Patent Publication Number: US-2015076254-A1

Title: Filtered shower wand with twist-lock connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to showering apparatus, such as hand held shower wands. More particularly, the invention concerns a shower wand useful to filter or treat the water stream passing therethrough. 
     Various devices and systems have been used to treat water used in domestic water systems. Potable water commonly includes contaminates and chemicals, such as chlorine, which kills bacteria in the water. Currently, approximately 80% of all potable water systems in the U.S. utilize chlorine as a disinfectant. However, while serving a positive function of eliminating bacteria, and the like, chlorine may be undesirable in drinking water and can have a harmful effect on human skin and hair. Consequently, it is generally preferable to remove chlorine from drinking water and shower/bath water. 
     Another characteristic of many potable water systems, particularly water in areas that draw water from certain rivers, is a high mineral content. High mineral content contributes to water hardness. Hardness is typically undesirable in domestic water systems, insofar as it commonly contributes to scaling on glass surfaces, and makes water more difficult to lather, requiring greater amounts of soap, shampoo or the like for showering/bathing. 
     Various types of systems have been used to filter or treat domestic water systems. Whole house systems, also referred to as point of entry systems, treat the water as it enters the house, e.g. to filter or soften all of the water flowing into the house. Point of use devices, such as shower filters, kitchen sink filters, or refrigerator filters, treat the water at a specific location of the house where the water is used. 
     Whole house systems are generally effective to remove chemicals or modify water characteristics throughout the house water system. However, while such filtering or treatment may be useful for many uses of water, it may be undesirable for other uses. For example, although chlorine removal may be useful for treating shower water or drinking water, it may not be useful or desirable in relation to remove chlorine from toilet water, sink water, or swimming pool water. Further, chlorine removal may facilitate the growth of bacteria or algae within toilets or plumbing. In some cases the algae can contribute to clogging of shower fixtures and other bacteria conditions in water dispensers. 
     Whole house water softeners are useful to lower the mineral content of shower water or drinking water. However, many such systems utilize salt to remove the calcium content, which introduces a substantial salt content in the water. That may be undesirable for various water uses, such as watering plants, and can cause difficulties in municipal water treatment systems. Accordingly, such whole house systems and point of use systems each have advantages and disadvantages associated with the different uses of domestic water, e.g. drinking water, shower/bath water, toilet water, pool water, landscape water, etc. 
     Point of use filtration systems address some of the deficiencies of the whole house systems and allow selective filtration, to suit the various uses of domestic water. For example, shower filters, kitchen sink filters, and refrigerator filters are useful to remove chlorine from the water at the point of use, while retaining chlorine in the water system to serve as antibacterial additive in the toilet water and pool water, and to mitigate the growth of bacteria and algae in the house plumbing. 
     Shower filtering devices have become increasingly popular and have been implemented in a variety of ways. In-line filters are commonly installed intermediate the shower arm and the showerhead. One such device is the High Output shower filter, marketed by Sprite Industries, Inc. Showerheads have been made to incorporate an internal shower filter, allowing for a more compact arrangement. One such combination showerhead/water filter is the Deluxe 8 All-in-One shower filter marketed by Sprite Industries, Inc. 
     Shower filters have also been introduced into hand held shower wands, to provide a device which incorporates the convenience of shower wand, with the added functionality of water filter. One such device is the Shower Falls shower wand marketed by Sprite Industries, Inc. In one implementation the filtering media used in such shower wands is contained within a replaceable cartridge insertable in the handle. In another construction, the filtering unit is a permanent portion of the handle, and the filtering unit is replaced by detaching and replacing the handle. 
     One limitation of such filtered shower wands concerns the weight of the filter media, which is typically a mixture of copper and zinc. The weight of the shower handle may make it difficult to disconnect the handle from the showerhead or the hose, both of which are commonly engaged to the handle by engagement of mating threaded portions. The weight of the handle, space limitations within a shower stall, and the lack of protective clothing and footwear frequently worn during the process, may contribute to injury or damage as with the filtered element is being replaced. More specifically, as one hand holds the showerhead, the other hand may progressively twist and release the handle from the showerhead to the point that the handle may disengage from the shower head when it is not firmly in the grasp of the user, falling on the shower floor or the foot of the user, with considerable force. 
     In order to mitigate such problems, it is useful to devise an arrangement for connecting an arrangement whereby the shower wand handle and the shower wand head may be engaged and disengaged with a single twist of a user&#39;s hand, avoiding the need to progressively grip, twist, and un-grip the weighted shower handle. Such an arrangement not only adds to the convenience of installing and removing the shower wand filter portion, but also enhances the safety of the removal process, particularly when the user is elderly, arthritic, or otherwise has limited manual dexterity to perform the filter element removal. 
     Further, while such filtered shower wands are useful to remove chlorine and other contaminants from the shower water, they do little to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, or scaling in the shower stall. The manual removal of such bacteria, mold, scaling may be cumbersome. Space limitations of the shower stalls, and concerns regarding the inhalation of or exposure to cleaning products when applied in full, undiluted strength, in a confined area, each act as deterrents to regular cleaning of shower stalls. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A hand held, filter shower wand is provided comprising a spray head and handle engageable to the spray head. The handle defines an input port connectable to a flexible water hose, an output port connectable to the spray head, and a handle body having media therein, the handle body being in fluid communication with the handle input port and handle output port. 
     The handle output port defines a first twist lock connector and the spray head defines a second twist lock connector, engageable to the handle body first twist lock connector. The first and second twist lock connector are formed to provide fluid tight connection between the handle body and the spray head in response to an approximately 90° rotation of the handle body relative to the spray head. Upon disengagement of the handle body from the spray head, the media/filter cartridge is dischargeable from the handle body. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment the first and second connectors comprise a bayonet connector. 
     In one embodiment the media is implemented as water filtering media, disposed within a filtered cartridge located within the handle body. In another embodiment, the media is granular water filter media which, upon disengagement of the spray head and the handle body, may be poured into or discharged from the handle body. 
     The filter media is preferably implemented as zinc or a mixture of copper and zinc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings,  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a shower wand embodiment, according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , exploded to show the spray head, the handle, and a filter media cartridge disposable within the handle, according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a spray nozzle assembly embodiment, according to the teachings of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the shower head assembly view of the shower wand embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the teachings of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Some embodiments are described in detail with reference to the related drawings. Additional embodiments, features and/or advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned by practicing the invention. In the figures, which are not drawn to scale, like numerals refer to like features throughout the description. The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments herein provide a handheld shower wand and water filter assembly for attachment to a water supply line, to remove chlorine and other substances from the water. The filtered shower wand includes twist-lock connector for ease of changing the water filter. The twist-lock connector can be a bayonet-type connector. Turning to  FIG. 1 , filtered shower wand  100  includes an elongated, hollow handle  112 . Handle  112  can include lower stem  105  and upper stem  110 . Spray head  115  can be affixed to upper stem  110 . Upper stem  110  can be separable from spray head  115  or may be formed as a unit with spray head  115 , as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Upper stem  110  can be removably attached to lower stem  105  using a twist-lock connector  120 , which can be sealed with a handle O-ring  125 . Twist-lock connector  120  can be of the bayonet-lug assembly type. With this type, bayonet lugs on one element, seat and engage with a locking channel disposed in a second element. Alternately, spray head  115  can be removably attached to upper stem  110 , with twist-lock connector sealing the bayonet-type union of the components. 
     Lower stem  105  can include a threaded portion  107 , which may be attached to hose  109  or other flexible mechanism coupled to a water supply line. Threaded portion  107  may include perforated debris screen  109 . Coupled together, lower stem  105  and upper stem  110  can be engageable and constitute handle body  112  to spray head  115 . In other embodiments, handle  112  can be a single piece, engageable with spray head  115 . In a different embodiment, handle  112  defines an input port  122  connectable to a flexible water hose  170 , an output port connectable to the spray head  115 , and a handle body  112  having water filter media therein, the handle body  112  being in fluid communication with the handle input port  122  and handle output port. Shower wand handle body  112  and the shower spray head  115  may be engaged and disengaged with a single twist of a user&#39;s hand. This may be accomplished by a turn of lower stem  105  of handle body  112 , relative to the spray head  115 , of approximately 90 degrees of rotation, although filtered shower wand  100  may be disassembled by a turn of approximately 30 degrees up to approximately 150 degrees of rotation. A clockwise turn, relative to the longitudinal axis of handle  112 , may be used for disassembly, with a counter-clockwise turn being used for re-assembly, for example, after the filter has been changed. Indicia indicating alignment may be imposed on handle body  112  proximate to twist-lock connector  120  such that when rotational alignment is indicated, lower stem  105  can be separated from upper stem  110 . 
     Spray head  115  can include reservoir portion  130 . Spray nozzle assembly  135  may be rotatably attached to reservoir portion  130 . By rotating spray nozzle assembly  135  relative to reservoir portion  130 , a plurality of water patterns at respective water pressures may be obtained by the user. Spray nozzle assembly  135  can be rotated, and respective water patterns actuated, by moving helve  140  about a spray nozzle assembly axis generally acute to the longitudinal axis of handle  112 . The plurality of water patterns can be obtained by providing spray nozzle assembly  135  with a plurality of shower nozzles (shown in the aggregate as  150 ), which may standoff from the surface  145  of the spray nozzle assembly  135  or may be flush with the surface  145 . It may be useful to constitute nozzle surfaces of a non-fouling material, to lessen nozzle calcification and mold growth. To facilitate rotation of spray nozzle assembly  135 , helve  140  can be coupled to spray nozzle assembly  135 . By rotating helve  140 , a user can select from one of a plurality of water discharge settings, including, for example, a water discharge setting providing at least one form of massage. As indicated above, handle  112  can be engageable with spray head  115 . In selected embodiments, lower stem  105  may be engageable to upper stem  110 , which upper stem  110  is unified with spray head  115 . Lower stem  105  may be disengaged by a single clockwise twist relative to upper stem  110  and the longitudinal axis of handle  112 . Handle  112  may be threadably connectable to flexible hose  170  at threaded input port  175  of lower stem  105 , which may be attached to a water source. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , filtered shower wand  200  includes spray head  215  and handle  212 , which handle  212  can be seen as a handle assembly having filter cartridge  250  therewithin. Wand  200  can be structurally and functionally similar to wand  100 , spray head  215  can be functionally similar to spray head  115 , and handle  212  can be functionally similar to handle  112 . Lugs  222 ,  223  are operable portions of the twist-lock connector of the bayonet-type. Slotted groove  224 ,  226  can be configured to lockingly receive lugs (or lands)  222 ,  223 . Filter cartridge  250  can be outfitted with an O-ring  202 ,  203  on each end, allowing filter  250  to sealingly fit within handle  212 . An audible sound may accompany positive seating of O-ring  202 ,  203 . Resilient handle O-ring  225  may be interposed between lower stem  205  and upper stem  210 . O-ring  225  provides a waterproof seal between lower stem  205  and upper stem  210 . Resilience of O-ring  225  may assist with maintaining a waterproof seal at the juncture of lower stem  205  and upper stem  210 , while permitting slight hand-grip pressure to releasingly separate or join stems  205  and  210 . In other embodiments, handle O-ring  225  may assist in forming a watertight seal between handle  212 . A secondary O-ring  230  may be fitted onto the distal end of upper stem  210  to further enhance the sealing qualities of O-ring  225 . Filter cartridge  250  may include a canister  255 , in which filter media  260  can be entrapped. Canister  255  can be perforated at each end, having screens secured within each perforation to facilitate trapping of the water filter media within cartridge  250 . In use, the water filter media  260  can be exposed to water flowing from inlet port  265  to cartridge outlet port  270 , thereby effecting the filtering process. In some embodiments, water filter media  260  can include zinc-copper compounds, such as KDF process media, non-soluble ceramic-type calcium sulfite beads, or both, for example in a 50-50 volumetric combination. An example of such a filter media may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,875 (Farley) or U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,977 (Farley), which patents are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entirety, although the filter media  260  in cartridge  255  is not limited thereto. An example of such a Ca—Zn—Cu combination media is known as CHLORGON, available from Sprite Industries, Inc., Corona, Calif. USA. KDF process media are products of KDF Fluid Treatment, Inc., Three Rivers, Mich., USA. The water filter media  260  also may be a cleaning media. During the filtering process, at least a portion of chlorine may be removed from influent water, reducing the amount of dissolved chlorine in effluent water ejected from filtered shower wand  200 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an embodiment of a filtered shower wand  200 . In some embodiments, spray head  215  axis  305  forms an acute angle with handle  212  axis  310 . Handle O-ring  225  can be seen, which forms a waterproof seal between lower stem  205  and upper stem  210 . Cartridge  255  contains filter media  260  yet allows a flow path for water entering at inlet port  265 , for example, through a threaded connector. Clockwise/counter-clockwise movement of helve  240 , relative to axis  305  of spray head  215 , can provide a plurality of shower settings from fine spray, to coarse spray, to pulsing massage, with intermediate types of spray settings being possible. Threaded portion of input port  265  may include perforated debris screen  269 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of a shower wand head  415 , which may be similar to shower wand head  215 . Head  415  includes shower head base  420 , from which reservoir nozzle  425  protrudes. Forward of shower head base  420  is positioned flow selector  430 . Flow selector  430  is actuated by the movement of helve  440 , which rotates bail  445  to provide a selected stream of water to flow diffuser  450 . First gasket  435  can be interposed between bail  445  and shower head base  420  to provide a barrier to inadvertent water flow in the shower head  415 . Spray nozzle assembly  470  includes constituent elements flow diffuser  450 , outer nozzle assembly  455 , inner screen assembly  460 , and inner nozzle assembly  465 . The constituent elements of spray nozzle assembly can be press-fit together and screwed into shower head base  420 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of example embodiments, it is to be understood that neither the Specification nor the Drawings are to be interpreted as limiting. Various alternations and modifications are inherent, or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the foregoing disclosure. It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alternations and modifications that are encompassed by the spirit and the scope of the invention.