Patent Publication Number: US-6908047-B2

Title: Oscillating shower sprayer

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/338,064 filed on Dec. 7, 2001 the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to plumbing fixtures, especially fixtures for use in distribution of water within a shower. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A preferred method of bathing involves the use of a constant shower of water as opposed to a filled tub of water. Showers can be taken quickly and the amount of water used can be more easily regulated. As a result, showers are part of most homes, used either in combination with a traditional bath tub or alone in a stall structure. 
   One drawback of traditional shower configurations is the small area covered by the stream of water leaving the shower head. The individual showering must manipulate his or her body to place each portion within the narrow coverage area. This can be difficult, especially in a shower configured within a traditional bath tub where room to maneuver is limited. 
   Some prior attempts to overcome this coverage problem include adjustable shower heads where the stream of water can be widened. This typically involves a corresponding significant decrease in water pressure however. Directionally adjustable shower heads also exist which may be manually moved. These shower heads, however, are often very difficult to adjust or alternatively become loose quickly, thus, not allowing adjustment to a raised position. Removable wand shower heads have also been made, but require the user to give up the use of one hand for washing, etc. in order to manipulate the wand. 
   An easy to operate shower head configuration is desired which can provide improved water stream coverage. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of the prior art by providing an improved shower fixture. A shower sprayer is provided which includes an oscillating sprayer head. Thus, increased coverage of the stream of water is provided without a need for the user to move his or her body extensively. Additionally the shower sprayer does not sacrifice a large amount of water pressure in exchange for the increased coverage area. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention an oscillating shower sprayer is provided which is connectable to a water source. The oscillating shower sprayer includes a stationary base, at least one oscillating sprayer head supported by the base and a turbine system driven by a current of water from a water source and actuating the oscillating sprayer head. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the invention; 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3   b  shows a side view of the second embodiment of the invention 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 6   a  shows a schematic representation of a first oscillating pattern of the invention; and 
       FIG. 6   b  shows a schematic representation of an alternate oscillating pattern of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATION EMBODIMENTS 
   Sprayer General 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a shower sprayer  20  is provided which may be installed as original equipment in a home shower or as a retrofit. Additionally the shower sprayer  20  may be used in conjunction with a traditional shower head  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) wherein a valve  80  is installed along with the shower sprayer  20 , the valve  80  directing water from a water source to either the shower sprayer  20  or the traditional shower head  82 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , each embodiment of the invention includes an oscillating sprayer head  22 . Oscillation is achieved using a turbine system which converts the force of water flowing under pressure into a mechanical force used to turn the oscillating sprayer head  22 . Water then exits the shower sprayer  20  through one or more outlets  24  for use in bathing, etc. 
   Head 
   The oscillating sprayer head  22  is supported within a base  32 . The sprayer head  22  oscillates in a side to side manner. Different oscillating patterns are described below. The sprayer head  22  includes at least one outlet  24  where the water from the water source exits the shower sprayer  20 . The outlets  24  comprise apertures within a solid piece of material. The apertures may be arranged in varying patterns as shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . As described below the manner in which water exits the outlets  24  may also be varied. 
   The sprayer head  22  may also support one or more selectors  26 . Alternatively, the selectors  26  may be supported by the base  32 . The selectors  26  are used to control aspects of the shower sprayer  20  including: oscillating versus stationary use, oscillating patterns, water distribution manner, and volume of total water discharged from the sprayer head  22 . 
   Base 
   The base  32  supports the sprayer head  22  of the shower sprayer  20 . The base  32  may be any shape or configuration as described in more detail below. The base  32  includes a water inlet  33 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the base  32  houses the turbine system  50  also described in more detail below. The base  32  may also house a water chamber  34 . The water chamber  34  provides a simple sealed chamber, which may be used when it is difficult to provide a consistent seal around the oscillating head. Thus, the shower sprayer  20  may use a sprayer head  22  and water chamber  34  combination or merely the sprayer head  22  alone. An “O” ring rotating seal  57  provides a junction between the water chamber  34  and the rest of the base  32 . The water chamber  34  has a dual purpose. The water chamber  34  provides a place where a volume of water from the water source may be held and distributed in a preferred manner. The water chamber  34  itself includes a chamber inlet  38  and nozzles  36  for outlet of the water. The water chamber  34  may itself be driven by the turbine system  50 . The water chamber  34  includes a cam follower  56  which is moved by a cam  54  in the turbine system  50 . 
   The water chamber may also house a rotating spin wheel  40  if the shower sprayer  20  includes a pulsating option in the way the water exits the sprayer head  22 . The rotating spin wheel  40  includes a number of vanes  42  located between two flanges  44 . The vanes  42  may be straight or at an angle between the two flanges  44 . The flanges  44  may include adapting sections in an annular or pointed shape which allow the rotating spin wheel  40  to be held in the water chamber  34  while still having the capacity to spin freely. The rotating spin wheel  40  may be driven by the turbine system  50 . 
   Turbine Drive 
     FIG. 2  also shows the turbine system  50  which includes a turbine  52 , cam  54  and cam follower  56 . The cam follower  56  may be affixed to the water chamber  34  or another part of the sprayer head  22 . The turbine  52  includes a number of angled turbine vanes  58  which translate the motion of flowing water into a rotational force. The turbine is affixed to a cam  54  having a contoured cam face  60 . The contour of the cam face  60  defines the oscillating pattern of the sprayer head  22  described below. Disengagement of the cam  54  from the cam follower  56  is allowed to let the sprayer head  24  be stationary. Engagement and disengagement may be controlled by a selector  26 . 
   Distribution Patterns 
   Water can be distributed from the sprayer head  22  in a number of different patterns. The distribution patterns may be generated by the shape of the aperture pattern on the outlets  24  and the rotating spin wheel  40  described above. The aperture pattern on the outlets  24  may include but is not limited to the patterns shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 5 . To modify the distribution patterns, a selector  26  may be actuated to obstruct any portion of the apertures on one or more outlets  24 . A pulsating distribution pattern may be obtained by the operation of the rotating spin wheel  40 . The rotating spin wheel  40 , intermittently blocks apertures on the outlets  24  to provide an pulsing effect. The distribution patterns may be used in combinations, for example a pulsating stream with one half of the apertures of an outlet  24  blocked. 
   Motion Patterns 
   The oscillating motion of the sprayer head  22  may be controlled by the shape of the cam  54  and its cam face  60 .  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show two typical motion patterns of the sprayer head  22 , a full sweep and return sweep motion and a step-by step sweep motion depicted by the numbered steps  1 - 9 . The speed of oscillation may be controlled by the amount of water provided by the water source. The speed of oscillation may also be controlled by changing the resistance of the turbine to moving. Any known manner of reducing speed, such as a friction brake, or means to divert some water away from the turbine may be used. The motion patterns are not limited to only those shown in the Figures. 
   Size Shape Embodiments 
   In a first embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 , the shower sprayer  20  is a replacement for a common shower head and attaches directly upon the end of the shower water supply pipe. The shower sprayer  20  includes a sprayer head  22  which moves in a side to side manner, pivoting upon a central axis. The shower sprayer  20  includes easily accessible selectors  26  and multiple outlets  24 . 
   In a second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a , the shower sprayer  20  is a separate assembly attachable to the wall of a shower chamber as opposed to being supported by the water supply pipe. The assembly is connected to the shower water supply pipe at a valve  80 . The valve  80  diverts water to either the shower sprayer  20  or a common shower head  82 . A hose  90  or other extendible conduit is used to transfer water to the shower sprayer  20 . The shower sprayer  20  may be mounted upon a vertical post or bracket  92 . The shower sprayer  20  is movable up or down along the post or bracket  92 . This allows water to be directed at any level within a shower chamber. 
   In a third embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 4  the height of the shower sprayer  20  is extended. The shower sprayer  20  is able to cover a large vertical area without adjustment. The shower sprayer  20  is attached to the water supply pipe in a way which still allows the selected use of the traditional shower head. The base  32  of the shower sprayer may be stylistically contoured. The shower sprayer  20  may be installable in a manner which allows removal with no reminder that any shower sprayer  20  was ever present. No drilling of shower tiles or bracket installation is required. The upper end of the shower sprayer  20  is attached to the water supply pipe. The lower end may consist of a forked frame  100  with pads  102  which rest upon the wall of a shower enclosure. The forked frame  100  may be slidably adjustable within the remainder of the base  32  to allow adjustment of the verticality of the shower sprayer  20 . The sprayer head  22  is vertically elongated producing a vertical wall of water spray. 
   In a fourth embodiment of the invention the shower sprayer  20  is a replacement for a common shower head and attaches directly upon the end of the shower water discharge pipe. The sprayer still includes a base  32  and an oscillating sprayer head  22 . The base  32  includes easily accessible selectors  26  to control distribution patterns (spray, massage, etc.) and speed of oscillation. The outlet  24  can create a number of spray styles using varied aperture patterns (exterior generates standard shower stream, interior generates pulsing massage style or consistent high volume direct stream). The shape of the shower head may be contoured stylistically. 
   Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, the aperture patterns in the outlets may be varied. Further, different types of turbines and gears may be used to drive the oscillating sprayer head. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.