Patent Application
20230085999
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to showerheads, and more specifically, to showerheads attached to a bracket, such as handheld showerheads.
Showerheads are often attached to a plumbing fixture, such as a J-pipe, in a bathroom via a bracket. Some brackets allow a user to remove the showerhead from the bracket, such as to focus the showerhead spray on a select portion of the body. As a user acts to return the showerhead to the bracket, the user may have a difficult time connecting the showerhead to the bracket, especially in a wet environment where the user may have soap or shampoo in his or her eyes. As such, there is a need for a showerhead that provides feedback to the user regarding the positioning of the showerhead relative to the bracket. Additionally or alternatively, showerheads may be used by multiple users, e.g., different family members, each of which may have a different height or otherwise prefer a particular spray height when the showerhead is connected to the bracket. Conventionally, many showerheads may be limited in the mount positions, limiting the options available for adjustment.
According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a showerhead assembly including a handheld showerhead and a mounting bracket configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source is disclosed. One of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket includes a magnet or a magnetically attractable material, and the other of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket includes a magnet or a magnetically attractable material. The magnet of the one of the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket, or the magnet or the magnetically attractable material of the other of the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket, is moveable relative to the handheld showerhead or the mounting bracket to which it is included by attraction of the magnet of the one of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket to the magnet or the magnetically attractable material of the other of the handheld showerhead and the mounting bracket.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a showering system is disclosed. The showering system may include a handheld showerhead including a mounting feature and a showerhead feedback element; a mounting bracket configured to support the handheld showerhead comprising a bracket feedback element, wherein the showerhead feedback element interacts with the bracket feedback element at a select distance and orientation to generate an audible feedback.
According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a showerhead assembly is disclosed that includes a showerhead and a mounting bracket comprising a bracket mounting assembly, the mounting bracket configured to be coupled to a support structure. The showerhead mounting assembly engages the bracket mounting assembly to support the showerhead in two different positions relative to the bracket, where the showerhead mounting assembly and the bracket mounting assembly are configured to define a spray area sufficiently spaced apart from the support structure to allow a user to be fully wetted by a spray from the showerhead in both of the two positions
One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances. Accordingly, individual aspects can be claimed separately or in combination with other aspects and features. Thus, the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the claimed invention or its applications or uses. It is to be understood that structural and/or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, or the like in this summary. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Moreover, for the purposes of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will not be discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the art so as not to obscure the description of the present disclosure. The claimed subject matter is not necessarily limited to the arrangements illustrated herein, with the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.
The description will be more fully understood with reference to the following figures in which components may not be drawn to scale, which are presented as various embodiments of the showerhead described herein and should not be construed as a complete depiction of the scope of the oral cleansing device.
Embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals may be used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a showerhead system that provides feedback to a user as a showerhead is mounted onto a bracket. The feedback can provide guidance to the user that the showerhead is aligned properly with the bracket for mounting. The feedback may be audible, such that a user can receive the feedback even with his or her eyes closed. The showerhead and bracket may each include feedback elements, such as a magnetic or magnetically attractable material, that interact with each other. For example, the showerhead may include a stationary feedback element that interacts with a movable feedback element within the bracket, such that as the showerhead moves close to the bracket, the stationary feedback element pulls the movable feedback element from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the movable feedback element may contact a wall or other structure, generating an audible noise, such as a “click.” This alerts the user that the showerhead is positioned properly relative to the bracket for mounting the showerhead to the bracket. As the mounting is completed, the movable feedback element may be moved in a controlled manner back to the first position.
The feedback elements may interact via an attractive force that further acts as feedback to the user, as well as physically assists in aligning the showerhead with the bracket. For example the user may feel via the showerhead, the attractive force, which can act to “home in” the showerhead on the bracket. The interaction force may not be sufficient to retain the showerhead on the bracket, rather a mechanical mounting feature may be used to support the showerhead on the bracket. The mechanical mounting feature may allow a user to easily mount and unmount the showerhead, while providing a secure connection between the showerhead and the bracket to prevent unintended (e.g., accidental) removal of the showerhead from the bracket, such as when a user contacts a hose associated with a handheld showerhead. As another example, the mechanical mounting feature may support high flow rates through the showerhead that may not be possible with a purely magnetic connection.
In some embodiments, the bracket may include two separate mounting features that orient the showerhead at two different positions, e.g., low and high positions. The dual mounting features allow multiple users with different preferences to utilize the same shower. In one example, a first mounting feature may be defined as a ledge that extends from a front surface of the mounting bracket and may position the showerhead in the first position and a second mounting feature may be defined as a clamp or cradle that extends from a side surface of the mounting bracket and is configured to position the showerhead in the second position. As can be appreciated, the first mounting feature may engage with a first mounting feature on the showerhead (e.g., a protruding flange) and the second mounting feature may engage with a second mounting feature on the showerhead (e.g., a hose coupler). The bracket and showerhead may be configured such that in either the first position or the second position a spray area of the showerhead may be sufficiently spaced to allow full range of the water spray to impact a user in the shower environment. For example, the spray area may be spaced apart from a mounting surface sufficiently to allow a user to be positioned beneath the full spray area and be fully wetted in either the first or second positions.
With reference to
The handle 110 may define an elongated body extending from a rear of the head 112 that includes an inlet 118 at a bottom end and is fluidly coupled to the head 112 at the top end. The handle 110 may include a length and a longitudinal axis AxisHANDLE. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis AxisHANDLE of the handle 110 may be offset from the head 112 by an angle A1. The angle A1 may be selected based on a desired spray area for the showerhead 102 when positioned in at least one position of the showerhead 102 on the mounting bracket 104. In some embodiments, the angle A1 is selected to be larger than 15 degrees, such as between 15 to 80 degrees, and in many instances between 30 to 40 degrees, such as 35 degrees.
Optionally, a bottom end of the handle 110 may be configured to couple to the hose 108 and may include a hose coupling portion 116, which may include threads or other coupling elements. The hose coupling portion 116 may be formed integrally with the handle 110 or may be a separate element, such as an insert, received therein. In some embodiments, the hose coupling portion 116 may extend at an angle from the longitudinal axis AxisHANDLE, for example, the hose coupling portion 116 may have a longitudinal axis AxisHOSE oriented at an angle A2 relative to the handle longitudinal axis AxisHANDLE In one embodiment, the angle A2 may be an acute angle, such as between 5 to 30 degrees and in some instances 15 degrees. In one example, the hose coupling portion 116 may support at least a portion of a mounting feature 115 (see
With reference to
The showerhead 102 may also include a feedback element 126, which may define a first feedback element for the showerhead assembly 100. The feedback element 126 may be a magnet or magnetically attractable material (e.g., metal, metal alloys, etc.). In one example, the feedback element 126 is a stainless steel plate configured to interact with a magnetic force. The feedback element 126 may be exposed on the showerhead 102 (see
With reference to
The mounting bracket 104 may include a bracket body 152 fluidly coupled to the water outlet 105. A hose port 154 may extend downwards from a bottom surface of the bracket body 152 and be fluidly coupled to the water outlet 105, e.g., be fluidly coupled to an interior of the bracket body 152 that connects to the water outlet 105. The hose port 154 may optionally include a hose coupling feature 172, such as threading, that couples the hose 108 to the mounting bracket 104.
A mounting feature 150 may be coupled to bracket body 152, for example, the mounting feature 150 may extend from a sidewall of the bracket body 152. In one example, the mounting feature 150 may be a C-clamp that defines a slot for receiving a portion of the showerhead 102 to secure it to the mounting bracket 104. In some embodiments, the orientation of the mounting feature 150 relative to the bracket body 152 may be selected to enhance a spray area of the showerhead 102 when the showerhead 102 is mounted in the mounting feature 150 such as to allow a user to full experience spray from the showerhead in both orientations. For example, the mounting feature 150 may have a longitudinal axis AxisCLAMP offset from a normal axis to a longitudinal axis AxisBRACKET of the bracket 104. In other words, rather than being perpendicular to the AxisBRACKET, the AxisCLAMP may be oriented at an angle less than 90 degrees, e.g., between 80 to 10 degrees. In some embodiments, AxisCLAMP is oriented at an angle A3 relative to the AxisBRACKET, such as an angle of 70 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the angle A3 may be in different configurations and may be based on a geometry of the handle 110 and showerhead 102.
With continued reference to
A second mounting feature 160 may be defined as an arcuate upwardly facing lip extending from a bottom edge of the connecting face 156. The second mounting feature 160 may be spaced apart from the connection face 156 so as to define a mounting recess 162 therebetween. In this manner, the second mounting feature 160 may be defined as a ledge that can mechanically support the showerhead 102. In some embodiments, the mounting recess 162 may have a varied width as it extends around a portion of the perimeter of the connecting face 156, e.g., the second mounting feature 160 may not be parallel to the connecting face 156. In one example, the mounting recess 162 may have a depth that tapers towards a center of the mounting recess 162. In this example, a middle portion of the second mounting feature 160, such as one corresponding to a bottom most portion of the second mounting feature 160, may have the narrowest mounting recess 162. These embodiments may define a “V” type depth, helping to encourage the showerhead 102 into the centered position on the second mounting feature 160.
The second mounting feature 160 may be oriented at a different location, e.g., front face, of the mounting bracket 104 relative to the first mounting feature 150, allowing the mounting bracket 104 to support the showerhead 102 in at least two separate positions.
