Solar heated portable shower

The solar heated portable shower has a cylindrical container with an open top that has a transparent panel mounted approximately 11/2 to 2 inches below the top rim. The container itself is black colored. With water in the container the portable shower is placed in sunlight to allow penetration of sun rays through the transparent panel to be absorbed and provide energy to heat the water. There is a submersible water pump attached to the bottom of the container to pump water through conduit and hose to a spray nozzle. The water pump is connected to an electric energy source such as a battery. When electric power is applied the pump creates water pressure and the spray nozzle valve controls dispensing of water. The portable shower has provision to transport the spray nozzle, hoses and electrical elements as well as an initial quantity of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to apparatus used by humans for washing when access 
to fixed shower and wash facilities is not readily available. The new 
device is a portable powered water supply or shower which is easily 
transported for use in dispensing heated water for use in washing. 
2. Description of Related Art 
Various configurations of solar heated showers have previously been 
disclosed including simple flexible plastic bags designed to heat water 
therein by exposure to the sun and then to be hung above the user for 
gravity to provide water flow. More complex apparatus include frame 
structures for hanging curtain material to provide privacy when using an 
outdoor shower apparatus. Also portable showers using pumps which may be 
electric or combustion engine powered have been developed wherein an 
external pump, using hose or conduit, forces water from a ground level 
container to the shower head for water dispensing. 
In one instance of a complex shower apparatus, that of U.S. Pat. No. 
4,453,280, issued on Jun. 12, 1984, the concept of solar heating the water 
by absorbing sunlight in a black material to be conducted through the 
material as energy to heat the contained water is disclosed. This 
apparatus also includes a water pump external to the water in the 
container portion of the case. Depending on conducted energy through a 
black wall of a water container has been found not to be very efficient 
below approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit environmental temperature. 
The present invention provides a simple apparatus which is easy to 
transport, including an enclosed 5 gallon water supply if desired, and 
which provides efficient solar heating of the contained water. A powered 
pump is included in the container and a battery may be attached to the 
wall of the container. The user may transport the closed container to an 
outdoor site with charged battery, position the unit in the sun to heat 
the water, connect the hoses and wiring, start the water pump, and then 
use the hose nozzle to dispense water as desired. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One object of the present invention is a portable water dispensing 
apparatus having a water pump, water storage element and a solar heating 
means for water stored therein. Another object is the enclosed transport 
of a quantity of water. A further object is use of a battery which may be 
transported with the apparatus for powering the water pump. A still 
further object is dispensing of the water in a shower like manner for 
washing. 
In accordance with the description presented herein, other objectives of 
this invention will become apparent when the description and drawings are 
reviewed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The solar heated portable shower includes a cylindrical container or 
plastic bucket with an open top. Mounted in the open top below the rim is 
a transparent plastic circular panel. The side wall of the container is 
dark colored preferably black. When the container is placed in sunlight 
the rays of the sun pass through the panel to penetrate water in the 
container and to be absorbed by the black side wall thus providing energy 
to heat the water. There is a submersible water pump on the bottom of the 
container which is in fluid communication with a water spray head and in 
electrical communication with an electrical energy source. Activating the 
water pump creates water pressure to the spray head which controls 
dispensing of water by a valve means. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the solar heated portable shower (1) preferred 
embodiment has a cylindrical container (2) with side wall (3), bottom (4) 
and open top end (5). The container (2) is a plastic material as for 
example polyvinyl chloride or PVC which is dark, preferable black, in 
color. A carry handle (6) is attached for ease of transport. There is also 
a lid (7) formed to fit over rim (8) to enclose and seal the contents of 
the container (2). While a cylindrical container is described other shapes 
such as rectangular would also be usable. 
At a distance below the top end (5) suitable to allow containment of 
elements of the shower (1) apparatus, a circular panel (10) of transparent 
plastic is attached to the side wall (3) interior. Illustrated are wall 
mounts (11) and screws (12) used to attach the panel (10). In prototypes 
of the shower (1) it was found that a distance of approximately 11/2 to 2 
inches from the top end (5) to the panel (10) was suitable. 
The panel (10) has a water fill aperture (13) with cover (14) for placing 
water in the container (2). Obviously a plug of plastic or rubber or other 
suitable means may be used to close the fill aperture. There is also an 
outlet aperture (15) having a conduit connector (16) attached thereto. The 
conduit connector (16) is in fluid communication with a submersible water 
pump (20) which is attached to the bottom (4) interior to the container 
(2). Either rigid conduit or flexible hose (9) may be used for this fluid 
connection. 
The conduit connector (16) has a threaded outer wall for attachment of a 
hose fitting (17) at one end of outlet hose (18). A water spray head (19) 
is attached at the opposite end of the outlet hose (18) for control of the 
dispensing of water. In the preferred embodiment a water spray head (19) 
of the hand grip, squeeze to control valve position type is illustrated. 
The water pump (20) is in electrical communication with an electrical power 
source. Connecting lines (21) penetrate the panel (10) to connect to the 
water pump (20) and plug (22). In the preferred embodiment the penetration 
is part of the conduit connector (16) structure. The lines (21) have 
switch (23) for control of application of electric power. An extension 
cord (24) with socket (25) and plug (22) is illustrated for use in 
connection to a remote power source such as an automobile electrical 
system. The plugs (22) are of the type commonly used for connecting into 
an automotive cigarette lighter socket. 
A portable electric battery (26) is also illustrated attached to the side 
wall (3) externally. By experiment it has been found that a 12 V dc, 2 amp 
battery gives reasonable service with commonly available efficient water 
pumps. The battery (26) has socket (25) which may directly connect to 
water pump (20) plug (22). Use of an AC converter (27) is also 
illustrated. 
In operation the panel (10) is sealed at its edge against wall (3) by any 
of the commonly available sealers such as caulk as well as the conduit 
connector (16) and any penetrations are sealed to avoid water spillage in 
transport. The elements shown external to the container (2) may be stored 
on the top of the panel (10) under the lid (7) for a compact transport 
carry. The battery (26) may be designed for transport as externally 
attached or internal under the lid (7). 
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect 
to the illustrated and preferred embodiments thereof, it will be 
understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other 
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the invention.