U.S. patent number 3,921,635 [Application Number 05/472,091] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for shower head and douche.
Invention is credited to William Kohlmann Gauthier.
United States Patent |
3,921,635 |
Gauthier |
November 25, 1975 |
Shower head and douche
Abstract
A shower head having a water inlet at one end thereof and a
water outlet at the other end thereof, a chamber for containing a
dissolvable cartridge to treat water flowing through the chamber,
said chamber operatively associated with the shower head for flow
of water through the chamber and then through the outlet to obtain
flow of treated water through the outlet, and a douche attaching
fitting on said other end of the shower head for attachment of a
douche or the like thereto to obtain flow of water from the chamber
and through the douche when the douche is attached to the shower
head, said shower head thus usable alone or with a douche attached
thereto, as desired.
Inventors: |
Gauthier; William Kohlmann
(Metairie, LA) |
Family
ID: |
23874164 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/472,091 |
Filed: |
May 22, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/84; 604/150;
601/169; 601/160; 4/615 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
3/025 (20130101); B05B 7/2462 (20130101); A61B
90/05 (20160201); B05B 1/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
3/02 (20060101); A61M 3/00 (20060101); B05B
7/24 (20060101); A61B 19/00 (20060101); B05B
1/18 (20060101); A61m 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/229,66,227,239,230,251 ;4/145 ;285/8 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Yasko; J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shoemaker and Mattare
Claims
I claim:
1. A hand-held shower head comprising an elongate, hollow body
defining a handle, a hose attaching means on one end of the body to
attach said shower head to a source of water or the like, a spray
head on the other end of the body to effect spraying of water or
the like flowing through said body from said source, for use as a
shower, said other end of the body having a radially outwardly
extending douche attaching flange means thereon, a douche having a
generally cup-shaped, flexible attaching means on one end thereof
resiliently engaged over said flange releasably attaching said
douche to said flange for receiving water from said spray head, and
chamber means operatively associated with said shower head for
containing a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein to obtain
flow of treated water from the spray head and through the
douche.
2. A hand-held shower head as in claim 1, wherein said douche
comprises an elongate, rigid, tubular body having an axial flow
passageway extending therethrough, said cup-shaped member having a
flexible, radially inwardly turned lip thereon engaged behind the
flange on the shower head connecting the douche to the shower head,
a perforated outlet means on the other end of the douche body for
flow of water therethrough, and an annular, generally cup-shaped
splash shield secured to said douche body between the ends thereof
and adjacent said cup-shaped member on said one end of said douche
body.
3. A hand-held shower head as in claim 2, wherein an extension
adaptor is removably secured to said other end of said douche body
to change the length thereof, and a plurality of apertures are
formed in said extension adaptor for radial flow of water from said
douche body.
4. A hand-held shower head as in claim 3, wherein said extension
adaptor has a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially
spaced, elongate flow channels therein, and said apertures extend
radially outwardly from the passageway through the douche body to
the elongate flow passages on the extension adaptor.
5. A shower head, comprising: a hollow body having a chamber
therein; inlet fitting means on one end of the body to attach the
body to a source of water or the like; douche attaching fitting
means on the other end of the body substantially centrally thereof
for attachment thereto of a douche and having outlet means
extending from said chamber through said fitting for flow of water
through a douche attached thereto; said other end of the body
having a plurality of perforations therethrough around said fitting
defining a spray producing outlet means extending from said chamber
and opening outwardly of said body at said other end thereof for
producing a spray of water in substantially surrounding
relationship to said fitting; valve means in said shower head to
selectively divert flow to one of said outlet means, and manually
operable means connected to said valve means and accessible
externally of said body to operate said valve means and divert flow
through said outlets as desired, said shower head thus usable alone
or with a douche attached thereto.
6. A shower head as in claim 5, wherein said hollow body has an
elongate, slightly outwardly flared skirt thereon and an axially
projecting, diametrically reduced projection on said one end
thereof, said projection having said inlet fitting means thereon, a
cylindrical, elongate partition secured at one end thereof within
said body adjacent the end of the skirt nearest said inlet fitting
and spaced radially inwardly from said skirt, a closure cap secured
on the other end of said partition and defining with said partition
a hollow cavity, said valve means positioned in said cavity and
dividing said cavity into an inlet chamber and a treatment chamber,
said cap being removable to gain access to said treatment chamber
to place a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein, and port
means extending through said closure cap and through said
partition, said valve means operable to control flow through said
port means to selectively divert flow from said inlet chamber to
the space between said partition and skirt and thence through said
perforations and outwardly from beneath said skirt to provide an
untreated spray of water, and to divert flow past said valve into
said treatment chamber and from said treatment chamber outwardly to
the space between said partition and skirt to obtain a treated flow
of water, and to divert flow directly from the inlet fitting to the
treatment chamber and from the treatment chamber outwardly through
the douche attaching fitting to obtain a treated flow of water
through the fitting.
7. A shower head as in claim 6, wherein said spray producing outlet
means comprises an annular, radially outwardly extending flange on
said partition extending from said partition into engagement with
an inner surface of said skirt, and a plurality of axially
extending, circumferentially spaced perforations in said flange to
produce said spray.
8. A shower head as in claim 7, wherein a valve actuating stem is
connected with said valve and extends axially through said cavity
and projects upwardly at one end thereof into said inlet fitting,
and valve actuating means on said body including means extending
into engagement with said valve actuating stem to selectively raise
and lower said actuating stem to thus selectively position said
valve to divert said flow as desired.
9. A shower head as in claim 8, wherein said valve actuating means
comprises a series of teeth on one side of said valve actuating
stem, a pinion engaged with said teeth, said pinion secured to a
shaft extended radially through the side of said projection, and a
manually engagable operating knob connected with said shaft
externally of said body to operate said shaft and thus said pinion
to effect raising and lowering of said valve stem.
10. A shower head as in claim 5, wherein said hollow body is
substantially bell-shaped and defines a hollow cavity therewithin,
a slightly outwardly flared skirt on said other end of said
bell-shaped body and a diametrically reduced inlet fitting on said
one end of said body, a spray producing closure means removably
secured to said skirt on said other end of said body, and valve
means within said cavity dividing said cavity into an inlet chamber
and a treatment chamber.
11. A shower head as in claim 10, wherein a valve actuating means
is operatively connected with said valve to selectively divert flow
from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber and through said
spray head.
12. A shower head as in claim 11, wherein said valve means
comprises a substantially flat valve disc and an annular resilient
valve seat fixed in said body at the upper end of said skirt on
said bell-shaped body, and a valve actuating stem axially movable
in said shower head and engaged with said valve disc to raise and
lower said valve disc into and out of engagement with said valve
seat.
13. A shower head as in claim 12, wherein an axial flow passage
extends through said valve actuating stem from said inlet chamber
to said douche attaching fitting for flow of water from said inlet
chamber through said fitting.
14. A shower head as in claim 13, wherein said valve actuating stem
is threadably engaged within said spray head.
15. A hand-held shower head and douche comprising, an elongate,
hollow body comprising a handle and having a chamber therein, a
hose attaching means on one end of the body to attach said shower
head to a source of water or the like, a spray head on the other
end of the body to effect spraying of water or the like flowing
through said body from said source, said body including two
separable parts having mating cooperating fastening means on
adjacent portions thereof releasably securing the parts together so
that the parts may be readily separated to provide access to said
chamber for placing a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein to
treat water flowing through the chamber, said spray head comprising
a perforated cap secured to said body with the axis thereof
extending substantially at a right angle to the axis of the
elongate body, a douche attaching flange on said spray head, and a
douche releasably attached to said flange for receiving water from
said spray head, said douche comprising an elongate, rigid, tubular
body having an axial flow passageway extending therethrough, a
diametrically enlarged, flexible, generally cup-shaped member at
one end of the douche body, said member having a flexible, radially
inwardly turned lip thereon engaged behind the flange on the shower
head connecting the douche to the shower head, a perforated outlet
means on the other end of the douche body for flow of water
therethrough, and an annular, generally cup-shaped splash shield
secured to said douche body between the ends thereof and adjacent
said cup-shaped member on said one end of said douche body.
16. A hand-held shower head as in claim 15, wherein an extension
adaptor is removable secured to said other end of said douche body
to change the length thereof, and a plurality of apertures are
formed in said extension adaptor for radial flow of water from said
douche body.
17. A hand-held shower head as in claim 16, wherein said extension
adaptor has a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially
spaced, elongate flow channels therein, and said apertures extend
radially outwardly from the passageway through the douche body to
the elongate flow passages on the extension adaptor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shower head and douche, wherein the
shower head has chamber means operatively associated therewith for
containing a dissolvable cartridge, such as a medicated or scented
cartridge or the like, to treat water flowing through the chamber
and through the shower head. The shower head has outlet means at
one end thereof for producing a spray of water and fitting means is
at the outlet end for attachment thereto of a douche for flow of
water from the shower head to and through the douche, when the
douche is attached to the shower head.
According to one form of the invention, the shower head is a
hand-held, elongate, hollow body comprising a handle, and with
inlet means at one end thereof for attachment of the shower head to
a source of water, and with outlet means at the other end thereof
for producing a spray of water so that the shower head may be used
as a personal, hand-held shower for application of water to
selected portions of the body, as desired. The hand-held shower
means has douche attachment means at said other end thereof for
quick and easy attachment thereto of a douche so that the shower
head may be used as a douche when the douche is attached thereto.
In this form of the invention, the elongate shower head may be made
readily separable, so that access to the hollow interior of the
shower head may be quickly and easily accomplished for placement of
a scented or medicated cartridge or the like therein to treat water
flowing through the shower head and thus to obtain a flow of
medicated or scented water or the like either from the shower head
or from the douche when the douche is attached thereto.
Alternatively, a separate chamber may be provided in the conduit
means connected to the inlet end of the shower head for containing
a scented or medicated cartridge or the like.
In another form of the invention, the shower head is fixed in an
overhead position and is connected directly to a source of water in
a conventional manner. The shower head is hollow and defines a
chamber therewithin for containing a dissolvable, medicated or
scented cartridge or the like for treating water flowing through
the shower head and has an inlet at one end thereof for attachment
to said source of water and a first outlet at the other end thereof
for producing a spray of water, and a second outlet at said other
end having an attachment thereon for attachment thereto of a douche
or the like. Valve means is in the chamber and is manually operable
from exteriorly of the shower head for selectively diverting flow
to one of said first and second outlets to either obtain a spray of
water from the shower, and thus resulting in a conventional spray,
as with a conventional shower device, or to obtain flow of water
through the second outlet to a douche attached thereto, thus
rendering the device usable as a douche, and wherein the flow of
scented or medicated water is obtained through the douche.
Thus, with the present invention, a simple and effective shower
head is provided having means associated therewith for obtaining a
scented or medicated flow of water from the shower head, and having
attachment means thereon for attachment thereto of a douche, so
that personal hygiene, and particularly feminine hygiene, may be
greatly improved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a shower head having
spray producing means at one end thereof for obtaining a spray of
water, and also having douche attachment means at said one end for
attachment to the shower head of a douche to render the shower head
usuable with a douche.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shower head having
a chamber means associated therewith for containing a dissolvable
cartridge therein to treat water flowing through the chamber, and
with spray producing means at one end of the shower head for
producing a spray of treated water flowing from the chamber and
through the shower head, and also with douche attachment means at
said one end for attachment thereto of a douche to obtain treated
flow of water from the chamber and through the douche when the
douche is attached to the shower head.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held shower
head having inlet means at one end thereof for connection of the
shower head to a source of water and spray producing outlet means
at the other end thereof. Attachment means are on the other end of
the shower head for quick and easy attachment thereto of a douche
to render the shower head usable as a hand-held douche.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held
shower head having inlet means at one end thereof for connection of
the shower head to a source of water and spray producing outlet
means at the other end thereof, and wherein the shower head is
separable to provide access to the interior thereof for placement
therein of a scented or medicated cartridge or the like for
treating water flowing through the shower head.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a shower head
having inlet means at one end thereof and a first, spray producing
outlet means at the other end thereof and with a second outlet
means at the other end, and with douche attaching fitting means at
the second outlet for attachment thereto of a douche, and with
valve means in the shower head to selectively divert flow to one of
the first and second outlets and thus obtain flow either through
the spray producing means or through the douche, when the douche is
attached to the shower head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of the device of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of the device of FIG. 2 and is taken
along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the device of FIG. 1,
taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a second form of
the invention.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view shown partly in section of
the device of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the
chamber means in the conduit leading to the shower head of FIG.
5.
FIG. 9 is a vertical, sectional view of a third form of shower head
according to the invention, and showing the shower head in a first
operative position with flow occurring only through the spray
producing means.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but with the valve means in a
second operative position and flow occurring through the cartridge
containing chamber and thence through the spray producing
means.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the valve means in a
third operative position and flow occurring through the chamber
means and through the second outlet and douche attaching
fitting.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a botton perspective view on a reduced scale of the
shower head of FIG. 9.
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 of a modified douche attaching
means.
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a fourth form of the invention, and
showing the valve means in a first operative position, with flow
occurring only through the cartridge containing chamber and the
second outlet and douche attaching fitting.
FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, with the valve means of the
fourth form of the invention in a second operative position and
with flow occurring through both the first and second outlets from
the cartridge containing chamber.
FIG. 17 is a view in section taken along line 17--17 in FIG.
16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like
parts throughout the several views, a first form of shower head 10
is illustrated in the FIGS. 1-4 and comprises an elongate, hollow
body 11, including two separable parts 12 and 13, having
cooperating fastening means 14 and 15 thereon at adjacent ends
thereof, such as, for example, mating cooperating threads to
readily releasably join the separable parts 12 and 13 together. The
body 11 defines a chamber 16 therewithin, in which may be placed a
dissolvable cartridge or tablet T when the parts 12 and 13 are
separated to provide a medicated or scented or otherwise treated
flow of water from the shower head. Suitable spray producing outlet
means 19 is at the other end of the body 11 for producing a spray
of water flowing from the source through the chamber 16 and through
the outlet 19. Thus, the body 11 defines a handle portion which may
be grasped with the hand, as indicated at H in phantom lines, for
providing a spray of water to selected portions of the body, as
desired. The shower head 10 is connected via a conduit C (shown in
phantom line) to a suitable source of water, such as faucet F.
A suitable douche attaching means, such as an annular, radially
outwardly extending flange 20, is on the other end of the body 11
at the outlet 19 thereof for quick attachment directly thereto of a
douche, indicated in phantom lines at D in FIG. 2. Any type of
quick-connect coupling, rather than the annular flange 20, may be
utilized as desired as, for example, threads or a bayonet
connection or the like.
A suitable eye formation 21 is integral with the body 11 at the
other end thereof adjacent outlet 19 for supporting the shower head
from a suitable hook or the like when not in use.
The douche D is seen best in FIG. 6, and comprises an elongate,
rigid, tubular body 22 having an axially extending fluid flow
passageway 23 therethrough. A diametrically enlarged, generally
cup-shaped, relatively flexible coupling or attaching skirt 24 is
integral with one end of the body 22 and has a flexible, annular,
radially inwardly turned lip 25 on the marginal edge thereof for
engagement behind the flange 20 on the shower head 10 to retain the
douche to the shower head. The skirt 24 defines an enlarged inlet
chamber 26 therein for receiving water from the spray head 19 and
to divert the water to the axial passageway 23 in the body 22 of
the douche D. The other end of the body 22 terminates in an axially
outwardly facing, substantially flat surface 27 and the other end
of the body is internally threaded, as at 28. A plurality of
substantially arcuately-shaped, generally radially extending fluid
passageways 29 are in the outer surface 27 of body 22 and extend
from the passageway 23 through the outer surface of the body 22. A
pair of elongate, tubular extension adaptors 30 and 30', each
having an externally threaded projection 31 on one end thereof, and
an internally threaded recess 32 in the other end thereof, are
secured on said other end of the body 22 and the threaded
projection 31 on one extension adaptor 30 is threadably engaged
with the internal threads 28 in the body 22, and the threaded
extension 31 on the other extension adaptor 30' is threadably
engaged with the internal threads 32 in the first extension adaptor
30. Each extension adaptor also has a plurality of substantially
arcuately-shaped, generally radially extending fluid passageways
29' therein, extending from the bore 23' therein to the outer
surface thereof. Additionally, the outer surface of each of the
extension adaptors has a plurality of axially extending channels or
grooves 33 therein at the outer ends of the radially extending
passageways 29 and 29'. A rounded tip 34, having an externally
threaded axial projection 31' thereon threadably engaged with the
threads 32 in the second extension 30', is secured over the outer
end of the second extension adaptor and has a plurality of
apertures 35 extended thereto for producing a generally axially
directed flow or spray of water from the end of the douche D. The
radially extending passageways 29 and 29' and the axially extending
channels 33 produce a swirling or spiraling, generally radially
extending flow or spray of water from the douche adjacent the end
thereof to effect thorough cleansing of the vagina, due to the
tendency of the generally radially extending sprays of water to
distend the vagina and thus produce a cleansing spray or flow of
water in crevices or folds in the vagina wall.
A pair of closely axially spaced apart, annular, radially outwardly
projecting flanges 36 and 37 are integral with the body 22 adjacent
the skirt 24 and define therebetween an axially outwardly opening
annular groove 38 in which is snap fitted the inner peripheral edge
of a substantially cup-shaped, flexible splash guard or shield 39,
which is positioned in cupped relationship over the female
genitalia when the douche is in use to prevent uncontrolled
splashing or flow of water from the vagina and thus preventing an
unsanitary condition.
A second form of shower head 10' is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and is
substantially identical with the form of the invention illustrated
in FIGS. 1-4, with the exception that the elongate, hollow body 11'
is of one-piece construction rather than comprising the separable
parts 12 and 13 of the first form of the invention, and a separate
container 40 comprising separable parts 41 and 42 releasably
secured together by means of mating, cooperating threads 43 and 44
on their adjacent ends is provided in the conduit C leading to the
shower head 11' and defines a chamber 45 for receiving a
dissolvable cartridge or tablet T or the like therein to treat
water flowing through the chamber 45 in the container 40. A
plurality of axially extending projections 46 and 46' are in the
opposite ends of the chamber 45 to provide passage means past the
tablet T, if the table T is resting against an end of the
chamber.
A third form of the invention is indicated generally at 47 in FIGS.
9-14 and comprises a main shower head body 48 having an axially
upstanding tubular projection 49 on one end thereof with a
diametrically reduced, externally threaded coupling nipple 50 on
the end of the projection 49 for attachment of the shower head to a
source of water. An axially extending fluid passageway 51 extends
through the coupling 50 and projection 49 and a diametrically
enlarged, outwardly flared skirt 52 is on the other end of the body
and is approximately twice the length of the projection 49. The
inner, uppermost end of skirt 52 is internally threaded at 53 and
an elongate, cylindrical, axially extending partition 54, having
externally threaded ends 55 and 56 thereon, is threadably engaged
at its uppermost end with the threads 53 in the skirt 52 and
projects at its other end downwardly to a point spaced upwardly
from the lower edge of the skirt 52, and in radially inwardly
spaced relationship to the inner surface of the skirt 52. An
annular, radially outwardly extending flange 57 is integral with
the cylindrical partition 54 between the upper and lower ends
thereof and extends outwardly into engagement with the inner
surface of the skirt 52. A plurality of circumferentially spaced,
axially extending channels or flow passages or perforations 58
extend through the outer surface of the flange 57 for producing a
spray of water flowing therethrough. A generally cup-shaped closure
cap 59 is internally threaded at its upper end at 60 and the
threads 60 of the cap 59 are matingly engaged with threads 56 on
the cylindrical partition 54 and the cap is sealed to the partition
by means of an O-ring or the like 61 engaged between adjacent
portions of the lower edge of the partition 54 and an upwardly
facing shoulder on the cap 59. A plurality of radially extending
wings or lugs 62 are integral with the cap at its lower outer
surface for facilitating manual grasping and turning of the cap to
attach and remove the cap from the lower edge of partition 54.
An axially downwardly projecting douche attaching fitting 63 is
integral with the cap in the center thereof and comprises a
downwardly projecting, tubular extension 64 having a diametrically
enlarged annular flange 65 at the lower end thereof and an axial
flow passageway 66 therethrough. The cap 59 and cylindrical
partition 54 define a hollow cavity 67 and an elongate valve
actuating stem or shaft 68 extends axially through the center of
the cavity 67 and has a diametrically reduced, elongate, axial
guide projection 69 on the lower end thereof, slidably received in
the bore 66 through the douche attaching fitting 63. The upper end
70 of the valve actuating stem 68 is also diametrically reduced in
size and is slidably received in a valve stem guide 71 integral
with projection 49 and projecting radially into the passage 51
between the upper and lower ends of the passage 51. A gear rack or
series of spaced teeth 72 are on the side of stem 70 extending over
a substantial portion of its upper end, and a pinion 73 is engaged
with the rack 72 to raise and lower the valve actuating stem 68.
The pinion 73 is secured on the end of a shaft 74, extending
radially through the side of projection 49 and the shaft 74 has a
collar 75 thereon between its ends and clamped between an axially
outwardly facing shoulder 76 and a jam sleeve 77 disposed in
surrounding relationship to the shaft 74. A suitable sealing ring,
such as an O-ring or the like 78 is disposed between the collar 75
and jam sleeve 77 to effect a fluid tight seal along the shaft 74.
A threaded lock nut 79 is threadably engaged in the outer end of a
boss 80 through which the shaft 74 extends to retain the shaft 74
against axial displacement in the boss 80. A knurled operating knob
81 is affixed to the outer end of shaft 74 for rotating the shaft
and thus the pinion 73 to effect raising and lowering of the valve
actuating stem 68.
The upper end of passage 66 through cap 59 and douche attaching
fitting 63 is diametrically enlarged at 82 and the lower end of
valve actuating stem 68 is slidably received therein when the stem
is in its lowered position and is sealed relative thereto by a
suitably sealing means, such as O-ring 83 or the like, disposed in
a channel around the lower end of stem 68.
A plurality of circumferentially spaced, primary outlet ports 84
extend radially through the upper end of cylindrical partition 54
from the cavity 67 to the space between the partition and the skirt
52, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, secondary outlet
ports 85 extend through the cylindrical partition 54 spaced
intermediate the ports 84 and annular flange 57 in flow
communicating relationship between the cavity 67 and the space
between the partition 54 and skirt 52.
A substantially inverted cup-shaped valve member 86 is secured on
the valve actuating stem 68 between the ends thereof and is clamped
between an axially upwardly facing shoulder 87 on the valve
actuating stem and a snap ring or the like 88 secured on the
reduced diameter upper end portion 70 of the stem. The valve 86
includes a diametrically reduced, axially upwardly extending stop
portion 89, and a further diametrically reduced, axially upwardly
projecting valving portion 90, having a suitable sealing means,
such as O-ring 91 or the like disposed therein, and adapted to
enter passageway 51 to block flow therethrough when the valve is in
its raised position. The stop projection 89 engages the lower inner
surface of the projection 49 to index or align the valve 86 in one
of its operative positions, as hereinafter described. The valve 86
includes a cylindrical, downwardly projecting skirt 92, having a
plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ports 93
therethrough adjacent the upper end thereof and a pair of axially
spaced, annular sealing rings or O-rings or the like 94 and 95 are
positioned in annular channels or grooves above and below the ports
93 to effect a seal between the skirt 92 and partition 54 on
opposite sides of the ports 93. A further sealing means, such as
O-ring 96 or the like, is disposed within an annular channel at the
lower end of the skirt 92 to effect a seal between the skirt and
partition 54. The valve member 86 subdivides the cavity 67 into an
inlet chamber 97, and a treatment chamber 98, in which may be
placed a dissolvable cartridge or tablet or the like T to obtain a
medicated or scented flow of water from the chamber 98. The
cartridge or tablet T may be placed in the chamber 98 merely by the
removal of the cap 59 and placing the cartridge therein and then
replacing the cap 59 on the lower end of partition 54. An elongate,
axially extending fluid passageway 99 extends through the upper end
70 of valve actuating stem 68 and a plurality of radially extending
passageways 100 extend from the lower end of the axial passageway
99 into the chamber 98 to provide for flow of water from the source
and passageway 51 into the chamber 98.
In FIG. 9, the valve 86 is shown in one of its operative positions,
wherein it is in its lowermost position and the sealing ring 83 is
engaged in passageway 82 to preclude flow from chamber 98 through
passageway 66 in the douche attaching fitting 63. Also, the O-rings
94, 95 and 96 in the skirt portion of valve 86 are spaced below the
primary and secondary outlet ports 84 and 85 in the partition 54,
and the sealing ring 91 is withdrawn from passageway 51 in the
extension 49, thus enabling flow from the source through the
passageway 51 into the chamber 97 and thence outwardly through
ports 84 and 85 into the space between the partition 54 and skirt
52 and through the spray producing passageways 58 in the flange 57
and thence downwardly from beneath the lower edge of the flared
skirt 52. In this position the shower head 47 is operable much in
the nature of a conventional shower head and produces an effective
spray of water without any treatment of the water.
In FIG. 10, on the other hand, the valve, through the actuating
stem 68, is raised to a second operative position wherein the
sealing ring 83 is still sealingly engaged in the enlarged
passageway 82 to preclude flow through the douche attaching fitting
63, but the sealing rings 94 and 95 are spaced above and below,
respectively, the secondary outlet ports 85 in the partition 54 so
that flow is enabled to pass from passageway 51 into chamber 97 and
thence outwardly through primary outlet ports 84 and through the
spray producing passages 58. Also, flow occurs through the axial
passageway 99 and radial passageway 100 in valve actuating stem 68
and into the chamber 98, where the water circulates around the
dissolvable cartridge or tablet T and is thus medicated or scented
or otherwise treated, and the flow then passes outwardly through
the ports 93 in the skirt 92 of valve member 86 and through the
secondary outlet ports 85 in the partition 54, which are aligned
with the parts 93 in this position of the valve member 86. The
treated water flowing from the chamber 98 joins the water flowing
through primary outlet ports 84 in passing through the spray
producing passageways 58 to thus obtain a medicated or scented or
otherwise treated flow of water from the shower head 47.
In FIG. 11, a third operative position of the valve member 86 is
shown, and in this position the valve member is in its uppermost
position with the stop projection 89 engaged with the underside of
projection 49 on the main valve body portion 48, and with the
sealing ring 91 engaged in the passageway 51 to preclude flow from
the passageway 51 into the chamber 97. However, flow does occur
through the axial passageway 99 and radial passageways 100 in the
valve stem 68 and into the chamber 98, where the water becomes
scented or medicated or otherwise treated by the dissolvable tablet
T therewithin. The sealing ring 83 on the lower end of valve stem
68 is withdrawn from the enlarged passageway 82 in the position of
the valve and, accordingly, flow of treated water occurs from the
chamber 98 and through the passageway 82 and passageway 66 in the
douche attaching fitting 63 and thence to a douche D' attached to
the fitting 63 by means of an enlarged, quick-connect coupling 101
on the end of a conduit C to which the douche D' is connected.
FIG. 14 shows a slightly modified form of cap 59' having a pair of
axially downwardly extending lugs 62' thereon for grasping and
manipulating the cap 59' to remove it from the threaded lower end
of partition 54, as in the previous embodiment. Also, rather than
the flanged douche attaching fitting 63, as in the embodiment of
the invention in FIG. 11, a modified douche attaching fitting 63'
comprising a downwardly axially projecting extension 64' with a
plurality of annular ribs 65' thereon is provided for use with
relatively small diameter tubing to connect a douche D thereto,
rather than utilize the particular coupling 101 of FIG. 11. Of
course, any suitable quick-connecting coupling means may be used
for attaching the douche to the shower head, rather than the
coupling means illustrated and described herein.
A fourth form of shower head 102 is illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and
17 and comprises a substantially bell-shaped body 103 having a
slightly outwardly flared skirt or lower edge portion 104 and
defining a hollow cavity 105 therewithin. The inner surface of body
103 has a downwardly axially facing shoulder 106 at the juncture of
bell-shaped portion and skirt 104 and a suitable annular sealing
ring, such as O-ring 107 or the like, is positioned within a
channel in the shoulder 106. Similarly, the lower, axially
downwardly facing edge 108 of portion 104 has a suitable sealing
means, such as O-ring 109 or the like, positioned in an annular
channel therein, and the outer lower edge portion of the skirt 104
is externally threaded at 110 for mating cooperation with internal
threads 111 on an upturned flange portion 112 of spray producing
cap or spray head 112. The sealing ring 109 is engaged by the outer
marginal portion of spray producing cap 112 to effect a seal
between the cap and lower edge portion of skirt 104. A plurality of
slightly outwardly flared, generally axially extending apertures
113 extend through the cap 112 for producing a spray of water
flowing from the cavity 105 and through the apertures 113.
An upstanding boss 114 is formed integral with the center of cap
112 and has an axially extending bore 115 therethrough. The bore
115 is diametrically enlarged and internally threaded at 116 and
further diametrically enlarged at 117 in a downwardly projecting
boss portion 118 below the cap 112.
A diametrically reduced, axially upstanding, externally threaded
coupling or fitting 119 is on the upper end of body 103 for
attachment of the shower head 102 to a suitable source of water or
the like.
An elongate valve actuating stem 120 has an externally threaded
portion 121 intermediate the ends thereof engaged with the threads
117 in the boss 115 of cap 112 and a diametrically reduced,
upwardly projecting portion 122 slidably extended through the bore
portion 116 of boss 115 and sealed relative thereto by means of a
sealing ring, such as O-ring 123 or the like. The upper end of stem
120 is conically shaped as at 122'. The lower end of valve
actuating stem 120 is diametrically enlarged at 124 and is slidably
received in the enlarged bore portion 117 of boss 118 below the cap
112 and is sealed relative thereto by means of a suitable sealing
ring 125. A plurality of radially projecting ears or lugs 126 are
integral with the lower end of valve actuating stem 120 for
manually operating the actuating stem to move it upwardly and
downwardly relative to the cap 112, depending upon the direction of
rotation thereof, and suitable douche attaching fitting 63' is on
the lowermost end of valve actuating stem 120 for attachnent
thereto of a douche D', as in the form of the invention illustrated
in FIG. 11. An axially extending passageway 127 extends through the
valve actuating stem 120 from the upper end through the lower end
thereof and a substantially flat, disc-shaped valve member 128,
having a conically-shaped opening 129 therethrough, is supported on
the upper conically-shaped end 122' of the actuating stem 120 and
the outer peripheral edge portion of valve disc 128 is adapted to
engage the sealing ring 107 to effect a seal therewith and
subdivide the cavity 105 into an inlet chamber 130 and an outlet
chamber 131. Thus, by disengaging the cap 112 from the threads 110,
the valve assembly may be removed from the lower end of body 103
and a suitable dissolvable tablet or cartridge or the like T may be
placed within chamber 130, and the valve assembly and cap then
replaced on the lower end of housing 103, as in FIG. 16.
With the valve disc 128 in its raised position, as in FIG. 15, the
chamber 130 is sealed from the chamber 131 and flow, accordingly,
occurs only through the passageway 127 and through the fitting 63'
into the douche D' attached thereto. When the valve stem is
manipulated to lower it relative to the cap 112, the valve disc 128
is lowered away from the sealing ring 107, as in FIG. 16, thus
providing communication between the chambers 130 and 131 and flow,
accordingly, occurs through both the passageway 127 and fitting 63'
and around the valve disc into chamber 131 and through the
apertures 113 to produce a spray of water from the device.
The shower heads described herein may be made of any suitable
material, such as plastic or metal or the like, and the various
coupling means for attachment of the shower heads to a source of
water or for attachment to the shower head of a douche may be
constructed differently from that specifically described and
illustrated herein, so long as a relatively quick and easy
connection and disconnection of the douche to the shower head may
be accomplished.
Further, any suitable dissolvable object may be placed in the
chamber in each of the forms of the invention to obtain a medicated
or scented or otherwise treated flow of water, as desired.
Moreover, the douche described and illustrated herein need not be
used with the shower head, as shown, but may be used in a
conventional manner, i.e. the douche body or nozzle could be
connected (either integrally or by separate fastening means) to a
squeeze bulb, or to a hose for connection to an elevated bag or to
a water faucet or the like, as desired. The adjustability of the
douche, and the radial flow or spray of water therefrom, are both
novel concepts and a douch constructed in accordance therewith may
be connected in any suitable manner with a supply of water.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their
functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are
therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.
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