Corner shower unit

Abstract

A shower system provides a corner shower unit which includes a track defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support and a multitude of showerheads are mounted to the track for vertical adjustment. The lumbar support permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support while a multitude of spray jets provide a massage action directly to the bather. A steam generation system is incorporated into the corner shower unit to mist steam from steam ports such that shower may also be utilized as a steam room.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shower unit, and more particularly to a corner shower unit with a lumbar cushion.

Oversized luxury showers and accessories are becoming increasing desirable in new construction and bathroom renovations. Such showers typically include one or more multi-function showerheads individually mounted to a ceiling or wall of the shower. Each showerhead typically provides a plurality of spray modes, including various standard sprays and pulsed sprays. Multi-function showerheads may also have flow control valves to allow the user to adjust the flow pressure to a desired level.

Although somewhat effective in providing a desired shower experience, even luxury showers may lack various massage and bathing features more associated with a whirlpool tub. However, the time requirements associated with filling a whirlpool bath often outweigh and operate as an impediment to more regular usage of the whirlpool tub.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a shower which provides the massage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience without the time requirements associated with filling a relatively large whirlpool tub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shower system according to the present invention provides a corner shower unit with a track defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support and a multitude of showerheads are mounted to the track for vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit such that the lumbar support is positionable for bathers of various heights. The corner shower unit permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support while a multitude of shower jets to provide a massage action. The shower unit is manufactured of relatively soft resilient materials to cushion a bather leaning thereupon.

Each of the multitude of showerheads are also mounted to the track. The multitude of showerheads are individually adjustable along the length of the track to shower the bather from various directions.

A steam generation system is incorporated into the corner shower unit to mist steam from steam ports such that shower may also be utilized as a steam room.

The present invention therefore provides a shower system that provides the massage and bathing features of a whirlpool tub experience without the time requirements associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a shower unit designed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an expanded view of a lumbar support attachment mounting arrangement with a track of a shower unit; and

FIG. 3 is an expanded view of showerhead mounting arrangement with a track located upon a shower unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of a shower 10. The shower 10 generally includes a base 12, one or more walls 14 and a ceiling 16. 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 also 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.

A corner shower unit 18 is mounted in a corner intersection of the walls 14. The corner shower unit 18 is preferably a single molded component having an inner periphery defined by a radius 20.

An overhead showerhead 22 extends adjacent an upper segment 24 of the corner shower unit 18. A rectilinear showerhead 26A, 26B preferably flank the overhead showerhead 22 to dispense water in sheets to provide a waterfall effect upon the bather. It should be understood that although a rectilinear waterfall shower is preferred, other shower effects will also be usable with the present invention.

The corner shower unit 18 includes a track 28 preferably defined along a vertical height thereof. A lumbar support 30 is mounted to the track 28 for vertical adjustment relative the corner shower unit 18 to position the lumbar support 30 for bathers of various heights. The corner shower unit 18 permits a bather standing in the shower to lean against the lumbar support 30. The lumbar support 30 supports a lower back while a multitude of spray jets 32 provide a water jet massage spray action. Most preferably, the shower unit 12 is manufactured of relatively soft resilient materials such as a semi-rigid waterproof foam to cushion a bather leaning thereupon.

The lumbar support 30 is attached to the track 28 through a tab 31 and groove 33 sliding interface arrangement 35 formed with the track 28 (FIG. 2). The sliding interface arrangement 35 permits movement of the lumbar support 30 while providing communication of water from a water supply to the spray jets 32 through flexible water supply conduit (FIG. 2; illustrated schematically at 37). Locking features such as teeth 39 preferably retain the lumbar support 3Q in a vertical position along the track 28. It should be understood that although a sliding slot and groove interface is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, various other interface and vertical locking arrangements may alternatively or additionally be used with the present invention.

The lumbar support 30 includes a shelf area 34 upon an upper surface to store bathing supplies or such like. Various raised surface details 41 are further located upon the surface of the lumbar support 30.

Each of the multitude of spray jets 32 are located within a recess 36 such that water spray is not blocked when a bather leans upon the lumbar support 30. By locating the spray jets 32 in the lumbar support 30 a significant massage action is provided to the lower back of the bather. The spray jets 32 provide a soothing massage while the bather is standing in the shower. In other words, the massage effect of the water jets common to a whirlpool tub experience is combined with the convenience of a shower.

A multitude of showerheads 38 are also mounted to the track 28. The multitude of showerheads are preferably spherical in shape and may be individually adjusted along the length of the track 28 in a manner as the lumbar support 30. The multitude of showerheads 38 may also be aimed through various attachments such as a ball and socket arrangement. A portion of each showerhead 38 defines a ball portion 40 which is received within a complementary socket 42 (FIG. 3) that interfaces with the track 28 to provide vertical adjustment and water communication as discussed with regard to the lumbar support 30. It should be understood that although a sliding slot and groove interface is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, various other sliding interface and vertical locking arrangements may alternatively or additionally be used with the present invention.

A steam generation system 44 is preferably incorporated into the corner shower unit 18 to mist steam from steam ports 46. The steam ports 46 are located along an outer edge 48 of the corner shower unit 18 such that shower may then be utilized as a steam room.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A shower system comprising:

a corner shower unit;

a lumbar support mounted to said corner shower unit; and

a spray jet mounted within said lumbar support.

2. The shower system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lumbar support is manufactured of a resilient material.

3. The shower system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lumbar support is movable relative said corner shower unit.

4. The shower system as recited in claim 1, wherein said lumbar support is vertically adjustable.

5. The shower system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a multitude of showerheads mounted to said corner shower unit.

6. The shower system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are movable relative said corner shower unit.

7. The shower system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are vertically adjustable.

8. The shower system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are generally spherical.

9. The shower system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an overhead showerhead mounted to said corner shower unit.

10. The shower system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a steam generation system mounted within said corner shower unit.

11. A shower system comprising:

a corner shower unit;

a lumbar support mounted to said corner shower unit, said lumbar support being vertically adjustable along a track formed within said corner shower unit; and

a spray jet mounted within said lumbar support.

12. The shower system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a multitude of showerheads mounted to said track.

13. The shower system as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are individually movable along said track.

14. The shower system as recited in claim 12, wherein each of said multitude of showerheads are generally spherical.

15. A method of showering water within a shower comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a lumbar support within a shower in which a standing bather may lean against; and

(2) showering water from a spray jet located within the lumbar support to shower the bather.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the vertical position of the lumbar support.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of:

adjusting a vertical position of a showerhead relative the lumbar support.