Abstract:
A portable solar shower includes two detachable water reservoirs. One of the reservoirs may be coupled to a water source and includes a diverter valve regulating the flow and temperature of water spayed by a shower head, and the other reservoir has a port for coupling to the shower head. When the solar shower is not in use, the reservoirs may be separated from one another to form a compact package adapted for storage or transportation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims benefit from pending non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/176,918, filed Jul. 21, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to showering equipment for outdoor use and, more particularly, to a portable solar shower. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various configurations of solar showers including structural elements having lengths of about 6-7 feet have previously been disclosed. For both manufacturers and consumers of such solar showers, their storage and transportation represent a challenging task. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A portable solar shower is disclosed. In one embodiment, the solar shower includes a first water reservoir having a port for coupling to a water source and a diverter valve for regulating the flow and temperature of water spayed by a shower head thereof, and a second water reservoir having a port for coupling to the shower head. In an exemplary embodiment, the second reservoir is elongated and tubular is shape, with a first end for connecting to the first reservoir and a curved second end having a port for coupling with the shower head. The reservoirs are detachably connected to one another (e.g., using a threaded joint having an outer threaded lock nut, a rubber seal, and an inner threaded coupler attached to the first reservoir for receiving the first end of the second reservoir, etc.). When the solar shower is not in use (for example, stored or transported), the reservoirs may be separated from one another to provide even greater compactness and portability of the shower. 
         [0005]    All objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. 
         [0006]    The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention, which these and additional aspects will become more readily apparent from the detailed description, particularly when taken together with the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing illustrating a solar shower, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating various flows of water in the solar shower of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing illustrating a connection between reservoirs of the solar shower of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water in the solar shower of  FIG. 1  with the diverter valve in an extreme (“cold”) position and a first water reservoir being at least partially empty. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water in the solar shower of  FIG. 1  with the diverter valve in an extreme (“cold”) position and a first water reservoir being full or substantially full of water. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water in the solar shower of  FIG. 1  with the diverter valve in an extreme (“hot”) position and a first water reservoir being full or substantially full of water. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4D  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water in the solar shower of  FIG. 1  with the diverter valve at an intermediate (between “hot” and “cold”) position and a first water reservoir being full or substantially full of water. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals are used, where possible, to designate substantially identical elements that are common to the figures, except that suffixes may be added, when appropriate, to differentiate such elements. 
         [0015]    It has been contemplated that features or steps of one embodiment may be incorporated in other embodiments of the invention without further recitation. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present invention provides a portable solar shower. The invention may advantageously be utilized as an outdoor washing apparatus in open spaces such as, for example, pools, gardens, outdoor hot tubs, campgrounds, etc. 
         [0017]    With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a schematic drawing illustrating a solar shower  100 , according to one embodiment of the invention. The shower  100  includes a first water reservoir  101 , a second water reservoir  103 , and a shower head  116 . The second water reservoir  103  is detachably connected to the first reservoir  101  through a connector portion  120 . Internal pluming of the reservoirs  101  and  103  is discussed in detail below in reference to  FIGS. 2-3 . In operation, water contained in the reservoir  101  is heated by solar radiation  105 , while the elongated, tubular shape of the reservoir  103  allows for quick transport of hot, warm and/or cold water to the shower head  116  resulting in shower spray  117 . 
         [0018]    The reservoir  101  generally includes an enclosure  102 , an intake port  106 , a diverter valve  110  having a handle  112 , and a base  108 . The base  108  supports the shower  100  in an operational position (for example, substantially vertical position). The shower  100  may be coupled to a water source (for example, residential water plumbing or an attachment thereto, such as a garden hose, etc.) via the intake port  106 . The flow and temperature of the water flowing into and sprayed by the shower head  116  are regulated using the diverter valve  110 . 
         [0019]    Typically, the enclosure  102  has a form factor of an elongated cylinder that, in cross-sections, has circular, rectangular, and the like shapes. The enclosure  102  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the enclosure  102  is fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), polyethylene (“PE”), polypropylene (“PP”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”) or acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (“ASA”) using, for example, injection-molding or extrusion techniques. 
         [0020]    The reservoir  103  generally includes an enclosure  104  having a first end  104 A for detachably connecting to reservoir  101  (by means of the connector portion  120 ), a second curved end  104 B for connecting to the shower head  116 , and an outlet port  114  adapted for coupling the second curved end  104 B of enclosure  104  to the shower head  116 . In one embodiment, a length  124  of the water reservoir  103  (about 3-3.5 feet) is approximately equal to a length  122  of the water reservoir  101 . 
