Shower device having a resiliently depressible jet disk for removing mineral deposits

• US 6,113,002 A
• Filed: 07/22/1998
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG.
• Original Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
• Inventors: Finkbeiner, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US09/120,543
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 239/104, 239/106, 239/107, 239/533.13, 239/548, 239/589, 239/602, 239/DIG. 12, 239/DIG. 19
• US Class Current: 239/106
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/528 by resilient deformation of the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/12 Flexible outlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/19 Nozzle materials

Abstract

A shower device having a flexible, flat jet or spray disk is created, in which at least one surface zone is curved outwards and on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted thereon springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into a space located behind it and automatically springs back to the starting position when the force is relieved. As a result of the springing or springing round, it is possible to detach lime deposits from the jet disk.

Claims

1. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards in at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back automatically into the starting position wherein said jet disk has at least one material weakening along a substantially closed line.

2. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface zone is structured to be pressed in with one finger.

3. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein said jet disk has a clearly defined contact surface for a finger for applying said force.

4. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface is smaller than the surface zone which is structured to be pressed in with the finger.

5. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface is framed by a stiffening.

6. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface has a diameter of approximately 5 to 15 mm.

7. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein said jet disk has holes within the contact surface.

8. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface is inwardly curved in a central region.

9. Shower device according to claim 8, wherein the central region is free from holes.

10. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening is a material thinning, which is in a range between 10 and 60% of the average jet disk thickness.

11. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk has an outer rim and said material weakening is on said jet disk outer rim.

12. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening is annular and its radial center point coincides with the radial center point of the contact surface.

13. Shower device according to claim 1, further comprising a solid component, which is outwardly connected to said outer material weakening and frames the jet disk.

14. Shower device according to claim 13, wherein the jet disk is connectable to the solid component.

15. Shower device according to claim 13, wherein the jet disk is connected in one piece to the solid component.

16. Shower device according to claim 13, wherein the solid component has a cylindrical pipe section connectable to a shower casing.

17. Shower device according to claim 13, wherein the solid component has a solid flange connected externally to the jet disk.

18. Shower device according to claim 17, wherein the solid flange is connectable to the shower casing.

19. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk is made from plastic and the flexibility of the jet disk is formed by a limited material thickness of the jet disk.

20. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening has a diameter of approximately 10 to 60 mm.

21. Shower device according to claim 3, wherein the wall thickness of the material weakening is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

22. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk has an average material thickness of 0.4 to 1 mm.

23. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein said jet disk has holes within the material weakening.

24. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface zone being curved outwards is without pretension in the starting position.

25. Shower device according to claim 24, wherein an outward curvature of the at least one surface zone is approximately 2 to 15% of the surface zone diameter.

26. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein an inward curvature of the at least one surface zone, following pressing in, is approximately 2 to 15% of the surface zone diameter.

27. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein said domed surface zone being curved outwards passes a force maximum during each springing round and springing back.

28. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing in force (E) for the surface zone is between 10 and 120 N and a restoring force of the surface zone is between 5 and 60 N.

29. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk is made from a halogen-free thermoplastic, which is dimensionally stable up to approximately 120°

C.

30. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk is made from a thermoplastic from the group of polyoxymethylene and polypropylene.

31. Shower device according to claim 1, wherein the shower device is a head shower, comprising a shower head for connection to a fixed wall connection, said shower head being directionally adjustable by means of a spherical joint and said jet disk being flexible and round, wherein the diameter of said jet disk is approximately 26 mm.

32. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards in at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back automatically into the starting position, wherein said jet disk has a clearly defined contact surface for a finger for applying a force and wherein the contact surface is smaller than the surface zone which can be pressed in with the finger.

33. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards in at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said let disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said let disk springs back automatically into the starting position, wherein the jet disk is made from plastic and the flexibility of the jet disk is formed by a limited material thickness of the jet disk.

34. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards in at least one surface zone, said shower device fiber comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said let disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back automatically into the starting position, wherein said jet disk has a clearly defined contact surface for a finger for applying the pressing in force and wherein the contact surface is inwardly curved in a central region.

35. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards is at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back automatically into the starting position, wherein the jet disk is made from a halogen-free thermoplastic, which is dimensionally stable up to approximately 120°

C.

36. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outward in at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back automatically into the starting position, wherein the jet disk is made from a thermoplastic from the group of polyoxymethylene and polypropylene.

37. Shower device with a flexible, flat jet disk, being curved outwards in at least one surface zone, said shower device further comprising a space located behind said jet disk, wherein on exceeding a specific pressing in force (E) exerted on said jet disk, said jet disk springs round suddenly with the curvature inwards into said space, and when the force is relieved said jet disk springs back aromatic into the starting position, wherein the shower device is a head shower, comprising a shower head for connection to a fixed wall connection said shower head being directionally adjustable by means of a spherical joint and said jet disk being flexible and round, wherein the diameter of said jet disk is approximately 26 mm.