Abstract:
An existing shower is retrofitted with a novel shower panel that uses the existing on/off water pressure and temperature control valve without any re-plumbing behind the shower wall. The shower panel includes a support frame, a diverter valve, a plurality of water jets, a side showerhead, a hand nozzle and an overhead showerhead. The support frame has an open side that faces the shower wall. A first tube connects the diverter valve to the plurality of water jets. A second tube is connected to the diverter valve at a first end and has a threaded connector at the second end. The threaded connector is adapted to connect to a shower water source after the existing shower pipe is removed. The first tube has a smaller diameter than does the second tube. The plurality of water jets are arranged within a square that is twenty-five centimeters on a side.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional application Ser. No. 61/473,518, entitled “Pre-Plumbed Shower Panel With Clustered Jets”, filed Apr. 8, 2011. The subject matter of provisional application Ser. No. 61/473,518 is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The described embodiments relate to shower and bath appliances, and specifically to an easily installed shower panel with clustered water jets that uses the existing shower valve. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  (Prior Art) is a perspective diagram of a conventional showerhead  10  that extends from a surface of shower wall  11 . Showerhead  10  is a typical showerhead that includes a rotating bezel  12  that allows a user to adjust the spray emitted from showerhead  10 . For example, by rotating bezel  12 , a user can change the spray emitted from a continuous stream, to a spray that is emitted in short, concentrated bursts providing a massaging effect on the user. Unfortunately, such conventional showerheads are often limited in where they can massage the user. For example, the position of showerhead  10  makes it difficult for the user to massage their lower back. Moreover, installing another showering fixture is often costly and involves extensive plumbing. A robust and low-cost solution is desired. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A self-plumbed shower panel includes multiple massage water jets, a hand nozzle and a showerhead built into a shower panel that mounts onto a shower wall. A water supply tube of the shower panel connects to the existing water source after the existing showerhead is removed. The existing shower pipe is removed, and the water supply tube of the shower panel is connected to the source water pipe at the wall. The existing valves or single-handle mixer arc are used to turn the water supply on and off and to control the mix of hot and cold water. The shower panel is attached to the shower wall using two mounting brackets and is hung above the existing mixer tap. 
         [0005]    The shower panel includes six powerful tilting multi-function massage jets aligned with the critical muscle groups in the upper back, neck and shoulders of the user. The shower panel offers jet clustering that targets water pressure where it is needed most. Water jets tilt to suit every individual. Several functions allow for a deep back massage or relaxing, toning mist. The centered tilting “turbojet” adjusts to focus maximum water pressure on problem areas of the back, shoulders and neck, washing away soreness, stress and fatigue. The user can select from multiple rejuvenating massage functions for complete control over muscle health. The shower panel is designed to maximize the power of water, turning standard water pressure into high-pressure spray. An invigorating massage therapy with lower water consumption is produced using a simplified internal design, a shorter distance from water supply to jet outlets, and a succession of power increasing compression hoses. Additionally, the massage jets are designed with smaller outlet holes and more efficient internal design than prior art massage jets, yielding increased water pressure as compared to prior art massage jets. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the shower panel includes six water jets arranged in two vertical columns of three jets, and a side showerhead disposed at a center of the shower panel. The shower panel is installed on the shower wall by aligning the top two water jets with the user&#39;s shoulder blades. The water jets are arranged closer together than prior art massage jets. In another embodiment, the water jets fit within a square that is 25 centimeters on each side. The top two water jets are placed somewhat closer to each other than are the bottom two pairs of jets. In yet another embodiment, the top two water jets are arranged the same distance to each other than are the bottom two pairs of jets. In yet another embodiment, the centers of the top two water jets are about 17 centimeters apart. In yet another embodiment, the frame of the shower panel is about 90 centimeters long and about 30 centimeters wide. The water jets are clustered at the bottom of the frame. The side showerhead, also referred to as a “turbojet”, is located between the bottom four water jets. The turbojet is a modified showerhead that sprays water from the side, and emits water at a pressure greater than water emitted from one of the outer water jets. The direction of the side showerhead can be adjusted to focus the water spray at a specific location on the user&#39;s back or neck. A four-way diverter valve is adjustable to divert water exclusively to one of: the rain-style overhead showerhead, the hand nozzle, the outer water jets, or the side showerhead (“turbojet”). 
