Showerhead system with integrated handle

• US 7,360,723 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sidus Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Moty Lev
• Inventors: Lev, Moty
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman; Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORMAN, DARREN W
• Application Number:
  US10/929,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20050098661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 239/567, 239442-444, 239/447, 239/449, 239/560, 239/587.1, 239/200, 239/273, 239/282, 239390-392, 239/394, 239/397, 239/436, 239/437, 239/446, 239/448, 239/525, 239/548, 239/550, 239/556, 239/561, 239/562, 239/569, 239/587.2, 239/587.3, 239/587.4, 239/588, 460/1, 460/5, 456/7
• US Class Current: 239/567
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/16 having selectively- effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0405 enabling multiple spray patterns
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0409 Shower handles
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/06 Devices for suspending or supporting the supply pipe or supply hose of a shower-bath showers per se A47K3/28
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/30 Diverter valves in faucets or taps

Abstract

A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, the system including a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, the fixed dispensing unit including a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A removable fluid dispensing unit is releasably secured to a receptacle established within the fixed dispensing, the removable unit further including at least one additional nozzle. The fluid supply is adapted to be in selective communication with either or both the fixed and removable fluid dispensing units, such as through the provision of a fluid diverter element located at an inlet of the fixed unit and from which extends a conduit in separate communication with the removable unit.

Claims

1. A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, said showerhead system comprising:

a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, said fixed dispensing unit comprising at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid supply;

a removable fluid dispensing unit releasably secured to a receptacle established with said fixed dispensing unit forming an integral dispensing face with said fixed dispensing unit and comprising at least one additional nozzle being connected to a hose in fluid communication with the fluid supply when said removable fluid dispensing unit is dissociated from said fixed fluid dispensing unit; and

the fluid supply adapted to being in selective communication with at least one of said fixed and said removable fluid dispensing unit.

2. The showerhead system as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of nozzles associated with said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

3. The showerhead system as described in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of nozzles associated with said removable fluid dispensing unit.

4. The showerhead system as described in claim 2, wherein said plurality of nozzles associated with said fixed fluid dispensing unit are located contiguous to one another.

5. The showerhead system as described in claim 1, wherein said fixed fluid dispensing unit has a recess to which is matingly engaged said removable unit.

6. The showerhead system as described in claim 5, wherein said recess extends along a substantial centerline associated with said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

7. The showerhead system as described in claim 1 further comprising a holster affixed to said fixed fluid dispensing unit, said holster adapted to engage said removable unit.

8. The showerhead system as described in claim 7 wherein said removable unit is laterally displaced relative to said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

9. The showerhead system as described in claim 7 wherein said removable unit is basally displaced relative to said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

10. The showerhead system as described in claim 7 further comprising a spring-loaded button controlling a locking pin, said locking pin engaging a complementary depression in said removable unit.

11. The showerhead system as described in claim 1, further comprising a fluid inlet associated with said fixed dispensing unit, a fluid diverter element fluidly communicating said fluid supply with said at least one said fixed and removable dispensing units.

12. The showerhead system as described in claim 11, further comprising a conduit communicating said fluid diverter with said removable fluid dispensing unit.

13. The showerhead system as described in claim 1 further comprising an articulating joint intermediate between said at least one nozzle of said fixed dispensing unit and the fluid supply.

14. The showerhead system as described in claim 1, wherein said removable dispensing unit has a plurality of spray function modes.

15. The showerhead system as described in claim 14 further comprising a mode control dial intermediate between the at least one additional nozzle of said removable fluid dispensing unit and the fluid supply.

16. The showerhead system as described in claim 14 wherein said fixed fluid dispensing unit further comprises at least one gripping location to permit readjustment of said fixed unit about an articulating joint.

17. The showerhead system as described in claim 1 wherein said fixed fluid dispensing unit has a face through which is formed a plurality of nozzles.

18. The showerhead system as described in claim 15, further comprising at least one individual plurality of nozzles associated with a fluid dispensing surface of said removable unit.

19. A showerhead system for communicating a fluid supply, said showerhead system comprising:

a fixed fluid dispensing unit supported at a location, said fixed dispensing unit comprising a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid supply;

a removable fluid dispensing unit releasably secured to a receptacle established with said fixed dispensing unit forming an integral dispensing face with said fixed dispensing unit and comprising at least one additional plurality of nozzles being connected to a hose in fluid communication with the fluid supply when said removable fluid dispensing unit is dissociated from said fixed fluid dispensing unit; and

a fluid inlet associated with said fixed dispensing unit, a fluid diverter element fluidly communicating said fluid supply with at least one of said fixed and removable dispensing units.

20. The showerhead system as described in claim 19, wherein said fixed fluid dispensing unit has a recess to which is matingly engaged said removable unit.

21. The showerhead system as described in claim 19 further comprising a holster affixed to said fixed fluid dispensing unit, said holster adapted to engage said removable unit.

22. The showerhead system as described in claim 21 wherein said removable unit is laterally displaced relative to said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

23. The showerhead system as described in claim 21 wherein said removable unit is basally displaced relative to said fixed fluid dispensing unit.

24. The showerhead system as described in claim 21 further comprising a spring-loaded button controlling a locking pin, said locking pin engaging a complementary depression in said removable unit.

25. The showerhead system as described in claim 19, wherein said removable dispensing unit has a plurality of spray function modes.

26. The showerhead system as described in claim 25 further comprising a mode control dial intermediate between the at least one additional nozzle of said removable fluid dispensing unit and the fluid supply.

27. The showerhead system as described in claim 25 wherein said fixed fluid dispensing unit further comprises at least one gripping location to permit readjustment of said fixed unit about an articulating joint.