US20100125944A1

US20100125944A1 - Shower assembly for shower stall

Info

Publication number: US20100125944A1
Application number: US12/546,730
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore Prodzenski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-26
Filing date: 2009-08-25
Publication date: 2010-05-27

Abstract

A shower assembly for a shower stall is provided. The shower assembly comprises an elongated hollow member having a plurality of openings configured thereon, a plurality of spray nozzles mounted on the plurality of openings, a fastener capable of mounting the elongated hollow member between walls of the shower stall, and a hollow connecting member adapted to fluidically couple the elongated hollow member to a water source outlet of the shower stall. The hollow connecting member is adapted to direct water from the water source outlet to the elongated hollow member for discharging water through the plurality of spray nozzles within the shower stall.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/117,984 filed on Nov. 26, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to bathing systems, and more particularly, to a shower assembly for providing a pleasant showering experience to an individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A shower stall generally includes multiple walls for enclosed an area that may be used for taking shower. Moreover, a shower head is mounted on one of the walls of the shower stall. Typically, the shower head is coupled to a water source pipe extending from the wall of the shower stall. The shower head is capable of discharging water for enabling an individual to take a shower. Further, the shower head is capable of being pivotally moved about the water source pipe for providing a certain degree of movement to water discharged from the shower head.
Generally, while taking a shower with the help of a conventional shower head, the design thereof allows an individual to wash only a portion of the individual's body at a time. More specifically, the shower head in incapable of providing an even discharge of water which is sufficient to cover the entire body of the individual while taking the shower. Accordingly, the individual takes substantial time for completing the shower. Further, the conventional shower head necessitates an individual to stand close and facing a wall mounted with the shower head thereon. Such a standing posture (close to the wall and facing the wall) may be uncomfortable for the individual as the individual has to restrict his/her movement within the shower stall while taking the shower.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of a shower assembly for a shower stall is provided. The shower assembly may include an elongated hollow member, a plurality of spray nozzles, a fastener, and a hollow connecting member. The elongated hollow member may be adapted to be mounted between walls of the shower stall. The elongated hollow member may have a plurality of openings configured between end portions of the elongated hollow member. Each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be mounted on a respective opening of the plurality of openings. The fastener may be capable of mounting the elongated hollow member between the walls of the shower stall. The hollow connecting member may be adapted to fluidically couple the elongated hollow member to a water source outlet of the shower stall. The hollow connecting member may be adapted to direct water from the water source outlet to the elongated hollow member for discharging water through the plurality of spray nozzles within the shower stall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional front view of a shower assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 illustrates an environment in which the shower assembly of FIG. 1 is utilized by an individual for taking shower in a shower stall, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a shower assembly for a shower stall, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
The present disclosure provides a shower assembly for a shower stall. The shower assembly of the present disclosure is capable of being easily installed in the shower stall. The shower assembly of the present disclosure is capable of providing a pleasant showering experience to an individual. More specifically, the shower assembly is capable of providing a full body shower (even discharge of water sufficient to cover the entire body). The aspect of full body shower enables in precluding a restricted movement of the individual within the shower stall. Further, the aspect of full body shower enables in reducing a time taken by the individual for completing the shower.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shower assembly 100 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded cross-sectional front view of the shower assembly 100, and FIG. 2 illustrates an environment in which the shower assembly 100 of FIG. 1 is utilized by an individual 200 for taking shower in a shower stall 300.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shower assembly 100 includes an elongated hollow member 102, a plurality of spray nozzles, such as spray nozzles 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d (hereinafter collectively referred to as the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d) adapted to be mounted on the elongated hollow member 102, a fastener 106 capable of mounting the elongated hollow member 102 between walls, such as walls 302 a and 302 b, of the shower stall 300 (as shown in FIG. 2), and a hollow connecting member 108 adapted to fluidically coupled the elongated hollow member 102 to a water source outlet 304 of the shower stall 300 (as shown in FIG. 2). It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that for the sake of illustration and brevity of present description, only four spray nozzles (104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d) have been numbered, and that should not be considered as limiting.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the elongated hollow member 102 includes a plurality of openings, such as openings 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d (hereinafter collectively referred to as the openings 110 a through 110 b). It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that for the sake of illustration only four opening (110 a, 110 b, 110 c, and 110 d) have been numbered, and that should not be considered as limiting. The openings 110 a through 110 d are configured on the elongated hollow member 102 between end portions, such as a first end portion 112 a and a second end portion 112 b, of the elongated hollow member 102. In the present embodiment, the elongated hollow member 102 is configured to assume a shape of a circular elongated structure, such as a cylindrical structure. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the elongated hollow member 102 may be configured to assume other shapes apart from the shape of the cylindrical structure, such as an oval elongated structure and a polygonal elongated structure.
