ES2367596T3 - WATER DISPENSING DEVICE, ESPECIALLY A SHOWER ARM. - Google Patents

Abstract

A water dispensing device (1), specifically a shower arm, comprises a head (8) having a lower surface (10) provided with a lower dispensing area (14) for a spray jet and an opposite upper surface (12) provided with an upper dispensing area (18) for a flat jet. The head can be rotated, so that in the raised configuration dispensing of a spray jet is enabled and in the lowered configuration dispensing of a flat jet is enabled.

Description

The present invention relates to a water dispensing device, specifically to a shower arm of a shower unit.

The shower sector is continually developing and changing, and is particularly focused on raising the interest of the buyer with unusual designs and surprising water games, which consist, for example, of unusual forms of the water jet dispensed, for example, as shown in WO 2007/116274 A2.

For example, shower heads capable of dispensing water jets that have different shapes and characteristics, such as spray jets of varying intensity, flat jets and the like, have been extended quite recently.

An example of a shower that dispenses four different jets is described in European patent application EP-A1-1647333 in the name of the applicant.

In the case of shower arms fixed to the wall at a predefined height, it would be extremely inconvenient to have to adjust the shower arm to choose the type of jet desired, for example by rotating the shower head.

However, a shower arm is known that has on its lower surface, oriented to the user, three mouths: the first for a sprayed jet, the second for four aligned jets and the third for a flat jet; respective wall mounted controls are provided for the three jets: each command corresponding to a jet.

However, such a solution has several drawbacks, because a water supply system is required to distribute the water to several controls to supply the shower arm.

The purpose of the present invention is to produce a wall mounted shower arm with several jets that is particularly easy to use and such that it avoids the predisposition of a complicated water supply system.

Such purpose is achieved by a dispensing device produced according to claim 1 below. The dependent claims describe variations of embodiment.

WO 2007/025625 A1 shows a shower head that has most of the features of claim 1, but does not disclose a wall mounted dispensing device comprising a plate designed to be placed against the wall surface and holding The shower head in a rotating manner.

Application GB 0804172, priority document of WO 2009/022112, discloses a shower head comprising a handle that can be mounted on a support. The support can be fixed to a wall or mounted on a lifting rail.

The characteristics and advantages of the shower arm according to the present invention will be apparent from the description below, carried out by way of an indicative and non-limiting example, according to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a shower arm according to the present invention from an observation point below it, in a raised configuration;

- figure 2 shows the shower arm of figure 1, from an observation point above it;

- Figure 3 shows the shower arm of Figure 1, in a lowered configuration;

-Figure 4 shows the shower arm of Figure 1, without the cover;

- Figure 5 shows a front view of the shower arm of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the shower arm of Figure 1, according to the cross-section line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the shower arm of Figure 1, according to the cross-section line VII-VII of Figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows a front view of the shower arm of Figure 3; Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the shower arm of Figure 3, according to the cross-section line IX-IX of Figure 8;

- Figures 10a and 10b show a shower arm diverter device, from two different observation points;

-Figure 11 shows a view of the shower arm in separate parts;

- Figures 12a to 14 show more variations of embodiment of the dispensing device.

The present invention relates to a water dispensing device in general and, simply for clarity of explanation, reference will be made later to a shower arm; The device described is, however, suitable for use as a dispensing device for bathtubs, sinks and the like.

With reference to the attached figures, reference number 1 is used to globally indicate a shower arm suitable for attaching to the wall, for example of a bathroom, at the desired height.

The shower arm 1 comprises a plate 2 designed to be placed against the surface of the wall to act as a support plate for the components of the shower arm, as described below.

The shower arm 1 also comprises a housing 4 resting against the plate 2, preferably attached to the wall by means of screws 6 that cross the wall of the housing and the plate 2.

In addition, the shower arm 1 comprises a manifold 7 in the form of a tube, which is coupled with the support housing 4, designed to be connected to the water supply.

The shower arm 1 further comprises a head 8 that extends mainly along the head shaft.

X.

The head 8, for example, in the form of a box, for example with a rectangular cross-section, has a lower surface 10 and an opposite upper surface 12.

The head 8 is articulated to the manifold 7 so that it can be rotated around a rotation axis Y parallel to the clamping wall, from a lowered configuration, in which the lower side 10 is oriented towards the wall (Figure 3), and a raised configuration (figure 1).

