Multifunction showerhead assembly
First Claim
1. A showerhead providing a plurality of spray effects, comprising:
- inlet port means for establishing fluid communication with a source of water;
first outlet port means for directing a spray of water with a first spray effect;
second outlet port means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect;
means for variably restricting the flow of water through the showerhead;
a selector plate means internally contained in said showerhead between said inlet port means and said first and second outlet ports means and oriented generally perpendicular to the flow of water from said inlet port means, for selectively directing water flow to said first and second outlet port means to establish fluid communication with said inlet port means, said selector plate including surface features and a shape which permits water to flow in at least one of three paths of through, around and both through and around the selector plate; and
control ring means manually controlled for positioning said selector plate means to selectively open said first and second outlet port means, whereby any combination of different spray effects can be continuously selected.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunction showerhead or hand held showerhead assembly, capable of providing a series of water spray effects. The primary components of the showerhead assembly are a fluid directing valve assembly which includes a pair of generally cup shaped members co-axially mounted with opposing end faces proximate to one another. One of the generally cup shaped members has a bottom surface defining a plurality of fluid flow passageways. When the second member is rotated in opposing relationship to the base of the first member, the fluid flow passageways direct the fluid flow from an orifice in the first member to a pair of outlet passages, or alternatively to a sealed chamber.
174 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A showerhead providing a plurality of spray effects, comprising:
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inlet port means for establishing fluid communication with a source of water; first outlet port means for directing a spray of water with a first spray effect; second outlet port means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect; means for variably restricting the flow of water through the showerhead; a selector plate means internally contained in said showerhead between said inlet port means and said first and second outlet ports means and oriented generally perpendicular to the flow of water from said inlet port means, for selectively directing water flow to said first and second outlet port means to establish fluid communication with said inlet port means, said selector plate including surface features and a shape which permits water to flow in at least one of three paths of through, around and both through and around the selector plate; and control ring means manually controlled for positioning said selector plate means to selectively open said first and second outlet port means, whereby any combination of different spray effects can be continuously selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A showerhead comprising:
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inlet means for establishing fluid communication with a source of water; first means for directing a spray of water with a first spray effect; second means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect; flow selection means for selectively directing water flow to said first and second means, wherein said flow selection means includes a selector plate internally contained in said showerhead between said inlet means and said first and second means, said selector plate oriented generally perpendicular to the flow of water from said inlet means, said selector plate including an end face having surface features defining at least two alternative fluid flow paths, said surface features including; first means for defining a first channel having fixed width and depth dimensions; an O-rings placed in said first channel defined by said first means, said O-rings having a diameter greater than the depth of said first channel; means for diverting a flow of water constrained within said O-rings to said first means for directing a spray of water; means for directing a flow of water constrained outside of said O-rings to said second means for directing a spray of water; second means for defining a second channel having fixed width and depth dimensions, said second means for defining a second channel being disposed about said first means for defining a first channel; a second O-rings placed in said second channel defined by said second means, said second O-ring having a diameter greater than the depth of said second channel; and an elevated land disposed between said first O-rings and said second O-ring operative to restrict water flow; means for allowing manual control of said flow selection means, wherein said means for allowing manual control includes a control ring manually controlled for positioning said selector plate to selectively open said first and second means, whereby any combination of different spray effects can be continuously selected; and means for variably restricting the flow of water through the showerhead. PG,22 - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A showerhead comprising:
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inlet means for establishing fluid communication with a source of water; first means for directing a spray of water with a first spray effect; second means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect; flow selection means selectively directing water flow to said first and second means, wherein said flow selection means further includes a selector plate internally contained in said showerhead between said inlet means and said first and second means, said selector plate oriented generally perpendicular to the flow of water from said inlet means, said selector plate includes an end face having surface features defining at least two alternative fluid flow paths; means for allowing manual control of said flow selection means; means for interlocking respective components of said showerhead upon assembly to prevent disassembly; and means for variably restricting the flow of water through the showerhead.
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11. A showerhead comprising:
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inlet means for establishing fluid communication with a source of water; first means for directing a spray of water with a first spray effect; second means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect; flow selection means for selectively directing water flow to said first and second means; means for allowing manual control of said flow selection means; means for interlocking respective components of said showerhead upon assembly to prevent disassembly; and an outer spray ring of resilient material defining a plurality of spray ports disposed within said second means for directing a spray of water with a second spray effect. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification