Abstract:
There is disclosed a shower apparatus including a shower, an outlet device and a control device. The shower includes a handle defining a passageway and a head defining a space in communication with the passageway and a recess in communication with the space. The outlet device is put in the space and can be switched between a closed position and an open position and kept in the open position as long as water keeps coming. The control device extends into the space from the recess so that it can be operated in order to switch the outlet device to the open position from the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a shower.  
         [0003]     2. Related Prior Art  
         [0004]     According to Taiwanese Patent No. 520016, “Bifurcation Device of a Tap”, a tap 1 includes a first outlet 12, a valve housing 2 put therein, a bifurcation device 3 movably put in the valve housing 2, a second outlet 4, a shower 5 connected to the second outlet 4 through a flexible pipe, and a base 6 attached thereto. The tap 1 includes a handle 11 operable in order to switch the tap 1 between a closed position and an open position. The shower 5 includes a handle 51 operable in order to switch the shower 5 between a closed position and an open position. When the tap 1 is in the closed position, water is blocked from the tap 1. Hence, no water comes out from the first output element 4. When the tap 1 is in the open position, water is allowed to enter the tap 1. Now, if the shower 5 is in the closed position, the water comes out from the first outlet element 12 because of the bifurcation device 3. If the shower 5 is in the open position, the water comes out from the shower 5 instead of the first outlet 12 because of the bifurcation device 3. However, a user must keep the handle 51 in the open position with one hand or the water stops coming from the shower 5. Hence, the user has only one hand left for other tasks that may require two hands. Obviously, the operation of this conventional tap 1 is not satisfactory.  
         [0005]     The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to the present invention, a shower apparatus includes a shower, an outlet device and a control device. The shower includes a handle defining a passageway and a head defining a space in communication with the passageway and a recess in communication with the space. The outlet device is put in the space and can be switched between a closed position and an open position and kept in the open position as long as water keeps coming. The control device extends into the space from the recess so that it can be operated in order to switch the outlet device to the open position from the closed position.  
         [0007]     The primary advantage of the shower apparatus according to the present invention is the hand-free use thereof after it is switched to the open position.  
         [0008]     Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of embodiments referring to the drawings.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tap/shower assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a tap of the tap/shower assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cut-away view of the tap shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3  but shows water coming out from a first outlet of the tap.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4  but shows water coming out from a second outlet of the tap.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a shower of the tap/shower assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the shower shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  but shows a button pressed in order to switch the shower to an open position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is similar to  FIG. 8  but shows the button released, yet leaving the shower in the open position so that water continues to come out from the shower.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tap according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a shower of the tap/shower assembly shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the shower shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12  but shows a first button pressed in order to switch the shower to an open position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is similar to  FIG. 13  but shows the first button released, yet leaving the shower in the open position so that water continues to come out from the shower.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is similar to  FIG. 14  but shows a second button pressed in order to switch the shower to a closed position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a tap/shower assembly includes a tap  10 , a shower  30 , and a bifurcation device  20 . The tap  10  includes an inlet (not shown) and an outlet element  12  that includes a first outlet  121  and a second output  122 . The shower  30  is communicated with the second outlet  122  through a flexible pipe  13 . The bifurcation device  20  is put in a space  123  communicated with the second output  122 .  
         [0026]     When the tap  10  is in a closed position, water is not allowed into the tap  10  through the inlet. Hence, no water comes out from the first outlet  121  or the shower  30 . When the tap  10  is in an open position, water is allowed into the tap  10  through the inlet. Now, if the shower  30  is in a closed position, the water will come out from the first outlet  121  because of the bifurcation device  20 . If the shower  30  is in an open position, the water will come out from the shower  30  instead of the first outlet  121  because of the bifurcation device  20 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the tap  10  includes a handle  11  that can be operated in order to switch the tap  10  between the closed position and the open position.  
         [0028]     The bifurcation device  20  includes a housing  21 , a core  22 , a first valve  23 , a second valve  24 , a fastener  25 , a spring  26 , and a cap  27 .  
         [0029]     The housing  21  includes an upper section, a lower section, and a middle section. A seal  211  is put around the upper section of the housing  21 . A seal  212  is put around the lower section of the housing  21 . A plurality of apertures  213  is defined in the middle section of the housing  21 . A plurality of recesses  214  is defined in an internal side of the upper section.  
         [0030]     The core  22  includes a first groove  221  defined in the periphery thereof, a second groove  222  defined in the periphery thereof, and a boss  223  formed at an end.  
         [0031]     The first valve  23  is put in the first groove  221  of the core  22  before the core  22  is inserted in the housing  21 . The first valve  23  is put in the first section of the housing  21 . The second valve  24  is put in the second groove  222 . The second valve  24  is put in the second section of the housing  21 . The spring  26  is put on the core  22 . The boss  223  of the core  22  is inserted in the spring  26 .  
         [0032]     The cap  27  includes a plurality of hooks  271  formed on the bottom thereof and a recess  272  defined in the bottom thereof. The hooks  271  are put in the recesses  214  of the housing  21 . Thus, the cap  27  is connected to the housing  21 . Hence, the core  22 , the first valve  23  and the second valve  24  are kept in the housing  21 . The recess  272  receives an end of the spring  26 .  
         [0033]     The bifurcation device  20  except the fastener  25  is put and concealed in the space  123 . This is aesthetically pleasing. No additional hole has to be made in the tap  10 .  
         [0034]     The fastener  25  includes a first thread  251  formed on the periphery thereof, a second thread  252  formed on the periphery thereof, and a hexangular hole  253  defined therein. The first thread  251  is engaged with a thread formed on the wall of the second outlet  122 . Thus, the fastener  25  is connected to the tap  10 . Hence, the entire bifurcation device  20  is kept in the tape  10 . A second thread  252  of the fastener  25  can be engaged with a thread formed on an internal side of a ring (not shown) rotationally connected to an end of the flexible pipe  13 . Thus, the shower  30  is connected to the bifurcation device  20 .  
         [0035]     In the case that the tap  10  is blocked by impurities, the fastener  25  can be disengaged from the tap  10 , and the entire bifurcation device  20  moved from the tap  10 , and dissembled and cleaned and re-assembled or simply replaced. The maintenance, repair and replacement of the bifurcation device  20  are convenient and save a lot of time.  
         [0036]     The shower  30  is equipped with a control device  40  that is operable in order to switch the shower  30  between the closed position and the open position.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the tap  10  is in the open position, and the shower  30  in the closed position. The water from the inlet pushes open and flows past the first valve  23 , and finally comes out from the first outlet  121 . The water cannot push open the second valve  24  as it is encountered by water in the flexible pipe  13 .  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the tap  10  is still in the open position, and the shower  30  in the open position. As not encountered by the water in the flexible pipe  13 , the water pushes open and flows past the second valve  24 , and finally comes out from the shower  30  instead of the first outlet  121 . As the second valve  24  opens the lower section of the housing  21 , the first valve  23  blocks the upper section of the housing  21 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the shower  30  includes a handle  31  and a head  32 . The handle  31  defines a passageway  311  communicated with the second outlet  122  of the tap  10 . The head  32  defines a space  321  communicated with the passageway  311  of the handle  31  and a recess  323  communicated with the space  321 . An annular ridge  322  is formed on the ceiling of the space  321 . Moreover, the shower  30  includes a flexible cover  34  and a rigid porous cover  33 . The covers  33  and  34  will be described later.  
         [0040]     The control device  40  includes a rod  41 , a pusher  42 , and a button  43 . The rod  41  includes a first end  411  and a second end  412 . The rod  41  is inserted in an aperture (not numbered) that communicates the space  321  with the recess  323 . The first end  411  of the rod  41  is put in the recess  323 , and the second end  412  in the space  321 .  
         [0041]     A spring  432  is put around the first end  411  of the rod  41 . The button  43  defines a hole  431  in which the first end  411  of the rod  41  is fit. The spring  432  is compressed between the button  43  and the head  32 .  
         [0042]     The flexible cover  34  is put in the recess  323  in order to protect the button  43 , the spring  432  and the rod  41 .  
         [0043]     A seal  413  is put between the rod  41  and the annular ridge  322 . The pusher  42  includes a hole  431  in which the second end  412  of the rod  41  is fit and a pushing portion  422 .  
         [0044]     An outlet device  50  includes a seat  51 , a cage  52  and a valve  53 . The seat  51  defines an aperture  511  in the form of a countersink hole. A seal  537  is put in the aperture  511 .  
         [0045]     The valve  53  defines a passageway  531 , a plurality of apertures  536  communicated with the passageway  531  and a groove  532  in the periphery thereof. The valve  53  is inserted in the seat  51  and the seal  537 . A ring  534  and a seal  533  are put in the groove  532 .  
         [0046]     The cage  52  defines a passageway (not numbered) and a plurality of apertures  521  communicated with the passageway. A shoulder  522  is formed on the wall of the passageway. The cage  52  is put on the valve  53 . A spring  535  is compressed between the shoulder  522  and the ring  534 .  
         [0047]     The porous cover  33  is connected to the head  32 . Thus, the outlet device  50  is kept in the head  32 . A seal  331  is provided between the head  32  and the cover  33 .  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , when the tap  10  is in the open position, the water from the inlet thereof flows to the space  321  of the head  32  through the passageway  311 . The spring  535  pushes the ring  534  upwards so that the seal  533  contacts the shoulder  522 . Thus, the water can only come out from the first outlet  121 .  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , the button  43  is pressed. The pusher  42  is moved downwards. The pusher  42  pushes the valve  53  downwards. A gap occurs between the seal  533  and the shoulder  522 . The water flows into the passageway  531  and thus pushes the valve  53  downwards. The water flows into a portion of the space  321  below the seat from the passageway  531  through the apertures  536 . Through apertures (not numbered) defined in the porous cover  33 , the water comes out from the head  32  of the shower  30  instead of the first outlet  121  of the tap  10 .  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 9 , after the water starts to come out from the head  32  of the shower  30 , the button  43  is released. The water continues to come out from the head  32  of the shower  30 . A user can put the shower  30  on a holder (not shown) mounted on a wall (not shown). The user&#39;s hands are available for other tasks. This is convenient.  
         [0051]     To stop the water, the user simply turns the tap  10  to the closed position by means of operating the handle  11 . As water stops pushing the valve  53 , the spring  535  pushes the ring  534  upwards. Accordingly, the seal  533  is moved upwards in order to contact the shoulder  522 .  
         [0052]      FIGS. 10 through 12  show a shower  30  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except including a second button  60  that can be pushed in order to push the ring  534  upwards. Accordingly, the seal  533  is moved upwards in order to contact the shoulder  522 .  
         [0053]     The second button  60  includes a shoulder  611  formed thereon between a first end and a second end. A seal  612  is put around the second end of the second button  60 . The second end of the second button  60  extends to the exterior of the shower  30  through an aperture  332  defined in the porous cover  33 . The second end of the second button  60  can be pressed. A spring  61  receives the first end of the second button  60 . The spring  62  is compressed between the shoulder  611  and the seat  51  in order to return the second button  60  to the original position.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the button  43  is pressed. The pusher  42  is moved downwards. The pusher  42  pushes the valve  53  downwards. A gap occurs between the seal  533  and the shoulder  522 . The water flows into the passageway  531  and thus pushes the valve  53  downwards. The water flows into a portion of the space  321  below the seat from the passageway  531  through the apertures  536 . Through the apertures defined in the porous cover  33 , the water comes out from the head  32  of the shower  30  instead of the first outlet  121  of the tap  10 .  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 14 , after the water starts to come out from the head  32  of the shower  30 , the button  43  is released. The water continues to come out from the head  32  of the shower  30 . A user can put the shower  30  on a holder (not shown) mounted on a wall (not shown). The user&#39;s hands are available for other tasks. This is convenient.  
         [0056]     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 15 , the second end of the second button  60  is inserted into the exterior of the shower  30  through an aperture  332  defined in the porous cover  33 . The second end of the second button  60  is pressed. The first end of the second button  60  pushes the valve  53  upwards. The seal  533  contacts the shoulder  522  in order to stop the water from coming out from the head  32  of the shower  30 .  
         [0057]     The present invention has been described through the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.