[0001] The present invention relates to showers and more particularly to shower riser rails,
their attachment to walls and the attachment of components to the shower riser rail,
as well as to the control of electrically controlled valves for mixing hot and cold
water and for providing mixed hot and cold water to a showerhead supportable on the
shower riser rail.
[0002] Conventional riser rails for supporting showerheads for dispensing water are fixed
to walls at either end. The showerhead is then attached to a slider on the riser rail
and the showerhead is attached through a flexible tube to a water supply. The water
supply is usually either a separate unit mounted on the wall or is the same as for
taps on a bath.
[0003] The problem with the above described prior art shower unit is that when the water
supply unit is attached to the wall, a trench for the hot and cold water pipes to
supply the water supply unit with water must be chiselled out of the wall or the pipes
are attached to the wall and may require coving to be attached around them. If the
water supply is the same as that for the bath then in order to turn the shower on
and off or to control the temperature of the water the user must bend down to reach
the controls. This can be difficult for elderly people who already experience problems
with the slippery floor of a shower.
[0004] The present invention provides a shower unit comprising: a showerhead for dispensing
water; a riser rail for supporting said showerhead; and a flexible tube for connecting
said showerhead to a water supply; wherein said riser rail includes a water passage
disposed therein for the passage of water therethrough from a first end to a second,
opposite end; and said flexible tube is connected to said second end.
[0005] In this way, the extra work involved in attaching water supply pipes to a wall, to
embed them in a wall or to cover them with a coving is unnecessary. This saves both
time when assembling the shower unit and is also simpler to assemble, only requiring
the riser rail to be attached to the wall.
[0006] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower
unit comprising: a showerhead for dispensing water; a riser rail for supporting said
showerhead; and a control device for generating electrical signals; wherein said electrical
signals are sendable along at least a portion of said riser rail.
[0007] By providing for electrical signals to be sendable along at least a portion of the
riser rail, the need for exterior control wires which would otherwise need to be shielded
from water is dispensed with. Also, because the need for wires outside of the riser
rail is dispensed with, assembly is made significantly easier and no channelling out
of the wall is required for the cable.
[0008] The shower units described above may further comprise an electronically controlled
valve for mixing hot and cold water and for providing mixed hot and cold water to
said water passage at the first end of the riser rail.
[0009] In this way, assembly of the shower unit is further simplified in that the electronically
controlled valve may be placed in spaced apart relationship to the riser rail in a
convenient position for the attachment thereto of hot and cold water pipes. The electronic
control of the valve also simplifies assembly and especially the amount of plumbing
required to install a shower unit according to the present invention.
[0010] The present invention further provides a riser rail assembly comprising an elongate
riser rail for supporting a showerhead, said riser rail having a fixing hole in an
elongate outer side wall, and a bracket including: a housing, a wedge member and an
engagement portion; wherein said housing has an opening for receiving said riser rail,
an outer attachment surface on which said housing is arranged to be attached to a
wall and a passage extending between a side wall defining said opening and said attachment
surface; said engagement portion is dimensioned to be insertable into said fixing
hole of said elongate riser rail and is positionable within said passage; and said
wedge member is insertable into said passage from said attachment surface and, when
completely inserted into said passage behind said engagement portion, forces said
engagement portion to at least partly protrude into said aperture and thereby into
said fixing hole when said riser rail is positioned in said opening.
[0011] In this way the position of fixing elements supporting the riser rail on a wall need
not be at the end of the riser rail. This allows positioning of the brackets on the
wall to be adjusted for convenience of attachment to be chosen rather than the length
of the shower rail determining where the fixing elements are to be placed. The provision
of a fixing hole in the riser rail and an engagement portion which is insertable into
that fixing hole allows the bracket to support at least some of the weight of the
riser rail and to prevent rotation of the riser rail in the opening. Because the engagement
portion only extends into the opening when the wedge member is fully inserted into
the passage, the engagement portion only enters the fixing hole of the riser rail,
thereby fixing the riser rail to the bracket, as the bracket is attached to the wall.
This feature simplifies the attachment of the riser rail to the wall.
[0012] If the engagement portion is substantially in the shape of a cylinder, then preferably
an O-ring surrounds a base of said engagement portion.
[0013] Preferably, the housing comprises at least one attachment through hole for receiving
fixing means for securing said housing to a wall. This allows easy assembly of the
housing to the wall.
[0014] The riser rail may further comprise a spacer element, said spacer element being positionable
between said attachment surface and said wall. Furthermore, said wedge may have resilient
fins which protrude into said aperture to engage with said riser rail and exert a
force on said riser rail against said housing when said wedge member is completely
inserted into said passage. Advantageously, the wedge member and engagement portion
are made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
[0015] In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a riser rail assembly
comprising: a tubular riser rail upon which a showerhead may be supported; and a backing
member of a housing, wherein said riser rail has a cut out in a side wall; and said
backing member has a riser rail receiving through hole in which said riser rail is
positionable and an opening for exposing said cut out in said riser rail when said
riser rail is positioned in said riser rail receiving hole; wherein said backing member
further comprises an insertion block which is insertable into said opening and said
cut out, said insertion block being dimensioned to engage side walls of said cut out
and said backing member such that said backing member is attached to said riser rail
and such that relative rotation and relative axial movement between said riser rail
and said backing member is substantially prevented.
[0016] In this way the attachment of a housing to the riser rail is simplified and does
not require specialist tools.
[0017] Advantageously the clamping plate includes a through hole for an electrical wire
to pass through from said riser rail to said housing. The housing can further comprise
a front member attachable to said backing member over said opening.
[0018] Preferably the riser rail further comprises a water pipe for the flow of water therethrough
disposed in said riser rail. In this case, the riser rail may further comprise an
end piece attached to said water pipe and wherein said insertion block includes a
recess for engaging said end piece when said insertion block is inserted into said
opening thereby substantially to prevent relative rotation of said water pipe to said
riser rail and relative axial movement of said water pipe to said riser rail. The
end piece may include flat opposing sides parallel to the axial direction of said
water pipe which are engagable with flat opposing sides of said recess, and the end
piece may also include ribs substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of
said water pipe which are engagable with ribs in said recess.
[0019] Preferably, the riser rail has a slot in a side wall at an end of said riser rail,
and also the backing member has a knob which protrudes into said slot when said riser
rail is correctly positioned in said through hole.
[0020] Advantageously, the insertion block comprises at least one rib parallel to the axial
direction of said riser rail on an outer surface engagable with at least one rib in
said opening of said backing member. Furthermore, the insertion block may comprise
at least one rib perpendicular to the axial direction of said riser rail on an outer
surface engagable with at least one rib in said opening of said backing member.
[0021] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference
to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1a is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a shower unit according
to the present invention;
Figure 1b is a cross section taken through line A-A in Figure 1a.
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a bracket according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a riser rail and housing according
to the present invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a backing member of a housing according
to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the end of a riser rail according to the
present invention;
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an insertion portion according to the
present invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the end of a water pipe with an end piece
attached according to the present invention; and
Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the cap illustrated in Figure 1.
[0022] In the figures like parts are indicated with like reference numerals.
[0023] Figure 1 shows a shower unit comprising a showerhead 1 for dispensing water supported
on a riser rail 2. The showerhead 1 is attached to the riser rail 2 by a clamping
member 3. The position of the showerhead 1 on the riser rail 2 is adjustable by moving
the position of clamping member 3. The showerhead 1 is removable from the clamping
member 3.
[0024] The shower rail 2 is fixed to a wall (not illustrated) by upper bracket 5 and lower
bracket 10. The weight of the riser rail may be at least partly supported by either
upper bracket 5 or lower bracket 10 or by both. The construction of the bracket(s)
and how they may support the load is described in detail below with reference to Figure
2.
