Water control apparatus for showers

• US 6,474,621 B1
• Filed: 11/03/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Tipps, Daniel Tips
• Original Assignee: Jordan Walter George Vogel
• Inventors: Vogel, Jordan Walter George
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US09/674,683
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 251/90, 251/91, 251/148, 251/293, 251/294, 455/9, 458/0, 459/6, 460/5, 460/9, 137/377, 137/382, 137/382.5, 239/288, 239/578
• US Class Current: 251/148
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/041 having provisions against scalding, e.g. temperature limiting devices, external covers
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0412 Constructional or functional features of the faucet handle valve actuating members as such F16K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/46 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7062 Valve guards

Abstract

A control apparatus (10) for controlling flow of water through a shower head (21) supplied with water from conventional taps (11,12) through a water outlet (14), the control apparatus (10) including a flow valve (17) connected to the outlet (14) and operating means for the valve in the form of a rigid rod (24) attached to the valve (17) and extending to a position adjacent the taps (11,12). Movement of the rod (24) in opposite directions effects opening and closing of the valve (17). The rod (24) may also carry a cover or shield to cover the taps (11, 12) to prevent their inadvertent operation.

Claims

1. Control apparatus for a shower having a shower wall, an elevated threaded water outlet extending through said wall and regulating means on said wall for regulating the pressure and temperature of water for flow through said water outlet, said apparatus including a housing, said housing being threaded at one end for connection to said threaded water outlet and at its opposite end for connection to a shower head or shower arm connected to said shower head, said housing including a water flow passage extending therethrough from said one end to said opposite end, a rotatable quarter-turn valve member in said housing for controlling flow from said regulating means through said passage and in use to said shower head or shower arm connected to said shower head, a valve actuating arm connected to said valve member for effecting rotation thereof, said valve actuating arm being located externally of said housing and having a free end remote from its connection to said valve member, and an elongated rigid operating member pivotally connected to the free end of said arm so as to be pivotally movable towards and away from said shower wall, said operating member freely hanging from said valve actuating arm, said operating member terminating in a hand grip located in use adjacent said regulating means but spaced from said wall, and wherein said hand grip may be grasped and moved vertically to move said operating member in opposite directions to cause rotation of said valve actuating arm and said valve member and permit flow of water through or prevent flow of water through said flow passage to said shower head or shower arm connected to said shower head, and wherein when said valve member is in a position permitting said flow through said flow passage, vertical downward movement of said operating member causes said valve member to move to a position preventing flow through said flow passage.

2. Control apparatus for a shower according to claim 1 wherein said hand grip includes a cushioning member to prevent damage to said wall of said shower.

3. Control apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said operating member includes or comprises a shield or cover for covering the regulating means to prevent inadvertent operation thereof.

4. Control apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said shield is fixed to said operating member and wherein access to the regulating means is achieved by pivotally moving the operating member outwardly away from the regulating means.

5. Control apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said shield or cover is hingedly or pivotally mounted to said operating member for movement about a horizontal axis whereby access to the regulating means may be obtained by hingedly or pivotally moving said shield or cover upwardly.

6. Control apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said shield or cover includes means to facilitate gripping and moving thereof.

7. Control apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said operating member includes a guide or guides for location between or on opposite sides of said regulating means to limit lateral movement of the operating member and shield or cover.

8. Control apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the or each said guide is located on a rear of said shield or cover.

9. Control apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said regulating means comprises a pair of taps and wherein said shield comprise separate shield members totaled in use over the respective said taps.

10. Control apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said shield members are mounted adjustably to said operating member.

11. In a shower having a shower wall, an elevated threaded water outlet extending through said wall and means on said wall for regulating the pressure and temperature of water for flow through said water outlet, shower water control apparatus including a valve assembly threadably connected to said water outlet and connected to a shower head or shower arm connected to said shower read for controlling the flow of water from said outlet to said shower head or shower arm connected to said shower head, said valve assembly including a rotatable valve member and an actuating arm connected to said valve member for effecting rotation thereof, an elongated rigid valve operating member pivotally connected to said actuating arm so as to be pivotally movable towards and away from said wall, said operating member being free hanging from said actuating arm and extending to a position adjacent said regulating means, and wherein when said valve member is in a closed position preventing water flow from said water outlet to said slower head or shower arm, upward movement of said operating member causes through said actuating arm rotation of said valve member away from said closed position to an open position to permit flow of water from said water outlet to said shower head or shower arm and wherein when said valve member is in said open position, downward movement of said operating member causes through said actuating arm rotation of said valve member towards said closed position to prevent flow of water to said shower read or shower arm.

12. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 11 wherein said valve member comprises a quarter turn valve member.

13. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 11 wherein said operating member terminates in a hand grip, said hand grip including a cushioning member to prevent damage to said wall of said shower.

14. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 11 wherein said operating member includes or comprises a shield shielding said regulating means to prevent inadvertent operating thereof.

15. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 14 wherein said shield is fixed to said operating member and wherein access to said regulating means is achieved by pivoting said operating member outwardly from said wall and away from said regulating means.

16. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 15 wherein said shield includes a pair of spaced shield members, said shield members being connected via adjustable arms to said operating member.

17. Shower water control apparatus in a shower according to claim 11 where said shower head is connected to a shower arm and wherein said connection between said valve assembly and shower read is formed by incorporating said valve assembly into said shower arm.

18. Control apparatus for a shower having a shower wall, an elevated water outlet extending through said wall and regulating means on said wall for regulating the pressure and temperature of water for flow through said water outlet, said apparatus including a valve assembly adapted to be threadably connected to said water outlet and to a shower head or shower arm connected to said shower head for controlling water flow from said outlet to said shower head or shower arm connected to said shower read an elongated valve operating member connected to said valve assembly and being free hanging therefrom, said operating member extending to a position adjacent said regulating means for allowing control of said valve assembly from said position, and a shield or cover connected to said operating member for shielding said regulating means to prevent inadvertent operation after adjustment thereof.