US20030226200A1

US20030226200A1 - Overhead attaching shower extension apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20030226200A1
Application number: US10/166,656
Authority: US
Inventors: Angelo Charonis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-11
Filing date: 2002-06-11
Publication date: 2003-12-11

Abstract

An improved shower apparatus allows for an overhead attaching secondary showerhead. Using a bi-directional water diverter with switch valve the shower water flow is split between an original showerhead and a flexible extension hose. The extension hose is connected along the shower stall wall and ceiling and allows for the secondary showerhead to be positioned at any point on the shower stall ceiling where it can be directed vertically downward. The water diverter valve controls the flow of water allowing the showerheads to be used separately or together. Due to the height, position and trajectory of the flow of water no excessive bending or twisting of the body, especially at the back, neck or knees, is necessary to position individuals directly under the flow of water, thereby allowing for the greatest pain and discomfort free ease of use for tall or injured individuals.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERECE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shower stall fixtures, specifically to an improved shower apparatus where an overhead attached showerhead allows for tall or injured individuals to comfortably take a shower without having to bend or twist to position themselves under the flow of water. Therefore tall or injured individuals can reduce the pain or discomfort experienced while showering.

A typical residential indoor shower apparatus consists of a fixed, rigid wall mounted shower supply pipe to which a showerhead is attached. However, some consumers object to the permanent nature of this fixed, wall mounted apparatus because they are uncomfortable to use for individuals taller than the fixed position of the wall mounted pipe and the trajectory of the showerhead's flow of water. These taller individuals repetitively add strain to their bodies, especially at their backs, necks and knees, as they are forced to significantly flex forward or extend backward to position themselves under the flow of water. Then from this position they have to twist, rotate and contort their bodies in many motions to fully rinse their heads and bodies. It is important to note that, in addition to tall individuals, those consumers with acute or chronic body injuries, especially at the back, neck or knees, can't tolerate flexing and extending their bodies, even very little, to bend under the flow of water.

In response to these problems, inventors created several types of alternative apparatuses to alter the typical shower apparatus. The alternative apparatuses consist of either extending the rigid, wall mounted pipe higher or horizontally out, or they use a handheld showerhead, which is attached to the end of a flexible hose. In some cases there are attachments to hang the handheld showerhead on the wall, on a vertically oriented bar, to allow hands free operation.

The consumer problems have been partially solved by the implementation of these alternative apparatuses, but these still have significant problems. Due to limitations in height extension or trajectory of water flow, tall or injured individuals must still lean in, turn around, or bend and twist in various positions in an effort to cleanse themselves. Additionally, many of the alternative apparatuses can be expensive.

What is needed is an improved apparatus for having the shower water flow trajectory directed vertically down from above every individual, without height limitations, which allows for greatest pain and discomfort free ease of use for tall or injured individuals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shower apparatuses present in the prior art, this invention provides a shower apparatus comprising of a more versatile design. The design of which allows for an individual to shower using either the original showerhead position, or they may select to conveniently switch the shower water flow to an overhead showerhead positioned on the ceiling of the shower stall. They may also use both showerheads at the same time if so desired.

The assembly of this apparatus allows for the extension of the shower water flow, via a water diverter valve between the original showerhead and the shower supply pipe, to along a flexible extension hose attached to the shower stall wall and ceiling. The overhead showerhead may then be positioned at any point on the ceiling of the shower stall, attached to the flexible extension hose, without any height limitation, while together maintaining the original showerhead at its original level. From the overhead attached position the overhead showerhead is directed vertically down upon an individual.