[0025] The riser rail 2 illustrated in Figure 1 is in the form of a tube with a circular
cross section. The riser rail 2 may have any cross section. It may, for example, have
a square cross section and need not necessarily be hollow. In the illustrated embodiment
a water pipe 15 is provided in the riser rail 2. The water pipe 15 provides for the
passage of water from a first end 21 of the riser rail 2 to a second end 22 of the
riser rail 2. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the passage of water through
the riser rail is illustrated as being provided for by a water pipe 15 this is not
necessarily the case. For example, side walls of the riser rail may, on their inner
surface, provide a water passage for a passage of water therethrough.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the showerhead 1 is connected to the second end 22
of the riser rail 2 by a flexible tube 30. A clip 31 holds the flexible tube 30 in
close proximity to the riser rail 2. In another embodiment, the showerhead 1 may be
attached directly to the second end 22 of the riser rail 2. Furthermore, body jets
(i.e. nozzles for dispensing water towards a user of the shower from the side) can
be attached to the riser rail 2 as can other add-ons. The riser rail 2 may have holes
in the side wall for the dispensation of water there through.
[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, mixed hot and cold water is supplied to
the water pipe 15 at the first end 21 of the riser rail 2 by an electronically controlled
valve 40 which mixes hot water, supplied by a hot water tube 41, and cold water, supplied
by cold water tube 42, in the desired ratio. The temperature of the water is controlled
by a control device 45 which is attached at the second end 22 of the riser rail 2.
Electrical signals are sent along the riser rail 2 from the control device 45 to the
electronically controlled valve 40. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, this
is provided for by a control wire 46 between the control device 45 and the electronically
controlled valve 40 and is disposed within the riser rail 2, for instance alongside
the water pipe 15. This is most clearly illustrated in Figure 1b. The wire 46 may
be connected to the control device 45 and the electronically controlled valve 40 with
connectors such as plugs and sockets. Alternatively, electrical signals may be sent
along the riser rail 2 through an electrical circuit comprising the water pipe 15
and the riser rail 2 itself, so long as the water pipe 15 and the riser rail 2 are
electrically insulated from one another.
[0028] In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the riser rail 2 is intended to extend up to
the ceiling of the room in which the shower unit is installed. A cap 47 covers the
hole which is required in the ceiling for the riser rail 2 and the water pipe 15.
The cap 47 may also be used to support at least some of the weight of the riser rail
assembly.
[0029] In order to bypass a joist or other structural members, a kinked tube 48 may be attached
to the end of water pipe 15 so as to connect the water pipe 15 without having to disturb
the joist or structural member. In particular, the kinked tube 48 is shaped so as
to divert the path mixed water from a first axis to a second axis displaced from but
generally parallel to the first axis.
[0030] In an alternative embodiment to that illustrated in Figure 1, the showerhead 1 may
be attached to the second end 22 of the riser rail 2 without the use of a flexible
tube 30. In such an embodiment the mixed water is fed up the riser rail to the showerhead
1 at the top. The control device 45 would be situated on the riser rail 2 away from
the end (21, 22).
[0031] The construction of the bracket(s) 5, 10 which are supporting the load of the riser
rail 2 illustrated in Figure 1, will now be described in detail with reference to
Figure 2. Such bracket(s) comprise a housing 100, a wedge member 110 and an engagement
portion 120. The engagement portion 120 is important in that it prevents rotation
of the riser rail 2 in the housing 100 and also supports the weight of the riser rail
2. It does this by being dimensioned to be insertable into a fixing hole (not illustrated)
in a side wall 222 of a riser rail 2.
[0032] The housing 100 has an opening 102 for receiving the riser rail 2. The side walls
which define the opening 102 surround at least a portion of the riser rail 2. In the
illustrated embodiment the side walls of the opening 102 completely surround the riser
rail 2. The opening 102 in the housing 100 should be of a similar cross section to
that of the riser rail 2 which need not be circular. The housing 100 is attachable
to a wall on an outer attachment surface 103. This is affected in the illustrated
embodiment by two fastening means 130 which fit in attachment through holes 106. The
attachment through holes 106 exit on the attachment surface 103 and in this way the
housing 100 can be attached to a surface on the attachment surface 103. In the embodiment
as illustrated in Figure 2, a spacer element 140 is positioned between the attachment
surface 103 and the wall to which the riser rail 2 is to be attached. The spacer elements
140 may be used to vary the distance of the riser rail 2 from the wall, for example,
to avoid lateral joists in the ceiling. The spacer element 140 has through holes 142
from a first surface 144 to a second surface 146. The fastening means 130 (which may
be screws, bolts, nails etc) pass through the attachment through holes 106 in the
housing 100 and through the fixing holes 142 in the spacer element 140 into the wall.
