Mobile Shower Unit

Abstract

A collapsible and portable cleaning unit. The unit is preferably designed to provide a private shower experience that is comparable to a shower experience for a permanent shower installed at a location, such as a bathroom in a dwelling. This inventive shower unit is designed to be fully portable in a self contained collapsed mode that is substantially contained within the overall footprint of the unit. The unit includes a substantial self supporting base structure and a cap that secures to the base structure to protect the internal components and seals for storage. This unit includes a supportive base that has a pan for directing and containing water from the shower. The unit is designed to provide height clearance that is substantially comparable to showers that are in permanent facilities and/or dwellings.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims benefit of co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/255,761 filed Oct. 28, 2010, entitled “Mobile Shower Unit”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a personal cleaning unit, such as a shower, and more particularly to a collapsible shower that is fully portable yet provides a shower experience consistent with a permanent shower unit installed at a location, such as a dwelling or facility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous institutes and individuals that have a need for an apparatus that provides a personal portable cleaning location. These institutions and persons include the military, safety organizations such as law enforcement, fire department, emergency medical services and the like, health care providers, and the camping and outdoor enthusiasts. These organizations and people generally have a need for a cleaning unit that can adequately provide a personalized cleaning area and yet is easily transported between locations in a smaller or more compact state. Once at a location where those persons and/or organization members need or desire to clean themselves or others, an apparatus needs to have the capability of satisfactorily filling that need and transforming into a deployed or expanded state.

There have been several attempts in the art to provide equipment that fill this need for these various organizations. Some prior attempts have included a simple spigot or spout used to direct water as desired by a user. Other attempts have been directed at forming a shower unit through various usages of frames, shower curtains, and pipes for water flow.

Several of these prior attempts have fallen short in one or more areas. For example, some lack an easily assembled unit. Others lack a base or support structure that separates the user, and more particularly his or her feet, from the surrounding ground and/or surface. Others lack sufficient structure to maintain the shower integrity through moderate, or even mild, wind conditions in an outdoor ambient environment. Still others lack construction features that provide enough durability to the cleaning unit for multiple assemblies and usages by numerous individuals.

What is needed then is a mobile cleaning unit, for example a shower unit, which is collapsible and can easily be assembled. Preferably this unit includes a base that provides for fluid flow and separates the person cleaning within the unit from the surrounding ground and/or surface. Preferably this unit has a durable structure that can withstand ambient conditions yet can collapse into itself and provide an easily portable unit that can be taken to a new location. This cleaning unit is lacking in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a collapsible and portable cleaning unit, which can be described as a collapsible shower unit. The unit is preferably designed to provide a shower experience that is comparable to a shower experience for a permanent shower installed at a location, such as a bathroom in a dwelling. This inventive cleaning unit is designed to be fully portable in a collapsed mode that is substantially contained within the overall footprint of the unit. This unit includes a supportive base that includes a pan for directing and containing water from the shower. The unit is designed to provide height clearance that is substantially comparable to showers that are in permanent facilities and/or dwellings.

Preferably the unit is collapsible within a matter of minutes and can be fully portable such that it is generally contained within the footprint of the unit. Additionally, the unit is preferably designed so that one person can move the unit once it is collapsed and in a pack state.

Preferably the unit includes a water removal system within the base and a water dispersing system within the top wherein both the base and the top include a perimeter that generally determines the external dimensions of the unit in both a collapsed position and in an extended position. A shower curtain is operatively attached to the top and a collapsible frame is affixed to the base and the top. The collapsible frame includes a plurality of stanchions that are rotatively attached to the base and to the top. Additionally, a middle joint is positioned between the base end and top end of each stanchion such that the middle joint is configured to position the top end of each stanchion approximate to the bottom end of that stanchion when the cleaning unit is in the collapsed position.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide a portable cleaning unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible cleaning unit.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cleaning unit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable cleaning unit having a base with a water removal system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable cleaning unit that can collapse into an area approximately the size of its own footprint.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cleaning unit that can be easily assembled.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown transitioning from a collapsed position to an expanded position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown completing a transition to an expanded position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in an expanded position.

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom perspective view of a top made in accordance with the current disclosure showing an example of water dispersion system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a water dispersion system made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a water dispersion system made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of a water heating unit used to provide warm water for a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a top view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 9B is a front view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 9C is a side view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a base made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a front view of a base made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 10C is a side view of a base made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an assembled frame made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a detail of the area A in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12B is a detail of the area B in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 is a partially collapsed view of a frame made in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 13A is a detail of the area A in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown transitioning from a collapsed position to an expanded position.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown completing a transition to an expanded position.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit made in accordance with the current disclosure shown in an expanded position.

FIG. 18 is a partial bottom perspective view of a top made in accordance with the current disclosure showing an example of water dispersion system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1-18 a portable cleaning unit is shown and generally designated by the numeral 10. The unit 10 includes a base 12, collapsible frame 14, top 16, and shower curtain 56. Additionally, a water dispersion system 17 is used to carry water into the top 16, or cap 16, for dispersing water within the unit 10 for cleaning. A water removal system 20 is used to collect and disperse used water from the unit.

The base 12 includes a perimeter 11 and a water removal system 20. The water removal system 20 has an exit opening 42, which can be described as a drain 42, and at least one exit water path 22. The top 16, which can also be described as a cap 16, includes a perimeter 15 and a water dispersing system 17. The water dispersing system 17 includes a dispersing device 54, which can be described as a shower head 54, and at least one entrance water path 18, which can be described as a supply water path 18. A shower curtain 56 is operatively attached to the top 16 and a collapsible frame 14 is fixed to both the base 12 and the top 16.

The frame 14 includes a plurality of stanchions 24 wherein each stanchion 24 includes at least one rotational location 26 wherein the rotational location 26 is positioned to contain the frame 14 within the perimeter 11 of the base 12 and the perimeter 15 of the top 16 when the unit is in a collapsed position or in an expanded position.

Preferably each stanchion 24 includes a base end 28 rotatively attached to the base 12, a top end 29, or a cap end 29, rotatively attached to the top 16, and a middle joint 30, which can be described as an intermediate rotational location 30. The middle joint 30 is configured to position the top end 29 proximate to the base end 28 when the unit 10 is in the collapsed position. The base end 28, top end 29, and middle joint 30 can be described as rotational locations 26 on the stanchions 24 that facilitate the expansion and collapsing of the unit 10.

The intermediate rotation locations 30 can include fastening locations 36, or joint fastener 36, used to secure the intermediate rotation locations 30 in a locked position to secure the stanchions 24 in an upright and locked position. The fastening locations 36 can include those locking devices known in the art but preferably include an aperture and pin configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the devices that comprise the attachment of the base end 28 to the base 12, the top end 29 to the top 16 and the middle joint 30 are hinge joints that restrict movement of the stanchion 24 to which the base end 28, top end 29, and middle joint 30 are a part of to a plane. This can be best seen in FIGS. 2, 13, and 15.

The frame 14 can further include a first stanchion 61, second stanchion 62, third stanchion 63 and fourth stanchion 64 that extend from the base 12 to the top 16. Each of these stanchions 61-64 facilitate both of the suspended positioning of the top 16 relative to the base 12 when the unit 10 is in the expanded position and include the rotational locations 26 to facilitate the collapsed position of the unit 10 when not in use.

Additionally, a first fixed support bar 66 can be positioned between the first and second stanchions 61-62 and a second fixed support bar 68 can be fixed between the third stanchion and fourth stanchion 63-64. As best seen in FIG. 3, a first rotatable support bar 32 can be removeably attached to one or more of the stanchions to establish the non-entry side to the unit 10. This rotatable support rod 32 preferably is removeably attached to the second stanchion 62 and rotatively attached to the third stanchion 63. This further facilitates horizontal support to the frame 14 and unit 10.

In another embodiment as best seen in FIG. 12-13A, the support rod 32 has portions of the support rod 32 rotatively attached to at least two of the stanchions 24. A support rod 32 can latch at ends 34 to secure the spatial relationship between the stanchions 24 once the frame 14 is in a fully assembled position. In this embodiment, ends 34 preferably include a slideable latch but can include other latching techniques known in the art.

The frame could further include a second rotatable support bar 33 removeably attached to one of the stanchions 61-64, while rotatively attached to the base 12. In a preferred embodiment, this second rotatable support bar 33 is removeably attached to the second stanchion 62.

Preferably, the frame 14 comprises aluminum, or galvanized or stainless steel materials. Additionally, the frame could be created from PVC, wood or other rigid materials.

The curtain 56 can attach to the frame 14. More specifically, the curtain 56 preferably attaches to the frame 14 proximate the cap 16. The curtain is designed to contain the water as it flows from the dispersion device 54 and provide privacy to a user of the unit 10. The curtain 56 can be attached to the frame by conventional methods including rings, Velcro, and the like. The curtain 56 preferably includes a see through section 57 that allows a user of the unit 10 to see through the curtain during use, as seen in FIG. 4. Alternately, the curtain 56 can include a shortened height that stops short of the full length of the frame 14, or leaves a viewing line of sight for a user of the unit 10, as shown in FIG. 11. The curtain 56 preferably attaches to a portion of the frame 14 that is positioned within the top 16 and within the thickness 58 of the top 16.

The base 12 includes a collection cavity 40, or pan 40, positioned to face the top 16. The pan 40 collects and directs the used water toward the exit opening 42, or drain 42, for the used water to pass from the unit 10. The drain 42 allows used water to pass to at least one exit water path 22. Preferably, the exit water path 22 is a channel in the substantially planner bottom 13 of the base 12 wherein the channel extends from the drain 42 to the perimeter 11 of the base 12. A water conduit, or drainage hose, can be attached to the drain 42 and positioned in the exit water path 22 to carry used water away from the location of the unit 10. The base can include multiple exit water paths 22 extending different sides 46 of the base 12.

The base 12 includes at least three sides 46 positioned to engage the frame 14. More specifically, the sides 46 include attachment locations 48 positioned to engage the rotational locations 26 positioned at the base end 28 of the stanchions 24 of the frame 14. These attachment locations 48 can be positioned on a ledge or top surface 50 of the sides 46.

Preferably the base 12 includes a front entry 52 having a dam to contain water within the base 12. The front entry 52 also facilitates entry and egress from the unit 10. The base 12 and more specifically the pan 40 has a preleveled nature. The base is preleveled such that the water flows on the collection cavity 40 towards the drain 42 to reduce the incident of standing water on the collection cavity 40. Preferably the base 12 is a gel coat structure reinforced with fiberglass. Alternately, the base could be composed of acrylic, urethane, ABS or other similarly malleable plastic materials. The base provides the foundation for the remainder of the unit 10.

The top 16, or cap 16, facilitates the dispersion of water within the unit 10. Preferably the cap 16 includes a water dispersion system 17 having a dispersion device 54, or shower head 54, positioned within the cap 16 to disperse said water. The cap 16 includes a thickness 58 and the dispersion device and the at least one entrance water path are preferably contained within that thickness 58.

A supply water path 18 provides water to the shower head 54. The supply water path 18 is preferably one or more water inlet pipes operatively connected to the shower head 54 and includes connectors 21 design to interface with water supply lines 19. In a preferred embodiment the supply water path include a “Y” that allows multiple units 10 to be connect by a single water supple source. The supply water path includes connectors 21 and shutoff valves 38 to facilitate this connection. Alternately, the “Y” design can facilitate both hot and cold water connections to a single unit 10.

Water can be supplied to the unit 10 in various manners. For example, a heating tank 80 can supply water. The heating tank 80 can include a pressurizing device 82, such as a hand pump 82, a water line 84 with a valve 86 that ends in a connector 88 that interfaces with connectors 21 in the supply water path 18. A stand 90 can be used to facilitate heating of the water in the heating tank 80. Alternately, items such as a battery powered pump can connect to the supply water path 18 and provide water o the unit 10.

The cap 16 further includes an external shell 70 and ribs 72 positioned in the external shell 70. The cap 16 is preferably created from ABS vacuum formed materials but could be composed of other materials such as, acrylic, fiberglass reinforced gel coat material, or other similar malleable materials.

Once collapsed, a cap 16 can envelope the water dispersion system 17, water removal system 20, shower curtain 56, and collapsible frame 14, and pan 40 with the exception of the bottom of the base 12. The cap 16 and base 12 can secure these item within their structure for protection and storage. The cap 16 can include at least one closure fastener 74 operative between the cap 16 and base 12 to secure the cap 16 to the base 12 when in the collapsed position. The cap 16 can include a handle 60 and that facilitates the movement of the collapsed unit 10. Preferably this movement can be accomplished by a single person who can position the unit 10 at a desired location for assembly. Preferably this assembly can take place in minutes and most preferably within approximately a ten minute span.

Once assembled the unit 10 can provide the general vertical and horizontal space associated with cleaning units, such as showers that are permanently fixed in dwellings or facilities. This provides sufficient room to facilitate a comparable cleaning experience with dexterity and mobility allowances for the bather during use of the unit 10 that are comparable to permanent units.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful Mobile Shower Unit, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention. The above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations and are merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible and portable cleaning unit comprising:

a collapsed position;

an expanded position;

a base including a perimeter and a water removal system having an exit opening and at least one exit water path;

a top including a perimeter and a water dispersion system having a dispersion device and at least one entrance water path;

a shower curtain operatively attached to the top; and

a collapsible frame fixed to the base and top, the collapsible frame having a plurality of stanchions, each stanchion including a base end rotatively attached to the base, a top end rotatively attached to the top, and a middle joint spaced between the base end and the top end and configured to positioned the top end proximate to the bottom end for said stanchion when the cleaning unit is in the collapsed position.

2. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein for each of the plurality of stanchions the attachment of the base end to the base, the attachment the top end to the top, and the middle joint are hinge joints restricting movement of said stanchion to a plane.

3. The cleaning unit of claim 1, further including

a joint fastener shaped to lock the middle joint when cleaning unit is in the expanded position;

at least one closure fastener operative between the top and base to secure the top to the base when in the collapsed position; and

a carrying handle positioned on the top.

4. The cleaning unit of claim 1, the frame further including a first stanchion, a second stanchion, a third stanchion, a four stanchion, a first support bar fixed between the first stanchion and the second stanchion and a second support fixed between the third stanchion and the four stanchion.

5. The cleaning unit of claim 4, the frame further including a first rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the third stanchion.

6. The cleaning unit of claim 5, the frame further including a second rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the base.

7. The cleaning unit of claim 1 wherein the top further includes an external shell and ribs positioned in the external shell.

8. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the dispersion device is a shower head and the at least one entrance water path is water inlet pipe operatively connected to the shower head.

9. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the top includes a thickness and the dispersion device and the at least one entrance water path are contained within that thickness.

10. The cleaning unit of claim 9, wherein the shower curtain is attached to a portion of the frame positioned within the thickness of the top.

11. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a collection cavity positioned to face the top and a substantially planner bottom positioned opposite the collection cavity, the exit opening being a drain in the base and the at least one exit water path is a channel in the bottom extending from the drain to the perimeter of the base.

12. The cleaning unit of claim 1, wherein the water dispersion system, water removal system, shower curtain, and collapsible frame are contained within the perimeter of the base and within the perimeter of the top in both the collapsed position and the expanded position.

13. A collapsible and portable cleaning unit comprising:

a collapsed position;

an expanded position;

a base including a perimeter and a water removal system having an exit opening and at least one exit water path;

a cap including a perimeter and a water dispersion system having a dispersion device and at least one entrance water path;

a shower curtain operatively attached to the cap; and

a collapsible frame fixed to the base and the cap, the collapsible frame having a plurality of stanchions where each stanchion includes at least one rotational location positioned to contain the collapsible frame within the perimeter of the base and the perimeter of the cap when in the unit is in the collapsed position and in the expanded position.

14. The cleaning unit of claim 13, wherein each stanchion includes a base end rotatively attached to the base, a cap end rotatively attached to the cap, and a middle joint spaced between the base end and the cap end, the middle joint configured to positioned the cap end proximate to the bottom end when the cleaning unit is in the collapsed position.

15. The cleaning unit of claim 13, wherein the water dispersion system, water removal system, and the shower curtain are contained within the perimeter of the base and within the perimeter of the top in both the collapsed position and the expanded position.

16. The cleaning unit of claim 13, the frame further including:

a first, second, third, and four stanchions;

a first support bar fixed between the first stanchion and the second stanchion;

a second support fixed between the third stanchion and the four stanchion;

a first rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the third stanchion; and

a second rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the base.

17. The cleaning unit of claim 13, wherein the base further includes a collection cavity positioned to face the cap and a substantially planner bottom positioned opposite the collection cavity, the exit opening being a drain in the base and the at least one exit water path is a channel in the bottom extending from the drain to the perimeter of the base.

18. A collapsible and portable cleaning unit comprising:

a collapsed position;

an expanded position;

a top including a perimeter, a thickness, and a water dispersion system having a dispersion device and at least one entrance water path, the dispersion device and the at least one entrance water path being contained within the thickness;

a base including a perimeter, substantially planner bottom, a collection cavity positioned to face the top, and a water removal system, the water removal system having an exit opening in fluid communication with at least one exit water path, the at least one exit water path extending from the exit opening to the perimeter of the base;

a shower curtain operatively attached to the top;

a collapsible frame fixed to the base and top, the collapsible frame having a plurality of stanchions, each stanchion including a base end rotatively attached to the base, a top end rotatively attached to the top, and a middle joint spaced between the base end and the top end and configured to positioned the top end proximate to the bottom end for said stanchion when the cleaning unit is in the collapsed position, and the rotative attachment of the top end, the rotative attachment of the bottom end and middle joint are positioned to contain the collapsible frame within the perimeter of the base and the perimeter of the cap when in the unit is in the collapsed position and in the expanded position

the water dispersion system, water removal system, shower curtain, and collapsible frame are contained within the perimeter of the base and within the perimeter of the top in both the collapsed position and the expanded position.

19. The cleaning unit of claim 18, the frame further including:

a first, second, third, and four stanchions;

a first support bar fixed between the first stanchion and the second stanchion;

a second support fixed between the third stanchion and the four stanchion;

a first rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the third stanchion; and

a second rotatable support bar removably attached to the second stanchion and rotatively attached to the base.

20. The cleaning unit of claim 19, wherein for each of the plurality of stanchions the attachment of the base end to the base, the attachment the top end to the top, and the middle joint are hinge joints restricting movement of said stanchion to a plane.

21. The cleaning unit of claim 20, further including

a joint fastener shaped to lock the middle joint when cleaning unit is in the expanded position;

at least one closure fastener operative between the top and base to secure the top to the base when in the collapsed position; and

a carrying handle positioned on the top

the top having an external shell and ribs positioned in the external shell.