Due to the height, position and trajectory of the flow of water no excessive bending or twisting of the body, especially at the back, neck or knees, is necessary to position individuals directly under the flow of water, thereby allowing for the greatest pain and discomfort free ease of use for tall or injured individuals. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an overhead attaching shower extension apparatus. [0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, an overhead attaching [0013] shower extension apparatus 10 is shown in the form of an apparatus installable on a shower supply pipe 12 of a typical shower. The apparatus 10 is adapted to receive an original showerhead 14 in a standard shower position 18 of a typical shower. Between the shower supply pipe 12 and the original showerhead 14 is a bi-directional water diverter 20. The water diverter 20 is adapted, via a switch valve 21, to switch a flow of water from through the supply pipe 12 to either a standard water stream 22 or to an optional water stream 24. The standard water stream 22 passes through a first fluid outlet 26 of the water diverter 20 and then passes through the original showerhead 14 at the standard position 18. The optional water stream 24 passes through a second fluid outlet 28 of the water diverter 20 and then passes through a flexible extension hose 30 to an overhead attaching showerhead 16. At this point the optional water stream 24 passes through the overhead attaching showerhead 16. The flexible extension hose 30 is attached to the second fluid outlet 28 of the water diverter 20 by means of a female threaded, right-angled hose connector 32. The flexible extension hose 30 is then vertically anchored at various points along the shower stall wall above the shower supply pipe 12 via looped fasteners 36. The flexible extension hose 30 is then anchored horizontally to the shower stall ceiling with the looped fasteners 36 until a desired end position is reached. The looped fasteners 36 are anchored to the wall and ceiling via an adhesive backing, or, if needed, via screws inserted through holes located on bilateral, winged portions of the looped fasteners 36. At the end of the flexible extension hose 30 is a male threaded, right-angled hose connector 34. At this point the overhead attaching showerhead 16 is secured to the male threaded hose connector 34.
The water diverter [0014] 20 is capable of allowing simultaneous flow of the water streams 22, 24 through each showerhead 14, 16 simultaneously, or it can limit the flow to only one or the other streams. The showerheads 14, 16 are pivotally mounted to allow for rotating adjustments and therefore a variety of trajectories of water flow at either showerhead.
The [0015] flexible extension hose 30, in the preferred embodiment, is constructed of reinforced flexible PVC tubing. This is preferred due to the durability, attractiveness and low cost of this material. However, the extension hose can consist of any other flexible hose or tubing material, such as flexible polished brass.
Thus the invention provides an easy to install and use, yet economical and aesthetically pleasing, shower apparatus that can reduce strain on the body and joints of tall or injured individuals while they are taking a shower. [0016]
While the above description contains specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, in cases where the shower stall ceiling is extra high, a section of rigid extension tubing will be used to extend down the overhead showerhead, by inserting between the [0017] flexible extension hose 30 and the overhead showerhead 16. Parts used in the apparatus can be constructed using a variety of combinations of materials, such as all white plastic or all brass, vinyl, nylon, etc.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. [0018]

Claims

I claim:

1. An overhead attaching shower extension apparatus, comprising:

(a) a bi-directional water diverter with switch valve, having a water inlet and a first and second water outlet,

(b) a flexible extension hose,

(c) a plurality of fasteners,

(d) an overhead showerhead,

(e) first means for joining said second water outlet to said flexible extension hose,

(f) second means for joining said flexible extension hose to said fasteners,

(g) third means for attaching said fasteners to a shower stall wall and ceiling,

(h) fourth means for joining said flexible extension hose to overhead showerhead,

(i) fifth means for joining said first water outlet to an original showerhead,

(j) sixth means for joining said water inlet to a shower supply pipe, whereby a tall or injured individual can shower without bending or twisting, and therefore reducing pain and discomfort while showering.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water diverter is oriented so that said first fluid water outlet is directed in a standard shower position of said shower supply pipe.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water diverter is oriented so that said second fluid water outlet is directed superiorly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water diverter having means to switch a flow of water to said water outlets separately.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water diverter having means to switch said flow of water to said water outlets simultaneously.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible extension hose is of predetermined length.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said overhead showerhead is attached to said flexible extension hose at a right angle to ceiling,

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said overhead showerhead is pivotally mounted to said flexible extension hose.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fasteners attach to said wall and ceiling via an adhesive substance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fasteners attach to said wall and ceiling via anchoring hardware.

11. An overhead attaching shower extension apparatus, comprising:

(a) a method of directing shower water flow vertically down from a position above individuals in a shower,

(b) a method of delivering a shower water flow to a showerhead originating at a shower stall ceiling,

(c) a method of providing an extension hose bringing said water flow to said overhead showerhead,

(d) a method of attaching said extension hose to said shower stall ceiling and to a shower stall wall,

(e) a method of splitting a main water flow of a shower supply pipe,

(f) a method of attaching said extension hose to said water supply pipe,

(g) a method of selecting either overhead showering or original showering or both at the same time,

whereby a tall or injured individual can shower without bending or twisting, and therefore reducing pain and discomfort while showering.