TELESCOPING SHOWER FOR A BOAT

Abstract

An application for a telescoping boat shower includes telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter that collapse inside of a fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage and extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use. The telescoping extensions conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension where a nozzle is attached. The nozzle sprays water on a user of the telescoping shower. An adaptable fitting attaches to a bottom of the fishing pole holder, providing a water-tight seal. The adaptable fitting has a water supply fitting for attaching to a supply of water and the adaptable fitting conducts water from the water supply to the telescoping extensions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of marine apparatus and more particularly to a telescoping shower for installation into an aperture of a boat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When boating, it is desirable to shower with fresh water, especially after swimming in salt water such as found in the oceans and many bays and gulfs. Very large boats often have complete bathrooms with built-in shower facilities. A known solution for smaller boats is a hose with a nozzle such as a kitchen sink sprayer with a longer hose. This solution works but requires the user to hold the sprayer in one hand while using the other hand to wash or, in rough water, to keep from falling off the boat.

Many portable showers are known in the art. For example, a simple plastic bag filled with water with a hook on its top end and a shower nozzle on its bottom end works well for campers. The camper fastens the hook to a tree and stands under the shower to get clean. Unfortunately, a boater doesn't always have access to a place to hook such a device.

Many other portable showers have been disclosed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,503 to Nazworth discloses a portable shower that could be adapted to work on a boat, but, boats have limited storage space and such a device as that which is disclosed would take up too much space.

Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,888 Beccaria et al discloses a portable shower that also could be adapted to work on a boat. The disclosed shower would take up too much space for boating use.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,538 to Chapman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,836 to Montrose, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,142 to Colman all disclose portable showers that also could be adapted to work on a boat. Each of the disclosed showers consume too much valuable storage and deck space and, therefore, would be of limited use on a boat.

What is needed is a boat shower that requires minimal space and stores out of the way when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a telescoping boat shower is disclosed including telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter that collapse inside of a fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage and extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use. The telescoping extensions conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension where a nozzle is attached. The nozzle sprays water on a user of the telescoping shower. An adaptable fitting attaches to a bottom of the fishing pole holder, providing a water-tight seal. The adaptable fitting has a water supply fitting for attaching to a supply of water and the adaptable fitting conducts water from the water supply to the telescoping extensions.

In another embodiment, a method of adding a shower to a fishing pole holder of a boat is disclosed including providing a telescoping shower that has telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter, the telescoping extensions collapse inside of the fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage and extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use. The telescoping extensions also conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension where a nozzle is attached. An adaptable fitting attaches to the bottom of the fishing pole holder, providing a water-tight seal and includes a water supply fitting for conducting water from a water supply to the telescoping extensions. The method continues with attaching the adaptable fitting to the bottom of the fishing pole holder and attaching the water supply to the water supply fitting. Now, the collapsible extensions are fitted into the fishing pole holder and extend when water pressure is supplied or by pulling on an optional pull tab at the top end of the smallest collapsible extension.

In another embodiment, a telescoping boat shower is disclosed including telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter; the telescoping extensions collapse inside of a fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage and extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use. The telescoping extensions conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension where a device for spraying water is attached. Another device is provided for attaching the water supply to the fishing pole holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a shower of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of the present invention shown retracted.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away view of the present invention shown extended.

FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a shower of the present invention will be described. Often, a boat will come with fishing pole holders 54 mounted in the top surface of the boat side 50. The fishing pole holder usually has an upper flange 52 that is often screwed or bolted into the top surface of the boat side 50 with screws or bolts 53. In one embodiment, the retractable shower of the present invention fits within the fishing pole holder 54 when retracted (shown in FIG. 2) and extends out of the fishing pole holder 54 when in use, as shown in FIG. 1. The telescoping or extendable shower 10 is connected to a source of water 18 by a supply connection 16 in the bottom of an attachable fitting 12. The attachable fitting 12 fits snuggly around the outside of the fishing pole holder 54 and is secured by means known in the industry such as by using a compression fitting 14 as shown or an adhesive, etc.