The head 8 has, on the lower surface 10, a lower dispensing area 14 for dispensing a first water jet, for example a spray; for example, the lower dispensing area comprises several nozzles 16, which protrude from the lower surface 10, from each of which a water line emerges.

According to a preferred embodiment, the nozzles are arranged in parallel lines, covering a rectangular area.

In a variation of embodiment, the nozzles are arranged on a circular or ovoid area.

The head 8 also has, on the upper surface 12, an upper dispensing area 18 for dispensing an additional water jet, for example a flat jet.

Preferably, the upper dispensing area 18 comprises a slit 20, for example parallel to the axis of rotation of the head, from which the flat jet is dispensed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shower arm 1 comprises rotation assistance means capable of facilitating the rotation of the head 8 from the lowered configuration to the raised configuration.

For example, said assistance means comprise a pair of gas springs 22, attached at one end to the plate 2 and the other to the head 8, at points defining a spring axis parallel to the axis of rotation Y, but separated from he.

In the lowered configuration, the gas springs, while constantly influencing the head, have no effect being beyond the limit return point. When the head is grasped and rotation thereof begins, the springs pass the limit return point and act on the head 8 by turning it towards the raised configuration.

The shower arm 1 further comprises a cover 30, applied to the plate 2, to also cover the gas springs

22

Said cover, in the area below the head 8, when it is in a raised configuration, has a housing compartment 32, where a part of the head 8 is housed when the head is in the lowered configuration (figure 3).

In addition, the shower arm 1 comprises diverter devices capable of alternately channeling the water to the lower dispensing area 14 or the upper dispensing area 18, said diverter devices being influenced in their channeling by the rotation of the head.

For example, the shower arm 1 comprises at least one diverter device 40, connected to the head 8 and partially inserted in it, capable of channeling the water towards the lower dispensing area 14, when the head is in the raised configuration, or towards the upper dispensing area 18, when the head is in the lowered configuration, which moves relative to the manifold 7, to which it is coupled, by virtue of the rotation of the head 8.

In the embodiment shown, two diverter devices 40 are provided, one on the right side of the arm (facing the wall), and the other on the left side, to create a symmetrical structure in relation to a plane passing through the center line of the head.

Advantageously, this makes it possible to achieve a high degree of uniformity of the dispensed jets.

According to a preferred embodiment, the diverter device 40 comprises a plug 42 and a feed mechanism 44 that can be connected to the plug 42.

The plug 42 is essentially a cylindrical shape, with its axis coinciding with the axis of rotation Y of the head, while the feeder mechanism 44 has an elongated shape in the direction of the head axis X of the head

8.

The diverter 42, at the base that is oriented to the manifold 7, has a separate lower mouth inlet 48a and an upper mouth inlet 48b, and a lower mouth outlet 50a, fluidly connected to the lower mouth inlet 48a, and an upper mouth outlet 50b, fluidly connected to the upper mouth input 48b.

The lower mouth outlet 50a and the upper mouth outlet 50b are connected to their respective inlets 48a, 48b by respective conduits within the shutter, which have a section parallel to the axis of rotation Y and a section parallel to the axis of head X, for divert the flow of water leaving the collector.

The feeding mechanism 44 comprises a lower mouth tube 52a and an upper mouth tube 52b, which extend along the head axis X of the head 8.

The feed mechanism 44 is coupled to the plug 42, so that the lower mouth outlet 50a is connected to the lower mouth tube 52a and the upper mouth outlet 50b is connected to the upper mouth tube 52b.

The lower mouth tube 52a is connected to the lower dispensing area 14, to supply water for a spray jet, while the upper mouth tube is connected to the upper dispensing area 18, to supply water for a flat jet.

The manifold 7 has a supply conduit 60 designed for connection to the water supply, for example by means of a spigot 62.

The supply conduit 60 extends inside the manifold 7 to give a surface to which said plug 42 is coupled.

For example, the supply conduit 60 is divided into a right branch that gives a right opening on the right side 64 'of the housing 4 and a left branch that gives a left opening on a left side 64' 'of the housing 4.

Respective shutters 42 are coupled to the right side 64 ’and to the left side 64’, to be in contact with them.

When the head 8 is in the raised configuration, the lower mouth inlet 48a of the shutter 42 is at least partially positioned over the right opening of the right branch of the supply conduit 60, while the upper mouth inlet 48b of the shutter 42 is completely disconnected from said right opening. The same happens on the left side.

