AU2016200830B2 - Shower Arm Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Embodiments relate to shower arms with loose nut connections, such as a captive loose nut or swivel nut adapted to connect the shower arm to a plumbing outlet. Exemplary embodiments relate to a shower arm assembly with a loose nut connector. Such assemblies may comprise: an arm; a shower head connected to a first end of the arm; a socket at a second end of the arm; a flow regulator located in a flow regulator seat of the socket; a nipple connected to the socket; a loose nut; and a gasket located on a gasket seat of the nipple. At least a part of the loose nut may be retained between a flange of the nipple and the socket such that the loose nut is free to rotate relative to the arm. The loose nut may also be adapted to threadedly engage with and connect to a plumbing outlet. The gasket may be adapted to provide a seal between the plumbing outlet and the nipple when the loose nut is tightened onto the plumbing outlet, and the gasket, nipple, flow regulator, socket and arm may each include an aperture to allow fluid communication between the plumbing outlet and the shower head. ------ / bB Cn0 Co C r-i -- 0 bb Co U CCo rr'J

Description

SHOWER ARM ASSEMBLY

Technical Field [0001] Embodiments generally relate to shower arms with loose nut connections. Some embodiments relate to shower arms with a captive loose nut or swivel nut adapted to connect the shower arm to a plumbing outlet.

Background [0002] Existing shower heads for fixed domestic shower installations are fixed to the wall and plumbing system via a thread at a base of a shower arm. In order to attach the shower arm and head to a water pipe in the wall, the thread is tightened by rotating the entire arm and shower head. This can stress the arm and may result in the arm bending. It may also be difficult to ensure that the connection is tight when the shower arm is rotated to a desired position (e.g. vertical), because the correct tightness may not correspond to an angle at which the shower arm is in the desired position. If the shower arm is then moved to the desired position, the connection will not be tight, which may result in leakage. Additionally, depending on the particular shower installation, there may be inadequate room to rotate the arm without it interfering with other structures.

[0003] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with prior shower arms, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0004] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0001] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Summary [0002] Some embodiments relate to a shower arm assembly with a loose nut connector, the assembly comprising: a rigid arm; a shower head connected to a first end of the arm; a socket at a second end of the arm; a flow regulator located in a flow regulator seat of the socket; a nipple connected to the socket; a loose nut, at least a part of the loose nut being retained between a flange of the nipple and the socket; and a gasket located on a gasket seat of the nipple, wherein the loose nut is free to rotate relative to the arm and adapted to threadedly engage with and connect to a wall plumbing outlet, wherein the gasket is adapted to provide a seal between the wall plumbing outlet and the nipple when the loose nut is tightened onto the wall plumbing outlet, and wherein the gasket, nipple, flow regulator, socket and arm each include an aperture to allow fluid communication between the plumbing outlet and the shower head.

[0003] In some embodiments, the nipple may comprise a keyed portion adapted to receive a tool to assist in tightening the nipple into the socket. The keyed portion may · be formed within the aperture of the nipple. The keyed portion may define a hexagonal prism shape.

[0004] In some embodiments, the arm may comprise a rigid arm. The arm may comprise an articulated arm including a connecting portion and an elongate portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises the socket, and wherein the connecting portion is connected to the elongate portion by a swivel joint allowing adjustment of the angle of the elongate portion with respect to the connecting portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the gasket seat may further comprise protrusions adapted to resist rotational movement of the gasket. The protrusions may comprise any one or more of: teeth, nubs, protuberances, ribs, bosses, columns, spikes, points. The gasket may further comprise one or more recesses adapted to receive the protrusions. The gasket seat may further comprise a keyed surface adapted to resist rotational movement of the gasket. The gasket may comprise a complementary keyed surface adapted to mate with the keyed surface of the gasket seat.

