U.S. patent application number 09/963574 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for pivotal dual-head shower fixture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Friedrich Grohe AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Bischoff, Bernd, Ellerbrock, Holger, Gransow, Eckhard, Kirchhoff, Andreas, Korfer, Sascha, Linde, Hans-Jurgen, Lobermeier, Hans, Neumann, Uwe, Raadts, Thomas, Rehklau, Andreas, Stork, Joachim, Strelow, Hans-Peter.
Application Number | 20020035752 09/963574 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7658561 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020035752 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gransow, Eckhard ; et
al. |
March 28, 2002 |
Pivotal dual-head shower fixture
Abstract
A shower fixture has a base adapted to be fixed to a wall,
connected to a pressurized-water supply, and having a pressurized
water outlet. A pair of generally parallel and spaced tubes have
inner ends pivotal about an inner horizontal axis on the base and
outer ends. At least one of the tubes is internally connected at
the base to the outlet so that pressurized water can flow from the
supply through the base to the tube. An element joins together the
two tubes for joint pivoting. A shower head mounted between the
outer ends is pivotal on the tube about an outer horizontal axis
and is connected internally at the outer axis to the one tube so
that water from the one tube can flow into the head.
Inventors: |
Gransow, Eckhard;
(Frondenberg, DE) ; Lobermeier, Hans; (Menden,
DE) ; Bischoff, Bernd; (Hemer, DE) ; Strelow,
Hans-Peter; (Freiburg, DE) ; Korfer, Sascha;
(Hemer, DE) ; Ellerbrock, Holger; (Unna, DE)
; Kirchhoff, Andreas; (Wickede, DE) ; Raadts,
Thomas; (Frondenberg, DE) ; Stork, Joachim;
(Kippenheimg, DE) ; Linde, Hans-Jurgen; (Coburg,
DE) ; Neumann, Uwe; (Bamberg, DE) ; Rehklau,
Andreas; (Coburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FIRM OF KARL F ROSS
5676 RIVERDALE AVENUE
PO BOX 900
RIVERDALE (BRONX)
NY
10471-0900
US
|
Assignee: |
Friedrich Grohe AG & Co.
KG
|
Family ID: |
7658561 |
Appl. No.: |
09/963574 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/601 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/0408 20130101;
A47K 3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/601 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2000 |
DE |
10048987.7 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A shower fixture comprising: a base adapted to be fixed to a
wall, connected to a pressurized-water supply, and having a
pressurized water outlet; a pair of generally parallel and spaced
tubes having inner ends pivotal about an inner horizontal axis on
the base and outer ends, at least one of the tubes being internally
connected at the base to the outlet, whereby pressurized water can
flow from the supply through the base to the tube; an element
joining together the two tubes for joint pivoting; and a shower
head mounted between the outer ends, pivotal on the tube about an
outer horizontal axis, and connected internally at the outer axis
to the one tube, whereby water from the one tube can flow into the
head.
2. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein the element is
rigid and U-shaped and extends between the outer ends of the
tubes.
3. The shower fixture defined in claim 2 wherein the head lies
between the element and the inner axis.
4. The shower fixture defined in claim 1, further comprising a
second such shower head spaced along the tubes from the
first-mentioned head and pivotal on the tubes about a second outer
axis spaced from the first-mentioned outer axis and parallel
thereto.
5. The shower fixture defined in claim 4 wherein the second shower
head is provided with means for controlling and completely shutting
off water flow through the second head, the first shower head being
provided with means for controlling but not completely shutting off
water flow through the first head.
6. The shower fixture defined in claim 4 wherein outer portions of
the tubes carrying the first head telescope with inner portions of
the tubes carrying the second head.
7. The shower fixture defined in claim 6 wherein the element is
rigid and U-shaped and extends between the outer ends of the
tubes.
8. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein each of the tubes
is formed at its inner end with an eye and the base includes
respective pivot pins centered on the inner axis and engaged in the
eyes.
