U.S. patent application number 11/080230 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for footrest waterfall shower.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alsons Corporation. Invention is credited to Jeffrey A. DeBoer, Aaron Hughes.
Application Number | 20060207010 11/080230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37008732 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeBoer; Jeffrey A. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Footrest waterfall shower
Abstract
A showerhead assembly includes a showerhead assembly mounted to
a shower wall above a footrest. The showerhead showers water
directly on the footrest to provide a waterfall effect on a
bather's foot thereby permitting lathering and shaving of the
bather's leg while providing a soothing massage affect to the foot.
When pivoted to another position, the showerhead showers the water
past the footrest to provide a waterfall effect on a bather's leg
thereby permitting convenient rinsing of the bather's leg prior and
after to shaving.
Inventors: |
DeBoer; Jeffrey A.; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Hughes; Aaron; (San Francisco,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Assignee: |
Alsons Corporation
|
Family ID: |
37008732 |
Appl. No.: |
11/080230 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/567 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/567 |
International
Class: |
A47K 4/00 20060101
A47K004/00 |
Claims
1. A showerhead assembly comprising: a deflector; and a showerhead
adjacent said deflector to dispense a shower of water toward said
deflector.
2. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said
showerhead dispenses said shower of water as a sheet.
3. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said
showerhead is articulatable to direct said shower of water.
4. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said
showerhead is rectilinear.
5. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said
showerhead is generally parallel to said deflector.
6. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said
deflector is a footrest.
7. A shower comprising: a shower wall; a deflector mounted to said
shower wall; and a showerhead mounted to said shower wall adjacent
said deflector to dispense a shower of water toward said
deflector.
8. The shower as recited in claim 7, wherein said showerhead
dispenses said shower of water as a sheet.
9. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said
showerhead is articulatable to direct said shower of water.
10. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said
deflector is located adjacent a ledge of a tub.
11. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said
showerhead is generally parallel to said deflector.
12. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein said
deflector is a footrest.
13. A tub surround comprising: a deflector mounted adjacent to a
ledge of a tub; and a showerhead mounted adjacent to said deflector
to dispense a shower of water toward said deflector.
14. The shower as recited in claim 13, wherein said showerhead
dispenses said shower of water as a sheet.
15. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said
showerhead is articulatable to direct said shower of water.
16. The showerhead assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said
showerhead is generally parallel to said deflector.
15. A method of showering water comprising the steps of: (1)
locating a showerhead over a deflector; and (2) showering water
from the showerhead toward the deflector.
16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step
of: articulating the showerhead.
17. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step
of: locating the showerhead on a wall of a tub surround.
18. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step
of: locating the showerhead on a wall of a shower surround.
19. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein said step (2) further
comprises: showering water from the showerhead as a sheet of water.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a shower, and more
particularly to showerhead mounted adjacent a shower or tub
surround to facilitate leg shaving within a waterfall effect.
[0002] Oversized luxury showers and tubs are becoming increasing
desirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such
showers typically include one or more multi-function showerheads
that have a plurality of spray modes, including various standard
sprays and pulsed sprays. These showers will also often include
hand-held shower sprayers. Luxury tub surrounds typically include
numerous water jets or other water effects which are utilized to
fill the tub.
[0003] Disadvantageously, even with the multitude of showerheads
and spray devices, women must contend with difficulties while
shaving their legs. The contortions required to shave legs may
prove difficult and minimize the comfort and enjoyment of bathing.
A woman typically uses the ledge of a tub or seat within the shower
to raise her foot above the floor to facilitate leg shaving.
Furthermore, the woman must move her leg in and out of the water
spray or retrieve and replace a hand-held sprayer to rinse her legs
which may minimize the warmth and comfort of the bathing
experience.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a convenient
showerhead assembly for a woman to shave her legs without
minimizing the warmth and comfort of the bathing experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A showerhead assembly according to the present invention
includes a showerhead assembly mounted to a shower wall above a
footrest. The showerhead is pivotable such the showerhead permits
the water to be showered as sheets directly on the footrest to
provide a waterfall effect on a bather's foot thereby permitting
lathering and shaving of the bather's leg while providing a
soothing massage affect to the foot. When pivoted to another
position, the showerhead showers the bather's leg thereby
permitting convenient rinsing prior and after to shaving.
[0006] The present invention therefore provides a convenient
showerhead assembly for a woman to shave her legs without
minimizing the warmth and comfort of the bathing experience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly
described as follows:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a general perspective view a showerhead assembly
according to the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2A is a schematic side view of the showerhead assembly
in a first position; and
[0010] FIG. 2B is a schematic side view of the showerhead assembly
in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a shower
10. The shower 10 generally includes a base 12, and one or more
walls 14. It should be understood that the term "base" is not
limited to just shower bases but that relatively deeper tubs and
the like will also benefit from the present invention. It should be
understood that although a particular component arrangement is
disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements, e.g.
molded surround or tiled construction will benefit from the instant
invention.
[0012] The shower 10 includes a showerhead assembly 18 mounted to
the wall 14 adjacent to a ledge 20 of the shower 10. It should be
understood that although a ledge of a particular component
arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other
arrangements such as a shower surround ledges or tub surrounds will
likewise benefit from the instant invention.
[0013] The showerhead assembly 18 includes a deflector 22 such as a
footrest and a showerhead 24 mounted to the wall 14. The deflector
22 is preferably located just above the ledge 20, however, it
should be understood that the deflector 22 may be located at any
convenient height along the wall 14. The deflector 22 is preferably
of a concave shape such that water from the showerhead 24 is
directed to impinge off the deflector 22 and into the base 12. The
deflector 22 also preferably includes a textured surface to further
facilitate support of a foot while shaving. It should be understood
that although a footrest is disclosed in the illustrated
embodiment, other arrangements such as a deflector which directs
water flow onto a bather's back will likewise be usable with the
instant invention.
[0014] The showerhead 24 is mounted to the wall 14 generally above
the footrest 22. Notably, the showerhead 24 is located relatively
low in height on the wall 14. The showerhead 24 is generally
rectilinear in shape such that water is dispensed as sheets
therefrom generally parallel to the wall 14 for a waterfall-like
effect. It should be understood that although a rectilinear
waterfall shower is preferred, other showerheads with other shower
effects will also be usable with the present invention.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the showerhead 24 is
preferably manually pivotable about a pivot axis P defined parallel
to the wall 14. The showerhead 24 permits the water to be showered
as sheets directly on the deflector 22 (FIG. 2A). Such a position
provides the waterfall effect on a bather's foot thereby permitting
lathering and shaving of the bather's leg while providing a
soothing massage affect to the foot. When pivoted to the position
illustrated in FIG. 2B, the showerhead 24 showers the water past
the deflector 22 and directly into the base 12. Such a position
directs the waterfall effect onto the bather's leg thereby
permitting convenient rinsing prior to and after shaving.
[0016] Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and
claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any
order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will
still benefit from the present invention.
[0017] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined
by the limitations within. Many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed,
however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
certain modifications would come within the scope of this
invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope
of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described. For that reason the following
claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of
this invention.
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