Flow controlled shower head

• US 4,244,526 A
• Filed: 08/16/1978
• Issued: 01/13/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Arth
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Arth
• Inventors: Arth, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US05/934,321
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 239/452, 239/456, 239/457, 239/459, 239/460, 239/533.1, 239/552-553.5, 239/562, 239/570, 239/587, 239/590, 239/590.3, 239/590.5, 138/41, 138/43-46, 285/8, 137/517
• US Class Current: 239/533.1
• 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 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0133 within the flow-path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7869 Biased open

Abstract

A shower head assembly having a flow regulator for maintaining a flow rate through the shower head within preset limits, substantially independent of variations in supply pressure and operating temperature. The flow regulator includes a flow controller element disposed in a regulating chamber, biased in one direction by a metallic spring and urged in the opposite direction by supply pressure. The controller element cooperates with an outlet passage in the regulating chamber to form a variable orifice, reducing the effective area of the outlet in response to increased supply pressure. A retainer screen keeps the flow controller and biasing spring in place while serving as a protective filter.

Claims

1. A shower head assembly comprising a coupling adapted to be connected to a supply line,

a spray head having an orifice means for producing a spray pattern,

the head assembly defining an internal flow path for conducting fluid received in said coupling to said orifice means,

a flow regulating means including a chamber in said flow path, defined by an internal surface, and having an inlet and an outlet,

a flow controller element disposed within said chamber, said flow controller element including a radial extending web having an effective pressure area exposed to fluid pressure in said supply line,

a plurality of support fingers extending axially from peripherial portions of said radial extending web,

a restriction member extending axially from a central portion of said radial web,

said fingers defining surfaces for coacting with said internal surface of said chamber to support and guide said flow controller element within said chamber for movement towards and away from said outlet of said chamber in response to changes in fluid pressure of said supply line acting on said effective pressure area and,

spring means biasing said element away from said outlet.

2. A shower head as set forth in claim 1 further including a retainer element disposed in said chamber upstream of said flow controller element, said retainer being a perforate body forming a filter for fluid passing into said chamber, and said retainer element being secured against said internal surface of said chamber by a friction fit.

3. A shower head assembly, having coupling means for connection with a supply line and orifice means for producing a spray pattern, a body including an internal, generally cylindrical chamber bore in fluid communication with the coupling means and a counterbore communicating and coaxial with said cylindrical chamber bore, a radial end wall extending generally radially between said counterbore and said cylindrical bore, a flow controller element having a central zone supporting an axially extending pin adapted to restrict said counterbore and a peripheral zone supporting a plurality of axially extending fingers including surfaces for coacting with said cylindrical chamberbore to support and guide said flow controller element within the cylindrical chamber bore so that said pin is maintained in confronting radial alignment with said counterbore, a face of said controller element defining an effective pressure area exposed to pressure of fluid entering said coupling means, and a metallic compression spring disposed between said element and said radial end wall and biasing said element in an axial direction opposite the force developed on said element by pressure of fluid at said coupling means, said radial end wall further providing an abutment means for said extending fingers to limit movement of said controller element towards said counterbore.

4. The shower head assembly of claim 3 wherein said flow controller element includes at least two fingers and said pin is of substantially uniform diameter.

5. The shower head assembly of claim 3 wherein said flow controller element includes four fingers and said surfaces on said fingers define partial cylinders.

6. A flow regulator for maintaining a flow rate through a shower head within predetermined limits, comprising:

(a) structure defining a regulating chamber having an inlet and an outlet and an internal cylindrical surface;

(b) a flow controller element disposed within said regulating chamber, the element including a radial extending web having a surface exposed to fluid pressure entering said inlet;

(c) a restriction member extending axially from a central portion of said radial web and adapted to enter said outlet upon predetermined movement in said controller element, to restrict the flow of fluid therethrough;

(d) a plurality of support fingers extending axially from peripheral portions of said radial web, said fingers including surfaces for coacting with said internal surface of said chamber to guide and support said flow controller element along a path towards and away from said outlet and for maintaining radial alignment of said restriction member with said outlet;

(e) spring means applying axially directed forces on said flow controller element in opposition to fluid forces developed on said surface of said radial extending web by fluid entering said inlet.

7. A shower head assembly having means for maintaining a flow rate through the shower head within predetermined limits, comprising:

(a) a head assembly including a coupling for connecting the shower head to a supply line and a spray head including an orifice means for dividing the fluid flow to produce a spray pattern;

(b) structure defining a regulating chamber having an internal cylindrical surface, an inlet at one end of said chamber for receiving fluid pressure from said supply line, an end wall at the other end of said chamber and a counterbore in said end wall defining an outlet of said chamber;

(c) a flow controller element disposed within said regulating chamber, moveable towards and away from said outlet, said element comprising;

(i) a radial web having a surface exposed to fluid pressure entering said inlet;

(ii) a plurality of fingers extending axially from peripheral portions of said radial web, said fingers including partial cylindrical surfaces for coacting with said internal surface of said chamber to support and guide said flow controller element along a path towards and away from said outlet and further including end surfaces for coacting with the end wall of said chamber to establish the maximum restriction position of said flow controller element;

(iii) a pin member extending axially from a central portion of said radial web and in concentric alignment with said fingers, said pin member extending beyond said end surfaces of said fingers;

(d) means biasing said controller element towards a position of least restriction of said outlet in opposition to fluid pressure forces exerted on said radial web surface, such that said pin member is spaced from said outlet when said fluid pressure entering said inlet is below a predetermined pressure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flow controller element includes peripheral notches intermediate said fingers, said notches providing a path of flow around said flow controller element.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pin member is of substantially uniform diameter.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flow controller element includes at least three fingers.