         [0021]    Typically, the enclosure  104  has a form factor of an elongated cylinder that, in cross-sections, has circular, rectangular, and the like shapes. The enclosure  104  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the enclosure  104  is fabricated from stainless steel, copper or any other metal based material suitable for use as plumbing piping. In an exemplary embodiment, enclosure  104  is elongated and tubular in shape and is comprised of stainless steel. Alternatively, the second end  104 A of the enclosure  104  is not curved, i.e., it is substantially vertical, and the coupler  114  and shower head  116  are configured so as to allow the shower head to face substantially downward in an appropriate shower spray angle, which a user may modify by adjusting the shower head  116 . 
         [0022]    The connector portion  120  is generally a threaded joint comprised of an outer threaded lock nut  302  (shown in detail in  FIG. 3 ), a rubber seal  304 , and an inner threaded coupler  306 A for receiving the first end  104 A of enclosure  104 , thereby providing a rigid and water-tight coupling between the reservoirs  101  and  103 . As explained in greater detail within (particularly with regard to  FIG. 3 ), connected reservoirs  101  and  103  may be detached by removing the lock nut  302  from the threaded coupler  306 A (e.g., by disengaging the lock nut  302  from the threaded coupler  306 A by unscrewing the lock nut  302 ). Once the lock nut  302  is detached from the inner coupler  306 A, reservoirs  101  and  103  are readily detached by pulling them apart. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram  200  illustrating a flow of water in the shower  100  of  FIG. 1 . Features of the shower  100  in  FIG. 2  are not to scale and various portions or features depicted therein have been exaggerated for illustration purposes. Water is provided into the shower  100  via the intake port  106  of the reservoir  101 , as shown with an arrow  201  (for example, by a garden hose). 
         [0024]    Internal plumbing of the reservoir  101  comprises pipes  202 ,  204 , and  214 ; the diverter valve  110  having an inlet  206  and outlets  208  and  212 ; and a connector portion  120  (depicted within a portion A of  FIG. 2 , an enlarged view of which is depicted in  FIG. 3 ) for connecting the first and second reservoirs  101 ,  103 . The pipe  202  connects the intake port  106  to the inlet  206  of the diverter valve  110 , the pipe  214  extends from the outlet  212  of the diverter valve  110  and is fluidly connected to an interior of the reservoir  103  (for example, an end of pipe  214  is open into reservoir  103 , as shown with arrow  207 , when reservoir  103  is connected with reservoir  101 ), and the pipe  204  extends from the outlet  208  of the diverter valve  110  and is fluidly connected to an interior of the reservoir  101  (for example, an end of the pipe  204  is open into the reservoir  101 , as shown with an arrow  203 ). 
         [0025]    Internal plumbing of the reservoir  103  comprises pipe  214 , originating from outlet  212  of the diverter valve  112  in reservoir  101 . The pipe  214  terminates in and is fluidly connected to an interior of reservoir  103  (as shown with arrow  207 ). Reservoir  103  is comprised of an elongated enclosure  104  and originates at its first end  104 A within the coupler portion  306 A of an inner cover/coupler unit  306  (hereinafter, the “ICCU  306 ”) (depicted in detail in  FIG. 3 ) and terminates at its curved second end  104 B at the outlet port  114 , which is connected to the shower head  116 . 
         [0026]    Generally, the pipes  202 ,  204 , and  214  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, these components of the shower  100  are fabricated from PVC, PE, PP, ABS or ASA using, for example, injection-molding or extrusion techniques. 
         [0027]    In one extreme position of the handle  112  of the diverter valve  110 , illustratively, in a position  213  (shown in phantom) (the “Hot Position”), water coming from the intake port  106  flows through the pipe  202 , inlet  206  and outlet  208  of the diverter valve  110 , and pipe  204  into the reservoir  101 , as shown with the arrow  203 . As the level of water rises in reservoir  101  towards the top of enclosure  102 , water begins to flow into the first end  104 A of the reservoir  103  as that first end is firmly seated within the coupler portion  306 A of the ICCU  306  (shown with arrows  205 A-B) (depicted in detail in  FIG. 3 ). After the reservoir  101  is filled or substantially filled with water, the fill line of which is depicted by line  219 , water continues to flow into and through the first end  104 A, represented by arrows  205 A-B. Thereafter, water flows into and fills the enclosure  104 , represented, respectively, by arrows  207  and  211 , eventually flowing through the outlet port  114  and through the shower head  116 , exiting therefrom as shower spray  117 . In operation, water in the reservoir  101  is heated by the solar radiation  105 , and, with the handle  112  in the Hot Position, water flowing from the shower head  116  has a temperature T, depending, in part, as to whether the water in reservoir  101  has been sufficiently heated. 
