Abstract:
A portable shower device having a water tight cabinet with a built-in seat to accommodate a bather, an inflow means to direct water from a water source onto the bather, and a waste handling means to direct waste water out of the cabinet for disposal. The device is light weight and small enough such that a single person can maneuver it through standard residential doorways and into such areas for convenient use by persons with limited mobility.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to the field of healthcare devices to be used by home-based persons with limited mobility. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved portable shower device that is light weight and small enough such that a single person can maneuver it through standard residential doorways and into such areas of the home for convenient use by persons with limited mobility.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Prior Art  
         [0004]     Portable shower devices are known in the art. Some examples emphasize the portability aspects of the devices, disclosing easily disassembled devices which can be transported in carrying cases. See, e.g., Patterson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,992 (Dec. 11, 1990), “Portable Shower Stall”, which discloses a portable shower stall having a ceiling and a base, designed to be carried in a suitcase. It features a means for connecting the device to a sink faucet and a sump pump for removing waste water. The device must be assembled for use and disassembled for portability. See also Roberts, U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,369 (Aug. 13, 1996), “Portable Shower/Multi Use Stall”, which discloses a shower stall which is disassembled for storage and reassembled for use. It features an optional holding tank for containing waste water. See also The SHS-2 Shower Stall™ by Shower Anywhere of Temecula, Calif., which discloses a shower stall which may be disassembled for portability. None of these devices have wheels or other means for assisting with movement. Moreover, they all lack the utility of the present invention, which comes fully assembled and due to its rigid construction is suitable for use by mobility impaired persons.  
         [0005]     Other known devices are sturdier and intended to assist those with mobility impairments. See, e.g., Reid, U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,434 (Apr. 23, 2002), “Therapeutic Shower”, which discloses a horizontally oriented compartment into which a wheeled chair is rolled. The bathing function occurs within the compartment by built-in water jets. Unlike the present invention, Reid is not intended to be used to bathe the head or upper torso, and the seat is not affixed to the compartment, thereby increasing the risk of injury to the bather. See also Queen, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,983 (Nov. 9, 1999), “Portable Showering Cabinet”, discloses a portable showering device directed towards use by the mobility impaired. While it shares several features with the present invention, for example a built-in seat and casters for repositioning the device, it is a far more complicated device involving hydraulic lifting means for the seat and multiple shower heads. These overly complicated devices cannot be manufactured as inexpensively as the present invention and therefore cannot provide the universality of use as does the present invention.  
         [0006]     Yet other devices achieve partial portability without providing all the benefits of the present invention. See, e.g., Storm, U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,477 (Feb. 11, 2003), “Shower Apparatus for Seated Occupant”, discloses a device intended to be used in conjunction with a standard toilet. As such, it lacks the complete portability of the present invention, which can be used in locations not having a toilet, such as a bedroom.  
         [0007]     Thus none of the disclosed prior art anticipates the present invention.  
         [0008]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that is suitably adapted to be used to administer a shower to a person with limited mobility.  
         [0009]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that is light weight and can be easily moved by one person to a convenient location.  
         [0010]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that can be moved through standard residential doorways.  
         [0011]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that can be safely used by the person receiving the shower or by a second person administering the shower.  
         [0012]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that can be quickly connected to a standard sink faucet for use, and then easily disconnected when no longer being used so that the faucet may be used for other purposes.  
         [0013]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that can be used in locations having no access to waste water disposal facilities.  
         [0014]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that does not require assembly by the user.  
         [0015]     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved portable shower device that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.  
         [0016]     Other objectives of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     The present invention is a portable shower device created for people who are unable to use conventional bathing facilities due to restricted mobility. This would include people who are unable to navigate stairs to get to their bath/shower, or those who are unable to use conventional facilities for other reasons. The usual alternative for these folks is sponge bathing. The present invention can easily be moved to a convenient location due to its light weight and then stored out of the way when not in use. The bather may be assisted by a home health care provider to enter and exit the unit and who may also assist in bathing.  
