Abstract:
A shower head having a water inlet passage or providing a supply of water to the shower head and a plurality of nozzles for expelling water from the shower head. The flow of water from the water inlet passage to the nozzles is controlled by a pressure actuated toggle valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is in communication with a rotatable faceplate used to control both the water flow and the texture of the shower spray. The faceplate is rotatably adjustable over a plurality of discrete positions to vary the spray between a coarse and fine shower spray.

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/082,990 filed on May 22, 1998, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/999,326 filed on Dec. 29, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,765 issued on Jan. 9, 2001. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a design for a shower head. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shower head that allows for the turning on and shutting off of water flow through the shower head as well as adjustment of the water spray through simple rotation of a face plate. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Standard shower head assemblies are known in the art that have an adjustment ring that can be turned to vary the type and amount of water flow from the shower head. The ring can vary the volume of water flowing through the shower head and can switch the shower head between different spray modes, for instance concentrating flow from a single central large diameter orifice or from an array of peripheral small-diameter orifices or nozzles. 
     Numerous other shower head assemblies are known in the art that can be adjusted to discharge a continuous spray or a pulsating spray. Typical of such shower heads are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,019, 4,068,801, and 4,254,914. U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,019 for example, discloses a spray nozzle capable of delivering both a spray of water and pulsating water, and employing three sets of flow passages. Control of the frequency of pulsation or the apportionment of spray through the flow passages is accomplished by adjusting a shuttered plate relative to a flow directing plate. 
     In addition to adjusting the rate of water flow through the shower head, the coarseness of the spray pattern can also be adjusted in many showerheads. However, in many prior known shower heads, the flow rate and spray are independently adjusted through different valving mechanisms requiring independent adjustment of the flow and spray. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a shower head with a toggle valve mechanism that is resistant to water deposit build up. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a toggle valve mechanism that is less complex than prior mechanisms and requires less moving parts. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a simple valve mechanism that allows for the manipulation of the shower head to vary the flow of water through the outlet orifices. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a toggle valve and variable flow mechanism that operates based on the water pressure present in the shower head. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a toggle valve that allows the water flow to be shut-off or varied and is kept in its desired place by the water pressure in the shower head without the need for any other securing mechanism. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a simple valve mechanism controlled through the faceplate of the shower head for adjustment of the flow rate and water spray. 
     In accordance with the objects of the present invention a shower head with an inlet passage is provided. The inlet passage is connected to a water source to provide a water supply to the shower head body. The shower head body is partitioned into an upper half and a lower half with a fluid channel connecting the upper half of the shower head body with the lower half of the shower head body. The lower half of the shower head has a plurality of fluid nozzles formed in its bottom surface for expelling water from the shower head. The fluid channel includes a toggle valve mechanism that helps regulate the amount of water flowing from the upper half of the shower head body to the lower half of the shower head body. The lower half of the shower head body is rotatable and is in communication with the pressure actuated valve mechanism such that rotation of the lower half of the shower head body will vary the amount of water flowing through the mechanism. The toggle valve mechanism is pressure actuated in that once it is set in place such that the desired flow through the shower head is achieved, the water pressure from the water source retains the toggle valve mechanism in that position thus preventing further movement. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the toggle valve mechanism includes a turn key having a top portion and a stem. The stem of the turn key extends through the fluid channel and into contact with the lower half of the shower head body. The top portion of the turn key has an underside that contacts and is slidable upon a ridge portion in the fluid channel. The ridge portion has a pair of opposing grooves or detents formed in its surface for mating engagement with the turn key. When the turn key is in a non-mating relationship with the grooves, the valve mechanism is open and water is allowed to flow from the upper half of the shower head body to the lower half of the shower head body through the fluid channel. When the turn key is in a mating relationship with the grooves, the valve mechanism is closed preventing the flow of water from the upper half of the shower head body to the lower half of the shower head body. 
     The present invention also facilitates simple control of the spray emanating from the shower head through adjustment of a rotatable faceplate. The faceplate is connected to the toggle valve mechanism such that rotation of the faceplate is transmitted to the valve to move the turn key along the ridge portion thereby opening and closing the valve. A diverter member disposed between the faceplate and toggle valve directs the fluid flow radially outwardly along arcuate grooves formed in an outer housing. The diverter moves axially in conjunction with the toggle valve to alter the water spray between a fine spray and a coarse spray. The arcuate grooves in the outer housing are in direct communication with openings in the face plate to direct the fluid flow out of the showerhead. 
     While an embodiment of this invention is illustrated and disclosed, this embodiment should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the view and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower head assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a shower head assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view broken away illustrating the toggle valve mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a shower head in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of one preferred toggle valve mechanism in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a shower head assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the toggle valve mechanism shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shower head; 
     FIG. 9 is a face view of the shower head; 
     FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shower head with the valve mechanism in a first position; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the shower head with the valve mechanism in a second position; and 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the shower head with the valve mechanism in a third position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a shower head in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shower head  10  is connected to a water source (not shown) by a water input line  12 . The shower head  10  is connected to the water input line  12  by a connector  14 , of the type which is well known in the art. The connector  14  allows the shower head  10  to be manipulated through a variety of positions. It should be understood that the shower head  10  may be permanently attached to a shower wall or may be of the hand held type that can be removed from the shower wall. Also, other types of connections between the water input line  12  and the shower head  10  can be employed. The shower head  10  is preferably constructed of a plastic material but may be formed of other known materials. 
     The shower head  10  has a top surface  16 , a bottom surface  18 , a generally cylindrical neck portion  20 , a generally bell-shaped bottom portion  22 , and a circular rotating portion  24  that terminates in the bottom surface  18 . The directional terms such as “up”, “down”, “top”, and “bottom” are used herein for orientation purposes only with respect to the figures and are not intended to refer to the shower head as it is oriented in use or as it is mounted in a shower. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the connector  14  has a plurality of threads  26  that secure the connector  14  to the generally cylindrical neck portion  20 . In the preferred embodiment, threads are located on both the neck portion  20  and the connector  14 . The attachment of the connector  14  to the generally cylindrical neck portion  20  allows water from the water inlet line  12  to flow into fluid passage  30  through a shower ball or opening  28 . The connector  14  not only places the shower head body  10  in fluid communication with the water inlet line  12 , but it also provides a leak free connection, to prevent water from leaking at the joint where the shower head  10  and water inlet line  12  are attached. 
     The shower head body  10  has a fluid passage  30  formed therein that receives the water after it passes through the shower ball  28  in the top surface  16  of the shower head body  10 . The fluid passage  30  is defined by the top surface  16  and a ridge or shoulder portion  32 . The ridge portion  32  has at least one groove or detent  34  formed therein. The ridge portion  32  is preferably flat or parallel with respect to the top surface  16  of the shower head body  10 , but may alternatively be inclined or cammed. 
     A valve mechanism  36  is preferably disposed within the fluid passage  30 . The valve mechanism  30  includes a top portion  38  and a stem  40 . The top portion  38  of the valve mechanism  36  is generally rectangular in shape, but may alternatively be another shape, including circular or triangular. The top portion  38 , must however fit within the fluid passage  30  and be of a size and shape to allow water from the fluid passage  30  to pass thereby into an internal passage  42 . 
     The top portion  38  of the valve mechanism  36  has an underside upon which at least one protrusion  44  is formed. In the preferred embodiment, two protrusions  44  are present and they are formed on either side of the top portion  38 . The protrusions  44  are designed to contact the surface  34  which is a helical surface such that when the protrusions  44  are contacting the lowest portion of the helix, (FIG. 3) the flow of water is prevented from flowing from the fluid passage  30  to the internal passageway  42 . The grooves  34  preferably have opposing sides  46 . The opposing sides  46  are generally divergent from the bottom of the grooves  34  to allow the protrusions  44  to easily engage and disengage the grooves  34 . 
     The stem  40  of the valve mechanism  36  extends downwardly through the internal passageway  42  and is secured to the bottom surface  18  of the circular rotating portion  24 . The circular rotating portion  24  is not secured to the remainder of the shower head body  10  and has a bottom surface  18 , a circular periphery  48 , and a top portion  50 . The circular rotating portion  24  defines a water chamber  60  therein which receives and houses water passed through the internal passageway  12  before it exits the orifices  52 . An annular seal  45  (FIG. 5) is located on the undersurface of the top portion  38  of the valve mechanism  36  to seal the fluid passage  30  from the internal passage  43 . 
     The bottom surface  18  has a plurality of water orifices or nozzles  52  formed about its periphery. As the stem  40  is connected to the circular rotating portion  24 , the top portion  38  of the valve mechanism  36  rotates as the circular rotating portion  24  is rotated. An O-ring  54  is interposed between the top portion  50  and an internal flange  56  that extends below the bell-shaped body  20  and surrounds the internal passage  42 . This connection keeps the circular rotating portion  24  in contact with the shower head body  10 , but allows it to rotate freely. 
     In operation, as the circular rotating portion  24  is rotated (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) the valve mechanism  36  is caused to rotate in the same direction. As the valve mechanism  36  is rotated, the helical or cam surface  34  causes the valve mechanism  36  to move away from the internal flange  56 , allowing water to flow. When the valve mechanism  36  is in the lowest position relative to the internal flange  56 , the flow of water from the inlet pipe  12  is shut off and no water flows through the internal passage  42 , into the water chamber  60 , and out the nozzles  52 . The valve mechanism  36  is kept in place in the grooves  34  by the water pressure. It should be understood that the term shut-off is not intended to mean  100 % or complete stoppage of water flow. This because it is often desirable to have a trickle in the shut-off position. 
     When the valve mechanism  36  is rotated such that the valve mechanism moves away from the internal flange  56 , water is allowed to pass through the internal passage  42 , into the water chamber  60 , and out the plurality of nozzles  52 . Again, the valve mechanism  36  is held in position by the water pressure in the shower head body  10 . The profile of surface  32  may be varied such that the distance between the top portion  38  of the valve mechanism  36  and the internal passage  42  is adjustable. Thus, the amount of water that will flow through the passage is adjustable. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7 which illustrates another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the shower head  100  is connected to a water input line  102 . The shower head  100  has an upper portion  104  and a lower portion  106 , with the upper portion  104  being connected to the water input line  102 . The upper portion  104  has a generally planar bottom surface  108 , a neck portion  110  which is connected to the water input line  102 , and a semi-spherical portion  112 . The upper portion  104  and the lower portion  106  are each preferably one-piece integrally molded pieces. 
     The upper portion  104  has a generally cylindrical passage  114  formed in its bottom surface  108 . The cylindrical passage  114  is in fluid communication with the water input line  102  by a water passage  116  formed in the neck portion  110  and the semi-spherical portion  112 . A retainer  118  is attached to the outer surface of the generally cylindrical passage  114  by grooves, teeth or other known apparatus for attachment. The lower portion  106  has a top surface  120  through which the retainer  118  is received, a generally circular periphery  122 , and a bottom surface  124 , through which a plurality of spray nozzles  126  or orifices are formed. 
     A valve mechanism  130  is preferably disposed within the cylindrical passage  114 . As shown in FIG. 7, the valve mechanism  130  includes a generally cylindrical body portion  132 , a plurality of rib portions  134  formed on the surface of the generally cylindrical body portion  132 , a rounded bottom portion  136 , and a stop member  138  that extends from the generally cylindrical body portion  132 . The diameter of the generally cylindrical body portion  132  is less than the retainer  118  in which it sits. Additionally, the diameter of the valve mechanism  130  as measured from its outermost portion (the tip of the ribs  134 ) is also less than the inner diameter of the retainer  118 . This allows the valve mechanism  130  to move freely within the retainer  118 . However, the diameter of the ribs  134  must not be so small as to allow the valve mechanism  130  to rotate about a horizontal axis and block the flow of water from the water inlet line  102 . 
     The rounded bottom portion  136  rests on a finger  140  extending upwardly from the bottom surface  124  of the lower portion  106  of the shower head  100 . The lower portion  106  is rotatable to adjust the flow of water that exits the plurality of nozzles  126  until the flow of water is shut off completely. 
     The lower portion  106  has an opening through which the retainer  118  is received. The opening is defined by a downwardly extending ring portion  142  and a projection portion  144 . The projection portion  144  extends towards the retainer  118  and contacts an O-ring  146  positioned beneath the projection portion  144 . The O-ring  146  is bounded on its top by the projection portion  142  of the lower portion  106 , on its inner side by the outer surface of the retainer  118  and on its outer surface by the upper portion  148  of the downwardly extending ring portion  142 . 
     The lower portion  150  of the downwardly extending ring portion  142  has a pair of pins  152  extending outwardly therefrom. It should be understood that more or less pins  152  may be utilized. The pins  152  extend into contact with a cam surface  154  located on a bottom portion  156  of the retainer  118 . As the lower portion  106  of the shower head  100  is rotated, the pins  152  rotate along the cam surface  154  and adjust the height of the finger  140  and thus the height of the valve mechanism  130  within the retainer  118 . When the pins  152  are at the lowest point of the cam surface  134 , the valve mechanism  130  is positioned in the retainer  118  to shut off the flow of water from the water supply line  102 . 
     When in the closed or shut off position, the bottom surface  158  of the valve mechanism  130  contacts the bottom portion  156  of the retainer  118  that extends into the opening. By rotation of the lower portion  106 , the valve mechanism  130  is lifted upwards by the finger  140  and water is allowed to travel from the cylindrical passage  114  into the lower portion  106  of the shower head  100 . The lower portion  106  includes a water chamber  160  in which water is housed before it is expelled from the plurality of spray nozzles  126 . The upward movement of the valve mechanism  130  is limited by the stop member  138  extending generally upward therefrom. 
     While the valve mechanism is not permanently affixed to any component, it is maintained in a shutoff position by water pressure in the cylindrical passageway  114 . Thus, the valve mechanism  130  will not become unseated from the shoulder portions  156  and allow water to flow into the lower portion  106  of the shower body  100 . Additionally, a plurality of grooves (not shown) can be formed into the cam surface  154  to effectuate the shut-off of water flow. 
     FIGS. 8 through 13 disclose an alternative embodiment of the shower head  200  incorporating the valve mechanism  236  for controlling the flow of water through the shower head  200 . The shower head  200  generally incorporates a bell-shaped housing  210 , a selectively rotatable faceplate  212  and a pivotable neck  214  for attaching the shower head to an arm of the shower (not shown) while allowing positional adjustment. Water entering the shower head  200  through an inlet passageway  216  of the neck  214  flows out of apertures  218  in the faceplate  212 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 13, which show cross-sectional views of the shower head  200 , disposed within the housing  210  is a flow chamber  220  which directs fluid flow from the inlet  216  to the apertures  218 . The flow chamber  220  is preferably threadably connected to the housing  210  and includes a dome shaped chamber  222 . A central aperture  224  in the flow chamber  220  receives the valve mechanism  236  to control fluid flow. The interior surface of the domed chamber  222  includes a plurality of grooves  226 . As has been described herein, the valve mechanism  236  is manipulated to control the flow of water through the aperture  224  and the domed chamber  222 . 
     The faceplate  212  is operatively connected to a diverter member  228  which is connected to the valve mechanism  236  such that rotation of the face plate  212  is transmitted to the valve mechanism  236  in accordance with the previously described embodiments of the present invention. The diverter member  228  has an axial seat  230  for receiving the valve  236  and a radially extending peripheral flange  232 . The diverter member  228  is reciprocally seated within an axial cavity  234  of the faceplate  212 . Water flowing through the aperture  224  is directed radially outwardly by the diverter  228 , flows along the grooves  226 , and out the apertures  218  of the faceplate  212  in accordance with the operation of the shower head. 
     The texture or coarseness of the water spray emanating from the shower head  200  is adjusted through manipulation of the faceplate  212  to adjust the flow past the valve mechanism  236  and the diverter  228  as will be subsequently described. The faceplate  212  is rotatably adjustable along a plurality of discrete positions in turn rotating the valve mechanism  236  between an open and closed position. Simultaneously, the position of the diverter  228  is axially adjusted relative to the aperture  224  to alter the spray texture between a fine spray and a coarse spray. The faceplate  212  is adjustable along discrete positions to ensure alignment of the apertures  218  of the faceplate with appropriate zones of the grooves  226  to prevent disruption of the flow from the shower head. FIG. 11 illustrates the shower head  200  in the shut-off position with the valve mechanism  236  closed preventing flow through the aperture  224 . Rotation of the faceplate  212  in a first direction will cause the valve mechanism  236  to raise away from the aperture  224  (FIG. 12) creating a coarse spray texture as the water flows past the diverter  228 , along the grooves  226  and out the apertures  218 . Continued rotation of the faceplate  212  will move the diverter  228  closer to the aperture (FIG. 13) creating an increasingly finer spray texture. 
     Thus, the shower head  200  of the present invention provides a simple and convenient mechanism for controlling or adjusting not only the flow of water but also the texture of the spray through manipulation of the faceplate  212  on the shower head  200 . Accordingly, in addition to controlling the water flow at its source, preferably a wall-mounted valving mechanism, the shower head  200  allows the user full control of the shower spray at the shower head  200 . The discrete positions of the faceplate  212  ensures that the spray is not disrupted as it flows from the shower head. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that such disclosure illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. It is intended that the following claims cover all modifications and alternative designs, and all equivalents, that fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.