COMBINATION HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD WITH POSITIONABLE FIXED SHOWERHEAD

Abstract

A combination showerhead having a fixed showerhead and a handheld showerhead. The handheld showerhead is supported in line with an associated outlet pipe while the fixed showerhead is supported adjacent to the handheld showerhead. The fixed showerhead, although not removable like the handheld showerhead, can be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the handheld showerhead. Such positions include, for example, above the handheld showerhead, or to the left or right of the handheld showerhead, or at positions intermediate the foregoing. The location of the handheld showerhead is fixed and the handheld showerhead can be selectively removed from its mount and used in conventional fashion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present exemplary embodiments relate to showerheads. It finds particular application in conjunction with combination showerheads having both a fixed and handheld showerhead and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments are also amenable to other like applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handheld showerheads and wands are popular for allowing a user more flexibility when showering. Typical handheld showerheads often include a bracket that is configured to support the handheld showerhead on or adjacent an outlet pipe when not being actively manipulated by a user. A flexible hose supplies water to the handheld showerhead from the outlet pipe.

In one example, a handle of a handheld showerhead is configured to be received in a bracket that is mounted to the outlet pipe. A user can shower with the handheld showerhead supported in the bracket and serving as a conventional fixed showerhead or remove the handheld showerhead from the bracket for showering in a handheld mode.

Combination showerheads combine a fixed showerhead with a handheld showerhead as described in the previous paragraph. In general, the fixed showerhead of a conventional combination showerhead is similar to a standard showerhead. That is, the fixed showerhead is generally positioned in line with the outlet of an outlet pipe. In some designs, the fixed showerhead can swivel to allow water to be directed to different locations, but is otherwise fixed relative to the outlet pipe to which it is attached. The handheld showerhead of a conventional showerhead is often mounted adjacent the fixed showerhead.

In some conventional combination showerheads, the handheld showerhead is supported by a bracket below the fixed showerhead. The bracket can be integral with the fixed showerhead or a portion thereof, such as an inlet portion of the fixed showerhead adapted to be secured to the outlet pipe. The inlet portion of the fixed showerhead can include a valve (e.g., diverter valve) and hose connection for controlling and supply flow to the handheld showerhead.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure sets forth a combination showerhead having a fixed showerhead and a handheld showerhead. Contrary to existing combination showerheads, in one exemplary embodiment the handheld showerhead of the present disclosure is supported in line with an associated outlet pipe while the fixed showerhead is supported adjacent to the handheld showerhead. The fixed showerhead, although not removable like the handheld showerhead, can be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the fixed showerhead. Such positions include, for example, above the handheld showerhead, or to the left or right of the handheld showerhead, or at positions intermediate the foregoing. Meanwhile, the location of the handheld showerhead mount is fixed, although the handheld showerhead can still be removed from the mount and used in conventional fashion.

In the past, when a handheld showerhead was mounted below or adjacent a fixed showerhead in conventional fashion, the handle portion of the handheld showerhead may contact a wall or other adjacent structure. In addition, routing of the hose from a diverter valve to the handheld showerhead could be impacted by adjacent structure and or the fixed showerhead itself. By fixing the location of the handheld showerhead, the exemplary showerhead of the present disclosure simplifies installation of the showerhead and management of the hose. In addition, the movable fixed showerhead allows a user to position the fixed showerhead in the most ergonomic location given existing adjacent structures that may be present in a particular installation setting, such as shelving units or the like. Furthermore, the fixed position of the handheld showerhead makes removal and replacement of the handheld showerhead easier, since the location of the handheld showerhead mount remains consistent.

In accordance with one aspect, a combination showerhead mountable to an associated water supply pipe comprises a mount having an inlet for receiving water from the associated water supply pipe, a fixed showerhead supported by the mount and having a fixed showerhead outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, and a selectively removable handheld showerhead supported by the mount and having a handheld showerhead outlet in fluid communication with the inlet. The fixed showerhead is displaceable relative to the handheld showerhead.

