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

• US 6,209,799 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
• Original Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
• Inventors: Finkbeiner, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US09/544,086
• Time in Patent Office: 362 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. A shower device with a jet disk having openings for forming jet sprays and at least one surface zone,

wherein the surface zone has a starting position with a space provided behind said jet disk in the starting position, the surface zone being curved outwards in the starting position, the surface zone having an inward position in which the surface zone is inwardly curved into the space behind it, the surface zone being structured to spring into the inward position upon application of a force (E) against the surface zone into the direction of the space behind it, the surface zone being structured to spring back into the starting position when the force is relieved and wherein the surface zone passes a force maximum when springing from the starting position to the inward position.

2. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk is structured to be spring from the starting position to the inward position when pressed in with one finger.

3. The shower device according to claim 2, wherein the jet disk has a defined contact surface for the finger for applying said force.

4. The shower device according to claim 3, wherein the contact surface is smaller than the surface zone which springs between the starting position and the inward position.

5. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk comprises at least one material weakening along a closed line such that the surface zone hinges at the material weakening.

6. The shower device according to claim 5, wherein the material weakening comprises a reduction in thickness in a range between 10 and 60% of an average thickness of the disk.

7. The shower device according to claim 5, wherein the jet disk has an outer rim and said material weakening is disposed between the surface zone and the outer rim.

8. The shower device according to claim 5, wherein the material weakening is annular and has a center substantially coinciding with a radial center of the contact surface.

9. The shower device according to claim 5, wherein said jet disk has holes at the material weakening.

10. The shower device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of said openings for forming spray jets are in the material weakening.

11. The shower device according to claim 1, further comprising a solid component, outwardly coupled to and supporting the jet disk.

12. The shower device according to claim 11, wherein the jet disk is removably mounted on the solid component.

13. The shower device according to claim 11, wherein the jet disk is connected in one piece with the solid component.

14. The shower device according to claim 11, wherein the solid component comprises a pipe section connectable to a shower fitting.

15. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk comprises plastic and a flexible connection with the surface zone is formed by a limited material thickness of the plastic.

16. The shower device according to claim 3, further comprising a stiffening ring framing the contact surface.

17. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said openings for forming spray jets are in the contact surface.

18. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface is inwardly curved in a central region of the surface zone.

19. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface is at a central region of the surface zone that is free from the openings for forming spray jets.

20. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface zone is curved outwards in the starting position in absence of pretension.

21. The shower device according to claim 20, wherein an outward curvature of the at least one surface zone is approximately 2 to 15% of a diameter of the surface zone.

22. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one surface zone has an inward curvature when the force is applied, of approximately 2 to 15% of a diameter of the surface zone.

23. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the surface zone snaps to the inward position when said force reaches a force maximum when springing between the starting position and the inward position.

24. The shower device according to claim 23, wherein the force (E) for springing the surface zone from the starting position to the inward position is between 10 and 120 N and a restoring force permitting the surface zone to spring from the inward position to the starting position is between 5 and 60 N.

25. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk comprises a halogen-free thermoplastic which is dimensionally stable up to approximately 1200°

C.

26. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk comprises a thermoplastic including at least one of polyoxymethylene and polypropylene.

27. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the shower device comprises a shower head with a fitting for connection to a fixed wall connection and is directionally adjustable by means of a spherical joint in the fitting.

28. The shower device according to claim 1, wherein the jet disk is round and flexible and has a diameter of approximately 26 mm.