         [0028]    Typically, in order to heat water, a user of the shower  100  would close diverter valve  110  by moving the handle  112  to the “off” position as soon as the reservoir  101  is filled or substantially filled with water. By doing so, the water in the reservoir  101  is given time and opportunity to be heated by the solar radiation  105 . If the water in a full or substantially full reservoir  101  (depicted by the fill line  219  in  FIG. 2 ) is given sufficient time, for example, 1-3 hours, to be heated by radiation from the sun  105 , the temperature T of shower water spray  117  will be higher, having a temperature T of T1, i.e., the water will be “hot.” 
         [0029]    If water within reservoir  101  is not given sufficient time to be heated by the sun, then allowing the handle  112  of the diverter valve  110  to remain open in the Hot Position upon filling reservoir  101  will result in the shower water spray  117  of the shower  100  to have a temperature approximating that of the temperature of the source water entering the intake port  106  (e.g., water from a garden hose) and the shower water spray  117  will have a temperature T of T2, i.e., the water will be “cold.” 
         [0030]    In another extreme position of the handle  112 , illustratively, in a position  215  (shown in phantom) (the “Cold Position”), water coming from the intake port  106  flows through the pipe  202 , inlet  206  and outlet  212  of the diverter valve  110  into the pipe  214 . Thereafter, through the pipe  214 , water flows into and through the enclosure  104 , represented by arrows  207  and  211 , respectively, and eventually flowing through the outlet port  114  and through the shower head  116 . In operation in this configuration—the handle  112  in the Cold Position—water flowing from the shower head  116  has a low temperature T2, approximately the same temperature as water coming from the intake port  106  (i.e., “cold” water), which, as stated, is approximately the same temperature of shower water spray  117  when the handle  112  is in the Hot Position and the water within a full or substantially full reservoir  101  has not been sufficiently heated by the solar radiation  105 . 
         [0031]    In operation, by selecting an infinite number of intermediate positions of the handle  112 , temperature of water sprayed by the shower head  116  may be regulated in a range from T2 (“cold”) to T1 (“hot”), depicted in detail in  FIG. 4D . 
         [0032]    It is understood that by application of basic plumbing principles, such as, for example, by changing placement of pipes  202  and  204  and/or by changing the configuration of the diverter valve  110 , the “hot” and “cold” water positions of the handle  112  (i.e., the Hot Position and the Cold Position, respectively) may be reversed. For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , turning the handle  112  to the Hot Position will cause cold (instead of hot) water to flow to the shower head  116 ; conversely, turning the handle  112  to the Cold Position will cause hot (instead of cold) water to flow to the shower head  116 . 
         [0033]    In a preferred embodiment, when the reservoirs  101 ,  103  are at least partially empty, water fills both reservoirs prior to flowing into and from the shower head  116 . For example, when the handle  112  is in the Hot Position (position  213 ), it has been previously disclosed how reservoir  101  is first filled with water entering into an interior thereof from the pipe  204 , represented by arrow  203 . As the level of water rises in reservoir  101  towards the top of enclosure  102 , water only begins to flow into the first end  104 A of the reservoir  103 , when reservoir  101  is substantially full, represented by arrows  205 A-B. After the reservoir  101  is completely filled, the fill line depicted by the line  219 , water continues to flow into enclosure  104  of the reservoir  103 , represented by arrows  205 A-B. By first filling the first reservoir  101 , water therein is given the opportunity to be warmed by solar radiation  105 . 