The mount can include a bracket configured to secure the handheld showerhead in a fixed location. The mount can include a pivot arm for supporting the fixed showerhead in spaced relation to the handheld showerhead, the pivot arm rotatable about a central axis of the mount to change a position of the fixed showerhead. The fixed showerhead and handheld showerhead can be supported in parallel planes, whereby the fixed showerhead can be moved to a plurality of positions relative to the handheld showerhead. The outlets of the fixed showerhead and the handheld showerhead can be aligned in a common plane when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount. The arm can be pivotable such that the fixed showerhead can be positioned in a plurality of locations extending in an arc surrounding the handheld showerhead when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount. The arc can extend at least 180 degrees about the handheld showerhead when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount. The arm can include a release mechanism, the release mechanism configured to allow pivoting of the arm when actuated. At least one of the fixed showerhead and the handheld showerhead can be supported for swiveling movement relative to the mount. The mount can further include a diverter valve for controlling flow between the inlet, fixed showerhead outlet and handheld showerhead outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary combination showerhead in accordance with the present disclosure having a fixed position handheld showerhead and a movable fixed showerhead;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the exemplary showerhead of FIG. 1 with the fixed showerhead in a first position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the exemplary showerhead of FIG. 1 with the fixed showerhead in a second position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the exemplary showerhead of FIG. 1 with the fixed showerhead in a third position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the exemplary showed-lead of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a combination showerhead in accordance with the present disclosure is shown an identified generally by reference numeral 10. The combination showerhead 10 generally includes a diverter assembly 12, a fixed showerhead 14 and a handheld showerhead 16 each connected to the diverter assembly 12. The diverter assembly 12 is coupled to a supply pipe 20 for supplying water to the combination showerhead 10. The diverter assembly 12 includes a mode selection knob 24 for selecting which of the fixed showerhead 14 and/or handheld shower head 16 receive water from the supply pipe 20. Depending on the position of the mode selection knob 24, water is routed via internal passageways (not shown) of the diverter assembly 12 and other mount components to one or both of the fixed showerhead 14 and/or handheld showerhead 16. A flexible hose 28 connects the diverter assembly 12 to a handle 32 of the handheld showerhead 16. Each of the fixed showerhead 14 and handheld showerhead 16 includes a plurality of banks of nozzles N (e.g., outlets) for generating multiple spray patterns, and a spray mode selector tab T for selectively activating one or more of the banks of nozzles N depending on a desired spray pattern and/or showerhead output mode.

The fixed showerhead 14 is supported on a pivot arm 36 that extends generally perpendicularly from the diverter assembly 12. The pivot arm 36 in the illustrated embodiment is generally straight, but curved or other shape pivot arms are contemplated depending on a particular installation. In the present disclosure, the fixed showerhead 14 refers to the showerhead that is not readily removable for handheld use by a user.

The handheld showerhead 16 is releasably attached to a handheld showerhead bracket 38 coupled to the diverter assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the handheld showerhead 16 includes a release mechanism that secures the handheld showerhead 16 to the handheld showerhead bracket 38. A push-button 40 actuates the release mechanism to release the handheld showerhead 16 from the handheld showerhead bracket 38 for use in a handheld mode by a user. In some embodiments, the handheld showerhead 16 includes a release mechanism that includes a male component associated with the handheld showerhead bracket 38 and a female component associated with the handheld showerhead 16 adapted to cooperate with the male component of the diverter assembly 12. The push-button 40 is operative to disengage clamping components associated with the female component to release the handheld showerhead 16 from the handheld showerhead bracket 38. One example of a suitable release mechanism is set forth in commonly-assigned PCT Application Serial number PCTUS2020058792 (Published as WO/2021/096735), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments, magnetic coupling components can be used for securing the handheld showerhead 16 to the bracket 38.

Turning to FIGS. 2-4, the combination showerhead 10 is shown with the fixed showerhead 14 in various positions. In FIG. 2, the fixed showerhead 14 is in a first position to the left of the handheld showerhead 16. In FIG. 3, the fixed showerhead 14 is in a second position above the handheld showerhead 16 and in FIG. 4 the fixed showerhead 14 is in a third position to the right of the handheld showerhead 16. The fixed showerhead 14 is movable between the respective positions shown in FIGS. 2-4 by repositioning the pivot arm 36 relative to the diverter assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot arm 36 is configured to pivot 180 degrees, but it should be appreciated that the pivot arm 36 can be configured to pivot up to 360 degrees in some embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 5, the diverter assembly 12 and related components for supporting the fixed showerhead 14 and handheld showerhead 16 (collectively referred to as a mount) are illustrated in exploded fashion. The diverter assembly 12 includes a threaded inlet 42 configured for coupling with the outlet pipe 20 in a conventional manner. Other connection arrangements are also possible. As noted above, a mode selection knob 24 is configured to direct water flow to one or both of a fixed showerhead fitting 46 and/or a handheld showerhead fitting 48 via internal passageways (not shown). The pivot arm 36 is secured to the diverter assembly 12 via a ball joint 50. The ball joint 50 includes a ball end 52 and an externally threaded end 54 opposite the ball end 52. The ball joint 50 is configured to pass through an opening 58 in the pivot arm 36 and to threadedly engage corresponding internal threads (not shown) of the fixed showerhead outlet 42 such that flange 60 of the ball joint 50 can be tightened against a corresponding surface of the pivot arm 36 to secure the pivot arm 36 to the diverter assembly 12.

To facilitate incremental pivoting movement of the fixed showerhead 14 (e.g., orbiting movement of the fixed showerhead 14 about the handheld showerhead 16), the pivot arm 36 includes radial recesses/protrusions 64 surrounding the opening 58. These recesses/protrusions 64 are configured to mate with corresponding radial recesses/protrusions 66 of a detent nut 70. Detent nut 70 is interposed between the diverter assembly 12 and the pivot arm 36 and includes external ridges/protrusions 74 adapted to mate with corresponding ridges protrusions within the fixed showerhead outlet 42 to rotationally interlock the detent nut 70 with the diverter assembly 12. The size and/or shape of the recesses/protrusions 64 and 66 are such that the application of a threshold rotational force to the pivot arm 36 allows the recesses/protrusions 64 and 66 to disengage and reengage at a plurality of discrete rotational positions. In general, the force required to shift the pivot arm 36 between any two discrete rotational positions is generally small but sufficient to maintain the pivot arm 36 in a single position during normal usage. Supported for pivoting movement on the ball end 52 of the ball joint 50 is a handheld showerhead bracket 80. To this end, the handheld showerhead bracket 80 includes a socket 82 for receiving the ball end 52 of the ball joint 50. An opposite end of the handheld showerhead bracket 80 includes a protrusion 84 adapted to engage a corresponding recess of the handheld showerhead 14 for securing the same.

It will now be appreciated that the diverter assembly 12, pivot arm 36 and handheld showerhead bracket 80 are aligned along a central axis A-A. As such, the fixed showerhead 14 is supported for rotation about axis A-A in a plane generally parallel to, or coincident with, a plane containing the handheld showerhead 16. In some embodiments, front faces of the fixed showerhead 14 and handheld showerhead 16 including the nozzle banks N are aligned in a parallel plane. As will be appreciated, one or both of the fixed showerhead 14 and/or handheld showerhead 16 can be pivotally supported, such as by ball joint 50, such that the nozzles may be directed in a plurality of angles relative to the central axis A-A. In such embodiments, it will be understood that relative portions of the fixed showerhead 14 and the handheld showerhead may be aligned in a common plane. In still other embodiments, the fixed showerhead 14 and handheld showerhead 16 can be supported in different planes, such as with the handheld showerhead 16 closer or further away from a user than the fixed showerhead 14.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended cairns or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A combination showerhead mountable to an associated water supply pipe comprising; a mount having an inlet for receiving water from the associated water supply pipe;a fixed showerhead supported by the mount and having a fixed showerhead outlet in fluid communication with the inlet; anda selectively removable handheld showerhead supported by the mount and having a handheld showerhead outlet in fluid communication with the inlet,wherein the fixed showerhead is displaceable relative to the handheld showerhead.

2. The combination showerhead of claim wherein the mount comprises a bracket configured to secure the handheld showerhead in a fixed location.

3. The combination showerhead of claim 2, wherein the mount comprises a pivot arm for supporting the fixed showerhead in spaced relation to the handheld showerhead, the pivot arm rotatable about a central axis of the mount.

4. The combination showerhead of claim 3, wherein the fixed showerhead and handheld showerhead are supported in parallel planes whereby the fixed showerhead can be moved to a plurality of positions relative to the handheld showerhead.

5. The combination showerhead of claim 4, wherein the outlets of the fixed showerhead and the handheld showerhead are aligned in a common plane when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount.

6. The combination showerhead of claim 5, wherein the arm is pivotable such that the fixed showerhead can be positioned in a plurality of locations extending in an arc surrounding the handheld showerhead when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount.

7. The combination showerhead of claim 6, wherein the arc extends at least 180 degrees about the handheld showerhead when the handheld showerhead is supported by the mount.

8. The combination showerhead of claim 7, wherein the arm comprises a release mechanism configured to allow pivoting of the arm when actuated.

9. The combination showerhead of claim 8, wherein at least one of the fixed showerhead and the handheld showerhead is supported for swiveling movement relative to the mount.

10. The combination showerhead of claim 9, wherein the mount further comprises a diverter valve for controlling flow between the inlet, fixed showerhead outlet and handheld showerhead outlet.