Method and apparatus for converting a faucet to a hand-held shower

A method and apparatus for converting a faucet or existing shower head into a flexible and extendable shower apparatus which includes an adaptable connector having one end for receiving a faucet or existing shower head, a flexible and extendable hose connected to an opposite end of the adaptable connector, and a shower head connected to the extendable hose opposite the adaptable connector. The apparatus also includes clamping means for releasable securing the adaptable connector around a faucet or existing shower head. Further, the adaptable connector and flexible, extendable hose may comprise one continuous piece.

TECHNICAL FIELD
 The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for
 converting a faucet to a hand-held shower device. More particularly, the
 present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for converting a
 faucet to a hand-held shower device which includes an adaptable connector
 that can be adapted to fit any size or type of faucet including a bath
 faucet, a sink faucet, an outdoor faucet, and an existing shower head
 faucet.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The number of bathrooms existing in American households has increased. Of
 the privately owned single-family houses completed in 1995, only 11% had
 just 11/2 bathrooms or less, compared to 13% of the homes built in 1990
 and 27% of those built in 1980. Of the homes completed in 1995, 41% had
 two bathrooms, and another 48% had more than two bathrooms.
 In addition to the increased number of bathrooms now being built in
 American households, there is also a clear trend in constructing bathrooms
 that are more luxurious. For example, today's master bathrooms typically
 include a whirlpool bath that is separate and apart from an enclosed
 shower. It is not uncommon for Americans to have saunas, whirlpool baths,
 exercise equipment and other luxuries in their bathrooms. As a result, it
 has sometimes become more difficult to bathe for physically challenged or
 elder individuals who may have difficulty moving in a shower stall. A
 solution to this problem exists in converting a faucet or existing shower
 head into a flexible and extendable shower head.
 Several devices for converting a faucet into a movable and extendable
 shower head exists in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,279,006,
 issued to Rose, discloses a device that can be readily applied to or
 detached from a standard bathtub fixture which affords a full and
 effective shower. The device includes a flexible tube adapted to connect
 to a bathtub faucet on one end and a shower head on the other. Straps are
 placed around both ends of the flexible hose and secured to the faucet and
 shower head, respectively, by screws and thumb nuts. A rigid arm separates
 the bands and functions to mount the shower head in different positions.
 The bands, straps, and all other parts, except for the flexible tube, are
 made of sheet metal.
 U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,919, issued to Knapp, describes a hand-held shower head
 for domestic sinks having a tubular handle member connected to the water
 supply via flexible piping. Although this patent does not describe means
 for connecting the flexible pipe to a water supply, this patent reference
 does disclose a hand-held shower head that can be used with a faucet and
 residential sink that is adapted for low supply water pressure and
 particularly for a water supply through a simplified diverter valve.
 Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,362, issued to Chianco et al., discloses a
 sit-down shower for children which includes a sleeve adaptor that fits
 over a bathtub's tap and a rigid and self-supporting tubing extending from
 the adapter which projects the shower water to a movable shower head that
 is connected to the far end of the rigid tubing. The rigid tube forms a
 one-piece plastic molded unit with the adaptor and the adaptor may be
 clamped on the faucet with a conventional clamp.
 Although the general concept of converting a faucet into an extendable and
 movable shower head does exist as evidenced by the above described
 patents, there is a need for an apparatus for converting a faucet or
 existing shower head to a hand-held shower head which can accommodate any
 type or size of faucet and which can be easily secured to, and removed
 from, the faucet. In addition, there is a need for a simple and low-cost
 device which converts any type or size of faucet or existing shower head
 into a hand-held shower without leaking. Such a device should be able to
 be easily manipulated by children, physically handicapped individuals, and
 the elderly.
 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and
 apparatus for converting any size or type of faucet or existing shower
 head into a movable and extendable shower head that allows the user to
 direct the stream of water from the shower head in any direction.
 It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and
 apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower
 head into a movable and extendable shower head apparatus that is flexible,
 durable, versatile, and easy to install and remove.
 It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and
 apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower
 head into a movable and extendable shower head that is convenient,
 effective, and easy to manufacture.
 It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and
 apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower
 head existing in hotels, motels, fitness clubs, hospitals, rehabilitation
 centers, nursing homes, standard homes, etc., into a movable and
 extendable shower head device that can be easily used to shower
 individuals, wash family pets, and clean and sanitize existing bathtubs
 and shower stalls.
