U.S. patent application number 15/486381 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for temperature monitoring device for shower system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Agreat Shower and Sanitary (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Pi Kuang TSAI.
Application Number | 20180298596 15/486381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63791599 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180298596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSAI; Pi Kuang |
October 18, 2018 |
TEMPERATURE MONITORING DEVICE FOR SHOWER SYSTEM
Abstract
A shower system includes a receptacle connected to an inlet tube
for receiving a fluid, a temperature detector engaged in the
receptacle for detecting a temperature of the fluid, a showering
device attached to the receptacle, a container is connected to the
receptacle for receiving the fluid from the receptacle, and
connected to the showering device, a showering head is connected to
the container, and a control valve is engaged in the container for
controlling the fluid to flow out through either the showering
device or the showering head selectively. The temperature detector
monitors the temperature of the fluid flowing out through either
the showering device or the showering head.
Inventors: |
TSAI; Pi Kuang; (Xiamen,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Agreat Shower and Sanitary (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. |
Xiamen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
63791599 |
Appl. No.: |
15/486381 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 2001/0418 20130101;
E03C 1/0408 20130101; E03C 2201/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/04 20060101
E03C001/04; E03C 1/02 20060101 E03C001/02 |
Claims
1. A shower system comprising: an inlet tube; a temperature
monitoring device including a receptacle having an inlet port
connected to said inlet tube for receiving a fluid from said inlet
tube, said receptacle including a chamber formed therein and
communicating with said inlet port of said receptacle for receiving
the fluid from said inlet port of said receptacle, and a
temperature detector engaged in said chamber of said receptacle for
detecting a temperature of the fluid from said inlet tube and into
said chamber of said receptacle; a first showering device attached
to said receptacle; a water control device including a container
connected to said receptacle for receiving the fluid from said
receptacle, and said container being connected to said first
showering device; a second showering device connected to said
container; and a control valve engaged in said container and
adapted for controlling the fluid to flow out through either said
first showering device or said second showering device
selectively.
2. The shower system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
temperature monitoring device includes a displayer, and a generator
coupled to said displayer and received in said chamber of said
receptacle, and said temperature detector is electrically connected
to said generator.
3. The shower system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
temperature monitoring device includes a housing engaged into said
chamber of said receptacle, and said generator is engaged in said
housing.
4. The shower system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said generator
includes a spindle, and said temperature monitoring device includes
a paddle wheel attached to said spindle and rotated in concert with
said spindle for allowing said generator to be actuated by the
fluid with said paddle wheel.
5. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing
includes a compartment formed therein, and an orifice formed in
said housing and communicating with said compartment of said
housing for receiving and engaging with said spindle.
6. The shower system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing
includes a cavity formed therein and communicating with said
compartment of said housing for receiving and engaging with said
generator.
7. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said housing
includes a peripheral fence extended axially and outwardly from
said housing for forming an inner space in said peripheral fence
and for receiving and engaging with said paddle wheel.
8. The shower system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
temperature monitoring device includes a casing positioned between
said receptacle and said housing, said casing includes a bore
formed therein, and said paddle wheel is rotatably received and
engaged in said bore of said casing.
9. The shower system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said casing
includes at least one pathway formed therein and communicating with
said bore of said casing for allowing the fluid from said inlet
port of said receptacle to flow into said bore of said casing.
10. The shower system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container
includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a partition provided
in said container for forming a first outlet space and a second
outlet space, and two apertures formed in said partition for
communicating said first and said second outlet spaces with said
inlet chamber of said container respectively, and for allowing the
fluid from said inlet chamber of said container to flow into either
of said first or said second outlet spaces of said container.
11. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control
valve includes a control chamber formed therein for selectively
aligning and communicating with either of said first or said second
outlet spaces of said container.
12. The shower system as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first pipe
is connected between said inlet chamber of said container and the
and said chamber of said receptacle for allowing said fluid to flow
from said chamber of said receptacle to said inlet chamber of said
container selectively.
13. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
container includes an exit communicating with said second outlet
space of said container, and said exit of said container is
connected to said second showering device.
14. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
receptacle includes a manifold formed therein and offset from said
chamber of said receptacle, said manifold of said receptacle is
connected to said first showering device, and a pipe connects said
manifold of said receptacle to said first outlet space of said
container.
15. The shower system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
receptacle includes a peripheral bulge extended radially and
inwardly into said chamber of said receptacle, and said manifold is
formed in said peripheral bulge and offset from said chamber of
said receptacle.
16. The shower system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and a barrel
engaged in said inlet chamber of said container and positioned to
said container, and said barrel includes a bore formed therein,
said control valve includes a shaft extended axially and outwardly
therefrom and engaged through said bore of said barrel, and a
control knob is secured to said shaft for rotating said control
valve relative to said barrel and said container.
17. The shower system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said barrel
includes a spring biased projection for engaging with said control
knob and for positioning said control knob to said barrel and said
container at a selected position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a temperature monitoring
device, and more particularly to a temperature monitoring device
for a shower system including an improved and simplified structure
or configuration for monitoring and displaying the water
temperature of two or more showering facilities.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Various kinds of typical shower systems or apparatuses have
been developed and provided for showering purposes, and various
kinds of typical temperature monitoring devices have been developed
and attached to the typical shower systems or apparatuses and
provided for monitoring and displaying the water temperature
flowing out of the typical shower systems or apparatuses and for
allowing the user to shower with the appropriate water temperature,
and for preventing the user from being hurt by the over-heated
water and the like.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,360 to Fortune, U.S. Pat.
No. 4,161,881 to Raz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,543 to Raz, U.S. Pat. No.
4,509,550 to Monk, U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,120 to Bowen, U.S. Pat. No.
5,172,860 to Yuch, U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,452 to Banza, U.S. Pat. No.
7,174,579 to Banza, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,431 to Caramanna
disclose several of the typical temperature monitoring devices
attached to various kinds of typical shower systems or apparatuses
for monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of
the typical shower systems or apparatuses, and normally comprise a
temperature sensor or detector attached to the shower head or
nozzle of the shower systems or apparatuses for sensing or
detecting the water temperature flowing out of the shower head or
nozzle.
[0004] However, the typical temperature monitoring devices may only
be provided and attached to the shower head or nozzle, but may not
be provided and attached to the other showering facilities; i.e.,
the typical temperature monitoring devices may not be used for
monitoring and displaying the water temperature flowing out of two
different showering facilities, such as the shower head and the
spraying nozzle.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,552 to Fan, U.S. Pat. No.
7,043,776 to Wu, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,510 to Tsai disclose
several of the typical shower systems or apparatuses each comprise
two different showering facilities. However, two different or
separated temperature monitoring devices are required to be
prepared and attached to the two different showering facilities
when required.
[0006] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional temperature
monitoring devices for shower systems or apparatuses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a temperature monitoring device for a shower system including an
improved and simplified structure or configuration for monitoring
and displaying the water temperature of two or more showering
facilities.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a shower system comprising an inlet tube, a temperature
monitoring device including a receptacle having an inlet port
connected to the inlet tube for receiving a fluid from the inlet
tube, the receptacle including a chamber formed therein and
communicating with the inlet port of the receptacle for receiving
the fluid from the inlet port of the receptacle, and a temperature
detector engaged in the chamber of the receptacle for detecting a
temperature of the fluid from the inlet tube and into the chamber
of the receptacle, a first showering device, such as a fixed
showing head attached to the receptacle, a water control device
including a container connected to the receptacle for receiving the
fluid from the receptacle, and the container being connected to the
first showering device, a second showering device, such as a
showing nozzle connected to the container, and a control valve
engaged in the container and adapted for controlling the fluid to
flow out through either the first showering device or the second
showering device selectively. The temperature detector of the
temperature monitoring device may be used to detect and monitor the
temperature of the fluid flowing out through either the showering
device or the showering head.
