Showerhead with tube connectors

• US 8,132,745 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2010
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• 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: Leber, Leland C., Williams, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorman, Darren W
• Application Number:
  US12/757,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20100193610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 239/396, 239442-444, 239446-449, 239/525, 239/530, 239/532, 239/536, 239/548, 239558-562, 239/567, 2395871-588, 137/625.42, 137/625.46
• US Class Current: 239/447
• 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 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/30 Diverter valves in faucets or taps
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/076 with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86831 Selective opening of plural ports
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet

Abstract

Output of a showerhead system is selectable between a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system also includes an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe to pivotably adjust the position of the showerhead. The showerhead system also has dual support structures in the form of arms extending between the control mode selector and the showerhead. The dual arms each house one or more hoses that may be flexible and transport water from the mode selector can be adjusted to direct water to individual hoses or simultaneously to multiple hoses.

Claims

1. A showerhead system comprising

a showerhead configured to receive and distribute a water flow;

a body support structure including a first end coupled to the showerhead and a second end configured for coupling to a shower pipe to receive water flow therefrom, the body support structure comprising

a first arm directly coupled to the showerhead; and

a second arm directly coupled to the showerhead;

a first flexible hose and a second flexible hose housed within the first arm and the second arm, respectively, each of the first and second flexible hoses having first and second ends, the first ends of the first and second flexible hoses operatively coupled to the showerhead and configured to transport the received water flow through the body support structure to the showerhead; and

a control mode selector positioned in the body support structure operatively coupled to the second ends of the first and second flexible hoses and configured to receive the water flow from the shower pipe, the control mode selector configured to transition between a first position to direct the water flow to the first flexible hose and a second position to direct water flow to the second flexible hose.

2. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead includes a first pathway and a second pathway, the first flexible hose is coupled to the first pathway, and the second flexible hose is coupled to the second pathway.

3. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the control mode selector is configured to simultaneously distribute the water flow to the first and second flexible hoses.

4. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead comprises a first set of nozzles operatively coupled to the first flexible hose and a second set of nozzles operatively coupled to the second flexible hose.

5. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein

the first arm encases the first flexible hose and the second arm encases the second flexible hose.

6. The showerhead system of claim 5, wherein

the first and second arms each include at least one molded rib;

and

the first and second flexible hoses are seated within the molded ribs of the first and second arms.

7. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the body support structure further includes a third flexible hose housed within the body support structure, the third flexible hose having a first end and second end, the first end of the third flexible hose configured for coupling to the showerhead and configured to transport the received water flow through the body support structure to the showerhead.

8. The showerhead system of claim 7, wherein the body support structure further includes a fourth flexible hose housed within the body support structure, the fourth flexible hose having a first end and second end, the first end of the fourth flexible hose configured for coupling to the showerhead and configured to transport the received water flow through the body support structure to the showerhead.

9. The showerhead system of claim 8, wherein

the first arm further encases the third flexible hose;

and

the second arm further encases the fourth flexible hose.

10. A showerhead system comprising

a body portion configured for coupling to a shower pipe and operative to receive water flow therefrom, the body portion comprising

a first support structure having an elongated portion housing a first hose having a first inlet end and a first outlet end and configured to transport the water flow from the shower pipe;

and

a second support structure having an elongated portion housing a second hose having a second inlet end and a second outlet end and configured to transport the water flow from the shower pipe, wherein the elongated portion of the second support structure is laterally spaced apart from the elongated portion of the first support structure; and

a head portion including a first pathway and a second pathway and defining a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the first and second pathways, the head portion coupled to the first and second support structures and operative to receive the water flow from at least one of the first or second hoses to distribute the water flow to the plurality of outlets;

wherein the first inlet end is coupled to the body portion to receive the water flow and the first outlet end is coupled to the first pathway of the head portion, and the second inlet end is coupled to the body portion to receive the water flow and the second outlet end is coupled to the second pathway of the head portion.

