Showerhead with rotatable oval spray pattern and handheld spray pattern controller

• US 20100264237A1
• Filed: 04/15/2009
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ETL, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fan-Fi International, Inc.
• Inventors: Engel, Ray
• Granted Patent: US 8,177,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/443
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor

Abstract

A handheld showerhead assembly is provided which provides for a plurality of spray patterns. In a preferred embodiment, the showerhead assembly provides for four spray patterns including an oval shaped spray pattern. The showerhead is rotatably attached to the handle so that the showerhead can be rotated relative to the handle without altering spray patterns, other than their orientation. Furthermore, the handheld shower assembly includes a push button controller located within the handle.

Claims

1. A showerhead apparatus comprising:

an elongate hollow handle defining a central axis and having a central conduit having an inlet connectable to a water supply and an outlet; and

a shower head rotatably connected to said hollow handle, said shower head having a passageway for the passage of water, an inlet connected to said handle'"'"'s outlet for receipt of water into said head'"'"'s passageway, and a plurality of spray holes connected to said shower head'"'"'s passageway for expelling water from said shower head to produce a spray pattern, said spray holes arranged to produce an oval spray pattern having a long axis;

said showerhead being manually rotatable relative to said handle so as to permit the manual rotation of said oval spray pattern relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis to provide said oval spray pattern as vertically aligned, horizontally aligned, or aligned therebetween.

2. A showerhead apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle has an angled bend to form an elbow construction so that said showerhead expels water at an angle greater than 45°

and less than 135°

relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

3. A showerhead apparatus of claim 1 wherein said handle has an angled bend to form an elbow construction so that said showerhead expels water at an angle greater than 90°

and less than 120°

relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

4. A showerhead apparatus of claim 1 wherein said showerhead produces a plurality of selectable spray patterns including said oval spray pattern, the manual rotation of said showerhead relative to said handle causing the manual rotation of a selected spray pattern relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

5. A showerhead apparatus of claim 4 wherein said manual rotation of said showerhead relative to said handle does not cause said spray pattern to switch to an alternative spray pattern.

6. A showerhead apparatus of claim 5 wherein said showerhead includes a controller separate from said manual rotation of said showerhead relative to said handle to select one of said selectable spray patterns.

7. A showerhead apparatus of claim 6 wherein said controller is a push button controller located in said handle.

8. A showerhead apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

said central conduit includes a fixed pipe having an inlet connectable to a water source and an outlet, said central conduit further including a rotatable pipe having an inlet rotatably connected to said fixed pipe'"'"'s outlet and an outlet;

a coupling affixed to said rotatable pipe'"'"'s outlet so as to rotate with the rotation of said rotatable pipe, said coupling'"'"'s rotation defining an axis of rotation, said coupling including an inlet connected to said rotatable pipe'"'"'s outlet for receiving water and an outlet port for expelling water, said coupling outlet port offset relative to said coupling'"'"'s axis of rotation so that rotation of said coupling causes said outlet port to rotate in a circular path;

a diverter assembly including a receptacle portion for engaging said coupling and including a plurality of diverter inlet ports concentrically aligned to selectively engage and disengage from said from said coupling'"'"'s outlet port as said coupling outlet port rotates about its circular path, said diverter assembly including a discharge portion including a plurality of discharge ports corresponding in number to said diverter inlet ports, said diverter inlet ports connected to said diverter outlet ports by a plurality of discrete flow pathways for directing water from said diverter inlet ports to corresponding diverter outlet ports;

a showerhead producing a plurality of selectable spray patterns including an oval spray pattern, said showerhead connected to said diverter assembly, said showerhead including a plurality of showerhead inlet openings connected to said diverter assembly'"'"'s plurality of outlet ports, said showerhead including a plurality of sets of spray holes with each set of spray holes connected to a showerhead inlet opening by a one of a plurality of discrete flow passageways; and

a controller located in said elongate handle for selectively causing said rotatable pipe to rotate, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a first position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a first of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a first diverter flow pathway, and through a first showerhead passageway to a first set of spray holes to produce a first spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a second position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a second of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a second diverter flow pathway, and through a second showerhead passageway to a second set of spray holes to produce a second spray pattern.

9. A showerhead apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller includes a ratchet assembly, said ratchet assembly including a plurality of teeth concentrically positioned around said rotatable pipe, a button projecting through a hole formed in said handle housing for selectively engaging said teeth for rotating said rotatable pipe, and a biasing means for biasing said button away from said teeth.

10. A showerhead apparatus of claim 8 wherein said showerhead produces four selectable spray patterns including an oval spray pattern, and wherein said diverter assembly'"'"'s discharge portion includes at least four discharge ports corresponding in number to said diverter inlet ports, said showerhead includes at least four showerhead inlet openings connected to said at least four diverter assembly outlet ports, said showerhead including at least four sets of spray holes with each set of spray holes connected to a showerhead inlet opening by a one of at least four discrete flow passageways;

and

said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a first position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a first of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a first diverter flow pathway, and through a first showerhead passageway to a first set of spray holes to produce a first spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a second position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a second of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a second diverter flow pathway, and through a second showerhead passageway to a second set of spray holes to produce a second spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a third position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a third of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a third diverter flow pathway, and through a third showerhead passageway to a third set of spray holes to produce a third spray pattern, and said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a third position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a third of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a third diverter flow pathway, and through a third showerhead passageway to a third set of spray holes to produce a third spray pattern.

11. A showerhead apparatus comprising:

an elongate handle housing;

a central conduit within said housing including a fixed pipe having an inlet connectable to a water source and an outlet, said central conduit further including a rotatable pipe having an inlet rotatably connected to said fixed pipe'"'"'s outlet and an outlet;

a coupling affixed to said rotatable pipe'"'"'s outlet so as to rotate with the rotation of said rotatable pipe, said coupling'"'"'s rotation defining an axis of rotation, said coupling including an inlet port connected to said rotatable pipe'"'"'s outlet for receiving water and an outlet port for expelling water, said coupling outlet port offset relative to said coupling'"'"'s axis of rotation so that rotation of said coupling causes said outlet port to rotate in a circular path;

a diverter assembly including a receptacle portion for engaging said coupling and including a plurality of diverter inlet ports concentrically aligned to selectively engage and disengage from said from said coupling'"'"'s outlet port as said coupling outlet port rotates about its circular path, said diverter assembly including a discharge portion including a plurality of discharge ports, said diverter inlet ports connected to said diverter outlet ports by a plurality of discrete flow pathways for directing water from said diverter inlet ports to corresponding diverter outlet ports;

a showerhead producing a plurality of selectable spray patterns connected to said diverter assembly, said showerhead including a plurality of showerhead inlet openings connected to said diverter assembly'"'"'s plurality of outlet ports, said showerhead including a plurality of sets of spray holes with each set of spray holes connected to a showerhead inlet opening by a one of a plurality of discrete flow passageways; and

a controller located in said elongate handle for selectively causing said rotatable pipe to rotate, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a first position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a first of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a first diverter flow pathway, and through a first showerhead passageway to a first set of spray holes to produce a first spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a second position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a second of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a second diverter flow pathway, and through a second showerhead passageway to a second set of spray holes to produce a second spray pattern.

12. A showerhead apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller includes a ratchet assembly, said ratchet assembly including a plurality of teeth concentrically positioned around said rotatable pipe, a button projecting through a hole formed in said handle housing for selectively engaging and pushing said teeth for rotating said rotatable pipe, and a biasing means for biasing said button away from engaging said teeth.

13. A showerhead apparatus of claim 11 wherein said coupling includes two outlet ports offset relative to said coupling'"'"'s axis of rotation so that rotation of said coupling causes both outlet ports to rotate in a circular path, and each of said discrete diverter pathways includes two inlet ports for simultaneously coupling to said coupling'"'"'s two outlet ports.

14. A showerhead apparatus of claim 11 wherein said showerhead produces four selectable spray patterns, and wherein said diverter assembly'"'"'s discharge portion includes at least four discharge ports corresponding in number to said diverter inlet ports, said showerhead includes at least four showerhead inlet openings connected to said at least four diverter assembly outlet ports, said showerhead including at least four sets of spray holes with each set of spray holes connected to a showerhead inlet opening by a one of at least four discrete flow passageways;

and

said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a first position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a first of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a first diverter flow pathway, and through a first showerhead passageway to a first set of spray holes to produce a first spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a second position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a second of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a second diverter flow pathway, and through a second showerhead passageway to a second set of spray holes to produce a second spray pattern, said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a third position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a third of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a third diverter flow pathway, and through a third showerhead passageway to a third set of spray holes to produce a third spray pattern, and said rotation of said rotatable pipe to a third position causing said coupling'"'"'s outlet port to rotate and engage and connect to a third of said plurality of diverter inlets so as to allow fluid flow through said fixed pipe, said rotatable pipe, said coupling, through a third diverter flow pathway, and through a third showerhead passageway to a third set of spray holes to produce a third spray pattern.

15. A showerhead apparatus of claim 11 wherein said spray patterns include an oval spray pattern having a long axis, said showerhead is manually rotatably connected to said diverter assembly and handle so as to permit the manual rotation of said oval spray pattern relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis to provide a vertically aligned oval spray pattern, a horizontally aligned oval spray pattern, and selectably aligned oval spray patterns therebetween.

16. A showerhead apparatus of claim 15 wherein said handle and diverter assembly has an angled bend to form an elbow construction so that said showerhead expels water at an angle greater than 45°

and less than 135°

relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

17. A showerhead apparatus of claim 15 wherein said handle and diverter assembly has an angled bend to form an elbow construction so that said showerhead expels water at an angle greater than 90°

and less than 120°

relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

18. A showerhead apparatus of claim 15 wherein said showerhead produces a plurality of selectable spray patterns including said oval spray pattern, the manual rotation of said showerhead relative to said handle causing the manual rotation of a selected spray pattern relative to said handle'"'"'s central axis.

19. A showerhead apparatus of claim 16 wherein said manual rotation of said showerhead relative to said handle does not cause said spray pattern to switch to an alternative spray pattern.

20. A showerhead apparatus of claim 17 wherein said controller is a push button controller located in said handle.