[0009] The temperature monitoring device includes a displayer, and
a generator coupled to the displayer and received in the chamber of
the receptacle for generating the electric energy, and the
temperature detector is electrically connected to the generator.
The temperature monitoring device includes a housing engaged into
the chamber of the receptacle, and the generator is engaged in the
housing.
[0010] The generator includes a spindle, and the temperature
monitoring device includes a paddle wheel attached to the spindle
and rotated in concert with the spindle for allowing the generator
to be actuated by the fluid with the paddle wheel. The housing
includes a compartment formed therein, and an orifice formed in the
housing and communicating with the compartment of the housing for
receiving and engaging with the spindle.
[0011] The housing includes a cavity formed therein and
communicating with the compartment of the housing for receiving and
engaging with the generator. The housing includes a peripheral
fence extended axially and outwardly from the housing for forming
an inner space in the peripheral fence and for receiving and
engaging with the paddle wheel.
[0012] The temperature monitoring device includes a casing
positioned between the receptacle and the housing, the casing
includes a bore formed therein, and the paddle wheel is rotatably
received and engaged in the bore of the casing. The casing includes
at least one pathway formed therein and communicating with the bore
of the casing for allowing the fluid from the inlet port of the
receptacle to flow into the bore of the casing.
[0013] The container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and
a partition provided in the container for forming a first outlet
space and a second outlet space, and two apertures formed in the
partition for communicating the first and the second outlet spaces
with the inlet chamber of the container respectively, and for
allowing the fluid from the inlet chamber of the container to flow
into either of the first or the second outlet spaces of the
container.
[0014] The control valve includes a control chamber formed therein
for selectively aligning and communicating with either of the first
or the second outlet spaces of the container. A first pipe may
further be provided and connected between the inlet chamber of the
container and the0 and the chamber of the receptacle for allowing
the fluid to flow from the chamber of the receptacle to the inlet
chamber of the container selectively.
[0015] The container includes an exit communicating with the second
outlet space of the container, and the exit of the container is
connected to the second showering device. The receptacle includes a
peripheral manifold formed therein and offset from the chamber of
the receptacle, the manifold of the receptacle is connected to the
first showering device, and a pipe connects the peripheral manifold
of the receptacle to the first outlet space of the container. The
receptacle includes a peripheral bulge extended radially and
inwardly into the chamber of the receptacle, and the peripheral
manifold is formed in the peripheral bulge and offset from the
chamber of the receptacle.
[0016] The container includes an inlet chamber formed therein, and
a barrel engaged in the inlet chamber of the container and
positioned to the container, and the barrel includes a bore formed
therein, the control valve includes a shaft extended axially and
outwardly therefrom and engaged through the bore of the barrel, and
a control knob is secured to the shaft for rotating the control
valve relative to the barrel and the container. The barrel includes
a spring biased projection for engaging with the control knob and
for positioning the control knob to the barrel and the container at
a selected position.
[0017] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a temperature
monitoring device for a shower system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the temperature monitoring
device for the shower system;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the temperature
monitoring device for the shower system, taken along lines 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating a
temperature monitoring device for the shower system;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of the temperature
monitoring device for the shower system, as seen from the front
portion of the temperature monitoring device;
[0023] FIG. 6 is another partial exploded view of the temperature
monitoring device for the shower system, as seen from the rear
portion of the temperature monitoring device;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the temperature
monitoring device, taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the temperature
monitoring device, taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIGS. 9, 10 are cross sectional views of the temperature
monitoring device, taken along lines 9-9, and 10-10 of FIG. 7
respectively;
[0027] FIG. 11 is another partial perspective view illustrating a
water control device for the shower system;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view of the water control
device for the shower system;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the water control
device for the shower system, taken along lines 13-13 of FIG.
