SHOWERHEAD SYSTEM

• US 20080121293A1
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 8,020,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/597
• 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

A showerhead system is provided. The showerhead system may provide a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system may also include an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe. The showerhead system may also have dual support structures.

Claims

1. A showerhead system comprising:

a support structure adapted to couple to a shower pipe to receive water flow therefrom, the support structure comprising;

a first fluid channel;

a second fluid channel; and

a control mode selector operatively coupled to the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, the control mode selector configured to transition between a first position to direct water flow to the first fluid channel and a second position to direct water flow to at least the second fluid channel; and

a showerhead coupled to the support structure, the showerhead configured to receive and distribute the water flow from at least one of the first and second the fluid channels;

wherein

the control mode selector is positioned in a base of the support structure directly and configured to receive the water flow thereof.

2. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the control mode selector is configured to simultaneously distribute the water flow to the first and second fluid channels.

3. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead comprises a plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the first fluid channel.

4. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the showerhead comprises a plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the second fluid channel.

5. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured to be pivotally coupled relative to the shower pipe.

6. The showerhead system of claim 5, wherein the control mode selector is further configured to be pivotally coupled to the shower pipe.

7. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises an adjustment device coupled to the shower pipe and configured to adjust the support structure relative to the shower pipe.

8. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least a first arm stem and a second arm stem, wherein the first arm stem comprises the first fluid channel and the second arm stem comprises the second fluid channel.

9. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least a first arm stem and a second arm stem, wherein at least one of the first arm stem and the second arm stem include the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.

10. A showerhead system comprising:

a body portion coupled to a shower pipe and operative to receive water flow therefrom, the body portion comprising;

a first support structure coupled to the body portion and having at least one fluid channel configured to receive and transport the water flow from the shower pipe; and

a second support structure coupled to the body portion and having at least one fluid channel configured to receive and transport the water flow from the shower pipe; and

a head portion coupled the first and second support structures and operative to receive the water flow from the at least one of the first or second support structure to distribute to a user.

11. The showerhead system of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid channel of the first support structure comprises:

a first fluid channel coupled to the body portion and the head portion, the first fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion; and

a second fluid channel coupled to the body portion and the head portion, the second fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion.

12. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the body portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel, and the second fluid channel, the control mode selector configured to selectively switch the water flow from the shower pipe between the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.

13. The showerhead system of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid channel of the second support structure comprises:

a first fluid channel coupled to the body portion and the head portion, the first fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion; and

a second fluid channel coupled to the body portion and the head portion, the second fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion.

14. The showerhead system of claim 13, wherein the body portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, the control mode selector configured to direct the water flow to at least one of the first support structure and the second support structure.

15. The showerhead system of claim 14, wherein the control mode selector is configured to be directly coupled to the shower pipe.

16. The showerhead system of claim 14, wherein the control mode selector is pivotally coupled to the shower pipe in at least one direction.

17. The showerhead system of claim 14, further comprising means for pivotally coupling the control mode selector to the shower pipe.

18. A showerhead system comprising:

a head portion configured to receive water flow to distribute to a user;

a support structure coupled to the head portion and configured to receive and transport water flow to the head portion; and

an adjustment mechanism coupled to a base of the support structure and located adjacent to the shower pipe to provide pivotal movement of the support structure in at least one direction relative to the shower pipe, the adjustment mechanism positively locking the support structure in a user-adjusted position.

19. The showerhead system of claim 18, wherein the support structure further comprises:

a first fluid channel coupled to the head portion and the attachment mechanism and configured to receive the water flow from the attachment mechanism;

a second fluid channel coupled to the head portion and the attachment mechanism and configured to receive the water flow from the attachment mechanism; and

a control mode selector operatively coupled to the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, the control mode selector configured to transition between a first position associated with the first fluid channel and a second position associated with at least the second fluid channel, wherein the control mode selector is configured to direct the water flow based on a selected position.

20. The showerhead system of claim 19, wherein the control mode selector is positioned in the structure adjacent to the shower pipe.

21. The showerhead system of claim 20, wherein the control mode selector is coupled to the shower pipe.

22. The showerhead system of claim 19, wherein the showerhead comprises a plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the second fluid channel.

23. The showerhead system of claim 19, wherein the support structure comprises at least a first arm stem and a second arm stem, at least one of the first arm stem and the second arm stem comprises the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.