Portable collapsible free-standing shower

Abstract

A portable shower includes an enclosure that converts between a two-dimensional collapsed configuration and a three-dimensional upright configuration defining a space therein for a person. The enclosure is self-extending and free-standing in the upright configuration, and desirably has a height of at least 4 feet. The enclosure includes a liner, preferably tubular in shape when extended, and an integrally attached collapsible skeleton such as an elastic coil, preferably helical. The elastic coil has a sufficient relaxed size and spring constant to self-expand the liner when constraints are released. A water reservoir connects to a shower sprayer through a hose, and may be integrated in the wall of the enclosure. For instance, a helical sleeve around the liner may constrain both the elastic coil and the hose. A foot pump may be provided along the hose and within the enclosure for easy propulsion of water from the reservoir to the sprayer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable shower, comprising:
 a collapsible enclosure have a flexible liner and a coil of elastic material secured thereto, coil being secured around the liner so that, when permitted to elongate, the coil supports the liner in a three-dimensional extended configuration with the liner surrounding an inner space large enough for a person to stand in with the liner having a height of at least 4 feet, and wherein the coil may be compressed to collapse the enclosure down to a generally two-dimensional configuration for transport; and   a flexible water hose connected to a sprayer and attached to the collapsible enclosure, the hose being incorporated into the enclosure so that it collapses and expands therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The portable shower of  claim 1 , wherein the hose is secured to the liner. 
     
     
         3 . The portable shower of  claim 1 , wherein the coil and the water hose are both secured around the liner from a first, lower end to a second, upper end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The portable shower of  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional configuration is tubular. 
     
     
         5 . The portable shower of  claim 1 , further including a water reservoir connected to the hose to supply water through the hose to the sprayer, and a pump connected to the water hose in series between the reservoir and the sprayer. 
     
     
         6 . The portable shower of  claim 5 , wherein the pump comprises a foot pump. 
     
     
         7 . The portable shower of  claim 1 , wherein the coil of elastic material defines a longitudinal gap on one side, and the liner has a longitudinal opening therein large enough for ingress and egress of a person to and from the inner space. 
     
     
         8 . A portable shower, comprising:
 a collapsible enclosure have a collapsible skeleton above a base adapted to collapse down to a generally two-dimensional configuration and to expand upward from the base to form an upstanding hollow shape around an inner space large enough for a person to stand in, the enclosure further including a flexible liner attached to the skeleton so that when the skeleton expands the liner obscures a person within the inner space configuration for transport; and   a flexible water hose connected to a sprayer and attached to the collapsible enclosure, the hose being incorporated into the enclosure so that it collapses and expands therewith.   
     
     
         9 . The portable shower of  claim 8 , wherein the hose is secured to pockets sewn into the liner. 
     
     
         10 . The portable shower of  claim 8 , further including a water reservoir connected to the hose to supply water through the hose to the sprayer, and a pump connected to the water hose in series between the reservoir and the sprayer. 
     
     
         11 . The portable shower of  claim 10 , wherein the pump comprises a foot pump. 
     
     
         12 . The portable shower of  claim 8 , wherein the collapsible skeleton defines a longitudinal gap on one side, and the liner has a longitudinal opening therein large enough for ingress and egress of a person to and from the inner space. 
     
     
         13 . The portable shower of  claim 8 , wherein the collapsible skeleton comprises a series of struts connected by junctions, the junctions being detachable from the struts. 
     
     
         14 . The portable shower of  claim 13 , wherein the collapsible skeleton defines a longitudinal gap on one side, and the liner has a longitudinal opening therein large enough for ingress and egress of a person to and from the inner space. 
     
     
         15 . The portable shower of  claim 8 , wherein the base comprises a base plate with a floor raised above the ground and having a plurality of drainage holes therein. 
     
     
         16 . A portable shower, comprising:
 a collapsible enclosure have a collapsible skeleton above a base plate adapted to collapse down to a generally two-dimensional configuration and to expand upward from the base to form an upstanding hollow shape around an inner space large enough for a person to stand in, the enclosure further including a flexible biodegradable liner attached to the skeleton so that when the skeleton expands the liner obscures a person within the inner space, the base plate including a floor raised above the ground and having a plurality of drainage holes therein; and   a flexible water hose connected to a sprayer and attached to the collapsible enclosure, the hose being incorporated into the enclosure so that it collapses and expands therewith.   
     
     
         17 . The portable shower of  claim 16 , wherein the collapsible skeleton defines a longitudinal gap on one side, and the liner has a longitudinal opening therein large enough for ingress and egress of a person to and from the inner space. 
     
     
         18 . The portable shower of  claim 16 , wherein the collapsible skeleton comprises a series of struts connected by junctions, the junctions being detachable from the struts. 
     
     
         19 . The portable shower of  claim 16 , wherein the junctions comprise disc-shaped members having hubs on either side rotatable with respect to one another and connected to short tubes which receive respective strut ends. 
     
     
         20 . The portable shower of  claim 16 , wherein the collapsible skeleton comprises a coil of elastic material.