JPH0622711B2 - Shinawa Head - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shower head. More specifically,
The present invention relates to a shower head cooperating with a mount, the mount then being supported by a bracket in a reservoir.

US Patent Application No. 459,1 filed January 19, 1983
U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,593, issued Dec. 31, 1985 and issued as Dec. 37, 1985, selectively ejects two different spray jet patterns, yet other U.S. Pat. It describes and claims a Siwa Head which is much easier to manufacture from the earlier representative Siwa Head described by the patent applicant and which belongs to the same assignee as the present application. The Showa Heads described in those earlier patents are also connected to a source of water by a flexible hose that allows the user to direct the spray to different parts of his body. It is sold in the market as a type of head screw including a steering wheel. Such hand-supported shower heads are commonly associated with certain types of brackets used to removably receive the shower head during storage, and the side of such brackets is the subject of this application. Are shown in US Pat. Nos. 3,865,310 and 4,303,201 which are also assigned to the same assignee.

At least most of these former Sheiwa Heads
Over a period of time, the parts that are connected to each other for some reason, such as expansion and contraction of the parts or changes in the properties of the parts, tend to come out of contact and undesired leakage around the outside of the shower head assembly I am running into a problem with. In addition to that, some users and / or
Difficulties are encountered in connection with the fact that the child of the user (or) is curious and tries to disassemble it to determine how the Siwa Head works. The existence of such curiosity is commendable, and the result is often that the device is not properly reassembled with all parts centered and seated in the relationships they require. That was it. Therefore, some with such a unit will then not properly seal the water passages and otherwise will not perform satisfactorily and will not appear to be a satisfactory product when viewed by others. It resulted in being.

The above problems were quickly recognized by the present application, as a result of which several different parts of the various shower heads would not produce a product unless anyone possessed a special disassembly tool. It was screwed together very strongly so that the shower head could not be disassembled without being fundamentally damaged. That is, it was necessary to assemble such a device so that a curious person could not destroy the integrity of the unit.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shower head which solves the above problems and approaches, while still retaining design and construction simplicity.

Another object of the present invention is the above-mentioned invention patent application No. 45.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To provide a new and improved shower head having the desirable features of No. 9.137 but also providing additional safety features to accomplish the objectives.

Yet another object of the present invention is to incorporate a bracket which is associated with the kawa head and which implements similar protective considerations.

At least one kawaha head carried out in accordance with the above
Included in the housing is one and preferably two spray outlets and one water inlet. The housing mount defines a passage for water flow from its inlet. There is a device on one side of the housing and mounting that defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves facing the other side. On the other side of the housing and mount are circumferentially spaced projections that can be inserted into different grooves. A plurality of lands are arranged between the grooves, and the lands are locked into the corresponding ones of the grooves by the assembly of the projections on the tops of the lands and the subsequent subsequent relative rotation. Includes a cam surface that continuously rises toward the entrance of the next groove to drop and then ends in a step toward the bottom of the groove.

According to another aspect of the invention, the mounting portion has a hollow handle that fits into a bracket arranged to removably receive it. The coupling on the body of the bracket connects to the water supply. The channel in the body includes circumferentially spaced protrusions that project into the channel toward the outlet and from the body.
A nut can be secured over the water supply pipe and defines a portion of the swivel joint. There is a shank that ends at one end of the other part of the swivel joint and places the other end part through the entrance opening and into the channel. On the inner end of the shank is a plurality of circumferentially spaced ears that sit behind each different projection of the projections. Once that is achieved,
The retainer has a plurality of legs and feet joined together and can be seated behind the ears and in the gap between the ears to lock the shank into the channel. .

The features of the invention believed to be patentable are set forth with particularity in the claims. The organization and method of operation of the present invention will be best understood with reference to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: In the several figures of the accompanying drawings, like reference numbers represent like elements.

The shower head 20 includes a generally hollow housing 22, which includes a front opening 24 and a rear opening 26.
, Each of which communicates with the interior 28 of the housing 22. A closure lid 30 is secured within the front opening 24 and defines a first set of outlets 32 and a second set of outlets 34. Each of these outlets is formed to direct the liquid in a spray pattern selected from the interior 28 outwards. The sprayed liquid is normally fresh water as it is received from the supply pipe, but contains some kind of mixing device prior to the shower head to selectively mix another substance, such as soap, oil or a chemical. Has been suggested so far. The indicia ring 38 surrounds the proboscis 40 and closes the exposed front of the lid 30.

A first pair of spaced apart channels 46 are defined in the closure lid 30, each of which exits the housing interior 28 and communicates with the outlet. In addition, in the closing lid 30,
A second pair of spaced-apart channels 48 are formed that are orthogonal to the channels 46 and are oriented about the longitudinal axis of the shower head. The channel 48 leads to the exit 32.
A flow directing plate or plate 50, which rests against its interior against the closure lid 30, is fixed in a rotational position, the plate 50 being located above the inlets of the channels 46 and 48. Plate 50 includes spaced apart, opposing, laterally projecting wings 52 that block water communication with either housing 46 or 48 when housing 22 and closure lid 30 are rotated relative to plate 50. Is centered so that it can be selectively positioned.

The closure lid 30 includes a rearwardly projecting cap 60 which is threaded inwardly at 62 and engages a mating screw threaded onto a forwardly projecting flange 64 of the housing 22. One O-ring 66 closes the lid 30
Establishes a seal between the housing and the housing 22.

The outlets 32 are circumferentially separated within the ring. Exit 34
Are formed in this case by a series of grooves or elongated holes spaced around the inner peripheral wall of the opening 24, and, if appropriate, rather wide-angle rather than two concentric circular individual spray patterns. Having alternating angles and depths to create a spray pattern outside of the. The rim 68 on the closure lid 30 completes the definition of the outlet 34.

A tube 70 projects from the rear of the housing 22 to provide a sealing engagement with a boss 74 formed centrally in the facing central bottom of the hemispherical shell 76 of the mount 78. Surrounding the ring 72. A pair of spaced apart opposed projections 80 project toward and towards the housing 22, and the projections 80 engage with a corresponding pair of spaced apart opposed projection bars 82 that project rearwardly from the flow directing plate 50 and into the tube 70. It has dimensions such that it can be received in the tube 70 for lips. That is, the protrusion 80 and the protruding rod 82 are locked to each other in the rotational movement.

Around the exterior of the housing 22 is a knurled ring 84 which can be grasped by the user to close the housing and rotate with the lid 30 about the axis of the tube 70. Prongs 82 are protrusions 80
This action locks the flow directing plate 50 in a fixed position in space so that this action selectively determines whether the incoming water is in communication with the channel 46 or 48. , The closing lid 30 is moved with respect to the wings 52.

A pair of spaced apart opposed grooves 90 are defined in the portion of the housing 22 facing the mounting portion 78. Lands 92 are circumferentially placed between the corresponding ends of these grooves. Each land defines an upwardly sloping cam surface 94 as it continues at one end towards the beginning of the groove, which surface suddenly drops at 96 into the bottom of each groove of groove 90.

When the housing 22 is inserted into a position within the shell 76, a pair of spaced apart, opposed projections 98, which are normally positioned to be received over the land 92, extend inwardly from the peripheral edge of the shell 76. It is protruding. Thereafter, rotation of the housing relative to the mount 78 causes the projections 98 to be lifted by the cam surface 94 and then dropped into their respective grooves 90, with the housing 22 causing the mount 22 to drop when the projections 98 fall. Locks in and strongly prevents and forbids later removal of the housing 22 from the mounting portion 78.

While the housing 22 is engaged in the shell 76, the projections 80 mate with the prongs 82 so that the flow directing plate 50 also locks in space relative to both the housing 22 and the mount 78. To be done. However, the housing 22 is rotated to selectively adjust the relationship between the channels 46 and 48 and the flow directing plate 50, with the closure lid 30 being tightly inserted within the housing 22 by torque forces. You can Rotation of such a housing is limited in degree of rotation by the length of groove 90 as shown. That is, the end of each groove 90 that faces the drop at 96 constitutes a stop 98. Within the range established thereby, the finally exiting spray varies between the spray discharged by the outlet 32 and the spray discharged by the outlet 34. The middle position allows the ejection of both spray patterns from the outlets of those sets. All such effects and respective jet patterns will be observed by comparing FIGS. 3 and 4.

From the outside of the shell 76 of the mount 78, a hollow handle 100 intended to be gripped by the user's hand projects in a direction generally downward. As we all know,
The locking of the handle allows the user to move the mount 78 away from the bracket 102 and then orient the spray to different parts of his body depending on his preference. The flexible hose 104 is threadedly sealed over a spaced end 106 by a standard coupling and reaches another portion of the bracket 102, which connects the flexible hose 104 to a water supply or discharge pipe 107. To do.
Water carried by hose 104 flows through the interior of handle 100 and exits between projections 80 to enter the interior of housing 22 as selected by flow directing plate 50.