In the present embodiment, the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 are configured to have an open end configuration. Accordingly, the shower assembly 100 includes a pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b adapted to be mounted on the end portions of the elongated hollow member 102 for closing the end portions of the elongated hollow member 102. More specifically, the cap member 114 a is adapted to be mounted on the first end portion 112 a for closing the open end configuration of the first end portion 112 a. Similarly, the cap member 114 b is adapted to be mounted on the second end portion 112 b for closing the open end configuration of the second end portion 112 b. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 may be configured to have a closed end configuration.
Further, in the present embodiment, the mounting of the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b on the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b, respectively, is enabled by means of a threaded coupling. More specifically, each of the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b includes an external threaded portions (not numbered), and each of the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b includes a complementary internal threaded portion (not numbered). Accordingly, the internal threaded portion threadably receives the external threaded portion for enabling the mounting of the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b on the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b, respectively. However, it may be evident to a person skilled in the art that the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b may be mounted on the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b, respectively, by other arrangement apart from the threadable coupling, such as a snap fit arrangement.
As explained herein, the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d are adapted to be mounted on the elongated hollow member 102. More specifically, each of spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d is mounted on respective opening of the openings 110 a through 110 d configured on the elongated hollow member 102. In the present embodiment, the mounting of the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d on the openings 110 a through 110 d, respectively, is also enabled by a threadable coupling. For example, each of the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d includes an external threaded portion (not numbered), and each of the openings 110 a through 110 d is defined by a complementary internal threaded portion (not numbered) configured on the elongated hollow member 102. Accordingly, the internal threaded portion threadably receives the external threaded portion for enabling the mounting of the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d on the openings 110 a through 110 d, respectively, configured on the elongated hollow member 102.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the elongated hollow member 102 is adapted to be mounted between the walls 302 a and 302 b of the shower stall 300 with the help of the fastener 106. The fastener 106 includes a pair of suction cups, such as suction cups 116 a and 116 b, capable of being mounted on the walls 302 a and 302 b, respectively. The pair of suction cups 116 a and 116 b enables in coupling the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b, respectively, on the walls 302 a and 302 b, which is further explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fastener 106 further includes a pair of sleeves 118 a and 118 b, and a pair of springs 120 a and 120 b adapted to be enclosed by the pair of sleeves 118 a and 118 b, respectively. Each of the pair of sleeves 118 a and 118 b is capable of receiving an end portion of the elongated hollow member 102 and is capable of being partially received by a suction cup of the pair suction cups 116 a and 116 a. More specifically, the sleeve 118 a is capable of receiving the first end portion 112 a of the elongated hollow member 102 and further the sleeve 118 a is capable of being partially received by the suction cup 116 a, mounted on the wall 302 a. Accordingly, the suction cup 116 a and the sleeve 118 a facilitate mounting of the first end portion 112 a of the elongated hollow member 102 on the wall 302 a (as shown in FIG. 2). Similarly, the sleeve 118 b is capable of receiving the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 and further the sleeve 118 b is capable of being partially received by the suction cup 116 b mounted on the wall 302 b. Therefore, the suction cup 116 b and the sleeve 118 b collectively facilitate coupling of the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 on the wall 302 b (as shown in FIG. 2).
Further, as explained herein, the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b is adapted to be enclosed by the pair of sleeves 118 a and 118 b, respectively. More specifically, the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b is capable of being enclosed by the pair of sleeves 118 a and 118 b, respectively, for allowing each of the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b to be disposed between a respective end portion of the elongated hollow member 102 and a respective suction cup of the pair suction cups 116 a and 116 b. For example, the spring 120 a is enclosed by the sleeve 118 a, and the sleeve 118 a being partially received by the suction cup 116 a. Further, the sleeve 118 a receives the first end portion 112 a, the spring 120 a gets disposed between the first end portion 112 a and the suction cup 116 a. Moreover, as explained herein, the cap member 114 a is mounted on the first end portion 112 a; thereby disposing the spring 120 a between the cap member 114 a and the suction cup 116 a. Similarly, the spring 120 b is enclosed by the sleeve 118 b and further disposed between the cap member 114 b and the suction cup 116 b.
The pair of springs 120 a and 120 b enables in rigidly mounting the end portions of the elongated hollow member 102 on the walls 302 a and 302 b of the shower stall 300. More specifically, when the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b is disposed between the respective cap member of the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b, and the respective suction cup of the pair of suction cups 116 a and 116 b, the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b get compressed and tend to space apart each of the pair of cap members 114 a and 114 b from the respective pair of suction cups 116 a and 116 b. Accordingly, the pair of springs 120 a and 120 b enables rigid mounting of the first end portion 112 a and the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 on the walls 302 a and 302 b, respectively. For example, the compressed pair of springs 120 a and 120 b enables in avoiding a rotational movement of the elongated hollow member 102 about the pair of suction cups 116 a and 116 b, thereby retaining the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d in a position pointing downward from the elongated hollow member 102.
The elongated hollow member 102 is further fluidically coupled to the water source outlet 304 (an existing pipe for supplying water in a shower stall) with the help of hollow connecting member 108, as shown in FIG. 2. In the present embodiment, the hollow connecting member 108 is a flexible hose extending between the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102 and the water source outlet 304 of the shower stall 300. More specifically, a top end portion 122 a of the hollow connecting member 108 is fluidically coupled to the elongated hollow member 102 with the help of a connector 124. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 124 is configured on the elongated hollow member 102. More specifically, the connector 124 is configured in proximity to the second end portion 112 b of the elongated hollow member 102. In the present embodiment, the connector 124 is a pipe tee configured in proximity to the second end portion 112 b for allowing the fluidical coupling of the hollow connecting member 108 with the elongated hollow member 102.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the shower assembly 100 includes an adaptor 126 and a flow restrictor 128. The adaptor 126 and the flow restrictor 128 collectively enables in fluidically coupling the top end portion 122 a of the hollow connecting member 108 with the connector 124. More specifically, the adaptor 126 may be partially received by the connector 124, and thereafter threadbly coupled to the top end portion 122 a of the hollow connecting member 108. The flow restrictor 128 may define an orifice configured to reduce the flow of water. For instance, the flow restrictor 128 in one form may have an orifice with a 3/16-inch diameter. Of course, the flow restrictor 128 may instead have various other flow restricting elements, such as orifices with smaller or larger diameters. Further the flow restrictor 128 may be received by the top end portion 122 a of the hollow connecting member 108, when the adaptor 126 is threadbly coupled to the top end portion 122 a for allowing a rigid threadable coupling therebetween.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the shower assembly 100 includes a two-way valve 130 adapted to be coupled to a bottom end portion 122 b of the hollow connecting member 108. Furthermore, the shower assembly 100 includes a shower head 132 adapted to be fluidically coupled to the water source outlet 304 with the help of the two-way valve 130. More specifically, the two-way valve 130 includes an inlet 134 adapted to be mounted on the water source outlet 304 (as shown in FIG. 2). Further the two-way valve 130 includes a first outlet 136 a adapted to be fluidically coupled to the bottom end portion 122 b of the hollow connecting member 108 and a second outlet 136 b adapted to be fluidically coupled to the shower head 132. Accordingly, in use, the two-way valve 130 is capable of channelizing water from the water source outlet 304 to one of the first outlet 136 a and the second outlet 136 b for allowing the discharge of the water through one of the shower head 132 and the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d.
As shown in FIG. 2, in use, the shower assembly 100 may be installed between the walls 302 a and 302 b of the shower stall 300. Further, as explained herein, the hollow connecting member 108 is adapted to fluidically couple the elongated hollow member 102 to the water source outlet 304. More specifically, the connector 124 and the two-way valve 130 enable the hollow connecting member 108 to fluidically couple the elongated hollow member 102 with the water source outlet 304. Accordingly, the hollow connecting member 108 is capable of channelizing water from the water source outlet 304 to the elongated hollow member 102 for discharging the water from the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d within the shower stall 300. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the individual 200 is capable of taking shower with the help of the shower assembly 100.
The shower assembly 100 of the present disclosure provides a full body shower to the individual 200. More specifically, the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d facilitate even discharge of water, sufficient to cover entire body of the individual 200, and thereby provides the full body shower to the individual 200. Accordingly, the shower assembly 100 of the present disclosure facilitates in reducing a time taken by the individual 200 to take the shower. Further, the shower assembly 100 enables the individual 200 to move within the shower stall 300 while taking the shower. More specifically, the water discharged from the spray nozzles 104 a through 104 d substantially cover the shower stall 300, thereby allowing the individual 200 to move within the shower stall 300 while taking shower. Moreover, the individual 200 may take shower with the help of the shower head 132 by channelizing water from the water source outlet 304 to the shower head 132 by means of the two-way valve 130.
Based on the foregoing description of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a shower assembly, such as the shower assembly 100 is capable of providing a pleasant showering experience to an individual. More specifically, the shower assembly is capable of providing a full body shower, thereby precluding a restricted movement of the individual within a shower stall and to reduce a time taken by the individual to complete the shower. Further, the shower assembly of the present disclosure provides a cost effective means for having a luxurious showering experience. Moreover, a fastener, such as the fastener 106, enables in easy installation of the shower assembly in the shower stall. The shower assembly may be configured to have various sizes for being used in conjunction with various sizes of shower stalls. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated hollow member, such as the elongated hollow member 102 of the shower assembly may have a diameter of about 0.75 inches. Additionally, the elongated hollow member may be composed of a material which may include but not limited to a metal, such as steel or aluminium, and a plastic material. The shower assembly 100 may have a total length of about 4 feet to 5 feet. Of course, it is contemplated that the shower assembly 100 and each of its components may have larger or smaller dimensions as desired.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A shower assembly for a shower stall, the shower assembly comprising:

an elongated hollow member adapted to be mounted between walls of the shower stall, the elongated hollow member comprising a plurality of openings configured between end portions of the elongated hollow member;

a plurality of spray nozzles, each of the plurality of spray nozzles mounted on a respective opening of the plurality of openings;

a fastener capable of mounting the elongated hollow member between the walls of the shower stall; and

a hollow connecting member adapted to fluidically couple the elongated hollow member to a water source outlet of the shower stall,

wherein the hollow connecting member is adapted to direct water from the water source outlet to the elongated hollow member for discharging water through the plurality of spray nozzles within the shower stall.

2. The shower assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of cap members adapted to be mounted on the end portions of the elongated hollow member for closing the end portions of the elongated hollow member.

3. The shower assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a pair of suction cups adapted to be mounted on the walls of the shower stall, the pair of suction cups facilitates coupling of the end portions of the elongated hollow member on the walls.

4. The shower assembly of claim 3, wherein the fastener further comprises a pair of sleeves, each of the pair of sleeves capable of receiving a respective end portion of the end portions of the elongated hollow member and capable of being partially received in a respective suction cup of the pair of suction cups.

5. The shower assembly of claim 4, wherein the fastener further comprises a pair of springs enclosed by the pair of sleeves, each of the pair of springs being disposed between the respective end portion of the elongated hollow member and the respective suction cup of the pair of suction cups.

6. The shower assembly of claim 1, further comprising a connector configured at one of the end portions of the elongated hollow member, the connector facilitates fluidical coupling of the elongated hollow member and the hollow connecting member.

7. The shower assembly of claim 1, further comprising a shower head adapted to be fluidically coupled to the water source outlet for discharging water therethrough.

8. The shower assembly of claim 7, further comprising a two-way valve the two-way valve having an inlet adapted to be mounted on the water source outlet, a first outlet fluidically coupled to the hollow connecting member, and a second outlet fluidically coupled to the shower head, wherein the two-way valve being adapted to direct water from the water source outlet to one of the first outlet and the second outlet for allowing the discharge of water through one of the plurality of spray nozzles and the shower head.