Shower head with nozzles having self cleaning tips

• US 6,935,581 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2002
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visentin USA
• Original Assignee: Visentin USA
• Inventors: Titinet, Gianni Clerico
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dinh Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/277,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20030038189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 239548-568, 239/602, 239/526, 239/DIG.12, 239/106, 239/107, 239/530, 239/591, 239/437, 239/533
• US Class Current: 239/548
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/65 Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/12 Flexible outlets

Abstract

A shower head having a plurality of nozzles, with the exterior finish of both the shower head housing and the nozzles being consistent. For example, both the shower head and the nozzles may have either a chrome or a brass exterior finish. The nozzles of the shower head of the present invention each include a nozzle insert positioned therein, with the nozzle insert having a flexible nozzle tip protruding from the nozzle. Each nozzle insert includes an passageway in fluid communication with the water inlet of the shower head whereby water introduced into the shower head is ejected from the shower head through the passageway in the nozzle insert. The flexibility of the nozzle tip provides a convenient mechanism for eliminating build-up of, e.g., calcium or other deposits by manually flexing the nozzle tip.

Claims

1. A shower head assembly, comprising:

a shower head housing having a water inlet and a nozzle plate, said nozzle plate having a plurality of apertures therein;

a plurality of nozzles positioned on said shower head housing in fluid communication with said apertures to provide a plurality of water outlets;

a plurality of nozzle inserts, each of said nozzles having a nozzle insert positioned therein, each of said nozzle inserts having a flexible nozzle tip protruding from said nozzle, each of said nozzle inserts having a passageway in fluid communication with said water inlet, whereby water introduced into said water inlet is ejected from the shower head through said passageway in said nozzle insert; and

a plurality of adaptors, each said nozzle secured to an adaptor, each of said plurality of nozzle inserts positioned intermediate one of said plurality of adaptors and one of said plurality of nozzles, wherein said nozzle insert is formed from an outer sleeve surrounding an inner cannulated member having said passageway formed therein.

2. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said nozzle insert comprises a co-injected part, with said outer sleeve formed over said inner cannulated member.

3. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve is formed of a harder material than said inner cannulated member.

4. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner cannulated member is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 30-50 Sh A.

5. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 90 Sh A.

6. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer sleeve is formed from a polypropylene material.

7. The shower head assembly of claim 6, wherein said inner cannulated member is formed from a polypropylene material.

8. The shower head assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner cannulated member is formed from a polypropylene material.

9. A shower head assembly, comprising:

a shower head housing having a water inlet and a nozzle plate, said nozzle plate having a plurality of apertures therein;

a plurality of nozzles positioned on said shower head housing in fluid communication with said apertures to provide a plurality of water outlets;

a plurality of nozzle inserts, each of said nozzles having a nozzle insert positioned therein, each of said nozzle inserts having a flexible nozzle tip protruding from said nozzle, each of said nozzle inserts having a passageway in fluid communication with said water inlet, whereby water introduced into said water inlet is ejected from the shower head through said passageway in said nozzle insert; and

a plurality of adaptors, each said nozzle secured to an adaptor, each of said plurality of nozzle inserts positioned intermediate one of said plurality of adaptors and one of said plurality of nozzles, wherein said nozzle and said shower head have a consistent finish.

10. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said consistent finish comprises a brass finish.

11. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said consistent finish comprises a chrome finish.

12. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said nozzle insert comprises a co-injected part, with said outer sleeve formed over said inner cannulated member.

13. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said outer sleeve is formed of a harder material than said inner cannulated member.

14. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said inner cannulated member is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 30-50 Sh A.

15. The shower head assembly of claim 9, wherein said outer sleeve is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 90 Sh A.

16. A shower head nozzle assembly, comprising:

a nozzle body having a nozzle insert passageway formed therein;

a nozzle insert positioned in said nozzle insert passageway of said nozzle body, said nozzle insert including a flexible nozzle tip protruding from said nozzle, said nozzle insert being cannulated, whereby water introduced into said nozzle traverses said nozzle insert and is ejected therefrom;

an adaptor, said nozzle body secured to said adaptor with said nozzle insert positioned intermediate said adaptor and said nozzle, wherein said nozzle insert is formed from an outer sleeve surrounding an inner cannulated member having said passageway formed therein.

17. The shower head nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein said nozzle insert comprises a co-injected part, with said outer sleeve formed over said inner cannulated member.

18. The shower head nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein said outer sleeve is formed of a harder material than said inner cannulated member.

19. The shower head nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein said inner cannulated member is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 30-50 Sh A.

20. The shower head nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein said outer sleeve is formed from a material having a shore hardness of about 90 Sh A.

21. The shower head nozzle assembly of claim 16, wherein said outer sleeve is formed from a polypropylene material.