         [0018]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a water tight cabinet with a built-in seat. It can easily be brought into a home through the front door and has wheels or casters and handles that make it easy to deliver and move about. Water is provided through an inflow hose attached to a sink faucet with a quick connect coupling. Water is directed into the cabinet and onto the bather through a delivery hose having a hand held shower head. Waste water is removed through a drain in the floor by an electric pump, which empties the waste water through an outflow hose back into the sink drain. The cabinet has interior grab rails for safety and a shower curtain to accommodate entrance and exit.  
         [0019]     As will be readily evident from the following detailed description and the accompanying claims, the present invention may have other uses beyond providing a means for addressing the hygiene of persons with limited mobility. For example, the present invention may be used as a temporary camp shower or wherever a permanent facility is not available or desired.  
         [0020]     Other features and advantages of the invention are described below  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cabinet and fluid inflow means of the present invention. Elements internal to the cabinet are depicted by the use of dotted lines.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cabinet of the present invention using a liner and an exterior shell.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cabinet of the present invention using a frame. The location of the liner relative to the frame is depicted by the use of dotted lines.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the access means of the cabinet of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid inflow means of the present invention using multiple water sources. A portion of the cabinet side wall structure of the present invention is depicted cut away to show elements contained therein.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cabinet, the fluid inflow means, and the waste fluid handling means of the present invention. Elements internal to the cabinet are depicted by the use of dotted lines.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     The portable shower device  1  of the present invention comprises three principle components: a cabinet  100 , a fluid inflow means  200 , and a waste fluid handling means  300 . See  FIG. 6 .  
         [0028]     The cabinet  100  must be suitably adapted to permit a person to be at least partially contained within its interior  122 , for purposes of receiving a shower. The cabinet  100  must be substantially water-tight, such that fluids directed into the interior portion  122  of the cabinet  100  during the provision of a shower are substantially contained by the cabinet  100 , except as such fluids are removed from the cabinet  100  by the waste fluid handling means  300 . Some escape of fluids from the cabinet  100  is expected during showering, however, given that the cabinet  100  is not enclosed over its top and thus some splashing of fluids against the person receiving the shower may occur, but this escape of fluids would be minimal. To achieve the primary goals of the invention, the cabinet  100  must be suitably dimensioned to fit through a standard residential doorway, and be light enough to be moved by one person. As such, in the preferred embodiment the cabinet  100  has a width of no greater than thirty-six (36) inches, a height of between thirty (30) and fifty-four (54) inches, and weighs no more than one hundred (100) pounds. In the most preferred embodiment the cabinet  100  has a width of thirty (30) inches, a height of forty-eight (48) inches, and weighs between fifty (50) and seventy-five (75) pounds.  
         [0029]     The fluid inflow means  200  must be suitably adapted to convey fluid  410  from a fluid source  420  into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 , thus providing the fluid  410  necessary for a shower. The fluid inflow means  200  is removably connectable to the fluid source  420 . The preferred embodiment contemplates the fluid source  420  to be a standard sink, and the fluid inflow means  200  is connected to the faucet  450  of the sink by any non-permanent means known in the art. Operation of the sink causes water to flow through the fluid inflow means  200  to be conveyed into the cabinet  100 . When the portable shower device  1  is not being used, the fluid inflow means  200  is disconnected from the water source, which can then be used for other purposes.  
         [0030]     The waste fluid handling means  300  must be suitably adapted to convey fluid  410  out of the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . Waste fluids may be conveyed into an intermediate holding tank  320  or completely out of the portable shower device  1 . It is anticipated that the waste fluid handling means  300  may discharge waste fluids into a standard home toilet, or a bathtub, or a sink, though it may discharge waste fluids into a floor drain or into a portable receptacle, such as a bucket. The flow of waste fluids through the waste fluid handling means  300  may be directed by gravity or may be assisted by a pumping device  340 .  
         [0031]     The cabinet  100  must comprise the following subcomponents: a floor  110 , a side wall structure  120 , an exterior surface  130 , a seat  140 , and an access means  150 . See  FIG. 1 . The floor  110  is oriented substantially horizontally and has a lowest point, such that fluids directed onto the floor  110  will drain towards the lowest point. The floor  110  must be suitably adapted to support the weight of a person entering the cabinet  100 . In the preferred embodiment the floor  110  is substantially rigid and has a non-skid surface.  
         [0032]     The side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100  is adjacent to the floor  110  and oriented substantially vertically. In the preferred embodiment the floor  110  and side wall structure  120  are integrated with each other, thereby forming an open-ended enclosure, with the interior  122  of the cabinet  100  defined by the floor  110  and side wall structure  120 . The side wall structure  120  must be substantially rigid and may have any suitable configuration, but in the preferred embodiment the side wall structure  120  comprises four side walls, each side wall being substantially planar and each side wall being substantially perpendicular to its adjacent side walls, thereby forming a rectangular enclosure. In other embodiments the side wall structure  120  may have a curved shape, thereby creating a cylindrical or ovoid or elliptical enclosure, or may have a combination of curved and planar surfaces.  
         [0033]     In an alternative embodiment, the side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100  comprises an extension means to vertically extend the height of at least a portion of the side wall structure  120 . The extension means may be adjustable. One embodiment of the extension means comprises one or more shower curtains and a shower curtain support structure attached to the side wall structure  120 . The extension means are useful to add privacy to a person capable of administering a shower to him- or herself, while it can be lowered or removed where a caregiver is needed to administer the shower.  
         [0034]     The exterior surface  130  of the cabinet  100  may be of any suitable material, including thermoformed plastic, acrylic, fiberglass, rigid foam, epoxy, gel-coat, or wood. The exterior surface  130  should be scuff and dent resistant. In the preferred embodiment the cabinet  100  comprises at least one grab bar  184  located on the exterior surface  130 , suitably adapted to be gripped by a person to assist that person in moving the cabinet  100 . In the most preferred embodiment the cabinet  100  comprises several grab bars  184  located about the exterior surface  130 . In another embodiment the cabinet  100  further comprises at least one storage compartment located on the exterior surface  130  of the cabinet  100 . This storage compartment may contain items of use to the showering process, such as soap, shampoo, wash cloths, and the like, or may contain various components of the fluid inflow means  200  when the portable shower device  1  is not being used. In yet another embodiment multiple storage compartments may be located on the exterior surface  130  of the cabinet  100 .  
         [0035]     The cabinet  100  must have an access means  150  suitably adapted to allow a person to enter into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . The access means  150  is integrated with the side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100 , and comprises at least an aperture  152  and a means for covering and uncovering the aperture  152 . The aperture  152  may be of any suitable shape, but in the preferred embodiment is substantially rectangular. In one embodiment the access means  150  utilizes a hinged door to cover and uncover the aperture  152 . The door is attached to the side wall structure  120  and suitably adapted to be positionable between an open position and a closed position, whereby when in the open position the door uncovers the aperture  152  sufficiently to allow a person to pass through the aperture  152  and enter into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 , and when in the closed position the door substantially covers the aperture  152  and prevents the escape of fluids from the interior  122  of the cabinet  100  through the aperture  152 . In another embodiment the access means  150  utilizes a drop-in panel to cover and uncover the aperture  152 . The panel is removably attachable to the side wall structure  120  by inserting it into or removing it from grooves integrated into the lateral sides of the aperture  152 . In the preferred embodiment the access means  150  utilizes a shower curtain  154  to cover and uncover the aperture  152 . See  FIG. 4 . The shower curtain  154  may be supported across the aperture  152  by a fixed curtain rod, with the rod removably attached to the side wall structure  120 , or the shower curtain  154  may be suspended from a flexible support cord removably attached to the side wall structure  120 . In either embodiment, either the curtain rod or the support cord may be non-removably attached to the side wall structure  120  at one end and removably attached at the other end, such that the shower curtain  154  may swing away from the aperture  152  to uncover it and permit a person to enter the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 .  
         [0036]     The cabinet  100  must comprise a seat  140 , located within the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . See  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The seat  140  must be suitably adapted to support the weight of a person. In the preferred embodiment the seat  140  is fixedly attached to the cabinet  100  to prevent its movement therein, thus providing stability and safety to the person sitting within the cabinet  100 . The seat  140  may be integrated with the side wall structure  120  and the floor  110 . The seat  140  may also comprise a non-skid surface.  
         [0037]     In the preferred embodiment, the cabinet  100  comprises a liner  160 . See  FIG. 2 . The liner  160  must be substantially water-tight and is situated within the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . The liner  160  defines the floor  10  and side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100 . The seat  140  may be integrated into the liner  160 . The cabinet  100  may have at least one storage compartment integrated into the liner  160 , used for holding items of use to the showering process, such as soap, shampoo, wash cloths, and the like.  
         [0038]     In one embodiment, the liner  160  is a monolithic unit constructed of thermoformed plastic, acrylic, fiberglass, rigid foam, epoxy, or gel-coat. In the preferred embodiment the liner  160  is constructed of thermoformed acrylic. This embodiment allows for ease of manufacture and water-tight construction. When so configured, the liner  160  may be sufficiently rigid to comprise the entire structure of the cabinet  100 . In an alternative embodiment, the liner  160  may be supported and reinforced by a frame  170 . See  FIG. 3 . The frame  170  may be made of any light weight, rigid material. In the preferred embodiment the frame  170  is aluminum. In another embodiment the cabinet  100  may comprise an exterior shell  180 . See  FIG. 2 . The exterior shell  180  is attached to and substantially encloses the liner  160 , thereby finishing off the liner  160  and providing structural support to the cabinet  100 . Where a frame  170  is used to support and reinforce the liner  160 , the frame  170  is located under the liner  160  and internal to the exterior shell  180 . Where an exterior shell  180  is used, the exterior surface  130  of the cabinet  100  is the exterior of the exterior shell  180 . In another embodiment, the liner  160  may be a multi-piece unit. Each of the pieces of the liner  160  are joined together and sealed so as to render the liner  160  substantially water tight.  
         [0039]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet  100  comprises at least one grab rail  182  located within the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . See  FIG. 1 . The grab rail  182  is suitably adapted to be gripped by a person to assist that person in moving within the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . The grab rail  182  may be made of any suitably durable material, such as stainless steel, brass, or plastic. In the preferred embodiment several grab rails  182  are located within the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 .  
         [0040]     In order to facilitate the goal of portability, the cabinet  100  comprises a movement means. The movement means is located on the underside of the cabinet  100  and suitably adapted to ease movement of the portable shower device  1  over floors or the ground. The movement means may be wheels  190 , see  FIG. 1 , casters  192 , see  FIG. 6 , or skids. When the movement means comprises wheels  190 , it is preferred that at least two wheels  190 , situated along a common axis, be utilized. In the most preferred embodiment four wheels  190  are utilized, one substantially under each corner of the cabinet  100 . There should be at least one locking device  196  associated with at least one wheel  190 , suitably adapted to prevent movement of that wheel  190 . See  FIG. 1 . Preferably multiple wheels  190  will have locking devices  196 . When the locking devices  196  are engaged the portable shower device  1  cannot be easily moved, thereby increasing stability and safety for the user. When the locking devices  196  are disengaged the portable shower device  1  can be easily moved to a new location. Locking devices  196  may also be used with casters  192 . Skids are preferred when the portable shower device  1  is intended to be used primarily on carpeting.  
         [0041]     The fluid inflow means  200  may comprise the following subcomponents: an inflow conduit means  210 , a connection means  220 , and a fluid delivery means  230 . See  FIG. 6 . The inflow conduit means  210  is suitably adapted to convey fluids from a water source to the portable shower device  1 . The connection means  220  is suitably adapted to removably connect the inflow conduit means  210  to the water source. The fluid delivery means  230  is suitably adapted to deliver fluid  410  into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 .  
         [0042]     In the preferred embodiment the inflow conduit means  210  is a single flexible hose  212 . The flexible hose  212  may be removably connected to a standard sink faucet  450 , whereby the temperature and volume of water to be used for showering is controlled by using the faucet controls. See  FIG. 1 .  
         [0043]     In an alternative embodiment the inflow conduit means  210  comprises a first flexible hose  214  and a second flexible hose  216 . See  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the first flexible hose  214  is suitably adapted to be removably connected to a hot water source by a first connection device  224 , and the second flexible hose  216  is suitably adapted to be removably connected to a cold water source by a second connection device  226 . See  FIG. 5 . In addition, the fluid delivery means  230  may comprise a mixing device  232 , with the first flexible hose  214  and the second flexible hose  216  connected to the mixing device  232 . See  FIG. 5 . The mixing device  232  is suitably adapted to combine hot and cold water into a desired temperature. The mixing device  232  may include a separate control means  234  suitably adapted to control the amount of hot and cold water being combined within it, in order to achieve a desired temperature and volume of the water. See  FIG. 5 . The mixing device  232  may be a mixing valve. A delivery hose  236  is connected to the mixing device  232  and is suitably adapted to deliver water having a desired temperature into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . This configuration may be used, for example, with a typical two-spigot washing machine hookup.  
         [0044]     In the preferred embodiment, the connection means  220  for removably connecting the fluid inflow means  200  to a water source comprises a quick connect coupling  222  suitably adapted to be removably attached to a standard sink faucet  450 . Such quick connect couplings  222  are well-known in the art and are typically utilized with portable dishwashing machines. Two quick connect couplings  222  may be used, one for each flexible hose  214 , 216 , when the dual water source configuration described above is employed.  
         [0045]     The fluid delivery means  230  of the fluid inflow means  200  may comprise a delivery hose  236 . The delivery hose  236  is connected to the inflow conduit means  210  and is suitably adapted to deliver fluid  410  from the inflow conduit means  210  into the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . The delivery hose  236  may be connected to the inflow conduit means  210  by a coupler located within the side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100 . In this embodiment the inflow conduit means  210  attaches to the coupler from the exterior of the cabinet  100 , and the delivery hose  236  attaches to the coupler from the interior  122  of the cabinet  100 . In another embodiment the delivery hose  236  attaches to the coupler within an exterior storage compartment of the cabinet  100 , where it may be stored when not in use. This configuration minimizes the overall length of the free moving portion of the fluid delivery means  230 , limiting it to the delivery hose  236 . That is, in this configuration the inflow conduit means  210  is fixed to the cabinet  100  and thus need not be manipulated by the user while administering a shower, thereby making use of the portable shower device  1  more convenient. In one embodiment, the fluid inflow means  200  may comprise a pressure reducing device. The pressure reducing device is suitably adapted to reduce the pressure of the fluid delivered to the delivery hose  236  by the inflow conduit means  210 . This is to prevent excess water pressure from a water source from causing discomfort or even harm to the person receiving the shower. The pressure reducing device may be located in-line the coupler. An on/off controller  234  suitably adapted to be operated by a human hand and suitably adapted to either permit the flow of fluid  410  through the delivery hose  236  or to prevent the flow of fluid  410  through the delivery hose  236  may be integrated into the cabinet  100  side wall structure  120 .  
         [0046]     The fluid delivery means  230  of the fluid inflow means  200  may also comprise a shower head  240  attached to the end of a delivery hose  236 . See  FIGS. 1 and 6 . The shower head  240  is suitably adapted to be held by a human hand and positionable to direct fluid  410  as desired. In one embodiment, a mounting bracket  242  is-fixedly attached to the side wall structure  120  of the cabinet  100  and is suitably adapted to retain the shower head  240 . See  FIG. 6 . In another embodiment the shower head  240  comprises an on/off controller  244  suitably adapted to be operated by a human hand and suitably adapted to either permit the flow of fluid  410  through the shower head  240  or to prevent the flow of fluid  410  through the shower head  240 . See  FIG. 6 . In yet another embodiment the shower head  240  is suitably adapted to discharge fluid  410  in a variety of conditions, including as a spray, a stream, or a pulse. Any or all of these embodiments of the shower head  240  may be combined in the present invention.  
         [0047]     The waste fluid handling means  300  may comprise the following subcomponents: a drain  310  and a conduit means  330  connected to the drain  310 . See  FIG. 6 . The drain  310  is integrated into the lowest point of the floor  110  of the cabinet  100 . The conduit means  330  is connected to the drain  310 , and is suitably adapted to carry fluids from the interior  122  of the cabinet  100  and out the drain  310 . In one embodiment the conduit means  330  is a flexible hose.  
         [0048]     In the preferred embodiment the waste fluid handling means  300  comprises a pump  340 . See  FIG. 6 . The pump  340  is in direct connection with the conduit means  330  and suitably adapted to move fluids out of the conduit means  330  in opposition to the forces of gravity. The pump  340  may be electrically powered. If the pump  340  is run from electricity from a standard wall outlet, it must have a power supply  342  suitably adapted to convert alternating current from the standard wall outlet to direct current having between 12 and 24 volts. A fuse and a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) will also be used. This combination of components is required to eliminate the risk of electrocution and ensure the safety of users of the portable shower device  1 . In the alternative, the pump  340  may be powered by direct current by means of a battery. This embodiment may also include a battery charger within the cabinet.  
         [0049]     In another embodiment, the waste fluid handling means  300  may comprise the following subcomponents: a drain  310 , a holding tank  320 , and a conduit means  330  connecting the drain  310  to the holding tank  320 . See  FIG. 6 . The drain  310  is integrated into the lowest point of the floor  110  of the cabinet  100 . The holding tank  320  is at least partially located beneath the drain  310  and is suitably adapted to contain fluid. The conduit means  330  is suitably adapted to carry fluids from the interior portion  122  of the cabinet  100  out the drain  310  to the holding tank  320 . In this embodiment the conduit means  330  may be a flexible hose. In this embodiment the holding tank  320  may be vented  322 . In another embodiment the conduit means  330  may be detachably connected to the holding tank  320 , allowing the holding tank  320  to be removable from the cabinet  100 . These embodiments permit the temporary collection of waste fluids when the portable shower device  1  is used where no outside drain source is present, such as in a bedroom. The waste fluids are then disposed of after the showering is completed.  
         [0050]     In another embodiment there is an outflow conduit  350  connected to the holding tank  320 . See  FIG. 6 . The outflow conduit  350  is suitably adapted to carry fluids from the holding tank  320  to the exterior of the cabinet  100 . The outflow conduit  350  may be a flexible hose. In this configuration a pump  340  is employed, suitably adapted to move fluids out of the holding tank  320  and through the outflow conduit  350  in opposition to the forces of gravity. The pump  340  may be electrically powered, as described above. The pump  340  may also be located within the holding tank  320 . Operation of the pump  340  may be controlled by a float switch  344  situated within the holding tank  320 . This configuration improves upon the tankless embodiment in that the pump  340  need not be operational the entire time a shower is being administered, but only when a sufficient amount of waste fluid collects in the holding tank  320 . In yet another embodiment the pump  340  may further comprise a manual override switch to control operation of the pump  340  independently of the float switch  344 .  
         [0051]     Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention.