Abstract:
A shower head is disclosed having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion. Intermediate the front and rear housing portions is an integral filter canister including copper-zinc media for the removal of chlorine and other chemicals and contaminants. The shower head also has a plurality of spray openings for spraying water outwardly from the shower head, with a plurality of spray modes and patterns achievable by rotation of the front housing portion. A cleaning ring is also positioned within the front housing portion, it has a camming surface such that upon rotation of the front housing portion to change the spray modes, the cleaning ring is cammed forward to clean associated spray holes of accumulated minerals such as calcium.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates to a shower head of the type having a plurality of water spray patterns. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Shower heads are well known in the art. In a shower stall, a pipe fitting normally protrudes through a wall and has external threads at the end of the pipe. A shower head will threadably engage with the pipe to accept water from the pipe and provide a spray to a person using the shower. Two types of shower heads are known in the art. The first type is a fixed shower head which threadably engages to the fitting and sprays water downwardly. The second type is the hand-held wand version, where a corrugated and flexible pipe is connected to the incoming water fitting and allows the user to hold a wand in his or her hand to direct the water for the shower. 
     One of the concerns in this area is cleanliness, both the cleanliness of the water projecting from the shower head, but also keeping the shower head itself clean such that all spray openings of the shower head remain open for water spray. With respect to the filtration of the water, there appears to be no shower heads available having an internal filter to filter the water prior to exiting the shower head. With respect to keeping the spray apertures clean, this is at least an area that has attempted to be resolved, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,380, yet uses the water pressure itself to drive a cleaning device. 
     Other desirabilities exist in this market place, including providing a plurality of spray patterns or functions, including such functions as the standard spray, a misting function, and a massage function. It is also desirable to easily change these settings from one function to the other without great difficulty. Some units exist in the market place, but have a plurality of dials for changing the functions, or require multiple dials to be operated to achieve one function. It is desirable then to provide an easy and consistent method of changing one function setting to the next. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above shortcomings and others have been improved upon by providing a shower head for spraying water on the user, where the shower head is comprised of a front housing portion having a plurality of water spray openings, and a rear housing portion which receives incoming water from a source, and an integral filter positioned intermediate said front and rear housing portions. In this manner, water is filtered from the water source prior to being sprayed through the plurality of water spray openings. 
     The shower head can be profiled such that the rear housing portion has a rear port for receiving the water with internal pipe threads for a fixed connection with a water supply. Alternatively, the shower head can be profiled such that the rear housing portion includes a handle portion, and elongate flexible hose for connection with a water supply, whereby the handle and shower head can be hand-held. 
     Preferably the filter is defined as a cylindrical canister, filled with a filter medium comprised of copper-zinc crystals. Also preferably, the rear housing portion includes a rear filter retainer having a water flow inlet to the filter while the front housing portion includes a front filter retainer having a water flow outlet from the filter. 
     Preferably the shower head includes a plurality of water spray openings which are profiled in a plurality of spray patterns. Also preferably, the shower head includes a rotatable water flow director, which rotates to direct water to areas defining said spray patterns. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a shower head comprises a plurality of water spray openings and a front face plate of the shower head, where the openings are profiled to define different spray modes operable by rotating the front face. The shower head has a rotatable water flow director which rotates with said front face upon rotation, and the water flow director directs water to various spray openings within the shower head to vary the spray mode. Preferably the front face plate includes a plurality of channels on a rear side thereof and the water flow director is rotatable to direct water to various channels. In this embodiment, the channels are defined as concentric channels of various radii. Also, the shower head includes an internal wall having at least one opening therethrough, with the water flow director having a plurality of openings, whereby rotation of the water flow director aligns at least one of the water flow director openings with the internal wall opening to direct the water flow. Also preferably, the water flow director is comprised of a plate, having a plurality of openings adjacent to the wall and having internal passageways communicating with apertures adjacent to the channels, with an aperture for each channel. 