[0010] In some embodiments, the nipple may comprise a male threaded portion, the socket may comprise a complimentary female threaded portion, and the connection between the nipple and the socket may be achieved by engagement of the male and female threaded portions. The male and female threaded portions may comprise lefthanded threads. The connection between the nipple and the socket may be sealed with sealing means to mitigate leakage of water through the connection. The sealing means may comprise a gasket disposed in a second gasket seat of the nipple. The gasket may comprise an o-ring. Alternative or additional sealing means may comprise an anaerobic sealing agent applied to the nipple or the socket before connecting the nipple to the socket.

[0011] In some embodiments, the socket may be connected to the arm by any one or more of: soldering, welding, brazing, and threaded engagement. Alternatively, the socket may be integrally formed with the arm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the loose nut may comprise a female half-inch British Standard Pipe Parallel thread to connect to the plumbing outlet.

Brief Description of Drawings [0013] Embodiments are described in further detail by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shower assembly according to some embodiments; [0015] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a loose nut connection of the shower assembly of Figure 1; [0016] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 in an assembled state; [0017] Figure 4A is a plan view of a loose nut of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 according to some embodiments; [0018] Figure 4B is a side view of the loose nut of Figure 4A showing a partial crosssection; [0019] Figure 5 A is a side view of a nipple of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 according to some embodiments; [0020] Figure 5B is an end view of the nipple of Figure 5 A; [0021] Figure 5C is a cross-section of the nipple of Figure 5A, indicated as A-A in Figure 5B; [0022] Figure 6 is a cross-section of a gasket of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 according to some embodiments; [0023] Figure 7 is a cross-section of a flow regulator of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 according to some embodiments; [0024] Figure 8 A is a side view of a socket of the loose nut connection of Figure 2 according to some embodiments; [0025] Figure 8B is an end view of the socket of Figure 8 A; [0026] Figure 8C is a cross-section of the socket of Figure 8 A, indicated as A-A in Figure 8B; [0027] Figure 8D is a close up view of part B of Figure 8C; [0028] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a shower assembly according to some embodiments; [0029] Figure 10 is an exploded view of a loose nut connection of the shower assembly of Figure 9; [0030] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the loose nut connection of Figure 10 in an assembled state; [0031] Figure 12A is a side view of a connecting portion and socket of the loose nut connection of Figure 10 according to some embodiments; [0032] Figure 12B is an end view of the connecting portion and socket of Figure 12 A; [0033] Figure 12C is a cross-section of the connecting portion and socket of Figure 12A, indicated as A-A in Figure 12B; [0034] Figure 12D is a close up view of part B of Figure 12C;

Description of Embodiments [0035] Embodiments generally relate to shower arms with loose nut connections. Some embodiments relate to shower arms with a captive loose nut or swivel nut adapted to connect the shower arm to a plumbing outlet.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a shower arm assembly 100 is shown according to some embodiments. The shower arm assembly 100 may comprise an arm 110 and a shower head 120 attached to a first end of the arm 110. For example, the arm 110 may comprise a rigid arm. The shower head 120 may also be referred to as a rosette.

Various types of shower heads 120 may be used in different embodiments. In use, the shower assembly 100 may be mounted on a wall 140 by connecting it to a wall outlet 150. The wall outlet 150 may also be referred to as a back-plated lugged elbow, lugged nipple elbow, 19BP wall elbow, wall fitting, plumbing outlet or outlet nipple, for example. The shower arm 110 comprises one or more passage-ways to allow fluid communication between the wall outlet 150 and the shower head 120.

[0037] The shower arm assembly 100 comprises a loose nut connection 180 including a loose nut 200 connected or coupled to a second end of the arm 110. The loose nut 200 may also be referred to as a swivel nut or captive nut. The loose nut 200 is captively held at the second end of the arm 110, but is free to rotate relative to the arm 110. The loose nut 200 may comprise a female thread adapted to engage with a standard wall outlet 150 to fluidly and mechanically connect the arm 110 to the wall outlet 150 to fluidly connect the shower arm assembly 100 to a plumbing system within the wall. In some embodiments, the loose nut 200 may comprise a male (external) thread adapted to engage with a female (internal) threaded wall outlet 150. The loose nut connection 180 allows the shower arm assembly 100 to be connected to the wall outlet 150 without having to rotate the arm 110, since the loose nut 200 is free to rotate with respect to the arm 110 and only the loose nut 200 needs to be rotated to connect it to the wall outlet 150.