In said configuration, the water supplied from the water supply through the shutter 42 leaving the lower mouth outlet 50a, passes through the lower mouth tube 52a of the feeding mechanism 44 and is supplied to the lower dispensing area 14 , producing a first jet, for example a pulverized jet.

However, no jet is dispensed from the upper area 18, because no water is supplied to the upper mouth outlet 50b of the plug 42.

When the head 8 is in the lowered configuration, the upper mouth inlet 48b of the shutter 42 is at least partially positioned over the right opening of the right branch of the supply conduit 60, while the lower mouth inlet 48a of the shutter 42 is completely disconnected from said right opening. The same happens on the left side.

In said configuration, the water supplied from the water supply through the shutter 42 leaving the upper mouth outlet 50b, passes through the upper mouth tube 52b of the feeding mechanism 44 and is supplied to the upper dispensing area 18 , producing a new jet, for example a flat jet.

However, from the lower area 14, facing the wall, no jet is dispensed, because no water is supplied to the lower mouth outlet 50a of the shutter 42.

According to a preferred embodiment, for dispensing the jet from the lower dispensing area 14 a dispensing plate 70 is provided, inserted in the head 8, perforated where the nozzles 16, and a counter plate 72, is located on the dispensing plate 70 , but distanced from it to form a cavity 72.

Preferably, between the plate 70 and the counterplate 72 there is a membrane 73 that holds the nozzles 16.

In addition, an end tube 76 is provided, for example made in one piece with the counter plate 72, capable of connecting with the lower mouth tube 52a of the feeding mechanism 44.

The water that goes through the lower mouth tube 52a passes into the final tube 76 and from here flows into the cavity 74, from which it flows through the nozzles.

According to a preferred embodiment, for dispensing water from the upper dispensing area 18, there is a compensation chamber 80, open in the slit 20, defined by a bent wall 82, which engages with the pair of feeding mechanisms 44.

Specifically, said feeding mechanism 44 comprises a side wall 84, which projects laterally from the tubes 52a, 52b; opening the upper mouth tube 52b inside the side wall 84.

The bent wall 82 engages on both sides with the side walls 84 of the two feeding mechanisms 44, thus defining the compensation chamber 80.

Said chamber has a sinuous opening of the upper mouth tube 52b towards the slit 20, in other words, first rounded and wide, then narrow and then wide again in the slit 20.

Advantageously, said chamber forms a kind of lung that absorbs the movements and eddies of water flowing from the upper mouth tube 52b towards the chamber 80, thus obtaining a particularly regular flat spray.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shower arm 1 comprises a drainage mechanism capable of draining the wastewater into the compensation chamber 80.

Said drainage mechanism can be activated by rotation of the head 8.

For example, the drainage mechanism comprises a conduit 90 that connects the compensation chamber and the lower surface 10 of the head and a spring plug 92, placed at the outlet of the conduit 90 on the lower surface 10.

When the head is in the raised configuration, the spring plug 92 is tensioned by the spring and exits the open conduit 90 towards the bottom surface 10, so that any water remaining in the compensation chamber 80 can be drained.

When the head is in the lowered configuration, the spring plug 92 hits the wall defining the compartment 32 of the cover 30 and flattens, closing the conduit 90.

According to a variation of embodiment, the dispensing device 1 comprises at least one light source, for example for the realization of a chromotherapy device (Figures 12a and 12b).

Preferably, the light source is inserted into the lid 30 and said lid 30 comprises at least a portion of the lid 30 'transparent to the light emitted by the source, made, for example, of acid etched glass. The cover part 30 ’, for example, looks at the head 8 when it is in the lowered configuration.

Preferably, the light source comprises several LEDs 100, for example held under cover 30 by means of a support plate 102, for example inclined.

Preferably, the LEDs are of different colors and can be controlled separately, to vary the color of the emitted light.

According to a further variation of embodiment, the device 1 comprises an acoustic source, for example functionally connected to a digital music player, a radio or the like (Figure 13).

In such variation, preferably, a portion of the lid 30 'of the lid 30 has holes for sound emission.

According to a further variation of embodiment, the device 1 comprises a source of fragrances, to emanate a perfume, automatic or controlled by the user (Figure 14).

In such variation, preferably, a portion of the lid 30 ’’ ’of the lid 30 has holes for fragrance emission.

Innovatively, the dispensing device according to the present invention, specifically usable as a shower arm, makes it possible to obtain different jets, specifically in a different way, without installing a complicated water supply system in the arm.

Advantageously, in addition, the device is easy to use, because it allows the user to change from one type of jet to another simply by lowering the head of the device, taking advantage of the lever effect.

According to a new advantageous aspect, lifting the head is particularly easy, since it is assisted by a gas spring.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the flat jet is particularly regular, the turbulence of the water flow having been eliminated.

Advantageously, the stagnation of water in the supply lines to the upper dispensing area is avoided, when not in use.

According to a new advantageous aspect, the manufacture of the device is economical given the small number of components.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make modifications to the device described above to satisfy contingent requirements, remaining within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. Wall-mounted dispensing device (1), specifically a shower arm, comprising: -a spindle (8) that extends mainly along a spindle axis (X), which has a lower surface (10) equipped with a lower dispensing area (14) for dispensing a first water jet and an opposite upper surface (12) equipped with a higher dispensing area (18) for dispensing an additional water jet; - a plate (2) designed to be placed against the surface of a wall so that said head is supported by said plate (2) in a rotating manner from a lowered configuration in which the lower surface (14) is oriented towards the plate (2), and a raised configuration; - diverter devices capable of channeling the water alternately to the lower dispensing area (14) or towards the upper dispensing area (18), said diverter devices being influenced in their channeling effect by the rotation of the head; -when the head (8) is in the raised configuration, water is supplied to the lower dispensing area (14) producing the first water jet; Y -when the head (8) is in the lowered configuration, water is supplied to the upper dispensing area (18) producing the additional water jet.

2.

Device according to claim 1, comprising a fixed manifold (7), with a single inlet for connection to the water supply and equipped with at least one opening for the water outlet and wherein the diverter devices comprise at least one diverter device (40) comprising a shutter (42) rotatably connected to the head (8), said shutter being equipped with a lower mouth inlet (48a) and an upper mouth inlet (48b), alternately placed over the outlet opening of water from the collector by rotation of the head (8).

3.

Device according to claim 2, comprising two diverter devices (40), placed to the right and to the left of the manifold (7).

Four.

Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the shutter (42) has a lower mouth outlet (50a) and an upper mouth outlet (50b) connected to the respective inputs (48a, 48b) by respective conduits within the shutter , said pipes having a section parallel to the axis of rotation (Y) and a section parallel to the axis of the head (X), to divert the flow of water leaving the collector.

5.

Device according to claim 5, wherein the diverter device (40) comprises a feeding mechanism (44) inserted in the head (8), which has an upper mouth tube (52b) and a lower mouth tube (52a) , elongated along the spindle axis (X), connected respectively to the lower dispensing area (14) and the upper dispensing area (18).

6.

Device according to claim 5, comprising a plate (70) inserted in the head (8), a membrane (73) placed in said plate, equipped with nozzles (16) protruding from the plate (70) and forming said area of lower dispensing (14), and a counter plate (72), located on the plate (70) to form a cavity (74) with it, said lower mouth tube (52a) being in fluid communication with said cavity, to drain the water that is inside it and form the first jet.

7.

Device according to claim 5 or 6, comprising a bent wall (82) inserted in the head (8), which defines a compensation chamber (80) open in the upper dispensing area (18), said compensation chamber being in communication with the upper mouth tube (52b) of the feeding mechanism (44).

8.

Device according to claim 7, wherein said compensation chamber is sinuous.

9.

Device according to claim 7 or 8, comprising drainage means capable of draining the residual water from the compensation chamber when the head is in the raised configuration, activated by rotation of the head.

10.

Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising rotation assistance means capable of influencing the head (8) to facilitate rotation from the lowered configuration to the raised configuration.

eleven.

Device according to claim 10, wherein said assistance means comprise at least one gas spring (22) connected to a fixed plate and said head.

12.

Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a cover (30) placed on the plate to hide it from view.

13. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the head (8) is a box-shaped body with rectangular cross-section in relation to a plane perpendicular to the head axis (8). 14. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lower dispensing area is suitable for dispensing a spray stream formed of several water lines. A device according to any of the previous claims, in which the upper dispensing area is suitable for dispensing a flat jet through a slit (20). 16. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least one light source. A device according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least one acoustic source. 18. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising at least one source of fragrant aromas.