     Preferably the shower head internal wall includes more than one opening, and a plurality of the water flow director openings can be aligned with the internal wall openings, whereby a plurality of spray modes operate simultaneously. Finally, the shower head preferably includes an internal filter positioned adjacent the internal wall, whereby water is directed through the filter and then through the internal wall opening. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, a shower head for spraying water includes a plurality of spray openings and front face plate, and a cleaning ring positioned behind the face plate with a plurality of cleaning pins aligned with the plurality of spray openings. A camming surface is positioned on the cleaning ring, whereby the front face plate and cleaning ring are rotatable and the cleaning ring is cammed forward projecting the cleaning pins through the spray openings. 
     Preferably the cleaning ring is spring-loaded in the fully rearward position away from the front face plate. Also preferably, the face plate has a plurality of detented positions, where the cam is profiled to traverse a complete cycle between adjacent detented positions. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, a shower head includes a front face plate having a plurality of spray openings defining a plurality of spray patterns, a water distributor directing the flow of water between select spray patterns and a filter positioned upstream of the front face plate to filter water prior to exiting from the face plate. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front face plate is rotatable to vary the spray patterns, and a cleaning ring is positioned behind the face plate with cleaning pins moving into and out of at least some of the openings, upon rotation of the face plate. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the shower head of the subject invention which is for fixed mounting within a shower; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rear portion of the shower head of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the front portion of the shower head shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components which are positioned within the front plate housing; 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the rotatable water flow controller usable in the subject invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the integral filter pack of the subject invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the rear head which is shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view through lines  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 shows a front plan view of the housing skirt shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view through lines  10 — 10  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the rear filter retainer; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view through lines  12 — 12  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the forward filter retainer; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through lines  14 — 14  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view through lines  15 — 15  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a rear plan view of the forward filter retainer of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 17 is a front plan view of the front water flow director plate; 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through lines  18 — 18  of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is the back side plan view of the f low director plate of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the rear water flow director plate; 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view through lines  21 — 21  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is a r ear plan view of the water flow director plate of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 23 is a rear plan view of the front shower head panel shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view through lines  24 — 24  of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a front plan view of the front face plate of either FIG. 23 or  24 ; 
     FIG. 26 is a front plan view of the cleaner ring; 
     FIG. 27 is a side plan view of the ring of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 28 is a rear plan view of the ring of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 29 shows the front face of the atomizer ring; 
     FIG. 30 shows the enlarged view of one of the apertures of the atomizer ring of FIG. 29; 
     FIG. 31 shows the rear face of the atomizer ring; 
     FIG. 32 is the enlarged view of one of the apertures of FIG. 31; 
     FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view through lines  33 — 33  of FIG. 32; 
     FIG. 34 is a rear plan view of the flow ring shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view through lines  35 — 35  of FIG. 34; 
     FIG. 36 is a rear plan view of the screen ring shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view through lines  37 — 37  of FIG. 36; 
     FIG. 38 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the shower head of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 39 a  is identical to that of FIG. 16, emphasizing the radial locations of the water openings; 
     FIG. 39 b  is identical to that of FIG. 20, emphasizing the radial locations of the water openings, and including in phantom the locations of the water openings from the outer water flow director plate of FIG.  19 . 
     FIGS. 40 a - 40   e  show various locations of the inner and outer water flow director plates rotated into various positions showing the water flow patterns according to those positions; 
     FIGS. 41 a - 41   e  show a corresponding cross-sectional view of the entire shower head in respective corresponding positions to the positions of the flow director plates according to FIGS. 40 a - 40   e ; and 
     FIG. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference first to FIG. 1, a shower head is shown generally at  2 , which comprises a rear housing portion  4  coupled to a front housing portion  6 . The rear housing portion includes a threadable pipe attachment member internally threaded for pipe threads which can be threadably engaged with a pipe stub which projects from standard shower stalls. Shower head  2  is also of the type where the front housing portion  6  is rotatable to vary the manner in which the water projects from the shower head. With reference now to FIG. 2, the rear housing portion  4  will be described in greater detail. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the rear housing portion  4  is generally comprised of a rear housing plate portion  10 , a filter screen member  12 , a pipe spigot ball joint  14 , and a seal  16 . The rear housing portion  4  further includes a housing skirt portion  18  which accepts a rear filter retainer  20  having an O-ring seal  24 . The specific details of each of the components of rear housing portion  4  shall be described in greater detail herein. 
     With reference now to FIG. 3, a portion of the front housing portion is shown as including a front filter retainer  26 , a thread ring  28 , an outer ring  30 , and a seal retainer ring  32 . Another portion of the forward housing assembly is shown in FIG. 4 as including a cleaning ring  34 , atomizer ring  36 , flow rings  38  and  40 , screen ring  42 , massage turbine wheel  44 , and front face plate  46 . Finally, with respect to FIG. 5, the front body section is completed by the inclusion of the front and rear flow director plates  48  and  50 , respectively. And as shown in FIG. 6, a filter assembly is included which is shown generally as reference numeral  52 , which includes a filter body  54 , intermediate caps  56 , end caps  58 , and filter medium  60 . 
     With reference now to FIGS. 7 through 24, the specific details of each of the components of the shower head will now be described in greater detail. With respect first to FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear housing plate portion  10  will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear housing plate portion includes a convex wall portion  66  having an outer periphery  68  and a center through-hole at  70 . The outer periphery  68  is undercut to define a recessed shoulder at  72 . The center through-hole  70  has a radius section at  74  profiled to receive the pipe spigot ball joint. Finally, the rear housing plate portion  10  includes upstanding posts  76  which are profiled to receive self-tapping screws as is well-understood in the art. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing skirt portion  18  will be described in greater detail. The skirt portion  18  includes an outer wall  80  having a front edge  82 , a rear edge  84 , a recessed surface at  86 , and an opening at  88 . As shown in both FIGS. 9 and 10, the housing skirt portion  18  further comprises a lip  90  circumscribing the opening  88  and having radially extending ribs  92  projecting outwardly to the wall section  80  at radial locations around the wall portion  80 , and as shown in FIG. 9, locating ribs  96  are positioned which define between them a receiving slot  98 . At each of the locations of the locating ribs  96 , are stand-offs  100  located intermediate the locating ribs  96  as will be described in greater detail herein. Finally, the skirt  18  includes threaded sections at  102  for connection with the front housing portion as further described herein. 
     With respect now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the rear filter retainer  20  will be described in greater detail. The rear filter retainer  20  includes a rear wall portion  108  contiguous with a peripheral wall portion  110 , the rear filter retainer extending between a edge  112  and a forward edge  114 . A water-flow passageway is shown generally at  116  and extends from the rear edge  112  through a front surface of the rear wall portion  108 . The water passageway  116  includes a first counter bored section  118  contiguous with a second counter bored section at  120 . Water-flow passages  122  are radially positioned in a plurality of locations as shown best in FIG. 11, for the flow of water into a perimetral channel  124 . The rear filter retainer  20  further comprises a plurality of alignment ribs  126  on the outside of the peripheral wall  110  and have a width narrower than the receiving slot  98  between the alignment ribs  96  (FIG.  10 ). The rear filter retainer  20  also includes through holes  128  having a lower counter-bored section at  130  profiled with an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the posts  76  (FIG.  8 ). Finally, the rear filter retainer  20  includes a plurality of filter stand-offs  132 , an O-ring groove  134 , and polarizing lugs  136 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 13 through 16, the front filter retainer  26  will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the retainer  26  is generally comprised of a wall portion  140  contiguous with a peripheral wall  142 , where the retainer  26  generally extends between a rear edge  144  and a front edge  146 . The peripheral wall  142  includes an undercut surface at  148  which forms a sealing surface, and further includes polarizing openings  150   a  and  150   b , profiled to receive polarizing lugs  136   a  and  136   b , respectively. The wall  142  includes inner diameter section  154  and an outer diameter section at  156  forming an abutment surfaces  158 ,  160 . Peripheral wall  142  further includes outer diameter surface  162  having an O-ring groove  164 . The wall portion  140  includes stand-offs  168  and an opening shown generally at  170 . The opening  170  includes a chamfered and counter-bored section at  172  leading into a central bore section  174 , which ultimately results in a necked-down bore  176 . As shown in FIG. 16, the front face  178  includes water passageways  180   a  and  180   b  extending entirely through the wall  140 . Wall  140  further includes a semi-circular channel  182  extending around the inside diameter  184 , having end walls  183   a ,  183   b . Finally, locating lugs  186  extend forwardly from the front edge  146 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 17-19, the front flow director plate  48  will be described in greater detail. The plate  48  is generally comprised of a central wall section  190  having a front face  191   a , a rear face  191   b  and an outer periphery at  192  which has flattened sections  194 . The wall  190  further includes a central bearing section  196  having an opening  198  extending therethrough, including bore sections  200 ,  202 , and  204 . The plate  48  further includes a plurality of water passageways at  208 ,  210 , and  212 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 20-22, the rear flow director plate  50  will be described in greater detail. The plate  50  is generally comprised of a central wall portion  210  having a peripheral wall portion  212 . The plate  50  includes a plurality of partition wall sections  214   a - 214   e , and coaxial walls  216 ,  218  defining a plurality of water flow chambers. Peripheral wall  216  further includes key hole partitions at  219  to complete the water flow chamber. More specifically, partition walls  214   a  and  214   b , together with the coaxial walls  216 ,  218  define a water chamber  220  having an opening  222 . Partition walls  214   b , coaxial wall  216  and partition wall  214   c  define a water chamber  224  having a water opening  226 . Partition wall  214   c , coaxial wall  216  and partition wall  214   d  define a water chamber  228  having a water opening  230 . Partition wall  214   d , coaxial wall  216  and partition wall  214   e  define a water chamber  232  having a water opening  234 . And finally, partition  214   e , coaxial wall  216  and partition wall  214   a  define a water chamber  236  having an opening  238 . It should be appreciated that the water chambers  228  and  236  have radial openings  240  and  242  formed by the discontinuation of the outer peripheral wall  212  for a short section intermediate the partition walls  214   c  and  214   d ; and partition walls  214   a  and  214   e , respectively. Furthermore, the top edge of each wall  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  includes a tapered rib  246 , while the outer periphery of wall  212  includes an upstanding lip  248 . 
     Each of the openings  222 ,  226 ,  230 ,  234 , and  238  includes an O-ring receiving channel  250  surrounding the respective opening as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The plate includes flattened edges  252  of substantially the same profile as sections  194  shown in FIG.  17 . Finally, the plate  50  includes a stop lug  256  having side stop surfaces  258   a  and  258   b.    
     With reference again to FIG. 3, the thread ring  28 , outer ring  30 , and seal retaining ring  32  will be described in greater detail. The thread ring  28  is generally comprised of a central wall section  264  having a front edge  266  which is the lead-in to threaded section  268 . It should be understood that threaded section  268  is a mating thread to thread sections  102  of the skirt  18 . The ring  28  further includes a rear edge  270  which leads in to an inner diameter  272  having a stop surface at  274 . 
     Ring  30  includes a forward lip  276  having a front edge  278 , an inner diameter at  279 , and an outer curved ring portion  280  having an end edge  282 . Inner diameter  279  has a plurality of detent channels at  284 . 
     Seal retaining ring  32  includes a central ring portion  290  having a first annular rib  292  and a second annular rib  294  defining a seal receiving channel  296  therebetween. A central ring  298  extends integrally from the central ring portion  290  and includes a plurality of openings  300  profiled for engagement with the lugs  186  on front filter retainer  26 . The ring  32  includes a detent member  302  having a spring beam  304  with a detent bead  306  extending outwardly therefrom. Finally, camming lugs  308  extending outwardly from the annular rib  294 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 23 through 25, the front face plate  46  will be described in greater detail. With respect first to FIG. 25, the front face plate  46  includes a front face  320  having a plurality of water openings, including water spray openings  322 , water mist openings  324 , aerated spray openings  326 , and massage spray openings  328 . With reference now to FIGS. 23 and 24, it should be appreciated that each of the different spray openings are confined in separated channels, channels formed by a plurality of inner annular walls. For example, a channel  330  is formed between an outer wall  332  and wall  334 , the channel  330  confining the spray openings  322 . A channel  336  is formed intermediate wall  334  and  338  to confine the mist openings  324 . With reference still to FIG. 23, walls  340  and  338  form channel  342  confining aerated spray openings  326 . Finally, an annular wall  344  together with annular wall  340  define an inner channel  346  as will be described herein, while the annular wall  344  defines an inner channel at  348 . As shown in FIG. 23, wall  332  includes a plurality of upstanding alignment ribs  350  spatially distributed about the inside diameter of wall  332  and extending above a top surface  352  of wall  332 . The outside of wall  332  includes a recess forming a shoulder at  354 , the recess also having an O-ring groove at  356 . Also as shown best in FIG. 23, internal wall  332  includes flattened portions  358 , and the wall  334  includes flattened sections  359 . Spring positioning posts  360  are positioned within the channel  330 . Within channel  336  are annular rings  362  surrounding the individual openings  324 . With respect to upstanding wall  344 , it should be appreciated that the wall includes slots  364  forming angular openings between the channel  346  and  348 . Finally, centrally disposed within the channel  348  is an upstanding post  370  having a squared top section at  372 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 26 through 28, the cleaning ring  34  will be described in greater detail. The ring generally includes an annular ring portion  380  having a plurality of pins  382  extending therefrom, the pins  382  being disposed in an identical pattern as that of the spray holes  322 . The cleaning ring  34  further includes an upstanding cam ring at  384  having a contoured following surface  386 . The cleaning ring  34  includes a plurality of extended portions at  388  which carry the outer pin  382  and extended portions  390  having two such external pins  382 . Spring receiving cups  392  are positioned extending into the ring  380 , for spring loading the cleaning ring  34  as will be described in greater detail herein. 
