Shower for washing a person's head

Abstract

A compact shower for washing a person's head has a basin having a surface that slopes downwardly to a drain, and a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing sides of the basin and spanning over the basin. A lower facing surface of the overhead structure is fitted with at least one spray nozzle for directing a sprayed pattern of water downwardly from the overhead structure and into the basin. A water supply pipe, connected to a pressurized source of water flow, extends within the overhead structure and connects to the at least one spray nozzle. Valve control handles are positioned exteriorly of the basin for controlling the water temperature and pressure. The valve handles can be operated by the user while the user's head is positioned under the overhead structure so that only the user's head is drenched with water and the remainder of the user's body remains dry.

Description

This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/377,590 filed on Feb. 9, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compact showers, and more particularly to a compact shower that is particularly adapted to receiving the head of a user while either standing or seated, and wherein the shower includes an interior wash chamber having a plurality of nozzles for discharging a sprayed array of water onto the user's head and face.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

There are times throughout the day when many people like to wash their face, and maybe even rinse their hair, in order to freshen up without having to disrobe and take a conventional shower. Moreover, many people like to simply wash their hair and face in the morning, especially when it is cold, as an alternative to taking a shower. Washing one's hair and face in the sink can usually be accomplished in about one minute, using far less water than using a conventional shower. Also, when a full body shower is not necessary, people can avoid the discomfort of getting cold when stepping out of the shower. Moreover, people who are in a hurry to get to work may find it more convenient to wash their face and, if they choose, their hair using the sink as opposed to the conventional shower. As stated above, this can be accomplished in about 1-2 minutes, while it may take a few more minutes to dry one's hair.

When travelling, one may find it more convenient to simply wash their face, and possibly their hair, as opposed to taking a shower. Additionally, even if a shower is not needed, many people simply prefer to freshen up while traveling by splashing water on their face and quickly drying off with a towel. While many people do wash their face and hair in a sink during the course of a day, using a sink is not entirely convenient. The fact on a sink is usually fixed and it is difficult to get one's head under the flow of water exiting the faucet. Additionally, since the sink is open on the sides, water tends to splash around the sink, on the vanity or countertop and mirror. This leaves a mess and creates additional work for the person having to clean the bathroom. Further, because the sink is generally horizontally oriented, a person needs to bend forward and downwardly to an uncomfortable position to get their head inside the sink.

Accordingly, there remains a definite need for a compact shower structure that is specifically adapted for receiving a person's head while comfortably standing or seated, and wherein the shower has an arrangement of nozzles that are particularly adapted to dispense a sprayed array of water onto the top, sides and back of the user's head, as well as the face, without the user having to move their head into awkward positions.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a compact shower that allows a person to wash their hair and/or face at any time of the day that is convenient and without having to completely disrobe.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower for washing a person's hair and face in approximately 1-2 minutes.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower that can be mounted within a wall structure in a bathroom or supported on a vanity, and wherein the compact shower structure allows a person to comfortably and quickly wash their face without having to move into awkward positions.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower for washing a person hair and face, and wherein the shower includes a wash chamber that is specifically shaped and configured for comfortably receiving the persons head therein, and further, wherein the shower includes a plurality of nozzles within the chamber for dispensing a sprayed array of water at optimal angles and positions to rinse the person's hair and face.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower for washing a person's hair and face, and wherein the shower is adapted for connection to conventional plumbing within a home, hotel or other building structure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower that is adapted to receive a person's head for washing the hair and face, and wherein the shower includes hot and cold water handles for turning the water on and off and for adjusting the water temperature and pressure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower for washing a person's hair and face that uses considerably less water than a conventional shower.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower for washing a person's hair and face uses less water and is environmentally friendly, and further wherein the shower may qualify for federal government tax credits for hotels, businesses and residences.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a compact shower for washing a person's hair and face which consists of a wash chamber having a means for water spraying (e.g. spray nozzles), a means for controlling the water temperature and pressure (e.g. hot and cold water handles), a pump for delivering water to the wash chamber, a drain to receive and remove the used water, and a means for supporting the assembly at an elevated location (e.g. a wall mounting or a mobile cart, as shown below).

The first component of the present invention is the wash chamber. The wash chamber may be of any conventional shape which is suitable for receiving a person's head. Along a portion of the interior of the wash chamber, preferably an upper portion, a means for water spraying will deliver water to the central open area of the chamber (i.e. the area where a person's head would be). This means for spraying water can be altered based on user preferences, and may include a number of spray nozzles or other conventional means. In a preferred embodiment, the angle at which water is sprayed may be altered at any time by the user to match their needs and provide optimal cleaning. Additionally, the wash chamber may include an extendable shower hose which the user may hold in their hand and position around their head while water sprays from the nozzle at the end of the hose. The wash chamber of the present invention may include only the shower hose as the primary means for water spraying, or it may include it as an addition to the primary means (e.g. nozzles along the interior wall).

The second component of the present invention is the means for controlling water temperature and pressure. This may be achieved by any conventional means (e.g. hot and cold water handles, a rotatable handle, etc.). The control means will preferably be located along the structure of the wash chamber but not inside the wash chamber where water is being received. In a preferred embodiment, the control handle(s) are located beneath the wash chamber facing horizontally outward. Both the temperature of the water spraying into the wash chamber and the pressure (i.e. speed at which the water is being sprayed) may be changed at any time according to the user's preferences.

The third component of the present invention is a pump for delivering water to the wash chamber. The pump may be included as part of a complete shower assembly (e.g. as part of the mobile cart assembly discussed below) or it may be provided separately (e.g. in the case of a private home installment). The pump provides adequate water pressure to deliver water through a pipe to the wash chamber.

The fourth component of the present invention is a drain for removing used water from the wash chamber. The drain will be preferably located at the lowest point in the sloped bottom surface of the wash chamber. Water will pass through the drain and through an exit pipe where it may be transported to a destination suitable for waste water (e.g. through sewage pipes for a wall mounting or to a waste-collecting bucket for the mobile cart assembly described below).

The fifth and final component of the present invention is a means for supporting the shower assembly at an elevated location. In a first preferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted within a wall at an elevated height. Support structures within the wall will hold the shower assembly along its upper and lower surfaces to sustain its weight and ensure that it is securely attached. Pipe connections to the shower assembly in this embodiment preferably run through the wall to the main water lines (i.e. the pipes used for the sinks, showers etc.).

In a second preferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted on a flat horizontal surface, such as on a bathroom countertop, similarly to how a sink is made. In this second preferred embodiment, the back surface of the wash chamber may be removed, in which case the chamber will consist primarily of a recess in the flat horizontal surface (i.e. a water-receiving basin) and an overhead means for spraying water (e.g. a solid arch with nozzle(s) built in, etc.). The means for controlling water temperature and pressure (e.g. water handle(s)) are preferably located to the side(s) of the wash basin on the flat horizontal surface.

In a third preferred embodiment, the assembly is mounted on a flat horizontal surface as part of a mobile cart. The cart consists of a lower flat horizontal surface and an upper flat horizontal surface. The shower assembly is built into the upper flat horizontal surface in the same manner as in the second embodiment. The bottom flat horizontal surface holds the clean and dirty water buckets and supports the pump for supplying clean water to the wash chamber. A number of wheels may preferably be installed along the bottom face of the lower flat horizontal surface in order to make the assembly mobile. An on-off switch may be included to turn the pump on and off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention taken along A′-A′ as shown in FIG. 1

FIGS. 3-6 are frontal elevational views of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a variety of nozzle arrangements along the continuous overhead structure.

FIG. 7 is a frontal elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a shower hose being connected to the continuous overhead structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7, a first preferred embodiment of the shower assembly of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The shower assembly 10 consists primarily of a washing chamber 20, a means 30 for controlling the water temperature and pressure (e.g. hot and cold water handles), and a drain 40 to receive and remove the used water.

The washing chamber 20 has a continuous overhead structure 22 which includes a means 24 for spraying water (e.g. spray nozzles). Some various means 24 for spraying water are shown in FIGS. 3-7. FIG. 3 shows a plurality of built-in spray nozzles, each of which emit several streams of water at different angles. FIG. 4 shows a plurality of built in single-stream spray nozzles. FIGS. 5-6 show a plurality of and a single external spray nozzle, respectively. FIG. 7 shows a hose and nozzle extending outward from the overhead structure 22, allowing the user to have full control over the direction and location of the stream of water.

The wall mounted shower assembly of the first embodiment, as shown clearly in FIGS. 1-2, receives pressurized water through an intake pipe 31. Water handle(s) 30 control the operations of a valve 32 which allows varying levels of fluid flow to pass through the spray nozzle(s) 24 to the washing chamber 20. The water is used within the washing chamber 20 for cleaning and then proceeds to a bottom inner surface 21 of washing chamber 20 which slopes downward to the drain 40 which allows used water to escape through the drainage pipe 42. The assembly 10 is mounted on a wall W through interior support structures S within wall W.

Referring to FIG. 8, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 100. The shower assembly 100 is built into a flat horizontal surface C (such as a bathroom countertop). The assembly 100 includes a continuous overhead structure 122 which includes a means 124 for spraying water (e.g. a number of spray nozzles). Means 124 are controlled by water handle(s) 130 which control the water temperature and pressure delivered. A recess 121 in the surface C collects used water and is sloped downward to a drain which allows the water to exit, much in the same fashion as the first embodiment 10 of FIGS. 1-7.

Referring to FIG. 9, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 200. The shower assembly 200 includes a continuous overhead structure 222 which includes a means 224 for spraying water (e.g. a number of spray nozzles). Means 224 are controlled by water handle(s) 230 which control the water temperature and pressure delivered. A recess 221 in an upper slab 262 of a cart 260 collects used water and is sloped downward to a drain 240 which allows the water to exit through the drainage pipe 242 to the collecting container 244 on the bottom slab 263. Water is supplied from a fresh water container 254 by a pump 250. Pump 250 is powered by a button 251 which connects 252 to the pump. A switch 253 controls the heating systems for heating the water in container 254. Water is pumped through the intake pipe 231 into the continuous overhead structure 222. The cart 260 includes wheels 261 connected to the bottom slab 263 to give it mobility. After the end of use, the collecting container 244 must be emptied, and the clean water container 254 must be refilled with clean water.

While the present invention has been shown in accordance with the preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compact shower for washing a person's head comprising:

a basin with a sloped surface that slopes downwardly from a perimeter towards a lowest basin surface area;

a drain located at said lowest basin surface area of said sloped surface, and said drain being adapted for connection to an exit pipe located beneath said sloped surface;

at least one intake pipe adapted for receiving a pressurized flow of water;

a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing sides of said basin and spanning over said basin, said continuous overhead structure having a lower-facing surface, and at least one internal pipe in fluid flow connection with said at least one intake pipe;

at least one nozzle for spraying water out from said lower-facing surface of said continuous overheard structure, said nozzle being connected to said at least one internal pipe; and means for controlling the water temperature and pressure delivered through said at least one internal pipe, said means for controlling the water temperature and pressure using a valve connected to said at least one intake pipe, said valve being structured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes through said at least one intake pipe.

2. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said compact shower further comprises:

a continuous vertical surface extending between a rear of said basin and said continuous overhead structure.

3. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one nozzle is attached to a flexible and extendible hose.

4. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said intake pipes for supplying a combination of cold water and heated water to said at least one nozzle.

5. The compact shower as recited in claim 1 wherein said compact shower is supported within a wall structure.

6. The compact shower as recited in claim 5 wherein said wall structure contains said at least one intake pipe and said exit pipe.

7. A compact shower for washing a person's head comprising:

a basin having a slope surface that slopes downwardly from a perimeter towards a lowest basin surface area;

a drain located at said lowest basin surface area and connected to an exit pipe located beneath said bottom horizontal surface;

at least one intake pipe which receives pressurized water;

a continuous overhead structure extending upwardly from two opposing peripheral edges of said basin and spanning over said basin, said continuous overhead structure having an upper-facing surface, a lower-facing surface, a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface, and said continuous overhead structure containing at least one internal pipe which corresponds to and connects to said at least one intake pipe; means for spraying water out of said lower-facing surface of said continuous overheard structure, said means for spraying water connecting to said at least one internal pipe; and means for controlling the water temperature and pressure delivered through said at least one internal pipe, said means for controlling the water temperature and pressure using a valve connected to said at least one intake pipe, said valve being structured for controlling the amount of fluid which passes through said at least one intake pipe.

8. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for spraying water comprises at least one spray nozzle.

9. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for spraying water comprises a spray nozzle attached to a hose, said hose connecting to said lower-facing surface of said continuous overhead structure.

10. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said at least one intake pipe consists of a plurality of intake pipes which supply a combination of cold water and heated water to said compact shower.

11. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 further comprising a flat horizontal surface surrounding said basin.

12. The compact shower as recited in claim 7 wherein said flat horizontal surface is an upward facing surface of an upper horizontal slab of a cart, said upper horizontal slab further comprising a bottom facing surface and at least one side facing surface.

13. The compact shower cart as recited in claim 12 further comprising:

a lower horizontal slab having an upward facing surface and a lower facing surface;

at least one straight vertical leg extending outwardly from said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab and connecting to said bottom facing surface of said upper horizontal slab;

a clean water container supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab, said clean water container being filled with clean water prior to use of said compact shower, and said clean water container having a heater integrated therein, and said clean water container having an opening leading to said intake pipe;

a collecting container supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab;

a pump supported on said upward facing surface of said lower horizontal slab, said pump providing said pressurized water to said intake pipe; means for turning said pump on and off, said means for turning said pump on and off being located along said at least one side facing surface of said upper horizontal slab; means for turning said heater on and off, said means for turning said heater on and off being located along said at least one side facing surface of said upper horizontal slab; and

a plurality of wheels connected to said lower facing surface of said lower horizontal slab.