Abstract:
A combination shower arm and water filter having an integrated design for attachment between a shower wall and a showerhead. The combination shower arm and water filter includes a housing having a number of components that may be easily manipulated, and which may be connected to any available showerhead, without the need of special tools. The combination shower arm and water filter allows an attached showerhead to be extended, moved or rotated into more accessible positions by actuation of the movable portions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to filtered extensions and, more particularly, to a combination shower arm and water filter that is movable to allow adjustment of a showerhead, while improving the quality of shower water. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Shower filters for use in conjunction with showerheads and filtered showerheads for use in showers are known. For example, filters are inserted at ends of shower arms, with showerheads then secured to the filters, or filtered shower heads are attached directly to the ends of the shower arms. However, because of the size of the filter and attached showerhead, and/or the filtered showerhead, they may extend too far into the shower area. Furthermore, the known filters and/or filtered showerheads add weight to the shower arm, which over time may cause problems. Additionally, the known filters and filtered showerheads are not easily adjustable, or are limited in how they may be adjusted. Such known filters and filtered showerheads also tend to be costly to manufacture and are not used by some persons because of their size or style. For example, the known filters and filtered showerheads do not always match person&#39;s aesthetic taste, and/or the overall decor of a bathroom or shower area. Finally, the known filters and filtered showerheads cannot be used with large, modern showerheads, such as the flower shaped or watering can type, and do not have an integrated feel or look when used with known shower arms. 
   Known shower filter and filtered showerhead assemblies are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,152,464, 5,300,224, 5,503,742, 6,016,977, 6,187,187, 6,214,224, 6,270,023, 6,325,930 and 6,537,455 to Farley. While the foregoing prior art devices provide improved filtration of hot water passing through them, they do not provide for a filtered shower arm that may be attached or secured between a water line and a showerhead that reduces cost and weight. The device of the present invention provides an integrated articulating shower arm and filter assembly that may be used with any type of showerhead, and which also avoids the need for a separate shower filter. 
   Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a less, cumbersome, easy-to-install and move, lower cost combination shower arm and water filter that overcomes known problems and can be manufactured in accordance with the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved shower filter assembly. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a combination shower arm and water filter. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compact shower arm and water filter combination that takes up a minimum of space. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a compact combined shower arm and internal water filter that may be easily used to replace an existing shower arm while offering added movement of a showerhead. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel articulating filtered shower arm that may be used with a separate or integrally formed showerhead. It is yet a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel articulating filtered shower arm that has a integrated design for use with a separate or integrally formed showerhead to eliminate the need for a separate water filter and, which is more aesthetically pleasing. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a filtered extension comprised of a shower arm for a shower that includes a housing having movable portions with a water filter held therebetween. The combined shower arm and filter of the present invention has an integrated design, with the housing having a number of components that may be easily manipulated, and which may be used with any available showerhead, without the need of special tools. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view, partially exploded, of a first embodiment of the combination shower arm and water filter assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view, partially in cross-section, of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide for a filtered extension comprised of a combination shower arm and water filter assembly. 
   The combination shower arm and water filter assembly of the present invention replaces the usual shower arm coming out of a shower wall, and is normally screwed or otherwise secured to a plumbing connection in or behind the shower wall, in the same manner as currently available shower arms. 
   Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first embodiment of a combined shower arm and filter assembly  10  of the present invention. The combined shower arm and filter assembly  10  has a multi-component or multi-piece body or housing  12  which is used to replace the normal shower arm coming out of a shower wall, not shown. 
   As shown, the body  12  includes a first hollow arm  14  and a hollow second arm  16  that acts as an extension of the first arm. A wall cover  18  is shown on arm  14  at an inlet, which inlet has a threaded end, not shown, for connection to a plumbing connection in or behind a shower wall, not shown. The arms  14 ,  16  are movably held together in any desired manner, as by means of a holding portion or joint  20 , comprising movable portions  22 ,  24  that allow the arms  14 ,  16  to move or rotate with respect to each other. The movable portions  22 ,  24  are preferably formed transverse or at a 90° angle to the arms  14 ,  16 , when looking at the drawings. A water filter assembly or element  26  is removably held in a hollow chamber  28 , having a closed end  29 , formed between the movable portions  22 ,  24 . An open end  30  of the hollow chamber is closed, as by means of a cap  33 . 
   An outer or outlet end of the arm  16  includes a further joint  31  comprising a pair of movable hollow portions  32 ,  34  that allow a showerhead  36 , formed integrally with or removably held on the portion  34  or an extension thereof, so as to be moved or rotated when the movable portions  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34  are moved with respect to each other. Therefore, it can be seen that any size or shape showerhead may be held on the combination body  12  and easily adjusted by articulating or rotating the arms  12 ,  14  at the joints  20 ,  31  formed by the movable hollow portions  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 . 
   In use, when the device  10  is properly mounted in a shower, water enters the inlet end of hollow arm  14  and flows into the hollow movable portion  22 . Then, depending on the type of filter  26  held in the hollow chamber  28 , the water flows axially or radially through the filter into hollow movable portion  24 , through arm  16 , movable portions  32 ,  34  and out through the showerhead  36 . The filter  26  may be easily rotated or replaced by removing the end cap  33 , to prolong the life of the filter and/or improve the efficiency of the device  10 . 
   The combined shower arm and filter assembly of the present invention may take any number of different configurations, and examples of different embodiments thereof are described herein. 
   For example, a second embodiment of a device  37  is shown in  FIG. 3 . This device  37  has an arm  14 ′ that may include a ball, swivel or other movable joint  38  connected to an arm  40  having a water filter assembly or element  42  held therein. A further ball, swivel or other movable joint  44  is connected to arm  40 , after filter  42 . The ball, swivel or other movable joint  44  includes an outer end  46  having a showerhead  48  formed integrally therewith, or removably mounted thereto, as by means of a threaded end. The arm  40  preferably is comprised of two portions connected or coupled together in any desired manner, for example, by externally threaded portions  50 ,  52 , to enable the filter  42  to be easily removed for reversal or replacement. 
   In use, when the device  37  is properly mounted in a shower, water enters the inlet end of hollow arm  14 ′ and flows in the direction of arrow  54  to the hollow internal portion of arm  40 , axially through the filter  42  held in the arm  42 , and then in the direction of arrow  56  through the ball or swivel joint  44  and out through the showerhead  48 . 
   Third through sixth embodiments of the invention are illustrated by devices  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90 , similar to the device  37 , as shown in  FIGS. 4–7 . These devices  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90  have multi-piece bodies or housings comprising first arms  64 ,  74 ,  84 ,  94  for replacing a shower arm. The first arms  64 ,  74 ,  84 ,  94  end in a first ball, swivel or other movable joint  62 ,  72 ,  82 ,  92  connected to second arms  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91  having any desired shape or configuration with a water filter assembly or element  42  held therein. The ball, swivel or other movable joint  92  may include a finger or handle  93  to aid in moving the joint, and/or for locking the joint in a desired position. 
   A further or second ball, swivel or other movable joint  65 ,  75 ,  85 ,  95  is connected to the second arms  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91  to allow a showerhead  68 ,  78 ,  88 ,  98  connected thereto to be movable with respect to its respective arm  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91 , while these second arms are movable with respect to first arms  64 ,  74 ,  84 ,  94 . The ball, swivel or other movable joint  95  may also include a finger or handle  97  to aid in moving the joint, and/or for locking the joint in a desired position. 
   The arms  61 ,  71 ,  81 ,  91  may be made in one or two pieces, but are shown as being comprised of two portions connected or coupled together in any desired manner, for example, by internal or external threaded portions, to enable the filter  42  to be easily removed for reversal or replacement. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 8 , there shown is seventh embodiment of a combined shower arm and filter assembly  100  of the present invention. The combined shower arm and filter assembly  100  has a multi-piece body or housing  102  which is used to replace the normal shower arm coming out of a shower wall, not shown. The body  102  includes a first hollow arm  104  and a second hollow arm  106 . A wall cover  108  is shown on arm  104  at an inlet, which inlet has a threaded end, not shown, for connection to a plumbing connection in or behind a shower wall. The arms  104 ,  106  are movably held together in any desired manner, as by means of a holding portion or joint  110 , comprising hollow movable portions  112 ,  114 . The hollow movable portions  112 ,  114  allow the arms  104 ,  106  to move or rotate with respect to each other. The movable portions  112 ,  114  of the holding portion or joint  110  are preferably formed transversely to or at a 90° angle to the arms  104 ,  106 . A filter holding portion  111  having a filter element  26  removably held in a hollow internal chamber is shown extending downwardly or outwardly from the holding portion or joint  110 , and may be connected to either of the movable portions  112 ,  114 , but is preferably fluidly connected to the movable portion  112 . The filter holding portion  111  is preferably removably held to the movable portion  112 , as by means of a removable connection shown at  113 . Water entering the movable portion  112  must pass through the filter  26  before it enters movable portion  114 . 
   An outer or outlet end of the arm  106  includes a further joint  116 , comprised of a pair of movable hollow portions  118 ,  120  that allow a showerhead, not shown, to be secured to a threaded end  124  of a connecting portion  122  formed integrally with or removably held on the movable portion  120 . Any size or shape showerhead may be removably held on the combination body  102  and easily adjusted by a user by articulating or rotating the arms  104 ,  106  at the joints  110 ,  116  formed by the movable hollow portions  112 ,  114 ,  118 ,  120 . 
   It, therefore, can be seen that the present invention provides an improved less cumbersome, easy-to-install and move, lower cost combination shower arm and water filter having an integrated design, with a housing comprised of a number of movable components that may be easily manipulated, and which may be used with any available showerhead, without the need of special tools or adapters. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than is specifically described herein.