Ratcheting adjustment for supporting shower structures

Abstract

An improved height adjustment mechanism for showering devices that are attached to the shower stem. The improved mechanism features a simple, locking ratchet clamp that can be easily released, adjusted up or down and reliably locked.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/512,351 filed on Oct. 17, 2003, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an improved mechanism to allow for the ready adjustment of the height of a pendant shower structure.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] It is well known in the art to attach showering devices, such as assemblies of multiple showerheads and various moving and water spraying structures to the existing stem pipe supplying water to the standard shower plumbing system. Devices have been hung on open hooks; they have been threaded directly onto the stem or clamped with various devices to the stem. Because of the differences in the heights of people using a shower, however, the hanging heights of the showering devices often require adjustment. These adjustments have been made, with some difficulty, using screw clamps and angled joints. There is, however, need for an adjusting system to change the height of a shower device that is simple and easy to use, which allows ready adjustments even while in use and which precludes the need for tools.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved by the present invention described herein.

[0007] The present invention features an improved height adjustment mechanism for showering appliances that are attached to the shower stem. The improved mechanism features a simple, locking ratchet clamp that can be easily released, adjusted up or down and reliably relocked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with the drawings identified below.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of a showering device that employs the improved height adjustment mechanism.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a partially sectioned schematic illustration of the preferred embodiment of the showering device, illustrating the adjustment device retracted and extended.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of spring-loaded ratchet clamps engaging the rack in the highest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is illustrated in application as a component of an adjustable showering device (1). A retractable rack (2) connects the attachment clamp (3), which is clamped onto a standard shower stem, to the showering device (1). The rack is covered and retained by cover plate (5).

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial section of the preferred embodiment of the shower assembly (1), the cover plate (5) has been removed to show the novel ratchet adjustment mechanism (2). The two views illustrate the adjustment rack completely retracted and fully extended.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the preferred embodiment of the shower bath assembly (1) showing the spring-loaded ratchet clamps (6) engaged with the adjustable rack (2). The clamps are biased by metallic or elastomeric springs (7).

[0015] Depressing the two clamps (6) toward the center of the device releases their engagement with the adjustable rack (2). The rack can then be lifted up to any engagement position available along the multiple stops (10) on the rack (2). The weight of the rack locks the clamps (6) into the rack at each stop. The taper angles (9) which lead into each stop (10) along the rack allows the spring-loaded clamps to ride up to the next locking position without requiring the clamps to be depressed. Thus the rack can be lifted up easily from a lower position, but lock at each step against falling downward. The rack is retained, finally, by a fixed stop (8) at the extreme low position.

[0016] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described, it is understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ratcheting mechanism for supporting a shower structure comprising: a member adapted to connect said shower structure to a shower stem; a plurality of teeth along said member; and a pawl fixed to said shower structure and adapted to engage said plurality of teeth to prevent said shower structure from moving downward.

2. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a lever extending from said pawl adapted to selectively disengage said pawl from said teeth, enabling said shower structure to move downward.

3. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a spring adjacent said lever adapted to bias said pawl against said teeth.

4. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of teeth is tapered inward toward the bottom of each tooth and includes a stop at the bottom of each tooth to enable said shower structure to selectively move upward and lock at each tooth without said pawl being disengaged from said teeth.

5. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a protrusion at the bottom of said member to prevent said shower structure from moving beyond said protrusion.

6. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a plate adapted to cover said member.

7. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said member further comprises a clamp adapted to secure said member to said shower stem.