Patent Publication Number: US-7900293-B2

Title: Shower bathing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorities from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2006-100279, filed on Mar. 31, 2006, and the prior Japanese Patent Application No.2006-349749, filed on Dec. 26, 2006; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a shower bathing apparatus, and more particularly to a shower bathing apparatus enabling a user to take a shower bath in a sitting posture. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A shower bathing apparatus enabling a user to take a shower bath in a sitting posture is disclosed, for example, in International Publication WO 97/30619 (hereinafter referred to as “Patent Document 1”). According to this Patent Document 1, an arm extending forward from behind the user in a sitting posture over the user&#39;s shoulder has a spray nozzle, which sprays mist toward the user. 
     Recently, with the growing diversity of lifestyle, bathing style has been also diversified. In a conventional way of bathing, the body is washed with a shower and warmed in a bathtub. However, even for a shower, there are demands for a sense of bathing like soaking in a bathtub and a function of sufficiently warming the body. 
     The shower bathing apparatus is expected to also serve for warming the body in addition to simply washing the body, particularly for elderly and physically challenged users who are difficult to move into and out of a bathtub. However, in a sitting position on a seat, the water flow discharged from above the seat is obstructed by the seat and is difficult to reach the legback. Thus it is difficult to provide a high hyperthermic effect on the entire body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower bathing apparatus including a concave seat; and a water discharger provided rearwardly and upwardly to the seat and configured to discharge water in a forward direction of the seat, a water discharge direction from the water discharger and positional relationship between the water discharger and the seat are adjusted so that at least part of the discharged water directly reaches the seat with no seat occupant seated on the seat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is the A-A cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is the B-B cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is the C-C cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic side view showing another example of the water discharger. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically showing the water discharge of a shower flow from each water discharger to a seat occupant. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the seat. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic front view of a backrest of a shower bathing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is the D-D cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a backrest without irregularity. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view showing another example where irregularity is provided on the backrest. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic plan view showing still another example where irregularity is provided on the backrest. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic plan view showing still another example where irregularity is provided on the backrest. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view schematically showing the water discharge of a shower flow from each water discharger to a seat occupant in the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, where a foot bathtub is placed on the bathroom floor. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of the shower bathing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, where the foot bathtub is housed in the base portion. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing another example structure for housing a foot bathtub, where the foot bathtub is placed on the bathroom floor. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view where the foot bathtub shown in  FIG. 18  is in rotation. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the seat. 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic view of the shower apparatus as viewed from the frontside. 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view schematically showing the main part of the shower apparatus. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic view showing a bow-legged position of a seat occupant. 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic view showing a knock-kneed position of a seat occupant. 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic view showing another example of the legback water discharger in the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention where the legback water discharger is directed obliquely upward. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to the ninth embodiment where the legback water discharger is directed obliquely downward. 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic view showing the direction of water discharge from the legback water discharger adapted to a seat occupant sitting in a bow-legged position. 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic view showing the direction of water discharge from the legback water discharger adapted to a seat occupant sitting in a knock-kneed position. 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the invention where the legback water discharger protrudes forward of the seat front edge. 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the invention where the legback water discharger is adjustable in its front-back position. 
         FIG. 36  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention where the legback feedwater channel is provided with a flow rate regulation means. 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
         FIG. 38  is a schematic view of the shower apparatus as viewed from the frontside. 
         FIG. 39  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
         FIG. 40  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 43  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic view of the seat  4  of the shower bathing apparatus shown in  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 45  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 49  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the entire body surface of a subject. 
         FIG. 50  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the body surface of the subject&#39;s shoulder. 
         FIG. 51  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the body surface of the subject&#39;s leg. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like elements are marked with like reference numerals. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is the A-A cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is the B-B cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is the C-C cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
     The shower bathing apparatus according to this embodiment primarily comprises a back portion  2  provided on a wall  100  of a bathroom and a base portion  3  provided on a floor  110  of the bathroom. In this example, the base portion  3  is integrated with the bottom of the back portion  2 . However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the base portion  3  and the back portion  2  may be provided separately. 
     The base portion  3  protrudes forward (in the direction of arrow y in  FIG. 1 ) of the back portion  2 . On the top face of the base portion  3  is formed a concave seat  4 , which is recessed toward the floor  110  relative to the other part of the top face. That is, as viewed in a first direction x (along the width of the base portion  3 ) generally parallel to the bathroom wall  100  and the bathroom floor  110 , a step is formed across a wall portion  6  between each end of the top face of the base portion  3  and the seat  4 , and operates as a part of weirs pooling water. A slope portion  4 S is provided on the seat  4 , which is sloped with respect to the vertically upward direction from the backside to the front. 
     The back portion  2  has a concave backrest  5 , which is recessed toward the bathroom wall  100  relative to the other part of the back portion  2 . That is, as viewed in the first direction x, a step is formed across a wall portion  7  between each end of the back portion  2  and the backrest  5 . 
     The backrest  5  and the seat  4  are formed as a continuous recess. The wall portion  7  on each end of the backrest  5  as viewed in the first direction x (along the width) and the wall portion  6  on each end of the seat  4  as viewed in the first direction x (along the width) are also continuous with each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the seat  4  is concaved as viewed in the first direction x (along the width). The seat  4  is concaved also as viewed in a second direction y (see  FIG. 1 ). That is, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the weir facing the backrest  5 , that is, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. 
     Furthermore, a pair of recesses  4 A may be provided as shown in  FIG. 3B . These recesses  4 A extend in the second direction y and correspond to the thighs of a seat occupant seated on the seat  4 . These recesses  4 A serve to support the thighs of the seat occupant more stably, and allow the water pooled in the seat  4  to flow toward the legs of the seat occupant. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the seat  4  is sloped down along the depth (toward the backrest  5 ). That is, the recess of the seat  4  gradually deepens along the depth (toward the backrest  5 ). 
     At the upper part of the back portion  2  and generally at its center as viewed in the first direction x (along the width) is provided a head support  25  for supporting the head, or a portion from the neck to the head, of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4 . The head support  25  protrudes in the second direction y (the protruding direction of the base portion  3 ) from the back portion  2 . 
     A pair of first water dischargers  21  is provided on the back portion  2  upwardly to the backrest  5 . The first water dischargers  21  are provided on both sides, one for each side, of the head support  25  so as to interpose the head support  25  as viewed in the first direction x. When a user is seated on the seat  4 , the first water dischargers  21  are located upwardly to the shoulders of the seated user. The height between the seat  4  and the first water discharger  21  is larger than the height from the bathroom floor  110  to the seat  4 . The two first water dischargers  21  are spaced from each other in the first direction x so that the face or head of the seated user can be located between the pair of first water dischargers  21 . That is, the pair of first water dischargers  21  is located so as to interpose the face or head of the user seated on the seat. However, the first water dischargers  21  may be provided at a higher position than the head of the user seated on the seat  4 . The water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  is configured to be a generally horizontal direction, or a slightly downward direction relative to the horizontal. 
     The term “generally horizontal direction” used herein is preferably within ±45°, more preferably within ±30°, and even more preferably within ±20°, relative to the horizontal. 
     More specifically, as described later in detail, the first water dischargers  21  provided upwardly to the shoulders of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4  discharge a shower flow falling around the legs of the seat occupant. Here, if the first water dischargers  21  are attached at a low position, the shower flow can be discharged nearly horizontally over the shoulders of the seat occupant and dropped around the legs of the seat occupant. On the other hand, if the first water dischargers  21  are attached at a high position, a horizontally discharged shower flow would fall far from the legs of the seat occupant. Hence water needs to be discharged downward relative to the horizontal. That is, water needs to be discharged nearly horizontally for a low attachment position of the first water dischargers  21 , and the water discharge direction needs to be made more downward relative to the horizontal as the attachment position becomes higher. 
     For example, if the first water dischargers  21  are attached at a low position and discharge water generally horizontally, the flying distance traveled by the shower flow to fall around the legs of the seat occupant decreases, and consequently the shower flow is less prone to temperature decrease. Furthermore, the shower bathing apparatus can be downsized by lowering the attachment position of the first water dischargers  21 . Moreover, the speed of the shower flow falling around the legs of the seat occupant decreases (because the shower flow is less affected by acceleration, which would be greater for downward water discharge). This reduces irritation and water splash of the shower flow to the seat occupant and enables the seat occupant to comfortably take a full body shower for a long time. 
     In this example, the apparatus includes a pair of first water dischargers  21  on the left and right side. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the apparatus may be provided with a single first water discharger  21 . In this case, the first water discharger  21  may extend to both the left and right side of the head support  25 , and/or may be provided upwardly to the head support  25 . 
     A pair of second water dischargers  22  is provided on the back portion  2  upwardly to the backrest  5  and below the pair of first water dischargers  21 , respectively. The water discharge direction of the second water discharger  22  is configured to be more downward than the water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  and to discharge water toward the shoulders of the seat occupant. In this example, the apparatus includes a pair of second water dischargers  22  on the left and right side. However, the invention is not limited thereto, but the apparatus may be provided with a single second water discharger  22 . In this case, the second water discharger  22  is provided around the center. 
     A pair of third water dischargers  23  is provided on the back portion  2  nearly as high as or slightly upwardly to the second water dischargers  22  and outside the first and second water dischargers  21 ,  22  and the backrest  5  as viewed in the first direction x (along the width of the backrest  5 ). The water discharge direction of the third water discharger  23  is configured to be more inward than the water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  as viewed in the first direction x and to discharge water toward the acromia of the seat occupant. 
     Each water discharger  21 - 23  discharges a shower flow of e.g. about 40 to 45° C. Note that two or more pairs of water dischargers  21 - 23  may be provided. In the example shown, each water discharger  21 - 23  separately protrudes from the back portion  2 . However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the water dischargers ( FIG. 5  illustratively shows first and second water dischargers  21 ,  22 ) may be built in a single unit body  14 . 
     Next, the function of the shower bathing apparatus according to this embodiment is described. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically showing the water discharge of a shower flow from each water discharger  21 - 23  to a seat occupant  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the first water discharger  21  discharges a shower flow that is ejected generally horizontally and falling around the front edge of the seat  4 . That is, a shower flow is discharged over the shoulder of the seat occupant  200  along an arc extending forward of the seat occupant  200  under its own weight, and falls around the leg particularly centering on the thigh of the seat occupant  200 . Here the shower flow may fall also on the abdomen in addition to the leg of the seat occupant  200 . The shower flow flows on the surface of the leg from the knee toward the foot of the seat occupant  200 . This configuration of the water discharge direction enables the water discharge flow to reliably reach the leg without being blocked by the seat occupant  200  and to warm also the leg below the knee by discharging water over the shoulder of the seat occupant  200 , despite the configuration where the first water dischargers  21  are provided rearwardly to the seat occupant  200  and near the head, which is distant from the legs of the seat occupant  200 . Furthermore, the water discharged from such a high position can provide a massage effect by the shower flow acting on the legs like the so-called “Utaseyu” (water falling down on a user&#39;s body like a waterfall). Depending on the angle of the backrest  5  and the posture of the seat occupant  200 , the shower flow discharged from the first water discharger  21  can be dropped on the lower abdomen of the seat occupant  200 . 
     The “water discharge over the shoulder” used herein is not limited to the case where the shower flow from the first water discharger  21  passes directly upward to the shoulder of the seat occupant  200 , but also includes the case of passing near the shoulder tip of the seat occupant  200 . However, the shower flow passing directly upward to the shoulder of the seat occupant  200  can reach the leg from the first water discharger  21  provided on the backside of the seat occupant  200  in the shortest distance. That is, it can reduce the temperature decrease of the shower flow discharged from the first water discharger  21  during flying to the leg, and warm the leg with the shower flow at a desired temperature. 
     The second water discharger  22  discharges a shower flow toward the shoulder near the base of the neck of the seat occupant  200 . Part of the shower flow impinging on the shoulder flows on the front surface of the body of the seat occupant  200  centering on the lateral portion extending from the chest to the trunk, and the other part of the shower flow is wrapped around to the back. Thus both the front and back of the body of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed. Furthermore, the massage effect by the shower flow can also be allowed to act on the shoulder. When only a single second water discharger  22  is provided as described above, it discharges a shower flow, for example, from rearward the neck of the seat occupant  200  toward both the shoulders near the base of the neck to achieve the same effect. 
     By discharging the shower flow from the second water discharger  22  toward the shoulder near the base of the neck of the seat occupant  200  and allowing the shower flow to flow on the front and back of the upper body of the seat occupant  200 , the entire upper body of the seat occupant  200  can be efficiently warmed with only a pair of second water dischargers  22  provided rearwardly to the seat occupant  200 . That is, the number of water dischargers can be minimized to reduce cost while providing a high hyperthermic effect. 
     The water wrapped around to the backside of the seat occupant  200  continuously flows along the back of the seat occupant  200  or the backrest  5  toward the seat  4 . That is, a continuous flow of water discharged from the second water discharger  22  into the backrest  5  avoids occurrence of a temperature boundary layer between the back of the seat occupant  200  and the backrest  5  and facilitates conduction of heat from the water to the back of the seat occupant  200 . Simultaneous warming of the backside in addition to the front of the body can enhance the hyperthermic effect even at a low flow rate, and also save water and energy by saving the amount of water used. 
     The backrest  5  is partitioned by the wall portions  7  formed on both ends in the first direction x (along the width) and is formed in a concave configuration continued to the seat  4 . Hence it is possible to prevent splash and outflow of the water flowing into the backrest  5  and to reliably guide the water to the seat  4  without waste. That is, the hyperthermic effect is not compromised even at a low flow rate, and it is also possible to save water and energy by saving the amount of water used. 
     The third water discharger  23  discharges a shower flow toward the acromion (point of the shoulder) of the seat occupant  200 . The shower flow impinging on the acromion flows on and warms the part around the center of the arm that cannot be covered by the shower flow from the first and second water dischargers  21 ,  22 . Furthermore, the shower flow can be applied also beyond the acromion toward the chest. The shower flow discharged from only a pair of third water dischargers  23  toward the acromia can cover the arms and other parts that cannot be covered by the first and second water dischargers  21 ,  22 , and thus the cost can be reduced. 
     The water discharged from the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  flows along the body surface of the seat occupant  200  or the backrest  5  and is pooled in the concave seat  4 . In fact, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . The water pooled in the seat  4  ensures that at least the rear side of the buttocks and thighs of the seat occupant  200  is in contact with water. Thus it is possible to efficiently warm the vicinity of the waist where the discharged water flow from the water dischargers  21 - 23  does not directly reach. Furthermore, warming the waist and the buttocks also serves to promote healthy intestinal motility. 
     The seat  4  is partitioned by the wall portions  6  formed on both ends in the first direction x (along the width) and is formed as a recess continued from the backrest  5 . Hence it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of water and to efficiently use the water from the water dischargers  21 - 23  without waste. That is, it is possible to save water and energy by saving the amount of water used. 
     Along the body surface of the seat occupant  200  or the backrest  5 , water continuously flows also into the seat  4 . This flow avoids developing a temperature boundary layer between the seat occupant  200  and the seat  4  and facilitates conduction of heat from the water to the buttocks and thighs of the seat occupant  200 . Thus the hyperthermic effect can be enhanced. 
     Furthermore, the water pooled in the seat  4  flows out forward (in the direction y in  FIG. 1 ) and down the legs to the feet of the seat occupant  200 . As a result, the feet are also warmed without wasting water. In particular, the recesses  4 A as illustrated in  FIG. 3B  increase efficiency because the water pooled in the seat  4  is then easier to flow toward the legs of the seat occupant  200 . 
     Moreover, the user can take a shower flow from the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  throughout the body while soaking in the water pooled in the seat  4 . Thus the user can enjoy a sense of soaking in water similar to that felt at bathing in a bathtub (a sense of bathing), and a high hyperthermic effect is achieved despite shower bathing. Furthermore, water pressure applied to the body is lower than that for soaking in a bathtub and places less strain on the body. Because the apparatus can be used in a seated position without the need to move into and out of the bathtub, elderly and physically challenged users can also easily enjoy a high hyperthermic effect. Furthermore, because the user can take a shower simultaneously throughout the body rather than separately on each part of the body, the user can warm the body by taking a shower in a short time with saving water. 
     Each water discharger  21 - 23  discharges a continuous shower flow of water rather than mist. Hence the ambient space is not filled with an atmosphere of high temperature and humidity as in the case of spraying mist, and dizziness can be prevented. Furthermore, because the temperature decrease of discharged water due to heat of vaporization is small, there is no need to set the shower temperature higher than needed, achieving greater economy. 
     The shower flow discharged from the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  in the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment is discharged from a plurality of shower holes provided in each water discharger. The hole diameter is preferably in the range of e.g. 0.2 to 4 mm. In this range, a wide area can be efficiently warmed at a low flow rate. 
     In Patent Document 1, an arm having a plurality of water dischargers extends forward of a seat occupant. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the water dischargers  21 - 23  are integrated with the bathroom wall rearwardly to the seat occupant  200 . Thus the footprint can be reduced in the limited bathroom space. The compact and simple configuration eliminates annoyance in the bathroom without compromising the design. Furthermore, because the apparatus has no arm extending forward, a user in a wheelchair, for example, can be safely and easily transferred to the seat  4  of the shower bathing apparatus and enjoy high user friendliness. 
     It is possible to provide a shower bath for efficiently warming the entire body of a seat occupant  200  with a small amount of water by suitably configuring the water discharge direction of the shower flow from each water discharger  21 - 23  as described above. There is no need for many water dischargers in front of the seat occupant  200 , but only a minimum number of water dischargers are needed rearwardly to the seat occupant. Minimizing the number of water dischargers also leads to cost reduction. Furthermore, reducing the needed amount of water also serves to save water and energy. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the seat. 
     In this example, wall portions  26  are provided upright on the upper face of the base portion  3  to provide a concave seat  4  partitioned by the wall portions  26  from the other upper face of the base portion  3 . 
     In the following, other embodiments of the invention are described. Elements similar to those described earlier are marked with like reference numerals and not described in detail. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic front view of a backrest  5  of a shower bathing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is the D-D cross-sectional view of  FIG. 8 . 
     In this embodiment, the backrest  5  has irregularity. In the example shown in  FIG. 8 , the backrest  5  has a plurality of cylindrical protrusions  17 , for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the backrest  5  without irregularity is in close contact with the back of the seat occupant  200 , and water is difficult to flow on the back of the seat occupant  200 . In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the backrest  5  with irregularity (protrusions  17 ) can ensure channels  18  for the water flowing between the backrest  5  and the back of the seat occupant  200 . Thus a flow of water flowing in contact with the back of the seat occupant  200  can be ensured. The flow of water can be allowed to flow into the seat  4  while warming the back of the seat occupant  200 . 
     The number and arrangement of the protrusions  17  are not limited to this example. For example, in contrast to the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the protrusions  17  may be placed in a staggered configuration. Then the vertical channel is interrupted, and water is easy to spread laterally. Hence the back of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed entirely and uniformly. 
     Furthermore, the protrusion  17  is not limited in shape and size to this example, but may be provided with various shapes such as elliptic or rectangular cylinder. Furthermore, its tip and/or corner can be suitably rounded to adjust stimuli applied to the seat occupant  200 . The protrusion  17  may be composed of a curved surface such as hemisphere. Suitable placement of such protrusions  17  also provides a “pressure point massage” effect. 
       FIGS. 11 to 13  show other examples of irregularity provided on the backrest  5 . 
       FIG. 11  shows an example where the backrest  5  has rectangular protrusions  17   a.    
       FIG. 12  also shows rectangular protrusions  17   b  as in  FIG. 11 . However, the vertical channel (the channel along the height of the backrest  5 ) formed between the protrusions  17   b  is interrupted by another protrusion  17   b . Thus the channel does not extend continuously from top to bottom, and flowing water is easy to laterally spread on the backrest  5 . That is, streams of flowing water are formed entirely on the backrest  5 , and the back of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed entirely and uniformly. 
     In  FIG. 13 , the channel between the protrusions  17   c  is sloped with respect to the height direction of the backrest  5 . This configuration also facilitates forming streams of flowing water entirely on the backrest  5 . 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, the base portion  3  has a recess  28  on the front portion  27  located on the frontside as viewed in the projecting direction (second direction y) of the base portion  3 . The recess  28  is recessed toward the bathroom wall  100 . As viewed in the first direction x, a step is formed across a wall portion  8  between each end of the front portion  27  and the recess  28 . The recess  28  is continued from the seat  4 , and the wall portion  8  is continued from the wall portion  6  formed at each end of the seat  4 . 
     Furthermore, a foot bathtub  29  is provided on the bathroom floor  110  in front of the recess  28 . The water discharged from the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  flows along the body surface of the seat occupant or along the backrest  5  and the seat  4  and is pooled in the foot bathtub  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the seat occupant  200  can soak the feet in the water pooled in the foot bathtub  29  to enhance the hyperthermic effect on the feet, which are most distant from the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  and where blood flow is likely to stagnate with low skin temperature. Furthermore, the feet have arteriovenous anastomoses (AVA). Soaking the feet in the water in the foot bathtub  29  results in opening AVA to increase blood flow, thereby further enhancing the hyperthermic effect on the entire body. 
     Because the recess  28  continued from the seat  4  is provided on the front portion  27  of the base portion  3 , the water overflowing the seat  4  can flow along the recess  28  and be pooled in the foot bathtub  29  without lateral leakage. Hence the water from the water dischargers  21 - 23  can be efficiently used without waste. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views schematically illustrating the appearance of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, an opening  32  continued to the space inside the base portion  3  is formed in the recess  28  of the base portion  3  so that the foot bathtub  29  can be moved into and out of the base portion  3  through the opening  32 . 
     When the shower bathing apparatus is not in use, the foot bathtub  29  can be housed in the base portion  3  as shown in  FIG. 17 . Thus the foot bathtub  29  disappears from the bathroom floor and does not obstruct cleaning, for example. Furthermore, the design is simplified and does not compromise the appearance inside the bathroom. Moreover, the foot bathtub  29  is not obstructive, for example, to the transfer of a user between a wheelchair and the seat  4 , thus improving transferability. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show another example structure for housing the foot bathtub  29 . 
     In this example, the foot bathtub  29  is rotatable about a shaft  34  provided at its rear edge. The foot bathtub  29  can be housed in the base portion  3  and placed on the bathroom floor by rotation about the shaft  34 . Also in this configuration, the foot bathtub  29  does not obstruct cleaning and has a simplified design and superior transferability. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     The recess  28  formed on the front portion of the base portion  3  serves as a guide portion for guiding water from the seat  4  to the foot bathtub  29 . Additionally, in this embodiment, a guide portion  35  sloped forward and downward is provided upwardly to the recess  28  so as to guide the water falling from the seat  4  to the calves of the seat occupant  200 . That is, the water from the seat  4  is allowed to flow in contact with the calves of the seat occupant  200  to the foot bathtub  29 . Thus the hyperthermic effect on the calves is enhanced, and massage effect is achieved by the flow of water sweeping the calves. 
     Furthermore, wall portions  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , for example, can be provided on both sides of the guide portion  35 . Then the water overflowing forward of the seat  4  can be applied to the calves of the seat occupant  200  and guided to the foot bathtub  29  without lateral leakage. Any apparatus including such a guide portion  35  is also encompassed within the scope of the invention. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, a mirror M is provided as needed on the backrest  5  so that the shower bathing apparatus can be used as a washstand. That is, because of the concave configuration, the seat  4  can pool water and serve as a washbasin. This results in space savings and cost reduction because there is no need to prepare a separate washstand and washbasin. Furthermore, the seat  4  can also serve as a handrail, since it is designed to have sufficient strength for supporting a seat occupant seated thereon. 
     EXAMPLE 
     TABLE 1 summarizes the results of measuring the skin surface temperature of the back of a seat occupant in taking a shower bath with the backrest  5  and the seat  4  being concave (“Recessed”) and flat (“Unrecessed”). TABLE 2 summarizes the results of measuring the skin surface temperature of the feet of a seat occupant in taking a shower bath with and without the foot bathtub  29  (“With foot bathtub” and “Without foot bathtub”). 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Back skin surface temperature 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Recessed 
                 35.3° C. 
               
               
                   
                 Unrecessed 
                 33.7° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Foot skin surface temperature 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 With foot bathtub 
                 26.9° C. 
               
               
                   
                 Without foot bathtub 
                 28.1° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to the results in TABLE 1, the hyperthermic effect on the back is greater for the concave backrest  5  and seat  4  than for flat ones. According to the results in TABLE 2, the hyperthermic effect on the feet is greater in the case with the foot bathtub  29  than in the case without the foot bathtub  29 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the seat  36  may be configured as a box surrounded by wall portions  37   a - 37   c  on all four sides. Here, the wall portion  37   c  on the front-end side (on the side of the feet of the seat occupant) is lower than the lateral wall portions  37   a ,  37   b . Then the water pooled in the seat  36  flows beyond the front-end wall portion  37   c  to the feet of the seat occupant and the foot bathtub without lateral leakage. Thus the feet can be warmed without wasting water. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
       FIG. 23  is a side view schematically showing a shower bathing apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, instead of the water dischargers  21 - 23  provided on the back portion  2  described above, an arm  76  extending forward of the back portion  2  is provided at the upper part of the back portion  2 , and a plurality of water dischargers  77  are provided in the arm  76 . The plurality of water dischargers  77  discharge shower flows toward the shoulders, arms, chest, and legs of a seat occupant seated on the seat  4 . 
     Also in this embodiment, a user can take a shower flow discharged from the water dischargers  77  throughout the body while soaking in the water pooled in the seat  4 . Thus the user can enjoy a sense of soaking in water similar to that felt in bathing in a bathtub (a sense of bathing), and a high hyperthermic effect is achieved despite shower bathing. Furthermore, water pressure applied to the body is lower than that for soaking in a bathtub and places less strain on the body. Because the apparatus can be used in a seated position without the need to move into and out of the bathtub, elderly and physically challenged users can also easily enjoy a high hyperthermic effect. Furthermore, because the user can take a shower simultaneously throughout the body rather than separately on each part of the body, the user can warm the body by taking a shower in a short time with saving water. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic view of the shower apparatus as viewed from the frontside. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view schematically showing the main part of the shower apparatus. 
     The shower apparatus according to this embodiment comprises a back portion  11  provided on a bathroom wall and a base portion  12  provided at the lower part of the bathroom wall on which the back portion  11  is provided. The back portion  11  may be constituted by the bathroom wall. That is, the bathroom wall itself may be used to serve as a back portion  11  for receiving the back of a seat occupant. 
     The base portion  12  protrudes inward of the bathroom from the back portion  11 . On the top face of the base portion  12  is formed a seat  14 , which has a recessed pool portion  16 . The bottom face of the pool portion  16  serves as a seat surface  18  on which a user is seated with the buttocks being in contact therewith. 
     The seat surface  18  is sloped down along the depth (toward the back portion  11 ). That is, the recess of the pool portion  16  gradually deepens along the depth (toward the back portion  11 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , a pair of water dischargers  20  is provided on the back portion  11  upwardly to the seat  14 . The pair of water dischargers  20  is provided on both sides of the center C of the seat  14 . The user can place the head between the pair of water dischargers  20  with being seated on the seat  14 . When the user is seated on the seat  4 , the water dischargers  20  are located upwardly to the shoulders of the seated user. 
     Each water discharger  20  has a first to third water discharger  21 - 23 . The first to third water dischargers  21 - 23  are arranged in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the height. Each of the first to third water discharger  21 - 23  has a plurality of water discharge ports. 
     With respect to the center C of the seat  14 , the third water discharger  23  is placed innermost, the second water discharger  22  is placed outside the third water discharger  23 , and the first water discharger  21  is placed outside the second water discharger  22 . The first to third water dischargers  21 - 23  are placed generally at the same height. Alternatively, the second water discharger  22  is placed slightly higher than the first water discharger  21  and the third water discharger  23 . Each water discharger  21 - 23  discharges a water shower flow of e.g. about 40 to 45° C. 
     The water discharge direction of the shower flow from the second water discharger  22  is configured to be slightly downward relative to the horizontal. 
     The water discharge direction of the shower flow from the first water discharger  21  is configured to be directed from outside the seat occupant seated on the seat  14  (outside as viewed laterally in  FIG. 25 ) to the vicinity of the acromion of the seat occupant. 
     The water discharge direction of the shower flow from the third water discharger  23  is configured to be directed to the shoulder near the base of the neck of the seat occupant seated on the seat  14 . 
     The above water dischargers  21 - 23  discharge a shower flow from upward to the seat  14  and applies the shower flow to the frontside of the body (below the neck) of the seat occupant seated on the seat  14 . Furthermore, this embodiment includes a legback warming means for warming the rear side of the legs of the seat occupant where the shower flow from the above water dischargers  21 - 23  is difficult to reach. 
     Specifically, the legback warming means has an opening  31  facing the pool portion  16 , a legback feedwater channel  32  with its one end communicating with the opening  31 , and a legback water discharger  33  provided below the seat surface  18  and communicating with the other end of the legback feedwater channel  32 . The legback feedwater channel  32  is a piping provided inside the base portion  12  below the seat surface  18  and connecting the opening  31  to the legback water discharger  33 , for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , two openings  31 , for example, are provided on the bottom face (seat surface)  18  of the pool portion  16  on the back portion  11  side (near the boundary between the back portion  11  and the seat surface  18 ). Corresponding to the two openings  31 , two legback water dischargers  33  and two legback feedwater channels  32  are provided. However, the number of openings  31 , legback feedwater channels  32 , and legback water dischargers  33  is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more. 
     Below the seat  14 , the base portion  12  has a sloped portion  19  sloped downward from the front facing the bathroom to the back where the bathroom wall is provided. Between the sloped portion  19  and the bathroom floor  110 , there is a space having a height gradually decreasing backward (toward the bathroom wall). This space enables the seat occupant seated on the seat to avoid hitting the heel against the base portion  12  when retracting the leg backward. 
     The legback water discharger  33  is provided at the upper part (frontside) of the sloped portion  19  and placed nearly as high as the seat surface  18 . The legback water discharger  33  is placed below the opening  31  and the level of water pooled in the pool portion  16 . As described later, the water head difference between the level of water pooled in the pool portion  16  and the legback water discharger  33  causes the water pooled in the pool portion to flow through the opening  31  and the legback feedwater channels  32  and to be discharged forward (on the bathroom side) of the legback water discharger  33 . Hence the legback water discharger  33  only needs to be placed below the level of water pooled in the pool portion, and may be placed as high as or higher than the opening  31 . 
     Furthermore, the legback water discharger  33  is placed backward (on the bathroom wall side) of the front edge  15  of the seat  14  (base portion  12 ), and does not protrude forward (on the bathroom side) from the front edge  15  of the seat  14  (base portion  12 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , a pair of legback water dischargers  33  is placed generally at the same height, and spaced in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the height. Each legback water discharger  33  has a plurality of water discharge ports  33   a.    
     Next, the function of the shower apparatus according to this embodiment is described. 
     In  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the shower flow discharged from each water discharger  21 - 23 ,  33  and the falling water overflowing the front edge of the pool portion  16  are shown by dashed lines. 
     In the pair of water dischargers  20  provided on the back portion  11  upwardly to the seat  14 , each second water discharger  22  discharges a shower flow of water that is ejected slightly downward relative to the horizontal and falling around the front edge  15  of the seat  14 . From another viewpoint, the second water discharger  22  discharges a shower flow over the shoulder of the seat occupant along an arc extending forward of the seat occupant under its own weight, and the shower flow falls around the leg particularly centering on the thigh of the seat occupant. Here the shower flow may fall also on the abdomen in addition to the leg of the seat occupant. The shower flow flows on the surface of the leg from the knee toward the foot of the seat occupant. 
     The second water dischargers  22  are provided rearwardly to the seat occupant and near the head, which is distant from the legs of the seat occupant. Even in this configuration, the water discharge flow can reliably reach the leg without being blocked by the seat occupant and to warm also the leg below the knee by discharging water over the shoulder of the seat occupant. 
     The third water discharger  23  discharges a shower flow toward the shoulder near the base of the neck of the seat occupant. Part of the shower flow impinging on the shoulder flows on the front and lateral portion of the body extending from the chest to the trunk of the seat occupant, and the other part of the shower flow impinging on the shoulder is wrapped around to the back. Thus both the front and back of the body of the seat occupant can be warmed. Furthermore, the massage effect by the shower flow can also be allowed to act on the shoulder. 
     The first water discharger  21  discharges a shower flow toward the acromion of the seat occupant. The shower flow impinging on the acromion flows on and warms the part around the center of the arm and the lateral portion of the trunk that cannot be covered by the shower flow from the second water dischargers  22  and the third water dischargers  23 . 
     The water wrapped around to the backside of the seat occupant continuously flows along the back of the seat occupant or the back portion  11  toward the seat  14 . This avoids developing a temperature boundary layer between the back of the seat occupant and the back portion  11  and facilitates conduction of heat from the water to the back of the seat occupant. Simultaneous warming of the backside in addition to the front of the body can enhance the hyperthermic effect even at a low flow rate, and also save water and energy by saving the amount of water used. 
     The water discharged from the water dischargers  21 - 23  flows along the body surface of the seat occupant or the back portion  11  and is pooled in the concave pool portion  16  provided in the seat  14 . The water pooled in the pool portion  16  ensures that at least the rear side of the buttocks and thighs of the seat occupant is in contact with water. Thus it is possible to efficiently warm the buttocks and the vicinity of the waist where the shower flow from the water dischargers  21 - 23  does not directly reach. Furthermore, warming the waist and the buttocks also serves to promote healthy intestinal motility. 
     Along the body surface of the seat occupant or the back portion  11 , water continuously flows into the pool portion  16 . This flow avoids developing a temperature boundary layer between the seat occupant and the seat surface  18  and facilitates conduction of heat from the water to the buttocks and thighs of the seat occupant. Thus the hyperthermic effect can be enhanced. 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the pool portion  16  is formed as a recess surrounded on three sides other than the front edge on the bathroom side. Hence it is possible to prevent lateral leakage of water and to efficiently use the water from the water dischargers  21 - 23  without waste. 
     Part of the water pooled in the pool portion  16  flows out of the front edge on the bathroom side toward the legback of the seat occupant and warms the legback. However, because this uses the water spontaneously overflowing the pool portion  16 , the water may fail to flow out swiftly and to reach on the legback depending on the amount of water discharged from the water dischargers  21 - 23  and the amount of water pooled in the pool portion  16 . 
     However, in this embodiment, the water head difference between the level of water pooled in the pool portion  16  and the legback water discharger  33  causes the water pooled in the pool portion  16  to flow through the opening  31  and the legback feedwater channels  32  and to be discharged from the legback water discharger  33 . This does not use spontaneous overflow of water from the pool portion  16 , but uses the above water head difference to actively eject a shower flow from the legback water discharger  33  provided at the portion facing the rear side of the legs. Thus the shower flow can reliably reach on the legback of the seat occupant. 
     As a result, in a sitting position on the seat  14 , it is possible to warm the legback (back of calves, Achilles tendons, heels, etc.) where the shower flow from upward to the seat  14  cannot reach because it is obstructed by the seat  14 . Thus promotion of blood circulation and alleviation of lymph stagnation and edema can be achieved in the legs. 
     In general, in sitting with the buttocks being in contact with the seat surface  18 , the kneeback is located nearly as high as (the front edge of) the seat surface  18 . Hence the legback water discharger  33  placed nearly as high as (the front edge of) the seat surface  18  allows the water discharge flow from the legback water discharger  33  to easily reach on the calves and to reliably warm the calves. Furthermore, if the water discharge flow reaches on the calves, the water also naturally flows down the calves to the heels and toes, which can be warmed indirectly even if the water discharge flow does not directly reach thereon. The water discharge angle (with reference to the vertical) of the water discharge flow from the legback water discharger  33  is preferably designed to be larger than the water discharge angle (with reference to the vertical) of the water discharge flow from the water dischargers  21 - 23  in which the shower flow is dropped from upward and reaches the frontside of the body. 
     From the viewpoint of preventing the interference with the legs of the seat occupant seated on the seat  14 , the legback water discharger  33  is preferably placed more backward (toward the bathroom wall) than the front edge  15  of the seat  14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , two legback water dischargers  33  are spaced in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the height. The distance between the two legback water dischargers  33  is typically designed to correspond to the spacing between the legs of a seat occupant seated on the seat  14 . Hence it is possible to apply water simultaneously to both legs of the seat occupant. 
     Each legback water discharger  33  has a plurality of water discharge ports  33   a  and discharges a diffuse shower flow. Thus various sitting postures can be supported. For example, typically, men sit in a bow-legged position where the legs are opened outward at the knees as shown in  FIG. 27 , whereas women sit in a knock-kneed position where the calves are diverged as shown in  FIG. 28 . In this respect, a plurality of legback water dischargers  33  arranged in a lateral direction discharge a diffuse shower flow, which allows a seat occupant to receive water at the legback not in a forced position but in a natural sitting position. 
     The legback water discharger is not limited to a circular head configuration. As shown in  FIG. 29 , it is also possible to use a horizontally oriented legback water discharger  47  having a plurality of water discharge ports  47   a  that are aligned laterally. 
     As described above, according to this embodiment, in a sitting position while soaking in the water pooled in the pool portion  16 , a user can take a shower flow from the water dischargers  21 - 23 ,  33  throughout the body except upward to the neck. Thus the user can enjoy a sense of soaking in water (a sense of bathing), and a high hyperthermic effect is achieved despite shower bathing. Furthermore, water pressure applied to the body is lower than that for soaking in a bathtub and places less strain on the body. Moreover, because the difference between the standing and sitting position is smaller than for bathtub bathing, the blood pressure variation is further decreased, which improves safety. Furthermore, because the apparatus can be used in a seated position without the need to move into and out of the bathtub, elderly and physically challenged users can also easily enjoy a high hyperthermic effect. Furthermore, because the user can take a shower simultaneously throughout the body rather than separately on each part of the body, the user can warm the body by taking a shower in a short time with saving water. 
     The “shower flow” described above includes both a shower flow that is discharged in a linear continuous flow and a shower flow that is discharged in droplets (mist flow) at the moment of being discharged from the water discharger  21 - 23 ,  33 . Each water discharger  21 - 23 ,  33  discharges a continuous shower flow of water rather than mist. Hence the ambient space is not filled with an atmosphere of high temperature and humidity as in the case of spraying mist, and dizziness can be prevented. Furthermore, because the shower flow has a smaller temperature decrease of discharged water due to heat of vaporization than mist, there is no need to set the shower flow temperature higher than needed, achieving greater economy. 
     The water discharged from the water dischargers  21 - 23  for warming the portions other than the legback and pooled in the pool portion  16  of the seat  14  is reused as the water for warming the legback, thus achieving greater economy. 
     The bottom face of the pool portion  16  is sloped down backward on the back portion  11  side from the front on the bathroom side. The opening  31  is provided on the back portion  11  side of the bottom face of the pool portion  16 . Hence, after use, the water remaining in the pool portion  16  can be drained away through the opening  31 , the legback feedwater channel  32 , and the legback water discharger  33 . Thus no water is left in the pool portion  16  after use, achieving good cleanability and avoiding water stain. 
     The bottom face of the pool portion  16  having the opening  31  also serves as a seat surface  18 . Hence the opening  31  is preferably provided near the boundary between the seat surface  18  and the back portion  11  so as to prevent the opening  31  from being occluded by the buttocks or the rear side of the thigh of the seat occupant. In this case, the above slope of the seat surface  18  can be used to guide the water remaining in the pool portion  16  to the opening  31 , which facilitates drainage. 
     As shown in  FIG. 29 , a laterally extending gutter  38  can be provided in the seat surface  18  near the boundary with the back portion  11 , and the opening  31  can be formed in the gutter  38 . Then, even if the buttocks of the seat occupant are placed upwardly to the opening  31 , the water pooled in the pool portion  16  can be guided through the gutter  38  to the opening  31 . In this case, the opening  31  and the gutter  38  may be provided other than on the back portion  11  side. 
     Ninth Embodiment 
     In the shower apparatus according to this embodiment, the water discharge direction of the legback water discharger  33  is adjustable. By suitable configuration of the water discharge direction, it is possible to warm the legback depending on the user preference. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 30 , the water discharge surface having the water discharge ports of the legback water discharger  33  can be directed obliquely upward. This allows the shower flow discharged from the legback water discharger  33  to easily reach the vicinity of the kneeback of the seat occupant and to reliably warm the kneeback. Because the kneeback has little fat and muscle, the water discharge flow directly applied to the kneeback easily promotes blood circulation and provides a high hyperthermic effect. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 31 , for example, the water discharge surface of the legback water discharger  33  can be directed obliquely downward to intensively warm the calves and the feet therebelow. 
     If the user does not desire to directly receive the shower flow from the legback water discharger  33 , the water discharge direction of the legback water discharger  33  is directed to the bathroom floor  110 . Then the sole, calf, and kneeback can be indirectly warmed by the water falling on the bathroom floor  110  and flowing to the toes and by the steam rising from the bathroom floor  110 . In this case, the flow of water concentrates on the vicinity of the toes, and hence the soles can be also warmed. 
     The water discharge direction of the legback water discharger  33  is adjustable not only vertically but also laterally. For example, the lateral divergence of the water discharge direction can be adjusted to users sitting in a bow-legged position shown in  FIG. 32  and to users sitting in a knock-kneed position shown in  FIG. 33 . Thus the water discharge flow can be efficiently applied to the legback of the seat occupant. 
     Tenth Embodiment 
     In the shower apparatus according to this embodiment, the position of the legback water discharger  33  is adjustable. By adjusting the front-back and lateral position of the legback water discharger  33 , the shower apparatus can be flexibly adapted to the difference in the user&#39;s physique, sitting style, and placement of legs, and the water discharge flow can be reliably applied to the legback of the seat occupant. 
     For example, it is anticipated that the legback is spaced forward from the seat  14  (base portion  12 ) when the seat occupant sits with the body leaned backward, sits shallow, and sits with the legs stretched forward. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 34 , the legback water discharger  33  can be caused to protrude forward of the front edge of the seat  14  (base portion  12 ) to shorten the distance to the legback so that the water discharge flow can reach the legback. 
     Furthermore, by varying the front-back position of the legback water discharger  33 , it is possible to vary the flying distance of the discharged shower flow to the legback of the seat occupant. Thus the temperature of the water discharge flow at the time of impinging on the legback can be varied desirably. 
       FIG. 35  is a schematic view showing the legback water discharger  43 , which is adjustable in its front-back position, for example. 
     The horizontally oriented water discharge surface of the legback water discharger  43  facing the bathroom side has a plurality of water discharge ports  44  that are aligned laterally. The legback water discharger  43  can be housed below the seat  14  with the water discharge ports  44  facing the space on the bathroom side ( FIG. 35A ), and can be extracted forward from this housed position as shown in  FIG. 35B . It is possible to adjust the front-back position of the legback water discharger  43  by adjusting the extracted position of the legback water discharger  43 . 
     Eleventh Embodiment 
     By adjusting the flow rate of the water discharge flow from the legback water discharger  33 , it is possible to adjust the feeling of stimulation at the legback caused by the water discharge flow and its water discharge direction. 
     For example, in an example shown in  FIG. 36 , a flow rate regulation means (e.g. valve)  41  is provided along the legback feedwater channel  32  extending from the opening  31  to the legback water discharger  33  to make adjustable the flow rate of the water discharge from the legback water discharger  33 . 
     By adjusting the opening of the flow rate regulation means  41 , it is also possible to adjust the amount of water pooled in the pool portion  16 . For example, in summer, the pool portion  16  pools no water, or the amount of pooled water is decreased. On the other hand, in winter, the pool portion  16  pools water, or the amount of pooled water is increased. Thus the adjustment can be adapted to the user&#39;s preference. 
     Twelfth Embodiment 
       FIG. 37  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
       FIG. 38  is a schematic view of the shower apparatus as viewed from the frontside. 
     The shower apparatus according to this embodiment is different from the above embodiments in the water dischargers, which are provided upwardly to the seat  14  and apply a shower flow to the frontside of the body of the seat occupant. 
     More specifically, in this embodiment, an arm  81  extending forward is provided at the upper part of the back portion  11 , and a plurality of water dischargers are provided in the arm  81 . The plurality of water dischargers discharge a shower flow toward the shoulders, arms, chest, and legs of the seat occupant seated on the seat. 
     Also in this embodiment, in a sitting position while soaking in the water pooled in the pool portion  16 , a user can take a shower flow from the water dischargers provided in the arm  81  and the legback water discharger  33  throughout the body except upward to the neck. Thus the user can enjoy a sense of soaking in water (a sense of bathing), and a high hyperthermic effect is achieved despite shower bathing. 
     Thirteenth Embodiment 
       FIG. 39  is a schematic view of a shower apparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention as viewed from the lateral side. 
     In this embodiment, a guide portion  91  protruding forward is provided as a legback warming means at the front edge  15  of the seat  14  (base portion  12 ). The guide portion  91  has a slope surface  91   a  sloped obliquely forward and downward from the front edge  15  of the seat  14 . 
     The water overflowing the pool portion  16  of the seat  14  is guided from the front edge  15  to the slope surface  91   a  of the guide portion  91  and discharged toward the legback of the seat occupant. Thus, also in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably apply water to the legback for warming the legback that cannot be covered by the water discharger  20  provided upwardly to the seat  14 . 
     Fourteenth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 40A and 40B  are schematic views of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention. 
     The shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment includes a pair of first water dischargers  21  provided at or upwardly to the head of a seat occupant  200  and a second water discharger  22  provided below the first water dischargers  21 . The water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  is configured to be a generally horizontal or obliquely downward direction. As shown in  FIG. 40B , at least part of the discharged shower flow falls around the leg centering on the thigh of the seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4 . 
     On the other hand, the second water discharger  22  has a plurality of shower holes provided two-dimensionally rearwardly to the neck and shoulders of the seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4 . The direction of water discharge from these shower holes is also configured to be a generally horizontal or obliquely downward direction. As shown in  FIG. 40B , the shower flow discharged from the second water discharger  22  covers the area including the neck, shoulders, and acromia (points of the shoulders) of the seat occupant  200 . Because the second water discharger  22  extends also directly rearward to the seat occupant  200 , the shower flow can be evenly applied also on the neck and back of the seat occupant  200  from directly rearward. Thus almost the entire body below the neck of the seat occupant  200  can be evenly warmed. 
     Also in this embodiment, weirs for pooling water formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. As a result, the feet of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed more effectively. 
     The first water dischargers  21  may be integrated with the second water discharger  22 . That is, the first water dischargers  21  and the second water discharger  22  may be formed in a common substrate (not shown). It is then possible to simultaneously adjust the water discharge direction and water discharge position of the first water dischargers  21  and the second water discharger  22  by changing the angle and position of the substrate. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 40A and 40B , the first water dischargers  21  may be formed separately from the second water discharger  22 . That is, the first water dischargers  21  and the second water discharger  22  may be formed in separate substrates, respectively. It is then possible to adjust the water discharge direction and water discharge position of the first water dischargers  21  independently of the water discharge direction and water discharge position of the second water discharger  22 . 
     Fifteenth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 41A and 41B  are schematic views of a shower bathing apparatus according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention. 
     Like the shower apparatus of the fourteenth embodiment, the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment also includes a pair of first water dischargers  21  provided at or upwardly to the head of a seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4  and a second water discharger  22  provided below the first water dischargers  21 . The water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  is configured to be a generally horizontal or obliquely downward direction. As shown in  FIG. 41B , at least part of the discharged shower flow falls around the leg centering on the thigh of the seat occupant  200 . 
     On the other hand, the second water discharger  22  has a plurality of shower holes arranged in a horizontal line rearwardly to the neck and shoulders of the seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4 . The direction of water discharge from these shower holes is also configured to be a generally horizontal or obliquely downward direction. As shown in  FIG. 41B , a row of shower flows discharged from the second water discharger  22  covers the area including the neck, shoulders, and acromia (points of the shoulders) of the seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4 . Furthermore, the shower flow can be applied also beyond the acromion toward the chest. Also in this embodiment, because the second water discharger  22  extends also directly rearward to the seat occupant  200 , the shower flow can be evenly applied also on the neck and back of the seat occupant  200  from directly rearward. Thus almost the entire body below the neck of the seat occupant  200  can be evenly warmed. 
     Also in this embodiment, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. As a result, the feet of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed more effectively. 
     Also in this embodiment, the first water dischargers  21  may be integrated with the second water discharger  22  so that the water discharge direction and water discharge position can be simultaneously adjusted. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 41A and 41B , the first water dischargers  21  and the second water discharger  22  may be formed separately so that the water discharge direction and water discharge position thereof can be independently adjusted. 
     Sixteenth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 42A and 42B  are schematic views of a shower bathing apparatus according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention. 
     The shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment includes a pair of first water dischargers  21  provided at or upwardly to the head of a seat occupant  200  seated on the seat  4 , a pair of third water dischargers  23  provided below the first water dischargers  21 , and a second water discharger  22  provided between the third water dischargers  23 . The water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23  have a plurality of shower holes provided two-dimensionally, respectively. 
     The water discharge direction of the first water discharger  21  is configured to be a generally horizontal or obliquely downward direction. As shown in  FIG. 42B , at least part of the discharged shower flow falls around the leg centering on the thigh of the seat occupant  200 . The shower flow discharged from the second water discharger  22  covers the area extending from the neck to the shoulders of the seat occupant  200 . Because the second water discharger  22  extends also directly rearward to the seat occupant  200 , the shower flow can be evenly applied also on the neck and back of the seat occupant  200  from directly rearward. The shower flow from the third water discharger  23  is discharged so as to enclose the seat occupant  200  from both sides and covers the area including the acromia (points of the shoulders) and the vicinity of the arms. Furthermore, the shower flow can be applied also beyond the acromion toward the chest. Thus almost the entire body below the neck of the seat occupant  200  can be evenly warmed. 
     Also in this embodiment, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. As a result, the feet of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed more effectively. 
     Also in this embodiment, the first water dischargers  21  may be integrated with the second water discharger  22  so that the water discharge direction and water discharge position can be simultaneously adjusted. Alternatively, the first water dischargers  21  and the second water discharger  22  may be formed separately so that the water discharge direction and water discharge position thereof can be independently adjusted. 
     Also in this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 42A and 42B , it is possible to simultaneously adjust the water discharge direction of the first to third water discharger(s)  21 ,  22 ,  23  by forming them in a common substrate  150  and changing the direction of the substrate  150 . 
     Seventeenth Embodiment 
       FIG. 43  is a schematic view of a shower bathing apparatus according to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 44  is a schematic view of the seat  4  of this shower bathing apparatus. 
     The shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment is installed in a shower booth  300 . That is, the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23  of each embodiment described above are installed on the wall of the shower booth  300 . A seat  4  is provided below the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23 .  FIG. 44A  shows a situation where the seat  4  is in use, and  FIG. 44B  shows a situation where the seat  4  is retracted. Thus, because the seat  4  is retractable, the seat  4  is not obstructive when the user takes a shower in a standing position in the shower booth. 
     Also in this embodiment, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. As a result, the feet of the seat occupant  200  can be warmed more effectively. 
     Eighteenth Embodiment 
       FIGS. 45 to 48  are schematic views of a shower bathing apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. 
     The shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment is configured as a chair having a back portion  2  and a base portion  3 . The back portion  2  has a backrest  5 , and the base portion  3  has a seat  4 . At the upper part of the back portion  2 , a pair of wings  2 W extends obliquely forward from both sides of the backrest  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 46 , the wing  2 W has a first water discharger  21 , a second water discharger  22 , and a third water discharger  23 . Each of the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23  can discharge one or more shower flows. On the other hand, the seat  4  has a slope surface sloped downward from its front edge to the backrest  5 . The seat  4  thus formed can pool water in cooperation with the wall portions  6  provided at both side edges thereof and the backrest  5 . 
     Also in this embodiment, weirs for pooling water are formed around the seat  4 . Among these weirs, the front weir is lower than the other three weirs. Hence the water pooled in the seat  4  falls toward the feet of a seat occupant  200  without leaking out laterally. As a result, the feet of the seat occupant can be warmed more effectively. 
     Furthermore, an opening  31  is provided at the vertical bottom of the seat  4 . On the other hand, a pair of legback water dischargers  33  is provided on the front of the base portion  3 . The legback water dischargers  33  are in communication with the opening  31 . That is, the water discharged from the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23  and falling on the seat  4  is guided through the opening  31  to the legback water dischargers  33  and discharged toward the rear side of the legs of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4  as shown by arrows D in  FIG. 48 . Thus the seat occupant can be warmed and enjoy a massage effect by the shower flow to the entire body including the rear side of the legs. Note that, instead of using the water falling on the seat  4  for water discharge from the legback water dischargers  33 , water supplied from a water supply may be guided to the legback water dischargers  33  for water discharge. 
     As shown by arrows A in  FIG. 48 , the water discharged from the first water dischargers  21  falls around the legs centering on the thighs of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4 . As shown by arrows B in  FIG. 48 , the water discharged from the second water dischargers  22  reaches the area extending from the neck to the shoulders of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4 . As shown by arrows C in  FIG. 48 , the water discharged from the third water dischargers  23  covers the area including the acromia (points of the shoulders) and the vicinity of the arms so as to enclose the seat occupant seated on the seat  4  from both sides. Furthermore, the shower flow can be applied also beyond the acromion toward the chest. Moreover, part of the discharged water is pooled in the seat  4 . That is, the underside of the buttocks and thighs of the seat occupant seated on the seat  4  is warmed by the water pooled in the seat  4 . Thus almost the entire body below the neck of the seat occupant  200  can be evenly warmed. 
     The shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment is configured as a stand-alone chair. Hence it can be easily installed without any work on the shower booth and the bathroom. Furthermore, it enables a user to comfortably take a full body shower in a relaxed sitting posture as in a sofa. Moreover, a vibrator can be installed on the rear side of the seat  4  and/or the backrest  5  of this shower bathing apparatus to provide a vibrating massage effect on the seat occupant. Then the relaxing and massage effect by shower bathing can be combined with the vibrating massage effect to provide greater advantage. 
     Working Example 
     Next, a working example implemented by the inventor is described. 
     The inventor performed experiments for measuring the warming effect of shower bathing in the shower bathing apparatus of the first embodiment, bathing in a bathtub filled with water, shower bathing with a conventional hand shower, and shower bathing in the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. 
     The experiment for the shower bathing apparatus of the first embodiment was performed in a case (case A) where the temperature of the water supplied to the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23  was set to 43° C. and the total amount of water discharged from these water dischargers was set to 10 liters per minute. Bathing in a bathtub filled with water (case C) was performed by filling the bathtub with 230 liters of water at 40° C. In the case of a conventional hand shower (case D), the temperature of the water supplied to the shower head was also set to 43° C., and the flow rate was set to 8 liters per minute. In the case of the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (case E), shower bathing was performed by ejecting water as a mist at 10 liters per minute. In all these cases, the temperature variation on the body surface of a subject was measured using a radiation thermometer immediately before bathing and after bathing for 5 minutes. 
       FIG. 49  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the entire body surface of a subject. The vertical axis represents the temperature increase with reference to the temperature immediately before bathing. Here, the average temperature of the body surface below the neck was used as the temperature of the entire body. 
     In comparison with immediately before bathing, the temperature increase immediately after 5 minutes&#39; bathing was 3.5° C. for the bathtub (C), 3.2° C. for the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment (A), 2.2° C. for the shower bathing apparatus of Patent Document 1 (E), and 1.8° C. for the conventional shower (D). That is, according to this result, the temperature is highest in the case of bathtub bathing (C), and a comparable temperature is achieved in this embodiment (A). In contrast, the temperature increase is small for the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (E) and the conventional hand shower (D). 
     When 5 minutes elapsed after bathing, the temperature increase was 2.9° C. (C), 2.5° C. (A), 2.2° C. (E), and 1.7° C. (D). When 10 minutes elapsed after bathing, it was 2.4° C. (C), 2.2° C. (A), 2.0° C. (E), and 1.5° C. (D). That is, when 10 minutes elapsed after bathing, shower bathing in the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment achieves the same temperature as bathtub bathing. This is presumably because the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment provides not only a hyperthermic effect by water, but also a massage effect and an effect of promoting blood circulation by full body shower in a relaxed posture. 
       FIG. 50  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the body surface of the subject&#39;s shoulder. Again, the vertical axis represents the temperature increase with reference to the temperature immediately before bathing. 
     In comparison with immediately before bathing, the temperature increase of the shoulders immediately after 5 minutes&#39; bathing was 2.9° C. for the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment (A), 1.6° C. for the shower bathing apparatus of Patent Document 1 (E), 1.1° C. for the bathtub (C), and 0.8° C. for the conventional shower (D). That is, according to this result, the temperature is prominently high for the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment, but relatively low for the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (E), the bathtub (C), and the conventional shower (D). This is presumably because, in the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment, the shower flow from the second water dischargers  22  and the third water dischargers  23  (see  FIG. 1 ) evenly reaches and can sufficiently warm the shoulders of the seat occupant. In contrast, in the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (E), for example, the mist sprayed from the arm may fail to sufficiently warm the seat occupant including the shoulders. In the case of the bathtub (C), it is painful for the bather to keep the shoulders fully soaked in water for a long time, and inevitable to bathe with the shoulders being out of water. Hence it is difficult to warm the shoulders even if the body is warmed. Furthermore, in the case of the conventional hand shower (D), the shower flow from the shower head does not always reach the body of the bather, and it is not easy to evenly and efficiently warm the entire body of the bather. 
     When 5 minutes elapsed after bathing, the temperature increase was 2.3° C. (A), 1.8° C. (E), 1.4° C. (D), and 1.1° C. (C). When 10 minutes elapsed after bathing, it was 1.9° C. (A), 1.8° C. (E), 1.5° C. (D), and 1.0° C. (C). That is, even when 10 minutes elapsed after bathing, shower bathing in the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment (A) achieves the highest temperature. In the case of the conventional hand shower (D) and the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (E), the temperature was gradually increased after 5 minutes and after 10 minutes with reference to the temperature immediately after bathing. This is presumably because, in these cases, the shoulders were particularly less warmed than the other parts of the body and received heat from the other parts of the body through blood flow after bathing. 
       FIG. 51  is a graph showing the temperature variation of the body surface of the subject&#39;s leg. Again, the vertical axis represents the temperature increase with reference to the temperature immediately before bathing. 
     In comparison with immediately before bathing, the temperature increase of the legs immediately after 5 minutes&#39; bathing was 3.5° C. for the bathtub (C), which was the highest. However, it was 3.2° C. for the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment (A), which was comparable to the temperature increase for the bathtub (C). That is, according to this embodiment, the water discharged from the first water dischargers  21  (see  FIG. 1 ) and directly falling on the legs of the seat occupant and the water discharged from the second water dischargers  22  and the third water dischargers  23 , impinging on the body of the seat occupant, and flowing down from the front edge of the seat  4  can sufficiently warm the seat occupant including the legs. 
     In contrast, in the case of the conventional hand shower (D) and the shower bathing apparatus of Patent Document 1 (E), the temperature increase immediately after bathing was as low as 2.3° C. and 2.1° C., respectively. In the case of the conventional hand shower (D), it is not easy to apply water evenly down to the legs of the bather. In the case of the shower bathing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not easy to entirely enclose the legs of the seat occupant with the mist sprayed from the arm. Furthermore, because the temperature of the mist sprayed from the arm decreases rapidly, it is considered difficult to evenly warm the entire legs of the seat occupant. 
     As described above, according to this working example, the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment provides a high warming effect on the entire body, shoulders, and legs. For example, for the entire body and the legs, the shower bathing apparatus of this embodiment provides a warming effect comparable to that for bathtub bathing. Here, bathtub bathing needs about 230 liters of water, for example. However, this embodiment only needs a very small amount of water, e.g. 50 liters for 5 minutes&#39; bathing (case A). That is, this embodiment also provides a high water-saving effect. Even successive use by four bathers only needs a smaller amount of water than bathtub bathing (case C) with a comparable warming effect. 
     With regard to the shoulders, this embodiment provides a greater warming effect than bathtub bathing. Furthermore, this embodiment also provides a massage effect by dropping the discharged water on the body of the seat occupant. Thus it is also possible to provide an effect of alleviating stiffness and pain in the shoulders, for example. 
     The first to eighteenth embodiment and the working example of the invention have been described. 
     In the above embodiments, the height of the water dischargers from the seat  4  is 400 to 1400 mm, for example. To ensure the above effects, it is preferably 500 to 1000 mm, and more preferably 650 to 900 mm. 
     The height of the seat  4  from the floor is 250 to 800 mm, for example. To ensure the above effects, it is preferably 300 to 500 mm, and more preferably 350 to 450 mm. 
     For use in a shower booth, the height of the seat  4  from the floor can be in the range of about 250 to 800 mm where a user can be seated thereon. 
     The distance (width) between the outermost third water dischargers paired across the center of the seat  4  is 340 to 1200 mm, for example. To ensure the above effects, it is preferably 500 to 800 mm, and more preferably 550 to 650 mm. 
     In the above examples, among the shower flows discharged from the water dischargers  21 ,  22 ,  23 , the average droplet diameter of the water of the shower flow falling around the legs of the seat occupant can be larger than the average droplet diameter of the water discharged from the other water dischargers. For example, in the shower bathing apparatus described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , the average droplet diameter of the water discharged from the first water discharger  21  can be in the range of 1400 to 3000 micrometers, and the average droplet diameter of the water discharged from the second water discharger  22  and the third water discharger  23  can be in the range of 500 to 1400 micrometers. It is then possible to reduce the temperature decrease of the shower flow discharged from the first water discharger  21  and falling on the legs of the seat occupant and to apply water to the legs of the seat occupant. At the same time, the falling shower flow discharged from the first water discharger  21  can apply suitable stimuli to the legs of the seat occupant, thereby achieving a massage effect. It is possible to control the droplet diameter of the water by adjusting the size and shape of the water discharge port. 
     The embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to examples. However, the invention is not limited to the above examples. 
     For example, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined with each other as long as technically feasible, and such combinations are also encompassed within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, a flow rate regulation means and/or a pressure regulation means capable of regulating the flow rate and/or pressure of discharged water can also be provided in order to enable the discharged water to reach the legs and other parts constantly and stably irrespective of water supply pressure and its variation. 
     The structure, shape, function, positional relationship, and material of each element in the examples that are variously modified and/or added by those skilled in the art are also encompassed within the scope of the invention as long as they include the features of the invention.