IP Library Granted Patent US 8,146,838
Granted Patent B2
US 8,146,838 · App. 12/870,032 · Granted Apr 3, 2012

Handheld showerhead with mode control in handle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,146,838
App. No.
12/870,032
Granted
Apr 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion including a plurality of spray nozzles and a handle portion including a fluid inlet that receives water flow from a water source and a fluid passage that transports the water flow from the fluid inlet to the showerhead portion in a first flow direction. A fluid conveyance structure positioned at least partially within the showerhead portion has a base with two or more inlet openings. A mode selector includes a control knob and a fluid chamber with a fluid inlet that receives the water flow from the handle portion in a second flow direction and a rotatable chamber wall that defines a chamber outlet in selective fluid communication with the fluid conveyance structure. Rotation of the control knob rotates the chamber wall to selectively align the chamber outlet with one of the inlet openings in the base of the fluid conveyance structure.

Claims (21)

1. A handheld showerhead comprising

a handle portion;

a showerhead portion extending from the handle portion and having

a plurality of nozzles;

two or more fluid channels, wherein a first one of the fluid channels is in fluid communication with a first set of the plurality of nozzles and a second one of the fluid channels is in fluid communication with a second set of the plurality of nozzles; and

a base wall defining two or more fluid inlets each in fluid communication with a respective one of the two or more fluid channels;

a water supply connector at least partially housed within the handle portion having

a fluid inlet configured for connection to a water supply;

a fluid passage configured to transport the water flow from the fluid inlet within the handle in a first flow direction; and

an outlet configured to direct the water flow in a second flow direction; and

a mode selector having

a control knob mounted within the handle portion and configured to rotate about an axis, and

a rotatable selection structure that defines an aperture that is in fluid communication with the water supply connector outlet; wherein

rotation of the control knob rotates the selection structure and selectively aligns the aperture in the selection structure with one of the two or more fluid inlets in the base wall to direct the water flow from the water supply connector outlet to at least one of the two or more fluid channels of the showerhead.

2. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the first flow direction is substantially transverse to the second flow direction.

3. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the second flow direction is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the control knob.

4. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 further comprising a water-tight seal positioned between the selection structure and the base wall.

5. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation of the control knob is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

6. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the second flow direction is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

7. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the control knob is positioned between a bottom portion of the handle portion and the showerhead portion.

8. The handheld showerhead of claim 1 , further comprising a turbine positioned within at least one of the two or more fluid channels of the showerhead portion.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE FIRST LIEN Recorded Aug 9, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 043511/0797 →
RELEASE SECOND LIEN Recorded Aug 9, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 043511/0834 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS FIRST LIEN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030805/0910 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS SECOND LIEN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030805/0940 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2013
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 030754/0260 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2011
From: LUETTGEN, HAROLD A.; LEBER, LELAND C.; QUINN, MICHAEL J.
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 027309/0308 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2011
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026738/0680 →