Abstract:
An improved showerhead provides a fluid diverter valve that allows quick connection and disconnection of a hand held sprayer used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. The diverter valve includes a valve housing having a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A valve runner moves between a first position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position wherein the valve runner seats to permit fluid communication between the inlet and the second outlet. The valve runner is moved from the first position to the second position substantially by gravity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of water valves. It also relates generally to showerheads that are used for bathing. More particularly, it relates to an improved showerhead that allows for the quick and easy connection to and disconnection from the showerhead of a hand held sprayer that is used for cleaning shower stalls and bathrooms. It also relates to an improved valve runner and housing that allows the valve runner to move axially within the housing with minimal frictional effect. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of attachments in shower plumbing systems has been well known in the art for some time. Typically these attachments are comprised of a flexible conduit that may be coupled adjacent to a shower head at one end of the conduit to allow fluid communication with a hygiene nozzle secured to the second end of the conduit. These nozzles are intended for daily use and may include hand held spray heads for rinsing off during showering or dental syringes for oral hygiene. 
     Attachments such as those referred to above often integrate valving systems which include coupling components and diverter valves. Because these attachments are intended to be used daily in conjunction with the act of showering and/or hygiene, they are permanently coupled adjacent to the showerhead. Additionally, for those devices which are intended to be used simultaneously with the showerhead, the diverter valve may permit flow of water to the showerhead and partial flow of water to the attachment. 
     Permanent attachment is necessary because these devices are intended to be used on a regular basis, i.e., daily. However, such configurations are not conducive to attachments used for cleaning shower stalls or other bathroom fixtures because attachments such as these are required on a less frequent basis, i.e., only during cleaning. When not in use, these cleaning attachments may inhibit use of the showerhead. Additionally, some of the above-described devices divert only a portion of the water flow to the attachments, such that water continues to flow out of the showerhead also. When cleaning bathroom fixtures, especially shower stalls, it would be undesirable for water to continue to flow out of the showerhead because persons who have entered the shower stall to clean the area may become wet. 
     Furthermore, the limited range of movement of a typical showerhead and the limited head pressure in the showerhead make it difficult to direct a stream of water to all areas of the shower stall for cleaning purposes. Even when water can be directed to a desired area, the water spray pattern from a showerhead makes it difficult to contain the spray to a limited area. For example, when cleaning shower doors or the upper portions of a shower compartment, a typical showerhead cannot be positioned to direct a rinsing spray to these areas. Thus, these areas may remain unrinsed or water may be transported to these areas using some other means, such as a container. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to have a diverter valve assembly and cleaning attachment which would allow the cleaning attachment to be is easily removed and stored until needed. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a diverter valve which shuts off water to the showerhead when the attachment system is connected. It is also desirable to provide a rinsing system which allows water to be selectively directed to an area to be rinsed. One such device is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,548 (the &#39;548 patent) issued to Mueller, et al. In the experience of this inventor, the device of the &#39;548 patent has one drawback which is that the spring loaded valve runner can occasionally “stick” after much use and over an extended period of time. That is, the valve runner can remain in the valve “open” position even after the rinsing system attachment is disconnected. When this occurs, there is an incomplete sealing to the second water outlet which can lead to water discharge when such is not desired or required by the user. The source of this sticking, or fouling, appears to be the use of a spring-loaded valve runner within the device. The presence of naturally occurring minerals in the water or of bactericidal chemicals that are added to municipal water supplies are the most likely suspects in this fouling. 
     What is needed is an improved showerhead that accomplishes the desired operation and movement of the valve runner within the showerhead, but with less parts and specifically without the extra mechanical element of the spring. The use of less parts creates a device that is easier to assembly and is very reliable in its functionality through simplicity. It is also desirable to provide such an improved showerhead wherein the proper operation and movement of the valve runner to the valve “closed” position is accomplished essentially by gravity, or by gravity and nominal water pressure within the showerhead. It is further desirable to provide such an improved showerhead wherein the valve runner moves axially within the housing with very little frictional effect and essentially “floats” within the housing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an improved cleaning attachment system that can be coupled to a showerhead. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible conduit is coupled directly to a showerhead which is comprised of an outer casing attached in an inner casing to define a flow chamber therebetween. This flow chamber functions to direct water flow out of the showerhead by way of shower outlet holes. The inner casing also defines an inner cavity in which a valve runner is slidably mounted. Perforations in the proximal end of the inner cavity allow fluid communication between the cavity and the flow chamber. An attachment housing is engaged with the inner casing to constrain the valve runner to axial movement within the inner cavity. The attachment housing is fastened to the valve housing to secure the valve runner in an annular cavity while allowing fluid communication between the attachment housing and the annular cavity. Gravity alone, or gravity and nominal water pressure, urges the valve runner into a first position wherein the valve runner seats adjacent to the attachment housing. In this first position, one end of the valve runner seals the second outlet, permitting fluid communication only between the inlet valve and the first outlet such that water flow is directed through the showerhead. When the flexible conduit is coupled with the attachment housing, gravity and the water pressure is overcome and the coupling urges the valve runner to a second position within the annular cavity. In this second position, an annular fin extending outwardly from the valve runner seals the first outlet, permitting fluid communication only between the inlet and the second outlet. In this second position, fluid flow is diverted from the showerhead to the attachment until the flexible conduit is uncoupled. The foregoing and other features of the improved device of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional assembly front, side and bottom view showing an embodiment of the improved showerhead and valve assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the showerhead and valve assembly similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  and showing an attachment and a valve runner in the valve “closed” position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the showerhead and valve assembly shown in  FIG. 2  and showing the attachment secured to the showerhead and also showing the valve runner in the valve “open” position. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front, side and bottom perspective view of the valve runner configured in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional side view of the valve runner. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbers represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an improved showerhead, generally identified  100 , constructed in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the showerhead  100  has an outer casing  120  that is attached to an inner casing  130 . The outer casing  120  and the inner casing  130  define a flow chamber  125  between them. A valve runner  150  is slidingly positioned within a generally cylindrical cavity  180  that is defined by the inner casing  130 . An attachment housing  140  is attached to the inner casing  130  to constrain the axial movement of the valve runner  150  within the cavity  180 . The valve runner  150  is also constrained in its longitudinal movement within the cavity  180  between a first position and a second position. See  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the first position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the valve runner  150  allows for the diversion of water through the flow chamber  125 . In the second position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve runner  150  allows for the diversion of water through the attachment housing  140  and through an attachment  90 . 
     It is to be understood that the individual components of showerhead  100 , including the outer casing  120 , the inner casing  130 , the attachment housing  140 , and the valve runner  150 , as well as other elements yet to be described, may be fabricated out of any standard material, such as molded plastic or cast metal, without deviating from the scope of this invention. 
     Examining the showerhead  100  in greater detail, it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment, the inner casing  130  is configured to define an axial bore  131  extending from a first end  132  to a second end  133  such that fluid may flow axially through the interior of inner casing  130 . Further defined by the sides of the inner casing  130  is the aforementioned inner cavity  180  which is disposed between first and second ends  132 ,  133  such that the axial bore  131  is in fluid communication with the inner cavity  180 . The medial portion  184  of the cavity  180  is provided with a plurality of apertures  135  to allow fluid communication between the inner cavity  180  and the flow chamber  125 . The inner casing  130  may also be provided with an interior stop shoulder  136  against which a proximal, or upstream, portion  166  of the valve runner  150  may rest. Similarly, the attachment housing  140  may be provided with an interior stop shoulder  146  against which a distal, or downstream, portion  167  of the valve runner  150  may rest. 
     A face casing  160  is also provided. The face casing  160  has an external circumferential flange  168  which sealingly engages the outer casing  120  to further define the flow chamber  125 . A plurality of apertures  169  are disposed within the face casing  160  to allow fluid communication between the flow chamber  125  and the exterior of the showerhead  100 . It is to be understood that the face casing  160  could be integrally formed as part of the outer casing  120  or as part of the attachment housing  140  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
     The outer casing  120  has a first end  121  with a first diameter and a second end  122  with a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter. A water inlet  110  in fluid communication with the axial bore  131  seats in the first end  121  of the outer casing  120 . In the preferred embodiment, the water inlet  110  has a spherical shape at one end to allow a ball-and-socket attachment with the outer casing  120 . A socket  113  and o-ring  114  seat within the first end  121  of outer casing  120  and within the first end  132  of the inner casing  130  to permit ball-and-socket attachment of the water inlet  110 . This type of ball-and-socket attachment will allow the showerhead  100  to be universally swiveled relative to a standard water supply pipe (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it will be seen that the improved valve runner  150  of the present invention is comprised of a tubular shaped central plug  151  having a first end  152  and a second end  153 . The valve runner  150  is provided with a first interior passage  154  having an inlet  155  and an outlet  156 . The inlet  155  is aligned along the axis of the plug  151  and extends from the first end  152 . The outlet  156 , which extends radially from the axis of the plug  151 , has a slot shape and is in fluid communication with the exterior surface of the plug  151 . 
     The valve runner  150  of the preferred embodiment is also provided with a second interior passage  157  having an inlet  158  and an outlet  159 . The outlet  159  is aligned along the axis of the plug  151  and extends from the second end  153  of the of the plug  151 . The inlet  158  extends radially from the axis of the plug  151  and has a slot shape which is in fluid communication with the exterior surface of the plug  151 . The second end  153  of the plug  151  also includes a circumferentially extending shoulder  167 . 
     Formed as either a part of the plug  151 , or being attachable to it, is a surrounding plug sleeve  161 . While, in the preferred embodiment, the plug  151  is formed of a rigid plastic material, the sleeve  161  is formed of a more resilient, rubber-like material. The sleeve  161  has a first end  162  and a second end  163 . Located at the first end  162  of the sleeve  161  is a sleeve shoulder  166 . Situated at the second end  163  of the sleeve  161  is a first flange  164  and a second flange  165 . 
     The first flange  164  is disposed circumferentially on the surface of the plug  151  above the outlet  156  of the interior passage  154  and the second flange  165  is disposed circumferentially on the surface of a plug  151  below the outlet  156  of the interior passage  154 . The first flange  164  has a first diameter and the second flange  165  has a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. 
     The attachment housing  140  is defined by a first end  141 , a second end  143 , a through bore  144  and an internal shoulder  146 . In the preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of first end  141  is roughly equivalent to the diameter of the distal portion  186  of the annular cavity  180 . The second end  133  is configured to receive the attachment  90  which includes a coupling  91  attached to flexible conduit  92 . Although coupling  91  may take many forms, the preferred embodiment comprises an adapter  95 , a locking ring  94  and an o-ring  96 . Locking ring  94  is secured to adapter  95  by flexible conduit  92  such that when coupling  91  seats in sealing contact within the second end  143 , the flexible conduit  92  is in fluid communication with the attachment housing  140 . O-ring  96  enhances sealing contact between the coupling  91  and the attachment housing  140 . In the preferred embodiment, the attachment housing  140  is provided with diametrically opposed hook shaped recesses  148  for receiving opposing tabs  93  disposed on the exterior surface of the locking ring  94 . See  FIG. 3 . The attachment housing  140 , when incorporated with showerhead  100 , attaches to the inner casing  130  at its second end  133  of the bore  131  to further define the inner cavity  180  and constrain the valve runner  150  within the cavity  180 . 
     The operation of the showerhead  100  and its valve assembly will now be described. When the valve runner  150  is in the first position as shown in  FIG. 2 , there is no attachment  90  coupled to showerhead  100 . In this position, the distal end of the  153  of the valve runner  150  extends as far downstream within the cavity  180  as it can and the shoulder  167  is seated against the stop shoulder  146  of the attachment housing  140 . In this fashion, water entering the showerhead  100  by means of the water inlet  110  flows through the proximal portion  182  of the cavity  180  and through the first interior passage  154  of the valve runner  150 . The water flows through the valve runner outlet  156 , over the second flange  165  of the plug sleeve  161 , through the distal portion  186  of the cavity  180  and into the medial portion  184  of the cavity  180 . The water then flows through the apertures  135  defined within the inner casing  130 . The apertures  135  allow fluid communication between the inner cavity  180  and the flow chamber  125  of the showerhead  100 . Water then passes through the apertures  169  defined within the face casing  160 . In the preferred embodiment, it is intended that the coefficient of friction between the valve runner  150  and all parts adjacent to it be very low. In this fashion, the valve runner  150  moves to the position shown in  FIG. 2  simply by gravity being exerted on it. That is, the valve runner  150  essentially “floats” within the cavity  180 . While water flowing through the proximal portion  182  of the cavity  180  exerts some downward force on the proximal end  152  of the valve runner  150 , this is not intended to be the primary way that the valve runner  150  ends up in this “closed” position. 
     When the attachment  90  is coupled to the showerhead  100  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the attachment urges the runner valve  150  to move opposite the direction of the force provided by gravity or fluid flow. This is the second, or “open”, position for the valve runner  150 . In this second position, the valve runner  150  seats within the cavity  180  of the inner casing  130  such that sealing contact is provided between the valve runner  150  and the internal housing  130  by means of the second flange  165 . Thus, water flowing out of the first interior passage  154  by means of the outlet  156  travels over the first flange  164  at the distal portion  186  of the cavity  180 , through the second interior passage  157  of the valve runner  150  by means of the inlet  158  and outlet  159 , through the bore  144  of the attachment housing  140 , and through the adapter  95  and into the flexible conduit  92 . Upon disconnection of the attachment  90 , gravity will cause the valve runner  150  to return to its position as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail through the figures and above discussion, it is to be understood that many variations and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.