The telescoping extensions of the shower 20/24/26 store within the fishing pole holder 54 and/or the attachable fitting 12 and extend either by water pressure emanating from the water supply 18 or by lifting a finger pull 35. Although three telescoping extensions 20/24/26 are shown, any number including one telescoping extension are envisioned and included herewithin.

In some embodiments, detents (not shown) hold the telescoping shower 10 in its extended position until it is pushed back into the fishing pole holder 54 and/or the attachable fitting 12. A shower head 30 is integrated or disposed in the upper-most extension 26 of the telescoping shower 10 and aims towards the user. In this embodiment, the water spray 32 is aimed downward at an angle although any configuration of shower head designs is envisioned.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the telescoping shower 10 is installed into existing fishing pole holders 54 or a new fishing pole holder 54 is installed in a location where a shower is desired and the telescoping shower 10 is then installed into the new fishing pole holder 54. In some embodiments of the present invention, the telescoping shower 10 is fabricated into a boat when it is manufactured or installed later into a newly formed hole. In such, the fishing pole holder 54 is replaced by a similar component and the entire assembly is installed into a hole in the top surface 52 of the side of the boat.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the present invention will be described. In this view, the telescoping shower 10 is retracted into the fishing pole holder. The telescoping or extendable shower 10 is connected to a source of water 18 (see FIG. 1) by a supply connection 16 in the bottom of an attachable fitting 12. The attachable fitting 12 fits snuggly around the outside of the fishing pole holder 54 and is secured by means known in the industry such as by using a compression fitting 14 as shown or an adhesive, etc. Although three extensions 20/24/26 are shown stored within the fishing pole holder 54, any number of extensions is anticipated to achieve the desired shower height and storage compactness. The fishing pole holder 54 is attached to a surface of the boat 50 with an upper flange 52 held as known in the industry, in this example, with screws 53.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cut-away view of the present invention will be described. The retractable shower of the present invention fits within the fishing pole holder 54 when retracted (shown in FIG. 2) and extends out of the fishing pole holder 54 when in use, as shown in FIG. 3. The telescoping or extendable shower 10 is connected to a source of water 18 (see FIG. 1) by a supply connection 16 in the bottom of an attachable fitting 12. The attachable fitting 12 fits snuggly around the outside of the fishing pole holder 54 and is secured by means known in the industry such as by using a compression fitting 14 as shown or an adhesive, etc.

The extensions of the shower 20/24/26 extend out of the fishing pole holder 54 either under water pressure emanating from the water supply 18 or by lifting the optional finger pull 35. In some embodiments, detents (not shown) hold the telescoping shower 10 in its extended position until it is pushed back into the fishing pole holder 54. A shower head 30 is integrated or disposed in the upper-most extension 26 of the telescoping shower 10 and aims towards the user. In this embodiment, the water spray 32 is aimed downward at an angle although any configuration of shower head designs is envisioned.

There are many ways known in the industry to implement telescoping action and the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is one example. In this example, each extension 20/24/26 has a bottom limit flange 21/25/27 that keeps the extensions 20/24/26 from slipping out of a mating flange of the next lower extension 22/28. In some embodiments (not shown) washers or o-rings are provided to reduce leakage in the area where the extensions 20/24/26 meet.

Referring to FIG. 4, an isometric view of the present invention in use will be described. The telescoping shower 10 is installed into a fishing pole holder 54 of a boat 62. In this illustration, the telescoping shower 10 is shown extended under water pressure with all extensions 20/24/26 fully extended and a water spray 32 directed at a person 60 who is standing on a surface 64 of the boat 62 such as a swim deck 64. Although not shown, many installations of the telescoping shower 10 will include a valve in the water supply 18 or a method of turning on/off of the water pressure to start and stop the flow of water and the extension of the telescoping shower 10. In some embodiments, the telescoping shower 10 is extended using a finger pull 35 and, in some embodiments of such, detents of friction fittings keep the telescoping shower 10 in its extended position until the user places pressure on the extensions to push them back into the fishing pole holder 54. In other embodiments, water pressure extends the telescoping shower 10 and the abatement of water pressure allows the telescoping shower 10 to self-retract back into the fishing pole holder 54.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A telescoping boat shower, the shower comprising:

a plurality of telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter, the telescoping extensions adapted to collapse inside of a fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage, the telescoping extensions adapted to extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use, the telescoping extensions adapted to conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension;

a nozzle adapted to a top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extension, the nozzle adapted to spray the water from the smaller, upper telescoping extensions; and

an adaptable fitting attached to a bottom of the fishing pole holder providing a water-tight seal, the adaptable fitting having a water supply fitting for attaching to a supply of water and the adaptable fitting conducting the water from the water supply to the telescoping extensions.

2. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, wherein the adaptable fitting is held onto the fishing pole holder by a compression fitting.

3. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, wherein the adaptable fitting is held onto the fishing pole holder by an adhesive.

4. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, further comprising a pull tab attached to the top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extensions, the pull tab adapted to allow a user to extend the telescoping shower out of the fishing pole holder.

5. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is a shower head.

6. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, further comprising limit flanges on the telescoping extensions to keep the telescoping extensions from disengaging.

7. The telescoping boat shower of claim 5, wherein the telescoping extensions extend upwardly out of the fishing pole holder under the force of the water from the supply of water.

8. The telescoping boat shower of claim 1, wherein the adaptable fitting is an integral part of the fishing pole holder.

9. A method of adding a shower to a fishing pole holder of a boat, the method comprising:

providing a telescoping shower, the telescoping shower comprising: a plurality of telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter, the telescoping extensions adapted to collapse inside of the fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage, the telescoping extensions adapted to extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use, the telescoping extensions adapted to conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension; a nozzle adapted to a top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extension, the nozzle adapted to spray the water from the smaller, upper telescoping extensions; and an adaptable fitting adapted to attach to a bottom of the fishing pole holder providing a water-tight seal, the adaptable fitting having a water supply fitting adapted to conduct the water from a water supply to the telescoping extensions;

attaching the adaptable fitting to the bottom of the fishing pole holder;

attaching the water supply to the water supply fitting; and

inserting the collapsible extensions into the fishing pole holder.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the adaptable fitting is held onto the fishing pole holder by a compression fitting.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the adaptable fitting is held onto the fishing pole holder by an adhesive.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising a pull tab attached to the top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extension, the pull tab adapted to allow a user to extend the telescoping extensions out of the fishing pole holder.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the nozzle is a shower head.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising limit flanges on the telescoping extensions to keep the telescoping extensions from disengaging.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the telescoping extensions extend upwardly out of the fishing pole holder under force of the water from the supply of water.

16. A telescoping boat shower, the shower comprising:

a plurality of telescoping extensions of decreasing diameter, the telescoping extensions adapted to collapse inside of a fishing pole holder of a boat when in storage, the telescoping extensions adapted to extend upwardly from the fishing pole holder when in use, the telescoping extensions adapted to conduct water from a larger, lower telescoping extension to a smaller, upper telescoping extension;

a means for spraying water adapted to a top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extension, the means for spraying water adapted to spray the water from the smaller, upper telescoping extensions; and

a means for attaching a water supply to the fishing pole holder.

17. The telescoping boat shower of claim 16, further comprising a pull tab attached to a top end of the smaller, upper telescoping extension, the pull tab adapted to allow a user to extend the telescoping shower out of the fishing pole holder.

18. The telescoping boat shower of claim 16, wherein the means for spraying water is a shower head.

19. The telescoping boat shower of claim 16, wherein the collapsible extensions extend upwardly out of the fishing pole holder under force of the water from the water supply.

20. The telescoping boat shower of claim 16, wherein the adaptable fitting is an integral part of the fishing pole holder.