Abstract:
A shower arm attachment assembly including an arm coupling member, a shower pipe coupling member, and a locking member. The arm coupling member may fluidly connect to a shower arm for a showerhead and the shower pipe coupling member may fluidly connect to a shower pipe. The arm coupling member connects to the shower pipe coupling member and is selectively rotatably relative thereto. The locking member selectively controls rotation of the arm coupling member relative to the shower pipe coupling member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/470,120 filed on 27 Aug. 2014 entitled “Showerhead attachment assembly,” which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/869,183 filed on 9 Oct. 2007 entitled “Showerhead attachment assembly,” which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/828,741 filed on 9 Oct. 2006 entitled “Showerhead attachment assembly,” the disclosures of which are each hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure generally relates to showerheads, and more particularly to showerhead connections. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    To locate a showerhead overhead rather than at the side of a shower stall, the showerhead may be attached to the end of an arm, which in turn may be attached to a water outlet pipe of the shower stall. For positioning a standard overhead showerhead at a desired vertical location and the showerhead face at a desired orientation relative to arm&#39;s longitudinal axis, the arm may be fitted with one or more joints formed from an assembly of parts to pivot the arm relative to the water outlet and the showerhead relative to the arm. Undesired vertical movement of the standard overhead showerhead relative to the water outlet pipe is generally prevented using a friction mechanism such as winged nut to adjust the friction between pivoting parts in the joint. 
         [0004]    Generally, standard overhead shower arm assemblies that utilize friction mechanisms for vertical adjustment of the showerhead via pivoting the arm relative to the water outlet may minimize undesired vertical movement of the showerhead relative to the water outlet pipe for light showerheads, thus maintaining such a light showerhead in the desired position. However, these standard shower arm assemblies often to fail to maintain the vertical position of a relatively large or heavy showerhead or a showerhead constructed of a denser material, such as a metal. Thus, standard shower arms using standard friction mechanisms to prevent vertical showerhead movement are unsuitable for many modern applications. 
         [0005]    Adjusting the position of the showerhead under water pressure can also be problematic. Specifically, when the friction mechanisms are adjusted to permit positioning of the showerhead, water often leaks through the loosened joints. Additionally, a user can inadvertently disassemble the standard overhead showerhead arm assembly by unscrewing the typical winged nut friction mechanism too far, and thus possibly injure the user and/or have small components of the arm assembly fall into the shower&#39;s drain. 
         [0006]    Yet another issue with a typical overhead shower arm assembly involves the coupling members or assemblies used to attach the shower arm to the shower pipe. Often, the coupling members or assemblies permit relatively little or limited rotational adjustment of the arm around the shower pipe&#39;s longitudinal axis before the water-tightness between the shower pipe and the coupling member is compromised. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    One embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly may include a first member, a second member, and a locking member, such as a sleeve or locking nut. The first member may be in fluid communication with a showerhead. The second member may be attachable to a shower pipe. The second member may be selectively rotatably joined to the first member. The locking member may be selectively engageable with a joinder between the first and second member. When engaged, the sleeve may substantially prevent rotation of the first member relative to the second member. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly may include a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member may be in fluid communication with a showerhead and may include a first keying feature. The second member may be attachable to a shower pipe and may include a second keying feature for engagement with the first keying feature to substantially prevent rotation of the second member relative to the first member. The third member may be selectively engageable with the first member and the second member. When engaged, the third member may join the first member with the second member and may engage the first keying feature with the second keying feature. 
         [0009]    Yet another embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly may include a first member, a second member, a third member and a fourth member. The first member may be in fluid communication with a showerhead. The second member may be joined to the first member and may be rotatable relative to the first member. The third member may fluidly join the second member to a shower pipe water outlet. The fourth member may be selectively engageable with the second member. When engaged, the fourth member may substantially prevent rotation of the first member relative to the second member. 
         [0010]    Still yet another embodiment of a shower arm assembly may include an arm, a shower arm attachment assembly, and an arm rotation assembly. The shower arm attachment assembly may include an arm coupling member. The arm rotation assembly may include a connector rod, a nut, and a retaining clip. The nut may be joined to the connector rod and may be operative with the connector rod to press together the arm coupling member and the arm. The retaining clip may be attached to the connector rod and may operative with the connector rod to prevent disassembly of the arm from the arm coupling member. 
         [0011]    Yet another embodiment of a shower arm assembly may include an arm, a shower arm attachment assembly, and an arm rotation assembly. The arm may include a first keying feature. The shower arm attachment assembly may include an arm coupling member with a second keying feature for engagement with the first keying feature to substantially prevent rotation of the arm relative to the arm coupling member. The arm rotation assembly may include a connector rod, a nut, and a connector rod. The nut may be joined to the connector rod and may be operative with the connector rod to press together the arm coupling member and the arm to engage the first keying feature with the second keying feature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  depicts a top perspective view of a shower arm assembly connected to a shower pipe. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm assembly of  FIG. 1A  viewed along line  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A , showing an arm rotation nut configured in its tightened position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm assembly of  FIG. 1 a    viewed along line  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A , showing the arm rotation nut configured in its loosened position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1D  depicts a partially exploded, cross-sectional perspective view of the shower arm assembly of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  depicts a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly showing a locking sleeve in a first position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  depicts another top perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 2A , showing the locking sleeve in a second position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 2A , viewed along line  2 C- 2 C in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 2A , viewed along line  2 D- 2 D in  FIG. 2B . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2E  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 2A , viewed along line  2 E- 2 E in  FIG. 2D . 
           [0021]      FIG. 2F  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  2 A, viewed along line  2 F- 2 F in  FIG. 2D . 
           [0022]      FIG. 2G  depicts an exploded perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  depicts a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly showing a locking nut in a first position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  depicts another top perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A , showing the locking nut in a second position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3C  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A , viewed along line  3 C- 3 C in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3D  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A , viewed along line  3 D- 3 D in  FIG. 3B . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3E  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A , viewed along line  3 E- 3 E in  FIG. 3C . 
           [0028]      FIG. 3F  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A , viewed along line  3 F- 3 F in  FIG. 3D . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3G  depicts an exploded perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4A  depicts a top perspective view of a shower arm attachment assembly, showing a locking nut in a first position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4B  depicts another top perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A , showing the locking nut in a second position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4C  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A , viewed along line  4 C- 4 C in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4D  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A , viewed along line  4 D- 4 D in  FIG. 4B . 
           [0034]      FIG. 4E  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A , viewed along line  4 E- 4 E in  FIG. 4D . 
           [0035]      FIG. 4F  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A , viewed along line  4 F- 4 F in  FIG. 4D . 
           [0036]      FIG. 4G  depicts an exploded perspective view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0037]      FIG. 4H  depicts a perspective view of a arm coupling member for the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 5A  depicts a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the shower arm attachment assembly of  FIG. 5A , viewed along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    One embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly may include an arm coupling member in fluid communication with a shower pipe coupling member. The arm coupling member may also be in fluid communication with a showerhead, and the shower pipe coupling member may also be in fluid communication with a shower pipe as well as, in some embodiments, attached directly to the shower pipe. In some embodiments, the arm coupling member and the shower pipe coupling member may be joined together using a snap ring, collar, or other suitable device to allow selective rotation of the arm coupling member relative to the shower pipe coupling member. In such embodiments, a sleeve, nut, or the like may be selectively engageable with the arm coupling member and the shower pipe coupling member to selectively prevent rotation of the arm coupling member relative to the shower pipe coupling member. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment of the shower arm attachment assembly, the arm coupling member and the shower pipe coupling member may be joined together in select relative rotational positions to each other using a keying feature. The keying feature may also substantially prevent rotation of the arm coupling member relative to the shower pipe coupling member when the coupling members are joined together. In some embodiments, the keying feature may have a first portion on one of the arm and shower pipe coupling members, and a second, complementary portion on the other coupling member. In some of these embodiments, the first portion may take the form of a shaft with projections that engage grooves formed on the second complementary portion of the other member, which may receive the shaft. In other of these embodiments, the first and second portions may take the form of engaging projections on abutting surfaces of each member. A threaded sleeve, a nut or the like may join the arm coupling member with the shower pipe coupling member. 
         [0042]    In yet another embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly and as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a shower arm cross member may be joined to a threaded stud, which in turn is joined to a threaded tee. The threaded stud may be selectively rotatable relative to the threaded stud. The threaded tee may be joined to the shower pipe with a shower pipe nut. A jam nut may be threadedly received on the threaded tee to substantially prevent selective rotation of the threaded stud relative to the threaded tee. The various embodiments of showerhead attachment assemblies may be used to fluidly join showerheads to shower pipes. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1A  depicts a showerhead  100  joined to a shower pipe  105  by an arm assembly  110 . The arm assembly  110  may include a showerhead attachment member  115 , an arm  120 , an arm rotation assembly  125 , a shower arm attachment assembly  130 , and a showerhead rotation assembly  135 . As described in more detail below in connection with various embodiments of the shower arm attachment assembly  130 , the shower arm attachment assembly mechanically  130  and fluidly joins the arm  120  to the shower pipe  105 . In some embodiments, such as those depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 3A , the shower arm attachment assembly  130  may include an arm coupling member  305  joined to a shower pipe coupling member  310  using a locking nut  315 . 
         [0044]    The showerhead rotation assembly  135  may be used to adjust of the angle of the showerhead&#39;s face relative to the arm&#39;s longitudinal axis. The showerhead rotation assembly  135  may include a showerhead rotation nut  140 , which may be selectively tightened or loosened to increase or decrease the friction between the showerhead attachment member  115  and the arm  120 . The showerhead rotation nut  140  may be winged to provide a gripping feature for a user to grasp when tightening or loosening the nut  140 . As the friction is increased or decreased, the ability to rotate the showerhead attachment member  115  relative to the arm  120  around the showerhead rotation assembly&#39;s longitudinal axis decreases or increases, respectively. 
         [0045]    The arm rotation assembly  125  adjusts and maintains the vertical position of the showerhead  100  relative to the shower pipe  105 . More particularly, the arm rotation assembly  125  may include an arm rotation nut  145 , which may be selectively tightened or loosened to prevent or allow the arm  120  to pivot relative to the shower arm attachment assembly  130  by rotating the arm  120  around the arm rotation assembly&#39;s longitudinal axis as described in more detail below. As the arm  120  is pivoted relative to the shower arm attachment assembly  130 , the vertical position of the showerhead  100  relative to the shower pipe  105  changes. Like the showerhead rotation nut  140 , the arm rotation nut  145  may be winged to facilitate tightening or loosening of the nut  140  by a user. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1B  depicts a cross-sectional view of the arm assembly  100  depicted in  FIG. 1A  viewed along line  1 B- 1 B with the arm rotation nut  145  in a tightened configuration to substantially prevent rotation of the arm  120  relative to the shower arm attachment assembly  130 .  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view similar to the one shown in  FIG. 1B  except the arm rotation nut  145  is positioned in a loosened configuration to allow rotation of the arm  120  relative to the arm attachment assembly  130 . 
         [0047]    The arm rotation assembly  125  may include the arm rotation nut  145 , a sleeve  150 , a sleeve washer  155 , an E-ring  160 , and a connector rod  165 . Together, the sleeve  150  and the connector rod  165  press together the arm  120  and an arm coupling member  305  as the rotation nut  145  is tightened. More particularly, the connector rod  165  includes a rod shaft  170 . The rod shaft  170  extends through a hollow arm connection portion  175  of the  305 , a tube section  180  of the arm  120 , a hole in the sleeve washer  155 , and a hole in the sleeve  150 . A threaded hole  182  formed in the arm rotation nut  145  receives a threaded end portion of the rod shaft  165 . An opposite end of the rod shaft  165  includes a circular rod end flange  184 . A collar segment  186  of the arm coupling member  305  receives the rod end flange  184 . 
         [0048]    As the rotation nut  145  is tightened by threading the connector rod  165  into the threaded hole  182 , the rotation nut  145  bears against the sleeve  150 , which in turn bears against the arm  120 . The rotation nut  145  also pulls the connector rod  165  towards the rotation nut  145  as it is tightened, which causes the rod end flange  184  of the connector rod  165  to bear against the arm coupling member  305 . The sleeve  150  bearing against the arm  120  combined with the connector rod  165  bearing against the arm coupling member  305  presses together the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305 . 
         [0049]    When pressed together, rotation of the arm  120  relative to the arm coupling member  305  around the longitudinal axis of the connector rod  165  is prevented by a keying feature associated with either or both of the arm coupling member  305  and the arm  120 . More particularly, the arm&#39;s tube section  180  receives a splined segment  186  of the arm coupling member  305 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , an end of the splined segment  186  includes multiple splines  188 . When the arm coupling member  305  and the arm  120  are pressed together, these splines  188  engage matching grooves defined by multiple splines  190  (see  FIG. 1D ) formed on the interior surface of the tube section  180  abutting the splined end of the arm coupling member  305 . When engaged, rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the arm  120  is prevented by this interconnection of the splines  188 ,  190 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, matching splines are formed along the longitudinal abutting surfaces of the arm coupling member&#39;s splined segment  186  and the arm tube section  180  in lieu of, or in combination with, the splines  188 ,  190 . In yet other embodiments, the end of the splined segment  186  and the interior surface of the tube section  180  proximate this end may define square, hexagonal, oval or other suitable shapes that restrict or otherwise limit rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the arm  120  when pressed together. 
         [0051]    To disengage the splines  188 ,  190 , a user loosens the rotation nut  145  by unthreading it from the connector rod  165 . When sufficiently loosened, the user may pull apart the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305  sufficiently to disengage each components&#39; respective splines  188 ,  190 . Once disengaged, the user may rotate the arm  120  relative to the arm coupling member  305  around the connector rod  165  to adjust the vertical position of the showerhead  100  relative to the shower pipe  105 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 1B and 10 , an E-ring  160  or other suitable retaining element, such as a C-ring, is joined to the connector rod  165  between an arm end wall  195  and the threads on the connector rod  165  to limit the amount of separation between the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305 . Specifically, as the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305  are separated, the arm end wall  195  pushes the E-ring  160  against the threads on the connector rod  165 , which prevents further movement of the arm  120  away from the arm coupling member  305 . The amount of permitted separation is a function of the distance between the circular rod flange  184  and the connector rod threads compared to the length of the joined arm tube section  180  and the arm coupling member connection portion  175  along the longitudinal axis of the connector rod  165 . This permitted separation distance is selected to allow a user to at least sufficiently separate the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305  to disengage their respective splines  188 ,  190 . 
         [0053]    Positioning the E-ring  160  on the connector rod  165  as described above also prevents a user from inadvertently disassembling of the connector rod  165 , the arm  120 , and the arm coupling member  305  when unthreading the arm rotation nut  145  from the connector rod  165 . More particularly, if a user unthreads the arm rotation nut  145  too much, only the arm rotation nut  145 , the sleeve  150  and the sleeve washer  155  may become disconnected from the arm assembly  110 . The arm  120 , the connector rod  165 , and the arm coupling member  305  will remain joined together, even under water pressure, by the E-ring  160  because the E-ring limits the amount of separation between the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305  and keeps the connector rod  165  joined to these two components. This, in turn, limits the potential for a user to be injured by an inadvertent disassembly of these components. 