     With respect now to FIGS. 29 through 33, the atomizer ring  36  will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 29, the atomizer ring  36  includes an annular ring portion  400  including a plurality of apertures shown generally at  402 . The aperture  402  includes two sector-shaped apertures  404  which extend between a rear face  406  through to a front face  408 . Extending into the front face  408  is a central counter bore  410 , and adjacent to the front face are radial connecting channels at  412 . Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical seal member  414  is associated with the atomizer ring  36  as described herein. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 34-37, the flow rings  38  and  40  will be shown and described in greater detail. The flow ring  38  includes an annular channel at  420  with a flange portion  422  on the outer perimeter thereof and an inner flange portion  424 . Apertures  426  extend downwardly through the bottom of the channel portion as shown in FIG.  35 . With reference now to FIGS. 36 and 37, the flow ring  40  is shown having an annular channel  430  having apertures  432  extending therethrough. With respect now to FIGS. 6 and 38, the filter assembly  52  will be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 6, the filter body  54  is comprised of an annular ring having a hollow central space  441  for receiving the filter medium  60  and two annular grooves  442  for receiving O-rings  444  (FIG.  38 ). The filter medium  60 , while shown as a disk, is actually copper-zinc granules which in the preferred embodiment is material KDF  55  as sold by KDF Fluid Treatment in Three Rivers, Mich. As also shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate caps  56  include through holes  446  for allowing the flow of water through the caps and through the medium. End caps  58  include openings  448  similar to openings  446  and also include a mesh screen  450  positioned on the inside of the end caps  58 . It should be appreciated that the filter  52  can be assembled by completing one of the intermediate caps  56  and end cap  58  filling the filter body  54  with the granules and completing the assembly of the other end with the intermediate cap and end cap  56   58 . It should also be appreciated that the assembly could either be completed using an epoxy to retain the end caps in a position, or could alternatively be bonded by way of an ultrasonic welding process which would actually melt the components together. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 2,  3 - 5  and  38 , the assembly of the shower head tube will be described in greater detail. To assemble the rear housing portion  4 , the pipe spigot ball joint  14  is first inserted through opening  70  until the ball portion resides against surface  74  (FIG. 8) of the rear housing plate portion  10 . Seal member  16  can thereafter be positioned within counter bore  118  (FIG. 12) and housing skirt portion  18  positioned against the recess  72  of the rear housing plate portion  10 . The rear filter retainer  20  is thereafter positioned within the housing skirt portion  18  with the ribs on  126  positioned in the corresponding slots  98 . The combination of the housing skirt portion and rear filter retainer are now positioned against the rear housing portion  10 , such that the counter bores  130  reside over posts  76 . This also places recessed shoulder  72  (FIG. 8) within the recessed surface  86  (FIG.  10 ). With the rear filter retainer  20  aligned to the rear housing plate portion  10  as described, fasteners  448  can be positioned through apertures  128 , and can be aligned with posts  76  such that the fasteners  448  will draw the rear filter retainer  20  and rear housing plate portion  10  together, trapping between them, the pipe spigot ball joint  14  and the housing skirt portion  18 . It should be appreciated that an in-line filter such as item  12  can be positioned within the threaded counter bore  452  of the pipe spigot ball joint  14  at any time. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 3-5 and  38 , the assembly of the front housing portion  6  will be described in greater detail. The front housing portion  6  is comprised of three subassemblies, the subassembly including the components of FIG. 3, of FIG. 4, and of FIG.  5 . With respect first to FIG. 3, the thread ring  28  is first received over the front filter retainer  26 , such that the front leading edge  266  abuts the forwardly facing shoulder  158 . This places the inner diameter  275  against the outer diameter section  156  with the O-ring groove  164  positioned proud of the inner edge  274  of the threaded ring  28 . O-ring  456  (FIG. 38) can either be assembled at this stage or prior to the assembly of the threaded ring  28 . The outer ring  30  can now be slidably received in the front end of thread ring  28  with diameter  276  residing within diameter  272  until the front edge  278  abuts the shoulder  274 . The seal retaining ring  32 , together with its associated V-ring seal  458  can now be slidably received within the assembly of items  26 ,  28  and  30  such that the V-ring seal resides against inner diameter  279  of outer ring  30 , and wherein inner diameter  310  of the seal retaining ring  32  is positioned over O-ring seal  456  as best shown in FIG.  38 . This also places openings  300  in the seal retainer  32  within the locating lugs  186  keeping the seal retaining ring  32  fixed relative to the forward filter retainer  26 . 
     With respect now to FIGS. 4,  23  and  24 , another subassembly of the front housing portion  6  will be described in greater detail. It should be appreciated, however, that all of the components shown in FIG. 4 are assembled into the back face of the front face plate as to be described. Also as previously described, and with reference again to FIG. 23, the front face plate  46  is comprised of a plurality of radially disposed channels, that is, inner channel  348 , channel  342 , channel  336 , and outer channel  330 . As shown in FIG. 4, the massage wheel  44  can be assembled to the back side of the face plate  46 , and is assembled such that baffle  472  is leading, with the aperture  474  being placed over central post  374 . This positions the baffle  472  adjacent to openings  328  and positions veins  470  inside of wall  344 . The screen  42  can then be placed within channel  342  and flow ring  40  positioned behind the screen  42  in channel  342 . Flow ring  38  is then positioned against flow ring  40  also fitting within channel  336  as shown in FIG.  38 . It should be appreciated by comparing FIGS. 34 and 36 that flow ring  38  includes five apertures, whereas flow ring  40  includes ten apertures. The two rings are aligned or polarized via a polarizing rib  478  on the inside of wall  338  such that five of the apertures of flow ring  40  are aligned with the five apertures of flow ring  38 , yet the two rings are profiled such that they abut along their front faces, that is, flow ring  38  does not fit down into the notch  430 , but rather the channel is left open between the two rings. With respect again to FIGS. 4 and 23, seal members  414  are positioned in radial walls  362  and the atomizer ring  36  is thereafter placed within channel  336 , such that apertures  410  are aligned with individual openings  324  and the front face plate  46 . Finally, springs  460  can be positioned over posts  360  within channel  330  and cleaning ring  34  positioned in channel  330 . The ring  34  is aligned such that extended portions  390  are aligned with flattened portions  358 , and such that the spring receiving cups  392  are positioned over the springs  460  and over the posts  360 . This aligns individual pins  382  with individual apertures  322 . 
     With respect now to FIG. 5, the subassembly of the front and rear flow director plates  48 ,  50  will be described. It should be appreciated that it is desirable to bond the two plates  48  and  52  together, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two plates are ultrasonically welded together. Thus, the front plate  48  is positioned adjacent to the rear plate  50 , such that the openings  208  are aligned with the key hole partitions  219 . This positions the outer periphery  192  inside the lip  248  and positions back face  191   b  against the tapered rib  246 . It should be appreciated to one skilled in the art of ultrasonic welding that an ultrasonic horn can now be placed against the front flow director plate  48  to ultrasonically bond the two components  48 ,  50  together. 
