HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD WITH MODE CONTROL AND METHOD OF SELECTING A HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD MODE

• US 20080156902A1
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Leber, Leland C., Luettgen, Harold A., Quinn, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/447
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/16 having selectively- effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1636 by relative rotative movement of the valve elements B05B1/1672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1663 by relative translatory movement of the valve elements B05B1/1672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/18 Roses; Shower heads with means for adding soap or the like E03C1/046; jet regulators E03C1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit

Abstract

A handheld showerhead with a showerhead portion and a handle portion. The showerhead portion may include at least two fluid channels. The handle portion may be operatively associated with the shower portion. The handle portion may include at least one fluid inlet or fluid passage. The handle portion may further include a movable mode selector. Movement of the mode selector may selectively place the fluid inlet or fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the two fluid channels in the showerhead portion.

Claims

1. A handheld showerhead, comprising:

a showerhead portion including at least two fluid channels;

a handle portion operatively associated with the showerhead portion, the handle portion including at least one of a fluid inlet and a fluid passage, a movable mode selector, and at least two second fluid channels; and

at least two of the at least two second fluid channels positioned between the mode selector and the at least two fluid channels and in fluid communication with at least one of the at least two fluid channels;

wherein movement of the mode selector selectively places the fluid inlet or the fluid passage in fluid communication with one of the at least two second fluid channels.

2. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the showerhead portion includes at least one nozzle in fluid communication with at least one of the at least two fluid channels.

3. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the showerhead portion includes at least one fluid chamber in fluid communication with at least one of the at least two fluid channels.

4. The handheld showerhead of claim 3, wherein the showerhead portion includes at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one fluid chamber.

5. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the showerhead portion including at least one fluid aperture in fluid communication with at least one of the fluid channels in the showerhead portion.

6. The handheld showerhead of claim 5, wherein the mode selector includes a fluid aperture in fluid communication with the fluid inlet or fluid passage and movement of the mode selector selectively places the fluid aperture of the mode selector in fluid communication with the at least one fluid aperture.

7. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector includes a fluid aperture in fluid communication with the fluid inlet or the fluid passage and movement of the mode selector selectively places the fluid aperture in fluid communication with at least one of the two second fluid channels.

8. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector includes a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet or the fluid passage and movement of the mode selector selectively places the fluid chamber in fluid communication with at least one of the two second fluid channels.

9. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the handle portion further includes a water supply connector.

10. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector moves about a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

11. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector moves substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

12. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector comprises a control knob.

13. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector further comprises a control ring operatively associated with the control knob.

14. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the mode selector comprises a finger grip feature.

15. The handheld showerhead of claim 14, wherein the finger grip feature includes at least one of a finger grip recess and a finger grip projection.

16. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein at least two sidewalls defined in the showerhead portion form at least one of the at least two fluid channels.

17. (canceled)

18. A method of selecting a mode using a handheld showerhead, comprising:

obtaining a handheld showerhead comprising a showerhead portion including at least two fluid channels and a handle portion operatively associated with the showerhead portion, the handle portion including at least one of a fluid inlet and a fluid passage, a movable mode selector, and at least two second fluid channels, at least two of the at least two second fluid channels positioned between the mode selector and the at least two fluid channels and in fluid communication with at least one of the at least two fluid channels;

moving the mode selector to selectively place the fluid inlet or the fluid passage in fluid communication with one of the at least two second fluid channels.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the mode selector includes rotating the mode selector about a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the mode selector includes sliding the mode selector along a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein placing the fluid inlet or the fluid passage in fluid communication with one of the at least two second fluid channels selects at least one of a mist, pulsating spray, and converging spray.