During storage, the handle 100 can be slidably received in spaced apart opposing arms 108 and 110 that project beyond the hollow body 112, and within the hollow body 112 a longitudinally continuous channel. There is 114. The arms 108 and 110 can be formed as rigid bodies to only allow the handle 100 to be slid into these arms. These arms can be rigid to allow such a sitting or allow the handle 100 to be inserted through between the free ends of the arms, or the arms can be of the type described above. It can be a more complex structure as illustrated in US Pat. No. 3,865,310.

A threaded outlet coupling 120 projects laterally from the side wall of the hollow body 112 for coupling to the appropriate end of the hose 104. At the other end of the bracket 102 is a nut 122 that can be secured on the water supply pipe 107, which also carries water through the hose 104 and then eventually discharges in a spray pattern inside the housing 22. It defines a portion of the swivel joint to the interior of the channel 114 for delivery therein.

The nut 122 is internally threaded, for example at 124, allowing it to be connected to a pipe 107 carrying water. Nut 122 also has a proboscis 1 that encloses ball 132.
Including 30. The inner wall of the proboscis 130 tapers inwardly to catch the ball 132 as the nut is screwed onto the pipe 107, and hence the ball 13
Move outward from 2. The seal 133 not only functions to provide a seal against leakage of water flowing therein, but also forces the ball 132 outward against the proboscis 130 when the screw 124 is attached to the supply pipe.

A pair of circumferentially spaced protrusions 140 project from the sidewalls and into the interior of the channel 114. Protrusion 140
Are placed facing each other. The shank 142 ends at one end of the ball 132 and is placed so that the other end thereof penetrates the proboscis 130 so that it is located in the protrusion 140 and into the channel 114. A pair of spaced apart ears 144 project laterally from the shank 142, and
When the 2 is inserted into the channel 114, it establishes the completion of the pivot joint. The shank 142 is then rotated relative to the channel 114, with the individual projections of the projections 140 seated behind the ears 144.

The retainer 150 includes a pair of spaced apart legs 152,
The legs 152 can individually engage the respective sides of the corresponding ear of the ear 144 that faces the pivot joint. A pair of spaced apart opposed legs 154 project in a direction toward the other end of shank 142 and are sized to sit between corresponding different ears of ears 144.
The bridging 156 joins the ends of the leg 154 farther from the foot 152 together, and the retainer 150 positions the foot 152 near the side of the protrusion 140 that moves over the ear 144 and faces the pivot joint. It has sufficient elasticity to allow. Foot 1
52 continuously defines a gap therebetween, and when the unit is assembled, the protrusion of protrusion 140 into the gap inhibits disassembly of the unit. That is, the assembly is irreversible.

The only thing that can normally be disengaged without harming the unit is the coupling of the hose 104 to the bracket 102 or the nut 122 to the supply pipe. When the nut is tightly adjusted at its feed point, the resistance to movement of the bracket 102 in space relative to the feed pipe is greater. The seal 133 is
A slight loosening of nut 122 allows for frictional adjustment of pivot joint 124, and the seal is still nut 12.
Normally allow that adjustment to be obtained while prohibiting water leakage at 2.

Laterally outward from the shank 142, a collar 166 resting thereon projects towards the pivot joint. Its position is far enough from the ear 144 to accommodate placing an elastomeric elastomeric seal 168, such as an O-ring, over the ear. Of course, the seal 168 maintains the integrity of the water flow path and prevents leakage from the channel 144.
Sit inside.

Another feature that should be included is ball 1
A flow restrictor 17 in the channel 170 passing through 32
It is to put 2. Flow restrictor 172 to ball 13
At a given location within 2, the water flow is of a velocity believed to meet all known governmental requirements for water protection, and various other means of carrying water within the system include urban water supply systems. The water pressure delivered is somewhat typical at 2.8-4.3 kg / cm ² and is of a size which allows a sufficiently satisfactory water spray to be discharged.

However, some urban water systems are delivered at lower pressures, and many pressurization systems associated with the user's own well also operate at lower pressures. In such cases, the spray force proves to be insufficient. If this happens, the user need only remove the nut 122, place his hands in the nut and remove the restrictor 172. Therefore, the restriction device 172 does not form any part of the subject matter claimed in this application,
An alternative device to the full description and limiting device will be found in copending application No. 459,137 filed January 19, 983.

Adapting to a hand held system with a shower head made in accordance with the one described in said patent application, 459,137, was achieved with a minimum of additional parts and all of the parts were molded plastic. It will be observed that there can be. Compared to the referenced patent application, the installation for the same flow directing plate is simpler and the retention of the flow directing plate is completed in combination with a method of mounting on the handle which ensures that there is no unwanted disassembly. To do. At the same time, all of the desired functionality of the bracket 102 is provided in what constitutes an assembly of only four basic parts that are easy to assemble, difficult to disassemble and remain intact.

