Patent Publication Number: US-9410309-B2

Title: Wall shower bar assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a wall shower bar assembly including a fixed shower head and a hand-held shower mounted to a tubular bar and, more particularly, to a wall shower bar assembly including an upper retainer assembly including a spheroidal joint connection assembly that pivotally couples an upper portion of the wall shower bar assembly to a water supply pipe and a lower retainer assembly including a hinged joint connection assembly that pivotally couples a lower portion of the wall shower bar assembly to a shower wall. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wall shower bar assemblies are used in shower stalls, shower enclosures, tub and shower surrounds, and the like, where it is desired to have the option of using either a fixed shower head or a hand-held sprayer shower coupled for washing and/or rinsing purposes. Typically, the hand-held sprayer shower is supplied water by a flexible water supply hose, which is coupled to a diverter valve. The diverter valve allows the user to select water flow between the fixed shower head and the hand-held sprayer shower. A tube assembly (sometimes referred to as a wall bar) is provided which mounts to a support surface such as a wall of the shower stall. The shower head is coupled to an upper end of the tube assembly, while the hand-held sprayer shower is supported on a seat slidably affixed to a vertically mounted tube of the tube assembly. 
     Typical prior wall shower bar assemblies are shown, for example, in U.S. Published Patent Application Pub. No. US 2009/0266913 (publication date Oct. 29, 2009) to Tsai and U.S. Published Patent Application Pub. No. US 2010/0024909 (publication date Feb. 4, 2010) to Lu et al. A connector at an upper portion of the tube of the tube assembly is typically coupled to a water supply pipe extending from a shower wall via a ball joint assembly. The shower head, in turn, is connected to the connector. The lower portion of the tube is coupled to the shower wall by a retainer assembly, which fixes the lower portion of the tube with respect to the shower wall. 
     Several shortcomings exist with respect to prior wall bar shower bar assemblies. When a ball joint assembly is used to affix the upper portion of the tube assembly to the water supply pipe, over-tightening is a problem. Typically, wrench flats would be provided on an outer surface of a coupling collar, which was threaded onto mating threads of the wall supply pipe. The desire to insure a water-tight connection often resulted in an installer (especially a do-it-yourself, novice installer) applying excessive torque to the coupling collar via a wrench positioned on the wrench flats. Excessive torque applied to the ball joint assembly could result in damage to the ball joint assembly and/or the water supply pipe. 
     Moreover, because in a typical prior wall bar shower assembly, the retainer assembly positions and secures the lower portion of the tubular bar at a fixed location with respect to the shower wall. This retainer assembly does not allow for relative movement between the tube and the shower wall. Stated another way, the retainer assembly of prior wall bar shower assemblies provide for a fixed position of the tube with respect to the shower wall. This configuration of prior wall bar shower assemblies makes repair, disconnection or adjustment of the wall bar shower assembly difficult. Generally, to repair any of the internals of the upper portion of the tube assembly, the entire prior wall bar shower assembly would have to be removed from the shower wall and the water supply pipe including disconnecting the ball joint assembly from the water supply pipe and disconnecting the retainer assembly from the shower wall or support structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a wall shower bar assembly for mounting to a shower wall and a water supply pipe extending from the shower wall, the wall shower bar assembly comprising: a) a tube assembly including a tube, a manifold affixed to an upper end of the tube, and a shower head, the manifold including a first end and a second end, the shower head coupled to the second end of the manifold; b) an upper retainer assembly coupling the tube assembly to the water supply pipe, the upper retainer assembly including an upper joint connection assembly having a first coupler releasably affixed to the water supply pipe, a collar affixed to the first end of the manifold and a first connector coupling the coupler and the collar for relative movement between the coupler and the collar; and c) a lower retainer assembly coupling the tube assembly to the shower wall, the lower retainer assembly including a retainer body affixed to a lower end of the tube, a wall attachment assembly releasably affixed to the shower wall, and a lower joint connection assembly, the lower joint connection assembly including a first member extending from the retainer body, a second member extending from the attachment assembly, and a second connector coupling the first and second members for relative movement between the first and second members. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the wall shower bar assembly of the present disclosure, the first connector of the upper joint connection assembly comprises a spheroidal joint for ball joint movement between the coupler and the collar. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the wall shower bar assembly of the present disclosure, the second connector of the lower joint connection assembly comprises a hinge joint for pivoting movement between the first and second members. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the wall shower bar assembly of the present disclosure, the attachment assembly includes a suction cup attachment assembly comprising a flexible suction cup, a suction cup housing supporting the suction cup, and a camming mechanism including an advancement ring to contact and urge the suction cup against the shower wall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic front, right perspective view of the wall shower bar assembly of the present disclosure, as mounted to a vertical wall of a shower stall or tub or shower surround or enclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front, left perspective view of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , as mounted to a vertical wall of a shower stall or tub or shower surround or enclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic front elevation view of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , as mounted to a vertical wall of a shower stall or tub or shower surround or enclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic left side elevation view of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , as mounted to a vertical wall of a shower stall or tub or shower surround or enclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic back or rear perspective view of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic exploded front perspective view of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic exploded rear perspective view of a lower portion of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , including a lower retainer assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic section view through an upper portion of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , including an upper retainer assembly, as seen from a plane indicated by the line  88  in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic section view through a lower portion of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 , including the lower retainer assembly, as seen from a plane indicated by the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is schematic top plan view of the lower retainer assembly of the wall shower bar assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides for a wall shower bar assembly, shown generally at  100  in the  FIGS. 1-6 , for installation in a tub or shower enclosure or surround or a shower stall  10   a .  FIGS. 1-4  schematically depict the wall shower bar assembly  100  installed on a vertical front wall  10  of a shower stall  10   a . The wall shower bar assembly  100  supports and provides for selective water flow through a fixed shower head  600  or a hand-held sprayer shower  700 . A two-position diverter valve  480  is provided to allow a user to select between the shower head  600  and the hand-held sprayer shower  700 . The wall shower bar assembly  100  is affixed to a support surface such as the generally vertically oriented shower stall front wall  10  and is also affixed to and receives water from a water supply pipe  12  extending outwardly from the front shower wall  10  into an interior region  10   b  defined by the shower stall  10   a . The front shower wall  10  defines a generally vertically extending planar mounting surface  11  for the wall shower bar assembly  100 . In the schematic depiction of  FIG. 1 , the wall shower bar assembly is mounted to the front shower wall  10 . Portions of the front shower wall  10  and a side shower wall  10   c , which extends generally perpendicularly from the front shower wall  10 , are schematically depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Advantageously, the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure uses a dual joint connection structure  110  that includes an upper joint connection assembly  112  ( FIG. 12 ) and a lower joint connection assembly  114  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). In one exemplary embodiment, the upper joint connection assembly  112  comprises a spheroidal or ball-and-socket joint providing a jointed coupling between an upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the water supply pipe  12 . In one exemplary embodiment, the lower joint connection assembly  114  comprises a pivot joint providing a pivoting or hinged coupling between a lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the shower wall  10 . The upper joint connection assembly  112  is part of an upper retainer assembly  300 , while the lower joint connection assembly  114  is part of a lower retainer assembly  400 . 
     For illustration and orientation purposes only and not by way of any limitation, a vertical direction V ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is generally parallel to the planar surface  11  of the shower wall  10 , a horizontal direction H ( FIG. 3 ) is generally orthogonal to the vertical direction V, a forward direction F ( FIG. 4 ) shall be in a direction from the shower stall interior  10   b  toward the shower wall  10 , and the back or rearward direction R ( FIG. 4 ) shall be in a direction away from the shower wall  10  toward the interior region  10   b /The forward direction F and the rearward direction R are generally parallel to the side shower wall  10   e  ( FIG. 1 ), while the horizontal direction H is generally parallel to the front shower wall  10 . An upward direction UP ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) shall be in a direction upward from a floor of the shower stall  10   a , while a downward direction DW ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) shall be in a direction toward the floor of the shower stall. Typically, the water supply pipe  12  extends horizontally outwardly from the shower wall  10  and at a distal portion  13  of the pipe  12 , angles slightly downwardly. The distal portion  13  of the water supply pipe  12  includes a threaded external end  14 . The upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is adapted to be threadedly coupled to the threaded external end  14  of the water supply pipe  12 . 
     Thus, the wall shower bar assembly  100  has two points of suspension or attachment with respect to the shower stall  10   a , the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  being releasably affixed to the water supply pipe  12  by the upper retainer assembly  300  and the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  being releasably affixed to the planar surface  11  defined by the shower wall  10  by the lower retainer assembly  400 . Advantageously, in the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure, the upper joint connection assembly  112 , which is part of the upper retainer assembly  300 , couples or releasably engages the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the threaded external end  14  of the water supply pipe  12  and provides for relative ball joint or universal joint movement between the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the water supply pipe  12 . The lower joint connection assembly  114 , which is part of a lower retainer assembly  400 , couples or releasably engages the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  110  and the shower wall  10  and provides for relative hinge joint or pivot joint movement between the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the shower wall  10 . 
     It should be appreciated, of course, that the ball joint coupling between the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the water supply pipe  12  afforded by the upper joint connection assembly  112  also necessarily encompasses a pivot joint coupling, that is, if the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is moved upward and downward in the vertical direction V, i.e., moved upward and downward parallel to the planar mounting surface  11  of the shower wall  10 , the ball joint coupling will function as a hinged or pivot joint characterized by a pivot axis P 1  substantially parallel to planar surface  11  of the shower wall  10 . The pivot joint coupling between the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and the shower wall  10 , of course, is a true pivot or hinge joint characterized by a pivot axis P 2  which is substantially planar to the surface  11  of the shower wall  10  and substantially parallel to the pivot axis P 1  defined by the upper joint connection assembly  112 . 
     Advantageously, both the upper retainer assembly  300  and the lower retainer assembly  400  may be independently coupled or uncoupled from the water supply pipe  12  and the shower wall  10 , respectively. If the upper retainer assembly  300  is coupled to the water supply pipe  12  and the lower retainer assembly  400  is detached from the shower wall  10 , the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is free to swing or pivot away from the shower wall  10 , while the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is maintained a coupled or engaged condition with respect to the water supply pipe  12  by the upper retainer assembly  300 . Conversely, if the lower retainer assembly  400  is coupled to the shower wall  10  and the lower retainer assembly  400  is detached from the water supply pipe  10 , the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is free to swing or pivot away from the water supply pipe  12  and the shower wall  10 , while the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is maintained in a coupled or engaged condition with the shower wall  10  by the lower retainer assembly  400 . In one exemplary embodiment, an angle of pivoting away from the vertical shower wall  10  permitted by the upper spheroidal joint connection assembly  112  is approximately 30° and an angle of pivoting away from the vertical shower wall  10  permitted by the lower pivot joint connection assembly  114  is also approximately 30°. 
     The dual joint connection structure  110  of the wall shower bar assembly  110  of the present disclosure advantageously facilitates repair of the wall shower bar assembly  100 , should repair or replacement of components be necessary. That is, if a repair is needed to the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100 , the upper retainer assembly  300  may be disconnected from the water supply pipe  12  and swung away from the vertical wall  10  approximately 30° thereby providing access for repair of the wall shower bar assembly  100  while the lower retainer assembly  400  remains affixed to the shower wall  10 . Similarly, if a repair is needed to the lower portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100 , the lower retainer assembly  400  may be disconnected from the shower wall  10  and swung away from the wall  10  approximately 30° thereby providing access for repair of the wall shower bar assembly  100  while the upper retainer assembly  300  remains affixed to the water supply pipe  12 . 
     Moreover, the dual joint connection structure  110  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  provides for easier installation of the wall shower bar assembly  100  because of the relative adjustability or pivoting-type of both the upper and lower portions  102 ,  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  with respect to the shower wall  10  and the water supply pipe  12 . Although, in one exemplary embodiment, the upper joint connection assembly is a spheroidal ball-and-socket or universal ball joint attachment structure  301 , such a joint, of course, can also be viewed as a pivot joint because the structure has the functionality to pivot with respect to the shower wall  10  and the water supply pipe  12 . This relative pivoting movement of both the upper and lower connection assemblies  112 ,  114  makes it easier for the installer to account for slight differences in the angle of the distal portion  13  of the water supply pipe  12 , the horizontal offset of the threaded end  14  of the water supply pipe  12  from the shower wall  10 , slight non-verticality of the shower wall  10 , etc. when installing the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure. As stated above, in one exemplary embodiment, an approximate swing or pivot angle permitted by the upper connection structure  112  is 30° and an approximate swing or pivot angle permitted by the lower connection structure  114  is 30°. 
     The wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure includes the upper retainer assembly  300 , comprising the upper joint connection assembly  112 , the lower retainer assembly  400 , comprising the lower joint connection assembly  114 , and a generally vertically-oriented tube assembly  112  including a hollow tube or tubular member  210  extending between the upper and lower retainer assemblies  300 ,  400 . In one exemplary embodiment, the upper joint connection assembly  112  comprises a first joint attachment structure  301 , while the lower joint connection assembly  114  comprises a second joint attachment structure  500 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first joint attachment structure  301  comprises a spheroidal or ball joint attachment structure, while the second joint attachment structure  500  comprises a hinged joint attachment structure. 
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 1, 6-7, and 8-9 , the lower retainer assembly  400  includes a wall attachment assembly  405 , the second hinged joint attachment structure  500  and a retainer body  450 . The wall attachment assembly  405  in one exemplary embodiment comprises a suction cup attachment assembly  410 . The retainer body  450 , which defines a portion of the second hinged joint attachment structure  500 , also defines the two-position diverter valve  480 . The diverter valve  480  includes a valve body  482  ( FIG. 9 ) rotatably supported within a cavity or chamber defined by a generally cylindrical valve housing  483 . The valve body  482  is rotated within the valve housing  483  by a valve handle  484 . The handle  484  is rotated between a first and a second position to selectively direct water from the water supply pipe  12  to the shower head  600  or to the hand-held sprayer shower  700 . Rotation of the handle  484  rotates the valve body  482  within the valve housing  483 . 
     Tube Assembly  200   
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , the tube assembly  200  including the hollow tube or bar  210 , a generally T-shaped three-way manifold  250 , a fixed shower head  600  and a hand-held sprayer shower  700 . The tube assembly  200  also includes a seat  800  slidably mounted on the tube  210 . The seat  800  defines a support for releasably holding the hand-held shower  700 . 
     Hollow Tube  210   
     The tube or bar  210  is hollow and includes an inner or interior surface  212  defining a throughbore  214  extending between an upper end  216  and a lower end  218 . The tube  210  defines a central longitudinal axis LA extending through the throughbore  214  of the tube  210  and includes a curved upper portion  222  and a generally straight central portion  224  that extends to the lower end  218 . In the central portion  224  of the tube  210 , the central longitudinal axis LA is substantially parallel to the planar surface  11  of the shower wall  10  and is oriented in the vertical direction V. As is schematically depicted in  FIG. 6 , a first, inlet water supply line  230  and a second, outlet water supply line  232  extend the through the throughbore  214  of the tube  210 . A first fitting  240  is affixed at the upper end  216  of the tube  210  and a second fitting  242  is affixed at the lower end of the tube  210 . The first and second fittings  240 ,  242  each include two ports  244 ,  246 , one port  244  being in fluid communication with the first, inlet water supply line  230  and the second port  246  being in fluid communication with the second, outlet water supply line  232 . 
     Manifold  250   
     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the generally T-shaped manifold  250  is affixed to the upper end  216  of the tube  210 . The manifold  250  includes a first arm  251  defining a first external threaded end  252  coupled to the threaded end  14  of the water supply pipe  12  by the upper spheroidal joint connection assembly  112 . The manifold  250  includes a second arm  253  defining a second external threaded end  254 . The fixed shower head  600  is affixed to the second threaded end  254  of the manifold  250 . The manifold  250  further includes a third arm  255  generally orthogonal to the first and second arms  251 ,  253 . The third arm  255  includes an end portion  256  including axially extending tabs  258  that interfit into the upper end  216  of the hollow tube  210  between the wall of the tube  210  and the first fitting  240  and are secured by screws to affix the manifold  250  to the hollow tube  210  and the first fitting  240 . The manifold  250  includes a pair of cover or trim pieces  282 ,  284  ( FIG. 6 ) that enclose the manifold  250  and match the finish of the hollow tube  210  for aesthetic purposes. 
     An interior of the manifold  250  defines a first water chamber  260  and a second water chamber  262  separated by a central interior wall or diaphragm  264 . The first water chamber  260  extends between and provides for fluid communication between the first threaded end  252  and the first inlet water supply line  230 . The first inlet water supply line  230  is coupled, through the first fitting  240 , to a first outlet port  270  of the first water chamber  260  at the end portion  256  of the third arm  255  of the manifold  250  That is, the first water chamber  260  of the manifold  250  directs water flowing from the water supply pipe  12  through the first outlet port  270  of the third arm  255 , through the first fitting  240  and into the first inlet water supply line  230 , the first inlet water supply line  230  being in fluid communication with the first water chamber  260 . The first inlet water supply line  230  and the second fitting  242  are in fluid communication with and terminate at the valve body  482  of the two-way diverter valve  480 . 
     The second water chamber  262  extends between and provides for fluid communication between the second water outlet supply line  232  and the second threaded end  254  of the manifold  250 . The second outlet water supply line  232  is coupled, through the first fitting  240 , to a second inlet port  272  of the second water chamber  262  at the end portion  256  of the third arm  255  of the manifold  250  That is, the second water chamber  262  of the manifold  250  directs water flowing from the second outlet water supply line  232  through the first fitting  240 , through the second inlet portion  272  of the third arm  255  and through the second threaded end  254  and into the shower head  600 . 
     The first inlet water supply line  230  is in fluid communication with the first water chamber  260  and the first outlet port  270  of the manifold  250 , while the second outlet water supply line  232  is in fluid communication with the second water chamber  262  and the second inlet portion  272  of the manifold  250 . In a first position of the diverter valve handle  484 , the valve body  482  is oriented such that water is routed from the first inlet water supply line  230  through the valve body  482 , through the second outlet water supply line  232 , through the second water chamber  262  and, finally, to the shower head  600  where it exits the shower head  600  in a water spray pattern defined by the shower head  600 . In a second position of the diverter valve handle  484 , the valve body  482  is oriented such that water is routed from the first inlet water supply line  230  through the valve body  482 , through an outlet port  488  of a lower arm  486  of the valve housing  483  of the diverter valve  480  and, finally, to the hand-held sprayer shower  700  where it exits the sprayer shower  700  in a water spray pattern defined by the sprayer shower  700 . 
     Upper Retainer Assembly  300   
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 , the upper retainer assembly  300  releasably affixes the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  to the water supply pipe  12  via a jointed connection. The upper retainer assembly  300  includes the upper joint connection assembly  112  which, in one exemplary embodiment, comprises the first ball and socket joint or ball joint or spheroidal joint attachment structure  301 . More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, the upper joint connection assembly  112  includes: a) a coupler  302  coupled at a front end  307  (in a forward direction F toward the shower wall  10 ) to the threaded end  14  of the water supply pipe  12  and defining at a back end  308  a spheroidal ball  324  of the ball-and-socket attachment structure  301 , b) a collar  330  coupled at a back end  338  to the first threaded end  252  of the first arm  251  of the manifold  250  and defining at a front end  336  a spheroidal opening or socket  344  of the ball-and-socket attachment structure  301 ; and c) a retaining ring/seal  350  interposed between the ball  324  of the coupler  302  and the socket  344  of the collar  330  to maintain the ball  324  within the socket  344  while permitting the pivoting and swiveling action of the ball-and-socket attachment structure  301  between the coupler  302  and the collar  330 . A horizontal axis drawn through the center of the ball  324  defines the pivot axis P 1  of the first spheroidal joint attachment structure  301 . To the extent that the upper portion  102  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  is moved in the vertical direction D (up and/or down), the spheroidal joint attachment structure  301  would function as a pivot joint and would pivot about the pivot axis P 1 . 
     The coupler  302  includes an interior surface  304  defining a throughbore  306 . The interior surface  304  of a front portion  309  of the coupler  302  defines interior threads  310  that engage the threaded end  14  of the water supply pipe  12 . A rear portion  320  of the coupler  302  defines a first male connector  322  which, in one exemplary embodiment, is the spheroid or ball  324  of the ball-and-socket joint attachment structure  301 . 
     The collar  330  includes an interior surface  332  defining a throughbore  334  generally aligned with the longitudinal axis LA of the tube  210 . The throughbore  334  of the collar  330  is larger than an outer diameter of the ball  324  of the coupler  302 . Thus, even at the most extreme pivot angle (e.g., 30°) or position of the collar  330  with respect to the coupler  302 , the respective thoughbores  334 ,  306  overlap along the longitudinal axis LA of the tube  210  to permit fluid communication through the first joint attachment structure  301  from the water supply pipe  12  to the first water chamber  260  of the manifold  250 . The interior surface  332  of the collar  330  defines threads  340  which engage the first threaded end  252  of the first arm  251  of the manifold  250 . The back end  338  of the collar  330  includes a radially inwardly stepped shoulder  346 . The shoulder  346  and a rear interior portion  342  of the collar  330  define the first female connector  341 , which, in one exemplary embodiment, is the socket  344  of the ball-and-socket joint attachment structure  301 . 
     The retaining ring/seal  350  bears against the stepped shoulder  346  formed at the back end  338  of the collar  330 . An inner diameter of the retaining ring/seal  350  is smaller than an outer diameter of the ball  324  of the coupler  302  to trap or maintain the ball  324  within the socket  344  of the collar  330  thereby forming the universal joint attachment structure  301 . The outer diameter of the retaining ring/seal  350  is larger than the opening formed by the throughbore  334  at the back end  338  of the collar  330  thus sandwiching and maintaining the position of the retaining ring/seal  350  between ball  324  of the coupler  302  and the stepped shoulder  346  of the collar  330 . An outer peripheral surface  352  of the retaining ring/seal  350  includes a step  354 . The step  354  of the retaining ring/seal  350  of seats on the stepped shoulder  346  of the collar  330  to retain the ball  324  in the socket  344 . 
     Advantageously, the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure includes two or dual threaded connections for the upper ball joint connection assembly  112 , each of which can be independently tightened or loosened. That is, the first spheroidal joint attachment structure  301  features one threaded connection between the coupler  302  and the water supply pipe  12  and a second threaded connection between the collar  350  and the first arm  251  of the manifold  250 . This configuration of dual threaded connections for the upper ball joint connection assembly  112  mitigates the problem of overtightening a coupling collar when a ball joint assembly with a single coupling collar was used to affix the upper portion of the wall shower bar assembly to the water supply pipe, as previously discussed. Generally and advantageously, with the spheroidal joint attachment structure  301  of the present disclosure, finger tightening the threaded connection between the coupler  302  and the water supply pipe  12  and finger tightening the threaded connection between the collar  350  and the first arm  251  of the manifold  250  are sufficient to provide watertight seals between the water supply pipe  12  and the wall shower bar assembly  100 . 
     Lower Retainer Assembly  400   
     As is best seen in  FIGS. 1, 6-7, and 9-10 , the lower retainer assembly  400  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present disclosure includes the retainer body  450 , the wall attachment assembly  405  for securing the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  to the support structure such as the shower wall  10 , and further includes the lower joint connection assembly  114  providing the hinged joint attachment structure  500  between the lower portion  104  of the shower bar assembly  100  and the shower wall  10 . 
     Diverter Valve  480   
     In one exemplary embodiment, the lower retainer assembly  400  includes the lower joint connection assembly  114  pivotally disposed between the retainer body  450  and the wall attachment assembly  405 . In one exemplary embodiment, the retainer body  450  includes the two-position diverter valve  480 . As is best seen in  FIG. 9 , the diverter valve  480  includes the valve body  482  rotatable within the cavity or chamber defined by the generally cylindrical valve housing  483 . The valve body  482  is selectively rotated between two positions by the valve handle  484 . The valve housing  483  includes a lower arm  486  having a threaded exterior distal end  487  for threaded engagement by a threaded end connector  706  of the hose  704  of the hand-held sprayer shower  700 . The valve housing lower arm  486  defines an outlet port  488  that is selectively blocked or opened by the diverter valve body  482 , depending on the position of the valve handle  484 . In the open position, the outlet port  488  is in fluid communication with the first inlet water supply line  230  and the second fitting  242  such that water from the water supply pipe  12  is routed through the outlet port  488  and through the hose  704  and ultimately to the hand-held sprayer shower  700 . 
     The valve housing  483  also includes an upper arm  490 . The upper arm  490  defines a first inlet port  491  and a second outlet port  492  ( FIG. 10 ). The first inlet port  491  provides fluid communication from the first inlet water supply line  230  to the valve housing chamber. The second outlet port  492  is selectively blocked or opened by the diverter valve body  482 , depending on the position of the valve handle  484 . In the open position, the second outlet port  492  is in fluid communication with the first inlet water supply line  230  such that water from the water supply pipe  12  is routed through the second outlet port  492 , through the second fitting  242 , through the second outlet water supply line  232  and through the manifold  250  and ultimately to the fixed head shower  600 . The upper arm  490  includes an end portion  494  with axially extending tabs  495  that extend into the hollow tube  210  between the wall of the tube  210  and the second fitting  242  are secured by screws to affix the retainer body  450  to the hollow tube  210  and the second fitting  242 . A first end  496  of the cylindrical valve housing  483  provides a rotatable seating surface for the diverter valve handle  484  while the second end  497  of the cylindrical valve housing  483  provides a fixed seating surface for a clevis  502  of the second joint attachment structure  500 . 
     Lower Joint Connection Assembly  114   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 6-7 and 10 , the lower joint connection assembly  114  comprises a pivot joint or hinge joint defined by the second joint attachment structure  500 . The second joint attachment structure  500  includes the retainer body  450  which includes a forward portion  452 , defining the clevis  502 , and a rearward portion  454 , defining the rotatable diverter valve handle  484 . The clevis  502  is part of the hinged joint attachment structure  500 . A second part of the hinged joint attachment structure  500  is defined by a vertically-oriented tongue  500  formed at a tapered rearward end  440  of the suction cup housing  420  of the suction cup attachment assembly  405 . 
     The clevis  502  includes a slotted opening  504  that extends vertically through the clevis  502 . The slotted opening  504  defines a first female connector  505  and is defined by a back wall  506  and parallel, opposing side walls  508 . There is generally V-shaped projection  510  extending forwardly from the back wall  506 . Additionally, each of the side walls  508  includes a generally horizontal opening  512 . The two openings  512  of the side walls  508  are aligned to form an axle bushing  514 . A center line through the axle bushing  514  defines the pivot axis P 2  of the hinged attachment structure  500 . 
     The vertically-oriented tongue  550  formed at the tapered rearward end  440  of the suction cup housing  420  defines a second connector  552  that interfits with the first connector  505  defined by the clevis  502 . The tongue  550  is defined by a pair of spaced apart, opposing side walls  554  joined along an outer periphery by an outer wall  556 . The side walls  554  each include a cut-out region  558  that defines a tab  560 . An outwardly extending axle stub  562  is formed on each of the tabs  560 . The axle stubs  562  are horizontally aligned so as to form a discontinuous axle  564 . The tongue  550  also includes a generally U-shaped opening  570  in the outer wall  556  and between the side walls  554 . The U-shaped opening  570  is partly defined by a pair of shoulders  572  that, if extended, would have a vertex or center on or near the pivot axis P 2 . 
     When the tongue  550  of the suction cup housing  420  is assembled to the clevis  502  of the retainer body  450 , the tabs  560  flex inwardly as they move along the clevis side walls  508 . Upon proper alignment of the two axle stubs  562  of the tabs  560  of the tongue  550  with the two openings  512  of the side walls  508  of the retainer body  450 , the axle stubs  562  snap fit or seat into respective openings  512  to form a hinge. Stated another way, the interfit of the axle stubs  562  into the openings  512  of the retainer body clevis  502  define a discontinuous hinge  566  between the tongue  550  of the suction cup housing  420  and the clevis  502  of the retainer body  450 . The swing or pivot angle of the hinged joint attachment structure  500  about the pivot axis P 2  is limited by contact between the V-shaped projection  510  of the slotted opening  504  of the clevis  502  and the shoulders  572  of the U-shaped opening  570  of the tongue  550  of the suction cup housing  420 . 
     Wall Attachment Assembly  405   
     As best seen in  FIGS. 6-7 and 9-10 , the wall attachment assembly  405 , in one exemplary embodiment, comprises the suction cup attachment assembly  410  that releasably affixes the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  to the planar surface  11  defined by the shower wall  10 . The suction cup attachment assembly  410  comprises a flexible suction cup  412  having a front side  414  facing the shower wall  10  and a back side  416  facing the retainer body  450 . The front side  414  of the suction cup  412  is generally convex and becomes substantially flat when urged against the shower wall by an annular advancement ring  432  that contacts the back side  416  of the suction cup  412 , as explained below. The suction cup  412  may be fabricated of low durometer polyurethane or other similar material with excellent suction adhesion characteristics. Optionally, the front surface  414  of the suction cup  412  may include a coating of adhesive for enhanced adhesion to the shower wall  10 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, as best seen in  FIG. 9 , a central stationary base  422  extends axially forward from the suction cup housing  420 . The back side  416  of the suction cup  412  is affixed to the central base  422 . In one exemplary embodiment, the back side  416  of the suction cup  412  includes a ribbed, axially extending projection  418  which is received in a ribbed receptacle  425  of the base  422  of the suction cup housing  420  to secure the suction cup  412  to the suction cup housing  420 . A stem  424  of the base  422  extends axially rearwardly and interfits into a keyed opening  426  ( FIG. 9 ) defined by the housing  420 . The stem  424  includes a threaded opening and a screw  428  is threaded into the stem threaded opening to secure the base  422  to the housing  420 . The base  422  includes two radially extending wings  429 . 
     Advantageously, the suction cup attachment assembly  410  of the present disclosure includes a camming mechanism  430  to urge the suction cup  412  against the shower wall  10  to expel air trapped between the front side  414  of the suction cup  412  and the shower wall  10  and thereby improve the strength of the suction seal between the suction cup  412  and the shower wall  10 . The camming mechanism  430  includes the annular advancement ring  432  and a rotatable cam dial  436 . The rotatable cam dial  436  is rotatably mounted on the stem  424  of the base  422 . The cam dial  436  includes an inner surface  437  defining a series of radially spaced, axially extending ribs  448 , which function as cams, as explained below, when the cam dial  436  is rotated (about 60° degrees) to axially advance the advancement ring  432  against the shower wall  10  and thereby insure a strong suction seal between the suction cup  412  and the shower wall  10 . In one exemplary embodiment, the number of ribs  448  of the cam dial  436  is six. 
     The advancement ring  432  includes an annular front face  433  that contacts the back side  416  of the suction cup  412 . The advancement ring  432  further includes an outer peripheral rim  434   a  extending rearwardly from an outer edge of the annular front face  433  and an inner peripheral rim  434   b  extending rearwardly from an inner edge of the annular front face  433 . The inner peripheral rim  434   b  of the advancement ring  432  includes a pair of recesses  434   c  ( FIG. 7 ) that receive the two radially extending wings  429  of the base  422  to insure that the advancement ring  432  does not rotate with the cam dial  436  when the cam dial  436  is rotated, but rather, the advancement ring  432  remains rotationally stationary with the suction cup housing  420  and the affixed central base  422  when the cam dial  436  is rotated. The outer peripheral rim  434  includes a plurality of sawtooth profiles  435  that function as a camming surface for the cams defined by the ribs  448  of the cam dial  436 . In one exemplary embodiment, the number of sawtooth profiles  435  is six. 
     The inclined portions of the sawtooth profiles  435  bear against respective ones of the ribs  448  of the cam dial  436 . As the cam dial is rotated, the ribs  448  of the cam dial  436  rotate with respect to the sawtooth profiles  435  of the advancement ring  432 , the ribs  448  “ride up” the inclined portions of the respective sawtooth profiles  435  thereby forcing the advancement ring  432  to more axially forward against the back side  416  of the suction cup  412 . Each of the sawtooth profiles  435  include a notch near the top of the profile. The notches receive the respective ribs  448  of the cam dial  436  to maintain an advanced position of the advancement ring  432  against the suction cup  412  and thus a “locked in” position of the suction cup attachment assembly  410  with respect to the shower wall  10 . 
     To loosen and remove the suction cup attachment assembly  410  from the shower wall  10 , the user will rotate the cam dial  436  in the opposite direction approximately 60° whereby the advancement ring  432  will be moved axially in the rearward direction away from the back side  416  of the suction cup  412  allowing the user to a rock the lower portion  104  of the wall shower bar assembly  100  and release the suction seal between the suction cup  412  and the shower wall  10 . 
     The components of the wall shower bar assembly  100  of the present invention may be fabricated of metals, such as, but not limited to steel, stainless steel, steel alloys, aluminum, or various plastic or polymer materials or various composite materials that provide for sufficient strength and durability and provide for water, heat and humidity resistance so as to be suitable for use in a wet, humid, hot shower stall environment. The components of the shower bar assembly  100  may be fabricated by machining, forming, casting, forging, extrusion, injection molding, or other fabrication techniques know to those of skill in the art. 
     As used herein, terms of direction and/or orientation such as vertical, horizontal, vertically, horizontally, forward, rearward, backward, longitudinally, upper, lower, inward, outward, axially, radially, etc., are provided for convenience purposes and relate generally to the orientation shown in the Figures. Such direction and/or orientation terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure or the claims appended hereto. 
     What have been described above are examples of the present disclosure/invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components, assemblies, or methodologies for purposes of describing the present disclosure/invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present disclosure/invention are possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure/invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.