         [0007]    In yet another embodiment, a shower retrofitting kit is provided to a user. The shower retrofitting kit includes a novel shower panel, printed instructions, and a container. The printed instructions instruct the user on how to perform the retrofit of her pre-existing shower to incorporate the novel shower panel. The retrofitting is performed by removing the pre-existing showerhead, attaching mounting anchors to a surface of the shower wall, connecting the shower panel directly to the water source, and hanging the shower panel on the mounting anchors. The container is used to store the shower panel and the printed instructions. 
         [0008]    Further details and embodiments and techniques are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components, illustrate embodiments of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  (prior art) is a perspective diagram of a conventional showerhead  10 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of a novel shower panel  100 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a back view of the shower panel of  FIG. 2  that shows the plumbing of the shower panel. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front view diagram of the shower panel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view diagram of the shower panel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an expanded view of a control handle and a plurality of selectable modes of the shower panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing water jets that are adjusted to emit a steady jet spray on a mid-back of the user. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram showing one technique for removing a pre-existing showerhead from a surface of the shower wall. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram showing how to use a tape measure to evaluate the length for a new wall pipe to be installed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates an amount of threaded wall pipe to be measured. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram showing how the trimmed wall pipe is attached and secured onto the pre-existing water source. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective diagram showing how a template is used to determine where mounting anchors should be placed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective diagram showing a hand drill used to drill a screw along each of the marked drill locations. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective diagram showing mounting anchors screwed into place at the corresponding holes drilled in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective diagram of yet another technique for attaching mounting anchors onto the shower wall. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective diagram showing how the shower panel is connected to the pre-existing water source. 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a perspective diagram showing how the shower panel is attached to the shower wall by hanging wall mounts onto the mounting anchors. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a diagram of a novel shower retrofitting kit. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a method for retrofitting a pre-existing shower in accordance with one novel aspect. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of a novel shower panel  100 . Shower panel  100  comprises a support frame  101 , a plurality of water jets  102 , an overhead shower  103 , a hand nozzle  104 , a control handle  105 , and a side showerhead  110 . Any pre-existing shower stall or pre-existing shower tub is retrofittable to support novel shower panel  100 . The retrofit process involves connecting the shower panel directly to the water source and hanging shower panel  100  on mounting anchors attachable to a surface of the shower wall. Shower panel  100  utilizes the pressure balance valve and temperature control valve of the pre-existing shower without any further modification or re-plumbing behind the shower wall. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a back view of shower panel  100  that shows the plumbing of shower panel  100 . Shower panel  100  further comprises a diverter valve  106 , a tube  107 , and a plurality of distribution tubes. In the example of  FIG. 3 , tube  107  and the plurality of distribution tubes are braided, flexible, stainless steel water hoses. In other embodiments, the tubes are polyurethane tubes, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. (The term “tube” is also referred to as a “hose” in the art, and the terms can be used interchangeably.) A first end  108  of tube  107  connects directly to the pre-existing water source of the shower, and a second end  109  of tube  107  connects to diverter valve  106 . During operation, water flows from the water source, into first end  108 , through tube  107 , and out of end  109  into diverter valve  106 . Diverter valve  106  uses the distribution valves to supply the flowing water exclusively to one of water jets  102 , overhead showerhead  103 , hand nozzle  104 , or side showerhead  110 . The manner in which diverter valve  106  supplies water to various nozzles of shower panel  100  is dependent upon the configuration of diverter valve  106 . Diverter valve  106  is configured by the user via control handle  105  to operate in one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation as shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 4  is a front view diagram of shower panel  100 .  FIG. 5  is a side view diagram of shower panel  100 . 
         [0032]    Side showerhead  110  of shower panel  100  is of larger dimensions and emits water at a substantially greater force than each of water jets  102 . Due to this greater force, side showerhead  110  is referred to as a “turbojet”. In addition, side showerhead  110  includes greater tilting range and more water-emitting styles than each of water jets  102 . The plurality of water jets  102  is arranged within a square that is 25 centimeters on a side. Control handle  105  and side showerhead  110  are disposed within the square in which the plurality of water jets  102  is arranged. In another embodiment, the plurality of water jets  102  is arranged within a square that is between 25 and 35 centimeters on a side. 
