Abstract:
A device for showering and the like has a body and means providing in the body for issuing water for taking a shower, and a throughgoing receptacle formed in the body so that the body is formed as a peripherally closed element surrounding the receptacle, the receptacle being formed so as to allow a user access to an existing water control unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a device for taking showers and the like. 
   Devices of the above mentioned general type are known in the art. There are a plurality of devices which are mountable in bathrooms and used for issuing water for taking showers and the like. It is believed that the existing devices can be further improved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for showering and the like, which is a further improvement of the existing devices. 
   In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a device for showering and the like, comprising a body and means providing in said body for issuing water for taking a shower; and a throughgoing receptacle formed in said body so that said body is formed as a peripherally closed element surrounding said receptacle, said receptacle being formed so as to allow a user access to existing water control means. 
   When the device is designed in accordance with the present invention, it is a further improvement of the existing devices. 
   The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view schematically showing a device for showering in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view showing the inventive device with an existing water control element located in the area of the receptacle and some additional elements attached to it; 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing the inventive device with a further element attached to it and in the case when the existing water control element is located outside of the device; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the inventive device mounted on a wall and showing a water supplying system; 
       FIG. 5  is a view showing a clamp for mounting the device on a water supplying pipe; and 
       FIG. 6  is a view showing mounting of the shelves, mirrors, etc. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A device for showering and the like, in accordance with the present invention has a single body which is identified as a whole with reference numeral  1 . The body  1  is hollow and has a front wall, a peripheral wall and an open rear side with an edge to abut against a wall and the like as shown in the drawing. The body  1  is mountable for example on a wall of a bathroom, for example on a control element  7  by a clamp or the like as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   A pipe or hose system includes a hose  2 ′ extending from a water supplying pipe to the control  7 , a hose  2 ″ extending from the control  7  to a showerhead  3 , and hoses  2 ′″ extending from the control  7  to the nozzles  6  and to a shower hose  5  with an attached hand shower  5 ′ or a tub outlet. 
   An outlet  4  is provided for connection to the shower hose  5  or a tub outlet. The body is further provided with water jet issuing elements can be formed as the jet nozzles  6  mounted in the body  1 . As can be seen from the drawings, two groups of the jet nozzle  6  are provided. The jet nozzles in each group are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction, or in other words in the direction of elongation of the body  1  and also the groups of the jet nozzles are spaced from one another in a transverse direction. 
   The control element  7  is provided in the body  1 . It can be formed as a three-way zone control for switching water to corresponding elements, in particular to the showerhead  3 , to the nozzles  6 , or to the shower hose  5 . 
   In accordance with the present invention a receptacle  8  is provided in the body  1  and formed as a throughgoing opening. The receptacle  8  is preferably elongated in the direction of elongation of the body  1 . The body  1  is therefore formed as a peripherally closed element which surrounds the receptacle  8 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–3  the receptacle  8  is formed so that an existing water control element  9  mounted on the wall of a bathroom and the like can be accommodated in the receptacle  8  so that the body  1  does not interfere with the watex control element  9 , so that a user can correspondingly operate the control element  9 , as needed, to supply water, to change water temperature, etc. 
   In the region of the receptacle, means are also provided for attaching at least one supporting member for supporting accessories. These means can be formed for example as a groove  10  in which a shelf  11  can be introduced forcedly to be retained in it. Accessories such as for example bottles with shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.  12  can be placed on the shelf  11 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example two shelves  11  can be provided at both sides of the control element  9  as considered in a vertical direction. When it is not necessary to arrange the control element  9  in the region of the receptacle, the shelves  11  can occupy more space, and can be provided at various locations in the direction of elongation of the receptacle. As shown in the drawings, the direction of elongation of the receptacle  8  coincides with the direction of elongation of the body  1 . 
   Additionally, a mirror  13  can be also mounted in an end region of the receptacle  8  on supporting means, formed for example connecting strips inserted in the grooves of the body. 
   A bracket  15  can be also mounted on the receptacle  1  in its upper region as shown in the drawings, for example for supporting a small towel and the like. 
   The body  1  can be attached to a shower arm by a clamp  16  shown in  FIG. 5 . The clamp can be tightened by a set screw  17  and provided with a lip  18  which is inserted into a slot  19  of the body  1  or of a part attached to the body  1 , as additional mounting means which prevent movement of the body. 
   The body  1  can be additionally attached to a wall or the like at another location, for example by a displacement preventing bracket  20  which has two flanges  21  attachable to the body  1  and to the wall for example by an adhesive, a screw, and the like. 
     FIG. 6  shows another way of mounting of the shelf  11  or the mirror  13 . Vertical guides  22  provided with holes are arranged on the rear side of the body  1 , while the shelf or the mirror has a flange  23  with two holes, so that screws can pass through aligned holes of the flange and the guides to mount the shelf or the mirror at a desired height. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a device for showering and the like, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
   What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: