Oscillating shower apparatus

Abstract: An oscillating shower apparatus in which two or more of the body spray nozzles (10,10') are interconnected with linkage members (77,80) for oscillation by an oscillating source (90,92).

Description: This invention relates primarily to oscillating shower apparatus for body spray nozzles. It is desirable to provide shower type nozzles with different spray patterns to accommodate the likes of the bather. It is known to provide nozzles with different spray patterns which are achieved by rotating a portion of the shower head. There is a need in the art of oscillating a nozzle of the foregoing type in a shower fixture so as to automatically cover a wide area of the body. It is also desirable that more than one nozzle be oscillated at the same time. It is desirable to do this with minimal parts and in a compact setting. For example, see U.S. patent 3,261,369. US-A-4 944 457 discloses an oscillating shower apparatus where the base of a nozzle member is mounted on a support through a plain bearing. The present invention provides an oscillating shower apparatus comprising a support member; first and second nozzle members pivotally attached to said support member in a spaced manner with a pivotal axis of rotation in a vertical plane; first and second linkage members connected to said first and second nozzle members at one point; a third link member connected to said first and second link members at another point; oscillating means; and linkage means connecting said oscillating means and said third link member. The apparatus of this invention allows for oscillation and vertical orientation of a spray nozzles yet prevents undesirable rotation IN THE DRAWINGS: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the spray mozzles of this invention in a shower enclosure. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the back of the enclosure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view in partial vertical section illustrating the pivoting of the spray nozzle. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the spray nozzles generally 10 are mounted in the panel housing 11 which also contains the usual mixing valve 12. The panel housing is mounted to a wall 19 forming a part of a shower fixture. As there indicated, two spray nozzles are depicted and are disposed for oscillation as will be described later in conjunction with Fig. 2. Referring first to the nozzles per se, these include a housing 13 to which is threadably attached the back flange portion 15. A water inlet as indicated at 17 feeds water to the valve body 20 which is in the form of an eye. A bearing 22 is disposed between the housing 13 and the valve body 20. Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the two spray nozzles 10 and 10' are pivotally mounted in the extrusion 62 of the panel housing 11 to comprise a shower apparatus generally 60. The spray nozzles 10 and 10' are mounted in casing rings 64 which in turn are connected to the panel extrusion 62 by brackets 65 and screws 66. Opposing pivot pins 67 and 69 are threaded in the casing ring 64 and extend into the openings 68 and 70 of the valve body 13. Upper and lower pivotal bearing surfaces are provided by the brackets 71 and 75 which are mounted onto the valve housing 13 of each spray nozzle 10 and 10' such as by the screws 73. This is best seen in Fig. 4. Brackets 75 are in turn connected to linkage members 77, such as by the shoulder screws 74, which in turn connect to rod member 80 by means of the connectors 82 and screws 74. Suitable guides 84 are provided for the rod 80, and a bearing 86 which is attached to rod 80 provides for rotatable support on the lower guide member 84'. Rod 80 is interconnected to an oscillating hub 90 of an oscillating motor 92 through the link 88. A switch 94 is placed in close proximity to the oscillating hub 90. The purpose of this switch is to provide a means through suitable electronics for always orienting spray nozzles in a central position when they are turned off. Water is delivered to the spray nozzles 10 and 10' through the inlet hoses 96 and 97 which will connect to the respective water inlets 17 of the spray nozzles 10 and 10'. It should be understood in this instance that the hose 98 will be connected to the mixing valve 12 and will feed the electronically controlled valves. These valves in turn regulate flow to the inlet hoses 96 and 97. The oscillating shower apparatus lends itself to a compact design in that it can be placed on a single panel extrusion. While two spray nozzles have been shown for oscillation, it is readily apparent that any number of nozzles could be interconnected by the linkage means as described herein.

Claims: An oscillating shower apparatus comprising: a support member (62); first and second nozzle members (10,10') pivotally attached to said support member in a spaced manner with a pivotal axis of rotation in a vertical plane; first and second linkage members (77) connected to said first and second nozzle members at one point; a third link member (80) connected to said first and second link members at another point; oscillating means (90,92); and linkage means (88) connecting said oscillating (90) means and said third link member (80). The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second linkage members (77) are bar members and the third linkage member (88) is a rod member. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nozzle members (10,10') have a valve body (20) with opposing flat surfaces (20a) to match with flat surfaces in a housing (13) to prevent rotation of the valve body yet allow oscillation and vertical orientation. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the valve body (20) is of an eye shape and the housing (13) comprises a socket for the valve body. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the valve body (20) is sealably mounted in the housing by a biased seal means. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the oscillating means includes an oscillating hub (90) connected to the linkage means (88). The apparatus of claim 6 wherein there is included a locating switch means (94) operatively associated with the oscillating hub (90). An oscillating shower apparatus comprising a pivotal housing adapted to be connected to a support member (62); a shower nozzle member (10) positioned in said pivotal housing; first pivot means defining opposing first pivot points (67,69) for pivotally attaching said pivotal housing to said support member; a first link member (77) connected to said pivotal housing; a second link member (88) pivotally attached to said first link member to provide a second pivot point; and oscillating means (90,92) operatively connected to said second link member (88).

Inventors: DEKEYSER KATHLEEN S, RISCHE DAVID K, SIETH KENNETH J, STEINHARDT MICHAEL D, DEKEYSER, KATHLEEN S., RISCHE, DAVID K., SIETH, KENNETH J., STEINHARDT, MICHAEL D.
Applicants: KOHLER CO, KOHLER CO.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B05B3
IPC codes: B05B3