         [0034]    Similarly, with the handle  112  in the Cold Position (position  215 ), water coming from the intake port  106  flows through the pipe  202 , inlet  206  and outlet  212  of the diverter valve  110  into the pipe  214 . Thereafter, as long as reservoir  101  remains at least partially empty, water flows over the top end (brim) of pipe  214  (see arrow  207 ), and by application of gravitational forces, flows down into reservoir  101 , until it is full (depicted in detail in  FIG. 4A ). As the level of water rises in reservoir  101  towards the top of enclosure  102 , water begins to flow into the first end  104 A of the reservoir  103 , represented by arrows  205 A-B, as that first end is firmly and securely seated in a substantially water tight joint within the coupler portion  306 A of the ICCU  306  (see  FIG. 3 ). After filling the reservoir  101  (the fill line depicted by line  219 ), water continues flowing from pipe  214  into first end  104 A, thereby filling enclosure  104  of reservoir  103  (see partial fill line  220  of enclosure  104  in  FIG. 2 ). Water continues to flow into and fill the elongated enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 , represented by arrow  211 , eventually flowing through the outlet port  114  and through the shower head  116 . In this embodiment, by first filling the first reservoir  101 , water therein is given the opportunity to be warmed by solar radiation  105 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing illustrating a connection between reservoirs  101  and  103  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 3  shows an enlarged view of the portion A in  FIG. 2  in an assembled state of the shower  100  (i.e., when the reservoirs  101  and  103  are attached to one another). 
         [0036]    In the depicted embodiment, the reservoir  101  comprises an enclosure  102 , further comprised of a sidewall  102 A and a bottom (not shown), the ICCU  306  (i.e., inner cover/coupler unit  306 ) (depicted in  FIG. 3  by reference numbers  306 A,  306 B,  306 C and  306 D) and a top cover  310 . In an exemplary embodiment, the ICCU  306  is a single body piece comprised of: a coupler portion  306 A; a concave shaped inner cover portion  306 B; an outer edge  306 C for sealing to enclosure sidewall  102 A and the top cover  310 ; and an inner side wall  306 D for sealing to the sidewall  102 A. 
         [0037]    Typically, the coupler portion  306 A of the ICCU  306  has a form factor of a pipe-shaped elongated cylinder, that, in cross sections, is circular (or like shapes), and is open on both ends, thereby allowing for: the receipt and attachment of first end  104 A of enclosure  104 ; the receipt of the pipe  214  from reservoir  101  for fluidly connecting to an interior of enclosure  104  when reservoirs  101  and  103  are attached;, and the flow of water between reservoirs  101  and  103 . The coupler portion  306 A is further comprised of a threaded portion  308  (for receiving the threaded lock nut  302 ), a sleeve portion  314  and an inner seat  312  (for securely seating the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 ). In connecting reservoirs  101  and  103 , the coupler portion  306 A receives the first end  104 A of the enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 , and, in operation with the rubber seal  304  and the lock nut  302 , comprises the connector portion  120  of the shower  100 , thereby providing a rigid and water-tight coupling between reservoirs  101  and  103 . 
         [0038]    Although in an exemplary embodiment the ICCU  306  is a single body unit, alternatively, the ICCU  306  may be fabricated by joining together a separate coupler unit  306 A and a separate inner cover unit  306 B (with an outer edge  306 C and an inner side wall  306 D), which may be joined together as a water tight joint using water tight adhesives and the like to form the ICCU  306 . 
         [0039]    Typically, the ICCU  306  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, these components of the shower  100  are fabricated from PVC, PE, PP, ABS or ASA using, for example, injection-molding or extrusion techniques to form a single body unit. 
         [0040]    Generally, the ICCU  306  has a circular, concave form factor. In the depicted embodiments, the inner cover portion  306 B of the ICCU  306  is concave in shape, as this configuration provides added strength and support to the coupler portion  306 A. In addition, the concave feature adds resistance strength to withstand the water pressures that build within reservoir  101 , particularly when enclosure  102  is filled with water and especially when both reservoirs  101 ,  103  are filled with water and the shower  100  is in operation. The ICCU  306  further comprises an outer edge  306 C and an inner side wall  306 D for attachment to the open top end of enclosure  102 , thereby forming an inner top seal to reservoir  101 . The ICCU  306  has a circular form factor of a sufficient diameter so as to firmly attach to the diametric top edge  102 B of the enclosure  102 , with inner side wall  306 D firmly flush with the top interior surface of side wall  102 A of enclosure  104  and outer edge  306 C firmly flush with the top edge  102 B of the enclosure  102 . Water-tight joints are fabricated within the paths between adjacent surfaces of outer edge  306 C and top edge  102 B and between the outer surface of the inner side wall  306 D and the inner surface of the side wall  102 A by using water tight sealants and/or adhesives and the like. 
         [0041]    With the ICCU  306  properly affixed and water-tight to the top of enclosure  102 , the coupler portion  306 A extends in an operational position, i.e., substantially vertical, for receipt and secure attachment of the first end  104 A of reservoir  103 . In said operational position, the coupler portion  306 A further allows entry and receipt of the open end of the pipe  214 , which, when reservoirs  101  and  103  are attached, is fluidly connected to an interior of enclosure  104 , represented by arrow  207  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0042]    The top cover  310  provides the outer top surface cover to reservoir  101 . Typically, the form factor of the top cover  310  is circular and of sufficient diameter to firmly affix to the top of enclosure  102 . Generally, the top cover  310  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the top cover  310  is fabricated from PVC, PE, PP, ABS or ASA using, for example, injection-molding or extrusion techniques. 
         [0043]    The top cover  310  is further comprised of an aperture  310 A—to allow passage of the substantially vertically extended coupler portion  306 A—and a side edge  310 B for enclosing around the outer top diametric surface of the side wall  102 A. The top cover  310  is affixed to reservoir  101  by way of a water-tight joint between the interior surfaces of side edge  310 B (including adjacent portions thereto of top cover  310 ) and the joint created by the outer edge  306 C and top edge  102 B using water tight sealants, adhesives, and the like. Water-tight joints are fabricated within the paths between adjacent surfaces of (i) inner side edge  310 B and (ii) the outer, exterior surface of side wall  102 A, the outer exterior edge surface of outer edge  306 C, and the adjacent top exterior surface of outer edge  306 C by using water tight sealants and/or adhesives and the like. 
         [0044]    Alternatively, in addition to water-tight adhesives, sealants and the like, as described herein, other means may be used to create water-tight joints between various elements of the shower  100 . Such other water-tight means include, for example, chemical or heat melding or fusion, mechanical couplers, such as rivets, and other means generally known for creating water-tight joints. 
         [0045]    The coupler portion  306 A of the ICCU  306 , particularly, the threaded portion  308 , extends substantially vertical through the aperture  310 A of the top cover  310 , the open end of which (shown in phantom  320 ) receives the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  when attaching reservoirs  101  and  103 . 
         [0046]    To attach the reservoir  101  to the reservoir  103 , the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  of reservoir  103  and the threaded coupler  308  are advanced towards one another and enclosure  104  is inserted into open end  320  of the coupler  308  and advanced therein until it is firmly seated against seat  312 . The rubber seal  304  and the lock nut  302 , having been previously inserted onto the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  and slid slightly upward in the direction of second end  104 B, are advanced over enclosure  104  towards threaded coupler  308 . The rubber seal  304  is first firmly seated against the top open end of the coupler  308  (all the while keeping the first end  104 A of the enclosure firmly held against the seat  312 ). While maintaining said position, the lock nut  302  is advanced towards the threaded coupler  308 , until the threaded portions of the lock nut  302  and the coupler  308  engage. The lock nut  302  is then firmly tightened to the coupler  308 , by, for example, turning the engaged lock nut  302  in a clockwise rotation, thereby screwing it onto threaded coupler  308  until hand tight, thereby forming joint portion  120  and providing a rigid and water-tight coupling between the reservoirs  101  and  103 . 
         [0047]    When reservoirs  101  and  103  are firmly attached for operation, pipe  214  from reservoir  101  extends into the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 , thereby being fluidly connected to an interior of reservoir  103 , represented by arrow  207  in  FIG. 3 . The shower  100  is now operational as described in the preceding paragraphs. 
         [0048]    Correspondingly, to detach the reservoirs  101  and  103 , the lock nut  302  is disengaged from the threaded coupler  308  of the coupler portion  306 A of the ICCU  306 , and enclosures  102  and  104  are pulled apart, thereby separating the reservoirs  101  and  103 . 
         [0049]    Typically, the lock nut  302  may be fabricated from polymers, plastics, composites, metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, these components of the shower  100  are fabricated from PVC, PE, PP, ABS or ASA using, for example, injection-molding or extrusion techniques. Generally, the lock nut  302  has a threaded inner portion of a circular cross section form factor for engaging with and securing to the threaded coupler portion  308 , and an exterior shape that be a circular cross section form factor, or hexagonal, octagonal or other nut-shaped form factor for ease of tightening and loosening. 
