Multi mode shower head

• US 5,833,138 A
• Filed: 08/19/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NewTeam Ltd. (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NewTeam Ltd. (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Samwell, Christopher John, Crane, Jeremy Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Lisa Ann
• Application Number:
  US08/637,814
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 239/104, 239/106, 239/114-117, 239/123, 239/525-6
• US Class Current: 239/106
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• 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 15/5225 the cleaning element being located upstream of the discharge opening or being actuated upstream therefrom

Abstract

A cartridge (2) secured for angular movement on the handset head (10) has a valve-like cooperation with openings (12) in the head (10) for water flow via passageways (20, 21, 22) in the cartridge (2) to showering outlets (30, 31, 32) on appropriate rotational setting of the cartridge (2). Cleaning pins (7) rotatable with the cartridge (2) and co-axially movable relative to it are operated by a cam track (8, 81) to penetrate fine spray outlets (32) to clean them of scale. The cam co-action of the pin ring followers (71) with the track (8) causes the pins (7) to remain inoperative during the showering modes but the pins (7) are operated for penetration by further turning of the cartridge (2) i.e. independently of the showering modes. The followers (71) are spring urged against the track (8) such as by resilient blades (75) bearing against the taper periphery (27) of the cartridge (2). Clearance pin penetration of the outlets (32) permits water flow to wash away scale and minimize back pressure. Angular movement of the cartridge (2) is limited by stops (83, 84) and showering settings are located by cam track recesses (82).

Claims

1. A multi-mode shower head or handset in which a body member or cartridge is secured for relative angular movement to the head and has a valve-like cooperation with the hollow interior of the head for directing water flow from the head via passageways in the cartridge to arrangements of showering mode outlet openings including fine spray outlet openings at the front face of the cartridge, the showering modes from said outlets being selected by turning the cartridge to appropriate settings on the head, and a series of cleaning pins rotatable with the cartridge and coaxially movable relative thereto for cleaning penetration into corresponding fine spray outlet openings and withdrawal therefrom;

characterized in that the series of cleaning pins are operated for such co-axial cleaning movement by an arrangement of follower means and a co-operating cam profile or track acting between a carrier member or ring carrying the series of cleaning pins and the head whereby the cleaning pine remain in an inoperative withdrawn position during and between any of the showering mode settings of the cartridge and are only independently operated for cleaning movement by co-action between the follower means and operative cam formation of the cam profile or track on further turning movement of the cartridge beyond its showering mode settings.

2. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the follower means is provided on the carrier member or ring for co-operation with the cam profile or track positioned fast within the head.

3. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the cam profile or track includes provision for location of the cartridge at each of the showering mode settings.

4. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the follower means is arranged to have a locating engagement at locations or recesses along the cam profile or track while the cleaning pins remain inoperative and in order to locate the cartridge at each of the showering mode settings.

5. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein cam co-action between the follower means and the cam profile or track is maintained by spring loading.

6. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the spring loading is provided by resilient blades which co-operate with a peripheral portion of the cartridge in order to maintain the cam co-action between the follower means and the cam profile or track.

7. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the extent of angular movement of the cartridge relative to the head is limited by stop means.

8. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the extent of angular movement of the cartridge is limited by end stops of the cam profile or track which are contacted by the follower means at each extreme of angular movement of the cartridge.

9. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the front of the cartridge is provided with a face member or spray plate or ring rotationally fast therewith and containing at least one of the showering outlet openings.

10. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the front of the cartridge receives a block or plug fast therein and containing at least one of the showering outlets.

11. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the fine spray outlet openings are arranged to receive respective cleaning pins with a small clearance fit so as to permit some water flow to take place through the openings during penetration by the pins in order to wash away dislodged scale or the like from the openings.

12. A multi-mode shower head or handset according to claim 1 wherein the fine spray outlet openings are of taper countersunk form to receive respective cleaning pins.