Conservation Device for Use With a Showerhead
First Claim
1. A water, sewer, and gas or electric conservation device for use with a showerhead, the device comprising:
- a body portion including an inlet, a reduced flow outlet, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the outer surface adjacent the outlet being threaded and configured to mate with an additional shower component, the inner surface adjacent the inlet being threaded for mating with a water source pipe;
a valve element disposed within the body portion, the valve element including a port and being pivotable within the body portion between an open position and a closed position, the open position placing the inlet and outlet in fluid communication through the valve element and the closed position restricting fluid communication between the inlet and outlet;
a pivot axle connected to the valve element and extending from the inner surface of the body to the outer surface;
a lever having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the first distal end portion rigidly connected to and extending from the axle; and
a rigid handle having a second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion, the second distal end portion of the handle being pivotably connected to the first proximal end portion of the lever.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A water conservation device for use with a showerhead includes a body portion including an inlet and a reduced flow outlet. A valve element is disposed within the body portion. It includes a port and is pivotable within the body portion between an open position and a closed position. A pivot axle connects to the valve element and extends from the inner surface of the body to the outer surface. A lever includes a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion. The first distal end portion rigidly connects to and extends from the axle. A rigid handle has a second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion. The second distal end portion of the handle is pivotably connected to the first proximal end portion of the lever.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A water, sewer, and gas or electric conservation device for use with a showerhead, the device comprising:
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a body portion including an inlet, a reduced flow outlet, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the outer surface adjacent the outlet being threaded and configured to mate with an additional shower component, the inner surface adjacent the inlet being threaded for mating with a water source pipe; a valve element disposed within the body portion, the valve element including a port and being pivotable within the body portion between an open position and a closed position, the open position placing the inlet and outlet in fluid communication through the valve element and the closed position restricting fluid communication between the inlet and outlet; a pivot axle connected to the valve element and extending from the inner surface of the body to the outer surface; a lever having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the first distal end portion rigidly connected to and extending from the axle; and a rigid handle having a second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion, the second distal end portion of the handle being pivotably connected to the first proximal end portion of the lever. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26)
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19. A water, sewer, and gas or electric conservation system, comprising:
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a body portion including an inlet, an inner surface, an outer surface, the inlet being configured to mate with a separate plumbing fixture, and a reduced flow outlet; a valve element disposed within the body portion, the valve element including a port and being pivotable within the body portion between an open position and a closed position, the open position providing fluid communication through the body portion and the closed position restricting fluid communication through the body portion; a pivot axle integrally connected to the valve element and extending from the inner surface of the body to the outer surface; a lever having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the lever being rigidly connected to and extending from the axle; a pivot stop configured to limit the range of rotation of the pivot axle, the range of rotation being limited to about 90 degrees or less; and a rigid handle having second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion, the second distal end portion of the handle being pivotably connected to the first proximal end portion of the lever by a connector, the connector permitting the handle to freely pivot relative to the lever so that the handle freely hangs vertically downward from the connector. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A water, sewer, and gas or electric conservation system, comprising:
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a body portion including an inlet, a reduced flow outlet, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inlet being configured to mate with a separate plumbing fixture; a ball valve element disposed within the body portion, the valve element including a port and being pivotable within the body portion between an open position and a closed position, the open position providing fluid communication through the body portion and the closed position restricting fluid communication through the body portion; a pivot axle connected to the valve element and extending from the inner surface of the body to the outer surface; a lever having a first distal end portion and a first proximal end portion, the lever being rigidly connected to and extending from the axle; a pivot stop located on the body portion to limit a range of rotation of the pivot axle by mechanically blocking movement of the lever beyond the range of rotation, the range of rotation being limited to about 90 degrees or less; and a rigid handle having a second distal end portion and a second proximal end portion, the second distal end portion of the handle being pivotably connected to the first proximal end portion of the lever by a connector, the connector permitting the handle to freely pivot relative to the lever so that the handle freely hangs vertically downward from the connector, the handle having total length within the range of about 12 and 36 inches for operating by a user.
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Specification