         [0054]    The E-ring  160  also allows for a user to vertically position the showerhead  100  relative to the shower pipe  105  under water pressure without water leaking out of the arm assembly  110 . More particularly, the maximum amount of separation between the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305  permitted by the E-ring  160  is selected so that various O-rings  192 ,  194 ,  196  strategically positioned between the connector rod  165 , the arm  120 , and the arm coupling member  305  as shown for example in  FIGS. 1B and 10  maintain water-tight seals between these various components at the joints formed by them. Thus under water pressure, the rotation nut  145  may be loosened to permit the arm  120  and arm coupling member  305  to be separated for vertical positioning of the showerhead  100  without water leaking through the various joints formed by the arm  120 , the rod connector  165  and the arm coupling member  305  because the O-rings  192 ,  194 ,  196  continue to maintain the water seals between these components at the maximum amount of separation between the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305 . 
         [0055]    The connector rod  165  may include a generally cylindrical intermediate rod flange  198  located between the connector rod threads and the rod end flange  184 . A generally circular hole in the arm end wall  195  receives the intermediate rod flange  198 . At least a portion of the cross-sections of the intermediate wall flange  198  and the end wall hole may be shaped to substantially prevent rotation of the connector rod  165  relative to the arm  120  around the connecter rod&#39;s longitudinal axis. For example, at least a portion of the cross-sections of the intermediate rod flange  198  and the end wall hole may be oval shaped as shown in  FIG. 1D . In other embodiments, cross-sectional portions of the intermediate wall flange  198  and the end wall hole may be square, hexagonal or any other suitable shape to substantially prevent rotation of the connector rod  165  relative to the arm  120 . 
         [0056]    With continued references to  FIGS. 1B-1D , a groove formed in the intermediate rod flange  198  receives an O-ring  192  to seal the joint formed between the arm  120  and the connector rod  165 . A groove formed in the arm coupling member&#39;s splined segment  186  receives an O-ring  194  to seal the joint formed between the arm  120  and the arm coupling member  305 . A groove formed in the rod end flange  184  receives an O-ring  196  to seal the joint formed between the arm coupling member  305  and the rod connector  165 . These seals each prevent leakage of water through the associated joints formed by the arm  120 , the connector rod  165 , and the arm coupling member  305 . Any of the grooves for receiving the O-rings  192 ,  194 ,  196  may be formed in the other component forming the joint sealed by these O-rings  192 ,  194 ,  196  rather the component depicted in  FIGS. 1B and 10 , or may be formed in both components. 
         [0057]    Returning to  FIG. 1A , the showerhead rotational assembly  135  may be similar to the arm rotational assembly  125  and may operate in a similar manner. More particularly, the arm rotational assembly  125  may include a showerhead rotation nut  140 , a sleeve  142 , a connector rod (not shown), a sleeve washer (not shown), and an E-ring (not shown). In a manner similar to the arm rotational assembly  125 , the showerhead rotation nut  140 , the sleeve  142  and the connector rod (not shown) may press together the showerhead attachment member  115  and a second arm tube section  144  to substantially prevent rotation of the showerhead attachment member  115  relative to the arm  120  when the showerhead rotation nut  140  is tightened. Likewise, loosening the showerhead rotation nut  140  allows a user to rotate the showerhead attachment member  115  relative to the arm  120 . Also similar to the arm rotation assembly  125 , the E-ring or other suitable retaining device (not shown) may be joined to the connector rod (not shown) to limit the maximum distance that the showerhead attachment  115  and the arm  120  can be pulled apart. 
         [0058]    A first embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly  200  is depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2G . This shower arm attachment assembly  200  may be used with the arm assembly  110  shown in  FIG. 1A . With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the shower arm attachment assembly  200  may include an arm coupling member  205  joined to a shower pipe coupling member  210 . The shower pipe coupling member  210 , in turn, may be joined to a shower pipe  105 . The shower pipe  105  delivers water to the shower arm coupling assembly  200 , and ultimately to an attached showerhead  100  (see  FIG. 1 ), from a water heater, a water reservoir, or other suitable water source (not shown). 
         [0059]    The arm coupling member  205  may include a shower pipe connection portion  215  for joining the arm coupling member  205  to the shower pipe coupling member  210 . When joined, the arm coupling member  205  may be rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210  as described in more detail below. The arm coupling member  205  may also have an arm connection portion  220  for joining the arm coupling member  205  to a showerhead arm (not shown) fluidly joined to a showerhead (not shown). The arm connection portion  220  may be joined to its shower pipe connection portion  215  by an intermediate portion  225 . The shower pipe connection portion  215 , arm connection portion  220 , and the intermediate portion  225  may be integrally formed, or may be separate elements joined together by adhesives, heat or sonic welds, mechanical fasteners, any other suitable means for joining elements together, or any combination thereof. 
         [0060]    An outer surface of the arm coupling member&#39;s shower pipe connection portion  215  may define multiple flat surfaces. The shower pipe connection portion  215  may be, for example, square or hexagonal in cross-section. These surfaces may generally correspond to matching substantially flat surfaces defined by an outer surface of the shower pipe coupling member  210 , which may have a cross-section matching that of the shower pipe connection portion  215 . When these surfaces for the shower pipe coupling member  210  and the arm coupling member  205  are generally aligned as shown in  FIG. 2A , a locking sleeve  230  or other suitable device may be moved over the arm and shower pipe coupling members  205 ,  210  as shown in  FIG. 2B . As described in more detail below, because the cross-section of the locking sleeve&#39;s interior generally correlates to the outer surfaces of the arm and shower pipe coupling members  205 ,  210  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2E and 2F ), positioning the locking sleeve  230  over the arm and shower pipe coupling members  205 ,  210  typically prevents rotation of the shower pipe coupling member  210  relative to the arm coupling member  205  around the longitudinal axis marked as A-A on  FIG. 2C . 
         [0061]    Turning to the cross-section views of  FIGS. 2C  (which shows the locking sleeve  230  in its unlocked position) and  2 D (which shows the locking sleeve  230  in its locked position), the shower pipe coupling member  210  may be threadedly joined to the shower pipe  105 , or joined by any other suitable method including by press fitting, clamping, welds, and so on. When the shower pipe coupling member  210  and the shower pipe  105  are threadedly joined, the shower pipe coupling member  210  may have threads formed on an inner surface to mate with threads formed on an outer surface to the shower pipe  105  as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , or vice versa. 
         [0062]    In some embodiments, the shower pipe coupling member&#39;s threads are national pipe taper (“NPT”) threads. NPT threads provide locking resistance to substantially prevent rotation of the entire showerhead assembly relative to the shower pipe  105 . More particularly, when the showerhead pivot assembly  115  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is positioned at an elevation above the arm pivot assembly  125 , a sufficient torque around the longitudinal axis of the shower pipe  105  may be generated to unscrew the shower pipe coupling member  210  from the shower pipe  105  when using straight pipe threads such as NPSM and NPSH threads. NPT threads, in contrast, effectively resist this torque, and thus prevent the unscrewing of the shower pipe coupling member  210 , which then prevents rotation of the showerhead assembly relative to the shower pipe  105 . However, threads other than NPT, including NPSM and NPSH, may be used if desired. 
         [0063]    Proximate the threads, the interior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  210  may form a groove or step for receiving a shower pipe O-ring  235  or other suitable seal element. The shower pipe O-ring  235  forms a water-tight seal between the shower pipe coupling member  210  and the shower pipe  105  to substantially prevent water from leaking through the joint formed between them. 
         [0064]    A coupling member O-ring groove  240  may be defined in the exterior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  210  for receiving a coupling member O-ring  245  or other suitable seal element. If desired, the coupling member O-ring groove  240  may be formed in the interior surface of the arm coupling member  205  rather than formed in the exterior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  210 , or may be formed in the surfaces of both members  205 ,  210 . The coupling member O-ring  245  forms a water-tight seal at the joint between the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  210  to substantially prevent water from leaking out of the shower arm attachment assembly  200  through this joint. 
         [0065]    Still with reference to  FIGS. 2C and 2D , proximate the arm coupling member  205 , a snap ring groove  250  may be formed in an exterior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  210 . When the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  210  are joined as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the snap ring groove  250  may align with a snap ring groove  255  defined in an interior surface of the arm coupling member  205 . Together, these aligned snap ring grooves  250 ,  255  define an annular snap ring pocket for receiving a snap ring  260  or other suitable joining element. The snap ring  260  joins the arm coupling member  205  to the shower pipe  210  coupling member while allowing the arm coupling member  205  to be selectively rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210  around the longitudinal axis marked A-A on  FIG. 2C . By rotating the arm coupling member  205  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210 , an arm (such as the arm  120  shown in  FIG. 1 a   ) attached to the arm coupling member  205  may be rotated relative to a shower pipe  105  attached to the shower pipe coupling member  210  about longitudinal axis A-A. 
         [0066]    Rotation of the arm coupling member  205  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210  may be prevented by engaging the locking sleeve  230  with each member  205 ,  210 . More particularly, the locking sleeve  230  may be positioned over the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2D . When moved to such a position, an interior surface of the locking sleeve  230  engages the outer surfaces of the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  210  as shown in  FIGS. 2E and 2F , thereby preventing rotation of the arm coupling member  205  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210 . 
         [0067]    To position the locking sleeve  230  over the arm and shower pipe coupling members  205 ,  210 , the generally flat exterior surfaces of the arm coupling member  205  are aligned with the flat surfaces of the shower pipe coupling member  210  as shown in  FIG. 2A . Such alignment may be achieved by rotating the shower pipe coupling member  210  relative to the arm coupling member  205  until the generally flat exterior surfaces for each member  205 ,  210  align. With reference to  FIGS. 2E and 2F , in one embodiment, each coupling member  205 ,  210  may have six substantially flat exterior surfaces, which allow the arm coupling member  205  to be placed in six rotational positions relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210  for engagement with the locking sleeve  230 . Further, the locking sleeve  230  may have six generally flat interior surfaces to match and engage the substantially flat exterior surfaces of the coupling members  205 ,  210 . The coupling members  205 ,  210  and the locking sleeve  230  may have more or fewer than six flat surfaces to increase or decrease the number of rotational positions of the coupling members  205 ,  210  relative to each other that permit the locking sleeve  230  to be slid over them. Further, other types of non-rotational surfaces, such as ovoid and D-shaped surfaces, may be used rather than substantially flat surfaces for the arm coupling member  205 , the shower pipe coupling member, and the locking sleeve  230 . 
         [0068]    With reference to  FIGS. 2C and 2D , the inner surface of the shower pipe  105  may define a shower pipe fluid passage  265  for delivering fluid to the are coupling member  205  from a fluid source fluidly connected to the shower pipe  105 . More particularly, the shower pipe fluid passage  265  may be fluidly connected to a fluid passage  270  defined by the shower pipe coupling member&#39;s inner surface, or surfaces, to deliver fluid from the shower pipe  105  to the arm coupling member  205  via the shower pipe coupling member  210 . The shower pipe coupling member fluid passage  270 , in turn, may be fluidly connected to a arm coupling member fluid passage  275  defined by the arm coupling member&#39;s inner surface, or surfaces, thus delivering fluid from the shower pipe coupling member  210  to the arm coupling member  205 . Finally, the arm coupling member fluid passage  275  may be fluidly connected to a showerhead to deliver fluid to the showerhead. 
         [0069]    With reference to  FIGS. 2A-2G , a method of joining the shower arm attachment assembly  200  to a shower pipe  105  will now be described. A generally cylindrical shower pipe  105  may receive a locking sleeve  230  with a generally cylindrical exterior surface. A shower pipe O-ring  235  may be placed proximate the threaded end of the shower pipe  105 , and the shower pipe coupling member  210  may thread onto the shower pipe  105 . The coupling member groove  240  of the shower pipe coupling member  210  receives the coupling member O-ring  245 . Next, the snap ring groove  250  of the shower pipe coupling member  210  receives the snap ring  260 . Pushing the snap ring&#39;s free ends together compresses it so that it may be received within the snap ring groove  250  of the shower pipe coupling  210  in order to slide the shower pipe connection portion  215  of the shower arm coupling member  205  over an end portion of the shower pipe coupling member  210 . 
         [0070]    The arm coupling member  205  may be joined to the shower pipe coupling member  210  by sliding it over the compressed snap ring  260  (and the generally annular shower pipe coupling member  210 ) until the snap ring groove  255  of the arm coupling member  205  aligns with the snap ring groove  250  of the shower pipe coupling member  210 . Once aligned, compressive forces in the compressed snap ring  260  bias a portion of the snap ring  260  into the snap ring groove  255  of the arm coupling member  205 , thereby joining the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  210 . Once joined, the arm coupling member  205  may be rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  210  around the longitudinal axis marked as A-A on  FIG. 2C  until its exterior flat surfaces align with the exterior flat surfaces of the shower pipe coupling member  210  in the desired relative rotational position. When aligned, the locking sleeve  230  may be slid over the arm and shower pipe coupling members  205 ,  210  to substantially prevent further relative rotation between the coupling members  205 ,  210  as described above. 
         [0071]    A second embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly  300  is depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3G . Similar to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2G , the second embodiment may include an arm coupling member  305  joined to a shower pipe coupling member  310 . Further, the shower pipe coupling member  310  may be joined to a shower pipe  105 . A locking nut  315  (or other suitable device) may join the arm coupling member  305  to the shower pipe coupling member  310 . Further, as described in more detail below, the locking nut  315  may be used to selectively allow or prevent rotation of the shower pipe coupling member  310  relative to the arm coupling member  305 . For example, when the locking nut  315  is substantially threadedly received on the shower pipe coupling member  310  as shown in  FIG. 3A , rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310  around the longitudinal axis marked as B-B on  FIG. 3C  is prevented. Continuing with the example, when the locking nut  315  is only partially threaded onto (as shown in  FIG. 3B ), or unthreaded from, the shower pipe coupling member  310 , the arm coupling member  305  may be rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310  around the longitudinal axis marked as B-B on  FIG. 3C . 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the arm coupling member  305  may have a connection portion  320  for receiving a coupling segment  325  of the shower pipe coupling member  310 . A keying feature may be associated with one or both of the coupling members  305 ,  310  and may prevent, or otherwise substantially restrict, rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310 . More particularly, as shown in  FIG. 3E , an interior surface of the arm coupling member&#39;s connection portion  320  may include at least one groove  330  that engages with at least one projection  335  on an exterior surface of the coupling segment  325 . In some embodiments, the arm coupling member&#39;s connection portion  320  may include at least one projection and the coupling segment&#39;s exterior surface may include at least one groove. Engagement of the grooves of either the arm coupling member  305  or the shower pipe coupling member  310  with the other member&#39;s projections prevents rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to shower pipe coupling member  310  around the longitudinal axis marked as B-B on  FIG. 3C . 
         [0073]    Returning to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the arm coupling member  305  of the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2G  except as noted. Between the arm coupling member&#39;s intermediate and coupling member portions  320 ,  325 , an exterior surface of the arm coupling member  305  may be stepped to define a locking nut engagement surface  345 . The locking nut engagement surface  345  may engage a flange  350  of the locking nut  315  to substantially prevent movement of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the locking nut  315  in a direction away from the shower pipe  105 . Further, when the locking nut  315  is substantially threaded onto the shower pipe coupling member  310  as shown in  FIG. 3C , the locking nut  315  presses the arm coupling member  305  against the shower pipe coupling member  310 . Effectively, threading the locking nut  315  onto the shower pipe coupling member  310  as shown in  FIG. 3C  joins the arm coupling member  315  with the shower pipe coupling member  310  and substantially prevents rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310 . 
         [0074]    An interior surface of the arm coupling member  305  may be stepped to form a coupling member O-ring surface for positioning a coupling member O-ring  355  or other suitable seal element between the arm coupling member  205  and the shower pipe coupling member  310 . Similar to the coupling member O-ring for the first embodiment of the shower arm attachment assembly  200 , the coupling member O-ring  355  forms a water-tight seal between the arm and shower pipe coupling members  305 ,  310  to substantially prevent water from leaking through the joint formed between these members  305 ,  310 . 
         [0075]    The shower pipe coupling member  310  may include a lock nut connection portion  360  for joining the lock nut  315  to the shower pipe coupling member  310  and a shower pipe connection portion  365  for joining the shower pipe  105  to the shower pipe coupling member  310 . The coupling segment  325 , the lock nut connection portion  360 , and the shower pipe connection portion  365  may be integrally formed, or may be separate elements joined together by adhesives, heat or sonic welds, any other suitable means for joining elements together, or any combination thereof. 
         [0076]    The shower pipe coupling member  310  may be threadedly joined to the locking nut  315  as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , or joined by any other suitable method, including, but not limited to, by press fitting, clamping, welding, and so on. To threadedly join the shower pipe coupling member  310  to the lock nut  315 , an exterior surface of the lock nut connection portion  360  may be threaded. The shower pipe coupling member  310  may also be threadedly joined to the shower pipe  105  as shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D  in a manner similar to the one described above for the first embodiment. 
         [0077]    With further reference to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the locking nut  315  may include a locking nut sidewall  370  and a locking nut flange  350 . The flange  350  may extend radially inward from the locking nut sidewall  370  to engage the arm coupling member  305  as described above. An interior surface of the locking nut sidewall  370  may be threaded to threadedly join the locking nut  315  to the shower pipe coupling member  310  as discussed above. Further, a user may grip an exterior surface of the locking nut  315 , such as the hand gripping grooves  375  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , when threading the locking nut  315  on and off the shower pipe coupling member  310 . 
         [0078]    As the locking nut  315  is threaded onto the shower pipe coupling member, the projections  335  of the showerhead coupling member  310  are received within the grooves  330  of the arm coupling member  305 . As discussed above, receipt of the projections  335  within the grooves  330  prevents rotation of the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310 . To rotate the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310 , the locking nut  315  is unscrewed from the shower pipe coupling member  310  until the arm coupling member connection portion  320  is removed the shower pipe coupling segment  325  as depicted in  FIG. 3D . Once removed, the arm coupling member  315  may be rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310  around the longitudinal axis marked as B-B on  FIG. 3C . 
         [0079]    To thread the locking nut  315  onto the shower pipe coupling member  310 , the projections  335  of the showerhead coupling member  310  must generally align with the grooves  330  of the arm coupling member  305  as shown in  FIG. 3E . Such alignment may be obtained by selectively rotating the arm coupling member  305  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  310  around the longitudinal axis marked as B-B on  FIG. 3C  until the arm coupling member grooves  330  align with the shower pipe coupling member projections  335 . As the number of projections  335  and corresponding grooves  330  increase or decrease, the number of relative rotational positions of the arm coupling member  305  to the shower pipe coupling member  310  respectively increases or decreases. Any number of projections  335  and corresponding grooves  330  may be used. 
         [0080]    Similar to the first embodiment, the shower pipe  105  may be fluidly joined to an attached showerhead via fluid passages in the arm coupling member  305  and shower pipe coupling member  310 . 
         [0081]    A third embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly  400  is depicted in  FIGS. 4A-4H . Generally, the third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. For example, the third embodiment may include an arm coupling member  405 , a shower pipe coupling member  410 , and a locking nut  415 . The primary difference between the second and third embodiments relates to the keying mechanism for limiting rotation of the arm coupling member  405  relative to the shower pipe coupling member  410 . Other features of the various components for the third embodiment of the showerhead coupling assembly are slightly modified from the second embodiment to accommodate the alternative keying feature. 
         [0082]    With reference to  FIGS. 4C and 4D , the arm coupling member  405  may include a connection portion  420  for receipt in a coupling segment  425  of the showerhead pipe coupling member  410 . Near the arm coupling member&#39;s connection portion  420 , an annular keying flange  430  may extend around a shaft  435  of the arm coupling member  405 . Multiple tapered arm coupling member projections  440  (see  FIG. 4F ) extend from a surface of the keying flange  430  abutting the shower pipe coupling member  410 . The multiple arm coupling member projections  440  engage the recesses formed between multiple tapered shower pipe coupling member projections  445  (see  FIG. 4E ) extending from an end surface of the shower pipe coupling member  410  abutting the arm coupling member  405 . When each coupling member&#39;s respective tapered projections  440 ,  445  are engaged with recesses formed by the other member&#39;s tapered projections, the arm coupling member  405  is prevented from rotating relative to the shower pipe coupling member  410  around the longitudinal axis marked as D-D on  FIG. 4C . The other portions of the arm coupling member  405  are similar to those described above for the first and second embodiments of the showerhead coupling assembly. 
         [0083]    In a manner similar to the one described for the second embodiment of the shower arm coupling assembly  300 , the shower pipe coupling member  410  may be threadedly joined to the locking nut  415  and the shower pipe  105  as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D , or may be joined to the shower pipe  105  by any other suitable joining means. 
         [0084]    Similar to the second embodiment, proximate the threads for joining the shower pipe coupling member  410  to the shower pipe  105 , the interior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  410  may be stepped inwardly to receive a shower pipe O-ring  450  or other suitable seal element. The shower pipe O-ring  450  forms a water-tight seal between the shower pipe coupling member  410  and the shower pipe  105  to substantially prevent water from leaking through the joint formed between them. 
         [0085]    A coupling member seal groove  455  may be formed in the interior surface of the shower pipe coupling member  410  to receive a coupling member O-ring  460  or other suitable seal element. The coupling member O-ring  460  forms a water-tight seal between the shower pipe coupling member  410  and the arm coupling member  405  to substantially prevent fluid leaks through the joint formed between them. 
         [0086]    The locking nut  415  is similar to the locking nut for the second embodiment of the coupling member assembly and operates in a similar manner. The locking nut  415  causes the arm coupling member projections  440  to engage the recesses formed by the shower pipe coupling member projections  445  as it is threaded onto the shower pipe coupling member  410 . This engagement prevents rotation of the coupling members  405 ,  410  relative to each around the longitudinal axis marked as D-D on  FIG. 4C . To rotate the coupling members  405 ,  410  relative to each other, the locking nut  415  is sufficiently unthreaded from the shower pipe coupling member  410  to disengage the projections  440 ,  445  from the recesses as shown in  FIG. 4D . When disengaged, the arm coupling member  405  may be selectively rotated relative to the shower pipe coupling member  410  to change the relative rotation position of an attached showerhead relative to the shower pipe  105 . 
         [0087]    Further, like the second embodiment, the arm coupling member  405  may be selectively rotated to a position relative to the shower pipe coupling member  410  to properly align the projections  440 ,  445  with matching recesses prior to tightening the locking nut  415  onto the shower pipe coupling member  410 . As the number of matching projections  440 ,  445  with corresponding recesses increases or decreases on each coupling member  405 ,  410 , the number of relative rotation positions of the arm coupling member  405  to the shower pipe coupling member  410  respectively increases or decreases. 
         [0088]    Similar to the first and second embodiments, the internal surface, or surfaces, of the arm and shower pipe coupling member  405 ,  410  of the third embodiment may define fluid passages for transporting fluid from a shower pipe  105  to an attached showerhead. 
         [0089]    A fourth embodiment of a shower arm attachment assembly  500  is depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Like the previously described embodiments, this embodiment of the showerhead attachment assembly  500  may be used in an arm assembly, such as the arm assembly  110  shown in  FIG. 1A . The fourth embodiment may include a stud  505  connected to an arm cross-member  510 . The stud  505  may be fused to the arm cross-member  510 , or otherwise suitably joined, to form a high strength, water-tight connection. Alternatively, the stud  505  may be integrally formed with the arm cross-member  510 . 
         [0090]    The stud  505  may be joined to a tee  515  using threads. The stud  505  may be selectively rotated relative to the tee  515 . The tee  515  may include a tee flange  520  extending from a tee shaft  525  for engagement with a stepped, interior surface of a shower pipe nut  530 . The tee  515  may be connected to a shower pipe  105  by abutting the tee flange  520  with the stepped interior surface of the nut  530  and threading the shower pipe nut  530  onto the shower pipe  105  as depicted in  FIG. 5B . When the stud is joined to the tee  515 , and the tee  515  is joined to the shower pipe  105 , the stud  505  may be selectively rotated relative to the tee  515 . A jam nut  535  may be threaded onto the tee  515  to substantially prevent rotation of the tee  515  relative to the stud  505 . A hole in the jam nut  535  for receiving the tee shaft  525  may be sized slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tee shaft  525 , thus compressing the tee shaft  525  slightly inward onto the stud  505 . Such compression locks the tee shaft  525  onto the stud  505 , thus substantially limiting rotation of the tee shaft  525  relative to the stud. As the jam nut  535  is thread off the tee shaft  525 , the tee shaft  525  is allowed to uncompress, thus allowing the stud  505  to be rotated relative to the tee shaft  525 . Accordingly, sufficiently threading the jam nut  535  onto the tee  515  will substantially prevent rotation of the stud  505  relative to the tee  515  while sufficiently unthreading the jam nut  535  from the tee  515  will allow the stud  505  to be rotated relative to the tee  515 . 
         [0091]    A shower pipe resilient washer  540  may be placed between the tee flange  520  and the shower pipe  105  to form a water-tight seal between the tee  515  and the shower pipe  105 , which prevents water from leaking through the joint formed between the tee  515 , the shower pipe  105 , and the shower pipe nut  530 . Similarly, a stud washer  545  may be placed between an interior stepped surface of the tee  515  and the stud  505  to form a water-tight seal between the tee  515  and the stud  505 , which prevents water from leaking through the joint formed between the tee  515  and the stud  505 . Fluid passages may be defined by inner surfaces of the tee  515  and the stud  505  to convey fluid from the shower pipe  105  to an attached showerhead. 
         [0092]    Any of the various components for the various embodiments of the arm assembly, including, but not limited to, the components of the shower arm attachment assembly, may be formed of plastic, metal, ceramic, any other suitable metal, or any combination thereof. Further, any of various components for the arm assembly may be integrally formed or may be formed from two or more parts joined by any suitable joining method. 
         [0093]    All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. 
         [0094]    In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like. In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.