GB2480291A

GB2480291A - Diverter valve for a shower

Info

Publication number: GB2480291A
Application number: GB1007914A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Lowery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-12
Filing date: 2010-05-12
Publication date: 2011-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-12
Also published as: GB201007914D0; GB2480291B

Abstract

A retrofittable diverter valve for a shower is disclosed, comprising: a water inlet pipe 201; an hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204; a water outlet selection dial 104 and two water outlet pipes 105. The valve allows the user to easily retrofit two shower heads to an existing shower unit without the need for a professional plumber. It allows the user to shower using either of the two shower heads at one time, or both. As both showerheads are easily detachable in order to be connected to the valve after installation, a range of different shower heads could be attached for different purposes. For example, the user could attach a shower head with integrated brush to one of the water outlet pipes instead of a standard shower head, allowing the use of a standard shower and a shower brush at the same time.

Description

Patent Application of Anthony Lowery for A Retrofittable Diverter Valve for a Shower

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to multiple showerheads, more specifically, a retrofit device for the easy installation of multiple showerheads.

[2] As standard, showers are installed with only one showerhead, often mounted on a wall. In many homes and public showers, however, it is desirable to install a shower with a number of different showerheads. This can allow more than one person to shower at any one time. Alternatively, these showerheads can be mounted at different heights along a wall to allow for the varying heights of its users. Additionally, it can enable a single person to wash with one showerhead mounted on the wall, and another held in the hand directed at specific areas of the body. None of these functions are possible with the standard shower. Consequently, the practice of installing showers with multiple showerheads is growing in popularity.

[3] In many cases, multiple showerheads are plumbed in' separately, with entirely separate controls. This allows the user to shower with both of the showerheads, or only one, depending on their requirements. Though this is clearly an advantage over a standard shower, the monetary and labour costs associated with installing more than one shower are prohibitively high for many homeowners. Furthermore, a professional would be required to install the showers.

[4] Multiple showerheads connected to one shower unit are known in the art. US5692252 to Zwezdaryck discloses a single shower unit with two showerheads attached, though these shower heads are each plumbed in', connected to walls at either side of the bath tub or shower stall. Again, this would require professional assistance in connecting both showerheads to the water supply. Due to the fixed location of each showerhead, they could not be used at once by the same person -this invention is purely to allow two people to shower at once.

[5] W09802077 to Daryl Industries Limited discloses a shower unit in the form of a column, which has four connected showerheads. These would each be used on different parts of the body. Though this does allow the user to target different body areas, it does not enable more than one person to shower at any one time because the showerheads are fixedly positioned in a vertical line. Furthermore, this could not be used to connect multiple showerheads to an existing shower unit, as it is an isolated unit in itself.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[6] It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen for a simple means of connecting multiple shower heads to an existing shower unit, without professional assistance or plumbing expertise.

[7] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for this purpose.

[8] To this end, disclosed is a retrofittable diverter valve for a shower, comprising: a water inlet pipe; an hourglass shaped rotating valve body; a water outlet selection dial; two water outlet pipes.

[9] An advantage of the present invention is that it allows the user to easily retrofit two shower heads to an existing shower unit without the need for a professional plumber.

[10] A further advantage is that it allows the user to shower using either of the two shower heads at one time, or both, depending on preference and purpose.

[11] A yet further advantage is that, as both showerheads are easily detachable in order to be connected to the valve after installation, a range of different shower heads could be attached for different purposes. For example, the user could attach a shower head with integrated brush to one of the water outlet pipes instead of a standard shower head, allowing the use of a standard shower and a shower brush at the same time.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [12] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [13] Figure one shows a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[14] Figure two shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[15] Figure three shows a number of cross-sections of a preferred embodiment of the invention displaying the shape of the hourglass shaped rotating valve body and the position of the rotating valve body when in use.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[16] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1, a retrofittable diverter valve for a shower is disclosed, comprising: a water inlet pipe 201; an hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204; a water outlet selection dial 104; two water outlet pipes 105.

[17] The water inlet pipe 201 is connected to the water outlet pipe of an existing shower unit by the connector 101.

This ideally has a standard female 15mm thread to fit standard showers. Furthermore, it may be designed such that the valve can rotate freely when connected to the shower.

[181 The water inlet pipe 201 passes through an aperture in the rear casing 103, and is connected to an aperture in the valve chamber 202. This allows the water to flow into the valve chamber.

[19] The valve chamber 202 may be circular in shape, and contains a base plate 203 that forms a peripheral seal, to prevent water leakage.

[20] The valve chamber 202 is enclosed by the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 that also forms a peripheral seal. The rotating valve body 204 comprises a circular base plate with protruded, hourglass shaped walls (seen in Figure 3) that fit against the base plate 203, creating a tunnel through which water may flow at a constant rate, minimizing back-pressure build up.

[21] The valve chamber 202 comprises two apertures, to which the two water outlet pipes 105 are connected. The two water outlet pipes 105 pass through an aperture in the rear casing 103. These pipes ideally have a standard 15mm male thread, to connect to standard interchangeable shower heads.

[22] The water inlet pipe 201, two water outlet pipes 105, the valve chamber 202, base plate 203 and hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 are held in position within the rear casing by the front casing 102. The front casing 102 is affixed to the rear casing 103, forming a chamber in which the components of the valve are contained. The front casing 102 and the rear casing 103 may be connected by any suitable means known in the art.

[23] The rotating valve body 204 further comprises a protrusion 205, affixed at one end to the circular base plate of the valve body 204, and a locking boss.

[24] The front casing 102 comprises an aperture through which the protrusion 205 passes. The protrusion 205 is then affixed at its opposite end to the water outlet selection dial 104.

[25] The front casing 102 further comprises three ribs 206 to receive the locking boss on the rotating valve body 204.

Each rib corresponds to a different fixed position for the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[26] The user may install the retrofittable diverter valve by removing their existing, single shower head and connecting the valve to the water outlet of their existing shower unit using the connector 101. separate shower head would then be connected to each of the two water outlet pipes 105.

[27] When the shower is turned on, the water will flow through the water inlet pipe 201 contained in the connector 101. The water will flow into the valve chamber 202, into the tunnel created by the base plate 103 and the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 104.

[28] Once the water is in the valve chamber 202, the flow will be directed to whichever of the water outlet pipes 105 the user has selected.

[29] The user selects a water outlet using the water outlet selection dial 104. When the user rotates the water outlet selection dial 104, the protrusion 205 that is connected to the selection dial will be rotated in the same direction. This in turn will rotate the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204. The locking boss located on the rotating valve body 204 will engage with one of the ribs 106 to keep the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 in position.

[30] As shown in Figure 3, when the water outlet selection dial 104 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the locking boss engaged with the right-hand rib 106, the protruding walls of the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 will block the aperture in the valve chamber 202 leading to the right-hand water outlet pipe 105, only allowing the water from the shower to flow through the left-hand water outlet pipe 105. This means that only the left-hand shower head will be operational.

[31] Also shown in Figure 3, when the water outlet selection dial 104 is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction and the locking boss engaged with the left-hand rib 106, the protruding walls of the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 will block the aperture in the valve chamber 202 leading to the left-hand water outlet pipe 105, only allowing the water from the shower to flow through the right-hand water outlet pipe 105. This means that only the right-hand shower head will be operational.

[32] Also shown in Figure 3, when the water outlet selection dial 104 is not rotated, but left in a neutral position and the locking boss engaged with the central rib 106, the protruding walls of the hourglass shaped rotating valve body 204 will not block either aperture in the valve chamber 202, allowing the water from the shower to flow through both water outlet pipes 105. This means that both shower heads will be operational.

Claims

Claims 1. A retrofittable diverter valve for a shower comprising: a water inlet pipe; an hourglass shaped rotating valve body; a water outlet selection dial; two water outlet pipes.
2. The diverter valve of the above claim comprising a female 15mm threaded connector for connecting to a shower water outlet pipe.
3. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said hourglass shaped rotating valve body is contained in a valve chamber.
4. The diverter valve of the preceding claim where said valve chamber is of a circular shape.
5. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said valve chamber comprises a base plate forming a peripheral seal.
6. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said valve chamber comprises a plurality of apertures: one aperture for said water inlet pipe; two apertures for said water outlet pipes.
7. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said hourglass shaped rotating valve body receives its hourglass shape from a plurality of protruded walls connected to the valve body.
8. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said water outlet pipes comprise a 15mm male thread.
9. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said hourglass shaped rotating valve body comprises a locking boss.
10. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said water inlet pipe, said hourglass shaped rotating valve body, said valve chamber and said water outlet pipes are held in place by a front casing and a rear casing.
11. The diverter valve of any preceding claim where said front casing comprises a plurality of ribs with which said locking boss can engage.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.CLAIMS: 1. A shower attachment system comprising: an adapter connectable to the fluid outlet port of a temperature and flow control means, the adapter including an outlet coupling adapted for connection to a flexible hose having an attachment connector disposed at its free end; and at least one attachment adapted for a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function.2. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the adapter comprises a diverter valve having a housing, defining a fluid inlet port and at least two fluid outlet ports, and valve element rotatably disposed within the housing and coupled to a user control for rotating the valve element.3. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 2, in which each outlet port includes a threaded coupling adapted for connection to a cleaning or rinsing attachment.1 5 4. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 3, in which a first outlet coupling is connected to a standard shower head (whether plumbed in or connected via a flexible hose) and a second outlet coupling is connected via a flexible hose to one of a selection of attachments having a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function.5. A shower attachment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the temperature and flow control means is selected from a bath mixer tap or a shower control unit, the adapter being threadingly secured to the fluid outlet port of the control means, thereby facilitating retrofitting of the shower attachment system to an existing shower.6. A shower attachn-ient system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the valve element has a pair of curved fluid directing surfaces optimally to P4/0GB direct fluid towards the or each selected outlet port.7. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 6, in which the fluid directing surfaces define a flow path having a substantially "hourglass" shaped profile.8. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the valve element is so sized and shaped as to minimise or attenuate back-pressure and to ensure consistent rate fluid flow.9. A shower attachment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one attachment adapted for a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function is selected from: a standard shower head; an adjustable spray head; long-handled shower head; a massage shower head; a brush shower head; and combinations of the above.10. A shower attachment system as claimed in Claim 9, in which selected ones of the attachments include a cleaning fluid dispensing mechanism.11. A shower attachment system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one attachment is connectable via a quick-release coupling.
12. A diverter valve comprising: a valve element rotatably disposed within the housing; and P410.GB a user control for rotating the valve element, wherein the valve element includes a pair of curved fluid directing surfaces optimally to direct fluid towards one or more selected outlet ports.
13. A diverter valve as claimed in Claim 12, in which the fluid directing surfaces define a flow path having a substantially "hourglass" shaped profile.
14. A diverter valve as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which valve element is so sized and shaped as to minimise or attenuate back-pressure and assure constant rate fluid flow.
15. A diverter valve as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 14, in which the 1 0 fluid inlet port includes a threaded connector adapted to engage the fluid outlet port of a bath mixer tap or a shower control unit.
16. A diverter valve as claimed in any one of Claims 12 to 15, in which each fluid outlet port includes a threaded connector adapted to engage one or more of an existing shower head or a flexible hose having an attachment connector disposed at its free end suitable for connecting to an attachment having a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function.
17. A kit of parts for a shower attachment system comprising: an adapter connectable to the fluid outlet port of a temperature and flow control means; a flexible hose having connection means to secure the hose to an outlet coupling of the adapter at one end and an attachment connector disposed at the other end; and at least one attachment adapted for a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function.P4/0. GB
18. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 17, in which the adapter comprises a diverter valve as claimed in Claim 12.
19. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, in which the at least one attachment adapted for a predetermined cleaning or rinsing function is selected from: a standard shower head; an adjustable spray head; long-handled shower head; a massage shower head; a brush shower head; and combinations of the above.
20. A shower attachment system substantially as herein described with reference to and a shown in the accompanying drawings.
21. A diverter valve substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
22. A kit of parts for a shower attachment system substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.P410GB