Multi-spray shower head comprising a mist spray and locking device

• US 5,551,637 A
• Filed: 11/03/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mei K. Lo
• Original Assignee: Mei K. Lo
• Inventors: Lo, Mei K.
• Primary Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US08/335,370
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 239/463, 239/477, 239/478, 239/390, 239/397, 239/446, 239/449, 239/447, 239/436
• US Class Current: 239/394
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/10 responsive to temperature or viscosity of liquid or other fluent material discharged
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/04 driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet B05B3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/40 Protecting water resources

Abstract

A multi-spray shower head comprising a mist spray. When used with hot water this fine spray becomes steam. To prevent the user from scalding him- or herself immediately after using the mist spray with such hot water, the shower head includes a water operated safety pin assembly (60) which locks the shower head on the mist spray mode until the water pressure is reduced below a predetermined level. The mist spray is formed by passing water through mist channels (112) which have mist pins (114) which form spiralling water paths whereby water emerges from small diameter mist apertures (28) as a fine spray.

Claims

1. A shower head having more than one spray mode including a mist spray mode, the shower head comprising:

an inlet portion including a water inlet;

means moveable relative to the inlet portion to bring selectively into register with the inlet portion a plurality of spray faces each capable of providing a different spray mode, and one of which is a spray face producing the mist spray mode; and

a locking device operable to preclude movement of the mist-producing spray face relative to the inlet portion when the mist spray mode has been selected by a user, said locking device being moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position and including gasket means for automatically placing the locking device in said locked position after selection whereby, when in the locked position, the user cannot bring any other spray face into register with the inlet portion.

2. A shower head according to claim 1 wherein the locking device is moveable into a locking position to prevent such movement by means of pressure of water within the shower head.

3. A shower head according to claim 2 wherein the locking device is releasable to allow the said movement when the pressure of water within the shower head is below a threshold value.

8. A shower head according to claim 1 wherein the means moveable relative to the inlet portion includes:

mist channels leading to mist apertures in the mist-producing spray face; and

a spiralling water path formed in each mist channel whereby water will emerge from the mist apertures as a fine spray or mist.

9. A shower head according to claim 8 wherein each mist channel contains a mist pin which at least partly provides the spiralling water path.

10. A shower head according to claim 9 wherein the water path is provided by spiralling grooves in the surface of each mist pin.

11. A shower head according to claim 9 wherein the water path is provided by a twisted water channel through each mist pin.

12. A shower head according to claim 9 wherein the water path is provided between spiralling grooves in the walls of each mist channel and the mist pin is in the form of a stopper located in each mist channel adjacent the grooves.

4. A shower head having more than one spray mode including a mist spray mode, the shower head comprising:

an inlet portion including a water inlet;

means moveable relative to the inlet portion to bring selectively into register with the inlet portion a plurality of spray faces each capable of providing a different spray mode, and one of which is a spray face producing the mist spray mode; and

a locking device only operable when the mist spray mode has been selected by a user to preclude movement of the mist-producing spray face relative to the inlet portion, said locking device including gasket means for locking the mist spray mode after selection, and said locking device being movable from an unlocked position to a locked position, whereby when in said locked position, the user cannot bring any other spray face into register with the inlet portion.

5. A shower head according to claim 4 wherein the locking device comprises a locking pin moveable between an open position in which the locking pin allows the movement of the mist-producing spray face and a locking position in which the locking pin prevents the movement of the mist-producing spray face.

6. A shower head according to claim 5 wherein the locking pin is biassed towards the open position.

7. A shower head according to claim 6 wherein the locking pin is located within the inlet portion and the means moveable relative to the inlet portion includes a restraint with which the locking pin is engageable in the mist spray mode to prevent such movement.