Inflatable Shower Base

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to inflatable shower bases.

BACKGROUND

With the popularity of camping and related outdoor activities, there is an ongoing need to provide access to more modern conveniences not traditionally associated with camping, especially in remote areas. Such conveniences include providing shower facilities, especially in remote areas where access to a supply of water and associated plumbing is not possible. In such areas, a variety of showering apparatus have been proposed to enable individuals to construct or otherwise assemble their own shower facilities at their camping site. Such showering apparatus are typically carried by the user in their vehicle and assembled as required, using water supplied by the individual or from a nearby water source. The apparatus may include a shower head for supplying a stream of water for showering purposes and/or a screen or the like for providing privacy for the user, as required.

One problem with existing shower devices is that the are generally makeshift or temporary in design. Such devices are configured to be mounted to a vehicle or temporary shower screen structure and do not include a base or similar for supporting the individual as they shower and for capturing the water used during showering. This can result in the shower generating mud and creating a mess that can make the experience generally unpleasant, with the user standing in mud or dirty water. This can also cause the user to slip whilst using such a shower device which can cause injury to the user.

Furthermore, in most national parks and public spaces, there are regulations associated with how greywater, such as shower run-off, is captured and disposed of to prevent such water and associated chemicals entrained therein, from entering waterways and the environment.

Thus, there is a need to provide a base for a temporary shower system that is capable of being easily transported and which can capture greywater and enhance the experience of taking a shower in a camping environment.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments relate to a shower base comprising: an inflatable body comprising a base and a peripheral wall, wherein the inflatable body is provided with, or connectable to, inflation means to allow inflation of the body; wherein the inflatable body is configured to be collapsible for storage when not inflated; a support platform, comprising a raised planar member, affixed to the base within the confines of the peripheral wall, providing a raised region upon which a user can stand during use; wherein the support platform, the peripheral wall, and the base define a reservoir arranged to retain a volume of liquid when the shower base is inflated; at least one drain, formed in the inflatable body, and configured to allow drainage of retained liquid from the reservoir;

The inflatable body may further comprise at least one connection point for a shower tent.

The at least one drain may be formed in the peripheral wall, at a lower level than the support platform.

The support platform may have separate inflation means.

The at least one drain may be connectable to a pump for recirculation of drained water.

The support platform may further comprise a curved surface when inflated.

The support platform may further comprise channels for the drainage of liquids into the reservoir.

The support platform may further comprise gripping features.

The inflatable body may have one or more apertures formed therein to receive a ground engaging peg to secure the shower base to a ground surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a shower base according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a shower base according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments generally refer to inflatable shower bases, allowing users to a set up a portable shower. The inflatable shower base can be inflated by pumping air into it, by an inflation means, creating an inflated structure comprising a peripheral wall and a base-thereby defining a reservoir for collection of water. The inflatable shower further comprising a support platform, for a user to stand on during use. The support platform may be raised higher than the base of the inflatable shower base, to allow water to run off for collection in the reservoir. The support platform may have various features such as grooves, channels, or texture, to allow water to run off into the reservoir, and/or to create a higher gripping surface to reduce the risk of a user slipping during use. The support platform may also have affixation means to allow portable shower tent to be raised.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the inflatable shower base 100, comprising a peripheral wall 102 in connection with a base 104. The peripheral wall 102 may be substantially rectangular, square, or circular in shape. Peripheral wall 102 may comprise an inflation means 113. Inflation means 113 may comprise an actuatable valve, allowing the inflatable shower base 100 to be selectively inflated or deflated. In some embodiments, inflation means 113 may allow connection for an air pump. In other embodiments, the inflation means 113 may allow for a user to orally inflate the inflatable shower base 100. Peripheral wall 102 may further comprise a drain 110. Drain 110 may comprise a liquid exit port, configured to vent water out of the reservoir 111. As shown in FIG. 2, drain 110 may allow a drainage of water out of the reservoir 111, where it is connected to a water line 202 to be pumped and recirculated into the shower, thereby recycling the greywater from the reservoir. Water line 202 may, in some embodiments, lead to a storage tank to store the greywater for later disposal. In some embodiments, more than one drain 110 is provided. In some embodiments, drain 110 may be placed on the base 102 of the shower base 100. Drain 110 may be placed at a height on the peripheral wall 102 lower than the top of the support platform 106, to ensure water from reservoir 111 is drained through the drain 110 before the water level rises above the support platform 106. This has the benefit of reducing the amount of pooled water on top of the platform 106, which would otherwise introduce a slipping risk to a user.

Peripheral wall 102 may further comprise fixing points 114 for engagement with a portable shower tent and/or portable shower frame 116. Fixing points 114 may be located around multiple points around the peripheral wall 102. In embodiments where the peripheral wall 102 has distinct sides, at least one fixing point 114 may be located on each side. In some embodiments, the inflatable shower base is made of a resilient PVC material, which is readily foldable and flexible making it easier to be stored when deflated.

Inflatable shower base 100 may further comprise support platform 106. Support platform 106 may comprise an inflatable, but suitably rigid material, thereby providing a firm base for a user when standing thereupon. In some embodiments, support platform 106 is formed of PVC material. Support platform 106 may be formed adjacent an interior of the peripheral wall 102, at a lower height than the top of the peripheral wall 102, thereby defining a reservoir 111 between the peripheral wall 202 and the base 104. Support platform 106 may be integrally formed with the base 104. In some embodiments support platform 106 may be attachable to the base 104 by fixing means, such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles, straps, buttons, or other fixing means. Support platform 106 may be inflatable through the inflation means 113, along with the peripheral wall 102 and base 104. Support platform 106 may be separately inflatable though support inflation means 108. Support inflation means 108 may comprise a valve, substantially similar to that of inflation means 113. Support platform 106 may comprise an arcuate or curved surface, as depicted in FIG. 2, to assist in water running off into reservoir 111. Support platform 106 may further comprise platform grooves 112, which may be formed to assist in draining water into the reservoir 111. Grooves 112 may further comprise gripping elements to further reduce the risk of slipping. The space defined by reservoir 110 allows for easier use of an external pump in connection with drain 110, as such liquid pumps may require an initial volume of liquid to ensure smooth and effective operation.

To securely position the base 100 on a ground surface, the peripheral wall 102 of the base 100 may have one or more loops or apertures (not shown) formed around a lower perimeter thereof. The loops or apertures may be formed integral with the peripheral wall 102 or may be formed by way of fabric material attached to the body of the peripheral wall 102 to receive a ground engaging peg (not shown). The ground engaging peg may pass through the loops or apertures and be hammered or otherwise caused to penetrate into the ground surface to securely retain the base 100 in position for use. Such an arrangement will provide enhanced safety for the individual users and reduce the likelihood of the base 100 from moving due to wind or other forces.

Accordingly, a stable and effective inflatable shower base is provided, having the benefits of ease of use by virtue of its inflatability. The disclosed shower base further has the benefits of stability and resilience by the inclusion of the support platform, and the ability to store and then drain greywater during use-reducing the impact of greywater into the wider environment.