9. The shower fixture defined in claim 8 wherein at least one of
the eyes is formed with a radially inwardly open groove
communicating in the respective tube with an interior thereof, the
base being formed with a pressurizable flow passage open at the pin
of the one eye level with the groove.
10. The shower fixture defined in claim 9 wherein the pin of the
one eye is adapted to be connected directly to the pressurized
water supply.
11. The shower fixture defined in claim 9 wherein the pin of the
one eye forms a passage extending from the respective socket to the
groove, the base further being formed with a rearwardly open port
opening into the socket of the pin of the one eye, the fixture
further comprising: a plug fixable in the port and a feed tube
fittable in the port.
12. The shower fixture defined in claim 11 wherein at least one of
the tubes is formed of telescoping inner and outer parts at the
respective inner end, the fixture further comprising a seal ring
between the parts; and a snap ring engaged in confronting grooves
in the parts.
13. The shower fixture defined in claim 11 wherein the base is
provided on the inner axis with a screw bearing axially on one of
the eyes and pressing same against the base, whereby the screw can
be tightened to increase friction between the eye and the base.
14. The shower fixture defined in claim 13 wherein the pin of the
one eye is provided with a pair of washers flanking the one eye and
rotationally fixed to the base.
15. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein each tube is
provided at the outer axis with a mounting socket, the sockets
being axially directed toward each other and the head having a body
with end stems fitted to the sockets and rotatable relative
thereto, the head being rotatable through 360.degree. about the
outer axis.
16. The shower fixture defined in claim 15 wherein one of the
sockets is tubular and forms a passage between the head and the
interior of the respective tube, the other socket blocking flow
from the respective tube.
17. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein the element is
rigid and U-shaped and extends between the outer ends of the tubes,
the tubes being provided at their outer ends with plugs blocking
flow out of the outer ends and with screws securing the outer ends,
element, and plug together.
18. The shower fixture defined in claim 17, further comprising a
separate cover secured on a concave inner side of the element.
19. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein outer portions of
the tubes lie in a plane forming an angle of between 10.degree. and
45.degree. to a plane formed by inner portions of the tube.
20. The shower fixture defined in claim 1 wherein the base is of
generally triangular section, is formed with throughgoing holes
adapted to receive screws securing the base to a wall, and is
provided with a removable decorative cover concealing the holes.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a shower fixture. More
particularly this invention concerns such a fixture having a
movable and adjustable shower head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A shower fixture is known, for example from U.S. Pat. No.
2,011,446 of Judell, that has a base adapted to be fixed to a wall,
connected to a pressurized-water supply, and having a pressurized
water outlet. A normally metal tube has an inner end pivotal about
an inner horizontal axis on the base and an outer end. The tube is
internally connected at the base to the outlet so that pressurized
water can flow from the supply through the base to the tube. A
shower head is pivotal on the tube about an outer horizontal axis
at the outer end thereof and is connected internally at the outer
axis to the one tube so that water from the one tube can flow into
the head. The tube is rigid so that the shower head can be swung in
an arc. Thus if, as is standard, the base is mounted on an end wall
of a tub-shower enclosure, the head cannot be aimed to the side
outside the tub.
[0003] The system has two main disadvantages. First, the reaction
force of the water spraying from the head is often sufficient, at
least if the pressure is high, to pivot up the light arm if the
head is aimed tangentially of the first axis. The only way to
counter this is to make the joints so tight that using the fixture
is difficult. Second, the entire arrangement is fairly flimsy so
that, if stressed from the side, it is possible to deform or damage
it.
[0004] Another system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,100,186 of Hagiopian
has a telescoping horizontal tube arm whose inner end is pivotal
about a vertical axis on a wall-mounted base and whose outer end
carries a shower head directed perpendicular to the axis of the
telescoping tube. Thus the head can be moved in an arc centered on
a vertical axis, can be displaced toward and away from the vertical
axis by telescoping of the tube, and can be pivoted about the tube
axis by twisting of the outer tube part about the tube axis in the
inner tube part. This arrangement is somewhat more rigid, but
allows the head to be directed outside the shower. In addition the
height of the shower head is not variable, making it very difficult
for a person to shower without getting his or her hair wet.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved shower-head fixture.
[0006] Another object is the provision of such an improved
shower-head fixture which overcomes the above-given disadvantages,
that is robust, yet that allows the head to be set at any desired
height or angle, while making it impossible to spray to the side
outside the shower enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A shower fixture has according to the invention a base
adapted to be fixed to a wall, connected to a pressurized-water
supply, and having a pressurized water outlet. A pair of generally
parallel and spaced tubes have inner ends pivotal about an inner
horizontal axis on the base and outer ends. At least one of the
tubes is internally connected at the base to the outlet so that
pressurized water can flow from the supply through the base to the
tube. An element joins together the two tubes for joint pivoting. A
shower head mounted between the outer ends is pivotal on the tube
about an outer horizontal axis and is connected internally at the
outer axis to the one tube so that water from the one tube can flow
into the head.
[0008] The use of two connected tubes with the shower head between
them is extremely robust and can withstand substantially more
transverse stress than the prior-art systems. In addition it is
strong enough to resist movement when the shower is turned on full,
so that it will hold position. The shower head, however, can only
move in an arc centered on the inner horizontal axis and can only
pivot about the outer horizontal axis, so it cannot be set to spray
outside the shower enclosure.
[0009] The element according to the invention is rigid and U-shaped
and extends between the outer ends of the tubes. The head lies
between the element and the inner axis. In addition the fixture has
a second such shower head spaced along the tubes from the
first-mentioned head and pivotal on the tubes about a second outer
axis spaced from the first-mentioned outer axis and parallel
thereto. The second shower head is provided with means for
controlling and completely shutting off water flow through the
second head. The first shower head is provided with means for
controlling but not completely shutting off water flow through the
first head. Thus dribbling from the first or outer shower head will
signal to the user to turn off the water at the source when the
system is connected via a hose to a tub faucet, as is common. This
feature is not needed if the system is connected up permanently to
the water supply. The outer portions of the tubes carrying the
first head can telescope with inner portions of the tubes carrying
the second head. In this case the element is rigid and U-shaped and
extends between the outer ends of the tubes.
[0010] Each of the tubes in accordance with the invention is formed
at its inner end with an eye and the base includes respective pivot
pins centered on the inner axis and engaged in the eyes. At least
one of the eyes is formed with a radially inwardly open groove
communicating in the respective tube with an interior thereof. The
base is formed with a pressurizable flow passage open at the pin of
the one eye level with the groove. The pin of the one eye is
adapted to be connected directly to the pressurized water supply.
More particularly the pin of the one eye forms a passage extending
from the respective socket to the groove. The base further is
formed with a rearwardly open port opening into the socket of the
pin of the one eye. The fixture further has according to the
invention either a plug fixable in the port or a feed tube fittable
in the port. The plug is used when the fixture is surface mounted
and connected to an existing faucet, the feed tube when it is
plumbed in permanently.
[0011] For ease of assembly at least one of the tubes is formed of
telescoping inner and outer parts at the respective inner end. A
seal ring is provided between the parts and a snap ring engaged in
confronting grooves in the parts.
[0012] The base according to the invention is provided on the inner
axis with a screw bearing axially on one of the eyes and pressing
same against the base so that the screw can be tightened to
increase friction between the eye and the base. In this system the
pin of the one eye is provided with a pair of washers flanking the
one eye and rotationally fixed to the base.
[0013] Each tube according to the invention is provided at the
outer axis with a mounting socket. The sockets are axially directed
toward each other and the head has a body with end stems fitted to
the sockets and rotatable relative thereto. The head is rotatable
through 360.degree. about the outer axis. One of the sockets is
tubular and forms a passage between the head and the interior of
the respective tube. The other socket blocks flow from the
respective tube. This reduces the possible leakage sites in the
fixture.
[0014] The element in accordance with the invention as described
above is rigid and U-shaped and extends between the outer ends of
the tubes. The tubes are provided at their outer ends with plugs
blocking flow out of the outer ends and with screws securing the
outer ends, element, and plug together. A separate cover is secured
on a concave inner side of the element.
[0015] Outer portions of the tubes lie in a plane forming an angle
of between 10.degree. and 45.degree. to a plane formed by inner
portions of the tube. In addition the base is of generally
triangular section, is formed with throughgoing holes adapted to
receive screws securing the base to a wall, and is provided with a
removable decorative cover concealing the holes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will
become more readily apparent from the following description,
reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a small-scale side view of the shower fixture
according to the invention in a use position;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a small-scale front view illustrating the
installed fixture in a stowed position;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a large-scale section taken along line IV-IV of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are large-scale sectional views through
details of FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG.
9;
[0023] FIGS. 9 and 10 are sections taken along respective lines
IX-IX and X-X of FIG. 9;
[0024] FIGS. 12 and 13 are views like respective FIGS. 1 and 2 of a
variant on the shower fixture of this invention;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a view like FIG. 3 of the fixture of FIGS. 12 and
13;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a large-scale section taken along lien XV-XV of
FIG. 14;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a section taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG.
15;
[0028] FIGS. 17 and 18 are small scale views illustrating use of
the shower fixture in accordance with the invention; and
[0029] FIG. 19 is a top view of another variant on the fixture
according to the invention.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
[0030] As seen in FIGS. 1 through 8 a shower fixture according to
the invention has a stationary base body 1 fixed to a wall 6 (FIG.
3). A U-shaped tube 2 is pivotal about a horizontal inner axis 10
on the base 1 and carries a pair of substantially identical shower
heads 4a and 4b pivotal about respective horizontal outer axes 400
parallel to the axis 10 on an outer end region of the tube 2. The
outer portion of the U-tube 2 is bent to lie in a plane forming an
angle 24 of about 15.degree. (FIG. 1) with the inner portion close
to the base body 1. This allows the heads 4a to be aimed plumb
while still oriented somewhat above the base 1 as shown in FIG.
1.
[0031] The base body 1 as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has a rear
face 16 bearing on the wall 6 and is formed with holes 17 by means
of which it can be screwed solidly thereto. Cutouts 170 at the
holes 17 accommodate the heads of unillustrated screws. A cover 18
has a tooth ridge 180 that engages under the upper edge of the body
1 and at its lower side this cover 18 is secured in place by a
screw 181.
[0032] FIG. 9 shows how the base body is formed with a pair of
axially oppositely open cylindrical seats 114a and 114b centered on
the axis 10 and receiving respective mounting pins 11a and 11b on
which are carried eyes 20a and 20b formed at the inner ends of
tubes 20 fitting in tubes 2a and 2b forming the legs of the U-tube
2. A set screw 13a hidden by the cover 18 locks pin 11a to the body
1 so that it cannot move at all relative thereto. The pin 11a is
formed with a central passage 110 opening at its inner end into the
seat 114a, opening radially centrally via branch passages 120 into
a radially inwardly open groove 21 formed in the eye 20a, and
connected at its outer end to a fitting 14. A hose 50 is connected
as shown in FIG. 3 between the fitting 14 and a wall-mounted mixing
faucet 5 for pressurization of the passage 110 with water.
[0033] The body 1 is also formed as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 with a
rearwardly open hole 15 here blocked by a plug 161 provided with a
pair of O-ring seals 163 and secured in place by a set screw 162
hidden by the cover 18. Thus water supplied by the hose 50 will be
able to pressurize the passage 110 and the interior of the U-tube
2.
[0034] The other pin 11b is locked in place by another set screw
13b and has external teeth or splines 220 that fit complementarily
with the toothed inner peripheries of plastic washers 113 axially
flanking the eye 20b and, therefore, nonrotatable. A screw 111
threaded into the end of the pin 11b bears axially on the outer
washer 113 and presses the inner washer 113 via the eye 20b against
the end of the body 1. This screw 111 can be rotated by hand about
the axis 10 to vary the compression of the washers 113 and,
therefore, the amount of friction opposing pivoting of the U-tube 2
about the axis 10.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows how the outer ends of the tubes 2a and 2b are
interconnected by a U-shaped bight tube 3. Plugs 31 block the outer
ends of the tubes 2a and 2b, with O-rings 320 preventing any
leakage and screws 30 engaged through the in threaded holes 310 in
these plugs 31 to lock them solidly in place. Outer O-rings 32
engage the inner surface of the tube 3 which is also secured in
place by the screws 30. A decorative cover 35 engages over the
concave inner face of the bight tube 3 and has end teeth 350
snapped into recesses 34 of the tube 3 and central pins 33
similarly fitted to the tube 3 to hold it solidly in place.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the actual shower heads 4a
and 4b have cup-shaped bodies 40 formed with mounting stems 41a and
41b centered on the respective axes 400. Each head 4a or 4b has an
outer soft-spray part 440 with nozzles 44a and separate inner
pulse-spray nozzles 442. An adjustment element 44 (FIG. 2) can be
pivoted to select either or both sets of nozzles, and even to shut
off flow altogether from the respective head 4a or 4b. Normally the
outer head 4a is constructed such that flow through it cannot be
shut off altogether, so that the resultant dribbling reminds the
user to turn the water off at the faucet 5 at the end of the
shower, thereby not leaving the hose 50 under constant
pressure.
[0037] The legs 2a and 2b are provided at the outer axes 400 in
line with the shower-head stems 41a and 41b with tubular mounting
sockets 22 secured in place by screw threads 220 and sealed by
O-rings 221. The shower-head body 40 has coaxially inside the
tubular stem 41a a tubular inlet fitting 43 that fits in the
respective socket 22, sealed relative thereto by an O-ring 42. Thus
water can flow from the leg 2a through the respective sockets 22
into passages 430 of the inlets 43 to pressurize the heads 4a and
4b. On the opposite stem 41b each body 40 has a central projection
411 fitted into the respective socket 22 and sealed relative
thereto by another O-ring 42. A web 410 blocks flow through the
stem 41b so that flow is only through the opposite socket 22 into
the head 4a or 4b.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows how the inner tube 200 is sealed by O-rings 202
relative to the respective outer tube 2a. A snap ring 201 initially
fitted to a radially outwardly open groove of the inner tube 200
snaps out into a radially inwardly open groove of the tube 2a to
axially lock the two parts together. Only a substantial force can
separate them so that during normal use the U-tube 2 is of fixed
length. The same structure is provided on the other tube section 2b
which in fact is identical to the part 2a.
[0039] The system of FIGS. 12 through 16 is adapted to be used
without the hose 50 and fitting 14. Here the plug 161 is replaced
by a tubular feed nipple 160 having a threaded outer end adapted to
be screwed into a female pipe fitting flush with the wall 6. The
fitting 14 is replaced by a tubular pin 12a having a closed outer
end, but otherwise formed identically to the pin 11a.
[0040] In FIG. 17 the shower system is shown in the fully raised
position where it functions as an over-the-head shower. The U-tube
2 is angled upward from the base 1 and the two heads 4a are pivoted
to direct spray downward. In FIG. 19 the shower system is lowered
for washing the body. The U-tube 2 extends almost straight downward
and the two heads 4a and 4b are set at an angle slightly below
horizontal so that the user can bathe without getting his or her
hair and face wet.
[0041] FIG. 19 shows a system with a U-tube 2' whose legs are
formed by inner sections 2a' and 2b' carrying the eyes 20a and 20b,
outer sections 2b' and 2b" of identical cross section and joined by
the bight tube 3, and intermediate tubes 25a and 25b fixed in the
inner sections 2a' and 2b' and telescopingly limitedly slidable in
the outer sections 2a" and 2b". The inner shower head 4b is
connected to the two inner sections 2a' and 2b' so that it stays a
fixed distance from the axis 10. The outer shower head 4a is
connected between the two outer sections 2a" and 2b" so that, as
the outer subassembly formed by the parts 2a", 2b", and 3 is
telescoped trombone-style on the inner sections 2a' and 2b', the
distance from the outer head 4a to the axis 10 is varied.
* * * * *