Patent Publication Number: US-11047120-B2

Title: Shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to showers for bathing, and more particularly to shower mats and auxiliary shower spray hose. 
     For many individuals, particularly the elderly, disabled, or others with limited flexibility, it can be difficult to appropriately clean their feet, legs, and lower body. While the stream of water from a conventional wall mounted shower head may be utilized for bathing the lower extremities for more agile individuals, the inability of an individual to safely reach their legs and feet presents problems for others. 
     Auxiliary mounted shower heads are known and can assist users with directing the shower spray. However, the user must hold the shower head to direct the spray to their lower extremities. This may make it difficult for the user to apply a cleaning agent, such as soap, while they hold the auxiliary shower head. For those that need to stabilize themselves while showering, this can present an unnecessary safety risk. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method for bathing assistance for the lower body and extremities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a shower mat with auxiliary shower spray conduit is disclosed. The shower mat includes a first mat formed of a resilient material having a plurality of bristles disposed in a spaced apart relation about a top surface of the mat. An auxiliary shower spray conduit is disposed in a serpentine orientation subjacent to the first mat. The auxiliary shower spray conduit is configured to connect to a pressurized water source. A plurality of spray nozzles are disposed in a spaced apart relation along a length of the auxiliary shower spray conduit. A plurality of jet apertures are disposed through the first mat and aligned with the plurality of spray nozzles and oriented to direct a flow from the pressurized water source carried through the auxiliary shower spray conduit vertically upwardly. 
     In some embodiments, the shower mat includes a plurality of spacers extending from a bottom surface of the first mat. The plurality spacers define a cavity subjacent to the first mat to contain the auxiliary spray conduit. A suction cup may be positioned a bottom end of the plurality of spacers. 
     In other embodiments, a second mat is provided having a smooth top surface and a plurality of suction cups disposed about a bottom surface of the second mat. A plurality of clips may secure the auxiliary shower spray conduit to one or more of the first mat or the second mat. 
     In yet other embodiments, a diverter valve is connectable between a stem of a shower enclosure and a primary shower head of the shower enclosure. The diverter valve is operable between a first position directing a flow of pressurized water to the primary shower head and a second position directing the flow of pressurized water to the auxiliary shower spray conduit. The diverter valve may direct a proportion of the flow between the primary shower head and the auxiliary shower spray conduit when operated at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. An elongate tube may be provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to connect to the diverter valve and the second end is adapted to connect to an inlet of the auxiliary shower spray conduit. A tubing connector segment may also be interposed between the inlet and the second end of the tubing. 
     In other aspects of the invention, a shower mat with auxiliary shower spray conduit is disclosed that includes a first mat formed of a resilient material having a plurality of jet apertures disposed in a spaced apart relation through the first mat. An auxiliary shower spray conduit is disposed in a serpentine orientation subjacent to the first mat. The auxiliary shower spray conduit is configured to connect to a pressurized water source. A plurality of spray nozzles are disposed in a spaced apart relation along a length of the auxiliary shower spray conduit. The plurality of spray nozzles are aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of jet apertures. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of bristles are disposed in a spaced apart relation about a top surface of the first mat. 
     In other embodiments, a plurality of spacers extend from a bottom surface of the first mat, the plurality spacers defining a cavity subjacent to the first mat to contain the auxiliary spray conduit. A suction cup may be connected at a bottom end of the plurality of spacers. 
     In yet other embodiments, a second mat has a smooth top surface and a plurality of suction cups disposed about a bottom surface of the second mat. The shower mat may also have a plurality of clips to secure the auxiliary shower spray conduit to one or more of the first mat or the second mat. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose, shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose, shown in an exemplary assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose, showing a path of the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose, taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of typical use of the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray hose. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a shower mat with an auxiliary shower hose, in which the shower mat, provides a sure footing for the user and carries the auxiliary shower hose so that user may clean their lower body and extremities. 
     As seen in reference to the drawings of  FIGS. 1-4 , the shower mat with an auxiliary shower hose of the present invention includes a shower mat that has an auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  carried therein. The spray conduit  20  has a plurality of spray holes  21  that are oriented to direct a vertical shower stream of water against the user&#39;s lower body and extremities to assist with cleaning and hygiene. The auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  is disposed in a serpentine pattern between the upper shower mat  10  and the lower shower mat  30 . 
     Tubing  40  interconnects a fitting  24 , such as a T-fitting on the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  to a stem  62  of a shower enclosure via tubing connector  43  to a diverter valve  50 . The stem  62  selectively communicates a source of pressurized water to the diverter valve  50  via conventional water control valves  66  within a shower enclosure  60 . The diverter valve  50  includes a tubing connection  52 , a primary head connection  54 , and a diverter valve handle  56  that is operable to selectively regulate the flow of water through the diverter valve  50  to one or more of the primary shower head  64  and the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . 
     In a first position, the diverter valve  50  may direct a full water flow to the primary shower head  64 . In a second position, the diverter valve may direct a full water flow to the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . In an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, the water flow may be directed to each of the primary shower head  64  and the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . 
     The tubing  40  may include tubing connector segment  42  to communicate the water through the upper shower mat  10  to the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . One or more clips  44  may be employed secure the tubing  40  within the shower enclosure. 
     As seen in reference to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the shower mat may include an upper shower mat  10  and a lower shower mat  30 . The upper shower mat  10  may include a plurality of resilient bristles  12  disposed in a spaced apart relation about a top surface of the upper shower mat  10 . A plurality of jet apertures  16  are defined through the upper shower mat  10  and are oriented to align with a plurality of spray holes  21  in the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . The plurality of jet apertures  16  and the plurality of spray nozzles are interposed between the plurality of resilient bristles  12 . An end plug  22  at a terminal end of the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  provides back pressure to direct the water flow through the plurality of spray holes  21  in the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . 
     A bottom surface of the upper shower mat  10  has a plurality of spacer elements  14  to define a cavity subjacent to the upper shower mat  10 . A bottom end of the spacer elements  14  may include a suction cup to join the upper shower mat to one of the lower shower mat  30  or a surface of the shower enclosure  60 . 
     The lower shower mat has a smooth top surface to receive the spacer elements  14  and suction cups of the upper shower mat  10 . One or more conduit clips  46  may be employed to secure the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  to one or more of the upper shower mat  10 , the lower shower mat  30 , or a floor of the shower enclosure  60 . 
     A connector  26  may be provided to interconnect the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  with a tubing connector  43  defined at a terminal end of the tubing connector segment  42  and the tubing  40 . The tubing connector segment  42  may then connect with the fitting  24  at an input of the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . 
     To use the present invention, the user would install the diverter valve  50  to the stem  62 . The mat&#39;s  10 ,  30  are installed within the shower enclosure  60  and the tubing  40  is interconnected between the diverter valve  50  and the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  as described above. When the user is ready to shower, they turn on the water supply at the water control valves. With the diverter valve  50  in the first position, the water sprays from the primary shower head  64 . When the user is ready to wash their feet and legs, they operate the diverter valve handle  56  of the diverter valve to the second position to divert water to emit through the plurality of spray holes  21  of the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . The water is emitted vertically upward through the plurality of spray holes  21  and the aligned so that the user may cleanse their lower extremities. If desired, the user may select an intermediate position and enjoy a full body shower via the primary shower head  64  and the auxiliary shower spray conduit  20 . 
     A bathtub or shower enclosure  60  may thus be readily equipped to provide a foot, leg and lower body cleaning with a constant stream of water emitted from a top surface of the upper shower mat  10 . This assures the feet, legs and lower body are thoroughly clean after a shower if this mat is used properly. The bathtub or shower foot, leg and body cleaning mat can be used with a cleaning agent followed by a water rinse from the mat. The bathtub or shower foot, leg and body cleaning mat can be placed directly on the floor of a bathtub or shower so that a person may stand upright or in a chair for an elderly or disability person. The present invention thus provides a constant stream of water to the shower mat for the proper cleaning of people of all ages, disability at home and in facilities (hospitals, rehab centers, etc.). The present invention may also be utilized without the primary shower head  64  to provide a vertically oriented spray and mat. Optionally, the shower mat with auxiliary shower spray conduit  20  may be mounted to a wall of the shower enclosure  60  to provide a laterally directed auxiliary spray stream. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.