         [0033]    In accordance with another novel aspect, shower panel  100  is pre-plumbed and does not require any plumbing during the retrofit process. The back view illustrated in  FIG. 3  is also referred to as the “open side” of shower panel  100  because the inner plumbing of shower panel  100  is viewable and accessible. After shower panel  100  is installed, the open side will be adjacent to a surface of the shower wall and will be hidden from the view of the user. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an expanded view of control handle  105  and the plurality of selectable modes of shower panel  100 . A user selects the mode of operation by rotating control handle  105 . Control handle  105  is coupled directly to diverter valve  106 . Diverter valve  106  is operable in one of several modes. Such modes include diverting water exclusively through water jets  102  (labeled “A”), exclusively through side showerhead  110  (“turbojet”) (labeled “B”), exclusively through overhead showerhead  103  (labeled “C”), and exclusively through hand nozzle  104  (labeled “D”). 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing water jets  102  adjusted to emit a steady jet spray on a mid-back of a user. In accordance with one novel aspect, the direction in which the jet spray is emitted by each of the water jets  102  is adjustable by the user. The user can adjust the nozzle of each individual water jet such that each of the emitted jet sprays targets a specific desired location, for example, the upper body, neck, back and shoulders of the user. Accordingly, the user rotates each of the water jets  102  until the position of each jet spray is directed to a desired portion of the body. 
         [0036]    In accordance with another novel aspect, the type of jet spray that is emitted by each of the water jets  102  is also adjustable. The user rotates each individual water jet clockwise or counter-clockwise until the desired spray is emitted. Several types of jet sprays are available. In one example, the jet spray is adjusted to emit a steady, broad jet spray. In another example, the jet spray is adjusted to emit a jet spray in short, concentrated bursts. 
         [0037]    One technique for retrofitting a pre-existing shower with novel shower panel  102  is shown in  FIGS. 8 through 17  that follow. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram showing one technique for removing a pre-existing showerhead  111  from a surface of shower wall  112 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , a pre-existing showerhead  111  is removed by first unscrewing showerhead nozzle  113 . Shower arm  114  is removed in a similar fashion, typically requiring the use of an adjustable wrench to disconnect shower arm  114  from the permanent fitting inside shower wall  112 . After showerhead nozzle  113  and shower arm  114  are removed, escutcheon  115  is pried out by leveraging a screwdriver between escutcheon  115  and shower wall  112 . Novel shower panel  100  is installable after removal of pre-existing showerhead  111 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram showing how to use tape measure  116  to evaluate a length for a new wall pipe to be installed. Typically, the new wall pipe protrudes from the wall no more than of 1-½ inches. If the wall pipe protrudes more than 1-½ inches, then the wall pipe will likely interfere with attachability of shower panel  100 . Accordingly, tape measure  116  is used to measure a distance from the water source within surface wall  112  to protrude from between 1 inch to 1-½ inches.  FIG. 10  illustrates an amount of threaded wall pipe  117  to be measured. After the required length of pipe is determined, threaded wall pipe  117  is trimmed to the desired length. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective diagram showing how trimmed wall pipe  118  is attached and secured onto the pre-existing water source. Prior to attaching trimmed wall pipe  118  to the water source, a thread seal tape is applied to the threads on pipe  118  to minimize leakage of water. After applying the thread seal tape, a first end of pipe  118  is screwed onto the water source. After tightening pipe  118 , elbow joint  19  is screwed onto a second end of pipe  118 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a perspective diagram showing how template  120  is used for determining where mounting anchors should be placed. In this example, template  120  is a single sheet of thick paper having the same height and length of the shower panel  100 . Placing template  120  against shower wall  112  allows a user to visualize placement of shower panel  100 . In particular, template  120  includes marks showing the position along shower wall  112  onto which mounting anchors must be installed. A pencil is used to mark a plurality of drill locations  121  indicating points along shower wall  112  for drilling screw holes.  FIG. 13  is a perspective diagram showing how hand drill  122  is used to drill along each of the marked drill locations  121 .  FIG. 14  is a perspective diagram showing mounting anchors  123  and  124  screwed into place at the corresponding holes drilled in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a perspective diagram of yet another technique for attaching mounting anchors onto shower wall  112 . In the example of  FIG. 15 , adhesive substance  125  is used to glue mounting anchors  126  and  127  to their designated locations along shower wall  112 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a perspective diagram showing how shower panel  100  is connected to the pre-existing water source. A first end  108  of tube  107  is screwed and fastened onto elbow  119  allowing water to flow from the water source through pipe  118 , through elbow  119 , through pipe  107 , and into diverter valve  106  where the water is directed to selected nozzles of shower panel  100 . After shower panel  100  is connected to the water source, shower panel  100  can then be hung on mounting anchors  123  and  124 . Shower panel  100  includes an upper wall mount  128  and a lower wall mount  129 . Upper wall mount  128  is designed to hang on mounting anchor  123 , and lower wall mount  129  is designed to hang on mounting anchor  124 .  FIG. 17  is a perspective diagram showing how shower panel  100  is attached to shower wall  112  by hanging wall mounts  128  and  129  onto the mounting anchors  123  and  124 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 18  is a diagram of a novel shower retrofitting kit  130 . Shower retrofitting kit  130  comprises a shower panel  131 , printed instructions  132 , and container  133 . Shower panel  131  is substantially similar to shower panel  100  of  FIGS. 2-17 . Container  133  is used to store shower panel  131  and printed instructions  132  for packaging and shipping to a user. In one embodiment, shower retrofitting kit  130  is manufactured by a first entity, and then sold to a second entity (a user) that uses kit  130  to retrofit a shower. The user follows printed instructions  132  in order to retrofit her pre-existing shower to include shower panel  131 . Printed instructions  132  include instructions directing the user to perform the steps set forth in  FIGS. 8 through 17 . In this fashion, the user can upgrade her shower to include massaging jet sprays and a flexible hand nozzle. In addition, the upgrade is obtained using kit  130  without removing or altering the shower wall, nor performing any plumbing behind the shower wall. 
         [0045]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a method  200  for retrofitting a pre-existing shower in accordance with one novel aspect. In a first step (step  201 ), a user removes a pre-existing showerhead from a shower wall. For example, in  FIG. 8 , pre-existing showerhead  111  is disconnected and removed from the water source behind shower wall  112 . In a second step (step  202 ), the user attaches mounting anchors onto the shower wall. The mounting anchors can be screwed into the shower wall or glued using an adhesive substance. For example, in  FIG. 14 , mounting anchors  123  and  124  are attached to shower wall  112  using screws. In the example of  FIG. 15 , mounting anchors  126  and  127  are glued to shower wall  112  using adhesive substance  126 . In a third step (step  203 ), the shower panel is connected to the water source. The shower panel has a tube having one end attached to a diverter valve. Another end of the tube is connected to the water source thereby connecting the water source to the shower panel. For example, in  FIG. 16 , second end  108  of tube  107  is connected to the water source via elbow joint  119  and pipe  118 . In a fourth step (step  204 ), the shower panel is attached to the shower wall using the mounting anchors. The shower panel includes wall mounts that are hung on the mounting anchors. For example, in  FIG. 17 , wall mounts  128  and  129  are hung onto mounting anchors  123  and  124 . 
         [0046]    Although certain specific exemplary embodiments are described above in order to illustrate the invention, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments. The amount of mounting anchors used to attach shower panel  100  varies depending on the weight of shower panel  100  as well as the material composition of shower wall  112 . In some embodiments, four mounting anchors (each having two screws) are used to attach shower panel  100  to shower wall  112  rather than the two mounting anchors used in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0047]    The quantity, type, and alignment of water jets included in the shower panel may also vary. For example, in one embodiment, the shower panel includes four outer water jets and two side showerheads (“turbojets”). The six water jets are aligned along three vertical axes. The diverter valve operates in one mode to divert water exclusively through the four outer water jets, and in another mode operates to divert water exclusively through the two “turbojets”. In another embodiment, the shower panel includes eight water jets arranged around a square that is between 25 and 35 centimeters on a side. The eight water jets include two “turbojets”. The control handle for controlling the diverter valve is located at a center of the square. The diverter valve operates in one mode to divert water exclusively through the six “normal” water jets, and in another mode the diverter valve operates to divert water exclusively through the two “turbojets”. 
         [0048]    Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.