11;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the water control
device for the shower system, taken along lines 14-14 of FIG. 13;
and
[0031] FIGS. 15, 16 are cross sectional views similar to FIG. 13,
illustrating the operation of the water control device for the
shower system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a
temperature monitoring device in accordance with the present
invention is developed and provided for attaching to a shower
system or apparatus and provided for monitoring and displaying the
water temperature flowing out of the shower system or apparatus,
and the shower system comprises an inlet tube 10 attached or
mounted or secured to a wall member 9 (FIG. 3) for connecting or
coupling to a water reservoir (not illustrated) or the like, and
for receiving or obtaining a water or fluid from the water
reservoir, and the temperature monitoring device 2 in accordance
with the present invention is to be attached or mounted or secured
to the inlet tube 10 for sensing or detecting the water temperature
of the water or fluid from the inlet tube 10.
[0033] For example, as shown in FIGS. 4-10, the temperature
monitoring device 2 includes an outer housing or receptacle 20
having an inlet port 21 formed or provided therein for connecting
or coupling to the inlet tube 10 and for receiving or obtaining the
water or fluid from the inlet tube 10, and the receptacle 20
includes a compartment or chamber 22 formed therein and
communicating with the inlet port 21 for receiving or obtaining the
water or fluid from the inlet port 21, the receptacle 20 further
includes a peripheral bulge 23 extended radially and inwardly into
the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 for forming or defining an
inner passage 24 therein which is arranged or located between and
communicating with the inlet port 21 and the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20. It is preferable, but not necessary that the inlet
port 21 is extended axially and outwardly from the peripheral bulge
23 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 6, 7).
[0034] The receptacle 20 further includes a peripheral manifold 25
formed or provided therein, such as formed in the peripheral bulge
23, and offset or spaced or separated from the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20, and further includes an outlet port 26 formed or
provided therein and communicating with the manifold 25 (FIG. 7)
for allowing the water or fluid from the manifold 25 to flow out
through the outlet port 26 of the receptacle 20 (FIG. 10) and for
connecting or coupling to an inlet port 12 of a first showering
device 11, such as a fixed shower apparatus or head 11 which may
receive or obtain the water or fluid from the manifold 25 of the
receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 further includes a peripheral
fence or mouth 27 formed or provided on the lower or bottom portion
thereof and communicating with the manifold 25 and the chamber 22
of the receptacle 20, best shown in FIG. 7, for connecting or
coupling to another or second showering device 13, such as a shower
nozzle 13 or the like.
[0035] A barrel or housing 30 is received or engaged into the
chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 and secured to the peripheral bulge
23 and/or the receptacle 20 with screws or bolts or catches or
latches or fasteners 31 or the like (FIGS. 6, 7), the housing 30
includes a peripheral flange or fence 32 extended axially and
outwardly and/or forwardly therefrom (FIG. 6) for forming or
defining an inner space 33 therein, and includes one or more
openings 34 formed or provided in the peripheral fence 32 and the
chamber 22 of the receptacle 20, and for allowing the water or
fluid from the space 33 of the peripheral fence 32 to flow out
through the openings 34 of the peripheral fence 32 (FIGS. 7, 10)
and to flow into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. The housing
30 further includes a chamber or compartment 35 formed therein
(FIG. 5), a recess or cavity 36 formed therein and communicating
with the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and a hub or orifice 37
formed therein (FIG. 6) and communicating with the cavity 36 and/or
the compartment 35 of the housing 30.
[0036] A cup or casing 40 is further provided and disposed or
engaged into the passage 24 of the peripheral bulge 23 and/or of
the receptacle 20, and also engaged into the space 33 of the
peripheral fence 32 of the housing 30, and to be solidly and stably
anchored or retained or positioned between the peripheral bulge 23
and/or the receptacle 20 and the housing 30, the casing 40 includes
a compartment or bore 41 formed therein, and one or more pathways
42 formed therein (FIGS. 5-6, 8) and communicating with the bore 41
of the casing 40 for allowing the water or fluid from the inlet
port 21 of the receptacle 20 to flow into the bore 41 of the casing
40 (FIG. 8), and into the space 33 of the peripheral fence 32 of
the housing 30, and then to flow into the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20. A paddle wheel 43 is pivotally or rotatably received
or engaged in the bore 41 of the casing 40 and to be actuated or
rotated or operated by the water or fluid flowing into the bore 41
of the casing 40.
[0037] A temperature monitoring device 5 is to be attached to or
engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and includes a
displayer 50 engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing 30, and a
generator 51 attached or mounted or secured or coupled to the
displayer 50 and received or engaged in the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20 and also engaged in the compartment 35 and/or the
cavity 36 of the housing 30, and the generator 51 includes a
spindle 52 rotatably extended or engaged through the orifice 37 of
the housing 30, and the spindle 52 is attached or mounted or
secured or coupled to the paddle wheel 43 and rotated in concert
with the paddle wheel 43, for allowing the generator 51 to be
actuated or operated by the water or fluid with the paddle wheel
43, and for allowing the generator 51 to generate the electric
energy in order to energize the displayer 50 and the like. The
temperature monitoring device 5 further includes a temperature
probe or sensor or detector 53 electrically connected or coupled to
the generator 51 and received or engaged in the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20 and/or engaged in the compartment 35 of the housing
30 for sensing or detecting the water temperature of the water or
fluid from the inlet tube 10 and into the chamber 22 of the
receptacle 20.
[0038] A cover 54 may be attached or mounted or secured to the
housing 30 and/or the receptacle 20 for solidly and stably
anchoring or retaining or positioning the displayer 50 of the
temperature monitoring device 5 and the housing 30 to the
receptacle 20. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 11-16, a water control
device 6 may further be provided and includes a housing or
container 60 attached or mounted or secured to the wall member 9
with screws or bolts or catches or latches or fasteners or suction
cup 61 the like, and includes a recess or inlet chamber 62 formed
therein, and a partition 63 and/or a separating member 64 formed or
provided in the inner portion of the container 60 for forming or
defining two or more outlet spaces 65, 66, and includes two or more
apertures 67, 68 formed in the partition 63 and/or the separating
member 64 for communicating the outlet spaces 65, 66 with the inlet
chamber 62 of the container 60 respectively, and arranged for
allowing the water or fluid from the inlet chamber 62 of the
container 60 to flow into either or both of the outlet spaces 65,
66 of the container 60, best shown in FIGS. 13 and 15-16.
[0039] As also shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 11-16, a first pipe 70 is
provided and disposed or connected or coupled between the inlet
chamber 62 of the container 60 and the chamber 22 of the receptacle
20 with couplers 71, 72 for allowing the water or fluid to flow
from the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 3, 7) to the inlet
chamber 62 of the container 60 selectively (FIGS. 3, 13, 15), and
one or first of the outlet spaces 65 of the container 60 is
connected or coupled to the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20 with a
second pipe 73 and couplers 74, 75 for allowing the water or fluid
to flow from the first outlet space 65 of the container 60 (FIGS.
3, 13, 15) to the manifold 25 of the receptacle 20, and then to the
outlet port 26 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS. 7, 10) and the fixed
shower head 11 selectively. An outer cover or shield 76 may further
be provided and attached or mounted or secured between the
container 60 and the mouth 27 of the receptacle 20 and engaged onto
the pipes 70, 73 for covering or shielding the pipes 70, 73.
[0040] The container 60 includes an exit 69 (FIGS. 1-2, 11-12)
connected or coupled to and/or communicating with the other or the
second outlet space 66 of the container 60 for connecting or
coupling to the shower nozzle 13, and for allowing the water or
fluid to flow from the second outlet space 66 of the container 60
to the shower nozzle 13 selectively when the water or fluid flows
from the inlet chamber 62 to the second outlet space 66 of the
container 60 selectively (FIGS. 13, 16). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
a carrier or holder device 77 may further be provided and includes
a through hole 78 formed therein for slidably receiving or engaging
with the shield 76, and arranged for allowing the holder device 77
to be adjusted and anchored or retained or positioned to the shield
76 at suitable or selected or required positions or locations. The
holder device 77 includes a socket opening 79 formed therein for
receiving or engaging with the shower nozzle 13 selectively.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3, 11-13 and 15-16, a holder or barrel 80
is attached or mounted or secured or engaged in the inlet chamber
62 of the container 60 and anchored or retained or positioned to
the container 60 with screws or bolts or catches or fasteners or
latches 81 or the like, and includes a bore 82 formed therein (FIG.
