SHOWER AND SPEAKER ASSEMBLY

• US 20130062437A1
• Filed: 09/06/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Hanna, Kenneth Scott, Soetaert, Michael James, Ruh, Keith Scott, Kuru, William Clement
• Application Number:
  US13/605,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20130062437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/289
• 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: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/021 incorporating only one transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/021 Transducers or their casings adapted for mounting in or to a wall or ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/025 Transducer mountings or cabinet supports enabling variable orientation of transducer of cabinet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/029 Manufacturing aspects of enclosures transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A shower and speaker assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a speaker supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the speaker may include a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

Claims

1. A shower and speaker assembly, the assembly comprising:

a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and

a speaker supportable in the receptacle.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the waterway is annular and extends around the receptacle.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the waterway includes a first waterway portion extending along a first circumferential portion of the receptacle and a second waterway portion spaced from the first waterway portion and extending along a second circumferential portion of the receptacle.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the outlet defines an outlet plane, and wherein the speaker includes a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle.

5. The assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker includes a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet and a grip surface formed on an annular rim of the speaker housing, the grip surface facilitating removal of the speaker from the shower device.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shower device includes a showerhead.

8. A shower and speaker assembly, the assembly comprising:

a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the outlet defining an outlet plane, the device housing further defining a receptacle; and

a speaker supportable in the receptacle, the speaker including a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet, the speaker outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the device housing also defines an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet, the waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the waterway is annular and extends around the receptacle.

11. The assembly of claim 8, and further comprising a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the speaker includes a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet and a grip surface formed on an annular rim of the speaker housing, the grip surface facilitating removal of the speaker from the shower device.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the speaker outlet is positioned forwardly of the outlet plane to provide a space to access the grip surface.

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the shower device includes a showerhead.

15. A shower and speaker assembly, the assembly comprising:

a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle;

a speaker supportable in the receptacle; and

a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the connecting structure includes a magnet supported by one of the shower device and the speaker, the magnet interacting with the other of the shower device and the speaker to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the connecting structure includes a second magnet supported by the other of the shower device and the speaker, the first-mentioned magnet and the second magnet interacting to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the speaker includes a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet and a grip surface formed on an annular rim of the speaker housing, the grip surface facilitating removal of the speaker from the shower device.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the speaker outlet is positioned forwardly of the outlet plane to provide a space to access the grip surface.

20. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the device housing also defines an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet, the waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet.

21. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the waterway is annular and extends around the receptacle.

22. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the shower device includes a showerhead.

30. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the shower device includes a showerhead.

23. A shower and speaker assembly, the assembly comprising:

a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle; and

a speaker supportable in the receptacle, the speaker including a speaker housing providing a speaker outlet and a grip surface formed radially of the speaker outlet, the grip surface facilitating removal of the speaker from the shower device.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the grip surface is formed on an annular rim of the speaker housing.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the speaker outlet is positioned forwardly of the outlet plane to provide a space to access the grip surface.

26. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the device housing has a radial surface, and wherein the speaker housing includes a radially projecting member providing the grip surface, the grip surface being aligned with the radial surface.

27. The assembly of claim 23, and further comprising a connecting structure operable to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the connecting structure includes a first magnet supported by one of the shower device and the speaker, and a second magnet supported by the other of the shower device and the speaker, the first magnet and the second magnet interacting to releasably connect the speaker and the shower device.

29. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the device housing also defines an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet, the waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet.

31. A shower and speaker system, the system comprising:

a first shower device including a first device housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the first device housing defining a first receptacle, the first shower device having a first configuration;

a second shower device including a second device housing defining an inlet, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, the second device housing defining a second receptacle, the second shower device having a second configuration different from the first configuration; and

a speaker selectively and alternately supportable in the first receptacle and in the second receptacle.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the configuration includes one of a spray type, a style, and a design.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the first configuration includes a showerhead, and wherein the second configuration includes one of a rain can, a hand shower, and a wall-mounted water tile.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle have substantially the same shape.