In this way the attachment surface 103 is brought into contact with the first surface
144 of the spacer element 140 and the second surface 146 of a spacer element 140 is
in contact with the wall.
[0033] A passage 104 extends between a side wall of the opening 102 and the attachment surface
103. The engagement portion 120 is insertable into the passage 104 from the attachment
surface 103 such that it does not protrude into the opening 102. When the whole of
the wedge element 110 is positioned completely within the passage 104 such that it
does not protrude over the attachment surface 103, the engagement portion 120 protrudes
into the opening. In this way, when the housing 100 is fastened to the wall such that
the attachment surface 103 lies against another surface (such as first surface 144
of the spacer element 140) the wedge element is forced into the passage 104 and the
engagement portion 120 is moved into a position where it protrudes into the opening
102. A correctly positioned riser rail 2 within the opening 102 is then fixed to the
bracket 100 by the protrusion of the engagement portion 120 into the fixing hole.
The engagement portion 120, wedge element 110 and passage 104 are dimensioned such
that when the bracket 100 is attached to the wall and the wedge element is fully inserted
into the passage 104, substantially no relative movement between the wedge member
104, engagement portion 120 and housing 100 is possible.
[0034] During assembly, once the riser rail 2 has been inserted into the opening 102, the
fixing hole in the side wall of the riser rail 2 may be aligned with the engagement
portion 120 and the engagement portion inserted into the fixing hole by pushing the
wedge element 110 completely into the passage 104 before the bracket is secured to
the wall. In this way, alignment and securing the bracket 100 to the wall can be carried
out in separate operations.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement portion 120 forms part of the wedge
element 110. This is not essential in that the engagement portion 120 and the wedge
element 110 may be formed from two separate elements. In either case, resilient fins
125 may also protrude into the opening 102 when the wedge element 110 is fully inserted
into the passage 104. Those resilient fins serve the purpose of engaging with the
outer surface of the riser rail 2 to exert a force on the riser rail 2 against the
housing 100. This serves to substantially prevent rattling of the riser rail 2 in
the bracket 100. Such an effect may alternatively or in addition be performed by the
provision of an O-ring on the engagement portion which may be knob-shaped. Preferably
the engagement portion is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Recesses 107 formed in
the side wall defining opening 102 hold the clip 31 (see Figure 1) perpendicular to
the control device 45 to prevent the flexible tube 30 from hanging over the control
device 45.
[0036] If the bracket 5, 10 does not need to take the load of the riser rail assembly but
is only for support, the bracket is constructed in the same way albeit without engagement
portion 120. In this arrangement no fixing hole is necessary in the riser rail 2.
[0037] Figure 3 illustrates the way in which the control device 45 is attached to the riser
rail 2 and the way in which the water pipe 15 is supported within the riser rail 2.
[0038] The housing 45 is comprised of four main components, namely a backing member 300,
an insertion block 320, a clamping plate 340 and a front member 350. The riser rail
2 which is tubular is prepared with a cut out 20 near the second end 22. The cut out
is defined by a missing portion of the side wall of the riser rail 2.
[0039] As can be seen in Figure 3, the water pipe 15 is provided with an end piece 150 attached
to an end.
[0040] Each of the main components illustrated in Figure 3 will now be described in detail
by referring to Figures 4 to 7.
[0041] Figure 4 illustrates the backing member 300 of the housing 45. The backing member
300 has a riser rail receiving through hole 302 into which the riser rail 2 is insertable.
In the illustrated embodiment, the riser rail receiving hole 302 opens on two sides
of the backing member and internally is partly defined by a rear side 303 which is
an inner surface of the backing member 300. When the riser rail 2 is inserted in the
riser rail receiving hole 302 (not necessarily in contact with the rear side 303),
a portion of the side wall of the riser rail 2 is exposed by an opening 304 in the
housing which is opposite the rear side 303.
[0042] In order to ensure that the riser rail 2 is positioned correctly in the backing member
300, as can be seen in Figure 5, a slot 25 is provided in a side wall at the second
end 22 of the riser rail 2. When the riser rail 2 is inserted into the through hole
302 of the backing member 300, the slot 25 is lined up with protrusion 310 which protrudes
into the through hole 302 from the rear side 303 of the backing member 300. The slot
25 and protrusion 310 are arranged to ensure that the cut out 20 of the riser rail
2 faces the opening 304 of the backing member 300 and that the cut out 20 is at a
predetermined height relative to the housing 45.