 The above and other aspects of the present invention may be carried out in
 one exemplary form of the invention by an adaptable connector having a
 flexible opening for receiving a faucet, an extendable hose having a first
 end connected to the adaptable connector and a second end connected to a
 shower head, and means for releasably securing the flexible opening of the
 adaptable connector about the opening of a faucet.
 In another aspect of the present invention, the adaptable connector may
 comprise a hollow, flexible connector element that is generally bulb
 shaped or spherical in shape. This generally bulb shaped or spherical
 shaped configuration of the adaptable connector enables the method and
 apparatus for converting a faucet or existing shower head to a flexible
 and extendable shower apparatus to operate under high water pressure
 conditions without becoming forcibly removed from the faucet. In another
 aspect of the present invention, the adaptable connector and extendable
 hose may be formed from one continuous piece of material, such as a
 flexible rubber, polyethylene or any other flexible polymers consisting of
 lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to chemicals and moisture
 and have good insulating properties. In still another aspect of the
 present invention, the shower head connected to the faucet or existing
 shower head by way of the extendable hose may rotate about a circumference
 of the extendable hose thereby avoiding twisting and tangling of the
 extendable hose during use. Alternatively, if the adaptable connector and
 extendable hose are not formed from one continuous piece, the extendable
 hose may also be configured to rotate about a circumference of the
 adaptable connector at its connection point with the adaptable connector
 by using currently existing hardware.
 One exemplary method of the present invention for converting a faucet or
 existing shower head into a flexible and extendable shower apparatus
 comprises the steps of attaching an adaptable connector having a flexible
 opening around a faucet opening or existing shower head, releasably
 securing the adaptable connector to the faucet or existing shower head
 with a clamping means, and employing a switching means on a shower head
 connected to the adaptable connector by way of an extendable hose to
 access water flow through the shower head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
 The subject invention relates to a method and apparatus for converting any
 type or size of faucet or existing showerhead into a flexible and
 extendable shower apparatus that allows a user to direct a stream of water
 in any direction and at any angle in order to allow a user to thoroughly
 cleanse the person, animal or object being washed or cleaned.
 Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one exemplary
 embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for converting any
 type or size of faucet or existing showerhead into a flexible and
 extendable shower apparatus. The apparatus 10 includes an adaptable
 connector 12, a flexible and extendable hose 14, a shower head 16, and a
 clamp member 18. Adaptable connector 12 comprises a hollow flexible bulb
 shaped member 20 having a flexible lip 22 for receiving a faucet or
 existing shower head. Adaptable connector 12 is preferably comprised of a
 flexible, durable material such as a flexible rubber, polyethylene, or any
 other flexible polymers comprising lightweight thermoplastics that are
 resistant to chemicals and moisture and have good insulating properties.
 Flexible and extendable hose 14 has a first end 24 and a second end 26.
 First end 24 is connected to an open end of said hollow flexible bulb
 shaped member 20 located opposite flexible lip 22 while second end 26 is
 connected to an open end of shower head 16. Like adaptable connector 12,
 flexible and extendable hose 14 is preferably comprised of a flexible
 rubber, polyethylene, or any other flexible polymers comprising
 lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to chemicals and moisture
 and have good insulating properties. Hose 14 may also include multiple
 creases so that hose 14 can be compressed into a compact area if needed.
 Further, adaptable connector 12 and hose member 14 may comprise a single
 continuous piece.
 In order to avoid the twisting and tangling of extendable hose 14,
 extendable hose 14 may rotate about a circumference of the second end 26
 of extendable hose 14 at its connection point with shower head 16 in the
 direction referenced by arrow X by utilizing hardware currently known in
 the art. Moreover, if hollow, flexible bulb shaped member 20 and
 extendable hose 14 do not form one continuous piece but are instead
 connected to one another, extendable hose 14 may also be configured to
 rotate about a circumference of hollow, flexible bulb shaped member 20 at
 its connection point with hollow, flexible bulb shaped member 20 in the
 direction referenced by arrow Y.
 Shower head 16 includes a handle 28, which may comprise a gripping means
 30, and a switching means for releasing the flow of water into and through
 shower head 16 such as lever 32. Switching means is meant to include any
 mechanical means for containing the water within, and releasing the water
 from, the extendable hose and/or shower head. For example, such switching
 means may include a lever, a dial, an actuator device, a handle, or a
 button. Shower head 16 may also include a dial 34 which allows a user to
 change the pressure and configuration of water spray being released from
 the shower head.
 Clamp 18 is configured such that it can fit around an exterior
 circumference of adaptable connector 12 located near the end of adaptable
 connector 12 that receives a faucet or existing shower head.
 Alternatively, clamp 18 may be formed within the adaptable connector 12 as
 to form an integral part of adaptable connector 12. Clamp 18 can then be
 cinched together decreasing its circumference so that adaptable connector
 12 is securely fastened about an existing faucet or shower head.
 Alternative means for releasably securing the adaptable connector 12 to an
 existing faucet or shower head include a clip, a clasp, a grip, a vise, a
 fastener, a flexible band, or any other mechanical means that would result
 in a non-leak seal between the faucet and adaptable connector 12.
 In addition, one or more suction cups 36 may be either removably or
 permanently attached to the shower head 16 or the flexible and extendable
 hose 14 so that the apparatus can be secured to other surfaces, preferably
 vertical surfaces, for easy storage and use. Further, a holder 38 may be
 either permanently or releasably connected to the hose 14 or adaptable
 connector 12 for holding the shower head 16.
 FIGS. 2 and 2a show one exemplary embodiment of the adaptable connector 12
 included in the apparatus of the present invention for converting any type
 or size of faucet or existing showerhead into a flexible and extendable
 shower apparatus which comprises a flexible bulb shaped member 20.
 Flexible bulb shaped member 20 includes lip member 22 for receiving an
 existing faucet or shower head. Clamp 18 is positioned about a
 circumference of bulb member 20 near lip member 22 for releasably securing
 the bulb shaped member 20 to the faucet or existing shower head. FIG. 2a
 is a cross section of bulb shaped member 20 showing a hollow interior 40
 through which the water passes after it exits the faucet or existing
 shower head.
 Another exemplary embodiment of the adaptable connector included in the
 apparatus of the present invention for converting any type or size of
 faucet or existing showerhead into a flexible and extendable shower
 apparatus is shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. FIG. 3a illustrates an adaptable
 connector 12 that comprises a curved tubular shaped member 46 having a
 first open end 48 and a second open end 50. First end 48 is releasably
 secured about a faucet or existing shower head with a securing means such
 as clamp 18, previously described, and second end 50 is connected to the
 first end 24 of hose 14. As previously stated, adaptable connector 12 and
 hose 14 may be formed from one continuous piece of material. Both
 adaptable connector 12 and extendable hose 14 are preferably comprised of
 a flexible rubber or plastic such as polyethylene or any other flexible
 polymers comprising lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to
 chemicals and moisture and have good insulating properties. FIG. 3a
 illustrates a cross section of curved tubular shaped member 46 showing
 that curved tubular shaped member 46 has a hollow interior 60 through
 which water passes after leaving the faucet or existing shower head.
 FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the
 apparatus of the present invention for converting any type or size of
 faucet or existing showerhead into a flexible and extendable shower
 apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 shown connected to a bathtub faucet. Clamp
 18 is securely tightened around extendable connector 12 so that extendable
 connector 12 is securely attached to faucet 65. The flexible bulb shaped
 member 20 which comprises the adaptable connector 12 functions to
 accommodate high water pressure released from the faucet 65. The bulb
 shaped member 20 expands thereby increasing the interior space of the bulb
 shaped member so that water released from the faucet is not trapped at the
 first end 24 of hose 14 such that it backs up into adaptable connector 12
 thereby creating a pressure that forces the adaptable connector 12 off of
 the faucet 65 despite clamp 18.
 The apparatus of the present invention allows for easy installation and
 removal of adaptable connector 12 over an existing faucet or showerhead.
 In addition, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a minimum of
 necessary parts for adaptability to any type or size of existing faucet or
 shower head. It should be noted that the particular implementations shown
 and described herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode
 and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention
 in any way.
 The present invention has been described above with reference to a
 preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art having read this
 disclosure will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to
 the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
 invention. These and other changes and modifications are intended to be
 included within the scope of the present invention, as expressed in the
 following claims.