Patent Publication Number: US-2016236212-A1

Title: Showerhead with audio assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/117,947, filed Feb. 18, 2015, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates generally to a showerhead and, more particularly, to an audio assembly removably coupled to a showerhead, illustratively with a pivoting sprayface. 
     Showerheads providing a variety of different functions, or modes of operation, are well known in the art. The present invention provides a showerhead system that includes a showerhead assembly removably coupled to an audio assembly. The audio assembly may connect wirelessly with another device when attached to the showerhead or when placed on a surface, for example, a table. Additionally, the showerhead assembly illustratively includes the functionality of a plurality of waterways having a single waterway or a dual waterway for fluidly connecting a water supply to a sprayface. 
     According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a showerhead includes a diverter assembly, a housing supporting a pivoting sprayface having a plurality of spray openings, the plurality of spray openings including a first set of spray openings defining a first spray pattern and a second set of spray openings defining a second spray pattern, a first waterway fluidly connecting the diverter to the first set of spray openings of the sprayface, and a second waterway fluidly connecting the diverter to the second set of spray openings of the sprayface. An audio device is releasably coupled to the housing. The diverter assembly is configured to switch between the first and the second spray patterns by directing fluid to one of the first waterway and the second waterway. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a showerhead includes an audio assembly having at least one speaker, a plurality of control buttons configured to adjust at least one of a plurality of audio features, a battery, and at least one release mechanism. The showerhead further includes a showerhead body, wherein the at least one release mechanism is configured to selectively detach and attach the at least one audio assembly to the showerhead body. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment, a showerhead system includes an audio assembly having at least one speaker, a plurality of control buttons configured to adjust at least one of a plurality of audio features, a battery, and at least one release mechanism. The showerhead system further includes a showerhead body having a diverter assembly, a pivoting sprayface having a plurality of spray openings, the plurality of spray openings including a first set of spray openings defining a first spray pattern and a second set of spray openings defining a second spray pattern, a first waterway fluidly connecting the diverter assembly to the first set of spray openings of the sprayface, and a second waterway fluidly connecting the diverter assembly to the second set of spray openings of the sprayface. The diverter assembly is configured to switch between the first and the second spray patterns by directing fluid to one of the first waterway and the second waterway. The at least one release mechanism is configured to selectively detach and attach the at least one audio assembly to the showerhead body. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an illustrative showerhead system of the present disclosure fluidly coupled to a water supply, showing an audio assembly attached to a showerhead assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the showerhead system of  FIG. 1 , showing the audio assembly attached to the showerhead assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the showerhead system of  FIG. 1 , showing the audio assembly detached from the showerhead assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the audio assembly of the showerhead system taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the showerhead assembly taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the interface between the audio assembly and the showerhead assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the audio assembly taken along line  7 - 7  of 
         FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the sprayface and the waterways of the showerhead assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the sprayface and waterways of the showerhead assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the showerhead assembly taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the showerhead system of  FIG. 1 , showing the audio assembly detached from the showerhead assembly; and 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the audio assembly and a distal end of the showerhead assembly of the showerhead system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a showerhead system  10  of the present invention illustratively includes a showerhead assembly  14 , a fluid connector  42 , and an audio assembly  12  removable coupled to the showerhead assembly  14 . Illustratively, the showerhead assembly  14  includes a diverter  54  and sprayface  56  supported by a body or housing  60  defining rectangular bottom recess  32  configured to removably receive the audio assembly  12 . 
     Housing  60  may be circular or any other shape, and is illustratively formed of a polymer. The housing  60  illustratively includes a front portion  34  coupled to a back portion  36  by a plurality of screws  62  ( FIG. 2 ). In alternative embodiments, the screws  62  may be replaced by other fastening means, such as ultrasonic welding and adhesives. The sprayface  56  is illustratively supported for pivoting movement relative to the front portion  34 . A fluid connector  42  is connected on the back portion  36  of the housing  60 . The sprayface  56  is configured to pivot about first and second pivot points  98  and  100  extending along a pivot axis  140  extending parallel to the sprayface  56  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     A conventional water supply  44  supplies water to the showerhead assembly  14 . Water supply  44  is fluidly coupled to the showerhead assembly  14  through fluid connector  42 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , fluid connector  42  illustratively includes a shower ball  40 , and a screw ring  52  received between a ball washer  50  and a ball connector  48 . Shower ball  40  permits rotational movement of the showerhead assembly  14  about orthogonal axes. Internal threads  46  in the shower ball  40  facilitate connection to the external threads of a pipe or riser supported by the shower wall (not shown). A flow restrictor may be fluidly coupled to the fluid connector  42  to limit the flow rate of water from the water supply  44  into the showerhead assembly  14  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring further to  FIG. 1 , the pivoting sprayface  56  illustratively includes a plurality of openings or ports  26 ,  28 ,  30  defining a first spray pattern and a second spray pattern. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a first spray pattern of openings  26  is fluidly connected to the diverter  54  through second waterway  72 . Similarly, second and third spray pattern of openings  28  and  30  are fluidly connected to the diverter  54  through first waterway  70 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 , the first waterway  70  and the second waterway  72  may each be a single waterway assembly or a dual waterway assembly. Single waterway assembly  72  illustratively includes a first inlet  80  fluidly connected to the diverter  54 , a first outlet  82  fluidly connected to the plurality of spray openings  26 , and a first passage  84  therebetween. Dual waterway assembly  70  illustratively includes a first passage  94  fluidly connecting a first inlet  90  and a first outlet  86 , and a second passage  96  fluidly connecting a second inlet  88  and a second outlet  92 . The first and the second inlets  90  and  88  of the dual waterway assembly  70  are fluidly connected to the diverter  54 . Each of the first and the second outlets  86  and  92  of the dual waterway assembly  70  are fluidly connected to one of the plurality of spray pattern openings  28  and  30 . Illustratively, the outlets  82 ,  86  and  92  are all aligned along the pivot axis  140  of the sprayface  56 . 
     In one illustrative embodiment, both the first waterway  70  and the second waterway  72  may be single waterway assemblies. Similarly, in another illustrative embodiment, the first waterway  70  and the second waterway  72  may both be the dual waterway assemblies. In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 , the first waterway  70  is a dual waterway assembly, while the second waterway  72  is a single waterway assembly. 
     In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the pivoting sprayface  56  includes three spray patterns, namely: a plurality of fluid device ports  26 , a plurality of massage ports  28 , and a plurality of spray ports  30 . Fluid device ports  26  are further illustrated, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication. No. 2013/0299608 to Spangler et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the first waterway  70  is fluidly connected to the plurality of massage ports  28 , and the plurality of spray ports  30 , and second waterway  72  is fluidly connected to the plurality of fluid device ports  26 . More particularly, the first passage  94  of the first waterway  70  is fluidly connected to the massage ports  28 , and the second passage  96  is fluidly connected to the spray ports  30 . The first passage  84  of the second waterway  72  is fluidly connected to the fluidic device ports  26 . In other illustrative embodiments, the first waterway  70  and the second waterway  72  and plurality of spray ports  26 ,  28 , and  30  may be connected differently without affecting functionality of the present disclosure. 
     Pivoting sprayface  56  may have a circular shape (as shown) or any other shape. The pivoting sprayface  56  includes a plurality of projections or bosses  110  associated with openings  26 ,  28  and  30 , defining chambers  112  to receive a plurality of fluidic devices  114 ,  116  and  118 . For example, the fluidic devices  114  may comprise multi-dimensional fluidic devices or chips for providing multi-dimensional spray patterns, while fluidic devices  116  and  118  may comprise spray nozzles. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 1 , the diverter  54  may be a pen click diverter assembly (as shown), a toggle switch diverter (not shown), a rotary switch diverter (not shown), or any other type of switch diverter which is capable of diverting the inlet water from the water supply  44  to the ports  26 ,  28 ,  30  of the pivoting sprayface  56 . In the illustrative embodiment, diverter  54  has at least four possible positions namely, a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position. However, diverter  54  may be configured to include more or less than four positions. 
     In the first position, water flow is illustratively directed by the diverter  54  to the plurality of massage ports  28  via first inlet  80 , through first passage  94  and first outlet  86 . In the second position, water flow is illustratively directed by the diverter  54  to the plurality of spray ports  30  via second inlet  88 , through second passage  96 , and second outlet  92 . In the third position, water flow is illustratively directed by the diverter to the plurality of fluid device ports  26  via first inlet  80 , through first passage  84  and first outlet  82 . In the fourth position, water flow may be obstructed such that water does not reach the pivoting sprayface  56 . In other illustrative embodiments, the fourth position of the diverter  54  directs water flow to additional fluid device ports (not shown) in the pivoting sprayface  56 , for example, via a second dual water waterway assembly (not shown) which replaces the second waterway  72 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 11 and 12 , the audio assembly  12  is shown in a detached position from the showerhead assembly  14 . The audio assembly  12  illustratively includes a housing having a rear portion  302  and a front portion  402 , a top wall  304  removably inserted into the showerhead assembly  14 , a bottom portion or trim  16 , and a release mechanism  307 . 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 3, 11 and 12 , the release mechanism  307  illustratively includes a release button  310  on one of the rear portion  302  (as shown) or the front portion  402 . As further detailed herein, the release mechanism  307  is configured to selectively detach and attach the audio assembly  12  to the showerhead housing  60 . In certain illustrative embodiments, a magnetic coupling may be used in connection with the release mechanism  307  to assist in securing the audio assembly  12  to the showerhead assembly  14 . 
     Top wall  304  of the audio assembly  12  illustratively has a step portion  306  that inserts into the showerhead assembly  14  and includes a plurality of side snaps  308 . The top wall  304  further includes a front snap  326 , and a rear snap  328  coupled to the front snap  326  by a plurality of springs  320  ( FIGS. 4 and 12 ). Generally, the rear snap  328  and the front snap  326  may be two separate components coupled together ( FIGS. 7 and 12 ) or one component capable of the same function. The plurality of springs  320  pushes the front snap  326  and the rear snap  328  outwardly such that the front and the rear snaps  326  and  328  protrude from an outer surface of the top wall  304  ( FIGS. 3 and 11 ). A cover  329  is positioned below the snaps  326  and  328  and the springs  320 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 6 and 12 , the showerhead assembly  14  illustratively includes a protrusion  334  having a bottom surface  336  and a mating surface  332 . The bottom surface  336  has an angle relative to an angle of a top surface of the front and rear snaps  326  and  328  such that upon application of a small force, the audio assembly  12  slides into the distal end of the showerhead assembly  14 . Additionally, the mating surface  332  also has an angle relative to an angle of a bottom surface of the front and rear snaps  326  and  328  such that when the audio assembly  12  is pulled away from the showerhead assembly  14 , the front and rear snaps  326  and  328  slide out. Additionally, in an assembled configuration, the mating surface  332  supports the front snap  326  and the rear snap  328 . The plurality of snaps  326 ,  238 ,  308  have an angle relative to a mating surface of the showerhead assembly  14  with nominal interference for stability. Due to this angle relative to the mating surface, the audio assembly  12  attaches to the showerhead assembly  14  by applying a small amount of force in an upward direction. 
     The showerhead assembly  14  includes a flat shoulder  322  for each of the plurality of side snaps  308 . Side snaps  308  rests on shoulders  322  of the showerhead assembly  14  when the audio assembly  12  is attached to the showerhead assembly  14 . Mating surface  332  and shoulders  322  may have different angles or similar angles. 
     As shown and detailed herein, the showerhead assembly  14  includes angled surfaces for the front and rear snaps  326  and  328  to engage, and flat shoulders  322  for the side snaps  308  to engage. In other words, the side snaps  308  have positive locking features (with the showerhead assembly  14 ) that can only be removed using the release button  310 , while the front and rear snaps  326  and  328  may be disengaged without a release button. 
     In an attached configuration, step portion  306  is not visible ( FIG. 1 ), and a cover  312  of the showerhead assembly  14  is in a first position, such that the cover  312  is pushed further into the showerhead assembly  14  ( FIG. 4 ). Cover  312  has a distal end and a proximal end having a plurality of protrusions  314  inserted into a fixed base  318  of the showerhead assembly  14 . Fixed base  318  includes openings  252  aligned with, and slidably receiving, the plurality of protrusions  314 . The protrusions  314  and openings  252  cooperate to guide the cover  312  to prevent binding during movement. Springs  316  are positioned on at least a portion of the protrusions  314 . The showerhead assembly  14  includes a cover holder  250  having openings  254  aligned with protrusions  314 . Fixed base  318 , together with spring  316  and cover  312 , is positioned into the cover holder  250  of the showerhead assembly  14  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     To detach the audio assembly  12  from the showerhead assembly  14 , release button  310  is pressed. When a force applied on the release button  310  is greater than the force exerted by the spring  324 , the associated side snap  380  moves inwards, detaching the same side of the audio assembly  12  from the showerhead assembly  14 . The opposite side snap  208  disengages by rotating the audio assembly  12  downward. As audio assembly  12  is moved away from the showerhead assembly  14 , the front snap  326 , the rear snap  328 , and the opposite side snap  208  slides out of the showerhead assembly  14  due to a nominal interference between the angled surfaces of the showerhead assembly  14  and the audio assembly  12 . The front, rear and opposing side snap  208  can disengage without a release button due to the angled interface surface of the showerhead assembly  14 . Additionally, as the audio assembly  12  moves away from the showerhead assembly  14 , and due to the force exerted by the springs  316  onto the cover  312 , cover  312  releases to a second position ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) such that cover  312  covers a distal end of the showerhead assembly  14 . In the second position, the cover  312  is flush with the distal end of the showerhead assembly  14 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , bottom trim  16  of the audio assembly  12  is configured to support the audio assembly  12  on another surface, for example, a table. Bottom trim  16  includes control buttons  18  to control various audio features of the audio assembly  12 . With reference to  FIG. 11 , the control buttons  18  may include a power button  18   a,  a rewind button  18   b,  a fast forward button  18   c,  a pause/play button  18   d,  a volume decrease button  18   e,  and a volume increase button  18   f.  Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the audio assembly  12  further includes a front casing  406  and a rear casing  404  which couples with the front portion  402  and the rear portion  302 , respectively. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 12 , the audio assembly  12  further includes at least one speaker  256  and a battery  258 , both positioned within the audio assembly  12 . The at least one speaker  256  illustratively includes an active driver  257  and a passive radiator  259 . The front casing  406  includes a first opening  408  configured to position the active driver  257 . The front casing  406  may also include a second opening  409  configured to position the passive radiator  259  facing the front casing  406  (as shown). Similarly, the rear casing  404  illustratively includes an opening  410  configured to position the passive radiator  259 . 
     The illustrative audio assembly  12  also includes a bottom casing  412  which couples to the bottom trim  16 . Rear portion  302  may include openings  330  aligned with the at least one speaker  256  ( FIG. 3 ). Similarly, front portion  402  may include openings  260  aligned with the at least one speaker  256  (as shown on  FIG. 12 ). Audio assembly  12  further illustratively includes a charging socket (not shown) for charging the battery  258 . The audio assembly  12  is configured to wirelessly receive audio data from at least one other device; for example, a cellular phone, a computer, and a tablet. Such wireless communication may include receiving data from a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth connection. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations of modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.