US 5,032,015 A · Self-supported, adjustable, condensation-free shower mirror

Abstract

A condensation-free, self-supported shower mirror assembly is heated by water dispersed into a temperature-control space behind the mirror. The water is supplied by a supply tube connected from a showerhead pipe to a dispenser which disperses the heated water in either liquid or spray form, preferably from holes in a tube mounted in such temperature-control space. The tube preferably has an oval shape with the holes are formed in one of its flat sides so that when it is bent to fit around the mirror, the holes will all face inward, toward the center of the mirror. Also the tube acts as a gasket to prevent the heated water from leaking through the front of the mirror. The back surface of the mirror is thereby heated to raise the temperature of the front surface of the mirror sufficiently to eliminate water condensation thereon. In one version, mirror adjustment is accomplished through a single flex-joint, such as a hinge or a ball joint which is physically separated from the supply tube. In a preferred version, mirror adjustment is accomplished through a flex-arm which allows rotatable and translational movement. Preferably the supply tube is carried inside the flex-arm; the supply tube is mounted by friction fit in the ends of the flex-arm. A relief slot is provided in the mirror end of the flex-arm to allow water which enters the space in the flex-arm around the supply tube to leave such space. The flex-arm is attached by break-away distal and proximal joints so that the parts will not be damaged in case of trauma. The mirror is mounted in a frame with a back plate which is slightly larger than the frame so that the back plate spreads the back part of the frame, causing the front part to be compressed, thereby to squeeze the mirror into a concave shape so that it will magnify. A valve may be provided in the supply conduit (tube or flex arm) which supplies hot water to defog the mirror.

Claims15

Dependent claims

In a flexible fluid-carrying arm comprising a plurality of interconnected joints, each of which is swivelable with respect to its adjacent section, and each of which has a bore extending therethrough in communication with the bore of its adjacent sections,

an improvement for controlling the flow of such fluid through such arm, comprising a rigid, elongated section at one end of said arm, said section being coupled to and swivelable with respect to an end joint of said arm, said section having a bore therethrough in communication with the bore of said end joint, said section including a fluid control valve therein, said valve being arranged to control the flow of fluid through said bore in said section, and hence in said arm.

In a non-fogging shower mirror assembly of the type which comprises:

a mirror having a housing which supports such mirror and which forms a plenum behind such mirror, and
a flexible arm for supporting such mirror from a showerhead arm and for carrying hot water from said arm to said plenum so as to heat said mirror to prevent it from fogging, said arm having a plurality of interconnected joints, each of which is swivelable with respect to its adjacent section, and each of which has a bore extending therethrough in communication with the bore of its adjacent sections,
an improvement for controlling the flow of such fluid through such arm so so as to avoid wastage of water and energy, and avoid diverting more water than necessary from the water used for bathing in areas of high water pressure and still provide a defogging function in areas with low water pressure, said improvement comprising a rigid, elongated section at one end of said arm, said section being coupled to and swivelable with respect to an end joint of said arm, said section having a bore therethrough in communication with the bore of said end joint, said section including a fluid control valve therein, said valve being arranged to control the flow of fluid through said bore in said section, and hence in said arm so as to enable a user of said mirror to adjust the flow of water in said conduit to the level necessary to defog said mirror without wasting water.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-supported, adjustable, condensation-free shower mirror

Life of this patent

Self-supported, adjustable, condensation-free shower mirror

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15