12), and a control valve 83 is pivotally or rotatably received or
engaged in the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60, and includes a
shank or shaft 84 extended axially and outwardly therefrom and
pivotally or rotatably received or engaged through the bore 82 of
the barrel 80 and secured or connected or coupled to a button or
control knob 85 which may pivot or rotate the control valve 83
relative to the barrel 80 and the container 60. The control valve
83 includes a control chamber 86 formed therein for selectively
aligning or communicating with either or both of the outlet spaces
65, 66 of the container 60 (FIGS. 13, 15-16) by pivoting or
rotating the control valve 83 relative to the barrel 80 and the
container 60.
[0042] The control knob 85 may be attached or mounted or secured to
the shaft 84 with screws or bolts or catches or latches or
fasteners 87 or the like. A spring biasing member or spring biased
projection 89 may further be provided and attached or mounted or
secured to the barrel 80 for selectively engaging with the control
knob 85 and for selectively and suitably anchoring or retaining or
positioning the control knob 85 to the barrel 80 and the container
60 at suitable or selected or required positions or locations. For
example, the control knob 85 includes one or more depressions 88
formed therein (FIGS. 13, 15-16) for selectively engaging with the
spring biased projection 89 and for anchoring or retaining or
positioning the control knob 85 to the barrel 80 and the container
60 at the selected or required positions or locations.
[0043] In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-8, the water or
fluid from the inlet tube 10 may flow through the pathways 42 and
into the bore 41 of the casing 40 and to actuate or rotate or
operate the paddle wheel 43 which may actuate or operate the
generator 51 to generate the electric energy, the water or fluid
may then flow through the openings 34 of the peripheral fence 32 of
the housing 30 and to flow into the chamber 22 of the receptacle
20, for allowing the temperature detector 53 (FIG. 8) to sense or
detect the water temperature of the water or fluid from the inlet
tube 10 into the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20. The water or
fluid may then flow from the chamber 22 of the receptacle 20 (FIGS.
3, 7) through the first pipe 70 and into the inlet chamber 62 of
the container 60 (FIGS. 3, 13, 15-16).
[0044] The control valve 83 may then be pivoted or rotated relative
to the barrel 80 and the container 60 with the control knob 85, in
order to align or communicate the control chamber 86 of the control
valve 83 with either or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the
container 60 (FIGS. 13, 15-16) and for allowing the water or fluid
from the inlet chamber 62 of the container 60 to flow into either
or both of the outlet spaces 65, 66 of the container 60. For
example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the control chamber 86 of the
control valve 83 is communicating with the one or first of the
outlet spaces 65 of the container 60, the water or fluid may flow
from the first outlet space 65 of the container 60 to the manifold
25 of the receptacle 20, and then to the outlet port 26 of the
receptacle 20 (FIGS. 7, 10) and the fixed shower head 11
selectively.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 16, when the control chamber 86 of the
control valve 83 is communicating with the other or the second
outlet space 66 of the container 60, the water or fluid may flow
from the second outlet space 66 of the container 60 to the shower
nozzle 13 selectively for showering purposes. Or, selectively, as
shown in FIG. 13, the control chamber 86 of the control valve 83
may also be aligned with or communicating with both of the outlet
spaces 65, 66 of the container 60, for allowing the water or fluid
to flow out through both the fixed shower head 11 and the shower
nozzle 13. It is to be noted that only one temperature monitoring
device 2 is required to be prepared and attached to the inlet tube
10, and the water temperature of the water or fluid flowing through
both the fixed shower head 11 and the shower nozzle 13 may all be
sensed or detected and monitored with the single temperature
monitoring device 2.
[0046] Accordingly, the temperature monitoring device for a shower
system in accordance with the present invention includes an
improved and simplified structure or configuration for monitoring
and displaying the water temperature of two or more showering
facilities.
[0047] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *