WO2002087401A1

WO2002087401A1 - Shock-shower device

Info

Publication number: WO2002087401A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/001920
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Richard Pearson
Original assignee: Thomas Richard Pearson
Priority date: 2001-04-25
Filing date: 2002-04-25
Publication date: 2002-11-07
Also published as: GB0110166D0; GB2364908A

Abstract

A shock-shower device (1) comprises a cold-water container (2) mountable above a shower (14) and having means (4-8) for opening the container (2) to release a deluge (18) of cold water as a shock shower.

Description

Shock-Shower Device

The present invention relates to a shock-shower device and a shower assembly having a shower and such a device.

On grounds of health or fitness a cold shower may frequently be desired or even recommended by a doctor. Alternatively, a cold sharp shock can be effected after a sauna by submerging in a cold pool.

In a private house a cold-shock shower cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Although the usual mixer control for a domestic shower provides a rapid change from hot or warm water to cold water, a full shock effect is not possible, since normal water pipes do not provide the necessary quantity of water instantly.

The invention provides a shock-shower device comprising a cold-water container mountable above a shower and having means for opening the container to release a sudden deluge of cold water as a shock shower.

The invention also provides a shock-shower assembly having a shower and a shock- shower device as in the preceding paragraph and arranged to provide a separate sudden cold-water deluge.

Thus, the shock-shower device may be fitted to any installed shower, or may be installed at the same time as a shower is installed provided that there is sufficient space to accommodate the device. The shock-shower device is preferably arranged above the shower, but could be arranged at the same height as, or even below, the shower if the shower were fitted at a sufficient height. In use, the shock-shower device may be actuated when normal showering with warm or hot water has been completed. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a shock-shower device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a shower assembly having a shock-shower device similar to that of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention when the shock- shower device is not in use;

Fig. 4 is shows the embodiment of Fig. 3 when the shock-shower device is in use;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a yet further embodiment of the invention when the shock- shower device is not in use,

Fig. 6 is shows the embodiment of Fig. 5 when the shock-shower device is in use, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of an additional embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 1 a shock-shower device 1 comprises essentially a cold-water container in the form of a tank 2 having an outlet 3 closable by means of a plug 4. The plug 4 may be raised by lifting means 5 comprising a lever mechanism 6, 7 and a handle 8.

The tank 2 has filling means comprising a cold-water inlet 9 cormectable to a cold-water supply 10. The filling means also comprises a float 11 controlling the flow of water through the inlet 9 and thereby controlling the level of cold water in the tank 2.

Preferably, the outlet 3 of the tank 2 has a flared nozzle 12 for directing a deluge of cold water onto a person below.

It will be seen that the shock-shower device 1 fills and empties in a similar manner to a WC cistern. In hot climates, or if the device 1 is installed in a heated area, if the cold water in the tank 2 is not used for some time, it will heat up so that the shock of the water deluge is reduced. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a control valve or tap 13 in the cold- water supply 10. If the valve 13 is opened shortly before the shock-shower device 1 is used, cold water will flow into the tank 2 and have little time to warm up before the outlet 3 is opened.

Fig. 2 shows the shock-shower device 1 installed above shower 14 comprising a shower cubicle 15 provided with a mixer tap 16 and a sliding shower head 17.

Here, the tank 2¹ of the shock-shower device 1 has been shaped aesthetically to fit in a corner, and the handle 8¹ is stirrup shaped.

In use, a person washes using the shower head 17. When washing has been completed, the handle 8¹ is pulled to actuate the shock-shower device 1, ie lift the plug 4, and release an invigorating cold-water deluge 18 from the nozzle 12 in a sudden "whoosh". Between 4.5 and 13.5 litres of water can be released in between 1 and 3 seconds.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of shock-shower device 1 , in which the tank 2 is provided with a rubber membrane 19. The rubber membrane 19 forms a base for holding the water between the walls of the tank 2. The nozzle 12¹ protrudes through the rubber membrane 19 so that the top of the nozzle 12a is just above the water level in the tank 2. The nozzle 12¹ is held in this position by means of a spring 20. There is a handle 18¹ at the base of the nozzle 12¹ to allow the position of the nozzle 12¹ to be adjusted.

In use, the handle 18¹ is pulled downwards against the force of the spring 20 when a user requires a deluge of water to be released (see Figure 4). Since the rubber membrane 19 is resilient, it also moves downwards with the nozzle 12¹. The downward movement of the nozzle 12¹ causes the top 12a of the nozzle 12¹ to fall below the water level in the tank 2 so that water flows into the nozzle 12¹ thus releasing a deluge of water onto the user. The handle 18¹ can then be released so that the rubber membrane 19 and nozzle 12¹ rise to their original position under the action of the spring 20. The tank can be re-filled with water in preparation for the next use of the device. Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which the nozzle 12¹¹ is held in an out of use position by means of a spring 21. In the out of use position, the nozzle 12¹¹ is closed by a cover 22 which fits around the nozzle 12¹¹ to seal the nozzle 12¹¹ from surrounding water in the tank.

Figure 6 shows the device of Figure 5 in use. In use, the user pulls the handle 18¹ downwards against the force of the spring 21 so that the nozzle 12¹¹ is separated from its cover 22 and water flows into the nozzle 12¹¹ to release a deluge of water onto the user. When the handle 18¹ is released the nozzle 12¹¹ is returned to its original position under action of the spring 22 so that the tank 2 can be re-filled.

In Figure 7 water is contained under pressure in the tank 2. A diaphragm 23 connected to a spring 24 covers the water. The spring 24 applies a pressure of up to 1.4 bar to the diaphragm 23. The nozzle 12¹¹¹ is covered by a stopper 25 attached to a flat spring 26. When the flat spring 26 is pushed upwards, for example using a handle in the form of a lever (not shown), against the pressure of the spring 24 above the diaphragm 23, the stopper 25 moves upwards to allow the water to be released in a deluge.

The shock-shower device 1 could be incorporated over a bath, with or without a normal shower, but preferably with a shower curtain or shower screen to contain the flow of the cold-water deluge 18 into the bath and prevent flooding.

Obviously, the shock-shower device 1 could be installed as a separate device, or as part of a shower assembly simultaneously with the installation of a shower.

Although it is intended that the shock-shower device be used in domestic situations, it could also be installed in health clubs, sports clubs, hospitals etc.

Claims

Claims:

1. A shock-shower device comprising a cold-water container mountable above a shower and having means for opening the container to release a sudden deluge of cold water as a shock shower.

2. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the means for opening the container includes a water outlet which is movable between an open position and a closed position.

3. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the water outlet is biased in its closed position by a spring.

4. A shock-shower deviee as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the container has a fixed cold-water outlet, a plug for closing the outlet, and means for lifting the plug so as to provide a sudden cold-water deluge from the outlet.

5. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the lifting means comprises a lever mechanism and handle.

6. A shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having means for automatically filling the container with cold water.

7. A shock-shower device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the filling means comprises a cold-water inlet and a float mechanism for controlling the flow of cold water through the inlet so as to limit the level of cold water in the container.

8. A shock-shower device substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. A shower assembly comprising a shower and a shock-shower device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to provide a separate sudden cold-water deluge.

10. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the shock-shower device is arranged above the shower.

11. A shower assembly as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, wherein the cold-water container has a cold water supply selectively operable to fill the container shortly before use so as to ensure that the water in the container is at the temperature of the cold-water supply.

12. A shower assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.