     The combination of the two flow director plates  48  and  50 , can now be positioned also in the back side of the front plate  46 , whereby opening  198  is positioned over the central post  374  and with the flattened portions  194 ,  252  positioned within and against the flats  359  (FIG.  23 ). The subassembly as previously described with relation to FIG. 3 can now be assembled to the subassembly of FIG. 4 as previously described including the flow director plates, such that alignment lug  256  (FIG. 22) is positioned in semicircular channel  182 . Front face plate  46  is also polarized to the outer ring  30  to prevent rotation therebetween. As shown in FIG. 3, the insert  480  can now be inserted into the front filter retainer  26  to reside within the opening  170  (FIG. 4) with the squared opening  484  being positioned over the corresponding square post section  372  (FIG. 24) and a fastener  482  inserted which threads into the post  374  to retain the entire assembly together. It should be appreciated that this places the camming lugs  308  adjacent to and against the contoured follower surface  386  (FIG.  27 ). 
     The final assembly of the shower head, that is, to assemble the rear housing portion  4  and front housing portion  6  together, includes insertion of the filter subassembly  52 , and then the alignment of members  136   a ,  136   b  with their respective openings in the front filter retainer  26 . The housing portions  4  and  6  can be held together by threading the threaded portion  268  of the thread ring  28  into complementary threaded portions  102  of housing skirt  18 . It should be appreciated that from the foregoing the front face plate  46 , together with flow rings  38 ,  40 , atomizer ring  36 , cleaner ring  34 , and flow director plates  48 ,  50  can be rotated relative to the remainder of the assembly, and primarily rotatable relative to the forward filter retainer  26  as described below. 
     The operation of the shower head will now be described. With respect first to FIGS. 39 a  and  39   b , the front face of the front filter retainer  26  is reproduced as well as the top plan view of the rear flow director plate  50 . However, shown in phantom in FIG. 39 b  are the locations of stop lug  256 , which is located on the back side of flow director plate  50 ; as well as openings  208 ,  210 , and  212 , which are located on the front flow director plate  48 , but are illustrative for the discussion of the water flow patterns. It should also be appreciated that the two openings  208  are positioned at a radial distance R 1 , opening  210  is positioned at a radial distance of R 2 , and opening  212  is located at a radial distance of R 3 . It should also be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 39 a  and  39   b , that the openings  222 ,  226 ,  230 ,  234 , and  238  are all positioned at a radial distance of R 4 , which is the identical radial distance of apertures  180   a  and  180   b  in the filter retainer member  26 . It should also be appreciated, as described above, that lug member  256  resides within the semicircular channel  182 , such that rotation of the flow director plates  48  and  50  relative to filter retainer  26  will align various of the openings  222 - 238  with openings  180   a ,  180   b , and that the rotation can exist between the extremes of contact between lug  256  and surface  183 , and lug  256  with surface  183   b . It should also be appreciated that the water will be directed in various directions and channels given the various radial openings through which the water is optionally directed. 
     With respect now to FIG. 40 a , the flow director plate  50  is shown superimposed over the filter retainer  26  such that lug member  256  is in the counter-clockwise-most position, where lug  256  will abut surface  183   a . In this position, opening  234  in the flow director plate  50  will be aligned with the opening  180   a  in the filter retainer member  26 . Thus, the water flow is diagramatically shown as flowing into opening  234  and through opening  212 . It should be remembered that, because of the ultrasonic bonding between the flow director plates  48  and  50 , each of the channels are closed compartments such that flow can be confined to various openings. With reference again to FIG. 24, the radial distance of channels  346 ,  342 , and  336 , are shown respectively as R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 . Thus, as the water flows out of aperture  212 , and as aperture  212  is also at a radius R 3 , in this position water flow is directed into channel  336 . This position also corresponds with FIG. 41 a , showing the water flow through the atomizer ring and through openings  324  as will be described further herein. 
     With respect now to FIG. 40 b , flow director plate  50  is shown rotated in the clockwise position to its next detented position, whereby openings  222  and  234  align with openings  180   b  and  180   a , respectively (FIG. 39 a ). This causes water to flow through opening  180   b  into opening  222  and thereafter into chamber  220  and through apertures  208  in front flow director plate  48 . This also causes water flow through opening  180   a  into opening  234  and through the side opening  240  of flow director plate  50 . As noted from a comparison of FIGS. 24 and 39B, openings  208  are radially located at distance R 1 , as is channel  346 . Thus, in this position of flow director plates  48 ,  50 , this causes water flow from openings  208  into channel  346 , and from opening  240  into channel  330 , thus directing water flow through apertures  328  and  322  of the front face plate  46 . This also corresponds with FIG. 41 b.    
     With respect now to FIG. 40 c , flow director plate  50  is again rotated as shown by the location of lug  256 , to a position where opening  226  in flow director plate  50  aligns with aperture  180   a  in the filter retainer  26 . This causes water flow from opening  226  through opening  210  in the front flow director plate. As opening  210  is located a radial distance R 2 , water is directed to channel  342  and through openings  326 , as shown in FIG. 41 c , and further described herein. 
     With respect now to FIG. 40 d , the flow director plates  48 ,  50  are again rotated to a new position as shown by the location by lug  256 . In this position, opening  238  of plate  50  is aligned with opening  180   b  of the filter retainer  26  to direct the flow of water out through the side opening  242  of plate  50 . This causes the flow of water into passageway  330  and through openings  322 , also as shown in FIG. 41 d.    
     Finally with respect to FIG. 40 e , the flow director plates  48 ,  50  are shown rotated into their clockwise-most position, where lug  256  would abut shoulder  183   b  (FIG. 39 a ). In this position, opening  222  will align with opening  180   a  (FIG. 39 a ) to cause the flow of water through opening  222  and into openings  208 . This causes the flow of water into channel  346  only. 
     The different modes of operation will now be described relative to FIGS. 41 a - 41   e . When in the position of FIGS. 40 a ,  41   a , water flows into atomizer ring  36  through apertures  404  and is then directed through radial passages  412  into the chamber  410 . This radial swirling causes an atomization of water thereafter vaporizing the water through apertures  324 . 
     When the shower head is in the position of FIGS. 40 b  and  41   b , water is directed to massage wheel  44  and through openings  328 . With reference again to FIG. 23, water directed to channel  346  causes the water to be directed through channels  364  and against the veins causing the massage wheel to rotate. The baffle  372  (FIG. 4) causes an oscillation of the spray pattern through openings  328 . In the position of FIG. 41 b , water is also directed radially outward as described above and through the standard spray through openings  322 . 
     When in the position of FIG. 40 c  or  41   c , water is directed through flow director rings  38 ,  40  and due to the enlarged expansion area downstream of openings  426 , that is, into the channel  430  and through the enlarged holes  432  (FIGS.  36  and  37 ), the water is aerated and takes on added volume. This spray pattern exits through openings  326  in the faceplate  46 . 
     In the position of FIG. 40 d  or  41   d , water is directed only through openings  322 , whereas in the position of FIG. 40 e  or  41   e , water is directed only through the massage wheel and through openings  328 . 
     As shown best in FIG. 41 a , preferably a rubber grip ring, such as  490 , is positioned over the thread ring  28  to assist in threading the front and rear housing portions together. It should also be appreciated from the foregoing that the various positions shown from FIGS. 40 a  through  40   e  are detented positions by way of engagement of detent member  306  (FIG. 3) within one of the detent slots  284  of ring  30 . It should also be appreciated that when the spray mode is changed, for example, between positions  40   a  to  40   b , the contoured cam surface  386  engages the camming lobes  308  causing axial movement of the pins  382  into openings  322  of the front face plate  46 . This cleans any dirt or other deposits such as calcium caused by hard water out of the openings  322  for a consistent spray pattern. It should be appreciated that a full cycle of the cleaning ring takes place between the detented positions. Also advantageously, the user, to replace the filter need only unscrew the front housing  6 , replace the filter assembly  52 , and then replace the front housing portion 
     FIG. 42 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention which is profiled as a hand-held wand  502 . As shown in FIG. 42, it should be understood that the identical front housing portion  6  which has been described previously can be incorporated into the wand  502 . A rear skirt portion  510  (which is analogous to threaded portion  18 ) and is attached to the outer housing portion  512  by way of fasteners. An inner tube  508  is also positioned internally of the outer housing  512  and includes a threaded fitting  514  to be fitted to a flexible hose as is common in the art.