U.S. patent application number 11/426531 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-19 for flexible shower arm assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Water Pik, Inc.. Invention is credited to Milton B. Hollinshead, Robert B. Male.
Application Number | 20060231648 11/426531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25124199 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060231648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Male; Robert B. ; et
al. |
October 19, 2006 |
FLEXIBLE SHOWER ARM ASSEMBLY
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.
Inventors: |
Male; Robert B.; (Fort
Collins, CO) ; Hollinshead; Milton B.; (Fort Collins,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
370 SEVENTEENTH STREET
SUITE 4700
DENVER
CO
80202-5647
US
|
Assignee: |
Water Pik, Inc.
Fort Collins
CO
|
Family ID: |
25124199 |
Appl. No.: |
11/426531 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10658032 |
Sep 9, 2003 |
7066411 |
|
|
11426531 |
Jun 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
09615299 |
Jul 13, 2000 |
6629651 |
|
|
10658032 |
Sep 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
09241345 |
Feb 1, 1999 |
6164569 |
|
|
09615299 |
Jul 13, 2000 |
|
|
|
08781863 |
Jan 10, 1997 |
5865378 |
|
|
09241345 |
Feb 1, 1999 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/587.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/025 20130101;
F16L 11/18 20130101; F16L 27/047 20130101; E03C 1/06 20130101; E03C
1/0408 20130101; B05B 15/652 20180201; B05B 1/18 20130101; E03C
1/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
239/587.1 |
International
Class: |
B05B 15/08 20060101
B05B015/08 |
Claims
1. A flexible shower arm 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 having a longitudinal axis,
and having a first end bead at a first end of the arm and a second
end bead at a second end of the arm; the first end bead having a
connector end and a partially spherical opposing end, the partially
spherical opposing end for connection to an adjacent bead; a shower
pipe connector nut defining an internal bore extending
therethrough, and having a first end for fluid connection to a
shower pipe, and a second end for connection to the connector end
of the first end bead; at least one internal stop located within
the axially extending bore; at least one internal stop abutment
elements located within the axially extending bore, at least one
stop abutment element contacting at least one stop when the
plurality of interconnected beads is twisted in such a manner as to
alter the longitudinal axis; and a flexible sheath covering the
plurality of interconnected beads, an end of the sheath located
between an interior surface of the second end of the shower pipe
connector nut and an external surface of the first end bead.
2. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end bead
is threadedly connected to the second end of the shower pipe
connector nut.
3. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of interconnected beads is connected to an adjacent bead
via a snap-fit arrangement.
4. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the
shower pipe connector nut is internally threaded for connection to
a shower pipe.
5. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end of
the second connector is internally threaded for connection to a
shower pipe.
6. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of
internal stops define a stop longitudinal axis; and the stop
longitudinal axis varies with the longitudinal axis of the flexible
arm.
7. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of internal stops comprises a formation of an interior
wall of one of the plurality of interconnected beads.
8. The shower arm assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the
plurality of internal stop abutment elements comprises an interior
wall of one of the plurality of interconnected beads.
9. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
flexible tube disposed within the axially extending bore.
10. The shower arm assembly of claim 9, wherein the flexible tube
is further disposed within the plurality of internal stops.
11. The shower arm assembly of claim 10, further comprising a
grommet attaching the flexible tube to the shower pipe connector
nut.
12. The shower arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the grommet
compresses the flexible tube against an interior of the shower pipe
connector nut.
13. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheath
comprises an external ribbed pattern.
14. The shower arm assembly of claim 13, wherein the external
ribbed pattern comprises a continuous helix.
15. The shower arm assembly of claim 13, wherein the sheath is
formed of plastic.
16. The shower arm assembly of claim 13, wherein: the external
ribbed pattern comprises a plurality of ribs; and a portion of the
sheath bounded by a first rib of the plurality of ribs and a second
rib of the plurality of ribs compresses as the sheath is bent.
17. The shower arm assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheath
comprises a shape nonconforming to the shape of the plurality of
interconnected beads.
18. The shower arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the sheath is free
to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
19. A flexible shower arm assembly comprising: a plurality of
snap-fitted beads forming a flexible arm, each bead pivotable with
respect to adjacent beds, the plurality of snap-fitted beads
forming an axially extending bore having a longitudinal axis and
varying in longitudinal cross-section as the flexible arm is bent,
the plurality of snap-fitted beads having a first end bead at a
first end of the arm and a second end bead at a second end of the
arm; the first end bead having a connector end and a partially
spherical opposing end, the partially spherical opposing end for
connection to an adjacent bead; a shower pipe connector nut
defining an internal bore extending therethrough, and having a
first end for fluid connection to a shower pipe, and a second end
for connection to the first end bead; a flexible tube disposed
within the axially extending bore; a grommet compressing the
flexible tube against an interior of the shower pipe connector nut;
at least one internal stop located within the axially extending
bore and defining a stop longitudinal axis, the stop longitudinal
axis varying with the longitudinal axis; at least one internal stop
abutment elements located within the axially extending bore, at
least one stop abutment element contacting at least one stop when
the plurality of snap-fitted beads is twisted in such a manner as
to alter the longitudinal axis; and a flexible sheath covering the
plurality of snap-fitted beads and having a lateral cross-section,
the lateral cross-section of the flexible sheath differing at least
in area from the lateral cross-section of the plurality of
snap-fitted beads; and wherein the flexible is sheath free to move
in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
20. The flexible shower arm assembly of claim 19, wherein: each of
the plurality of snap-fitted beads comprises a Teflon-impregnated
thermoplastic; and a first snap-fitted bead of the plurality of
beads is frictionally connected to a second snap-fitted bead of the
plurality of beads such that the first snap-fitted bead may be held
in a pivoted position relative to the second snap-fitted bead.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation patent application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/658,032, filed on Sep. 9, 2003
and entitled "Flexible Shower Arm Assembly"; which is a
continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/615,299, filed on Jul. 13, 2000 and entitled "Flexible Shower
Arm Assembly," now U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,651; which is a continuation
patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/241,345,
filed on Feb. 1, 1999 and entitled "Flexible Shower Arm Assembly,"
now U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,569; which is a continuation patent
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/781,863, filed
on Jan. 10, 1997 and entitled "Flexible Shower Arm Assembly," now
U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,378; the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated herein in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to a flexible
shower arm assembly, and more particularly to a shower arm assembly
having a flexible shower arm to allow for flexible adjustment of
the position of the shower head.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Bathing in a shower has replaced bathing in a bathtub as the
preferred method of bathing for several reasons, including
convenience, comfort, and energy savings. Typically, a person
stands in the shower and is sprayed with water through a shower
head, which is attached to a shower pipe extending from the central
plumbing. A shower head directly attached to the shower pipe is
able to be pivoted about the attachment to the shower pipe to
provide a certain degree of movement to control the direction of
the shower spray. The movement of the shower head is limited to
pivotal movement about the connection point to the shower pipe and
cannot be translated in any direction.
[0005] An improvement to the adjustability of the standard shower
head includes the development of the hand-held shower head. The
hand-held shower head includes a flexible hose attached to the
shower pipe and a shower head having a handle attached to the
opposite end of the flexible hose. The hand-held shower head is
typically mounted on a bracket attached to the shower pipe to allow
the hand-held shower head to be used as a normal shower head, and
can normally be pivoted about the attachment of the bracket to the
shower pipe. However, the hand-held shower head can also be removed
from the bracket and held in the desired position with one hand.
This allows the user to move the shower head to any desired
position, however it requires that the user utilize one hand to
hold the shower head.
[0006] Further development in shower head positioning includes
shower pipe extensions, which include one or more rigid links
having one end pivotally attached to the shower pipe and the other
end pivotally attached to the shower head, or to another rigid
link. The links are typically elongated rigid hoses and allow for
limited movement in the vertical and lateral directions. The
movement is limited by the length of the rigid links and the
direction of movement allowed by the pivotal joints between the
links. This type of rigid link structure often leaks at the joints
and can become loose and fail to hold the desired position.
[0007] There is missing in the art a shower head assembly which
allows the variable positioning of the shower head in three
dimensions while leaving the user with two free hands. It is to
overcome the shortcomings in the prior art that the present
invention was developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention in general terms concerns 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
water spray, can be modified simply 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.
[0009] More particularly, the flexible shower arm assembly includes
an elongated flexible member defining fluid transfer path, the
flexible member having a first end and an opposite second end. The
flexible member is repeatably configurable to a fixed shape. 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.
[0010] Still more particularly, the flexible shower arm assembly
includes a plurality of interconnected beads forming a flexible
arm, each bead rotatable with respect to adjacent beads. The
plurality of interconnected beads form an axially extending bore,
and have a first end bead at a first end of the arm and a second
end bead at a second end of the arm. A shower pipe connector nut,
defining an internal bore extending therethrough, has a first end
for fluid connection to the shower pipe, and a second end for fluid
connection to the first end bead. A shower head, defining a
connection structure having an internal bore extending
therethrough, is in fluid connection to the second end bead at the
second end of the arm.
[0011] In one embodiment, the first end bead has an externally
threaded end and a partially spherical opposing end. The partially
spherical end connects to an adjacent bead. The first end of the
connector nut is internally threaded, and the second end of the nut
is internally threaded for threaded engagement to the shower pipe.
The externally threaded end of the first end bead is threadedly
received by the internally threaded first end of the nut.
[0012] In another embodiment, the connection structure between the
shower head and the second end of the flexible arm includes a
retainer for rotatably receiving said second end bead, a collar for
receiving the second end bead and the retainer, and a connector for
positioning the second end bead and the retainer in the collar.
[0013] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a flexible shower arm that can be repeatably adjusted to a
variety of positions to allow control of the direction of spray
from a shower head.
[0014] Other aspects, features and details of the present invention
can be more completely understood by reference to the following
detailed description of a preferred embodiment, in conjunction with
the drawings, and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower stall having a
flexible shower arm assembly incorporating the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the flexible
shower arm assembly incorporating the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged representative section of interlinked
beads, including the second end bead.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a representative section of the flexible shower
arm of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a section taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial section similar to FIG. 7.
[0023] FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial section of the wedge collar
similar to FIG. 8.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of the first end of the
flexible shower arm.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial exploded view of the second end of the
flexible shower arm.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a representative section of the pipe nut utilized
in the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
[0028] A shower head assembly 30 encompassing the present invention
is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The shower head assembly 30 is attached to a
standard shower pipe 32 extending from the wall of a shower stall,
as shown in FIG. 1. The shower head assembly 30 includes an
elongated flexible shower arm 34 having first 36 and second 38
opposing ends, and defining a water conduit along its entire
length. The first end 36 of the flexible shower arm 34 is attached
to a shower pipe connector nut 40. The shower pipe connector nut 40
is in turn attached to the standard shower pipe 32 extending from
the wall of the shower stall. The second end 38 of the flexible
shower arm 34 is adapted to receive a shower head 42. A special
connection structure 44 (see FIG. 3) is used between the second end
38 of the flexible shower arm 34 and the shower head 42.
[0029] In use, water flows from the shower pipe 32 through the
shower pipe connector nut 40, and into the flexible shower arm 34.
The water flows through the conduit (a continuous internal cavity)
formed along the entire length of the flexible shower arm
(described in more detail below) to reach the shower head 42, and
then through the shower head. The flexible shower arm 34 can be
configured by the user to take in any of a number of positions,
which allows the user to position the shower head 42 and the
direction of the shower spray as desired, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0030] Still generally, as shown in FIG. 3, the flexible shower arm
34 is made of a plurality of interlinked ball and socket beads 46
interconnected together, with each of the beads being pivotable
with respect to each of the adjacent beads due to the ball and
socket structure. Each bead defines an internal cavity 48 extending
therethrough, and when interconnected the internal cavity 48 is
continuous and extends along the entire length of the flexible
shower arm 34. A flexible hose 50 is positioned through the
continuous internal cavity 48 for carrying fluid through the
flexible arm 34 from the shower pipe nut 40 to the shower head 42.
A sheath 52 encompasses the length of the flexible shower arm 34
and extends from the shower pipe connector nut 40 to the base of
the shower head 42. The sheath 52 protects the beads 46 from
moisture, dirt and other contaminants which may affect the
performance of the flexible shower arm 34.
[0031] In more detail, referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the flexible
shower arm 34 is made up a plurality of ball and socket beads 46
which are interconnected for rotational and pivotal movement
between adjacent beads. The beads are preferably made of a
thermoplastic material, such as Teflon impregnated acetal. Each
bead 46 has a smaller end 54 and a larger end 56, with a tapered
neck 58 area defined between the two ends. The cavity 48 formed
through the bead 46 defines an opening 60 at the smaller end 54 of
the bead 46 and an opening at the larger end 56 of the bead. The
external surface at the smaller end 54 of the bead 46 is
substantially spherical in shape. The internal walls 62 of the
cavity 48 formed at the larger end 56 of the bead 46 have a
substantially spherical shape for rotatably and pivotally receiving
the smaller end 54 of the adjacent bead 46. The beads 46 are
interconnected with one another by inserting the smaller end 54 of
a first bead into the cavity 48 in the larger end 56 of the
adjacent bead 46 and so on, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
engagement of the external walls of the smaller end 54 of one bead
with the internal walls 62 of the larger end 56 of an adjacent bead
46 allows the plurality of beads to pivot and rotate with respect
to adjacent beads to form a variety of shapes.
[0032] The shape of the cavity 48 formed in the large end 56 of the
bead 46 is appropriately sized to tightly receive the smaller end
54 of an adjacent bead such that the beads can rotate and pivot
with respect to one another under the force of the user, however,
the fit is sufficiently fight to create adequate friction to
maintain the relative positions of the beads once the flexible
shower arm 34 is shaped by the user. A suitable bead 46 for use in
constructing the flexible shower arm 34 is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,449,206, issued to Lockwood Products, Inc. It is
contemplated, however, that any structure which allows for repeated
flexible movement to a fixed final position, and that can
accommodate the desired fluid transfer characteristics could be
utilized for this purpose.
[0033] A special first end bead 64 is utilized at the first end 36
of the plurality of beads 46 making up the flexible shower arm 34
to attach the flexible shower arm 34 to the shower pipe connector
nut 40, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 10. The first end connection
bead 64 defines a main body 66 with one end 68 structured so as to
attach to the adjacent bead 46 in the flexible shower arm 34.
Preferably, the structure of the end 68 is a partially spherical
concave outer surface 70 similar to the smaller end 54 of the
typical bead 46 previously described above. A cavity 72 is formed
through the first end connector bead 64, and will be described
further below. The other end 74 of the first end connector bead 64
has a substantially cylindrical outer surface portion 76 defining a
rim 78, an annular sloped sealing surface 80 adjacent to the rim
78, an annular flange 82 or rim extending outwardly from the main
body, and external threads 84 positioned between the sealing
surface 80 and the flange 82.
[0034] Protrusions 86 or prongs (see FIGS. 6, 10, and 13) extend
radially from the annular rim 78 and form part of a locking
mechanism 88 described in more detail below. As shown in FIGS. 10
and 13, prongs 86 extend outwardly from the annular rim 78 on the
first end bead 64 and have a longer first side 90 with a shallow
slope, and a shorter second side 92 with a steeper slope. The
protrusions 86 are oriented on the rim 78 such that when the first
end bead 64 is engaged with the shower pipe nut 40, the protrusions
engage corresponding ramps 94 formed on the inner surface of the
shower pipe nut 40 when the first end bead 64 is completely seated
in the shower pipe nut 40 to form a "ratchet" type of locking
mechanism 88 which keeps the first end bead 64 from being extracted
from the shower pipe nut 40, such as by attempting to unscrew the
first end bead 64 from the pipe nut 40.
[0035] The cavity 72 formed through the length of the first end
bead 64 has a particular shape to facilitate the transfer of fluid
therethrough. At the ball end 68 of the first end bead 64, the
recess 72 has a relatively large diameter and necks down through a
sloped section 96 to a substantially cylindrical throat 98 through
the center portion of the first end connector bead 64. The cavity
72 then abruptly widens to a larger diameter, substantially
cylindrical, cavity portion 100 formed through to the other end 74
of the connector bead 64. An engagement surface 102 is formed at
the transition from the diameter of the throat 98 to the larger
diameter recess 100, and is preferably a surface formed at
90.degree. to the length of the first end connector bead 64. The
external surface of the first end connector bead 64, adjacent the
throat 98 extending along the middle of its length, defines the
minimum exterior dimension of the first end connector bead 64.
[0036] A pair of thin, relatively flexible fins 104 extend from
opposite sides of the throat 98 portion of the first end connector
bead 64. The fins 104 help form a seal with the sheath 52 when the
sheath 52 is inserted over the first end connector bead 64 and into
the shower pipe nut 40, as described below and shown in FIG. 6. As
the end 106 of the sheath 52 is inserted over the first end
connector bead 64 and into the shower pipe nut 40, the sheath 52
engages the free ends 108 of the seal fins 104 and bend the seal
fins 104 towards the shower pipe nut 40. The space between the tips
108 of the fins 104 and the shower pipe nut 40 is smaller than the
thickness of the sheath 52 such that the sheath 52 engages the fins
104 as the sheath is inserted into the shower pipe nut 40. The
resiliency of the fins 104 creates a bias force against the sheath
52 to push the sheath 52 against the shower pipe nut 40 and thus
create a fastened joint to help block the entry of dirt, particles
or other contaminants. In addition, the bent fins also act as a cam
surface to create an interference fit to resist the withdrawal of
the sheath 52 from the shower pipe nut 40.
[0037] The hose 50, preferably made of nylon-reinforced PVC, is
inserted through the cavity 48 formed along the length of the
flexible arm 34, and is attached to the first end connector bead 64
by a serrated grommet 110, as best shown in FIG. 6. The serrated
grommet 110 has a substantially cylindrical main body defining an
axial bore 112 formed therethrough, and a radially extending
annular flange 114 formed at one end thereof. The outer surface of
the main body defines serrations 116, preferably helical, to allow
easy insertion of the grommet 110 into the inner diameter of the
hose 50, and to resist the extraction of the grommet 110 from the
hose 50. The serrations 116 have relatively sharp tips to engage
the inner diameter of the hose 50 to grip the hose 50 and resist
the extraction of the grommet 110 therefrom.
[0038] The hose 50 is first inserted thorough the throat 98 of the
first end connector bead 64. The end of the hose 50 is
substantially aligned with the end of the throat 98 at the
transition between the throat 98 and the larger diameter cavity
portion 100. The grommet 110 is then inserted into the bore of the
hose 50 such that the undersurface of the annular flange 114 formed
on the grommet 110 engages the end of the hose 50 and the
engagement surface 102 adjacent the throat 98. The main body of the
grommet 110 is sized such that when inserted into the hose 50, the
wall of the hose 50 is compressed against the wall of the throat 98
to form a water tight seal, such that water flows only through the
hose 50 and not around the hose. The engagement of the annular
flange 114 of the grommet 110 against the engagement surface 102 of
the first end connector bead 64 also forms a seal to help prevent
water from flowing through the bead 64 around the hose 50.
[0039] The first end bead 64 of the flexible shower arm 34 is
connected to the shower pipe 32 by a shower pipe connector nut 40,
as best shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the
nut 40 has an elongated main body 118 and defines a multi-chambered
continuous cavity 120 formed therethrough. The first portion 122 of
the cavity 120 has smooth walls. The second portion 124 of the
cavity 120 defines internal threads 126 and is of a slightly
smaller diameter for receiving the external threads 128 in the
shower pipe 32 to allow threaded connections of the nut 40 to the
shower pipe 32. The third chamber 130 is partially threaded. An
annular seat 132 is formed between the second 124 and third 130
portions of the chamber 120.
[0040] An inwardly extending angled annular flange 134 is formed at
one end of the third portion 130 of the cavity 120 and reduces the
diameter of the cavity 120 significantly to control water flow in
conjunction with the water flow restrictor 150. An annular recess
136 is formed about the base of the angled annular flange 134 for
receiving the rim of the first end bead 64 upon insertion, as
described further below. An annular seal seat 138 is next formed in
the cavity 120 beyond which an internally threaded region 140 is
defined and terminates in the final chamber 142 having a larger
diameter and defining an annular seating surface 144 oriented at
90.degree. to the length of the pipe nut 40. A plurality of ramps
94 are spaced circumferentially on the interior wall of the final
chamber 142, adjacent to the seating surface 144. These ramps 94
work in conjunction with the protrusions 86 formed on the annular
flange 82 of the first end bead 64 to form the thread-locking
mechanism 88.
[0041] The end 74 of the first end bead 64 is threadedly received
in the pipe nut 40 until the sealing surface 80 on the first end
bead 64 engages an O-ring seal 146 and compresses it against the
annular seal seat 138 formed in the pipe nut 40. The radially
extending external flange 82 of the first end bead 64
simultaneously engages the flattened engagement surface 144 formed
in the pipe nut 40 to solidly position the first end bead 64 to the
pipe nut 40. The plurality of ramps 94 formed on the interior
surface of the pipe nut 40 adjacent to the flattened engagement
surface 144 engage the protrusions 86 formed on the radial
extending external flange 82 of the first end nut 64 and allow the
first end nut 64 to be threaded into the pipe nut 40 with a
right-handed thread motion. The shape of the protrusions 86 on the
external flange 82 on the first end bead 64 resist the
counter-clockwise relative rotation of the first end bead 64 with
respect to the pipe nut 40 to keep the first end bead 64 from
accidentally being unscrewed from the pipe nut 40. The interlocking
protrusions 86 and ramps 94, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, form a
locking mechanism 88 which basically allow the first end bead 64 to
be threadedly received by the pipe nut 40 and resist the threaded
extraction from the pipe nut 40 of the first end bead 64.
[0042] The O-ring 146 forms a seal between the first end bead 64
and the pipe nut 40 to keep water from flowing around the first end
bead 64 and to only flow through the hose 50 extending through the
flexible arm 34. An end 106 of the sheath 52 is positioned outside
of the first end bead 64, engaging the seal fins 104, and inside of
the end of the pipe nut 40 to assist in fixing the end 106 of the
sheath 52 to the pipe nut 40 and form a seal to keep water and dirt
as well as other contaminants from reaching the interconnected
beads 46.
[0043] A water filter member 148 and a flow restrictor 150 as shown
in FIG. 6, are positioned in the pipe nut 40. The filter 148 has a
first portion 152 having external threading and a second portion
154 having filtering structure, such as screen or small
perforations. Water flows through the filtering structure and into
a cavity 156 formed in the filter 148, and out the end of the first
portion 152. An annular seating flange 158 is formed between the
two portions 152, 154 and extends outwardly therefrom. The first
portion 152 of the filter 148 is threadedly received by the threads
in the third chamber 130 until the flange 158 engages the annular
seat 132 when the filter 148 is in the proper position, also being
engaged by the end of the shower pipe 32, with an flat washer 159
positioned therebetween to form a seal. The flow restrictor 150 is
held in the third portion 130 of the cavity 120 by the filter 148,
and receives the water after it has passed through the filter
148.
[0044] A specially designed second end bead 160 is positioned at
the shower head end of the flexible arm 34 to facilitate the
connection of the shower head 42 to the flexible arm 34, as shown
in FIGS. 7, 8 and 11. One end of the second end bead 160 has a
shape structured to attach to the adjacent bead 46 in the flexible
shower arm 34. Preferably, this shape is identical to the larger
end 56 of the typical bead 46 used in forming the interlocking bead
structure of the flexible arm 34, and is the receiving, or female,
end 162 of the second end bead 160. The opposite 164, or male end,
of the second end bead 160 has a substantially spherical outer
surface 166. The cavity 168 formed through the entire second end
bead 160 has a central throat portion 170 converting to a partially
spherical portion 172 in the receiving end 162 of the second end
bead 160 (for receiving the smaller end 54 of the typical bead 46
as defined above) and a portion adjacent 160 the male end 164 of
the second end bead 160 having a diameter larger than the throat
170, to form an engagement surface 174 for the grommet which is
used in attaching the hose 50 to the second end bead 160. A grommet
176 such as that described above with respect to the first end bead
64 is utilized to fix the end of the hose 50 to the second end bead
160 in an identical manner to that described with the first end
bead 64. A seal is thus formed between the hose 50 and side walls
of the throat 170 by the insertion of the grommet 176 into the hose
50 when the hose 50 is positioned in the throat 170. The outwardly
extending flange 178 of the grommet 176 engages the engagement
surface 174 formed by the transition of the throat 170 to the
larger diameter portion of the cavity 168.
[0045] A finger collar, or retainer, 180 is used in conjunction
with the internal shower head body 182 to attach the small end 164
of the second end bead 160 to the base cone 184 of the shower head
42. The finger collar 180 has a substantially cylindrical main body
186 with fingers 188 extending longitudinally from around the main
body 186, and an annular seal rim 190 formed on the interior wall
of the main body 186 of the finger collar 180. The seal rim 190 is
positioned adjacent to but below the base of the finger extensions
188 from the main body 186 of the finger collar 180. An
interference seal 192 is formed around the outer surface of the
main body 186 of the finger collar 180 and is a rounded protrusion
extending circumferentially around the main body 186.
[0046] The base cone 184 of the shower head 42 has a collar 194
defining a passageway 196 formed therethrough with one end 198
internal to the shower head 42 having internal threading 200 and
the other end 202 external to the shower head 42 having an opening
203 reduced in size by an inwardly sloped, partially conical rim
204 defining an interior finger engagement surface 206 which is
further described below.
[0047] The internal shower head body 182 defines an externally
threaded connector end 208 and an axial recess 210 formed adjacent
the threaded end of the connector 208. The axial recess 210 has a
base wall 212 and smooth side walls 214.
[0048] In connecting the second end bead 160 to the base cone 184
of the shower head 42, the male end 164 of the second end bead 160
is inserted through the reduced-size external opening 203 in the
base cone 184. The finger collar 180 is then positioned over the
male end 164 of the second end bead 160 such that the fingers 188
extend along substantially the entire length of the male end 164 of
the second end bead 160, and the seal rim 190 on the internal wall
of the finger collar 180 continuously engages the outer surface 166
of the male end 164 of the second end bead 160. The externally
threaded connector 208 of the internal shower head body 182 is then
threadedly received in the internally threaded end 200 of the
collar 194 of the base cone 184. The external annular protrusion
192 on the main body 186 of the finger collar 180 engages the
smooth sidewall 214 of the axial cavity 210 formed in the end of
the connector 208 on the internal shower head body 182 to form a
watertight seal between the finger collar 180 and the internal
shower head body 182. The end of the finger collar 180 engages the
base wall 212 of the cavity 210 in the shower head body 182, and as
the connector 208 is threaded into the base cone 184, the base wall
212 of the cavity 210 pushes the finger collar 180 towards the
reduced-size aperture 203 in the collar 194. The finger engagement
surface 206 of the necked-down portion 204 of the external aperture
203 forces the finger extensions 188 on the finger collar 180 to
wrap around the partially spherical outer surface 166 of the male
end 164 of the second end bead 160 to rotatably grip the male end
164 of the second end bead 160 and keep the second end bead 160
from being extracted from the base cone 184. In addition, the seal
rim 190 forms a watertight seal between the finger collar 180 and
the second end bead 160. The thickness of the finger extensions 188
is sufficient to retain the male end 164 of the second end bead 160
in the base cone 184.
[0049] The internal annular seal rim 190 is also forced against the
external surface 166 of the male end 164 of the second end bead 160
to form a watertight seal between the second end bead 160 and the
finger collar 180.
[0050] The necked-down engagement surfaces 206 are partially
conically shaped to functionally wrap the finger extensions 188 of
the finger collar 180 around the partially spherical surface 166 of
the male end 164 of the second end bead 160, which creates a
frictional gripping force on the male end 164 of the second end
bead 160 as well as an interference fit to keep the male end 164 of
the second end bead 160 from being extracted from the base cone
184. The base cone 184 can thus rotate about the male end 164 of
the second end bead 160 while maintaining the seal between the
second end bead 160 and the finger collar 180 because the seal rim
190 maintains contact with the external surface 166 of the male end
164 of the second end bead 160 as the shower head 42 is rotated
about the male end 164. Functionally, the rotation of the shower
head 42 is more than likely to reside in the rotation of the second
end bead 160 with the next adjacent bead 46, however some pivoting
is allowed between the shower head 42 and the second end bead 160.
A continuous fluid flow path is thus formed through the second end
bead 160, through the finger collar 180, and into the internal
shower head body 182 for dispensing through the shower head 42,
with adequate seals to keep the water from leaking out from around
each of the interconnected parts.
[0051] The shower head base cone 184 defines an annular recess 216
extending circumferentially around, but spaced away from the collar
194. The annular recess 216 receives the end 218 of the sheath 52
to give the final product a finished look and to seal the end 218
of the sheath 52 to the base cone 184 to prevent passage of water,
dirt and other contaminants to the interconnected beads. A wedge
collar 220 is used to assist in retaining the sheath end 218 in the
recess 216, and to improve the seal characteristics, as shown in
FIG. 8. The wedge collar 220 is substantially cylindrical in shape,
has thin sidewalls, and defines a wedge ring 222 on the exterior
surface at a first end thereof. A sharp annular rim 224, FIG. 9, is
formed on the interior surface of the wedge collar 220 adjacent the
second end.
[0052] In using the wedge collar 220 as an anchor, the wedge collar
220 is first placed over the end 218 of the sheath 52 such that the
second end of the wedge collar 220 is substantially aligned with
the end 218 of the sheath 52. It is important that the sharp rim
224 engages the sheath 52. The wedge collar 220 and sheath 52 are
then pushed into the annular recess 216, which is dimensioned to
tightly receive the wedge collar 220 and sheath 52, thus pressing
the sharp rim 224 into the sheath 52 securely fixing them together.
The wedge collar 220 and sheath 52 are inserted into the recess 216
until the wedge ring 222 engages the end of the base cone 184, and
resiliently biases the portion of the base cone 184 outwardly to
develop an even tighter engagement of the sheath 52 and wedge
collar 220 to the base cone 184, forming an adequate seal.
[0053] Alternatively, a U-shaped spring clip can be attached over
the end 218 of the sheath 52 to assist in retaining the end in the
recess 216. The clip has barbs extending inwardly and outwardly.
The inwardly extending clips grip the sheath, while the outwardly
extending clips engage the walls of the recess 216. The barbs are
directional to inhibit the extraction of the end 218 from the
recess 216. Typically, two or three clips are positioned on the end
of the sheath to provide an adequate retaining force.
[0054] The sheath 52 surrounding the entire length of the flexible
arm 34, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, is substantially cylindrical
in shape and defines an internal cavity 226 along the entire length
of the sheath 52. Helical ribs 228 are formed on the outer surface
of the sheath 52 to provide structural support to the sheath 52 and
also to assist the sheath 52 in bending smoothly in conjunction
with the movement of the flexible arm 34. The end 106 of the sheath
52 adjacent to the first end bead 64 is inserted into the shower
pipe nut 40 to form a fastened joint. The end 218 of the sheath 52
adjacent to the shower head 42 is inserted into the shower head
base 184 also to form a fastened joint. With the sheath 52 being
attached at either end, it is difficult for water, moisture, dirt
or other contaminants to reach the interlocking beads 46. It has
been found that water, moisture, dirt or other contaminants cause
the interlocking beads to degrade in performance by causing the
interlocking beads to become noisy or move less smoothly with
respect to one another. The outer sheath 52 is also easier to clean
than the individual beads 46, and is thus more convenient. The
sheath 52 is preferably made of chemically resistant thermoplastic
material, such as polyethylene. The ribs 228 formed on the outer
surface of the sheath 52 to create a corrugated outer surface. The
bead is in a helix pattern, and provides structural strength to the
sheath. The webbing between the beads compresses (folds), or
extends, depending on the way the flexible arm is bent.
[0055] In operation, the shower pipe connector nut 40 is threadedly
received in the shower pipe 32 to form a seal and cause the water
to flow through the flexible shower arm 34 to the shower head 42.
The water flows through the shower pipe connector nut 40, through
the first end bead 64 attached to the shower pipe connector nut 40
and into the hose 50 which is positioned through the center of the
interlocking beads 46. The water exits the hose and passes through
the second end bead 160 adjacent to the shower head 42, and finally
through the shower head 42 to be dispensed to the user.
[0056] The first end bead 64 attached to the shower pipe connector
nut 40 provides for a watertight seal between the first end bead 64
and the connector nut 40, and a watertight seal between the hose 50
and the first end bead 64 so that the water exiting the shower pipe
32 flows only through the hose 50 to the shower head 42, and thus
eliminates leaking. The second end bead 160 is connected to the
shower head 42 to allow the shower head 42 to pivot on the second
end bead 160 as well as maintain the watertight seal between the
second end bead 160 and the shower head 42.
[0057] To position the shower head 42 in the desired location, the
user simply grasps the shower head 42 and moves it to bend the
flexible arm to the desired configuration to position the shower
head 42 in one of many positions, including laterally, vertically,
forward or backward, or virtually any combination thereof. Once
positioned, the flexible shower arm 34 maintains its shape until
modified by the user. The length of the flexible shower arm 34 is
limited only by the weight of the shower head 42, the structural
strength of the connection to the shower pipe 32, and the tightness
with which the beads 46 fit together to form the flexible shower
arm.
[0058] Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described with a degree of particularity. This
description has been made by way of preferred example. It should be
understood, however, that the scope of the present invention is
defined by the following claims, not necessarily by the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment.
* * * * *