Spray head for automatic actuation
First Claim
1. A spray head for automatic actuation of flow, said spray head comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet to receive and direct flow in a predetermined pattern of spray, signal emitting and receiving means connected to said housing for emitting and receiving signals from a zone, said outlet of said housing surrounding said signal emitting and receiving means such that said zone is engulfed by said predetermined pattern of spray upon initiation of flow.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water spray head for a shower or sink includes means for emitting and receiving signals for automatic operation in response to the presence of a user. The means are positioned such that the stream of water surrounds the emitting and receiving means. The emitting and receiving means includes conduit means disposed within at least a portion of water supply connected to the spray head. In one embodiment, the conduit is in the form of a fiber optic cable. In another, an emitter and detector are mounted in the spray head and the conduit comprises electrical conductors.
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Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A spray head for automatic actuation of flow, said spray head comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet to receive and direct flow in a predetermined pattern of spray, signal emitting and receiving means connected to said housing for emitting and receiving signals from a zone, said outlet of said housing surrounding said signal emitting and receiving means such that said zone is engulfed by said predetermined pattern of spray upon initiation of flow.
- 17. A faucet system for automatic activation of water flow comprising a water supply line connectable to a water source, a spout connected to said water supply line, a spray head attached to the end of said spout and having a flow control means for dispersing water out of said spray head in a controlled spray pattern having an included dry zone where no water is directed, control means for detecting the presence of a user, a solenoid valve in said water supply line responsive to said control means to control the flow of water and signal emitting and receiving means connected to said spray head and extending from said control means to said spray head at least partially within said spout, said emitting and receiving means exposed at said spray head for emitting and receiving signals to and from said included dry zone of said spray pattern, said flow control means defining a water outlet surrounding said exposed portions of said emitting and receiving means such that said zone is engulfed by said spray pattern on initiation of flow.
Specification