[0043] The insertion block 320 as is illustrated in Figure 6 is dimensioned to be insertable
into the cut out 20 of riser rail 2 when the riser rail 2 is positioned in the backing
member 300. The insertion block 320 is inserted into the cut out 20 through opening
304. Engagement of a top surface 321 of insertion block 320 with a top side wall 26
of cut out 20 of the riser rail 2, combined with engagement of ribs 322 on each side
of insertion block 320 with horizontal ribs 306 on each side of the backing member
300 ensure that the backing member 300 may not move up (as illustrated) the riser
rail 2. Similarly, engagement of bottom surface 323 of insertion block 320 with bottom
side wall 27 of cut out 20 of riser rail 2 and engagement of ribs 322 with ribs 306
ensures that the backing member 300 does not slide off the bottom of riser rail 2.
[0044] Relative axial rotation of the riser rail 2 to housing 300 is prevented by engagement
of sides of insertion block 320 with side walls 28, 29 of cut out 20 of riser rail
2. Optionally, ribs formed on the bottom surface 323 of insertion block 320 may engage
with vertical ribs 308 formed on backing member 300. The skilled person will appreciate
that the cut out 20 may be any shape so long as that shape is compatible with the
shape of the insertion block 320.
[0045] Insertion block 320 also has a through hole 325 for an electrical wire to pass through
from the riser rail 2 to the housing 45. Side walls of defining the through hole 325
prevent the wire from chaffing against the top side wall 26 of cut out 20 of the riser
rail 2.
[0046] In order that the insertion block 320 is not accidentally removed from the backing
member 300, the clamping plate 340 may be attached to the backing member using screws
341 which screw into screw receiving holes 312 in backing member 300. The clamping
plate 340 ensures that the insertion portion 320 does not rotate relative to the backing
member 300. This is done by ensuring that the clamping plate 340 engages tightly with
the (flat) back of the insertion portion 320 to hold the insertion portion 320 square
to the clamping plate 340. The clamping plate 340 is provided with corresponding holes
for the screws and also with an extra hole 342 for the passage of an electrical wire.
The height of the extra hole 342, when assembled, is higher that the hole in the insertion
portion to prevent water running along the wire into the back of the front of the
housing 350. To fully assemble, the front member 350 of the housing 45 may be attached
to the backing member 300. Integral with the backing member 300 is a spray wall 314
which surrounds the opening 304. The clamping member 340 engages with the spray wall
314 (optionally in a recess) such that in the event of water finding its way into
through hole 302 the water is prevented from leaking into the front member 350.
[0047] Because the insertion block 320 is fixed vertically and horizontally relative to
the backing member 300, the insertion block 320 may be used for fixing the position
of the water pipe 15. This is achieved by providing the water pipe 15 with an end
piece 150 which may be engaged by the insertion block 320.
[0048] As is illustrated in Figure 7, the end piece 150 attached to the end of water pipe
15 includes flat opposing sides 155 which are substantially parallel. Horizontal ribs
157 protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of
the water pipe 15. The end piece 150, when assembled, lies in a recess 330 of the
insertion block 320 as is illustrated in Figure 6. Recess 330 has inner side walls
332 on opposing surfaces which are substantially parallel and engage the flat opposing
sides 155 of the end piece 150. In this way, the end piece and thereby the water pipe
15 are prevented from rotating axially relative to the insertion block 320. A horizontal
rib 335 in recess 330 engages with the horizontal ribs 157 of end piece 150 to thereby
prevent movement in the axial direction of the end piece 150 and thereby the water
pipe 15 relative to the insertion member 320.
[0049] The flexible hose 30 may then be attached to the end piece 150 through a screw fitting
158 on the bottom of the end piece 150. In this way, the control device 45, the riser
rail 2, the water pipe 15 and the flexible tube 30 as illustrated in Figure 1 can
all be securely attached relative to one another.
[0050] The height of the cap 47 on the riser rail 2 is adjustable so that the riser rail
2 need not be cut to length depending on the height of the ceiling. As is illustrated
in Figure 8, this is achieved by providing an inner surface of a hole through which
the riser rail passes with a groove 471 in which an o-ring (not illustrated) is provided.
The compression of the o-ring on the rail is sufficient to hold the weight of the
cap 47.
1. A shower unit comprising:
a showerhead for dispensing water;
a riser rail for supporting said showerhead; and
a flexible tube for connecting said showerhead to a water supply; wherein
said riser rail includes a water passage disposed therein for the passage of water
therethrough from a first end to a second, opposite end; and
said flexible tube is connected to said second end.
2. A shower unit according to claim 1, further comprising an electronically controlled
valve for mixing hot and cold water and for providing mixed hot and cold water to
said water passage at said first end of said riser rail.
3. A shower unit comprising:
a showerhead for dispensing water;
a riser rail for supporting said showerhead; and
a control device for generating electrical signals; wherein
said electrical signals are sendable along at least a portion of said riser rail.
4. A shower unit according to claim 3, wherein said riser rail includes a water passage
disposed therein for the passage of water therethrough from a first end to a second
opposite end;
said signals are sendable via said first end; and
said showerhead is connectable to said second end such that water is supplyable to
said showerhead from said second end.
5. A shower unit according to claim 4, further comprising a flexible tube for connecting
said showerhead to said second end.
6. A shower unit according to claim 3, 4 or 5, further comprising an electronically controlled
valve controlled by said electrical signals for mixing hot and cold water and for
providing mixed hot and cold water to said showerhead.
7. A shower unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control device for generating
electrical signals; and wherein
said electrical signals are sendable along at least a portion of said riser rail
to said second end.
8. A shower unit according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said water passage is
comprised of a water pipe disposed within said riser rail.
9. A shower unit according to claim 8, wherein said water pipe and riser rail are electrically
conductive and are insulated from each other, said electrical signals being sendable
through an electrical circuit comprised of said riser rail and said water pipe.
10. A shower unit according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said electrical signals
are sendable through an electrical circuit comprised of at least one wire disposed
in said riser rail.
11. A shower unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a kinked
tube attached to said first end.
12. A riser rail assembly comprising an elongate riser rail for supporting a showerhead,
said riser rail having a fixing hole in an elongate outer side wall, and
a bracket including:
a housing, a wedge member and an engagement portion; wherein
said housing has an opening for receiving said riser rail, an outer attachment surface
on which said housing is arranged to be attached to a wall and a passage extending
between a side wall defining said opening and said attachment surface;
said engagement portion is dimensioned to be insertable into said fixing hole of said
elongate riser rail and is positionable within said passage; and
said wedge member is insertable into said passage from said attachment surface and,
when completely inserted into said passage behind said engagement portion, forces
said engagement portion to at least partly protrude into said aperture and thereby
into said fixing hole when said riser rail is positioned in said opening.
13. A riser rail assembly according to claim 12, wherein said engagement portion is part
of said wedge member.
14. A riser rail assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said engagement portion
is substantially in the shape of a cylinder.
15. A riser rail assembly comprising:
a tubular riser rail upon which a showerhead may be supported; and
a backing member of a housing, wherein
said riser rail has a cut out in a side wall; and
said backing member has a riser rail receiving through hole in which said riser rail
is positionable and an opening for exposing said cut out in said riser rail when said
riser rail is positioned in said riser rail receiving hole; wherein
said backing member further comprises an insertion block which is insertable into
said opening and said cut out, said insertion block being dimensioned to engage side
walls of said cut out and said backing member such that said backing member is attached
to said riser rail and such that relative rotation and relative axial movement between
said riser rail and said backing member is substantially prevented.
16. The riser rail assembly according to claim 15, wherein said insertion block a through
hole for an electrical wire to pass through from said riser rail to said housing.
17. The riser rail assembly of claim 15 or 16, wherein said housing further comprises
a clamping plate attachable to said backing member for enclosing said insertion block
in said opening.
18. A combination of the features of two or more of a) the shower unit of any one of claims
1 to 11, b) the riser rail assembly of any one of claims 12 to 14, and c) the riser
rail assembly of any one of claims 15 to 17.