With reference to
Optionally, the front cap 170 may also include an engagement wall 171 that extends around the interior face of the front cap 170. The engagement wall 171 may assist in coupling the front cap 170 to the bracket body 152 and to that end may include one or more keying features 174a, 174b, such as tabs or recesses, that engage with corresponding features on the bracket body 152 to secure the front cap 170 thereto.
With reference to
With reference to
In a shower environment, the mounting bracket 104 may be coupled to the water outlet 105. For example, the pivot ball assembly 106 may be coupled to the end of the water outlet 105, which fluid and mechanically couples the mounting bracket 104 to the water outlet 105 and the support 107. The hose 108 may be coupled to the hose port 154 of the mounting bracket 104, such as via threading, and the hose 108 may then be fluidly coupled to the water outlet 105 via the bracket body 152. The other end of the hose 108 may then be coupled to the showerhead 102, such as via hose coupling portion 116, e.g., the hose 108 may be screwed onto threads of the coupling portion 116. In some embodiments, the hose 108 may include a handle coupling portion 182 that fits over the hose coupling portion 116 and may either with the hose coupling portion 116 or separately from the hose coupling portion 116 may define the mounting feature 115 for the showerhead 102, e.g., may allow the showerhead 102 to be supported on the mounting bracket 104 such as via the mounting feature 150. The hose 108 fluidly couples the showerhead 102 to both the mounting bracket 104 and the water outlet 105.
The showerhead 102 may then be mounted to the mounting bracket 104. In one example, as shown in
The showerhead 102 may also be mounted in a low or first position on the mounting bracket 104 either for hands-free showering or for storage. With reference to
The user then continues to move the showerhead 102 towards the connection face 156 and vertically downwards. The mount assembly 114 acts to engage with the mounting feature 160 on the front face of the mounting bracket 104. For example, the engagement surface 130 is aligned to be parallel to the connection face 156 and the flange 122 sits within the mounting recess 162. The recess 158 on the connection face 156 helps to prevent the showerhead 102 from becoming caught on the top surface of the bracket body 152 and more easily slide into a position parallel with the connection face 156. As the user navigates the showerhead 102 into the mounting engagement, the feedback element 164 within the feedback pocket 166 moves in a controlled manner, with the movement of the head 112. As such, the feedback element 164 may not rapidly increase in speed downward when returning to the first position P1 and so may not make an audible click as it engages against the bottom surface of the impact wall 168 or the sound generated may not be as loud as the feedback click. However, in other embodiments, the feedback element 164 may be configured to generate an audible click in both the alignment and mounted configurations, e.g., the mass of the feedback element 164 may be increased to generate a louder sound at impact.
The mounting feature 160 then supports the weight of the showerhead 102 via the engagement of the flange 122 and the mounting feature 160. For example, when the mounting feature 160 is a lip, the flange 122 sits in the mounting recess 162 with the lip being positioned between the enclosed portion of the flange 122 and the rear surface 132 of the head 112. The mechanical interaction between the mounting feature 160 and the mounting assembly 114 supports the full weight of the showerhead 102 (and optionally the hose 108 and any forces due to water pressure). Until the showerhead 102 is positioned in the mounting bracket 104 such that the mounting feature 160 engages the mounting assembly 114, the mounting bracket 104 may be unable to support the weight of the showerhead 102. In other words, the attractive force exerted between the two feedback elements 126, 164 may be insufficient or too weak to support the weight of the showerhead 102. In these configurations, this may allow a user to more easily remove the showerhead 102 from the mounting bracket 104, i.e., the attractive force may not be so large as to hinder a user's ability to life the showerhead 102 out of the mounting bracket 104.
In some embodiments, the showerhead 102 may also be rotated relative to mounting bracket 104 while remaining coupled to mounting feature 160. For example, in instances where the mounting feature 160 is an upwardly facing lip, the flange 122 may move along an arc within the mounting recess 162 and remain coupled to the mounting bracket 104. Additionally, in instances where the mounting recess 162 may have a tapered depth, the shape of the mounting recess 162 may encourage the showerhead 102 to settle into the middle portion thereof, after rotation, aligning the showerhead 102 on the mounting bracket 104. This may allow a user to rotate the showerhead 102, without removing the showerhead 102 from the bracket 104, such as to reach something behind the showerhead 102 (e.g., shampoo on the support 107 on a showerhead caddy), and the showerhead 102 will settle back into the aligned position. This rotational connection may also allow the user to reposition the showerhead 102 as the mounting bracket 104 is repositioned relative to the water outlet 105.
In the first or low mounting position, the angular alignment of the head 112 relative to the handle 1110, e.g., angle A1, allows the spray face 120 to be positioned to impact the user in the showerhead environment, allowing the spray to full wet or impact the user, even as the mounting bracket 104 is pivoted on the water outlet 105.
All relative and directional references (including top, bottom, side, front, rear, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the examples described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.
The present disclosure teaches by way of example and not by limitation. Therefore, the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
