BRACKET FOR SHOWERHEAD WITH INTEGRAL FLOW CONTROL

• US 20130340854A1
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Quinn, Michael J., Leber, Leland C., Luettgen, Harold A., Saunders, Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 9,347,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/343
• 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: B05B 1/3006 the controlling element being actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed B05B11/0062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/40 Filters located upstream of the spraying outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/62 Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/025 Water supply lines as such, e.g. shower hoses
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0409 Shower handles
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0412 Constructional or functional features of the faucet handle valve actuating members as such F16K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/06 Devices for suspending or supporting the supply pipe or supply hose of a shower-bath showers per se A47K3/28
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/026 with flow restricting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6851 With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations

Abstract

A showerhead bracket having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve and a valve housing. the valve may be operably connected between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The valve includes a valve inlet port, a low flow exit port and a high flow exit port. The valve housing is disposed between the fluid inlet and the valve inlet port. And the valve can selectively rotate within the valve housing.

Claims

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A showerhead bracket comprising

a bracket housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;

a spool that is selectively rotatable relative to the bracket housing to adjust a flow rate of fluid flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;

a spring-biased fluid seal supported within the spool defining a metering hole; and

a cradle configured to support a showerhead handle that is selectively rotatable relative to the bracket housing;

wherein rotation of the spool to a low flow position positions the fluid seal against the fluid outlet such that fluid is directed through the metering hole.

23. The showerhead bracket of claim 22, further comprising a stop element formed in the bracket housing that interfaces with a surface of the spool, wherein the stop element limits a rotational distance of the spool.

24. The showerhead bracket of claim 22, further comprising a plurality of ribs positioned within the fluid outlet, wherein the ribs prevent the fluid seal from entering the fluid outlet.

25. The showerhead bracket of claim 22, wherein the spool defines a cavity forming a fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein rotation of the spool relative to the bracket housing adjusts a size of the fluid passage in communication with the fluid outlet.

26. The showerhead bracket of claim 25, wherein the spool further comprises a cam wall that defines a narrowing fluid passage to adjust a flow rate of fluid flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, wherein the cam wall comprises a decreasing radius of curvature with a larger radius adjacent to the fluid seal.

27. The showerhead bracket of claim 26, wherein rotation of the spool to a low flow position seats the cam wall fully against the fluid outlet such that fluid is directed through the metering hole.

28. The showerhead bracket of claim 22, wherein the spool further comprises a cam wall that defines a narrowing fluid passage to adjust a flow rate of fluid flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, wherein the cam wall comprises a decreasing radius of curvature with a larger radius adjacent to the fluid seal.

29. The showerhead bracket of claim 28, wherein rotation of the spool to a low flow position seats the cam wall fully against the fluid outlet such that fluid is directed through the metering hole.

30. The showerhead bracket of claim 22, wherein a rotation of the spool is unrestrained.

31. A showerhead bracket comprising

a bracket housing defining a fluid inlet attachable to a shower pipe and a fluid outlet attachable to a showerhead assembly including a showerhead handle;

a cradle configured to support the showerhead handle that is selectively rotatable by a user relative to the bracket housing; and

a spring sandwiched between the bracket housing and the cradle, wherein

the spring is configured to rotate relative to the bracket housing; and

frictional forces between the spring and the bracket housing are sufficient to prevent the spring from rotating relative to the bracket housing when the showerhead handle is supported by the cradle and no rotational forces are applied to the cradle by the user.

32. The showerhead bracket of claim 31, wherein the spring is formed integrally with the cradle.

33. The showerhead bracket of claim 31, wherein the spring comprises

a central hub;

and

an interaction rim in frictional communication with the bracket housing.

34. The showerhead bracket of claim 33, wherein the spring further comprises a plurality of spokes extending outward radially from the central hub to the interaction rim.

35. The showerhead bracket of claim 34, wherein the interaction rim comprises separate rim sections each attached to a respective spoke.

36. The showerhead bracket of claim 35, wherein each of the separate rim sections defines an oval structure that permits the separate rim sections to deflect inward, allowing the spring to rotate relative to the bracket housing.

37. The showerhead bracket of claim 33, wherein the interaction rim comprises separate rim sections.

38. The showerhead bracket of claim 33, wherein the interaction rim is configured to allow rotation of the cradle in one direction only and to prevent rotation in the opposite direction.

39. The showerhead bracket of claim 38, wherein the interaction rim is further comprised of teeth that are angled in a first direction such that rotation of the cradle is limited to a second direction opposite the first direction.