Abstract:
A water retention dam including a collapsible outer shell having an inner chamber and at least one surface for preventing the passage of water. The outer shell has a first surface configured to serve as a barrier to water and a second surface for attachment to a floor. The second surface has a recess for receiving an adhesive.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to showers for bathing.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Standard showers for bathing generally include an apron for retaining water during use. In shower/bathtub combinations, the wall of the bathtub serves as the apron. On the other hand, shower-only facilities include a shower basin having a molded flange or lip for maintaining water within the shower.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     In a general aspect of the invention, a water retention dam includes a collapsible outer shell having an inner chamber and at least one surface for preventing the passage of water, the outer shell having a first surface configured to serve as a barrier to water and a second surface for attachment to the floor. The second surface has a recess for receiving adhesive.  
         [0004]     Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The outer shell is rubber with a first surface that is arch-shaped, and it includes an air-filled chamber. The water-retention dam further includes a tape positioned within the recess. The adhesive is water-resistant and is applied to the tape. The tape is also water-resistant.  
         [0005]     Among other advantages, the water retention dam has the ability to absorb the impact energy of a rolling wheelchair or foot, while maintaining water within the shower during use. The water retention dam is particularly advantageous for persons with temporary or permanent disabilities where use of a conventional shower would be more difficult or impossible.  
         [0006]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handicap shower.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a collapsible dam.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged cross-sectional front view of the collapsible dam of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the end cap and collapsible dam of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of a collapsible dam. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a barrier-free, curbless shower  100  is shown having a one-piece molded fiberglass construction and a slip-resistant floor  130 . Unlike standard tub/showers, curbless shower  100  does not include an apron. Thus, access into and out of curbless shower  100  is made easier, an advantage for senior citizens and the handicapped (e.g., those requiring a wheelchair). Shower  100  includes hand-rails  120 , a shower wand assembly  125  attached to the walls  105  of the shower, and a drain  135  recessed within shower floor  130 .  
         [0013]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , shower  100  includes a water retention collapsible dam  140  for maintaining water within the shower during use. Water retention collapsible dam  140  is in the form of an elongated member  205  having a flat lower surface  230  ( FIG. 2B ) that contacts floor  130  and a curved upper surface  225 . In this embodiment, curved upper surface  225  is in the shape of a dome and has a generally triangular cross-section.  
         [0014]     Collapsible dam  140  is made from a compressible material (e.g., a closed cell Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM) sponge rubber) which contains porous holes  235 . The material is preferable fingus resistant. At its core, collapsible dam  140  includes a cylindrical air-filled passage  220  extending along its entire length to further enable the compressibility of the darn.  
         [0015]     The bottom of flat lower surface  230  includes a recessed groove  240  which holds a strip of self-adhesive tape  210  for firmly holding the dam to slip-resistant floor  130 . Adhesive tape  210  is water resistant for durability in the shower setting, and is double-sided to permit easy attachment to recessed groove  240  and to shower floor  130 . In order to allow collapsible dam  140  to spread the impact energy from a rolling wheelchair or foot along the length of the dam, adhesive tape  210  does not extend to the end tips  200  ( FIG. 2A ) of collapsible dam  140 . Although, in other embodiments, adhesives can be substituted for self-adhesive tape  210 , using tape  210  provides a simple and clean method for attaching collapsible dam  140  to floor  130 .  
         [0016]     Collapsible dam  140  extends along shower floor  130  ( FIG. 2A ) to the wall radius  110 . Dam  140  then curves upwardly along shower wall  105 . End caps  115  can be attached at the end tip  200  of collapsible dam  140 . Installation of end caps  115  helps to seal elongated structure  205  and to provide a finished look. End caps  115  also can keep the shower curtain inside collapsible dam  140 .  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, using a properly sized curtain with heavy tape weights in combination with collapsible dam  140  effectively prevents water spillage. In addition, the outer edges  245  beneath collapsible dam  140  may be caulked to prevent soap and shower debris from lodging beneath collapsible dam  140 .  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , end cap  115  is a four-sided figure with a flat bottom surface  305  having contact with shower wall  105 , a curved upper surface  310  directly opposite to flat surface  305 , and a first side surface  320  and a second side surface  315  located at the polar ends. In this embodiment, curved upper surface  310  is in the arch-shape of a dome and has a generally triangular-cross section. First side surface  320  is sloped inwardly and located distally from elongated structure  205 , while second side surface  315  is located proximally and attaches to elongated structure  205 . Second side surface  315  features a recessed interior with plug  300  which protrudes from its center. Plug  300  fits snugly into opening  305  of air-filled passage  220 , thus sealing the water-retention collapsible dam.  
         [0019]     Another embodiment ( FIG. 4 ) shows water-retention collapsible dam  140  attached to shower floor  130  at an elevated angle.  
         [0020]     In other embodiments, curved upper surface  225  may be formed in a shape other than a dome, so long as collapsible dam  140  maintains the functionality of retaining water within the shower during use.  
         [0021]     The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made to the preferred embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.