IP Library Granted Patent US 8,020,787
Granted Patent B2
US 8,020,787 · App. 11/947,733 · Granted Sep 20, 2011

Showerhead system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,020,787
App. No.
11/947,733
Granted
Sep 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A showerhead system is provided. The showerhead system may provide a plurality of spray modes using a control mode selector located adjacent to a shower pipe. The showerhead system may also include an adjustment mechanism located near or about the shower pipe. The showerhead system may also have dual support structures.

Claims (43)

1. A showerhead system comprising

a support structure configured to directly couple to a shower pipe to receive water flow therefrom and to be supported on a wall of a shower or bath enclosure thereby, the support structure comprising

a first rigid arm including a first fluid channel;

a second rigid arm spaced apart from the first rigid arm and including a second fluid channel; and

a control mode selector operatively coupled to the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel, the control mode selector configured to transition between a first position to direct water flow to the first fluid channel and a second position to direct water flow to at least the second fluid channel; and

an integral showerhead coupled to the support structure, the showerhead configured to receive and distribute the water flow from at least one of the first and the second fluid channels;

wherein the control mode selector is positioned in a base of the support structure and configured to receive the water flow thereof; and

the first rigid arm extends from the control mode selector to the showerhead and the second rigid arm extends from the control mode selector to the showerhead.

2. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the control mode selector is configured to simultaneously distribute the water flow to the first and second fluid channels.

3. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the showerhead comprises a plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the first fluid channel.

4. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the showerhead comprises a plurality of nozzles operatively coupled to the second fluid channel.

5. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is configured to be pivotally coupled relative to the shower pipe.

6. The showerhead system of claim 5 , wherein the control mode selector is further configured to be pivotally coupled to the shower pipe.

7. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure further comprises an adjustment device coupled to the shower pipe and configured to adjust the support structure relative to the shower pipe.

8. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm include two or more fluid channels.

9. A showerhead system comprising

a body portion configured to couple to a shower pipe and operative to receive water flow therefrom, the body portion comprising

a base portion with a connector for coupling directly to a shower pipe and thereby supporting the showerhead system on a wall of a shower or bath enclosure;

a first rigid support structure attached to the base portion and having at least one fluid channel configured to receive and transport the water flow from the shower pipe; and

a second rigid support structure attached to the base portion and spaced apart from the first rigid support structure and having at least one fluid channel configured to receive and transport the water flow from the shower pipe; and

an integral head portion coupled to the first and second rigid support structures and operative to receive the water flow from at least one of the first or second rigid support structures to distribute to a user.

10. The showerhead system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure comprises

a first fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the first fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion; and

a second fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the second fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion.

11. The showerhead system of claim 10 , wherein

the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel, and the second fluid channel; and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively switch the water flow from the shower pipe between the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel.

12. The showerhead system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one fluid channel of the second rigid support structure comprises

a third fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the third fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion; and

a fourth fluid channel coupled between the base portion and the head portion, the fourth fluid channel operative to transport the water flow to the head portion.

13. The showerhead system of claim 12 , wherein

the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the first fluid channel, the second fluid channel, the third fluid channel, and the fourth fluid channel; and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively direct the water flow to one or more of the first fluid channel, the second fluid channel, third fluid channel, and the fourth fluid channel.

14. The showerhead system of claim 11 , wherein the control mode selector is configured to be directly coupled to the shower pipe.

15. The showerhead system of claim 11 , wherein the control mode selector is pivotally coupled to the shower pipe in at least one direction.

16. The showerhead system of claim 11 , further comprising means for pivotally coupling the control mode selector to the shower pipe.

17. The showerhead system of claim 9 , wherein the base portion further comprises a control mode selector operatively coupled to the shower pipe, the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure, and the at least one fluid channel of the second rigid support structure; and

the control mode selector is configured to selectively switch the water flow between the at least one fluid channel of the first rigid support structure and the at least one fluid channel of the second rigid support structure.

18. The showerhead system of claim 1 , wherein the control mode selector comprises a distributor spool operative to receive water flow from the shower pipe, and the distributor spool defines a chamber extending along a length thereof and axially aligned with the shower pipe.

19. The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the control mode selector comprises a distributor spool defining a chamber extending along a length thereof, the distributor spool configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the chamber as the control mode selector is transitioned between the first and second positions.

20. The showerhead of claim 19 , wherein the control mode selector further comprises a distributor housing comprising a first exit port operatively coupled to the first fluid channel and a second exit port operatively coupled to the second fluid channel, and the distributor spool is rotatably coupled within the distributor housing to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the housing for selectively directing the water flow to one of the first and second fluid channels.

21. The showerhead of claim 20 , wherein the distributor spool defines an opening within its periphery and a seal positioned within the opening.

22. The showerhead of claim 21 , wherein the distributor spool further comprises a pivot ball unit configured to engage an inner surface of the distributor housing.

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 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2011
From: WATER PIK, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026738/0680 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2008
From: LEBER, LELAND C.; WILLIAMS, BRIAN R.
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 020432/0111 →