Patent Application
20120048968
The present invention generally relates to a showerhead and, more particularly, to a showerhead including a mode control valve to operate a variety of spray modes.
With an increase in the popularity of showers, the demand for showerhead assemblies has also increased. Over the years, many designs for showerhead assemblies have been developed. For example, some designs include mode selectors that allow a user to actuate a control knob or lever to transition from a first spray mode to a second spray mode. Other showerhead assemblies include an adjusting device that allows a user to reposition a shower arm relative to a connecting water pipe.
The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound.
The technology disclosed herein pertains generally to the enhancement of the effectiveness of a showerhead. In particular, an exemplary showerhead may include a body having an arm structure, a spray head formed at a distal end of the arm structure, a mode selector, a number of fluid conduits connecting the mode selector to the spray head, and a connection structure housing an adjustment mechanism. The connection structure is configured for connection with a water pipe to supply water to the mode selector. The mode selector may be coupled to the plurality of fluid conduits that may supply water to separate spray modes for the spray head. The mode selector may be configured to transition between multiple settings to direct water flow from a first chamber to one or more receiving chambers positioned below the first chamber that are further connected to respective fluid conduits.
Another embodiment may take the form of a showerhead including an arm structure, a spray head, a connection structure adapted to couple to a water pipe to receive water flow therefrom, a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, and a mode selector. The mode selector may be housed within the connection structure and operably coupled with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. The mode selector may be configured to transition between a first setting to direct water flow from a first chamber to a second chamber positioned below the first chamber and a second setting to direct water flow from the first chamber to a third chamber positioned below the first chamber. The second chamber may be in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the third chamber may be in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit. The spray head may be configured to receive and distribute the water flow from the first and second fluid conduits.
In certain embodiments, the mode selector may be positioned in a base of the arm structure. The spray head may include a first plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the first fluid conduit and a second plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the second fluid conduit. In another embodiment, the base of the arm structure may be configured to be pivotally coupled relative to the water pipe.
In another embodiment, the mode selector may include a distributor spool configured to rotate between first and second positions corresponding to the mode selector settings. In a further embodiment, the distributor spool may include a valve seal positioned below the first chamber and above the second and third chambers. In another embodiment of the showerhead, the mode selector is further configured to transition between the second setting and a third setting to direct water flow from the first chamber to a fourth chamber positioned below the first chamber. The fourth chamber may be in fluid communication with a third fluid conduit. In some embodiments, the fluid conduits may be hoses contained within the arm structure.
Another embodiment of a showerhead may include a base portion configured for coupling to a water pipe and operative to receive water flow therefrom. The base portion may be connected to a spray head portion via an arm portion operative to receive the water flow from the base portion and distribute the water flow to a user. A plurality of fluid conduits may be coupled to and between the base portion and the spray head portion and extend through the arm portion. The fluid conduits transport the water flow to the spray head portion. A mode selector may be operatively coupled to the fluid conduits. The mode selector may be configured to receive the water flow from the water pipe in a first chamber and selectively direct the water flow to a multiple chambers positioned below the first chamber. Each of the fluid conduits may be in fluid communication with a respective one of the fluid chambers.
Another embodiment may take the form of a showerhead system including a head portion configured to receive water flow to distribute to a user and a support structure coupled to the head portion and configured to receive and transport water flow to the head portion. The support structure may include a plurality of fluid conduits connected to the spray head portion, and a mode selector operatively coupled to the fluid conduits to transport water flow from the mode selector to the spray head portion. The mode selector may be configured to transition between a first setting associated with a first chamber defined within the mode selector and a second setting associated with a second chamber defined within the mode selector. The first chamber may be associated with the first fluid conduit and the second chamber may be associated with the second fluid conduit.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular written description of various embodiments of the invention as further illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
An exemplary showerhead is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The exemplary showerhead may include a body having an arm or other support structure and a connection structure with an adjustment mechanism located adjacent to the water pipe, and a mode selector. The mode selector may be coupled to a plurality of water conduits that may provide separate spray modes for the showerhead. The mode selector may be configured to transition between multiple settings to direct water flow from a first chamber to a plurality of receiving chambers positioned below the first chamber. The receiving chambers may each be configured to direct the water flow to a separate, respective fluid conduit. The mode selector may also include a distributor spool and a movable valve seal that is positioned between the first chamber and the receiving chambers.
As shown in
The upper and lower housing portions 22, 34 may be molded from a lightweight polymeric material, such as plastic, or more specifically an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, or any suitable thermoplastic known to those in the art. The upper housing portion 22 and the lower housing portion 34 may each comprise a single molded piece, as shown in
In one embodiment, the interior of the upper housing portion 22 may include a plurality of female alignment features (not shown) and the interior of the lower housing portion 34 may include a plurality of corresponding male alignment features 52 that are configured to fit into the female alignment features of the upper housing portion 22. The alignment features may facilitate alignment of the upper and lower housing portions 22, 34 when the shower arm 10 is assembled. To hold the upper and lower housing portions 22, 34 together, the housing portions 22, 34 may be bonded together by an adhesive that may applied to the edges of the upper and lower housing portions 22, 34, or alternatively, the housing portions 22, 34 may be ultrasonically welded together. The upper and lower housing portions 22, 34 may be held together using any known joining mechanism, including a variety of adhesives, welds, and/or fasteners.
Still referring to
In one embodiment, the head assembly 24 may include one or more fluid inlet ports 40(1, 2, 3) to receive the water flow from respective fluid conduits housed within the arm structure 14. Each of the inlet ports 40(1, 2, 3) directs the water flow through a water pathway to a specific set of nozzles 30 for distribution in a specific spray mode or configuration. For example, the head assembly 24 depicted in
The head portion 12 may further include a nozzle protection layer 41 including a plurality of nozzle covers 45 configured to receive the nozzles 30 of the head assembly 24. When the nozzles 30 are inserted into their respective nozzle covers 45, the nozzle covers 45 may cover all or part of the outer surface of the nozzles 30 and act as a protective layer to prevent buildup from forming on the nozzles 30, for example, due to hard water or bacteria. To this end, the nozzle protection layer 41 may be formed from a material that is both durable, resists bacteria and corrosion, and is easy to clean. For example, the nozzle protection layer 41 may be formed from an elastomer-based material such as rubber.
The arm structure 14 is coupled at a first end to the head portion 12 and at a second end to the connection portion 16. The connection portion 16 may be configured to house a mode selector 48. In one embodiment, the arm structure 14 may be configured to maintain and hold the head portion 12 in a fixed position relative to the connection portion 16. For example, the arm structure 14 may form a rigid stem that extends between the head portion 12 and the base portion 54, and may be configured to allow a user to grip the shower arm 10. The arm structure 14 may be straight, curved, or any suitable shape.
In other embodiments, the arm structure 14 may include indentations, knurling, or have an exterior surface covered with an elastomer-based material or provide other surface features to facilitate gripping of the shower arm 10 by the user.
As shown in
As discussed above, the second end of the arm structure 14 may form the base portion 54. In one embodiment, the base portion 54 may have a circular configuration; however, the base portion may be formed as any suitable shape. The base portion 54 also defines a chamber 70 in which the mode selector 48 resides. The mode selector 48 may reside in the chamber 70 and direct the water flow to one or more of the fluid conduits 56(1, 2, 3) for transport to the head assembly 24.
As shown in
Now referring to
As best shown in cross section in
The pivot ball unit 76 may further include a regulator assembly 89 configured to control the flow of fluid received from the water pipe 20. The regulator assembly 89 may incorporate any conventional shower flow regulator and may be configured to couple to the water filter 85. For example, the regulator assembly 89 may reside within the ball 78 and may be positioned in the passage 86 below the water filter 85.
The pivot ball unit 76 may also include a seal 99 that is positioned in a channel 97 that extends around the circumference of a planar section of the ball 78 normal to a flow path through the passage 86. In one embodiment, the seal 99 may be an O-ring that encircles the channel 97. The O-ring seal 99 may engage the surface of a receiving component 109 configured to receive the ball 78 to prevent leaks from occurring as the water flow is passed from the water pipe 20 to the fluid distribution assembly 72.
Additionally, a second seal 84 may be positioned between the first threaded inner surface 82 of the ball 78 and the water pipe 20 to prevent leaks from occurring between the water pipe 20 and the first threaded inner surface 82. In one embodiment, the seal 84 may be seated on an annular shelf of the water filter 85 so as to engage the water pipe 20 when the first threaded inner surface 82 of the pivot ball unit 76 is screwed onto the water pipe 20.
Referring to
The collar 88 may be adjustably coupled to the fluid distribution assembly 72. The collar 88 includes a first end 91, a second end 93, and an aperture 95 that extends from the first end 91 to the second end 93. The inner surface of the collar 88 may define a threaded surface 115 that extends between the first and second ends 91, 93 of the collar 88. The threaded surface 115 may couple to a mating first outer threaded surface 117 on the receiving component 109 of the fluid distributing assembly 72, as shown in
The nut 87 and collar 88 may allow a user to pivotally adjust the shower arm 10 with respect to the water pipe 20. For example, after a user screws the threaded surface 115 of the collar 88 onto the first outer threaded surface 117 on the receiving component 109 of the fluid distribution assembly 72, the user may pivotally adjust the nut 87 relative to the ball 78 to a desired location. The threaded surface 79 of the nut 87 may then be screwed into a mating inner threaded surface 129 of the receiving component 109 of the fluid distribution assembly 72. This causes the protruding angled tabs 96 of the angled inner surface 98 of the nut 87 to tightly grip the ball 78 of the pivot ball unit 76, thereby pressing the O-ring seal 99 against the receiving surface 120 of the receiving component 109 to prevent the pivot ball unit 76 from easily moving relative to the water pipe 20.
The fluid distribution assembly 72 receives the water flow from the pivot ball unit 76 and directs the water flow to at least one of the water conduits 56(1, 2, 3) (as shown in
The receiving component 109 may reside within the upper distributor housing 110, and may define a concave hemispherical receiving surface 120 for receiving the ball 78 of the pivot ball unit 76. In one embodiment, the ball 78 may engage the receiving surface 120 as the shower arm 10 is pivoted around the water pipe 20. The receiving component 109 may further include a second threaded outer surface 119 that is configured to engage a mating threaded surface 131 on the interior of the upper distributor housing 110.
In one embodiment, the receiving surface 120 and the second threaded outer surface 119 of the receiving component 109 may define the top and sidewalls of a fluid distribution chamber 132. The receiving surface 120 may define an opening 118 for transmitting the water flow from the pivot ball unit 76 to the fluid distribution chamber 132. As will be further described below, the bottom wall of the fluid distribution chamber 132 may be defined by a disc portion 123 of the distributor spool 112.
The exterior of upper distributor housing 110 may define a generally cylindrical body including multiple outlet ports 156(2, 3). In one embodiment, each of the outlet pots 156(2, 3) may take the form of a barbed nozzle. The outlet pots 156(2, 3) may direct fluid out of the upper distributor housing 110 and into a respective attached fluid conduit 56(2, 3), into which a respective exit port 156(2, 3) may be inserted. A clamp 158 may be used to prevent leakage between the fluid conduits 56(2, 3) and the outlet pots 156(2, 3). Each outlet port 156(2, 3) may be designated a specific spray mode position or set of nozzles 30, thereby enabling the fluid distribution assembly 72 to direct water flow to one or more sets of nozzles 30.
The interior of the upper distributor housing 110 may define an annular shelf 113 surrounding a circular opening 137, and the top portions of three fluid distribution chambers 121, 122, 124 (the first two portions shown in
The distributor spool 112 may be rotatably received in the upper distributor housing 110. In one embodiment, the distributor spool 112 may include a disc portion 123 and a stem 126 that extends from the disc portion 123 and through concentric circular openings 137, 147 defined in the first and second distributor housings 110, 111. As best shown in
The rotation of the distributor spool 112 may be driven by the stem 126. In one embodiment, the control knob 116 of the mode selector 48 may be attached to the bottom end of the stem 126, thereby allowing a user to turn the distributor spool 112 within the distributor housing 110 to a select spray mode. The distributor spool 112 and may be attached to the control knob 116 via any attachment mechanism including, e.g., a retaining clip 125 that engages both the stem 126 of the distributor spool 112 and a nub 149 of the control knob 116 received in a hollow end 147 of the stem 126 so that the spool 112 and the control knob 116 rotate together.
The valve bore 130 of the disc portion 123 may extend through the disc portion 123 and form part of the water flow path extending from the pivot ball unit 76 to the chambers 121, 122, 124 defined by the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111. For example, the distributor spool 112 may be rotated to various positions so as to align the valve bore 130 defined in the disc portion 123 with one of the chamber inlets 170, 171, 172 defined in the upper distributor housing 110 to allow fluid to pass from the fluid distribution chamber 132 defined by the receiving component 109 to one or more of the chambers 121, 122, 124 defined by the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111.
The positioning mechanism 133 may facilitate the alignment of the valve bore 130 defined in the disc portion 123 with the chamber inlets 170, 171, 172 defined in the upper distributor housing 110. In one embodiment, the positioning mechanism 133 may include a detent characteristic to provide for a tactile feel to a user, which indicates to the user that the control knob 116 has transitioned from one spray mode position to another spray mode position. The positioning mechanism 133 is shown in cross section in
As the control knob 116 is turned by a user, the distributor spool 112 rotates within the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111. When the valve bore 130 defined in the disc portion 123 is aligned with one of the chamber inlets 170, 171, 172 defined in the upper distributor housing 110, the spring 136 may bias the pin 134 into a selected detent 135 to lock or “click” the distributor spool 112 in place. When the pin 134 leaves one detent, such as when a user rotates the control knob 116, the spring 136 is depressed within the housing 139 of the positioning mechanism 133. In some embodiments, multiple modes may be selected at once by positioning the valve bore 130 between multiple chamber inlets 170, 171, 172 such that water flows to two bores (e.g., chamber inlets 170, 171 or chamber inlets 170, 172) at the same time.
The disc portion 123 of the distributor spool 112 may also house a cup-shaped valve seal 138 that is seated within a cavity 141 defined in the disc portion 123 below the valve bore 130. In one embodiment, a spring 142 may be positioned between the shelf 113 of the upper distributor housing 110 and the base of the cup-shaped valve seal 138 to bias the valve seal 138 downward against the shelf 113 of the upper distributor housing 110. The valve seal 138 may be made of a compliant material (e.g., rubber or other elastomer) capable of creating a relatively watertight seal when the valve seal 138 engages the surface of the shelf 113. Positioning the valve seal 138 against a flat surface, such as the surface defined by the shelf 113 of the upper distributor housing 110, as opposed to a curved surface, may reduce manufacturing costs associated with designing and manufacturing a valve seal for distribution of water in the mode selector 48. Positioning the valve seal 138 against a flat surface may also create a better seal between the surface of the shelf 113 and the seal 138 (e.g., better than a seal against the cylindrical inner walls of the upper or lower distribution housings 110, 111 with which the outlets ports 156(1, 2, 3) interface) that is less prone to failure when the spool 112 is rotated.
In one embodiment, the valve bore 130 may be oriented so that a center axis thereof is parallel to but radially apart from the axis of the chamber 132 of the receiving component 109. Accordingly, when the valve bore 130 defined in the disc portion 123 is aligned with one of the chamber inlets 170, 171, 172 defined in the upper distributor housing 110, the water flow is directed through the chamber 132 of the receiving component 109, through the valve seal 138, into a selected chamber 121, 122, 124 of the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111, and through one of the outlet pots 156(1, 2, 3) of the upper and lower distributor housings 110,111.
This configuration offers many advantages over prior mode selector designs, in which the valve bore 138 is oriented so that its axis is perpendicular to the axis of the fluid distribution chamber 132. For example, the described configuration allows for the use of a more compact mode selector 48 since the water flow is directed directly downward from the chamber 132 of the receiving component 109 to chambers 121, 122, 124 located below the receiving component chamber 132, rather than through a perpendicular path. Additionally, the described configuration may further reduce the manufacturing costs associated with the mode selector 48 because fewer rotating parts are required for directing the water flow to the fluid conduits 56.
The operation of one embodiment of the valve seal 138 in the mode selector 48 will now be described with respect to
The valve bore 130 and corresponding valve seal 138 may be moved to a plurality of positions as the spool 112 is rotated. As discussed above,
The distributor spool 112 may also include a plurality of annular seals to prevent leakage between the various chambers 121, 122, 124, 132 defined by the receiving component 109 and the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111. For example, the distributor spool 112 may include an annular seal 128 positioned around the periphery of the disc portion 123 and an annular seal 127 positioned around the periphery of the stem 126 to protect against water leakage between the distributor spool 112 and the upper and lower distributor housings 110, 111.
All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.