[0038] In some embodiments, the shower arm assembly 100 may further comprise a wall flange 160 to fit around the wall outlet 150 and to be located between the loose nut 200 and the wall. There are various types of wall flanges which may be used in different embodiments.

[0039] The shower assembly 100 comprises a number of components to enable the loose nut connection 180 of the shower arm 110 to the wall outlet 150. The components of the loose nut connection 180 are shown in an exploded view in Figure 2 and in an assembled state in cross-section in Figure 3. The loose nut connection 180 of the shower assembly 100 further comprises a nipple 300 to retain the loose nut 200 on the shower arm 110, a washer, seal or gasket 400 to make a seal between the nipple 300 and the wall outlet 150, a flow regulator 500 to regulate the flow rate of water through the shower assembly 100, and a socket 600 to connect the nipple 300 to the shower arm 110. In some embodiments, the loose nut connection 180 of the shower assembly 100 may further comprise an o-ring 318 to make a seal between the nipple 300 and the socket 600. The structure, function and characteristics of the components and their relationship to each other will now be described in more detail.

[0040] Referring now to Figures 4A and 4B, the loose nut 200 is shown in more detail according to some embodiments. The loose nut 200 may comprise a female threaded portion 210, an outer gripping surface 220 and a collar 230.

[0041] The female threaded portion 210 is adapted to threadedly engage with a standard male-threaded wall outlet 150 for connecting a shower arm 110 to the wall outlet 150. In some embodiments, the female thread 210 may be adapted to engage with a fitting other than a standard wall outlet 150. The female threaded portion 210 may be chamfered at an opening thereof to assist threading with the wall outlet 150. In some embodiments, the loose nut 200 may comprise an external male thread 210 for connecting to a female threaded wall outlet 150.

[0042] The gripping surface 220 may assist a user in gripping the loose nut 200 and tightening the loose nut 200 onto a wall outlet 150. The gripping surface 220 may comprise a hexagonal prism shape, such as that of a standard hex nut. In some embodiments, the gripping surface may comprise different shapes, such as a cylindrical shape with a knurled surface, for example. In some embodiments, the gripping surface 220 may comprise a shape suited to engage with a tool for tightening the loose nut 200.

[0043] The collar 230 comprises an annular rib with a reduced inner diameter which is less than the diameter of the female threaded portion 210. The collar 230 is adapted to engage with a nut flange 320 of a flanged nipple 300 (described below) to restrict the loose nut 200 from being removed from the shower arm 110, while allowing the loose nut to rotate with respect to the arm 110. The collar 230 comprises an inner planar annular flange surface 232, which in use, may contact an annular nut surface 322 of the nut flange 320 (described below) to transfer axial forces to the nipple 300.

[0044] In some embodiments, the collar 230 may have an inner diameter of about 14mm. The hexagonal gripping surface 220 may have a minimum diameter of about 25.5mm and a maximum diameter of about 28mm. The depth of the loose nut 200 may be about 13mm and the female threaded portion may have a depth of about 11.5mm. The female threaded portion 220 may have a half-inch British Standard Pipe Parallel thread (or Gl/2 thread) to fit standard Australian wall outlets. In other embodiments, the female threaded portion 220 may have a different thread and/or different depth to suit other outlet fittings such as specified by the Unified Thread Standard (UTF).

[0045] Referring to Figures 5A to 5C, a flanged nipple 300 is shown according to some embodiments. The flanged nipple 300 is substantially rotationally symmetrical and comprises a threaded male portion 310, a nut flange 320, an outer shoulder 330 and a gasket seat 340, and includes a flow channel 350.

