Plumbing Fixtures for Shower and Bathtub

A plumbing fixture that replaces a hand held shower and bathtub filler spout and a shower valve hidden within the shower arm (or replaces the shower arm) with the shower head placed directly on the valve outlet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

The plumbing industry, in a tub and shower application, typically uses a spout to fill up the tub and a head nozzle for a shower and, in a roman style tub with hand held application, a spout is used to fill the tub and a hand held device for showering. The fixture embodiments of the present invention provide a single device that can fill a tub or provide a shower.

FIG. 1(a) is a simplified front view of the first embodiment of the present invention and illustrates fixture10having a rectangular shape (the fixture can take other shapes) and includes outlets12for the shower function and outlet14for the tub filler function. A switch, such as a push-pull switch,16enables a user to select which of the two functions are to be used (FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the fixture10).FIGS. 1(c) and1(d) illustrate the operational modes a typical push-pull switch system which can be utilized with switch16. The main component of the hand held shower with the tub outlet27is rubber spool17that is controlled by push/pull switch16(switch16rotates about pivot pin19). Spool17covers either water channel23(FIG. 1(c)) or water channel25(FIG. 1(d)). Water channel23is connected to the tub outlet27and water channel25is connected to shower outlet29. Water inlet31is positioned at one end of fixture10as illustrated and is connectable to faucet base20as shown inFIG. 2(faucet handle31controls the water flow to fixture10).

In essence, a “tub filler function” is added to a conventional hand held shower or to a shower nozzle face in a tub spout.FIGS. 1(a) and1(b) show a hand held fixture10with shower and tub filler functions.FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) show fixture10having both aforementioned functions. Fixture10is removable from the faucet base20via spout connector18in order to be used as a hand-held shower (the housing for the hand-held shower is not shown).

The plumbing industry uses different types of shower valves (pressure balanced valve, thermostatic valves, shut off valves or diverter valves) for in-wall shower/tub applications. In many situations the valve is plumbed inside the wall and after installation is very difficult to remove without extensive labor and the attendant cost. In the cases where the valves are installed outside the walls (known as exposed valve), it is easy to remove but requires independent valves to shut off the water supply.

The second embodiment40of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 3(a)-3(c) and4and provides a miniature plumbing shower valve that is hidden in the shower arm (or replaces the shower arm), the water outlet being coaxial with the valve body and also the shower head. A lever50for turning the water on and off is coupled to the valve outlet42and the shower head52is placed directly on the valve outlet42.

Referring toFIGS. 3(a) and3(b), a dual pipe inlet46is connected to the dual pipe hot and cold water supply fixture40. The inlets supply hot/cold water to the anti scalding mechanism48(pressure balanced or thermostatic systems). After water exits anti-scalding mechanism48, the water temperature is adjusted by the ceramic disks49which are controlled by rotating valve42, the disks49also functioning to turn the water on or off.

FIG. 3(c) is an exploded view showing the components of fixture40.

Hot and cold water flows inside the valve trough end cap80, the water passing through pressure balancing mechanism82which comprises piston housing84and piston86. The pressure balancing mechanism82is designed to adjust any difference in pressure between the hot and cold supply pipes to prevent a user from being scalded (mechanism82and similar devices are commercially available).

After the water passes through pressure balancing mechanism82, it continues to flow through ceramic disks49and49′. As noted previously, the disks stop/start/mix the hot and the cold water. After being mixed, the water proceeds through hollow stem92(the stem92is secured to ceramic disk49′), stem92being connected with shower head52(FIG. 4). Seal cap96and the o-ring100prevent system water leaks. Cartridge housing102screws onto end cap80, securing all the components in place. Cartridge body106, with the pressure balancing mechanism82positioned in aperture103, is secured within cartridge housing102.

FIG. 4shows fixture40coupled between a shower arm extension41, on-off lever50and shower head52. Shower arm39extends from wall54as illustrated. Lever50is secured to the cartridge stem92with a set screw, lever50and the cartridge stem rotating approximately 180 degrees around its axis to the shut off position, the cartridge completely closing the hot and cold water way. If lever50is rotated further, the cartridge will open the cold water way, the cold water mixing with the hot water. If the lever is rotated 360 degrees, only the hot water way will be open.

FIGS. 5(a)-5(e) and6illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention.

As set forth hereinabove, the plumbing industry, for in wall shower/tub shower applications, use different types of shower valves (pressure balanced valve, thermostatic valves, shut off valves or diverter valve). In many situations the valve is plumbed inside the wall and, after installation, is difficult to remove without extensive labor and cost. In the cases where the valves are installed outside the walls (known as exposed valve), it will be easy to remove but this requires independent shut-off valves.

The dual pipe hot and cold water supply fixture60with a self seal mechanism describes a plumbing fixture used to deliver hot and cold water to a shower valve (pressure balanced valve, thermostatic valve, shut off valve or diverter valve). The embodiment provides a plumbing fixture that enables a shower valve mounted in the wall or outside of the wall, to be disconnected without shutting off the water supply or removing the walls.

Fixture60solves this problem by adding a self sealing mechanism61inside the supply pipes. The self sealing mechanism61comprises a core62with sealing seats64and66and moving balls68. When the inlet pipes70(cold) and72(hot) are connected to the water supply (the cold and hot water pipes are positioned within shower arm49), the balls68will be pushed against the downstream sealing seats62and64thus sealing the outlets74and76, the water being trapped inside the pipes. The operating modes of the valve system are shown inFIGS. 5(d) and5(e).

As noted above, system60is designed to provide hot/cold water to the shower valve while also sealing the water paths when the valve is removed from the system.

In the “on” position shown inFIG. 5(d), the shower valve and shower arm49are connected to the system by having push pins110push against sealing balls68thus removing the balls68from rubber seals62and64. The water is then allowed to flow towards the shower arm49and the valve.

FIG. 5(e) illustrates the system “off” position wherein the valve (shower arm49, cold water pipe70, hot water pipe72and pins110) and/or shower arm49are removed from the system when, for example, the shower arm has to be replaced which in turn requires the water to be shut off.

In the “off” mode, the sealing balls68are compressed by the water pressure against the rubber seals62and64thus shutting off the water supply. This technique for shutting off a water supply is convenient and economical since additional shut-off valves are not required, the system only requiring a single dual check valve.

FIG. 6shows an assembly between the fixture60and valve cover80. Cartridge81is positioned within cover80, cover80and cartridge81functioning as a valve. The valve80has two legs82and84, with o-rings86and push pins88. When valve80is connected to fixture60, the push pins88will push against the sealing balls68; in this way the sealing balls68will be removed from the downstream sealing seats66and68and the water will flow through outlets74and76. Fixture60extends partially through an opening formed in wall90and a plate92joins the dual pipes94and96together. The plate92is secured inside wall90by screws (not shown), the screws bolting the plate to the wall wood frame.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.