port.

14. The kit of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the manifold comprises a wall fixing for attachment of the manifold to a bathroom wall and the first inlet port passes through the wall fixing such that water flows from a pipe within the wall into the manifold through the first inlet port in use.

15. The kit of claim 3, wherein the riser rail is coupled in use to an inlet port of the manifold such that water flows up through the riser rail into the internal cavity of the manifold and out of the outlet port.

16. The kit of claim 15, comprising an additional manifold including fixing means in an outlet port of the manifold for coupling to corresponding fixing means at the other end of the riser rail.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein both manifolds are identical.

18. A kit for a shower assembly comprising:

a manifold having an inlet for connection to a water source, an outlet, and a fixing for attachment of the manifold to a wall;

a riser rail comprising a connecting portion at one end for coupling with a mating connecting portion in a base of the manifold;

a hose for secure connection to the outlet of the manifold at one end and a shower head at the other, wherein the manifold is configured to change the direction of flow of water passing from the inlet to the outlet.

19. An adaptable manifold for a shower assembly comprising:

a body comprising an internal cavity;

an outlet port for providing a path for fluid from the internal cavity to a shower hose;

a wall fixing for attachment of the manifold to a wall;

a first and second pluggable inlet port through which fluid can flow into and out of the internal cavity, wherein one pluggable port comprises fixing means for fixing to a riser rail.

20. The manifold of claim 19, comprising a blanking cap for plugging into one of the inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough.

21. The manifold of claim 20, comprising a third inlet port through which fluid can flow into and out of the internal cavity and a second blanking cap for plugging into another of the inlet ports to prevent the flow of water therethrough.

22. The manifold of claim 21, wherein fluid can flow within the internal cavity between all three of the inlet ports and the outlet port.

23. The manifold of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the first inlet port is located within the wall fixing such that in use water can flow into the internal cavity from a water source within a wall to which the manifold is fixed.

24. The manifold claim 20, wherein the blanking cap comprises interlocking portions which correspond to interlocking portions in the inlet port.

25. The manifold of claim 24, wherein all three inlet ports comprise identical interlocking portions which correspond to interlocking portions on the blanking caps.

26. The manifold of any of claims 24 and 25, wherein the interlocking portions on the cap and in the inlet port are resilient ridges or screw threads.

27. The manifold of any of claims 18 to 26, wherein in use only one inlet is left unplugged and water flows from the unplugged inlet to the outlet through the internal cavity.

28. The manifold of any of claims 18 to 27, wherein the outlet includes connecting means for attachment to a shower hose.

29. The manifold of claim 28, wherein the connecting means comprises an adaptor for attachment to the shower hose which is configured to couple to a complementary connector portion in the manifold.

30. The manifold of any of claims 18 to 29, wherein the outlet is located in the base of the manifold.

31. A method for providing a kit for a shower assembly comprising:

providing a manifold having an internal cavity, a first inlet port for connection to a water source, and an outlet port;

providing a shower head; and providing a hose for connection to the outlet port of the manifold at one end and the shower head at the other, wherein the length of the hose is such that when the manifold is fixed at a height of 1.5 meters or greater above the base of a shower tray and the hose is connected to the manifold at one end and to the shower head at the other, the shower head is prevented from reaching the base of the shower tray.