Patent Publication Number: US-2003226200-A1

Title: Overhead attaching shower extension apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS  
       [0001] Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable  
       REFERECE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0003] Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] This invention relates to shower stall fixtures, specifically to an improved shower apparatus where an overhead attached showerhead allows for tall or injured individuals to comfortably take a shower without having to bend or twist to position themselves under the flow of water. Therefore tall or injured individuals can reduce the pain or discomfort experienced while showering.  
       [0005] A typical residential indoor shower apparatus consists of a fixed, rigid wall mounted shower supply pipe to which a showerhead is attached. However, some consumers object to the permanent nature of this fixed, wall mounted apparatus because they are uncomfortable to use for individuals taller than the fixed position of the wall mounted pipe and the trajectory of the showerhead&#39;s flow of water. These taller individuals repetitively add strain to their bodies, especially at their backs, necks and knees, as they are forced to significantly flex forward or extend backward to position themselves under the flow of water. Then from this position they have to twist, rotate and contort their bodies in many motions to fully rinse their heads and bodies. It is important to note that, in addition to tall individuals, those consumers with acute or chronic body injuries, especially at the back, neck or knees, can&#39;t tolerate flexing and extending their bodies, even very little, to bend under the flow of water.  
       [0006] In response to these problems, inventors created several types of alternative apparatuses to alter the typical shower apparatus. The alternative apparatuses consist of either extending the rigid, wall mounted pipe higher or horizontally out, or they use a handheld showerhead, which is attached to the end of a flexible hose. In some cases there are attachments to hang the handheld showerhead on the wall, on a vertically oriented bar, to allow hands free operation.  
       [0007] The consumer problems have been partially solved by the implementation of these alternative apparatuses, but these still have significant problems. Due to limitations in height extension or trajectory of water flow, tall or injured individuals must still lean in, turn around, or bend and twist in various positions in an effort to cleanse themselves. Additionally, many of the alternative apparatuses can be expensive.  
       [0008] What is needed is an improved apparatus for having the shower water flow trajectory directed vertically down from above every individual, without height limitations, which allows for greatest pain and discomfort free ease of use for tall or injured individuals.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION  
       [0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of shower apparatuses present in the prior art, this invention provides a shower apparatus comprising of a more versatile design. The design of which allows for an individual to shower using either the original showerhead position, or they may select to conveniently switch the shower water flow to an overhead showerhead positioned on the ceiling of the shower stall. They may also use both showerheads at the same time if so desired.  
       [0010] The assembly of this apparatus allows for the extension of the shower water flow, via a water diverter valve between the original showerhead and the shower supply pipe, to along a flexible extension hose attached to the shower stall wall and ceiling. The overhead showerhead may then be positioned at any point on the ceiling of the shower stall, attached to the flexible extension hose, without any height limitation, while together maintaining the original showerhead at its original level. From the overhead attached position the overhead showerhead is directed vertically down upon an individual.  
       [0011] Due to the height, position and trajectory of the flow of water no excessive bending or twisting of the body, especially at the back, neck or knees, is necessary to position individuals directly under the flow of water, thereby allowing for the greatest pain and discomfort free ease of use for tall or injured individuals. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an overhead attaching shower extension apparatus.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0013] Referring now to the drawing, an overhead attaching shower extension apparatus  10  is shown in the form of an apparatus installable on a shower supply pipe  12  of a typical shower. The apparatus  10  is adapted to receive an original showerhead  14  in a standard shower position  18  of a typical shower. Between the shower supply pipe  12  and the original showerhead  14  is a bi-directional water diverter  20 . The water diverter  20  is adapted, via a switch valve  21 , to switch a flow of water from through the supply pipe  12  to either a standard water stream  22  or to an optional water stream  24 . The standard water stream  22  passes through a first fluid outlet  26  of the water diverter  20  and then passes through the original showerhead  14  at the standard position  18 . The optional water stream  24  passes through a second fluid outlet  28  of the water diverter  20  and then passes through a flexible extension hose  30  to an overhead attaching showerhead  16 . At this point the optional water stream  24  passes through the overhead attaching showerhead  16 . The flexible extension hose  30  is attached to the second fluid outlet  28  of the water diverter  20  by means of a female threaded, right-angled hose connector  32 . The flexible extension hose  30  is then vertically anchored at various points along the shower stall wall above the shower supply pipe  12  via looped fasteners  36 . The flexible extension hose  30  is then anchored horizontally to the shower stall ceiling with the looped fasteners  36  until a desired end position is reached. The looped fasteners  36  are anchored to the wall and ceiling via an adhesive backing, or, if needed, via screws inserted through holes located on bilateral, winged portions of the looped fasteners  36 . At the end of the flexible extension hose  30  is a male threaded, right-angled hose connector  34 . At this point the overhead attaching showerhead  16  is secured to the male threaded hose connector  34 .  
     [0014] The water diverter  20  is capable of allowing simultaneous flow of the water streams  22 ,  24  through each showerhead  14 ,  16  simultaneously, or it can limit the flow to only one or the other streams. The showerheads  14 ,  16  are pivotally mounted to allow for rotating adjustments and therefore a variety of trajectories of water flow at either showerhead.  
     [0015] The flexible extension hose  30 , in the preferred embodiment, is constructed of reinforced flexible PVC tubing. This is preferred due to the durability, attractiveness and low cost of this material. However, the extension hose can consist of any other flexible hose or tubing material, such as flexible polished brass.  
     [0016] Thus the invention provides an easy to install and use, yet economical and aesthetically pleasing, shower apparatus that can reduce strain on the body and joints of tall or injured individuals while they are taking a shower.  
     [0017] While the above description contains specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, in cases where the shower stall ceiling is extra high, a section of rigid extension tubing will be used to extend down the overhead showerhead, by inserting between the flexible extension hose  30  and the overhead showerhead  16 . Parts used in the apparatus can be constructed using a variety of combinations of materials, such as all white plastic or all brass, vinyl, nylon, etc.  
     [0018] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.