U.S. patent application number 10/166656 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-11 for overhead attaching shower extension apparatus.
Invention is credited to Charonis, Angelo George.
Application Number | 20030226200 10/166656 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29710700 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030226200 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Charonis, Angelo George |
December 11, 2003 |
Overhead attaching shower extension apparatus
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.
Inventors: |
Charonis, Angelo George;
(Belmont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Angelo Charonis
2831 Hallmark Drive
Belmont
CA
94002
US
|
Family ID: |
29710700 |
Appl. No.: |
10/166656 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/0408
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/601 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/022 |
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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERECE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an overhead attaching
shower extension apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Referring now to the drawing, an overhead attaching 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.
[0014] The water diverter 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.
[0015] The 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] 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 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.
[0018] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined
not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents.
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