MAINTAINING A SHOWER BUTTON PRESSED.

The field of the invention

The object of the invention relates to a device adapted for retaining a given point and the device may be secured to a surface with a vacuum, where the vacuum is created by moving a lever, then after creating the vacuum the lever is moved to a position suitable for retaining the given point.

The state of the art

Situations may occur when devices or their components (e.g. button) have to be pressed periodically or kept depressed in order for the given device to operate. The taps of public showers, for example, operate on this principle, in the case of which after pressing the shower button the water flows out of the showerhead for a given amount of time (otherwise known as: timed showers) . Furthermore, innumerable lighting devices exist that activate at the push of a button, such as in the form of a wall-mounted lamp.

In timed showers operating on an electric basis by pressing a shower button operating on a piezoelectric principle the shower button gives voltage to an electronic device, which due to this releases the water for a pre-set amount of time.

In the case of timed showers operating on a mechanical

principle by pressing the shower button a shaft is depressed, which opens the path for the water to flow. A spring pushes the shaft, and so the shower button also, back to its default position in such a way that the force of the spring is

insufficient for this on its own, therefore the closed chamber enclosing the shaft and the spring surrounding it become filled with water while the tap is in open state and the hydrostatic pressure of the water surrounding the shaft and the spring assists the spring force in returning the shower button and shaft to default position.

It may also occur that objects need to be secured in a given position, for example, a person wants to secure a picture to the wall, but firstly the person only wants to secure it temporarily so that he or she can inspect it from a sufficient distance in order to determine the appropriate position for the given object.

Innumerable devices are known for implementing temporary securing, including various mechanical forms of securing, adhesive tapes, various types of putty and magnets. Their disadvantage is that in general they cannot be used on several kinds of surface because they do not adhere to it, the surface is not magnetisable or a mark may be left on it, or the given surface may even get damaged. In addition, several devices are required in the case of heavy objects and, with the exception of mechanical securing devices, they are usually single-use devices .

An example of a device made for retaining shower buttons is the Hassle Free Shower Accessory product from the Showerfriend company, which may be secured on the wall next to the shower button using two small-sized suction cups and a plastic rod may be screwed into the hole formed in the middle of a plastic element linking the two suction cups. Retaining the shower button may be implemented with this screwed rod. The

disadvantage of the device is that using the screwed rod is time-consuming and as a result of the nature of its construction it takes up a large amount of space, so it may be easily be inadvertently knocked off with a careless gesture. Releasing the shower button while showering is also difficult with the screwed rod when there is temporarily no need for flowing water, while soaping oneself, for example. In addition the device is not adapted for the storage of shower gel or other showering accessories, or personal items.

Another known device for retaining shower buttons is the Synio Shower Attachment product of the Synio company, which is a fixed-size plastic device with a structure making it possible to hook it onto the water pipe located behind the shower button at a distance from the wall, thereby retaining those shower buttons that were installed with an exposed water pipe. In addition the rubber heads that may be inserted into the head part of the device may be used as accessories to retain small sized shower buttons. The obvious disadvantage of the device is that it is only suitable for retaining those shower buttons that have a water pipe located at a distance from the wall. Furthermore this device is not adapted for storing showering accessories either.

As a consequence of the above there is a need for a device that is capable of retaining a given point, particularly a shower button, in such a way that the given point is located in the vicinity of a substantially smooth surface, either on the surface or even at a distance from it, which distance is optional within a certain limit, the securing of the device should be reversible and not cause damage to the surface, furthermore the device is adapted for storing showering accessories . Brief description of the invention

The present invention is based on the recognition that in the case of a device that may be secured with a vacuum, if the vacuum performing the securing is created via the work of a lever on the device, by form a drop at the securing end of the lever it may be achieved that after creating the vacuum it is possible to move the lever independently of it into the other positions of the lever and prevent the lever from returning to the non-secured state with the use of teeth. With this construction it is possible for the lever to retain a given point, preferably a shower button.

In accordance with the above the present invention relates to a device that has a vacuum-securing securing part for securing on a given surface and a lever rotatably connected to it that may also rotate as compared to it, by rotating the lever a vacuum may be created in the securing part for securing the device onto a given surface and it is characteristic of the device that the end of the lever where securing is performed is drop-shaped and the lever has teeth for securing the lever in a given position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the securing part has a suction cup and lifting lever .

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the securing part has a piston, a ring and a lifting lever.

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the teeth contain upper teeth located on the lever, which are connected to the securing part with a connection element.

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the teeth consist of teeth located on the outer part of the lever and an accommodation element located on the securing part.

According to a more preferred embodiment of the device

according to the invention the ring is double-walled at the part in contact with the surface where securing is performed.

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the lever is provided with a fixing device .

According to an even more preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the piston is provided with a vacuum pump .

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the lever is provided with an interchangeable head.

According to another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the lever is provided with storage units .

The device according to the invention may be preferably used to maintain a shower button depressed for an optional amount of time.

In the figures Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in non-secured state; Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a preferred

embodiment of the device according to the invention in non- secured state;

Figure 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a preferred

embodiment of the device according to the invention in secured state ;

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in non- secured state;

Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in non- secured state;

Figure 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in secured state ;

Figure 7 depicts another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in its state of touching the shower button;

Figure 8 depicts another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in its state of retaining the shower button;

Figure 9 depicts another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in its state of retaining a

recessing button;

Figure 10 depicts another preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in its state of touching a

recessing button.

Detailed description of the invention The essence of the device according to the invention is that by the device being secured to a given surface using a vacuum the lever of the device is able to retain a given point and if necessary the state of the lever performing the retaining may be changed without releasing the securing.

In the context of the present invention the given point to be retained is understood to mean a surface of optional size and shape onto which the head part of the lever of the device according to the invention created for this purpose is able to rest. Such a given point to be retained may be, for example, a shower button, light switch or a picture frame.

In the context of the present invention retaining is

understood to mean when the lever is fixed in a given state and substantially does not move, not even if a pushing force is exerted on it from the retained point. In this way the device is adapted for securing objects to the wall using force, or for keeping buttons depressed (e.g. shower button) that are released after a certain amount of time has passed if not retained.

In the context of the present invention surface is understood to mean that surface on which the device is to be secured.

This surface is, for example, a wall surface, particularly the substantially smooth surface of a bathroom wall that is tiled or covered with other surfacing. The surface may also be a ceiling, floor or an object, or a substantially smooth part of other apparatus. Substantially smooth surface is understood to mean a surface suitable for the securing part of the device according to the invention to be secured on it using vacuum.

In other words, in the case of a suction cup this means a smooth surface, while in the case of a piston provided with a ring it may also be a grouted tiled surface, mosaic tiles, concrete, wood, etc. depending on the shape of the ring, its material and the magnitude of the vacuum.

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, where the arrow marked 3a refers to the non- secured state. Non-secured state is understood to mean when the device is not secured to a given surface with a vacuum.

The device marked in its entirety with reference sign 1 consists of two main parts, namely a securing part 2 and a lever 3.

The vacuum securing of the device 1 may be carried out using the securing part 2. The securing part 2 contains a lifting lever 5a and a suction cup 5b surrounding an airspace 9 according to the preferred embodiment shown in figure 2. The securing part 2 may also be formed in other ways know to a person skilled in the art, for example, by using a ring 6b made of a flexible material and a piston 6a in the way shown in figures 5 and 6.

The vacuum for the vacuum securing of the securing part 2 may be created using the lever 3.

In the case of the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3 the lever 3 is connected to the securing part at the end close to the securing via the connection element 13 and the lifting lever 5a. In the case of the other embodiment shown in figures 4 to 6, the lever 3 is connected to the securing part 2 only via the lifting lever 5a.

The end 12 of the lever 2 close to the securing is provided with a drop-shaped form. The lever 3 also contains teeth 4, a head 8, and, optionally, one or more storage units 15. The head 8 located on the lever 3 serves as retaining surface, i.e. the device 1 according to the invention touches the point 7 to be retained via this head 8. This touching may be seen in figures 7 and 8 in connection with the other embodiment.

The use of the device according to the invention is presented in connection with the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3. While using the device 1 the suction cup 5b of the securing part 2 is placed on the substantially flat surface where the device 1 according to the invention is to be secured.

Following this the lever 3 is turned from the non-secured state 3a in the direction of the arrow A shown in figure 2 around the shaft 16 providing the connection of the lifting lever 5a and the lever 3. As a result of the drop shape of the end 12 the lever 3 raises the lifting lever 5a, due to which the volume of the airspace 9 increases thereby creating a vacuum. Due to this the device 1 according to the invention is secured to the substantially flat surface with the suction cup 5b. The lever 3 may be turned further in the direction of the arrow A according to figure 2, due to the effect of which continued turning the end 12 once again becomes separated from the securing part 2. This separation does not affect the vacuum created. After this the lever 3 that has been turned further may be fixed into any optional position using the teeth 4. For example, the lever 3 may also be fixed in a position parallel to the substantially flat surface, as it may be seen in figure 3 (fixed state indicated with arrow 3b) . It may be seen in figure 2 that in non-secured state the drop shaped end 12 does not touch the securing part 2, while turning the lever 3 in a certain section the drop-shaped end 12 comes into contact the surface (not shown) of the securing part 2 with this functioning as a lever arm to push it in, then after the vacuum securing has been created the drop- shaped end 12 is once again separated from the securing part 2 according to figure 3.

The teeth 4 of the embodiment according to figures 1 to 3 are formed in such a way that the upper teeth 4a guide the rod shaped head part of the connection element 13, and the rod shaped head part 13a of the connection element 13 sits into the larger depressions of the lower teeth 4b. In this way by moving the lever 3 in the direction of secured state (figure 3) indicated with arrow 3b the connection element 13 does not get caught in the depressions of the upper teeth 4a, however, by moving the lever 3 in the direction of non-secured position 3a the connection element 13 becomes fixed in a given position of the lower teeth 4b and via this the lever 3 is fixed in the given state. By releasing the connection element 13 the lever 3 may be moved towards the non-secured state 3a, which

releasing may take place, for example, by pushing the

connection element 13 in the direction of the arrow B shown in figure 3, in this way lifting it out of the given position of the lower teeth 4b.

The depressions of the upper teeth 4a help the lever 3 to be set into a given position by that there are depressions in the upper teeth 4a that correspond to the depressions of the lower teeth 4b. The head part 13a of the connection element 13 located in the depression of the upper teeth 4a becomes fixed in the given depression of the lower teeth 4b in the case that the lever 3 is moved towards the non-secured state 3a. If the precise adjustment of the lever 3 is not important the upper teeth 4a may be omitted, instead a completely smooth surface may be used in this location.

The other role of the lever 3 in addition to creating the vacuum is to retain a given point 7, which point 7 may protrude out from the surface or may even sink into the surface on which the device 1 is secured. It is also

conceivable that the point 7 to be retained is not on the surface (e.g. usually the shower button is not on the tiles of the shower, instead it is located on the plumbing pipe running in front of the tiling, or the object to be secured on the surface is not a part of the surface) . With the lever 3 preferably provided with an interchangeable head 8 the same device 1 may be used for retaining a point 7 protruding out of or sinking into the surface, or even for retaining a point 7 positioned at a distance from the surface, and the head with the surface ideal for the given point 7 is used. It may be seen in figure 9 and 10 that in order to retain a point 7 sinking into the surface the interchangeable head 8 may be provided with a threaded bore 8a into which rods of various lengths may be secured to perform the retaining.

The role of the teeth 4 is for the lever 3 to be adjustable and fixed in a given position after the device 1 has been secured, thereby ensuring that the given point 7 is retained.

Figures 5 and 6 show another preferred embodiment of the securing part 2 for creating the vacuum. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the vacuum securing part presented in these figures may be used with any of the levers or teeth presented above. A piston 6a and a ring 6b made from a flexible material are used in the securing part 2 for performing the vacuum securing. An air pipe 10 connects the airspace 9 enclosed by the ring 6b with the piston space 11. The lifting lever 5a is pulled upwards by moving the lever 3 in the direction of the arrow A (figure 6) thereby moving the piston 6a upwards and sucking the air out of the airspace 9 surrounded by the ring 6b through the air pipe 10 into the piston space 11. In the case of the piston embodiment according to figures 5 and 6 the device 1 according to the present invention may be secured well to uneven, grouted, concrete, mosaic tiles and similar surfaces.

In the case of a preferred embodiment the ring 6b is double walled at least where it comes into contact with the surface, in this way the vacuum is able to better withstand the unevenness of the surface, such as the level difference between the tile and the grout, or any damage on the surface, as when the vacuum is created the ring 6b adheres to the surface at two places.

The piston 6a may be preferably provided with a vacuum pump, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the vacuum and/or its duration. The supply of the vacuum pump with electricity may take place from the mains or a battery.

The end 12 of the lever 3 is drop-shaped, in other words the widening shape of its part coming into contact with the securing part 2 is formed to end in an apex. This apex 12 serves the function of coming into contact with the securing part 2 while the lever 3 is being moved, during which movement the device 1 is secured to the surface as a result of the vacuum created. In the other positions when the end 12 of the lever 3 moves away from the securing part 2, the lever 3 may be freely moved and then fixed in a given position using the teeth 4, which makes it possible for the lever 3 to perform its retaining function.

According to the further preferred embodiment the teeth 4 may be located on the external surface of the lever 3 (figures 4 to 6) in such a way that a toothed accommodation element 14 fitting to the teeth 4 is formed on the securing part 2, in which the teeth 4 are secured by the movement of the lever 3. The accommodation element 14 may also be formed in such a way that it does not come into contact with the teeth 4 while the lever 3 is moving, instead when the lever 3 has been moved into the desired position it may be pushed in on a rail to the position where the accommodation element 14 fits with the teeth 4. In this way more effective securing may be created, because during setting it up it does not have to be possible to move the teeth 4 while they are in contact with the

accommodation element 14. As mentioned above, the position of the teeth 4 (i.e. within the lever 3 mentioned above, or the external teeth mentioned here) and the method of fixing to the securing part 2 (i.e. suction cup or piston) are independent of each other, i.e. these solutions may be optionally combined with each other within the scope of the present invention.

Preferably one or more storage units 15 may be located on the lever 3 of the device 1 according to the invention, in which, for example, tools or personal items, such as keys, cards, money, telephone may be placed. For example, in the case of use in a shower a tube-like storage unit 15 may also be created for the storage of shower gel, soap or shampoo, in which case at least one side wall of the storage unit is preferably formed to yield to the pressure of the hand. It is practical to provide the individual storage units that are not perfectly watertight with holes, slots so that any water flowing in can easily drain away. On the other hand,

watertight storage units 15 may also be created for the storage of objects sensitive to water (e.g. mobile telephone) .

Preferably securing devices may be located on the lever 3 that are suitable for securing, for example, lighting devices, telephone or camera, even at a variable angle (e.g. using a ball and socket securing device) . Such securing devices may be a hook or hanger too, which are suitable for holding swimwear or a towel.

Examples

Example 1 : Device with suction cup securing and teeth located in the lever

The embodiment according to the example may be seen in figures 1 to 3. The device 1 consists of a securing part 2, a lever 3, teeth 4 and a connection element 13.

The securing part 2 may be secured using the suction cup 5b in such a way that by moving the lever 3 the movement of the end 12 (figure 3) from non-secured state 3a to secured state 3b raises the lifting lever 5a thereby creating a vacuum in the airspace 9.

When the end 12 is no longer in contact with the securing part 2, the vacuum has been completely created and with this the device 1 has been secured. After this the lever 3 may be freely moved. In order to secure the lever 3 in certain positions the teeth 4 connect to the connection element 13 connected to the securing part 2 into the given depression of the teeth 4. Due to the structure of the individual upper teeth 4a the lever 3 may be freely moved in the secured direction 3b, the head part 13a of the connection element 13 travels freely along the upper teeth 4a. However, during movement in the non-secured direction 3a the head part 13a of the connection element sits into a depression located in the lower teeth 4b, in this way the lever 3 may only be moved backwards if the connection element 13 is lifted in the direction of the arrow B according to figure 3.

The device 1 according to the example also has two storage units 15 and an interchangeable 8 head in order to be capable of retaining various given points 7 and securing objects of various size and shape on a given surface.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device 1 according to the example in its non-secured state.

Example 2: Device with piston securing and external teeth

The structure of the embodiment according to the example is similar to that of example 1.

The embodiment according to the example is shown in figure 6 in its 3b secured state. The vacuum here may be created using a ring 6b made of rubber and a piston by turning the lever 3. The 6b ring preferably ends in a double-walled structure in the way shown in figures 5 and 6. In this way when the end 12 of the lever 3 moves from the non-secured state 3a (figure 5) towards the secured state 3b (figure 4), it lifts the lifting lever 5a and via this the piston 6a sucks the air from the airspace 9 through the air pipe 10 into the piston space 11.

After the vacuum has been created with the teeth 4 located on the external surface of the lever 3 being fixed by fitting into the accommodation element 14 of the securing part 2 and using force the lever 3 may be moved to the various positions.

The threaded bore 8a located on the interchangeable head 8 is also suitable for the screwing in of a rod, in this way the device 1 is able to retain a given point 7 located in even the deeper depressions of a larger area.

One storage unit 15 is also provided with slots 15a so that any water getting into it may drain out.

A perspective view of the device is shown in figure 4.

Example 3: Use in showers

The device 1 according to the invention may be used to good effect, for example, for keeping the buttons of timed showers used in public swimming pools depressed (figures 7 and 8), in this way it is not necessary to press the point 7 (shower button in the present example) again from time to time. A device with a structure corresponding to such showers may be secured on the tiled surface behind the point 7 (i.e. shower button) with a single motion and with the turning movement used for the securing the lever 3 is turned over the point 7 (shower button) which may then be depressed for the entire duration of showering. The storage units 15 located on the device 1 may contain shampoo, shower gel, a separate

compartment, e.g. for the locker key, and a securing device (e.g. hook or hanger) for hanging up swimwear. After finishing showering the device secured with vacuum may be removed from the wall surface with a dynamic movement. In order to

facilitate removal the suction cup or ring may be provided with a small tab which when lifted terminates the vacuum in the airspace 9 (not illustrated) .

The advantages of the invention The advantage of the present invention is that it may be quickly and easily secured to various types of surface and the securing of the device on the given surface and the retaining of the point to be retained may be performed using a single lever and a single motion.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the lever may be secured in various positions, in this way the retaining of the given object or button may be temporarily changed or terminated.

The device according to the invention may also be provided with storage and securing functions.