11. The showerhead system of claim 10, wherein

the body portion further includes a control mode selector configured for coupling to the shower pipe, the first inlet end of the first hose, and the second inlet end of the second hose;

and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively switch the water flow from the shower pipe between the first hose and the second hose.

12. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the first inlet end of the first hose is coupled to a first outlet of the control mode selector and the second inlet end of the second hose is coupled to a second outlet of the control mode selector.

13. The showerhead system of claim 12, wherein the control mode selector is configured for directly coupling to the shower pipe.

14. The showerhead system of claim 12, wherein the control mode selector is configured for pivotally coupling to the shower pipe in at least one direction.

15. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the first hose is a flexible hose and the second hose is a flexible hose.

16. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the outlets comprise a first set of nozzles operatively coupled to the first hose and a second set of nozzles operatively coupled to the second hose.

17. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the control mode selector is configured to simultaneously distribute the water flow to the first and second hoses.

18. The showerhead system of claim 11, further comprising a third hose encased in the first support structure, the third hose having a third inlet end and a third outlet end and configured to transport the water flow from the shower pipe.

19. The showerhead system of claim 18, further comprising a fourth hose encased in the second support structure, the fourth hose having a fourth inlet end and a fourth outlet end and configured to transport the water flow from the shower pipe.

20. A showerhead system comprising

an adjustment mechanism configured for attachment to a shower pipe and operative to receive a water flow therefrom, the adjustment mechanism further configured to provide pivotal movement of the showerhead system in at least one direction relative to the shower pipe;

a fluid distribution assembly operatively coupled to the adjustment mechanism and configured to receive the water flow from the adjustment mechanism, the fluid distribution assembly including a first outlet and a second outlet;

a head portion configured to receive the water flow and to distribute the water flow to a plurality of nozzles, the head portion including a first pathway and a second pathway, the first pathway and the second pathway in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles;

a support structure distally coupled to the head portion and coupled at a base portion to the adjustment mechanism and further including

a first support structure having a first elongated portion; and

a second support structure having a second elongated portion laterally spaced apart from the first elongated portion;

a first hose housed within the first support structure and including a first end coupled to the first pathway of the head portion and a second end coupled to the first outlet of the fluid distribution assembly, the first hose configured to transport the water flow from the fluid distribution assembly to the head portion; and

a second hose housed within the second support structure and including a first end coupled to the second pathway of the head portion and a second end coupled to the second outlet of the fluid distribution assembly, the second hose configured to transport the water flow from the fluid distribution assembly to the head portion.

21. The showerhead system of claim 20, wherein

the fluid distribution assembly further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the first hose and to the second hose;

the control mode selector is configured to transition between a first position associated with the first hose and a second position associated with the second hose; and

the control mode selector is configured to direct the water flow based on a selected position.

22. The showerhead system of claim 20, wherein the head portion comprises a first set of nozzles operatively associated with the first hose and a second set of nozzles operatively associated with the second hose.

23. The showerhead system of claim 20, wherein the first hose is a flexible hose and the second hose is a flexible hose.

24. The showerhead system of claim 20, wherein

the fluid distribution assembly includes a third outlet;

the head portion includes a third pathway in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles; and

the showerhead system further comprises a third hose housed within the first support structure and including a first end coupled to the third pathway of the head portion and a second end coupled to the third outlet of the fluid distribution assembly, the third hose configured to transport the water flow from the fluid distribution assembly to the head portion.

25. The showerhead system of claim 24, wherein

the fluid distribution assembly includes a fourth outlet;

the head portion includes a fourth pathway in fluid communication with the plurality of nozzles; and

the showerhead system further comprises a fourth hose housed within the second support structure and including a first end coupled to the fourth pathway of the head portion and a second end coupled to the fourth outlet of the fluid distribution assembly, the fourth hose configured to transport the water flow from the fluid distribution assembly to the head portion.