Showerhead system

• US 8,020,787 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2007
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• 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:
  US11/947,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20080121293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 239/396, 239/436, 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

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 configured to directly couple to a shower pipe to receive water flow therefrom and to be supported on a wall of a shower or bath enclosure thereby, the support structure comprising

a first rigid arm including a first fluid channel;

a second rigid arm spaced apart from the first rigid arm and including 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

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

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

the first rigid arm extends from the control mode selector to the showerhead and the second rigid arm extends from the control mode selector to the showerhead.

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 at least one of the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm include two or more fluid channels.

18. The showerhead system of claim 1, wherein the control mode selector comprises a distributor spool operative to receive water flow from the shower pipe, and the distributor spool defines a chamber extending along a length thereof and axially aligned with the shower pipe.

19. The showerhead of claim 1, wherein the control mode selector comprises a distributor spool defining a chamber extending along a length thereof, the distributor spool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the chamber as the control mode selector is transitioned between the first and second positions.

20. The showerhead of claim 19, wherein the control mode selector further comprises a distributor housing comprising a first exit port operatively coupled to the first fluid channel and a second exit port operatively coupled to the second fluid channel, and the distributor spool is rotatably coupled within the distributor housing to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the housing for selectively directing the water flow to one of the first and second fluid channels.

21. The showerhead of claim 20, wherein the distributor spool defines an opening within its periphery and a seal positioned within the opening.

22. The showerhead of claim 21, wherein the distributor spool further comprises a pivot ball unit configured to engage an inner surface of the distributor housing.

9. A showerhead system comprising

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

a base portion with a connector for coupling directly to a shower pipe and thereby supporting the showerhead system on a wall of a shower or bath enclosure;

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

a second rigid support structure attached to the base portion and spaced apart from the first rigid support structure and having at least one fluid channel configured to receive and transport the water flow from the shower pipe; and

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

10. The showerhead system of claim 9, wherein the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure comprises

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

11. The showerhead system of claim 10, wherein

the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel, and the second fluid channel;

and

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

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

a third fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the third fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion;

and

a fourth fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the fourth fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion.

13. The showerhead system of claim 12, wherein

the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel, the second fluid channel, the third fluid channel, and the fourth fluid channel;

and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively direct the water flow to one or more of the first fluid channel, the second fluid channel, third fluid channel, and the fourth fluid channel.

14. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the control mode selector is configured to be directly coupled to the shower pipe.

15. The showerhead system of claim 11, wherein the control mode selector is pivotally coupled to the shower pipe in at least one direction.

16. The showerhead system of claim 11, further comprising means for pivotally coupling the control mode selector to the shower pipe.

17. The showerhead system of claim 9, wherein the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure, and the at least one fluid channel of the second rigid support structure;

and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively switch the water flow between the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure and the at least one fluid channel of the second rigid support structure.