Shower Rail Assembly

Abstract

A shower rail assembly (11) to which a shower head assembly (21) is releasably secured, the rail assembly (11) comprises a mounting means for mounting the shower rail assembly (11) to a conduit outlet, and a rail (13) rotatably mounted to the mounting means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a shower rail assembly for use in conjunction with a shower head assembly typically in a shower recess.

BACKGROUND ART

When considering plumbing fittings such as taps and shower head assemblies, there are a multitude of different arrangements and designs available to the consumer. Inevitably, with the vast range of fittings, there are several variations to the way the fittings are attached to the plumbing conduits, most of which do not compliment fittings from other ranges without requiring modification to the fitting itself or the plumbing conduit it is to be attached.

As a result of these variations, the installation of the majority of plumbing fittings available typically require a skilled trades person, adding cost to what should be a relatively inexpensive procedure.

A popular fitting arrangement in a shower recess is an arrangement having a shower head attached to a flexible hose, wherein one end is secured to the plumbing conduit extending from the wall of the shower recess. In this arrangement the showerhead is slidingly retained on a rail attached to the wall. The rail is typically fitted to a wall of the shower recess in a vertical orientation, with the shower head releasably retained thereto such that it may be removed for hand held operation. This arrangement also allows the showerhead to be positioned at various heights, limited somewhat by the length and position of the rail.

To secure the rail to the wall of the recess fasteners are used which pass into the wall, typically in the vicinity of the top and bottom of the rail. This often means that when installing the rail, holes need to be drilled through the tiles of the recess and into the wall of the bathroom. Due to the tendency for tiles to crack or even score when drilling a hole, people are reluctant to install a rail type shower system.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

It is an object of this invention to ameliorate, mitigate or overcome, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a shower rail assembly to which a shower head assembly is releasably secured, the rail assembly comprises a mounting means for mounting the shower rail assembly to a conduit outlet, and a rail rotatably mounted to the mounting means.

The conduit outlet may extend through a wall of a shower recess.

In contrast to the prior art, the rail assembly of the present invention can be fitted to a wall without requiring fasteners to secure the rail of the assembly to the wall. This obviates the need to drill holes into the wall and hence negates the possibility of damaging the wall and the tiles, or other wall covering, during installation of the assembly. This makes the present invention a viable option to renovators who may be updating their bathroom fixtures. The present invention also reduces the time of installation and is therefore advantageous to trades people.

Preferably the rail is an elongate element.

Preferably the rail is rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the wall of the shower recess.

Preferably the rail is held in position by a detent arrangement.

In one aspect of the invention the rail may extend from the mounting means such that the mounting means is at one end or in close proximity to one end of the rail.

In one arrangement the rail may be rotated from a first position, whereby a first end of the rail is above the mounting means, to a second position, whereby the first end is below the mounting means. Preferably in each of the first and second positions the rail is in a substantially vertical orientation and angularly spaced at 180° to each other.

In another arrangement the rail may be rotated to a third and fourth position, both being in a substantially horizontal orientation, and angularly spaced at 180° to each other.

In another aspect of the invention the mounting means is located between the ends of the rail.

The mounting means may comprise a mounting member adapted to be releasably secured to the conduit. The mounting member may threadingly engage the conduit.

Preferably the mounting member incorporates an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with each other. Preferably the outlet is in fluid communication with the conduit when mounted thereon.

The outlet may releasably retain the shower head assembly. The shower head assembly may comprise a flexible hose and a shower head.

Preferably the flexible hose is secured to the outlet of the mounting member when installed. The flexible hose and outlet may be arranged such that the flexible hose is free to rotate relative to the outlet.

The showerhead may comprise a handle having a water spray outlet at one end whilst the other end is adapted to be releasably attached to the rail at any point there along.

The present invention further provides a shower rail assembly comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to a plumbing conduit, and a second portion rotatably mounted to the first portion.

The first portion may comprise an inlet and an outlet which is in fluid communication with the conduit.

The second portion may comprise a rail which may be rotatably positioned between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.

In use a shower head of a shower head assembly may be releasably retained on the rail at the desired position.

The present invention further provides a shower rail assembly as herein before described further comprising a shower head assembly having a flexible hose and a showerhead.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the shower rail assembly in a first position according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a shower head assembly fitted thereto;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the shower rail assembly in a second position according to an embodiment of the present invention, having a shower head assembly fitted thereto;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the shower rail assembly shown in FIG. 6.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, the invention according to an embodiment is in the form of a shower rail assembly 11 comprising a rail 13 rotatably mounted to a mounting means in the form of a mounting member 15.

