Abstract:
A bodyspray assembly is disclosed that provides a pivotable spray head mounted essentially flush with the surrounding enclosure wall. In one embodiment, a special tool is provided to rotate a waterway housing, to selectively couple the waterway housing to a source from the front of the assembly. In another embodiment, rotation of a spray face assembly rotates a waterway housing, to selectively couple the waterway housing to a source from the front of the assembly. The bodyspray assembly provides ball and socket type articulation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to shower nozzle assemblies that are intended to direct water towards the torso of a person taking a shower. More particularly it relates to assemblies which are designed to reduce the need for access to the area behind the enclosure walls during installation and maintenance. 
         [0004]    Traditional showers include a single showerhead extending from a water supply that is located near the top of the shower. The showerhead directs water downward onto the user. 
         [0005]    Showers that are more elaborate sometimes also include one or more other nozzle assemblies mounted lower along an enclosure wall. This latter type of nozzle assembly is referred to by the term “bodyspray”, as it is positioned to project water directly against the human torso, rather than down onto the human head or shoulders. 
         [0006]    However, bodysprays should not project out very far from the walls they are mounted on as humans would bang into them. Further, it is ornamentally desirable to have such nozzle assemblies appear essentially flush with the enclosure wall. On the other hand, it is desirable to be able to aim the nozzle so as to optimize the direction of the spray to the portion of the body being hydromassaged by the water. 
         [0007]    Hence, our company disclosed, in U.S. patent application publication 2006/0196972, a bodyspray that appears almost as if it were a wall tile (as being essentially flush with the wall), yet allows the direction of the nozzle to be aimed by a shower user in a simple and intuitive manner. While this unit has many beneficial attributes, it is desired to simplify the construction of its internal parts (and thus reduce cost), as well as to simplify installation and maintenance procedures for such a product. 
         [0008]    Thus, a need exists for improved bodyspray constructions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In one aspect the present invention provides a spray assembly mountable on a wall. The spray assembly is configured to receive supply water (typically mixed hot and cold water) from a source and emit the supply water as an adjustably directed spray. 
         [0010]    The spray assembly has a rearward housing mountable adjacent the wall and defining an internal cavity, a waterway assembly housed in the rearward housing and having a waterway housing having an inlet coupleable to the source, a spray face assembly removably coupled to the waterway assembly, and a tool configured to engage the waterway housing while at least partially positioned in front of the waterway housing, and then rotate the waterway assembly to affect the tightness of a connection between the waterway assembly and the source when the waterway assembly is coupled to the source. 
         [0011]    In preferred forms there is at least one radial undulation on a radial periphery of the waterway housing, such as an array of radially extending teeth on the radial periphery of the waterway housing. The tool may have an array of axially extending teeth so that the tool&#39;s teeth can intermesh and rotationally drive the waterway housing&#39;s teeth. 
         [0012]    The spray assembly may be a bodyspray assembly where the waterway assembly also has a coupler extending into the inlet and defining an internal bore, and an adaptor having a downstream end configured to fit into the bore and an upstream end coupleable to the source. In this form rotation of the waterway housing by the tool causes rotation of the coupler about the adaptor, facilitating mounting of the waterway housing from the front of the installation. 
         [0013]    This may be further assisted by a tool that has an axially extending handle and a body suitable to circumferentially surround (e.g. enclose) a frontal, pivotable portion of the spray assembly. 
         [0014]    In another aspect the invention provides another type of spray assembly mountable on a wall and configured to receive supply water from a source and emit supply water as a directed spray. It has a waterway assembly including a waterway housing having an upstream end coupleable to the source, an internal passage, and a pivot ball. There is also a front framing escutcheon mountable along a front surface of the wall, a rearward housing mountable behind the front framing escutcheon and housing the waterway housing, and a spray face assembly pivotably mounted on the pivot ball so as to be able to tilt from a position essentially parallel to the wall within the front framing escutcheon to a variety of other positions. 
         [0015]    In preferred forms the spray face assembly has a waterway plate positioned in front of the pivot ball and threadably connected thereto, and a through passage extending through the pivot ball and then through the waterway plate. The pivot ball is biased by a spring, there is a support ring between the pivot ball and the spring, there is a seal between the pivot ball and the waterway plate, and the framing escutcheon is connected to the rearward housing by a slot-and-groove connection implemented upon rotation of the framing escutcheon relative to the rearward housing. The framing escutcheon may be connected to the rearward housing by a bayonet engagement. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect, the present invention provides a spray assembly mountable on a wall configured to receive supply water from a source and emit the supply water as an adjustably directed spray. It has a rearward housing mountable adjacent the wall and defining an internal cavity. A waterway assembly housed in the rearward housing includes a waterway housing having an inlet coupleable to the source and at least a first protrusion extending from the waterway housing. A spray face assembly removably coupled to the waterway assembly and having at least a second protrusion extending from the spray face assembly. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to engage during rotation of the spray face assembly to affect the tightness of a connection between the waterway assembly and the source when the waterway assembly is coupled to the source. 
         [0017]    In preferred forms the waterway assembly also has a coupler extending into the inlet and defining an internal bore, and an adaptor having a downstream end configured to fit into the bore and an upstream end coupleable to the source. In this form rotation of the spray face assembly causes rotation of the coupler about the adaptor, facilitating mounting of the waterway housing from the front of the installation. In further preferred forms, the first and second protrusions comprise first and second tabs that are configured to engage during rotation of the spray face assembly. 
         [0018]    It will be appreciated that these assemblies simplify installation and maintenance by permitting more to be achieved from the front of the assembly. Further, this enables the front spray head to be tilted with essentially universal motion while keeping the costs of creating such a connection low. 
         [0019]    These and still other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. To assess the full scope of the invention the claims should be looked to. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a frontal, upper, right perspective view showing bodyspray assemblies of the present invention installed in a shower enclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged frontal, upper, right perspective view showing a bodyspray assembly of the present invention coupled to a source for receiving supply water; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view focusing on a bodyspray assembly of the present invention mounted through an enclosure wall; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a right side elevational view of the  FIG. 3  bodyspray assembly, with an alternative positioning of the spray face shown in dotted lines; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the bodyspray assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a frontal, upper, right perspective view showing a housing portion of the bodyspray assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a frontal, upper, left perspective view of two parts of the framing escutcheon assembly of the bodyspray; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a right side elevational view of the framing escutcheon assembly, in assembled form; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view of the framing escutcheon assembly, in assembled form; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 11 , but showing the spray face assembly in an alternative orientation, to direct spray in a different direction; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 11 , but showing how a tool can be inserted to facilitate installation; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a frontal, upper, right perspective view showing the  FIG. 13  tool by itself. 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative bodyspray assembly; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view similar to  FIG. 11 , but showing the alternative bodyspray assembly; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a view similar to  FIG. 16 , but showing how rotation of the spray face assembly facilitates installation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    First with reference to  FIG. 1 , three bodyspray assemblies  20  are shown mounted through a vertical enclosure wall  22  of shower enclosure  24 . There is also a traditional showerhead  26  under the temperature, volume, and pattern control of an electrical controller  32 . Alternatively, the flow and temperature of the water for each bodyspray or shower head could be controlled through conventional manual mixing valve(s). 
         [0038]    The particular shape of the plate face  120  in front view is not critical, albeit we prefer the aesthetics of a round or square design. Further, we prefer to have the construction be installed essentially flush with the surrounding enclosure surface. 
         [0039]    Turning next to  FIG. 2 , the bodyspray assembly  20  is coupled to a water source  28  through the wall  22  via supply pipe  30  linked to a mixing valve (not shown). The mixing valve is in turn controlled by controller  32 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , pipe  30  terminates in a threaded pipe nipple  36 . A portion of the bodyspray assembly  20  is coupled to the nipple  36 . 
         [0041]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  11  and  12 , bodyspray assembly  20  includes a spray face assembly  40  that pivots essentially universally with respect to the waterway assembly  42  about point P. A user of the shower can press the plate face  120  near its radial periphery  44 , which results in a tilting. 
         [0042]    The bodyspray assembly  20  has three main subassemblies, a waterway assembly  46 , a spray face assembly  40 , and a frontal framing escutcheon assembly  48 . There is also a rearward housing  50 . The rearward housing  50  is inserted through an opening in the shower enclosure wall  22  so that its frontal flange is forward of the vertical wall  22 , but most of its body extends rearward of the vertical wall. 
         [0043]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it can be seen that the rearward housing  50  includes an annular flange  52  that sandwiches a gasket  54  between the flange  52  and the vertical wall  22  of the shower enclosure  24 . The rearward housing  50  further defines an internal cavity  56  having an interior surface  58 . The cavity  56  is sized to accommodate the waterway assembly  46 . 
         [0044]    The rearward housing  50  acts as a leak shield preventing water from leaking to the back side of the shower enclosure  24 . A radially extending groove  60  formed in the rearward housing  50  is positioned downwardly and acts to further channel water within the housing  50  to the inside of the shower enclosure  24 . 
         [0045]    The interior surface  58  of the rearward housing  50  preferably includes three ribs  62  that are configured to catch into corresponding slots of the framing escutcheon assembly  48  upon rotation of the framing escutcheon assembly  48  relative to the rearward housing  50 . 
         [0046]    A central opening  64  is formed in the rear face  66  of the rearward housing  50  to allow the supply nipple  36  to extend at least partially into the cavity  56  of the rearward housing  50 . An adaptor  68  is coupled to the nipple  36  and will ultimately result in the waterway assembly  46  and the water source  28  being in fluid communication. 
         [0047]    The adaptor  68  has an internal bore  70  with an upstream end having internal threads  72  configured to engage the nipple  36 . The downstream end of the bore  70  houses a flow regulator  74  and o-ring  76  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) to limit the flow of water into the waterway assembly  46 . The downstream end of the bore  70  terminates in a hexagonal bore  78  so that a mating hexagonal rod (not shown) can be inserted into the hexagonal bore  78  and used to tighten the adaptor  68  to the nipple  36 . The exterior surface  82  of the adaptor  68  includes external threads  84  proximate the upstream end. The external threads  84  ultimately couple the adaptor  68  to the waterway assembly  46 , as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0048]    With the rearward housing  50  mounted to the vertical wall  22 , the threaded pipe nipple  36  extending into the cavity  56 , and the adaptor  68  secured to the pipe nipple  36 , the waterway assembly  46  is pre-assembled and then inserted into the cavity  56  where it is then coupled to the water source  28 . 
         [0049]    The waterway assembly  46  includes a waterway housing  86  that directs water from the adaptor  68  to the spray face assembly  40 . The waterway housing  86  includes an internal passage  88  that has internal threads  90  at an upstream end and defines a socket  92  at a downstream end. The waterway housing  86  has a frusto-spherical end  94  adjacent an annular flange  96  that is configured to engage a mating frusto-spherical surface  95  of the rearward housing  50  as the waterway housing  86  is tightened (shown in  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0050]    The annular flange  96  includes at least one undulation, such as a plurality of spaced gear-like teeth  98  that extend radially from the flange  96 . A tightening tool  38  engages the gear teeth  98  to drive the waterway housing  86 . 
         [0051]    The socket  92  includes a lip  100  sized to axially restrain a pivot ball  102  in the internal passage  88 . The pivot ball  102  is used to couple the spray face assembly  40  to the waterway assembly  46 . The pivot ball  102  includes an upstream face  104  and a downstream face  106  with a partially threaded hole  108  extending between the upstream face  104  and the downstream face  106 . The downstream face  106  includes a recess  110  for locating a seal  112 , such as an o-ring or a flexible washer. 
         [0052]    The hole  108  includes internal threads  114  extending from the recess  110  to approximately halfway between the downstream face  106  and the upstream face  104 . The balance of the hole  108  defines a hexagonal cavity  109  for engaging a hexagonal rod (not shown) to allow tightening of the pivot ball  102  to the spray face assembly  40 . The pivot ball  102  is preferably machined from brass, but may be produced from any other suitable material, such as steel or a variety of plastics. 
         [0053]    Turning next to the spray face assembly  40 , there is a waterway plate  116  that is a disk-shaped plate having a plurality of c-shaped, center opening column diverters  118  arranged in radially expanding concentric circles from the downstream plate face  120 . A variety of diverter  118  combinations are available, for example, with additional reference to  FIG. 3 , an inner ring of diverters  118  may be included. 
         [0054]    The waterway plate  116  includes a central hole  122  having a recessed hexagonal cavity  124  configured to capture the hexagonal head  126  of a waterway plate retainer  128 . The cavity  124  and head  126  may alternatively be of any other keyed construction such that seating the head  126  into the cavity  124  results in the waterway plate  116  and the waterway plate retainer  128  rotating in unison; however, the engagement need not be keyed. 
         [0055]    The waterway plate retainer  128  includes a passage  129  formed preferably centrally there through. The passage  129  allows the internal passage  88  of the waterway housing  86  to be in fluid communication with the downstream side of the waterway plate  116 , yet secures the waterway plate  116  to the pivot ball  102 . 
         [0056]    The waterway plate  116  is captured between the waterway plate retainer  128  and the pivot ball  102 . A seal  130 , for example an o-ring or flexible washer, is placed into the internal passage  88  and abuts the lip  100 . The pivot ball  102  is slid into the internal passage  88  of the housing  86  so that the downstream face  106  of the pivot ball  102  is exposed on the downstream side of the housing  86 . 
         [0057]    An additional seal  112  is seated in the recess  110  formed in the downstream face  106  of the pivot ball  102 . The hole  122  in the waterway plate  116  is aligned with the hole  108  in the pivot ball  102 . The waterway plate retainer  128  is tightened into the threaded hole  108  formed in the pivot ball  102 . To fully secure the waterway plate  116 , a hexagonal rod (not shown) is inserted into the hexagonal cavity  109  of the pivot ball  102 , so that the waterway plate  116  and waterway plate retainer  128  can be rotated relative to the pivot ball  102 . The head  126  of the waterway plate retainer  128  engages the mating cavity  124  in the waterway plate  116 , such that rotation of the waterway plate  116  causes rotation of the waterway plate retainer  128 . The waterway plate  116  is thus captured to the housing  86  via the waterway plate retainer  128 . 
         [0058]    The pivot ball  102  is resiliently mounted in the internal passage  88  by a coil spring  134 . A preferably plastic support ring  136  having an internal ridge  138  is axially aligned with the internal passage  88  and seated adjacent the pivot ball  102 . The spring  134  is axially aligned and placed into the internal passage  88  where it abuts the support ring  136 . The support ring  136  and spring  134  are captured in the internal passage  88  by a coupler  140 . The coupler  140  connects the waterway assembly  46  and attached spray face assembly  40  to the adaptor  68 , and thus the water source  28 . 
         [0059]    The coupler  140  includes an internal bore  142  having internal threads  144  for engaging the adaptor  68 . The internal threads  144  extend from an upstream end and terminate at an internal recess  146  that houses an internal seal  148 . External threads  150  extend from an external recess  152  housing an external seal  154  to a hexagonal flange  156  for engaging a tool (e.g., a wrench). A bearing face  158  located on the downstream end of the coupler  140  abuts the spring  134  causing the spring  134  to compress as the external threads  150  of the coupler  140  are threaded into the internal threads  90  formed in the housing  86 . The coupler  140  of the example embodiment is machined from brass, but as with the other components, may be made from any suitable metal or plastic material depending upon the application requirements. 
         [0060]    The spray face assembly  40  also includes a nozzle panel  160  and a faceplate  162 . The nozzle panel  160  is secured to the waterway plate  116  and establishes a directed spray. The nozzle panel  160  of the example embodiment is a circular mat including a plurality of nozzles  164  extending from the downstream side. The nozzles  164  are substantially aligned with the central axis of the diverters  118  and the upstream side of the nozzle panel  160  includes several alignment tabs  166  that are configured to extend into the array of diverters  118  when the nozzle panel  160  engages the waterway plate  116 . 
         [0061]    An annular bead  167  extends from the upstream side of the nozzle panel  160  about the periphery and is configured to slightly compress as it is wedged into an annular channel  168  formed in the periphery of the waterway plate  116 . The nozzle panel  160  is preferably molded of a resilient, flexible rubber or plastic material; however, the nozzle panel  160  may be made from a rigid plastic or metallic material. 
         [0062]    As indicated by  FIGS. 5 and 11 , after the nozzle panel  160  is secured, apertures  170  formed on the downstream face  171  of the dish-shaped faceplate  162  are aligned with the nozzles  164  and slid over the nozzle panel  160  and onto the waterway plate  116 . The nozzles  164  preferably extend beyond the downstream side of the faceplate  162 . The faceplate  162  has three holes  172  through an annular rim  174 . To secure the faceplate  162  to the waterway plate  116 , the holes  172  are aligned with mating threaded mounts  176  formed in the annular surface  178  of the waterway plate  116 . 
         [0063]    A fastener  180 , such as a set screw, is inserted into the mount  176  through the hole  172  to secure the faceplate  162  to the waterway plate  116 . The faceplate  162  is preferably made of steel and subsequently plated with another metal, such as nickel or chromium. The faceplate  162  may alternatively be made of plastic, plated plastic, and the like. 
         [0064]    Note especially that the waterway assembly  46  and spray face assembly  40  are coupled to the water source  28  with the aid of the tightening tool  38 . The combination of the small size of the gap  182  between the exterior surface  175  of the spray face assembly  40  and the rearward housing  50 , and the ability of the spray face assembly  40  to pivot, makes it difficult to tighten the waterway assembly  46  to the nipple  36  in conventional ways. The tool  38  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) is used to directly tighten the waterway assembly  46  to the nipple  36  despite the narrowness of the gap  182  and pivoting of the spray face assembly  40 . 
         [0065]    The tool  38  is substantially cup-shaped and includes a keyed undulation (e.g., keyed teeth  184 ) that match up with the undulation (e.g., teeth  98 ) formed by the waterway housing  86 . In the example embodiment, the teeth  98  that extend from the flange  96  of the housing  86  are engaged by the keyed teeth  184  that are formed in the tool  38 . 
         [0066]    In operation, the spray face assembly  40  is slid into a central cavity  186 . One then allows the keyed teeth  184  of the tool  38  to mate with and engage the teeth  98  of the waterway housing  86 . The tool  38  includes a handle  39  protruding forward from the exterior surface  41  of the tool  38 , allowing leverage for rotational force to drive the waterway assembly  46 . 
         [0067]    It is contemplated that the undulations formed in the waterway housing  86  and the mating undulations formed in the tool  38  can take on a variety of different constructions that all result in the ability to impart a rotational force on the waterway housing  86  via the tool  38  (e.g. peg and hole). Therefore, the specific structure described in relation to the example embodiment (i.e., teeth  98  and mating keyed teeth  184 ) should not limit the broadest scope of the claims. 
         [0068]    With specific reference to  FIG. 13 , the bodyspray assembly  20  is placed into fluid communication with the water source  28  by inserting the downstream end of the adaptor  68  into the upstream end of the coupler  140 , such that the external threads  84  of the adaptor  68  engage the internal threads  144  of the coupler  140 . The tool  38  is then used to engage the waterway housing  86  and rotate the waterway housing  86 , and thus the coupler  140 , about the adaptor  68 . 
         [0069]    The escutcheon assembly  48  is secured to the housing  50  to provide a finished appearance to the bodyspray assembly  20 . The escutcheon assembly  48  includes a collar  188  and a sleeve  190  that are rotatably coupleable to the housing  50  via a series of interlocking surfaces. The collar  188  includes a front face  192  and a flared flange  194  extending from the front face  192 . The front face  192  further includes a lip  196  having a notch  198  that is ultimately aligned with the groove  60  in the rearward housing  50 , allowing water to easily drain out of the rearward housing  50 . 
         [0070]    The sleeve  190  is clipped to the collar  188  by aligning a series of annularly spaced holes  200  formed in the flange  194  with a mating series of annularly spaced wedges  202  located on the interior surface  204  of the sleeve  190 . The sleeve  190  further includes a resilient positioning tab  206  biased outwards such that as it rides along the interior surface  58  of the rearward housing  50 , it rebounds into a slot  208  formed on the interior surface  58  to limit the rotation of the sleeve  190  within the rearward housing  50 . The sleeve  190  includes a series of wedge shaped fingers  210  that flex slightly when the sleeve  190  is inserted into the housing  50 , helping to stabilize the sleeve  190  and collar  188  in the rearward housing  50 . It is of note that the sleeve  190  (and the attributes thereof) may be integral with the collar  188 , such that the structure of the collar  188  incorporates the features of the sleeve  190 . The sleeve  190  is preferably made of plastic so it can be slightly deformed to engage the collar  188 , however, the sleeve  190  may be made of any suitable material, including metal. 
         [0071]    Coupling the escutcheon assembly  48  to the rearward housing  50  is preferably accomplished via a bayonet-style connection between ribs  62  found on the interior surface  58  of the rearward housing  50  (described in-part below) and a mating interlocking surface  212  formed in the sleeve  190 . In the example embodiment, the ribs  62  of the rearward housing  50  include a rectangular protrusion  214 . The mating interlocking surface  212  of the sleeve  190  includes a notch  216  leading to an angled channel  218 . Thus, to secure the escutcheon assembly  48  to the rearward housing  50 , the notch  216  of the sleeve  190  is aligned with the protrusion  214  of the rearward housing  50 . 
         [0072]    The example embodiment includes a total of three notches  216  and three protrusions  214  equally spaced about the periphery of the rearward housing  50  and sleeve  190 . Rotating the escutcheon assembly  48  clockwise (as viewed from the face of the bodyspray assembly  20 ) results in the ribs  62  and mating interlocking surface  212  engaging and camming against the other to draw the escutcheon assembly  48  nearer to the annular flange  52  of the housing. Alternatively, the protrusion may be formed on the escutcheon assembly  48  and the notch formed in the rearward housing  50 . 
         [0073]    An alternative bodyspray assembly  220  is shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . The alternative bodyspray assembly  220  is substantially similar in construction to the bodyspray assembly  20 ; the main variations are discussed below. 
         [0074]    An elbow  222  is secured to the mounting studs (not shown) and coupled to the water source  28 . A threaded nipple  224  is threaded into the elbow  222  such that a portion of the nipple  224  protrudes from the elbow  222 . A gasket  226  is sandwiched between the wall  22  and a flange  228  of a rearward housing  230 . 
         [0075]    The rearward housing  230  includes a series of annularly spaced ramps  232  that are used to couple an escutcheon  234  to the rearward housing  230 . The escutcheon  234  has flexible tabs  236  that are annularly spaced about a collar  238  of the escutcheon  234  such that the tabs  236  flex as they cam up the ramps  232  and rebound to the original position at the backside of the ramps  232  to releasably secure the escutcheon  234  to the rearward housing  230 . An adaptor  240 , including a flow regulator  242 , an o-ring  244 , and a seal  245  is threaded onto the nipple  224  at an upstream end  225 , similar to the first embodiment described. 
         [0076]    The spray face assembly  246  includes an alternative waterway plate  248  having three concentric rings of diverters  250  that match up with three rings of nozzles  252  on the adjacent nozzle panel  254 . A waterway plate retainer  256  extends through a hole  258  in the waterway plate  248  to capture a waterway housing  260  (described below). Note that the waterway plate  248  includes a pair of mounts  262  for receiving a pair of fasteners  264  that secure a faceplate  266  to the waterway plate  248 . 
         [0077]    A waterway assembly  268  includes the waterway housing  260  having an internal passage  270  housing a pivot ball  272 , seal  274 , o-ring  276 , support ring  278 , and spring  280  (best shown in  FIG. 16 ). A coupler  282  including an internal bore  283  has a collar  284  that extends into the center of the spring  280  and includes an o-ring  286 . 
         [0078]    The waterway plate  248  is captured between the waterway plate retainer  256  and the pivot ball  272 , similar to that described above. The coupler  282  secures the remaining components in the internal passage  270 . 
         [0079]    The waterway plate  248  and the waterway housing  260  provide an alternative structure to tighten the waterway assembly  268  to the water source  28  without the use of the external tool  38 . 
         [0080]    The waterway plate  248  includes at least one protrusion or tab  288  that extends rearward from the back face  290  of the waterway plate  248  (shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ). Multiple tabs  288  can be included to extend from the back face  290  or perimeter  292  of the waterway plate  248 . The tab  288  may be integral with the waterway plate  248  or an additional component coupled thereto. 
         [0081]    The waterway housing  260  includes at least one mating protrusion or tab  294  extending radially outward from the main body  296  of the waterway housing  260 . As with the waterway plate  248 , the waterway housing  260  may include a plurality of tabs  294  extending therefrom. Again, the tab  294  may be integral or coupled to the waterway housing  260 . 
         [0082]    With specific reference to  FIG. 17 , the tab  288  extending from the waterway plate  248  is sized such that as the waterway plate  248  rotates with the pivot ball  272  it will interfere with and engage the tab  294  extending from the waterway housing  260 . The engagement between the tab  294  of the waterway housing  260  and the tab  288  of the waterway plate  248  will cause the waterway housing  260  and coupler  282  to rotate about the adaptor  240 . Thus, no additional tool is required to couple the waterway housing  260  to the water source  28  and both the directional adjustment of the spray face assembly  246  and sleek ornamental look of the bodyspray assembly  220  are maintained. 
         [0083]    The waterway plate  248  preferably includes a single tab  288  that engages a single tab  294  of the waterway housing  260  so typical rotation and pivoting of the spray face assembly  246  will not cause the user to inadvertently loosen the coupler  282  from the nipple  224 . However, multiple protrusions may be used, for example, where more drive is required to thread the coupler  282  to the adaptor  240 . 
         [0084]    The above configurations make removal and repair of the bodyspray assembly  20  from the front a relatively easy task that allows the mounting surface to remain intact and an overall finished appearance is maintained. Further, reinstallation can be achieved from the front. 
         [0085]    A preferred example embodiment of the present invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations of the preferred example embodiment described will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the example embodiment described. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0086]    The invention provides spray assemblies for use in shower enclosures, particularly where the assemblies can more easily installed and maintained.