Flexible shower arm assembly

• US 6,164,569 A
• Filed: 02/01/1999
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Industries Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Male, Robert B., Hollinshead, Milton B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANS, ROBIN OCTAVIA
• Application Number:
  US09/241,345
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 4/615, 239/587.1, 239/587.2, 239/587.3, 239/587.4, 239/587.5, 239/588, 239/600, 285/166, 285/146.1
• US Class Current: 239/587.1
• 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 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/021 Devices for positioning or connecting of water supply lines connection to the tap body E03C1/0403
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/025 Water supply lines as such, e.g. shower hoses
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/06 Devices for suspending or supporting the supply pipe or supply hose of a shower-bath showers per se A47K3/28
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/18 Articulated hoses, e.g. composed of a series of rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/047 held in place by a screwed member having an internal spherical surface

Abstract

A flexible shower arm assembly that allows the user to repeatably adjust the position of the shower head in three dimensions by configuring the shape of the shower arm attached between the water source, such as a shower pipe, and the water dispenser, such as a shower head. The particular position of the shower head, and the direction of the shower spray, can be modified by re-configuring the shape of the shower arm. The flexible shower arm holds the desired position until modified by the user. The flexible shower arm is sealingly attached to the shower pipe by a pipe connector nut, and is sealingly and pivotally attached to the shower head by a connection structure. The flexible shower arm assembly includes an elongated flexible member defining a fluid transfer path, the flexible member having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the flexible member is connected in fluid communication with the shower pipe, and the second end of the flexible member is connected in fluid communication to a shower head. A sheath covers the flexible arm from the first end to the second end.

Claims

1. A flexible shower arm assembly for connection to a shower pipe at one end, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of interconnected beads forming a flexible arm, each bead rotatable with respect to adjacent beads, the plurality of interconnected beads forming an axially extending bore, and having a first end bead at a first end of said arm and a second end bead at a second end of said arm;

a shower pipe connector nut defining an internal bore extending therethrough, and having a first end for fluid connection to the shower pipe, and a second end, said second end threadedly connected to said first end bead for fluid connection to said connection bead;

a shower head defining a connection structure having an internal bore extending therethrough for fluid connection to said second end bead at said second end of said arm; and

a locking mechanism between said first end bead and said connector nut enabled by the threaded connection therebetween to resist the disconnection of said first end bead and said connection nut.

2. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a protrusion extending radially outwardly from said first end bead;

a ramp extending radially inwardly from said connector nut; and

wherein when said first end bead rotatably engages said connector nut, said protrusion engages said ramp to lock said end bead from disengaging from said connector nut.

3. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein:

a plurality of ramps extend radially inwardly from said connector nut;

a plurality of protrusions extend radially outwardly from said first end bead; and

wherein when said first end bead rotatably engages said connector nut, each of said plurality of protrusions engage one of said pluralities of ramps to lock said end bead from disengaging from said connector nut.

4. A flexible shower arm assembly for connection to a shower pipe at one end, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of interconnected beads forming a flexible arm, each bead rotatable with respect to adjacent beads, the plurality of interconnected beads forming an axially extending bore, and having a first end bead at a first end of said arm and a second end bead at a second end of said arm, said second end bead defining a male end;

a shower pipe connector nut defining an internal bore extending therethrough, and having a first end for fluid connection to the shower pipe, and a second end for fluid connection to said first end bead; and

a shower head defining a connection structure having an internal bore extending therethrough for fluid connection to said second end bead at said second end of said arm, said connection structure comprising;

a retainer having longitudinally extending fingers;

a collar for receiving said second end bead and said retainer;

a connector for causing the engagement of said second end bead and said retainer in said collar;

said male end positioned in said retainer, said retainer positioned in said collar, and said connector positioned in said collar;

said connector engaging said retainer to cause said fingers to contact said collar and to wrap around said male end and secure said male end in said shower head.

5. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said retainer forms a watertight seal with said male end.

6. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said retainer defines an internal wall, which in turn defines a continuously-extending seal rim for engaging and forming a water-tight seal with said male end.

7. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said retainer forms a continuous external annular protrusion for engagement with said connector to form a water tight seal therewith.

8. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said retainer also forms a continuous external annular protrusion for engagement with said connector to form a water tight seal therewith.

9. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein said seal rim is positioned at the base of said longitudinally extending fingers.

10. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said collar defines a conical rim having an inner engagement surface;

and

wherein said connector causes said fingers to engage said engagement surface of said conical rim and move inwardly to wrap around said male end and secure said male end in said collar.

11. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said connector is moved axially within said collar to cause said retainer to engage said collar.