The mounting member 15 is adapted to be secured to a conduit (not shown) extending through a wall (not shown). The mounting member 15 comprises an inlet 17 and an outlet 19. The outlet 19 is in fluid communication with the conduit when the mounting member 15 is secured thereto.

The rail 13 may be rotated between a first position, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, wherein a first end 14 of the rail 13 is located above the mounting member 15, and a second position, as shown in FIGS. 6-10, wherein the first end 14 is located below the mounting member 15.

When in use, a shower head assembly 21 is fitted to the shower rail assembly 11. The shower head assembly 21 comprises a flexible hose 23, which is attached to the outlet 19 of the mounting member 15, and a showerhead 25. The showerhead 25 comprises a handle 26 having a spray outlet 28 at one end whilst the other end is adapted to be removably attached on the rail 13 whereupon it may be slidingly positioned at the desired height.

To install the shower rail assembly 11, the installer first removes the current shower head assembly in the usual manner before fitting the shower rail assembly 11. Installation may be achieved by rotating the mounting member 15 until the shower rail assembly 11 is secured to the conduit. The shower head assembly 21 may then be secured to the outlet 19, if not already installed.

In operation the rail 13 is adjusted according to the required height of the shower head 25. Where, for instance, a tall person may be showering, the rail 13 is first be positioned in the first position, as shown in FIG. 1 to 5. The shower head 25 may then be positioned and retained on the rail 13 at the desired height along the rail 13.

When a shorter person, such as a child, wishes to use the shower, the rail 13 may need to be first placed in the second position, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. Again, the shower head 25 may then be positioned and retained on the rail 13 at the desired height along the rail 13.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A shower rail assembly to which a shower head assembly is releasably secured, the rail assembly comprises a mounting means for mounting the shower rail assembly to a conduit outlet, and a rail rotatably mounted to the mounting means.

2. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the conduit outlet extends through a wall of a shower recess.

3. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rail is an elongate element.

4. The shower rail assembly according to claim 2 wherein the rail is rotatable in a plane substantially parallel to the wall of the shower recess.

5. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rail is held in position by a detent arrangement.

6. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rail extends from the mounting means such that the mounting means is at one end or in close proximity to one end of the rail.

7. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rail is rotated from a first position, whereby a first end of the rail is above the mounting means, to a second position, whereby the first end is below the mounting means.

8. The shower rail assembly according to claim 7 wherein in each of the first and second positions the rail is in a substantially vertical orientation and angularly spaced at 180° to each other.

9. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the rail is rotated from a third and fourth position, both being in a substantially horizontal orientation, and angularly spaced at 180° to each other.

10. The shower rail assembly according to claim 1 wherein the mounting means is located between the ends of the rail.

11. The shower rail assembly according claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a mounting member adapted to be releasably secured to the conduit.

12. The shower rail assembly according to claim 11 wherein the mounting member incorporates an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with each other.

13. The shower rail assembly according to claim 12 wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the conduit when mounted thereon.

14. The shower rail assembly according claims 11 wherein the outlet releasably retains the shower head assembly.

15. The shower rail assembly according to claim 14 wherein the shower head assembly comprises a flexible hose and a showerhead.

16. The shower rail assembly according to claim 15 wherein the flexible hose is secured to the outlet of the mounting member when installed.

17. The shower rail assembly according to claim 16 wherein the flexible hose and outlet is arranged such that the flexible hose is free to rotate relative to the outlet.

18. The shower rail assembly according to claim 15 wherein the shower head comprises a handle having a water spray outlet at one end whilst the other end is adapted to be releasably attached to the rail at any point there along.

19. A shower rail assembly comprising a first portion adapted to be secured to a plumbing conduit, and a second portion rotatably mounted to the first portion.

20. The shower rail assembly according claim 19 wherein the first portion comprises an inlet and an outlet which is in fluid communication with the conduit.

21. The shower rail assembly according claim 19 wherein the second portion comprises a rail which is rotatably positioned between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.

22. A shower rail assembly as herein before described in any one of claims 19 to 21 further comprising a shower head assembly having a flexible hose and a shower head, the shower head being adapted to be releasably retained on the rail at the desired position.