| United States Patent | 3,913,839 |
| Wilson | October 21, 1975 |
Dual shower attachment device
Abstract
An attachment device for converting a single shower head personal shower installation to dual, opposed shower head installation to provide for showering at each side of the shower enclosure or recess in which the device is installed, is described. A sectional, tubular support member is provided with adjustable thrust abutment means at one end for frictional engagement between opposite sidewall portions of the shower recess or enclosure in securing the attachment device in place. Shower head fittings installed along the length of the tubular support member near each end thereof communicate for fluid flow therebetween by means of a flexible conduit contained within that portion of the tubular support member between the shower head fittings. Flexible supply conduit means is provided for interconnecting one of the shower head fittings with the shower head supply arm of the shower enclosure or recess in which the attachment device is installed. A control valve in each of the shower head fittings provides for selective control of shower water thereto for independent or dual use in showering.
| Inventors: | Wilson; Mark L. (Miami Springs, FL) |
| Appl. No.: | 05/543,251 |
| Filed: | January 23, 1975 |
| Current U.S. Class: | 239/267 ; 239/209; 239/269; 239/283; 239/444; 239/551; 239/600; 4/567; 4/597; 4/601; 4/605 |
| Current International Class: | E03C 1/06 (20060101); B05B 015/06 (); B05B 001/30 () |
| Field of Search: | 239/200,207-209,266-269,273,280-283,444,551,562,536,600,390 4/145,148,152 |
| 1207380 | December 1916 | Duffy |
| 1218879 | March 1917 | Luzzi |
| 2277562 | March 1942 | Schu |
| 2279150 | April 1942 | Thom |
| 2336402 | December 1943 | Kaiser |
| 2697839 | December 1954 | Jackson |
| 2755985 | July 1956 | Finegan |
| 2985232 | May 1961 | Greiner et al. |
| 3121235 | February 1964 | Gellmann |
| 3822826 | July 1974 | Wilson |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. A dual shower head attachment device comprising, in combination, a sectional tubular support structure, said structure comprising a plurality of central tubular support member sections, means for removably interconnecting said central tubular support member sections in coaxial alignment, a shower head fitting inter-fittingly connectable at each end of said interconnected central tubular support sections, said cylindrical shower head fittings each comprising a cylindrical body portion and means for interconnecting one end each of said cylindrical body portions in coaxial alignment with the opposed outer end portions of said interconnected tubular support member sections, a tubular end member extending coaxially outwardly of each of the other ends of said shower head fitting body portions, means for removably securing said end members to their respective shower head fittings, means for adjustably extending the length of one of said end members for varying the overall length of said tubular support structure, said shower head fittings each comprising a shower head nipple portion and a second nipple portion both of which extend sidewardly outwardly of said cylindrical body portion, said shower head fittings each further comprising a third nipple portion extending coaxially outwardly of said one end of its respective cylindrical body portion, passageway means within each of said shower head fitting members intercommunicating with the ports of said associated shower head nipple portion and said second and third nipple portions, and a flexible conduit removably secured between said third coaxial nipple portions of each of said shower head fittings and receivable within said interconnected central tubular support member sections for conducting water between said passageway means of said shower head fittings.
2. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 1 including a flexible conduit for interconnecting said second nipple portion of one of said shower head fittings with a shower head supply arm of an ordinary bathroom shower, and closure cap means for sealing off the outlet port of said second nipple member of the other of said shower head fittings.
3. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 1 including valve means in each of said shower head nipple portions for controlling the flow of water therethrough and a shower head fitted at the outer end of each of said shower head nipple portions.
4. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 2 wherein said shower head nipple portions extend angularly outwardly of their respective body portions to define acute angles with respect to their respective third nipple portions.
5. A dual head attachment device as defined in claim 4 wherein said second nipple portions extend perpendicularly outwardly of their respective body portions and lie substantially in a common plane with respect to their respective shower head nipple portions.
6. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for removably interconnecting said central tubular support sections in coaxial alignment comprises reduced diameter end portions at each end of one of said plurality of central tubular support member sections, telescoping receivable within one end portion each of two other ones of said plurality of central tubular support central sections.
7. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for interconnecting one end each of said shower head cylindrical body portion comprises a coaxial annular recess formed in said one end of each of said cylindrical body portions of such size and diameter as to receive, in sliding fit therein, outer end portions of one each of said two of said plurality of central tubular support member sections.
8. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for adjustably extending the length of one of said end members comprises a tubular extension member telescopingly fitted over the outer end of said one end member, a nut coaxially secured within the said one end member, and a threaded bolt coaxially secured with respect to said extension member and threadingly engaged in said nut.
9. A dual shower head attachment device as defined in claim 8 and further including a pair of friction pads secured one each to the outer end of the other of said end members and said extension member.
This invention relates to personal showers and is directed particularly to a dual shower head assembly for use in substitution for the usual single shower head in personal shower enclosures.
A more particular object of the invention is to provide a dual shower head attachment device which, upon installation, provides a pair of elevated shower heads spraying inwardly from each side of a personal shower enclosure, thereby enabling two persons to shower independently at the same time or, alternatively, one person, standing centrally in the shower enclosure, to be showered from each side for more rapid and effective cleansing.
Yet another object is to provide a dual shower head attachment device that is particularly well suited to installation and use in association with a standard bathtub by simple substitution for the usual single shower head installed at one end of the recess in which the tub is enclosed.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dual shower head attachment device of the above nature which comprises, in kit form, sectional tubular support structure the sections of which can readily be assembled and opposite end portions of which comprise shower head members interconnectable for fluid flow by the use of a flexible conduit contained within the tubular support structure, further including adjustable abutment means for thrustingly wedging the support structure between opposite end wall portions of a tub or shower enclosure, and flexible conduit means for interconnecting one of the shower head members with the shower head outlet or supply arm of the bathtub or shower enclosure within which the device is to be installed.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a dual shower head attachment device of the character described which will be simple in construction, attractive in appearance, compact when disassembled in kit form, easy to assemble and install, and durable and effective in use.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 illustrates, in side elevation, a dual shower head attachment device embodying the invention assembled in place between opposite end wall portions of an ordinary tub enclosure and connected for water supply to the usual shower arm of such a shower enclosure;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a central portion of the tubular support structure, illustrating the inter-fitting connection of the central sectional portions thereof and the passage of the flexible fluid flow conduit therethrough;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale as compared with FIG. 1, of opposite end portions of the installed dual shower head attachment device, illustrating constructional details thereof; and
FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of one of the shower head fittings, taken along the plane indicated at 4--4 of FIG. 3, in the direction of the arrows, and illustrating details the flow-control valve.
Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates, generally, a dual shower head attachment device embodying the invention, assembled for use between the head and foot walls 11, 12, respectively, of a bathroom tub recess R partially surrounding an ordinary built-in tub (not illustrated).
The attachment device 10 comprises a plurality of central tubular support member sections 13, 14 and 15, a pair of cylindrical shower head fittings 16 and 17 interfittingly connected, respectively, in coaxial relation at the outer ends of the tubular support member sections 14 and 15, and comparatively short tubular end sections 18 and 19 interfittingly connected in coaxial outwardly extending relation with respect to said shower head fitting members. The outer end of the short tubular end section 18 if friction fitted within the cylindrical recess 20 of a circular abutment member 21, the outer surface of which has cemented or otherwise secured thereupon a facing pad 22 of hard rubber, neoprene or the like serving as a frictional contact surface.
Means is provided for adjusting the overall length of the shower head attachment device at the end section 19 thereof. To this end, the tubular end section 19 has slidingly fitted thereover, in telescoping fashion, a tubular extension section 23, the outer end of which is inwardly pressed to a somewhat decreased diameter in embracing relation about the cylindrical head 24 of a coaxially inwardly extending threaded rod 25.
The outer end of the tubular extension section 23 will preferably be swedged at a plurality of positions about its periphery, as indicated at 26 in FIG. 3, to provide for secure interconnection between the bolt head 24 and said tubular extension section. As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer end of the short tubular end section 19 has fitted therein a cylindrical nut member 27, similarly swedged in place as indicated at 28. The threaded rod 25 is threadingly engaged within the nut member 27, so that as the tubular extension section 23 is turned with respect to the short tubular end section 19, said tubular extension section will be moved inwardly or outwardly depending upon the direction of turning to adjust the overall length of the device. A circular abutment member 21a, identical with the abutment member 21 at the opposite end of the device, is press-fitted for friction fit at the outer end of the tubular extension section 23.
Since the shower head fittings 16 and 17 are identical, only the fitting 16 is referred to for description in detail. Fitting 16 will preferably be molded of a tough, substantially rigid synthetic plastic material to define a cylindrical, elongated body portion 29 having a coaxial cylindrical recess 30 at one end for the friction-fit reception of the short tubular end section 18 (see Fig. 3). The opposite end of the cylindrical body portion 29 is integrally formed with an outwardly extending, coaxial nipple portion 31, of reduced external diameter so as to define an annular end wall 32. The end wall 32 is provided with a coaxial, annular recess 33 of such size as to receive, in interfitting frictional engagement, an outer end portion of the tubular support section 14.
The nipple portion 31 of the shower head fitting 16 is formed near its outer end, with an outer peripheral bead 34 and, near its inner end, with a somewhat smaller outer peripheral bead 35. Means is provided for securing one end of a length of flexible conduit 36, which may be vinyl tubing, for example, to the nipple portion 31 of the shower head fitting 16. To this end, there is provided a securement nut 37, the internal thread of which increases somewhat in cross-sectional diameter from one end of the nut to the other, said nut being disposed circumjacent the nipple portion 31 and outer end portion of the flexible conduit 36 fitted over said nipple, and being operative when screwed firmly in place, to clamp said tubing in water-tight relation about the inner peripheral bead 35. An axial bore 38 extending through the nipple portion 31 and partially through the elongated cylindrical body portion 29 of the shower head fitting 16, extends just short of the bottom wall 39 of the coaxial cylindrical recess 30, whereat it communicates with a perpendicular bore 40 extending through a sidewardly outwardly directed, externally threaded nipple portion 41. The shower head fitting 16 is also integrally formed with an angularly outwardly extending shower head nipple portion 42, substantially centrally located between the nipple portions 31 and 41, said shower head nipple head portion being provided with a central bore 43 communicating at its inner end with the nipple bores 38 and 40. The outer end of the shower head nipple portion 42 is externally threaded, as indicated at 44, to threadingly receive thereon an ordinary shower spray head 45 (see FIG. 1).
Valve means is provided in the shower head nipple portion 42 of the shower head fittng 16 for the control of water flow therethrough and through the attached shower spray head 45. To this end, the shower head nipple portion 42, near its inner end, is provided with a transverse bore 46, somewhat larger diameter than that of the nipple bore 43 and intersecting said nipple bore, said transverse bore having slidingly disposed therein, in close interfitting relation, a cylindrical slide valve member 47 (see FIG. 4).
The cylindrical slide valve member 47 is provided with cylindrical abutment heads 48, 49 of somewhat increased diameter at each end to limit the sliding movement of said valve member. As ilustrated in FIG. 4, the slide valve member 47 is provided, near one end thereof, with a transverse through opening 50, having the same diameter as that of the bore 43 of the shower head nipple portion 42. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, when the slide valve member 47 is in the limit position whereat the transverse through opening 50 is out of registry with the nipple opening 43, flow through the nipple is blocked, and the associated shower spray head will be shut off. Adjustable flow control is accomplished by gradually pushing the slide valve member 47 to its opposite limit position from that illustrated in FIG. 4, to the full flow limit position as illustrated in FIG. 3, to achieve maximum water pressure at the inlet to the associated shower spray head 45. It will be understood that as the slide valve member through opening 50 is thus manually moved more and more into registration or coaxial alignment with its associated nipple bore 43, corresponding control is effected in the intensity or flow volume of water spray through the shower head.
In use, the various sections and parts of the dual shower head attachment device will be assembled as described above and illustrated. In this connection, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer ends of the central tubular support member section 13 are formed with slightly reduced-diameter and portions 51, 51a which are slidingly received within opposed inner end portions of respective tubular support sections 14 and 15 whereat they are frictionally retained in place. It is also to be noted that the flexible conduit or length of tubing 36 is long enough to permit attachment of its ends to the respective shower head fitting 16 and 17, as described above, before the outer ends of the tubular support member sections 14 and 15 are inserted in place over the shower head fitting nipple portions 31. After the attachment device 10 is thus assembled for placement between the end walls 11, 12 of a tub recess R, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the tubular extension section 23 will be turned inwardly sufficiently to permit insertion of the device between the walls 11, 12 whereafter it will be screwed in the outward direction to extend the over-all length of the attachment device to such an extent that the friction pads 22, 22a at each end of the device abut against the oppossed recess walls, thereby securely wedging the attachment device in its installed position. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the installed position of the device will be close enough to the usual shower head supply arm 54 so that after removal, of the originally provided shower spray head, (not illustrated), a short length of flexible coupling hose 52 having female threaded coupling members 53 at each end can be used for a screw-on connection between said shower head supply arm and the shower head nipple portion 42 of the shower head fitting 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the threaded nipple portion 41a of the opposite shower head fitting 17 may be closed off by internally threaded closure cap 55. It is also to be noted that the otherwise unused externally threaded nipple portion 41 of the remote shower head fitting 17 could alternatively be used for the connection of a flexible conduit leading to an auxiliary hand-held shower device or the like.
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