[0046] The threaded male portion 310 may be adapted to threadedly engage with a female threaded portion 610 of a socket 600 (described later) to connect the flanged nipple 300 to the arm 110. The male and female threaded portions 310, 610 may comprise a left hand thread so that when the loose nut 200 is tightened onto a wall outlet 150, any friction transferring torque between the loose nut 200 and the nipple 300 will act to tighten the connection between the nipple 300 and the socket 600, not to loosen it. That is, when facing the wall outlet 150, rotating the loose nut 200 clockwise will tighten the loose nut 200 onto the wall outlet 150, and rotating the nipple 300 clockwise will tighten the nipple 300 into the socket 600. In some embodiments, the threaded portions 310, 610 may comprise a right hand thread, however, in such embodiments, torque transferred between the loose nut 200 and the nipple 300 during tightening of the loose nut 200 may act to loosen the nipple 300 from the socket. The ends of the male and female threaded portions 310, 610 may be chamfered to assist in initiating engagement of the threads.

[0047] The nut flange 320 extends radially outwardly, forming a planar annular nut surface 322 with an outer diameter which is less than the diameter of the female thread 210 of the loose nut 200 and greater than the inner diameter of the collar 230. In use, the annular nut surface 322 may contact the annular flange surface 232 to restrict the loose nut 200 from being removed from the shower arm 110. The nut flange 320 and collar 230 are sized such that the contact area between them is sufficient to transfer the axial forces (with respect to the axes of rotation of the loose nut 200 and the nipple 300) between the loose nut 200 and the nipple 300.

[0048] The outer shoulder 330 may be formed adjacent to the annular nut surface 322 and comprises an outer cylindrical surface with a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the collar 230 so as to restrict the loose nut 200 from moving too far laterally while allowing it to rotate freely around the outer shoulder 330.

[0049] The gasket seat or washer seat 340 may be disposed at an end of the nipple 300 opposite to the threaded portion 310 and define surfaces configured to accommodate a gasket 400. In some embodiments, the gasket seat 340 may comprise a substantially cylindrical protrusion extending axially from the nut flange 320. An outer cylindrical surface of a body 342 of the gasket seat 340 may have a diameter similar to or less than a minimum inner diameter of a gasket 400 (described below). The gasket seat 340 may further comprise a gasket flange 344 extending radially outwardly by a small distance such that the outer diameter of the gasket flange 344 is greater than the minimum inner diameter of the gasket 400 and similar to or less than a maximum inner diameter of the gasket 400. The gasket flange 344 may define a planar annular retaining surface 346 adapted to retain the gasket 400 on the nipple 300 during use. The nut flange 320 may define a planar annular gasket surface 324 adjacent to the gasket seat body 342 to transfer axial forces from the nipple 300 to the gasket 400.

[0050] In some embodiments, the gasket seat 340 may comprise one or more surface variations or raised protrusions 348 adapted to resist rotation of the gasket 400 relative to the nipple 300. The protrusions 348 may comprise any one or more of: ribs, teeth, angled sections, protuberances, nubs, and bosses. The protrusions 348 may be provided on any one or more of: gasket seat body 342, gasket flange 344, retaining surface 346, and annular gasket surface 324. In use, the protrusions 348 may deform the surface of the gasket 400. Alternatively, or additionally, the gasket 400 may comprise complimentary surfaces or recesses adapted to receive the protrusions 348. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the gasket seat body 342 and/or gasket flange 344 may comprise a prismatic keyed surface adapted to engage with a complimentary prismatic keyed inner surface of the gasket 400.

[0051] The flow channel 350 may comprise a substantially cylindrical aperture extending through the nipple 300 along its central axis and allowing fluid communication between the wall outlet 150 and the shower arm 110 in use.

[0052] The nipple 300 may further comprise a keyed portion 360 at the gasket seat end of the nipple 300. The keyed portion 360 may define an inner surface adapted to engage with a complementary outer surface of a tool. For example, the keyed portion 360 may comprise a hexagonal inner surface adapted to engage with an Alan key or male hex head screwdriver, although any suitable keyed shape corresponding to a complimentary tool shape may be used. The keyed portion 360 may allow the nipple 300 to be screwed in to the socket 600 using an appropriate tool. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the gasket seat 340 may comprise the keyed portion 360 with an outer keyed surface adapted to provide a similar function with a complimentary inner surface of a tool. In other embodiments, a keyed portion 360 may be provided between the nut flange 320 and the male threaded portion 310. The outer edge(s) of the keyed portion 360 may be chamfered to assist in mating the complimentary shape of the tool with the keyed portion 360.

[0053] In some embodiments, the nipple 300 may further comprise a cylindrical inner shoulder 314 between the outer shoulder 330 and the male threaded portion 310. The inner shoulder may be adapted to mate with a complimentary inner surface of the socket 600. In some embodiments, the nipple 300 may further comprise a portion 316 defining a cylindrical or annular reduction, recess or neck between the outer shoulder 330 or inner shoulder 314 and the male threaded portion 310. The portion 316 may be adapted to receive an o-ring gasket 318 to provide a seal against an inner surface of the socket 600 when the nipple 300 is connected to the socket 600.

[0054] In some embodiments, the connection between the nipple 300 and socket 600 may be sealed by other means in addition to, or as an alternative to sealing the connection with an o-ring 318. The o-ring 318 may be formed of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), or other suitable materials, such as other rubber materials for example. Other sealing means may include using an anaerobic thread locker or sealer, such as locktite, lockseal, sonlock or permabond, for example. Alternatively the nipple 300 and socket 600 may be welded together or formed from a mould or casting as a complete union.

[0055] Referring to Figure 6, the gasket 400 is shown according to some embodiments. The gasket 400 comprises an annular ring of a resiliently deformable material, such as a rubber material, EPDM, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or vulcanised rubber, for example. The gasket 400 comprises: an outer cylindrical surface 410 with a diameter less than the inner diameter of the female threaded portion 210; a first inner cylindrical surface 442 to contact the outer cylindrical surface of the gasket seat body 342 during use; a planar annular flange surface 424 to contact the annular gasket surface 324 of the nut flange 320 during use; and a sealing surface 450 to seal against the wall outlet 150 during use.

[0056] In some embodiments, the sealing surface 450 may comprise a chamfered face or tapered frusto-conical surface as illustrated in Figure 6. Such a gasket 400 may be referred to as a cone gasket or cone washer. In other embodiments, the sealing surface 450 may comprise a planar annular surface. Such a gasket 400 may be referred to as a flat gasket or flat washer.

[0057] The gasket 400 may further comprise a second inner cylindrical surface 444 having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the first cylindrical surface 442, and adapted to contact an outer cylindrical surface of the gasket flange 344 during use. A planar annular gasket flange surface 446 may be provided connecting the first and second inner cylindrical surfaces 442, 444, and adapted to contact the retaining surface 346 of the gasket flange 344. The gasket 400 and gasket flange 344 may be sized such that during use, the first inner cylindrical surface 442 can be stretched and forced over the gasket flange 344 and return to its relaxed diameter to contact the outer cylindrical surface of the gasket seat body 342.

[0058] In some embodiments, the contact surfaces 424, 442, 444, 446 may include keyed surfaces or recesses (not shown) adapted to mate with keyed surfaces or protrusions 348 to resist rotation of the gasket 400 with respect to the nipple 300.

[0059] Referring to Figure 7, a flow regulator 500 is shown according to some embodiments. The flow regulator 500 may also be referred to as a flow controller, flow restrictor, orifice plate or flow controller disc. The flow regulator 500 may be a standard flow regulator, or a different type of flow regulator. The flow regulator 500 may comply with Australian standards and WELS. WELS is a program run by the government where all showers, taps, etc. must have their flow rates registered. The flow regulator 500 may comply with Australian standard AS 5200.037.2, and the shower assembly 100 may comply with AS/NZS 6400 and AS 3622.

[0060] The flow regulator 500 may comprise a generally disc shaped body 510, an annular planar surface 520 at a first end 512 of the body 510, a circular planar surface 530 at a second end 514 of the body 510, and a cylindrical outer surface 540. The flow regulator 500 may include one or more apertures 550 to allow fluid communication between the first end 512 and the second end 514. The apertures 550 may also be referred to as openings, orifices, channels or holes. The apertures 550 may be disposed in an annular arrangement around a central axis 505 of the flow regulator 500.

[0061] The flow regulator 500 may further comprise an o-ring seat 560 adapted to receive an o-ring 570. The o-ring seat 560 and o-ring 570 may be arranged such that when water is flowing through the apertures 550, the o-ring 570 may deform with increasing flow rate so as to partially occlude the apertures 550 and regulate the flow rate. There may be a threshold flow rate below which the o-ring 570 remains in place without deforming, and only begins to restrict the flow above the threshold flow rate.

As the flow rate increases, the o-ring 570 may be deformed to an increasing extent providing a greater resistance to the flow by increasing the pressure loss across the flow regulator 500. The flow regulator 500 may act to prevent the a user of the shower from increasing the flow rate beyond a certain limit. Flow regulators 500 other than those described in the drawings may also be used. The performance characteristics of the flow regulator 500 may be in accordance with standards or regulations, such as Australian standard AS 5200.037.2.

[0062] When the shower assembly 100 is in an assembled state, the flow regulator 500 may be held captively between the nipple 300 and the socket 600.

[0063] Referring to Figures 8A to 8D, a socket 600 is shown according to some embodiments. The socket 600 comprises: a female threaded portion 610 adapted to receive the male threaded portion 310 of the nipple 300; an outer cylindrical surface 620 adapted to mate with an inner cylindrical surface of the second end of the shower arm 110; a socket flange 630 located at one end of the socket 600 adapted to mate with the end of the shower arm 110 and the outer shoulder 330 of the nipple 300; and a flow regulator seat 640 at the other end of the socket 600 adapted to receive the flow regulator 500.

[0064] The flow regulator seat 640 comprises an inner cylindrical surface having a diameter which is similar to or slightly less than the diameter of the cylindrical surface 540 of the flow regulator 500, and a socket collar 643 adapted to contact part of the circular surface 530 to retain the flow regulator 500 in the socket 600. The socket collar 643 includes an aperture 645 to allow fluid communication between the nipple 300 and the shower arm 110 via the apertures 550 of the flow regulator 500.

[0065] The socket 600 may further comprise an inner cylindrical surface 614 at the flange end of the socket adapted to mate with the second shoulder 314 and/or the o-ring gasket 318 of the nipple 300 to create a seal.

[0066] In some embodiments, the socket 600 may be glued, welded or soldered into the second end of the shower arm 110. In other embodiments, the socket 600 may comprise an external thread adapted to engage with an internal thread of the second end of the shower arm 110. In other embodiments, the socket 600 may be integrally formed with the shower arm 110.

[0067] Referring to Figures 9 to 11, a shower arm assembly 700 is shown according to some embodiments. Similar components are referred to by similar reference numerals to those in Figures 1 to 8. The shower arm assembly 700 comprises an articulated shower arm 710, a shower head 720 at a first end of the arm 710, and a loose nut connection 180 including a loose nut 200 connected at or coupled to a second end of the arm 710 to connect the shower assembly 700 to a wall outlet 150. The articulated shower arm 710 comprises one or more passage ways to allow fluid communication between the wall outlet 150 and the shower head 720.

[0068] The articulated arm 710 comprises a connecting portion 712 at the second end of the movable arm 710, an elongate portion 714 between the connecting portion 712 and the shower head 720, and a hinged connection or swivel joint 730 joining the connecting portion 712 to the elongate portion 714. The swivel joint 730 may allow an angle of the elongate portion 714 with respect to the connecting portion 712 to be adjusted by a user. The swivel joint 730 may comprise complimentary cylindrical surfaces of the connecting portion 712 and elongate portion 714 adapted to mate with each other and allow at least one degree of rotational freedom between the connecting portion 712 and the elongate portion 714. The swivel joint 730 may further comprise a bolt and wing nut to connect the connecting portion 712 to the elongate portion 714, and a number of washers and/or gaskets to allow rotation of the joint 730 while mitigating water leakage through the joint 730. In some embodiments, various other suitable joints may be used to connect the connecting portion 712 to the elongate portion 714 as long as the joint allows fluid communication between the wall outlet 150 and shower head 720 in use.

[0069] The shower assembly 700 also comprises a nipple 300, gasket 400 and flow regulator 500 as described previously in relation to shower assembly 100. In some embodiments, the shower assembly 700 may comprise a socket 600 as described previously which may be connected to connecting portion 712 of the articulated arm 710 as described previously in relation to the shower arm 110. In other embodiments, the connecting portion 712 may comprise a socket 800 as described below in relation to Figures 12Ato 12D.

[0070] Referring to Figures 12A to 12D, a connecting portion 712 comprising a socket 800 is shown according to some embodiments. The socket 800 comprises similar elements to those described in relation to socket 600 which are indicated with similar reference numerals.

[0071] The socket 800 comprises: a female threaded portion 810 adapted to receive the male threaded portion 310 of the nipple 300; a socket flange 830 located at one end of the socket 800 adapted to mate with the outer shoulder 330 of the nipple 300; and a flow regulator seat 840 at the other end of the socket 800 adapted to receive the flow regulator 500.

[0072] The flow regulator seat 840 comprises an inner cylindrical surface having a diameter which is similar to or slightly less than the cylindrical surface 540 of the flow regulator 500, and a socket collar 843 adapted to contact part of the circular surface 530 to retain the flow regulator 500 in the socket 800. The socket collar 843 includes an aperture 845 to allow fluid communication between the nipple 300 and the articulated arm 710 via the apertures 550 of the flow regulator 500.

[0073] The socket 800 may further comprise an inner cylindrical surface 814 at the flange end of the socket adapted to mate with the second shoulder 314 and/or the o-ring gasket 318 of the nipple 300 to create a seal.

[0074] In some embodiments, the socket 800 may be glued, welded or soldered into the connecting portion 712. In other embodiments, the socket 800 may comprise an external thread adapted to engage with an internal thread of the connecting portion 712. In other embodiments, the socket 800 may be integrally formed with the connecting portion 712.

[0075] Each of the loose nut 200, nipple 300, flow regulator 500, socket 600, 800, and connecting portion 712, may be formed from brass or any other suitable material, such as a metal, metal alloy, copper, bronze, steel, stainless steel, polymer, nylon, polyurethane or plastic, and the surfaces may be treated, coated, painted or plated with a metal such as chrome, for example.

[0076] Each of the gasket 400, o-ring gasket 318, and o-ring 570, may be formed of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) or any other suitable material such as, plastic, polymer, rubber, latex, synthetic rubber or elastomer.

[0077] In use, the shower assembly 100, 700 may be connected to a wall outlet 150 by threadedly engaging the loose nut 200 with the wall outlet 150 and tightening the loose nut 200 while holding the shower arm 110, 710 in the desired position or orientation, for example, upright. Thus, rotation of the entire shower arm is not required. As the loose nut 200 is tightened, axial force will be transferred from the loose nut 200 to the nipple 300 bringing the nipple 300 and attached shower assembly 100, 700 towards the wall outlet 150, and compressing the gasket 400 between the nipple 300 and the wall outlet 150 so as to make a seal between the wall outlet 150 and the nipple 300 (and restrict the shower assembly 100, 700 from moving from the desired position). When the shower assembly 100, 700 is connected to the wall outlet, the shower head 120, 720 will be in fluid communication with the wall outlet 150 via the channel 350 of the nipple 300, the apertures 550 of the flow regulator 500, the socket aperture 645, 845 of the socket 600, 800, and the shower arm 110 or articulated arm 710 (in shower assembly 700) including the connecting portion 712 and elongate portion 714.

[0078] Although the shower assemblies 100, 700 have been described as connecting to a plumbing outlet on a wall, the connecting aspects of the assemblies described may be used to connect different shower assemblies to different plumbing outlets which may be disposed on a wall or a ceiling.

[0079] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. A shower arm assembly with a loose nut connector, the assembly comprising: a rigid arm; a shower head connected to a first end of the arm; a socket at a second end of the arm; a flow regulator located in a flow regulator seat of the socket; a nipple connected to the socket; a loose nut, at least a part of the loose nut being retained between a flange of the nipple and the socket; and a gasket located on a gasket seat of the nipple, wherein the loose nut is free to rotate relative to the arm and adapted to threadedly engage with and connect to a wall plumbing outlet, wherein the gasket is adapted to provide a seal between the wall plumbing outlet and the nipple when the loose nut is tightened onto the wall plumbing outlet, and wherein the gasket, nipple, flow regulator, socket and arm each include an aperture to allow fluid communication between the plumbing wall outlet and the shower head.
2. 2. A shower arm assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nipple comprises a keyed portion adapted to receive a tool to assist in tightening the nipple into the socket.
3. 3. A shower arm assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the loose nut comprises a female threaded portion with a chamfered opening to assist in threadedly engaging the loose nut with the wall outlet.
4. 4. A shower arm assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm comprises an articulated arm including a connecting portion and an elongate portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises the socket, and wherein the connecting portion is connected to the elongate portion by a swivel joint allowing adjustment of the angle of the elongate portion with respect to the connecting portion.
5. 5. A shower arm assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the keyed portion is formed within the aperture of the nipple.
6. 6. A shower arm assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the keyed portion defines a hexagonal prism shape.
7. 7. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gasket seat further comprises protrusions adapted to resist rotational movement of the gasket.
8. 8. A shower assembly according to claim 7, wherein the protrusions comprise any one or more of: teeth, nubs, protuberances, ribs, bosses, columns, spikes, points.
9. 9. A shower arm assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the gasket further comprises one or more recesses adapted to receive the protrusions.
10. 10. A shower arm assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gasket seat further comprises a keyed surface adapted to resist rotational movement of the gasket.
11. 11. A shower assembly according to claim 10, wherein the gasket comprises a complementary keyed surface adapted to mate with the keyed surface of the gasket seat.
12. 12. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the nipple comprises a male threaded portion, the socket comprises a complimentary female threaded portion, and the connection between the nipple and the socket is achieved by engagement of the male and female threaded portions.
13. 13. A shower assembly according to claim 12, wherein the male and female threaded portions comprise left-handed threads.
14. 14. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the connection between the nipple and the socket is sealed with sealing means to mitigate leakage of water through the connection.
15. 15. A shower assembly according to claim 14, wherein the sealing means comprises a gasket disposed in a second gasket seat of the nipple.
16. 16. A shower assembly according to claim 15, wherein the gasket comprises an o-ring,
17. 17. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the sealing means comprises an anaerobic sealing agent applied to the nipple or the socket before connecting the nipple to the socket.
18. 18. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the socket is connected to the arm by any one or more of: soldering, welding, brazing, and threaded engagement.
19. 19. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the socket is integrally formed with the arm.
20. 20. A shower assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the loose nut comprises a female half-inch British Standard Pipe Parallel thread to connect to the wall plumbing outlet.