Shower head

• US 6,607,148 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2000
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Jursich, Donald N., Marsh, Windsor B.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHRISTOPHER S
• Application Number:
  US09/482,467
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 239/436, 239/437, 239/446, 239/447, 239/538, 239/540, 239/556, 239/558, 239/559, 239/565, 239/567, 239/579, 239/581.1, 239/383
• US Class Current: 239/447
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1645 the outlets being rotated during selection
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1654 about an axis parallel to the liquid passage in the stationary valve element
• 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 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/04 driven by the liquid or other fluent material discharged, e.g. the liquid actuating a motor before passing to the outlet B05B3/023 takes precedence

Abstract

Shower heads are disclosed providing for varying types of spray. One spray head permits two different spray patterns with one of the patterns optionally being pulsed or unpulsed. Another provides three different spray patterns, with two of the patterns having pulsing impellers which can pulse at different speeds from each other. The third provides three different spray patterns, each of which provides spray through outlets at different force levels.

Claims

1. A shower head, comprising:

an inlet assembly having a portion for connection to a fluid supply at a first end;

an outlet assembly abutting the inlet assembly opposite the first end and being rotatably attached thereto, the outlet assembly having;

a housing positioned opposite the inlet assembly;

a diverter member in the housing, the diverter member including three separate passages, the second passage being of a smaller cross section than the first passage;

a face plate member connected to the housing, the face plate member having two sets of fluid passageways there through, a first set of fluid passageways capable of being in communication with either the first passage or the second passage and being in a central location radially inward from a second set of fluid passageways, said second set of fluid passageways capable of being in communication with the third passage; and

a rotatable impeller positioned in the housing between the first set of fluid passageways and the first passage;

wherein when the first passage is in communication with the first set of fluid passageways and water is passed through the shower head, the impeller will spin so as to provide pulsed flow through the first set of fluid passageways; and

wherein when the second passage is in communication with the first set of fluid passageways and water is passed through the shower head the impeller will not spin so as to provide non-pulsed flow through the first set of fluid passageways to provide a spray pattern.

2. The shower head of claim 1, wherein flexible nozzles are positioned in at least the first set of fluid passageways.

3. The shower head of claim 1, further comprising a seal member surrounding the first and second passages.

4. The shower head of claim 1, wherein the diverter member includes a raceway having a locating notch for accommodating a biased detent member.