Revolving spray shower head

• US 7,111,795 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Homewerks Worldwide LLC
• Original Assignee: Waxman Consumer Products Group Incorporated (Waxman Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thong, Chow Hwa
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US10/845,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20050263617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 239/214, 239/222.11, 239/222.13, 239/222.15, 239/237, 239/240, 239/251, 239380-383, 239/436, 239/443, 239/444, 239446-449, 239/525, 239/530, 239/533.13, 239/533.14, 239/602, 239/DIG.12
• US Class Current: 239/383
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1636 by relative rotative movement of the valve elements B05B1/1672 takes precedence
• 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 3/0427 the outlet elements being directly attached to the rotor or being an integral part of it

Abstract

A shower head with structural features for providing a water spray pattern having revolving characteristics is disclosed. The shower head includes an inlet assembly connectable to a water source and a cooperatively engaged outlet assembly including a body having a front facing surface, an impeller having a plurality of blades and a rotator assembly having a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures. The rotator spray surface forms a portion of the front facing surface. A seal spacer disposed between the inlet assembly and the front facing surface has a plurality of radially spaced ports. Each port is axially transverse to a plane of the seal spacer. Water flow through the ports creates a multi-directional water current downstream from the spacer to drive the impeller and consequently, cause rotation of the rotator spray surface and water emission in a revolving spray pattern.

Claims

1. A shower head for emitting a revolving spray pattern, said shower head comprising:

a) an inlet assembly having an inlet end for mounting to a water source connection; and

b) an outlet assembly in cooperative engagement with said inlet assembly and disposed downstream therefrom to permit water flow from said water source to said outlet assembly, said outlet assembly having;

i) a body defining a front face surface;

ii) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet assembly and said front face surface and having a plurality of blades and an elongated tubular hub protruding downstream;

iii) a rotator assembly mounted to said tubular hub and comprising a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, such that water entering said tubular hub exits said outlet assembly through said spray apertures;

(iv) wherein said rotator spray surface comprises a portion of said outlet assembly front face surface; and

c) wherein water flow through said outer assembly drives said impeller thereby causing rotation of said rotator spray surface and water emission in a revolving spray pattern and wherein said outlet assembly further comprises a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

2. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said outlet assembly further comprises means for generating a non-revolving spray pattern.

3. The shower head of claim 1 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

4. The shower head of claim 1 wherein said inlet assembly comprises a fixed seat and said outlet assembly comprises a dial ring and a spray ring, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

5. The shower head of claim 1 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

6. A shower head for emitting a revolving spray pattern, said shower head comprising:

a) an inlet assembly having an inlet end for mounting to a water source connection; and

b) an outlet assembly in cooperative engagement with said inlet assembly and disposed downstream therefrom to permit water flow from said water source to said outlet assembly, said outlet assembly having;

i) a body defining a front face surface;

ii) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet assembly and said front face surface and having a plurality of blades and an elongated tubular hub protruding downstream;

iii) a rotator assembly mounted to said tubular hub and comprising a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, such that water entering said tubular hub exits said outlet assembly through said spray apertures;

iv) wherein said rotator spray surface comprises a portion of said outlet assembly front face surface; and

c) wherein water flow through said outer assembly drives said impeller thereby causing rotation of said rotator spray surface and water emission in a revolving spray pattern and wherein said inlet assembly further comprises a fixed seat and said outlet assembly further comprises a spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a spray ring having a plurality of flexible nozzles, wherein said apparatus generates a spray when an operator manipulates said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water flow to said flexible nozzles.

7. The shower head of claim 6 wherein said outlet assembly further comprises means for generating a bubbling spray.

8. A shower head for emitting a revolving spray pattern, said shower head comprising:

a) an inlet assembly having an inlet end for mounting to a water source connection; and

b) an outlet assembly in cooperative engagement with said inlet assembly and disposed downstream therefrom to permit water flow from said water source to said outlet assembly, said outlet assembly having;

i) a body defining a front face surface;

ii) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet assembly and said front face surface and having a plurality of blades and an elongated tubular hub protruding downstream;

iii) a rotator assembly mounted to said tubular hub and comprising a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, such that water entering said tubular hub exits said outlet assembly through said spray apertures;

iv) wherein said rotator spray surface comprises a portion of said outlet assembly front face surface; and

c) wherein water flow through said outer assembly drives said impeller thereby causing rotation of said rotator spray surface and water emission in a revolving spray pattern and wherein said inlet assembly comprises a fixed seat and said outlet assembly comprises a dial ring and a spray ring, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

9. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having a center axis, an inlet end for receiving water flow from a water source and an outlet end defining a front facing surface;

b) a seal spacer disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet end and said front facing surface having a plurality of radially spaced ports, each port axially transverse to a plane of said seal spacer, wherein water flow through said ports creates a rotating water current downstream from said spacer;

c) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said seal spacer and said front facing surface and having a center port and plurality of blades such that said impeller is driven by said rotating water current; and

d) a rotator assembly mounted to said impeller and having a spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, wherein said spray surface comprises a portion of said front facing surface;

e) wherein water flow through said center port impeller exits said spray apertures thereby causing water emission in a revolving pattern as said rotator assembly cooperatively spins with said impeller.

10. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

11. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising means for generating a bubbling spray.

12. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising a spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a fixed seat and a spray ring having a plurality of flexible nozzles, wherein said apparatus generates a non-revolving spray pattern when an operator manipulates said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water flow to said flexible nozzles.

13. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

14. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

15. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

16. The shower head of claim 9 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

17. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having a center axis, an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end defining a front facing surface, wherein water entering said inlet end flows downstream through said body and out said outlet end;

b) a seal spacer disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet end and said front facing surface having a plurality of radially spaced ports, each port axially transverse to a plane of said seal spacer;

c) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said seal spacer and said front facing surface and having a plurality of blades, such that said impeller is driven by water flowing out of said radially spaced ports; and

d) a rotator assembly engaged to said impeller and having a downstream surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, wherein said downstream surface comprises a center portion of said front facing surface;

e) wherein rotation of said impeller causing cooperative rotation of said rotator assembly.

18. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

19. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising means for generating a bubbling spray.

20. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising a spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a fixed seat and a spray ring having a plurality of flexible nozzles, wherein said apparatus generates a non-revolving spray pattern when an operator manipulates said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water flow to said flexible nozzles.

21. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

22. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

23. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

24. The shower head of claim 17 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

25. A shower head nozzle comprising:

a) a body having an inlet end, an outlet end, and structure defining an internal water passageway wherein water entering said inlet end flows downstream through said body and out said outlet end, wherein said outlet end defines a circular nozzle spray surface;

b) a seal spacer disposed in a spaced relationship between said inlet end and said nozzle spray surface having a plurality of radially spaced ports;

c) a rotatable impeller disposed in a spaced relationship between said seal spacer and said nozzle spray surface and having a plurality of blades, such that said impeller is driven by water flowing out of said radially spaced ports; and

d) a center nozzle engaged to said impeller and having a second spray surface defining a plurality of spray apertures, wherein said center nozzle spray surface comprises a centrally disposed portion of said circular nozzle spray surface;

e) wherein water flow through said body causes rotation of said center nozzle.

26. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

27. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising means for generating a bubbling spray.

28. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising a spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a fixed seat and a spray ring having a plurality of flexible nozzles, wherein said apparatus generates a non-revolving spray pattern when an operator manipulates said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water flow to said flexible nozzles.

29. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

30. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

31. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

32. The shower head of claim 25 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

33. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having an inlet end for introducing water flow into the body, an outlet end defining a body spray surface, and structure defining at least one internal water passageway wherein water entering said inlet end flows through said body and out said outlet end;

b) wherein said body spray surface comprises a first spray surface defined by a centrally disposed nozzle, and a second spray surface defined by an outward radially disposed nozzle;

c) wherein water flow through said at least one internal water passageway causes rotation of said centrally disposed nozzle with respect to said outward radially disposed nozzle; and

d) a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

34. The shower head of claim 33 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

35. The shower head of claim 33 further comprising a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

36. The shower head of claim 33 further comprising means for an operator to divert water to two of at least three flow paths.

37. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having an inlet end for introducing water flow into the body, an outlet end defining a body spray surface, and structure defining at least one internal water passageway wherein water entering said inlet end flows through said body and out said outlet end;

b) wherein said body spray surface comprises a first spray surface defined by a centrally disposed nozzle, and a second spray surface defined by an outward radially disposed nozzle;

c) wherein water flow through said at least one internal water passageway causes rotation of said centrally disposed nozzle with respect to said outward radially disposed nozzle; and

d) a spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises a fixed seat and a spray ring having a plurality of flexible nozzles, wherein said apparatus generates a non-revolving spray pattern when an operator manipulates said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water flow to said flexible nozzles.

38. The shower head of claim 37 further comprising means for generating a bubbling spray.

39. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having an inlet end for introducing water flow into the body, an outlet end defining a body spray surface, and structure defining at least one internal water passageway wherein water entering said inlet end flows through said body and out said outlet end;

b) wherein said body spray surface comprises a first spray surface defined by a centrally disposed nozzle, and a second spray surface defined by an outward radially disposed nozzle;

c) wherein water flow through said at least one internal water passageway causes rotation of said centrally disposed nozzle with respect to said outward radially disposed nozzle; and

d) a dial ring, a spray ring and a fixed seat, wherein an operator may adjust said dial ring thereby manipulating said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat to divert water to one of at least three flow paths.

40. A shower head comprising:

a) a body having an inlet end for introducing water flow into the body, an outlet end defining a body spray surface, and structure defining at least one internal water passageway wherein water entering said inlet end flows through said body and out said outlet end;

b) wherein said body spray surface comprises a first spray surface defined by a first nozzle, a second spray surface defined by a second nozzle, and a third spray surface;

c) wherein water flow through said at least one internal water passageway causes rotation of said first nozzle with respect to said second nozzle; and

d) a fixed seat, a spray ring in contact with said fixed seat and a dial ring coupled to said spray ring, said dial ring adjustable to three positions to manipulate said spray ring with respect to said fixed seat wherein in a first position of said dial ring water is diverted along a first flow oath to said first spray surface, in a second position of said dial ring water is diverted along a second flow path to said second spray surface and in a third position of said dial ring water is diverted along a third flow path to said third spray surface.

41. The shower head of claim 40 further comprising a bubbling spray generator apparatus, wherein said apparatus comprises an inlet portion, a wire mesh annular filter, a bubble gasket and an outlet portion, wherein said apparatus generates a bubbling spray when water flow traverses said inlet portion and said outlet portion.

42. The shower head of claim 40 further comprising means for generating a bubbling spray.

43. The shower head of claim 40 wherein the third spray surface is defined a third nozzle.

44. The shower head of claim 43 wherein the third nozzle is radially outward of the second nozzle.

45. The shower head of claim 40 wherein the first nozzle is a centrally disposed nozzle.

46. The shower head of claim 40 wherein the second nozzle is radially outward of the first nozzle.

47. The shower head of claim 40 wherein said spray ring is rotatable with respect to said fixed seat.