Abstract:
The invention is directed to a shower assembly having an electronically controlled shower head that is controlled by a computerized control unit. The assembly can automatically bathe a user by following a program that dictates time of bathing, shower head position and motion, and the dispensing of bathing agents such as body wash or shampoo.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/895,214 filed Sep. 30, 2010 now abandoned entitled “Vertical Positioning Shower Attachment,” which is a Continuation-in-Part Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/827,721 filed Jun. 30, 2010 now abandoned entitled “Self-Cleansing Automated Shower Attachment,” which is a Continuation in Part Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/725,138 filed Mar. 16, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,425 entitled “Shower Attachment and Related Method of Use,” the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety all commonly owned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a shower attachment attachable to an existing shower enclosure for purposes of vertically positioning a shower head about a user to deliver, through automation, water and cleansing agents. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The traditional showering apparatus primarily comprises a shower head and valves for regulating both the temperature and flow of the water through the shower head. Most advances in the field of showering relate to shower head designs that vary flow and spray settings to create various spray pulsations and patterns, often for the purpose of effectuating a massage. Other advances have included placement of multiple shower head arrays to create an envelope or cascade of water around a user. These additional shower heads are placed along the shower enclosure wall or on the ceiling of the shower. Many of these advances have focused, however, on the same fundamental shower system of a shower head and regulating valves. 
     Of course, showering remains a fundamental regimen for good personal hygiene. This is especially true and in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities wherein cleanliness helps to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. It is often the case that individuals being treated at these facilities have infirmities that prevent them from showering without assistance. However, assistance when showering is not only potentially uncomfortable and embarrassing for the infirm individual, but requires a significant level of time and patience on the part of the assisting professional. 
     Very little has been done to create shower systems to assist infirm individuals who cannot stand upright to take a shower. Moreover, it is desirable to design a system to deliver a cleanser such as soap, shower gel, or similar agents. 
     Such systems could be employed to effectuate luxury and spa-like showering experiences. Current domestic shower systems optionally include a hand wand that is attached to the water regulating valves. A flexible tube attaches the hand wand to water-regulating valves so that the user has greater freedom to provide direct water pressure to various parts of the user&#39;s body. Optionally, these hand wands include settings to allow changes in pressure and water pattern. By engaging the hand wand, water is diverted from the shower head (typically located above the wand) and thus allows for a more spa-like feel. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a robust shower system designed to adapt to existing shower systems to allow infirm individuals to shower without need of assistance. Moreover, such an attachment should provide a complete shower to those infirm individuals with limited motor skills. Optionally, such attachment allows delivery, through automation, of cleaning agents to the infirm individual. In addition, there is a need in the art for domestic shower systems that provide automated and adjustable attachments for a spa like massage without the need for a manually operated wand. Preferably, such a device can be interchangeably used for both domestic and assisted living facilities in order to be mass-produced in a cost effective manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automated showering apparatus. The apparatus comprises a shower head, the position of which can be vertically adjusted by a motor. The motor changes the position of the shower head. The position of the shower head is constrained by a substantially rigid guide that defines a motion path of the shower head. A control unit having a microprocessor is in communication with the motor for the purpose of controlling the position of the shower head along the motion path. In one embodiment, a reservoir containing a bathing solution is in communication with the shower head, wherein the control unit controls the dispensing of a bathing solution from the reservoir through the shower head. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a trolley having a first half and a second half is in communication with the motor. The trolley moves along the motion path, and the trolley is attached to the shower head so that as the trolley moves, the shower head also moves. 
     In another embodiment, the shower assembly comprises a leadscrew having a first end that rotatably communicates with a first plate and a second end that rotatably communicates with a second plate. The plates maintain the assembly. A guide rod having a first end that fixedly communicates with a first plate and a second end that fixedly communicates with a second plate is situated proximate and substantially parallel to the leadscrew. A nut having threads complimentary to the leadscrew engages the leadscrew to translate a rotary motion of the lead screw into a linear motion of the nut. The nut simultaneously engages the guide rod to prevent the nut from rotating about the leadscrew, wherein the nut travels along the length of the guide rod when the leadscrew rotates. 
     A first portion of the trolley is fixedly attached to the nut, wherein the first portion of the trolley comprises a first internal conduit, the first internal conduit comprising a first opening and a second opening. A second portion of the trolley comprises a second internal conduit, the second internal conduit comprising a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second portion of the trolley fixedly engages the first portion of the trolley, and the second opening of the first internal conduit of the first portion of the trolley communicates with the first opening of the second internal conduit of the second portion of the trolley, defining a first conduit junction. A shower head communicates with the second opening of the second internal conduit of the second portion of the trolley. 
     Water and bathing solutions enter into the various internal conduits so that both water and bathing solutions may exit the shower head to be dispensed on a bather. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a like embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , that is installed on a substantially vertical surface; 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top cutaway view of the trolley; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side cutaway view of the trolley. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. The term “comprises” is used herein to mean that other elements, steps, etc. are optionally present. 
     In this section, the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     The Overall Apparatus 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , the overall apparatus taught by the invention relates to a shower attachment  100  which can be installed in an existing shower enclosure. In one contemplated use, the shower attachment  100  is used within a residence to aid in providing a total body cleansing. Such application can offer a spa-like experience by enveloping a user with a variety of angled jet sprays. In addition, the apparatus can alternatively be used to ensure proper cleansing of a child or other individual with sub-optimal motor function. 
     In a second contemplated use, the shower attachment  100  is used in a medical facility such as a hospital, nursing home, or assisted care facility to allow the elderly or infirm to shower in privacy, providing a reduced need for assistance and supervision by medical professionals. Such an application additionally decreases the spread of disease within such facilities, as it increases the ease and frequency of patient bathing. Other applications of the shower attachment  100  shall be known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the figures and disclosure contained herein. 
       FIG. 1  offers, by way of example a preferred embodiment of the shower attachment  100 . The primary external components of the shower attachment  100 , as illustrated, are a first plate  102  for the purpose of mounting the shower attachment to a mounting surface (S) (As illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), a second plate  104  for the purpose of mounting the shower attachment to the mounting surface (S), a trolley  106  comprising at least a first portion of the trolley  108 , a second portion of the trolley  110 , and a shower head  112 . A guide rod housing  114  communicates with at least one of the first plate  102  and the second plate  104 . The guide rod housing  114  conceals the internal components (described in detail below) of the shower attachment  100  for safety and aesthetic purposes as well as for the purpose of protecting the internal components from the elements. The trolley  106  is a moveable unit that moves about the guide rod housing  114  to position the shower head  112  for bathing purposes. 
     The Actuation Mechanism 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the shower attachment  100  installed on a mounting surface (S). As illustrated by an arrow (A) in  FIG. 2 , the trolley  106  moves positions between the first plate  102  and the second plate  104 . 
       FIG. 3  reveals some of the internal components of the trolley responsible for the motion of the trolley  106 . A leadscrew  116  having a first end  118  and a second end  120  ( FIG. 4 ) is in communication with the first plate  102  and the second plate  104 . The leadscrew  116  rotates about its long axis. The leadscrew  116  is made of a metal, and comprises one of square threads, acme threads, buttress threads, or a helical bearing raceway. In a preferred embodiment the leadscrew is stainless steel  116  or any other non-corrosive material. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 3 , a motor  122  engages the first end  118  of the leadscrew  116  so that the motor  122  causes the leadscrew  116  to rotate. The motor  122  is one of an AC motor, brushed DC motor, brushless DC motor, printed armature DC motor, switched reluctance motor, or servo motor. In a preferred embodiment, the motor  122  is a stepping motor. The motor  122  also fixedly engages the first plate  102 . At least one nut  124  engages the leadscrew  116 , the nut  124  having threads that are complimentary to the leadscrew  116  threads. The nut  124  also communicates with a guide rod  126 . The guide rod  126  is a smooth rod having a first end  128  and a second end  130  ( FIG. 4 ), the first end  128  engaging the first plate  102 , and the second end  130  engaging the second plate  104 . The guide rod  126  is rigidly secured by the first and second plates  102 ,  104  using at least one of a mechanical fastener, pressure fit, thread, and adhesive. As the leadscrew  116  rotates, the nut  124  travels along the long access of the lead screw, effectively converting the rotational forces of the leadscrew  116  into a linear motion. The communication with the guide rod  126  prevents the nut  124  from merely spinning in place and also provides the nut  124  with a physical guide to follow so to create a linear motion path. Reversing the rotation of the leadscrew  116  reverses the direction of nut  124  travel. 
     The Trolley 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in a preferred embodiment the trolley  106  is of a multi-part construction. The first portion of the trolley  108  is affixed to the second portion of the trolley  110 , and both portions  108 ,  110  fixedly engage the nut  124  that is in communication with the lead screw  116 . As the nut  124  travels as a result of the leadscrew  116  turning, the attached trolley  106  travels with the nut  124 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a first opening  128  of the first internal conduit  130  of the first portion of the trolley  108 , wherein water introduced into the water supply line travels through the first internal conduit  130  of the first portion of the trolley  108  into a second internal conduit  132  of the second portion of the trolley  110  and exits through the shower head  112 . The first internal conduit  130  meets the second internal conduit  132  at a first conduit junction  131 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates additional conduits of the trolley  106  that communicate with the shower head  112 . A third internal conduit  134  of the first portion of the trolley  108  communicates with a fourth internal conduit  136  of the second portion of the trolley  110 . The third internal conduit  134  meets the fourth internal conduit  136  at a second conduit junction (not shown). In one embodiment the trolley  106  comprises enough conduit routes to the shower head to deliver water, shampoo, body wash, conditioner, and any other solutions for known for use in bathing. In another embodiment, the third and fourth conduits  134 ,  136  serve to deliver shampoo, body wash, conditioner, and any other solutions for known for use in bathing. Solution reservoirs  142 ,  144  containing bathing solution communicate with the third and fourth conduits  134 ,  136 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a water supply line  138  is sealedy connected to the first opening  128  of the first internal conduit  130  of the first portion of the trolley  108 , wherein water introduced into the water supply line  138  travels through the first portion of the trolley  108  and second portion of the trolley  110  and exits through the shower head  112 . 
     The trolley  106  is attached to the nut  124 , so that when the leadscrew  116  turns, causing the nut to travel in a linear motion path, the trolley  106  moves along the same path, thus the shower head  112  can spray water or cleansing solutions at various height levels. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 2 , the motor  122  is electronically controlled, and in an embodiment communicates with a processor/microcontroller  140  (control unit). The processor/microcontroller  140  communicates with sensors and actuators for the purpose of controlling the trolley  106  height, the pressure and temperature of water leaving the shower head  112 , the cleansing solution composition, and the sequence and timing of these apparatus features. Thus, cleaning routines may be programmed by a user or from the factory that wet, clean, and rinse a user automatically. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.