GB2270860A

GB2270860A - An adjustable spray head

Info

Publication number: GB2270860A
Application number: GB9220389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Alan Hart
Original assignee: Triton PLC
Current assignee: Triton PLC
Priority date: 1992-09-28
Filing date: 1992-09-28
Publication date: 1994-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2012-09-28
Also published as: GB2270860B; GB9220389D0

Abstract

An adjustable spray head comprises a body 1 having a spray plate assembly 4 rotatably mounted on it, the spray plate assembly including a spray plate 5 having a central set of apertures 23 which in use are continuously supplied with water to afford a central pattern, and two outer sets of water outlet apertures 25, 27 which afford further spray patterns which are selectively supplied with water whereby each selected spray pattern includes the central spray pattern (Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPRAY HEADS This invention relates to spray heads and more particularly to adjustable spray heads for use in showers.

Adjustable spray heads for showers are known and in a basic form consist of an apertured spray plate rotatably attached to the body of the spray head, the spray plate typically being provided with two sets of apertures, one within the other. The spray plate is rotatable on the body of the spray head so that water is arranged to flow either from one or other of the sets of apertures or from both sets of apertures. In this way a spray head having three different spray patterns is provided.

It has now been appreciated that the perceived efficiency of a shower by a user is at a maximum when a large volume of water is delivered directly on to the user's head and it has been found that a major disadvantage with conventional spray heads is that when the spray pattern corresponding to the outer set of apertures is selected, an inner void is created in the centre of the spray pattern which, in some cases, could cause the water flow to impinge on the shoulders of a user and miss the head altogether. With such a spray head, the wetting efficiency is reduced and creates an impression of poor water flow and a reduction in perceived water temperature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of adjustable spray head.

According to the present invention there is provided a spray head comprising a body member for attachment to a water supply, and an apertured spray plate attached to said body, said spray plate having a first set of apertures defining an inner spray pattern, and one or more further sets of apertures defining one or more o-uter spray patterns, it being arranged that in use of said spray head water in said body is supplied continuously to said first set of apertures, means being provided for selectively supplying water in said body to said one or more further sets of apertures.

Preferably, the one or more further sets of apertures surround said first set.

In a preferred arrangement for carrying out the invention, it will be arranged that said spray head comprises a chamber plate attached to said spray plate for defining chambers corresponding to each of said sets of apertures.

Advantageously, said chamber plate comprises at least one water inlet aperture for each of said chambers to which water is supplied from said body member, means being provided for selectively closing the water inlet aperture or apertures of said one or more further sets of apertures to control the water supply thereto.

Preferably, two further sets of apertures surrounding said first set will be provided, the chambers corresponding to said two further sets each being provided with three circumferentially spaced water inlet apertures, each water inlet aperture of one chamber being associated with a water inlet aperture of the other chamber.

It may be arranged that the associated apertures are displaced radially and circumferentially relative to one another, and the means for selectively closing the water inlet apertures may comprise three aperture closure members associated with respective ones of the three associated water inlet apertures.

It may be arranged that the three aperture closure members are fixedly secured in said body member, and said spray plate and said chamber plate may be rotatably mounted on said body member whereby each aperture closure member in one position thereof is aligned with one of the respective associated apertures, in a second position thereof is aligned with both respective associated apertures, in a third position thereof is aligned with the other of the respective associated apertures and in a fourth position thereof is aligned with neither of the respective associated apertures, whereby a shower head having four different spray patterns is afforded.

In this way a spray head having four positions each corresponding to a different shower pattern is obtained, each of which includes the inner spray pattern, thereby preventing the inner void associated with conventional spray heads from being formed and overcoming the disadvantages associated therewith.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1, is a cross-sectional side view of part of a spray head in accordance with the present invention, corresponding to a view on the lines 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2, is a diagrammatic plan view of the part of the spray head depicted in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, depicts views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 for each of the four positions of the spray head.

