Flexible shower arm assembly

• US 5,865,378 A
• Filed: 01/10/1997
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Industries Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Male, Robert B., Hollinshead, Milton B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANS, ROBIN OCTAVIA
• Application Number:
  US08/781,863
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 4/615, 239/587.1, 239/587.2, 239/587.3, 239/587.4, 239/587.5, 239/588, 285/166
• US Class Current: 239/587.1
• 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: E03C 1/021 Devices for positioning or connecting of water supply lines connection to the tap body E03C1/0403
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/025 Water supply lines as such, e.g. shower hoses
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0408 Water installations especially for showers E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18
• 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: F16L 11/18 Articulated hoses, e.g. composed of a series of rings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 27/047 held in place by a screwed member having an internal spherical surface

Abstract

A flexible shower arm assembly that allows the user to repeatably adjust the position of the shower head in three dimensions by configuring the shape of the shower arm attached between the water source, such as a shower pipe, and the water dispenser, such as a shower head. The particular position of the shower head, and the direction of the shower spray, can be modified by re-configuring the shape of the shower arm. The flexible shower arm holds the desired position until modified by the user. The flexible shower arm is sealingly attached to the shower pipe by a pipe connector nut, and is sealingly and pivotally attached to the shower head by a connection structure. The flexible shower arm assembly includes an elongated flexible member defining a fluid transfer path, the flexible member having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the flexible member is connected in fluid communication with the shower pipe, and the second end of the flexible member is connected in fluid communication to a shower head. A sheath covers the flexible arm from the first end to the second end.

Claims

1. A flexible shower arm assembly for connection to a shower pipe at one end, the assembly comprising:

a plurality of interconnected beads forming a flexible arm, each bead rotatable with respect to adjacent beads, the plurality of interconnected beads forming an axially extending bore, and having a first end bead at a first end of said arm and a second end bead at a second end of said arm;

said first end bead having an externally threaded end and a partially spherical opposing end, said partially spherical end for connection to said adjacent bead;

a shower pipe connector nut defining an internal bore extending therethrough, and having a first end for fluid connection to the shower pipe, and a second end for fluid connection to said first end bead, said first end of said connector nut being internally threaded, and said second end of said connector nut being internally threaded for threaded engagement to said shower pipe;

said externally threaded end of said first end bead being threadedly received by said internally threaded first end of said connector nut;

a shower head defining a connection structure having an internal bore extending therethrough for fluid connection to said second end bead at said second end of said arm;

a sheath for covering at least a portion of said plurality of interconnected beads, and wherein;

said sheath has a first end engaging said connector nut, and

means mounted on said first end bead for sealing said first end of said sheath to said connector nut.

2. A flexible shower arm assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for sealing are diametrically opposed radially extending fins positioned between either end of said first end bead.