Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-,. 12/03/99 FRI 11:29 FAX 819 953 7620 OPIC/CIPO f~.003
3M CANADA INc ~ 416 441 X059 12/02/99 13:42 ~ ;02/05 No, m~
lh~. ~~D a N~fi~~ ~
~.' z t y ~Y' ~.
PORTABt.E S(JLAR SHOWER :gYSTFM
lfl~l,D Ux'1"IiE INVENTION
The present invention is rclatcxi to a showeriy device- Mare particularly, the
present invention is related tea a portable solar heated 9hc~worinb device
capable of bcin6
msaunted uutdc~urs ur ind~c~rs.
l3ACliCCROI1ND
It is cnmmcrn in devices of this nature to contain the folMwing r~:lated
fcutur~s and
1 U related ch$rac4~istics as in ('anadiun Patent No, 9SC.s05A, Wctolxr 15, i
974, Class 445.
Must ha~c n simple method cat' mounting or installing the device usually
limited to that of
a sling car ne>n ~rma:x;rtt holding apparatus to allow for reservoir
removrrl/manipulation
far manually refilling, usually lirom a persona[ elevating device such as a
ladder c,~r aKnol,
thus limitinb the overage person the ~i~u/capttcity of the r~.ae~rwoir that
can bC !cutely
repositioned t"vr use, thus limiting;
t,) Gr~pac:ity in terms ol'shr~arc~r duration
2) Capaeil:y of sc~h~r brat storage
3) Practical installation locaticms
4) Cotamunication nneans farm reser.ruir to shower head to that of various
2f) ~exible plumbing apparatus and usually incorpnrutiny a standard shut off
(blc~he) valve in an cwerhead location ut least where such showers ore nut
proyidc~d with a constant and pressurirxd liduid source, but rather natural
gravity or torriceJlittn vacuum ix the original liquid dispensing f~r~;e.
Such showering devices lack in ~ottsidoration toward shortrr adults and
children.
~.S 1 Jndc~rstanda~rly, this technology ec~uld 'he acceptable to sc»: campcr9
but not prataical
fc~r many other applit:.ulinns that the inwnlion described herein is designed
h~
ac;cununodate.
c)ther portable sh~~wering devices irt gonural and in my c~isinidn, by nature
cyf the
deRign ss in Cant~diun Patent No. lO5ft72, Match 20, 1979, Cltt"ss 4-4S, is
very limited in
3U re9rrvuir C3p:~eity, shower duration, pracstlct~l instelltltinn lacatiun:~
(ciuy ropes pcbged t<>
12/02/99 TfTU 13:45 [~X/RX. NO 7775] C~JOOz
CA 02211974 1999-12-03
ground) and would be adversely affected by inclement weather, necessitating
dismantle
and set up depending on weather conditions.
Also, Portable Shower Bath as in Canadian Patent No. 938403, December 18,
1993, Class 4-45, is reliant on an electro-mechanical pump feed and/or a
pressurized
liquid feed to function, thus limiting the device to certain locations and
applications, i.e.,
campers, etc.
Also, Portable Shower Unit as in Canadian Patent No. 868652, April 20, 1971,
Class 4-45, is reliant on a 12 volt power supply to power the pump and
requires a
constant liquid source, thus limiting the device to certain locations and
applications, i.e.,
campers, etc.
Also, recirculating Portable Shower for campers, trailers or automobiles, as
in
Canadian Patent No. 952655, August 13, 1974, Class 4-45, is reliant on a 12
volt power
source to power the pump that supplies the shower head, thus limiting the
device to
certain locations and applications, i.e., campers, etc.
Also, Portable Shower System as in Canadian Patent No. 1,283,506, April 30,
1991, Class 4-45, is reliant on a pressurized liquid feed source in which case
an electrical
pump would be employed, thus limiting the device to certain locations and
applications,
i.e., campers, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This Portable Solar Shower System relates to a manually operated showering
device that is used generally outdoors, but not limited to the outdoors, for
multiple
applications. The design of this shower and components, will allow for
installation in
numerous locations and I believe it to be superior to current technology in
regard to:
1. Total Solar Shower System design
2. Universal mounting System
3. Communicator Plumbing
4. In-line Ball Type Valve Control
5. Twenty (20) Litre Reservoir
My invention is intended to provide an inexpensive yet practical source of
comfort, recreation and hygiene to human beings of all ages, primarily in the
warm out of
20670443.1 2
CA 02211974 1999-11-26
doors. Pets and livestock have also been considered. Although a number of
Portable and
Solar type showers have been invented, I believe that my invention contains
more and
improved functionality, thus providing more and improved service as described
in this
application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly
how
it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example,
to the
accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiment of the present
invention
and in which:
Figure 1 shows a portable solar shower system according to the preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the individual components of the universal mounting apparatus
employed in the system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a wall mount of the portable solar shower system of Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a post mount of the portable solar shower system of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a hang mount of the portable solar shower system of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This Portable Solar Showering System is comprised of a lightweight 20 litre
reservoir 1 to be situated above a communicator plumbing 4-7 that feeds liquid
to the
shower head 8 as the system is gravity fed. The system would ideally be
mounted for
maximum exposure to the sun as shown in Fig. 3, 4 & 5 by utilizing few or all
components of the universal mounting apparatus shown in Fig. 2.
To install the system, select from the universal mounting apparatus a
universal
reservoir stand 10, holding strap bracket 11, safety sling 12, holding strap
13 and
communicator mounting clips 14. Universal mounting kits may be purchased
separately
depending on the location for mounting the system.
20670443.1 3
CA 02211974 1999-11-26
Thus, wall mounting, as exemplified in Fig. 3, components 10, 11, 13, and 14
of
the universal mounting apparatus may be utilized. Component 12 is optional.
For
mounting to a post 15, as shown in Fig. 4, components 2, 10, and 13 may be
utilized.
Components 11 and 12 are optional. For mounting to a tree 16, as shown in Fig.
5,
components 2, 12, and 13 may be utilized with the option of using component
14. The
mounting apparatus and holding strap should be checked at least once a year
for wear and
tear and serviced as needed.
Other forms of mounting such as on top of recreational vehicles would require
different combinations of the components of the universal mounting apparatus
based on
the design of individual vehicles.
Assembly of the reservoir 1 and communicator plumbing 4-7 does not require any
tools. Filling the reservoir 1 with water for example is accomplished by
removing the
shower head screen 9, opening control valve 6 by raising control lever 10 and
inserting a
garden hose to fill the reservoir 1 via the communicator plumbing 4-7. This
can be done
without the use of a ladder or removing the reservoir from a stand. Once the
reservoir is
filled to the desired level, the control valve 6 is closed and the shower head
screen 9
replaced. Alternatively, the reservoir can also be filled through the
cleanout/inspection
opening 3. Additives such as mild liquid soaps and water conditioners may also
be added
through the cleanout/inspection opening 3. The shower can then be utilized by
any
person tall enough to open control valve 6 by raising control lever 10. The
length of
control lever 10 can be set to a discretionary length. Amount of liquid
dispersement is
instant and can be varied form partial to full release at the touch of the
control lever 10
and turned off in the same manner.
When reservoir 1 is being transported to an alternate site, it might be more
convenient to refill through the cleanout/inspection opening 3. A vent 2 is
provided for
ventilating the reservoir while showering or draining.
Reservoir 1 removal is accomplished by disconnecting at a first drain or fill
pipe 4
that is threaded in to communicator plumbing 4-7 and can be removed by hand.
A flex hose connection 5 is provided for ease of assembly, mounting and liquid
transfer.
20670443.1 4
CA 02211974 1999-11-26
Communicator tubing 7 of rigid construction provides for firm mounting and
positioning to support firm yet adjustable positioning of connecting shower
head
assembly 8.
Portability is achieved by disconnecting the system from one mount to another
as
in wall mount, as shown in Fig. 3, to tree mount, as shown in Fig. 5, by
disconnecting
reservoir 1, communicator plumbing 4-7, and shower head assembly 8 from
universal
reservoir stand 10, then remounting to tree using appropriate hardware or vice
versa.
The combination shower head assembly 8 and reservoir 1 reversibly connected by
the communicator plumbing 4-7, provides for adjustment of direction, height
and angle of
shower head that disperses the liquid in a pattern and force more typical of
indoor
pressure fed systems. Reliable liquid feed is constant as is gravity, and
improved by
comparison to previous gravity fed systems with less than a 20 litre
reservoir.
This Portable Showering System is designed to be safely installed in a variety
of
locations such as; back yards, pool decks, cottages, campgrounds, recreational
facilities,
parks, construction sites, etc. and not limited to the aforementioned. The
user will have
the option of selecting from a kit within the system, which punting apparatus
is
applicable based on where the unit is going to be installed. Each mounting
apparatus
allows for easy removal of the reservoir 1 and shower assembly rendering the
shower
truly portable. More than one mounting apparatus could be obtained.
The reservoir 1 does not require source plumbing or any man made pressure
device as the system is gravity fed. The reservoir 1 can be filled either by a
garden hose
via the shower head or refill cap 3 at top of reservoir 1. The reservoir holds
about 20
litres of showering liquid that will provide a predetermined seven minutes of
continuous
or segmented showering when fitted with the appropriate shower head, before
having to
refill. The reservoir is transparent enough to allow for the visual
determination of liquid
level before all liquid has been used, thus allowing maximum time for solar
heating of
subsequent refills and maximum control over liquid temperatures and should be
installed
in an area where the reservoir can receive maximum solar heat from the sun and
unobstructed by shadows or vegetation. It is preferable that the reservoir be
filled at the
end of the day or early morning to maximize the amount of time the water is
exposed to
solar heat. The durable material of which the reservoir is constructed will
allow for a
20670443.1 5
CA 02211974 1999-11-26
permanent or temporary installation in or out of doors in any inhabited
climate. The
reservoir is the system liquid source, is gravity fed and refillable.
The shower head is controlled by a ball type valve providing both variable
volume of liquid dispersement and instant off/on feature. The use of a ball
type valve
allows the user to open and close the shower liquid flow with a single pull or
push action.
Partial open or close positions are obtained in the same manner. This ball
type valve
allows for the connecting of a rigid rod of desired length in order to
accommodate
persons of any height in relationship to the shower head. This mechanism
eliminates
reaching, twisting or turning of previous globe type valves found in overhead
gravity fed
systems and in effect can provide an instant on or off capability. This ball
type valve is
utilized when showering and when refilling the reservoir through the shower
head via a
garden hose.
To clean the shower system, the reservoir may be flushed by including 1/2 cup
of
baking soda in the reservoir when filled to capacity with water. During the
winter
months, the reservoir should be drained completely through the shower head
assembly 8.
The functionality of the Portable Shower System provides a practical source of
comfort, recreation and hygiene to human beings of all ages, primarily in the
warm
outdoors, while dressed in swim/shower wear, but not limited to the
aforementioned.
Pets and livestock can also be showered with sometimes further consideration
given to
alternative mounting.
20670443.1 6
CA 02211974 1999-11-26