The spray head shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a hollow body 1 having a handle portion, part of which is shown at 2, to the end of which is connected a water supply pipe (not shown). The body 1 is provided with an outlet hole 3 in which is located a spray plate assembly 4 which is rotatably mounted on the body 1.

The spray plate assembly 4 comprises an outer apertured spray plate 5 and an inner chamber plate 6 into which the spray plate 4 is threadedly engaged.

Within the body 1 is disposed a cylindrical structure 7 which is provided with three circumferentially spaced bosses, only one of which is shown at 8, to which an annular plate 9 is secured by means of a screw fixing 10. Around the cylindrical structure 7 and between it and the chamber plate 6 is positioned a substantially cylindrical filter 11 through which pressurised water from the handle portion 2, via the feed hole 12, is fed to the inner surface of the chamber plate 6. Within the cylindrical structure 7 is provided a central boss 13 to which the chamber plate 6 is rotatably attached by means of a screw 14 and sleeve 15.

The spray plate 5 of the spray plate assembly 4 is of slightly domed construction and is provided with two inner cylindrical walls 16 and 17 which extend towards the chamber plate 6 and which engage with corresponding shaped channels 18 and 19 respectively formed therein.

Sealing gaskets may be provided in the channels 18 and 19 if required.

The two inner cylindrical walls 16 and 17 subdivide the inside of the spray plate assembly 4 into three separate chambers, an inner chamber 20, an intermediate chamber 21, and an outer chamber 22.

The inner chamber 20 is provided with a set of water outlet apertures 23 in the spray plate 5 which define an inner spray pattern, and with four water inlet apertures 24 in the chamber plate 6 by means of which pressurised water is supplied to the inner chamber 20 and is ejected through the water outlet apertures 21.

Similarly, intermediate chamber 21 is provided with a set of water outlet apertures 25 in the spray plate 5 and with three circumferentially spaced water inlet apertures 26 (shown in Fig. 2) by means of which pressurised water is supplied to the intermediate chamber 21 and is ejected through the water outlet apertures 25.

In the same way, outer chamber 22 is provided with a set of water outlet apertures 27 in the spray plate 5 and with three circumferentially spaced water inlet apertures 28 (Fig. 2) one of which is shown in Fig. 1.

The annular plate 9 secured within the body 1 to the bosses 8 is provided with three equi-angularly spaced, circumferentially disposed bosses, one of which is shown at 29 in Fig. 1, in each of which is disposed a resilient closure member 30, shown in dashed outline in Fig. 2, which has an enlarged circular face 31 with a rim 32 which contacts the inner surface of the chamber plate 6. The function of the closure members 30 is to selectively close respective ones of the water inlet apertures 26 and 28 to the chambers 21 and 24, as the spray plate assembly 4 is rotated on the body 1 of the spray head. In Fig. 2 of the drawings the spray plate assembly 4 is positioned relative to the body 1 such that the three closure members 30 each overlie one of the water inlet apertures 26 and one of the water inlet apertures 28, thereby preventing water from entering the inner chamber 21 and the outer chamber 22 so that water is only allowed to flow into the inner chamber 20 via the permanently open apertures 24 in the chamber plate 6, and out through the water outlet apertures 23 in the spray plate 5.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings there is diagrammatically depicted views corresponding to Figs.

1 and 2 for the four positions of the spray head, "Position 2" in Fig. 3 corresponding to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which water is only able to flow out through the water outlet apertures 23 of the inner chamber 20.

In "Position 1" of Fig. 3, the spray head assembly is rotated such that the closure members 30 overlie only the water inlet apertures 28 in the chamber plate 6, thereby preventing water flow into the outer chamber 22 so that water only flows into the inner chamber 20 and the intermediate chamber 21 and out through the water outlet apertures 23 and 25 respectively.

In "Position 2" of Fig. 3, as had already been described, water is only able to flow out of the water outlet apertures 23 of the inner chamber 20.

In "Position 3" of Fig. 3, the spray head assembly is rotated such that the closure members 30 overlie only the water inlet apertures 26 in the chamber plate 6, thereby preventing water flow into the intermediate chamber 21 so that water only flows into the inner chamber 20 and the outer chamber 22 and out through the water outlet holes 23 and 27 respectively.

In "Position 4" of Fig. 3, the spray head assembly is rotated such that the closure members 30 are clear of all of the water inlet apertures 26 and 28 to the intermediate chamber 21 and outer chamber 22, so that water flows into all of the chambers 21, 22 and 23 and out through the water outlet apertures 23, 25 and 27.

Thus, as is depicted in Fig. 3, the spray head shown is adjustable between four positions, each corresponding to a particular spray pattern, each of which includes the inner spray pattern from the water outlet apertures 23, thereby ensuring that an inner void is not formed in any of the spray patterns.

It should be appreciated that a four position spray head has been given by way of example and the invention is also applicable to spray heads having more than or less than four positions.

The four position spray head described is particularly advantageous in that the water inlet holes 26 and 28, by being radially offset relative to one another, enable the chambers 21 and 22 to be of smooth annular form thereby simplifying the sealing between the spray plate 5 and the chamber plate 6. Also, having four different spray positions, it may be arranged that two of the spray positions are adapted for use with low water pressure systems and the other two spray positions are adapted for use with high water pressure systems, thereby making the spray head very adaptable and obviates the need to change the spray plate 5 to suit the particular water system present, as is the case with some conventional spray heads.

Claims

1. A spray head comprising a body member for attachment to a water supply, and an apertured spray plate attached to said body, said spray plate having a first set of apertures defining an inner spray pattern, and one or more further sets of apertures defining one or more outer spray patterns, it being arranged that in use of said spray head water in said body is supplied continuously to said first set of apertures, means being provided for selectively supplying water in said body to said one or more further sets of apertures.

2. A spray head as claimed in claim 1, in which said one or more further sets of apertures surround said first set.

3. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a chamber plate attached to said spray plate for defining chambers corresponding to each of said sets of apertures.

4. A spray head as claimed in claim 3, in which said chamber plate comprises at least one water inlet aperture for each of said chambers, to which water is supplied from said body member, means being provided for selectively closing the water inlet aperture or apertures of said one or more further sets of apertures to control the water supply thereto.

5. A spray head as claimed in claim 4, comprising two further sets of apertures surrounding said first set.

6. A spray head as claimed in claim 5, in which the chambers corresponding to said two further sets are each provided with three circumferentially spaced water inlet apertures, each water inlet aperture of one chamber being associated with a water inlet aperture of

6. A spray head as claimed in claim 5, in which the chambers corresponding to said two further sets are each provided with three circumferentially spaced water inlet apertures, each water inlet aperture of one chamber being associated with a water inlet aperture of the other chamber.

7. A spray head as claimed in claim 6, in which the associated apertures are displaced radially and circumferentially relative to one another.

8. A spray head as claimed in claim 7, in which the means for selectively closing the water inlet apertures comprises three aperture closure members, associated with respective ones of the three associated water inlet apertures.

9. A spray head as claimed in claim 8, in which the three aperture closure members are fixedly secured in said body member, and in which said spray plate and said chamber plate are rotatably mounted on said body member whereby each aperture closure member in one position thereof is aligned with one of the respective associated apertures, in a second position thereof is aligned with both respective associated apertures, in a third position thereof is aligned with the other of the respective associated apertures and in a fourth position thereof is aligned with neither of the respective associated apertures, whereby a shower head having four different spray patterns is afforded.

10. A spray head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A spray head comprising a body member for attachment to a water supply, and a one-piece apertured spray plate attached to said body, said spray plate having a first set of apertures defining an inner spray pattern, and one or more further sets of apertures defining one or more outer spray patterns, it being arranged that in use of said spray head water in said body is supplied continuously to said first set of apertures, means being provided for selectively supplying water in said body to said one or more further sets of apertures.