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  Portable shower apparatusUSPTO Application #: 20060200902Title: Portable shower apparatus Abstract: A portable shower apparatus for storing and dispensing water during an outdoor activity. The apparatus includes a container for storing water and an electrical pump within the container. The water is dispensed by a shower head actuated by a push button that regulates the flow of water dispensed by the shower head. The pump is powered through a 12-Volt DC adapter of a vehicle. The container is further provided with a bracket for mounting the shower head and a pouch for storing additional accessories. (end of abstract) Agent: Lorraine M. Donaldson - Del Mar, CA, US Inventor: Jeffrey Stinchcomb USPTO Applicaton #: 20060200902 - Class: 004599000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Shower (e.g. Stall, With Walls, Receptor, And Spray), Collapsible Or Expandable The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060200902. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a portable shower apparatus to transport and dispense water during outdoor activities, such as camping or going to the beach. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Prior art devices attempt to solve the problem of storing water during an outing. Some of these devices include flexible fluid container such as a bag, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,663 B1 of Haller et al, or a solid container as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,907 B2 of Rodd and U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,919 of Roteman. [0005] Moreover, these devices address the problem of dispensing said liquid with the help of a pumping means. In the apparatus of Haller, the pumping means is a foot pump while Rodd and Roteman show the use of a DC powered pump. [0006] However, these devices fail to show means for protecting elements of the apparatus that extend from the fluid container, such as the shower head and power connector cord, thus preventing said elements from being damaged or soiled during transport and/or storage. For example, when a prior art portable shower apparatus is stored in a trunk of a vehicle the shower head and power [0007] cords are likely to lay on the floor of the trunk where they can be ruptured by another object placed on top thereof. [0008] The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing means for holding the shower head when not in use and means for carrying the power cord and additional accessories during storage and/or transport of the device. [0009] Other benefits of the present invention are ease of storage and transport by providing means to anchor the apparatus. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention comprises a portable shower apparatus with a variable flow shower head and an electric fluid pump which can be powered through a 12-Volt DC adapter of a vehicle. Additionally, the fluid container is provided with several features to facilitate handling, storing and/or transporting the apparatus while protecting the shower head, power connector cord and other accessories. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings in which: [0012] FIG. 1 shows the portable shower apparatus of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 2 shows the interior of said shower apparatus. [0014] FIG. 3 shows a top view of said shower apparatus, illustrating details of the lid and bracket for the shower head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] The system of the present invention includes a solid container 10 for storing a volume of fluid. The container has a top 12, bottom 14 and side walls 16a-16d. The top 12 of the container 10 has a circular aperture 12a with an internal thread 18a formed on perimeter of the aperture 12a. First 20 and second 22 ports are installed on the exterior of the container 10. A fluid connection coupler 20a is engaged to the first port 20 and an electrical connection coupler 22a is engaged to the second port 22. A bracket 24 is installed on the exterior of said container 10, preferably on the upper portion of a side wall 16 of said container 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The function of said bracket 24 will be described in detail below. [0016] The apparatus further includes a lid 26 for said container 10. The bottom surface of the lid 26 is provided with external threads 18b that mate with the internal threads 18a on the container aperture 12a to form a watertight seal. The lid 26 is also provided with a knob 28 engaged to the top surface of the lid to facilitate handling of the lid 28, thereby ensuring a proper sealing of the container 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the knob 28 is generally round and has a number of protrusions to prevent slipping when handling the lid. [0017] A fluid pump 30 is positioned within the container 10 to force dispensing of the liquid carried by the container 10. Said pump requires a 12-Volt power source to operate. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 30 is powered through a 12-Volt DC adapter of a vehicle, such as a cigarette lighter adapter. However, the apparatus can alternately be powered through any 12-Volt DC power adapter of a vehicle or by providing a battery. The use of the term vehicle refers in general to an automobile, truck, boat, trailer, or camper. The pump 30 has an electrical power input terminal 32 connected to the second coupler 22a by an electrical lead 34. A fluid inlet 36 of the pump 30 accepts liquid held by the container. A fluid outlet 38 discharges fluid from said pump 30 into a corrugated conduit 40 connected from the outlet 38 to the first coupler 20a. [0018] Extending from the container 10, a hose 42 is connected to the first coupler 20a opposite said conduit 40 transports fluid into the shower head 44. The first coupler 20a ensures a water tight connection between the corrugated conduit 40 and the hose 44 to prevent a leakage of fluid from the container. The shower head 44 is capable of dispensing a variable flow of fluid and is actuated by a push-button 46 which regulates the flow of liquid dispensed by the shower head 44. The bracket 24 is used to secure the shower head 44 onto the container when not in use. This prevents damage to the shower head 44 that can occur by someone stepping on it or placing an object on top of the shower head, and further prevents the shower head 44 from getting soiled with mud or other substances in the trunk of a vehicle. [0019] Also extending from the container 10, a cable 48 is connected to the second coupler 22a opposite the electrical lead 34 and the other end of the cable 48 is coupled to an adapter plug 50 through which electrical power is provided to the pump 30. The second coupler 22a ensures a water tight electrical connection between the lead 34 and the cable 48 and prevents a leakage of fluid from the container. The adapter plug 50 is adapted to mate with a 12-Volt DC adapter in a vehicle, such as a cigarette lighter adapter. [0020] A pouch 52 is releasably attached to a side wall of the container 10. The pouch is used to hold the cable 48 and adapter plug 50 when the shower is not is use and can also carry additional accessories, such as a brush, and bath products to be used with the shower apparatus. Continue reading... Full patent description for Portable shower apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable shower apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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