×

Apparatus and method for a water-saving shower bath

  • US 5,206,963 A
  • Filed: 05/30/1990
  • Issued: 05/04/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A shower system adapted to be operated to receive and deliver fresh water for a washing operation and also to recirculate water through the system operation washing, said system comprising:

  • a. a shower head to discharge water to a washing area;

    b. a basin to receive said water from the shower head;

    c. a fresh water inlet adapted to be connected to a fresh water source;

    d. a waste water outlet line having an upstream end to receive waste water from said basin and a downstream end adapted to carry water from said basin to a waste area;

    e. a main valve having operative connections to said shower head, to said fresh water inlet, and to said waste water outlet line;

    f. a waste water outlet control valve connected to said waste water outlet line at a waste water shutoff location to control flow of waste water through said waste water outlet line to said waste area;

    g. a fresh water supply line connecting said fresh water inlet to said main valve;

    h. a shower head supply line leading from said main valve to said shower head, said fresh water supply line forming with said shower head supply line a fresh water supply circuit;

    i. a recirculating line having a first end connecting to said waste water outlet line at a location upstream of said shutoff location of the waste water outlet control valve and a second end connected to said main valve, said recirculating line forming with said shower head supply line a recycling circuit;

    j. said main valve having at least two operating positions, namely;

    i. a first operating position by which a flow connection is made between said fresh water supply line and said shower head supply line to supply fresh water to said shower head;

    ii. a second operating position by which a connection is made from said recirculating line to said shower head supply line to recirculate waste water discharged from said shower head;

    k. a pump means operatively connected in said recirculating circuit to pump water from said waste water outlet into said shower head;

    l. a hot water/cold water mixing control valve connected to said fresh water supply line upstream of said main valve;

    whereby with said main valve in its first operating position and said waste water outlet control valve being in its open position, fresh water can be delivered to said shower head to pass out said waste water line to said waste area, and with said main valve in its second operating position and said waste water control valve being in its closed position, said pump means is able to recirculate waste water from said basin to said shower head.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×