It will be noted that when specially implemented, a variety of different individual components are formed by the remotely opposed pairs of remotely opposed elements. The use of such a pair may be preferable because it simplifies the material and saves costs. Nevertheless, if desired, any collection of cooperating elements, such as the use of three circumferentially spaced feet 152 with a significantly increased number of legs, ears, etc., may be numerous. It is possible that

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, and various modifications and alternatives referred to, those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. It will be clear that it can be done. Therefore, the purpose in the claims is to
It is intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the patentable invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is an isometric view of a shower head mounted in a bracket and connected thereto by means of a partially shown hose, FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the shower head shown in FIG. 1, 2a is an isometric view from the rear of the member shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the shower head shown in FIG. 1 taken along the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a similar view, but with members in different positions, FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the members shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the sub-assembly shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the sub-assembly shown in FIG. In the drawing, 20 ... Shower head, 22 ... Housing, 30 ... Closing lid, 32 ... First set outlet, 34 ... Second set outlet, 4
6 ... 1st pair of channels, 48 ... 2nd pair of channels, 50 ... Flow direction determining plate, 78 ... Attachment part, 102 ... Bracket, 104 ... Flexible hose, 122 ... Nut, 12
4 ... Pivot joint, 130 ... Proboscis, 132 ... Ball, 1
42 ... Shank, 144 ... Ears, 150 ... Retainer.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A housing having at least one spray outlet and a water inlet, a mounting portion of the housing in which a water flow path to the water inlet is formed, and the housing and the mounting portion facing each other. A plurality of grooves formed on one side and spaced apart in the circumferential direction, a plurality of lands continuously arranged in the circumferential direction between the grooves, and the housing facing each other A plurality of elastic protrusions formed on the other side of the mounting portion and circumferentially spaced so as to be inserted into each of the grooves. A corresponding one of the elastic projections having a length can be received so as to be movable along the length of the groove, the lands continuously rising toward the entrance of the next groove and then the next groove. Cam table that ends with a step reaching the bottom of And thus placing each of the elastic projections on the land and then moving over the cam surface to suddenly drop each of the elastic projections into a corresponding one of the grooves to lock the housing. The shower head is characterized in that it does not come off from the mounting portion. 2. The end portion of each groove opposite to the stepped portion has a stop for preventing further movement of the protrusion with respect to the groove. Shower head. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow handle extending downward from the mounting portion and connectable to a water source, the water source being communicated with the water flow passage through the inside of the handle. Shower head as described in paragraph. 4. A plurality of sets of spray outlets are formed in the housing, the shower head having a flow directing plate for selecting the flow path of the water to be directed to different sets of spray outlets. A shower head includes a flow directing plate and the flow directing plate to permit movement of the housing relative to the mount and the flow directing plate to define a water flow path between the set of spray outlets. A shower head according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting part and the mounting part are connected to each other. 5. A pair of projecting rods project from one of the flow direction determining plate and the mounting portion toward the other, and a pair of protrusions project from the other side of the flow direction determining plate and the mounting portion toward one side. 5. The shower head according to claim 4, wherein the projection rod is configured to interlock with the projection. 6. A housing having at least one spray outlet and a water inlet, a mounting portion of the housing in which a water flow path to the water inlet is formed, and the housing and the mounting portion facing each other. A plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves formed on one side and one of the grooves formed on the other side of the housing and the mounting portion facing each other. A plurality of elastic protrusions arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of lands that are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction between the grooves and can receive the corresponding ones of the elastic protrusions. Each groove has a predetermined length and is capable of receiving a corresponding one of the elastic projections so as to be movable along the length of the groove, and each land is provided at the entrance of the next groove. Continuously up And then has a cam surface that ends in a step that reaches the bottom of the next groove, thus moving each of the resilient projections by placing the entire resilient projection on the land and then moving over the cam surface. A hollow that can be abruptly dropped into a corresponding one of the grooves and locked to prevent the housing from coming off the mounting part, and can be connected to a water source which extends downwardly from the mounting part and through which the water flow path is conducted. A hollow body from which a device for removably receiving the handle and mounting the handle is projected; an outlet coupling projecting from the hollow body for connecting a water flow to the shower head; An inlet opening into an internal water flow channel leading to the outlet, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced protrusions projecting from the hollow body into the channel; A nut mountable on the water supply pipe and having one part of the pivot joint facing the hollow body, terminating at the other part of the pivot joint at one end and arranged in the channel through the inlet opening A shank having an opposite end that is engaged, and a device that can interengage with the protrusion and the shank to irreversibly lock the shank in the channel when placed and assembled in the channel. Shower head characterized by that.