Connection structure for handheld showerhead

• US 8,109,450 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Luettgen, Harold A., Leber, Leland C., Quinn, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorman, Darren W
• Application Number:
  US12/846,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20110000982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 239390-392, 239/394, 239/396, 239/436, 239/443, 239/444, 239446-449, 239/525, 239/530, 239/532, 239/548, 239/556, 239558-562, 239/567, 239/581.1, 137/625.42, 137/625, 137/46
• US Class Current: 239/447
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/16 having selectively- effective outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1636 by relative rotative movement of the valve elements B05B1/1672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1663 by relative translatory 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 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit

Abstract

A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion and a handle portion. The showerhead portion may include at least two fluid channels. The handle portion may be operatively associated with the shower portion. The handle portion may include at least one fluid inlet or fluid passage. A rigid internal shaft is used to reinforce the connection between a fluid conveyance structure in the showerhead portion, the handle portion, or both, and a water supply connector at least partially in the handle portion The handle portion may further include a movable mode selector. Movement of the mode selector may selectively place the fluid inlet or fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the two fluid channels in the showerhead portion.

Claims

1. A handheld showerhead comprising

a handle portion;

a showerhead portion extending from the handle portion;

a water supply connector at least partially housed within the handle portion and configured for connection to a water supply;

a fluid conveyance structure having a base and positioned within the handle portion, the showerhead portion, or both; and

a rigid connection shaft extending between and fixedly connecting the water supply connector and the base of the fluid conveyance structure without functioning as a conduit for fluid flow between the water supply connector and the base of the fluid conveyance structure, the connection shaft defining

a cylindrical first portion that interfaces with the base of the fluid conveyance structure; and

a second portion of a noncircular cross section that prevents rotation of the water supply connector with respect to the handle portion and includes a longitudinal central cavity having a surface that is at least partially threaded; and

a screw received within the longitudinal central cavity of the second portion of the connection shaft;

wherein

the screw fixedly connects the connection shaft to the water supply connector.

2. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein

the fluid conveyance structure further comprises a plurality of separate fluid channels;

and

the showerhead portion further comprises

a respective plurality of separate fluid passages, each in fluid communication with a respective one of the separate fluid channels; and

a respective plurality of sets of spray nozzles, each set in fluid communication with a respective one of the separate fluid passages.

3. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the connection shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the water supply connector.

4. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the connection shaft is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

5. The handheld showerhead of claim 1, wherein the connection shaft is configured to prevent the water supply connector from rotating with respect to the handle portion, the showerhead portion, or both.

6. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 further comprising

a movable mode selector rotatably disposed about the connection shaft and rotatable with respect to the water supply connector;

wherein

movement of the mode selector selectively places the water supply connector in fluid communication with the fluid conveyance structure.

7. The handheld showerhead of claim 6, wherein the mode selector rotates about a longitudinal axis of the water supply connector.

8. The handheld showerhead of claim 6, wherein

the mode selector defines a center aperture;

the connection shaft defines a cylindrical first portion that interfaces with the base of the fluid conveyance structure; and

the first portion of the connection shaft extends through the center aperture defined in the mode selector.

9. The handheld showerhead of claim 6, wherein

the fluid conveyance structure further comprises a plurality of separate fluid channels;

and

the showerhead portion further comprises

a respective plurality of separate fluid passages, each in fluid communication with a respective one of the separate fluid channels; and

a respective plurality of sets of spray nozzles, each set in fluid communication with a respective one of the separate fluid passages; and

movement of the mode selector selectively places the water supply connector in fluid communication with one or more of the fluid channels.

10. The handheld showerhead of claim 9, wherein

the mode selector rotates about a longitudinal axis of the water supply connector

the mode selector further defines a surface transverse to the longitudinal axis of the water supply connector;

and

the mode selector further defines one or more fluid apertures within the transverse surface capable of being moved to provide fluid communication between the water supply connector and the fluid conveyance structure.