Diverter valve for shower spray systems

• US 5,560,548 A
• Filed: 11/03/1994
• Issued: 10/01/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ginsey Industries, Inc. (Ginsey Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Idea Factory Inc.
• Inventors: Mueller, John R., Anderson, Henry M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US08/333,849
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 239/104, 239/397, 239/444, 239/442, 239/443, 239/446, 239/447, 239/579, 239/583, 239/289, 137/625.48, 137/801, 251/142, 251/149, 251/149.1, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 239/442
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1663 by relative translatory movement of the valve elements B05B1/1672 takes precedence
• 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 12/04 for sequential operation or multiple outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/035 to several spraying apparatus B05B9/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0716 with fluid passages through the valve member F16K11/0704, F16K11/0708, F16K11/0712 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/24 in which the connection is made by inserting one member axially into the other and rotating it to a limited extent, e.g. with bayonet action
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/248 Bayonet-type couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/38 with fluid cut-off means in only one of the two pipe-end fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/40 with a lift valve being opened automatically when the coupling is applied

Abstract

The present invention provides a fluid diverter valve (10) that allows quick connection/disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve (10) is comprised of a valve housing (20) having a water inlet (21), a first water outlet (22) where a standard shower may be attached, a second water outlet (23) and an annular cavity (24) therebetween; a valve member (40) and an attachment housing (30) for constraining the valve runner (40) within the cavity (24). At the second outlet (23), the attachment housing (30) is fastened to the valve (10) for fluid communication. A spring (50) urges the valve runner (40) into a first position wherein the valve runner (40) seats adjacent the attachment housing, permitting fluid communication only between the inlet (21) and the first outlet (22). The attachment (90) of a flexible conduit (92) of a cleaning attachment system can be coupled to the attachment housing (30), thus urging the valve runner (40) to a second position wherein the valve runner (40) seals the first outlet (22), permitting fluid communication only between the inlet (21) and the second outlet (23).

Claims

1. A shower head for receiving a rinsing system, wherein the rinsing system has a flexible conduit, said shower head comprising:

a. a hollow outer casing having a first end and a second end;

b. a tubular inner casing mounted within said outer casing such that a flow cavity is defined therebetween, said inner casing defined by a first end, a second end and a inner cavity disposed between the first and second ends of the inner casing, said second end having a plurality of apertures which allow fluid communication between said flow cavity and said inner cavity;

c. a valve runner slidingly mounted in the inner cavity of said inner casing, said valve runner defined by a first end, a second end, a first bore extending axially from the first end, a second bore intersecting the first bore and extending radially outward, a first means for sealing the inner cavity located above the second bore, and a second means for sealing the inner cavity located below the second bore;

d. means for constraining said valve runner within said cavity and for receiving said flexible conduit

e. fluid inlet means adjacent the first end of said outer casing, said fluid inlet means in fluid communication with the first bore of said valve runner for supplying fluid to the first bore;

f. a spring mounted adjacent the second end of said valve runner;

g. wherein said valve runner is slidable within the inner cavity to a first position in which the first means for sealing seats within the inner cavity such that fluid flow is directed from the fluid inlet means, through the apertures in the second end of said inner casing and into the flow cavity;

h. wherein said valve runner is slidable within the inner cavity to a second position in which the second means for sealing seats within the inner cavity such that fluid flow is directed from the fluid inlet means through said means for constraining.

2. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said means for constraining is an attachment housing engaged with the first end of said inner casing such that said runner is constrained within the inner cavity of said inner casing, said attachment housing having an axial bore therethrough.

3. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said inner casing further comprises a circumferential flange extending outward from the first end of said inner casing, the circumferential flange having apertures therethrough, wherein said flange attaches to the second end of said outer casing.

4. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said attachment housing further comprises means for receiving a rinsing system such that when the rinsing system is received by the attachment housing, said runner valve is urged to the second position.

5. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said valve runner has at least one axially extending finger which guides said valve runner in the annular cavity of said valve housing while allowing fluid to flow from the water inlet through the axial bore of said attachment housing when said valve runner is in the second position.

6. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said first means for sealing is comprised of a outer, circumferential flange having a circumferential slot disposed in the surface of the flange and an o-ring mounted in the slot.

7. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said second means for sealing is comprised of a outer, circumferential flange having a circumferential slot disposed in the surface of the flange and an o-ring mounted in the slot.