Patent Publication Number: US-4580751-A

Title: Suction cup support particularly for a shower head with handle affixed to a shower hose

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to bathroom showers and specifically to a universal shower hose support with flexibility of position. 
     DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART 
     Heretofore shower heads with handles affixed to shower hoses have been designed to be clamped to the conventional location of shower source above a standing person&#39;s head, or to be held by hand. The field of search showed no prior art patent for suction support of a shower head with handle affixed to a shower hose. However, two methods of support were found on the market unlike that proposed here. One is manufactured by Melard. It is a wall bracket for use with their &#34;continental&#34; shower (water source from a faucet). This bracket bolts or glues onto a wall. Its permanence at one spot is a disadvantage. The second is manufactured by Alsons. It is a vertical pipe bolted to the wall. The shower head with handle slides up and down this pipe offering different heights for the shower. Again, permanence on one wall is a disadvantage, and bolting into a tile wall in a rented apartment may be forbidden. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of my invention is to have a shower hose handle support which is different and more versatile than previously known counterparts. It provides flexability of position and location for differing personal needs. A goal was to make showering easier and more convenient for the disabled, the aging, the infirm or anyone who cannot or should not be standing in one spot for an appreciable length of time. Such persons now could shower in a seated position. Children or adults whose height is incompatable with standard showers could also make use of this flexibility. Another object is to have a shower hose handle support that is compact in size, light in weight, easy to use, durable, safe, and inexpensive to mass produce. A working model has been in use for eleven months which has proven operable and reliable, fulfilling all expectations. 
    
    
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be best understood with respect to the drawings wherein 
     FIG. 1 shows an exploded view demonstrating the construction of the lever operated suction cup. 
     FIG. 2 shows the suction cup and post. 
     FIG. 3 shows the lever suction cup attached to the clamp with the lever in its tight position causing suction by pulling up the center of the suction cup. 
     FIG. 4 shows the lever suction cup attached to the clamp with the lever in its loose position relaxing the suction cup. 
     FIG. 5 shows a typical shower head, shower head handle and hose in operating position in clamp. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference to the drawings will show that in each of the figures like parts bear the same numerical designation. 
     In the exploded view of FIG. 1 a hard plastic post 1 with an extended round base 2 is placed through an opening 3 of the middle of a flexible plastic diaphragm 4. A second flexible plastic diaphragm 5 of the same size as the diaphragm 4, but with no center opening, is molded to the bottom of diaphragm 4, the round base 2 of the post 1 fixed solidly between them. The result is one suction cup 6, FIG. 2, with post 1 extending from its top. 
     In FIG. 1 post 1 is then placed through the center opening 7 of a hard plastic cup 8 shaped similar to suction cup 6, FIG. 2, but large enough to cover suction cup 6. A hole 9 is formed through the top of post 1. A lever 10 with a base 11, open on the bottom 15 and on the adjacent side 16, is placed over post 1. Lever base 11 has a hole 12 through its two parallel sides 13 and 14. This hole 12 is closer to the bottom 15 of the lever base 11 than it is to the adjacent side 16 of the lever base 11. A bolt 17 fits loosely through the hole 12 on one side 13 of the lever base 11, through hole 9 in post 1 and through the corresponding hole of the parallel side 14 of lever base 11. 
     The corners 18 between the bottom 15 and adjacent side 16 are rounded so that the lever 10 can turn the bottom 15, FIG. 4, or its adjacent side 16, FIG. 3, against the hard plastic cup 8. The bolt 17 can extend through the hard plastic clamp 19, FIGS. 3 and 4, or the clamp 19, FIGS. 3 and 4, can be molded as one piece with the hard plastic cup 8. The bolt 17 is fastened with a washer 20 and a nut 21, FIG. 1. 
     The handle 22, FIG. 5, of a shower head 23, FIG. 5, with hose 24, FIG. 5, is usually graduated in thickness, thinnest at the top next to the shower head 23. Similarly graduated, the plastic clamp 19, FIGS. 3 and 4, its narrowest part near the shower head 23, should be pressed onto the shower head handle 22, at the handle&#39;s thinnest part. The clamp 19, should then be moved toward thickest part of the shower head handle 22, to tighten the grip, FIG. 5. The shower head can then be suctioned to any nonpourous wall of a shower or bathtub at any height and at any angle, limited only by the length of the hose 24. The suction cup support, FIG. 3, is placed against the wall and the lever 10, FIG. 3, is moved so the post 1, secured by the bolt 17 moves away from the wall pulling the middle of the suction cup away from the wall causing a vacuum and a firm adherence to the wall. Moving the lever 10, FIG. 4, back again breaks the vacuum and causes an easy and immediate release. The suction cup support has a 360 degree choice of position on the wall. The clamp 19 allows the shower head 23 a 180 degree choice of position and direction of spray. This process works best when the shower head handle 22 is in a horizontal position. 
     Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the appended claims. The constants set forth in this disclosure are given as examples and are in no way final or binding. In view of the above, it will be seen that the objects of the invention are achieved and other advantages are obtained. Many changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the clamp could be molded as one piece with the hard plastic cup or bolted on. The dimensions of all parts can be changed so long as the principle is adhered to. The suction cup support can be a permanent part of the showerhead handle or removable. Other methods of friction can be used on the handle within the clamp such as a soft washer or a tightening bolt. Materials other than plastic can be used but I would recommend waterproof materials. Therefore, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense.