On/off control valve for a shower head

• US 5,613,639 A
• Filed: 08/14/1995
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karl Storm, Susan Storm
• Original Assignee: Karl Storm, Susan Storm
• Inventors: Storm, Karl, Storm, Susan
• Primary Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US08/514,690
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 137/625.28, 137/625.3, 239/581.1
• US Class Current: 239/581.1
• 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 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86751 Plug

Abstract

An on/off control valve for a shower head comprised of a hollow cylindrical unit having an open first end and an open second end. The open first end is adapted for removable coupling with an existing shower line. The unit has a circular chamber formed therein inwardly of the open first end. A by-pass recess is formed within the circular chamber of the unit. A ball valve is rotatably secured within the circular chamber of the unit. The ball valve has a drainage aperture formed through a central portion thereof. The ball valve is rotatable within the circular chamber to a first position with the drainage aperture in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the unit to facilitate the movement of water therethrough and to a second position whereby the drainage aperture is not in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the unit thereby inhibiting the movement of water therethrough. A control mechanism is secured to a side portion of the shower head. The control mechanism is rotatable to an on position to rotate the ball valve to the first position and rotatable to an off position to rotate the ball valve to the second position.

Claims

1. An on/off control valve for a shower head for temporarily discontinuing flow of mixed water from a shower head comprising, in combination:

a hollow cylindrical shower head having an open first end and an open second end, the open first end being internally threaded whereby the open first end being adapted for removable coupling with an existing shower line, the open second end having a water dispersement plate secured therein, the shower head having a circular chamber formed therein inwardly of the open first end, the shower head having an internally threaded opening through an upper portion thereof extending downwardly into the circular chamber;

a by-pass recess formed within the circular chamber of the shower head, the by-pass recess extending from a position relative to the open first end of the shower head to a position relative to the open second end of the shower head;

a ball valve rotatably secured within the circular chamber of the shower head, the ball valve having a drainage aperture formed through a central portion thereof, the ball valve being rotatable within the circular chamber to a first position with the drainage aperture in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the shower head to facilitate the movement of water therethrough and to a second position whereby the drainage aperture not being in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the shower head thereby inhibiting the movement of water therethrough;

a control mechanism secured to a side portion of the shower head, the control mechanism having an on/off switch with a shaft extending inwardly of the shower head securing to the ball valve whereby rotation of the on/off switch to an on position rotates the ball valve to the first position and rotation to an off position rotates the ball valve to the second position;

a drip adjustment mechanism being adjustably secured within the internally threaded opening in the upper portion of the shower head, the drip adjustment mechanism having a rubber portion disposed on an end portion thereof to control the amount of water entering into the by-pass recess.

2. An on/off control valve for temporarily discontinuing flow of mixed water comprising, in combination:

a hollow cylindrical unit having an open first end and an open second end, the open first end being internally threaded whereby the open first end being adapted for removable coupling with a water source, the unit having a circular chamber formed therein inwardly of the open first end;

a by-pass recess formed within the circular chamber of the unit, the by-pass recess extending from a position relative to the open first end of the unit to a position relative to the open second end of the unit;

a ball valve rotatably secured within the circular chamber of the unit, the ball valve having a drainage aperture formed through a central portion thereof, the ball valve being rotatable within the circular chamber to a first position with the drainage aperture in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the unit to facilitate the movement of water therethrough and to a second position whereby the drainage aperture not being in alignment with the open first end and the open second end of the unit thereby inhibiting the movement of water therethrough;

a control mechanism secured to a side portion of the unit, the control mechanism rotatable to an on position to rotate the ball valve to the first position and rotatable to an off position to rotate the ball valve to the second position; and

drip adjustment means positioned within the unit.

3. The valve as described in claim 2 wherein the drip adjustment means comprises a drip adjustment mechanism adjustably secured within an internally threaded opening formed in an upper portion of the unit, the drip adjustment mechanism having rubber portion disposed on an end portion thereof to control the amount of water entering into the by-pass recess.

4. The valve as described in claim 3 wherein the control mechanism having an on/off switch.

5. The valve as described in claim 4 wherein the water source is a sink faucet.