         [0050]    Typically the rubber seal  304  may be fabricated from rubber, synthetic rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, butyl rubber or any number of elastic polymers or like substances used to create water tight seals and washers. Generally, the rubber seal  304  has an inner circular opening for passage of the first end  104 A of the enclosure  104 . When properly engaged, as described above, pressure applied when the lock nut  302  is tightened compresses the rubber seal  304 , thereby creating a secure, water-tight detachable joint  120 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are schematic drawings illustrating the flow of water in the solar shower  100  with the diverter valve  110  (not shown) and handle  112  (not shown) in various positions and with the reservoir  101  being full and/or at least partially empty. Water flow when the handle  112  is in the Hot Position and with reservoir  101  being at least partially empty has been previously explained with respect to  FIG. 3 , including the process of heating the water in reservoir  101  by solar radiation. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water between reservoirs  101  and  103  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 1  with the handle  112  in the Cold Position and with reservoir  101  being at least partially empty. Water flows from outlet port  212  of the diverter valve  110  (not shown) into pipe  214 , represented by arrow  207 . Upon reaching the upper end or brim of pipe  214  (shown in phantom  402 ), and by application of gravitational forces, flows down through the first end  104 A of enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 , represented by arrows  403 A and  403 B, and into enclosure  102  of reservoir  101 , represented by arrows  405 A and  405 B. As long as reservoir  101  remains at least partially empty, for example, shown in  FIG. 4A  by water line  404 , water will continue to flow in this manner until enclosure  102  of reservoir  101  is filled, shown in  FIG. 4A  by fill line  219 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water between reservoirs  101  and  103  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 1  with the handle  112  in the Cold Position and with reservoir  101  filled or substantially filled with water. The water line  404  is equal or approximately equal to the fill line  219 , represented by a line  219 / 404 . Once reservoir  101  is filled with water, water flowing from pipe  214 , represented by arrow  403 A, quickly fills an interior  406  of enclosure  104 , i.e., the interior of the space between the outer surface of pipe  214  and the inner surface of first end  104 A of enclosure  104 . Thereafter, water continues flowing through enclosure  104 , represented by arrows  403 B and  403 C. Water  117  flowing from the shower  100  of  FIG. 4B  has a temperature T approximate to that as the water source  201 , in this instance, T2 (cold). 
         [0054]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water between reservoirs  101  and  103  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 1  with the handle  112  in the Hot Position and with reservoir  101  filled or substantially filled with water. The water line  404  is equal or approximately equal to the fill line  219 , represented by the line  219 / 404 . 
         [0055]    In the shower  100  of  FIG. 4C , water flows from the open end of pipe  204 , which is fluidly connected to an interior of reservoir  101 , represented by arrow  203  in  FIG. 2 . Because reservoir  101  is filled, water enters reservoir  103  by entering through the open end of the first end  104 A of the enclosure  104 , represented by arrows  407 A-B. Water continues flowing into enclosure  104  through the space  406 , said water represented in  FIG. 4C  by arrows  409 A-B. Thereafter, the water flows to the shower head  116  via enclosure  104  of reservoir  103 , represented by arrow  411 . 
         [0056]    The shower water spray  117  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 4C  will have a temperature T depending on the extent to which the water in filled reservoir  101  has been heated by solar radiation  105 , described previously herein. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4D  is a schematic drawing illustrating a flow of water between reservoirs  101  and  103  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 1  with the handle  112  in any of the infinite positions between the Hot and Cold Positions, wherein both “hot” and “cold” water mix and flow to the shower head  116 , thereby achieving an intermediate temperature as defined by a user of the shower  100  by adjusting the handle  112  to achieve the desired temperature. The shower  100  of  FIG. 4D  is filled or substantially filled with water; as such, water line  404  is equal or approximately equal to the fill line  219 , represented by the line  219 / 404 . 
         [0058]    Assuming that the water of reservoir  101  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 4D  has been sufficiently warmed, hot water flows from reservoir  101 , represented by arrows  407 A-B and arrows  409 A-B, cold water flows through and from the pipe  214 , represented by arrows  207  and  403 A, respectively, and thereafter a hot and cold water mix flows through enclosure  104 , represented by an arrow  411 . 
         [0059]    The shower water spray  117  of the shower  100  of  FIG. 4D  will have a temperature T depending on the extent to which the water in filled reservoir  101  has been heated by solar radiation  105 , described previously herein, and as determined by the user of the shower  100  by adjusting the handle  112  of the diverter valve  110  between the Hot and Cold Positions. 
         [0060]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Therefore numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.