Mode control valve in showerhead connector
First Claim
1. A showerhead comprisingan arm structure configured to couple to a water pipe to receive water flow therefrom;
- a first fluid conduit housed within the arm structure;
a second fluid conduit housed within the arm structure; and
a mode selector housed within the arm structure and coupled to the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to receive water flow from the water pipe and distribute the water flow to either the first fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit, or both, the mode selector comprising a valve seal;
whereinthe mode selector defines a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber;
the first chamber is in fluid communication with the water flow from the water pipe;
the second chamber and the third chamber are both positioned downstream from the first chamber;
the mode selector further defines a first outlet port in fluid communication with the second chamber and a second outlet port in fluid communication with the third chamber;
the mode selector is configured to transition between a first setting to direct water flow through an aperture from the first chamber to the second chamber and a second setting to direct water flow through the aperture from the first chamber to the third chamber;
the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the aperture;
the second chamber is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit through the first outlet port; and
the third chamber is in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit through the second outlet port; and
a spray head coupled to the support structure, the first fluid conduit, and the second fluid conduit, wherein the spray head is operably coupled with and configured to receive and distribute the water flow from the first and second fluid conduits.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A showerhead system includes an arm structure adapted to couple to a water pipe to receive water flow therefrom. The arm structure includes a first fluid conduit, a second fluid conduit, and a mode selector operatively coupled to the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit. The mode selector transitions between a first setting to direct water flow from a first chamber to a second chamber positioned below the first chamber and a second setting to direct water flow from the first chamber to a third chamber positioned below the first chamber. The second chamber is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the third chamber is in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit. The showerhead system further includes a spray head configured to distribute the water from at least one of the first and second the fluid conduits.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A showerhead comprising
an arm structure configured to couple to a water pipe to receive water flow therefrom; -
a first fluid conduit housed within the arm structure; a second fluid conduit housed within the arm structure; and a mode selector housed within the arm structure and coupled to the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit to receive water flow from the water pipe and distribute the water flow to either the first fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit, or both, the mode selector comprising a valve seal;
whereinthe mode selector defines a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber; the first chamber is in fluid communication with the water flow from the water pipe; the second chamber and the third chamber are both positioned downstream from the first chamber; the mode selector further defines a first outlet port in fluid communication with the second chamber and a second outlet port in fluid communication with the third chamber; the mode selector is configured to transition between a first setting to direct water flow through an aperture from the first chamber to the second chamber and a second setting to direct water flow through the aperture from the first chamber to the third chamber; the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the aperture; the second chamber is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit through the first outlet port; and the third chamber is in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit through the second outlet port; and a spray head coupled to the support structure, the first fluid conduit, and the second fluid conduit, wherein the spray head is operably coupled with and configured to receive and distribute the water flow from the first and second fluid conduits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 22)
-
-
10. A showerhead comprising
a connector portion configured for coupling to a water pipe and operable to receive water flow therefrom; -
a mode selector connected to the connector portion and defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, the mode selector comprising a valve seal, wherein the second and third chambers are positioned downstream from the first chamber; and the mode selector is configured to receive the water flow from the water pipe in the first chamber and selectively direct the water flow through a valve bore to the second chamber and the third chamber, wherein the water flow maintains a substantially straight flow direction between the first chamber and either the second chamber or the third chamber; a spray head portion operative to receive the water flow from the mode selector and distribute the water flow to a user; a first fluid conduit coupled to and between the second chamber of the mode selector and the spray head portion and operable to transport the water flow from the mode selector to the spray head portion; a second fluid conduit coupled to and between the third chamber of the mode selector and the spray head portion and operable to transport the water flow from the mode selector to the spray head portion; and the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the valve bore. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A showerhead system comprising
a spray head having a plurality of nozzles and configured to receive and distribute water flow through the plurality of nozzles to a user; -
a support structure coupled to the spray head and configured to receive and transport water flow to the spray head; a first fluid conduit housed within the support structure and coupled at a first end to a first channel in the spray head associated with a first set of the plurality of nozzles; a second fluid conduit housed within the support structure and coupled at a first end to a second channel in the spray head associated with a second set of the plurality of nozzles; and a mode selector comprising a valve seal and defining an aperture, the mode selector configured to transition between a first position associated with a first chamber defined within the mode selector and a second position associated with a second chamber defined within the mode selector and thereby to direct water flow through the aperture from a third chamber defined within the mode selector to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, based on the selected first or second position, respectively, wherein the third chamber is positioned upstream from both the first and second chambers; and the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the aperture; the mode selector further defines a first outlet port in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second outlet port in fluid communication with the second chamber;
whereinthe first outlet port is operatively coupled to a second end of the first fluid conduit and the second outlet port is operatively coupled to a second end of the second fluid conduit to transport water flow from the mode selector to the spray head. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 23)
-
Specification