Self-supporting reconfigurable hose

• US 6,164,570 A
• Filed: 08/15/1997
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smeltzer, Steve Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US08/918,738
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 285/384.1, 285/381.4, 285/382.4, 138/118, 138/120, 138/121, 239/587.3, 239/587.2, 239/587.6, 239/588
• US Class Current: 239/588
• 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: F16L 11/18 Articulated hoses, e.g. composed of a series of rings

Abstract

The reconfigurable self-supporting hose allows the user to select the position of the sprayer, as well as the direction of the water spray from the sprayer, or shower head. The position of the shower head and the direction of spray from the shower head can be adjusted to remain in the desired position until modified by the user. A self-supporting arm structure is selectively configurable along at least portions of its length to temporary fixed positions, the structure having a first end and a second end, and having a fluid transport path for transporting fluid from the first end to the second end. The first end of the arm structure is connected to the liquid source in fluid communication with the fluid transport path. The second end of the arm structure can be connected to a sprayer. The self-supporting outer structure can include a plurality of interconnected bead members each moveable with respect to adjacent bead members. The liquid source can be a shower pipe or a plumbing fixture positioned adjacent to a sink.

Claims

1. A flexible shower arm for connecting a shower head to a shower pipe, said arm comprising:

a plurality of movably interconnected bead members forming an outer structure and defining a cavity formed along the entire length of said outer structure, said outer structure having a first and second ends;

a tube positioned in the cavity and extending from said first end to said second end of said outer structure, said tube having first and second ends;

an end fixture having a first end attached to the shower pipe and a second end moveably attached to said first end of said outer structure, said second end of said end fixture defining internal threads;

an end connector having a first end operably attached to said second end of said outer structure, and a second end attached to the shower head;

a bushing, defining a bore, and having internal threads and external threads, said bushing being received in said second end of said end fixture;

a first nipple having a first end defining external threads and being threadedly received in said bore of said bushing, and a barbed second end for insertion into said first end of said tube to conduct liquid from said liquid source into said tube; and

a second nipple formed on said end connector for insertion into said second end of said tube to conduct liquid from said tube to the shower head.

2. A flexible arm for connecting a spray head to a sink, said arm comprising:

a plurality of movably interconnected bead members forming an outer structure and defining a cavity formed along the entire length of said outer structure, said outer structure having a first and second ends and being moveable into a temporary fixed shape;

a tube positioned in the cavity and extending from said first end to said second end of said outer structure, said tube having first and second ends;

an end fixture having a first end attached to the shower pipe and a second end moveably attached to said first end of said outer structure, said second end of said end fixture defining internal threads;

an end connector having a first end operably attached to said second end of said outer structure, and a second end attached to the spray head;

a bushing, defining a bore, and having internal threads and external threads, said bushing being received in said second end of said end fixture;

a first nipple having a first end defining external threads and being threadedly received in said bore of said bushing, and a barbed second end for insertion into said first end of said tube to conduct liquid from said liquid source into said tube; and

a second nipple formed on said end connector for insertion into said second end of said tube to conduct liquid from said tube to the spray head.