GB2069830A - One-piece moulded shower fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an improved shower fitting comprising an elbow joint (2) having two arms, a hollow rod (8) integrally formed with one arm (4) of the joint and a spray control device (12) integrally formed with the second arm (6) of the device, a continuous passageway (16) being provided through the rod (8), the elbow joint (2) and the spray control device (12) for passage of water therethrough, and the fitting being moulded in one piece from plastics material. The all-in-one construction of the fitting obviates the need for the fabrication of a plurality of parts and their assembly in additional manufacturing steps. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shower fittings The invention relates to shower fittings, especially an elbow joint fitting for supporting a shower head and permitting a supply of waterthereto.

It has been customary to manufacture shower fittings having some components of chromium-plated brass and some of plastics material. For example, the elbow joint may comprise a cast, two-armed portion, one arm of which is screw-threaded onto a straight rod portion the other end of which rod receives a securing nut for attachment to the bathroom wall. Received on the second arm of the two armed portion is a spray-control device in plastics material. This construction requires the fabrication of four or more separate parts formed with screwthreads. Each part requires a separate assembly step.

To reduce the cost of the above manufacture, the invention provides a shower fitting comprising an elbow joint having two arms, a hollow rod integrally formed with one arm of the joint and a spray control device integrally formed with the second arm of the device, a continuous passageway being provided through the rod, the elbow joint and the spray control device for passage of watertherethrough, and the fitting being moulded in one piece from plastics material.

In the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3 show various views of an example of a fitting according to the invention.

The fitting comprises an elbow joint 2 having two arms 4, 6. Integrally formed on the arm 4 is a hollow rod 8. Figure 3 shows a nut 10 integrally formed with the rod 8, if preferred. Integrally formed on the arm 6 is a spray control device 12 which co-operates with a rotatable shower head, indicated in broken lines at 14 (Figure 3).

A passage 16 permits a supply of water through the fitting. A plastics hand-grip, indicated at 18, provided to surround the rod 8 for cosmetic purposes.

Where the nut 10 is not integrally formed the grip 18 may be slid over the rod end, but where the nut 10 is integrally formed, the grip may be formed in two parts, to be welded together by, for example, an ultrasonic technique.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. Ashowerfitting device comprising an elbow joint having two arms, a hollow rod integrally formed with one arm of the joint and a spray control device integrally formed with the second arm of the device, a continuous passageway being provided through the rod, the elbow joint and the spray con trol device for passage of water therethrough, and the fitting being moulded in one piece from plastics material.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, having a rotat able shower head provided upon a free end of the second arm device and arranged to co-operatewith the spray control device.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein an annular plastic sleeve is provided around the hollow rod to act as a hand grip for cosmetic purposes.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein an integrally moulded nut is formed on the free end of the hollow rod.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 insofar as it is dependent on claim 3, wherein the sleeve is provided around the hollow rod is in two co-operating parts to facilitate assembly.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two parts of the sleeve are welded together in situ by means of an ultra-sonic welding technique.

7. A shower fitting device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

Printed forHerMajesty's Stationely Office The Tweeddele Pren Ltd..

Belwick upolFTweed, 1981.

Published atthe Patent Office, 25 Southampton Building5 London. WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shower fittings The invention relates to shower fittings, especially an elbow joint fitting for supporting a shower head and permitting a supply of waterthereto. It has been customary to manufacture shower fittings having some components of chromium-plated brass and some of plastics material. For example, the elbow joint may comprise a cast, two-armed portion, one arm of which is screw-threaded onto a straight rod portion the other end of which rod receives a securing nut for attachment to the bathroom wall. Received on the second arm of the two armed portion is a spray-control device in plastics material. This construction requires the fabrication of four or more separate parts formed with screwthreads. Each part requires a separate assembly step. To reduce the cost of the above manufacture, the invention provides a shower fitting comprising an elbow joint having two arms, a hollow rod integrally formed with one arm of the joint and a spray control device integrally formed with the second arm of the device, a continuous passageway being provided through the rod, the elbow joint and the spray control device for passage of watertherethrough, and the fitting being moulded in one piece from plastics material. In the accompanying drawings Figures 1-3 show various views of an example of a fitting according to the invention. The fitting comprises an elbow joint 2 having two arms 4, 6. Integrally formed on the arm 4 is a hollow rod 8. Figure 3 shows a nut 10 integrally formed with the rod 8, if preferred. Integrally formed on the arm 6 is a spray control device 12 which co-operates with a rotatable shower head, indicated in broken lines at 14 (Figure 3). A passage 16 permits a supply of water through the fitting. A plastics hand-grip, indicated at 18, provided to surround the rod 8 for cosmetic purposes. Where the nut 10 is not integrally formed the grip 18 may be slid over the rod end, but where the nut 10 is integrally formed, the grip may be formed in two parts, to be welded together by, for example, an ultrasonic technique. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. Ashowerfitting device comprising an elbow joint having two arms, a hollow rod integrally formed with one arm of the joint and a spray control device integrally formed with the second arm of the device, a continuous passageway being provided through the rod, the elbow joint and the spray con trol device for passage of water therethrough, and the fitting being moulded in one piece from plastics material.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, having a rotat able shower head provided upon a free end of the second arm device and arranged to co-operatewith the spray control device.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein an annular plastic sleeve is provided around the hollow rod to act as a hand grip for cosmetic purposes.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein an integrally moulded nut is formed on the free end of the hollow rod.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 insofar as it is dependent on claim 3, wherein the sleeve is provided around the hollow rod is in two co-operating parts to facilitate assembly.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two parts of the sleeve are welded together in situ by means of an ultra-sonic welding technique.

7. A shower fitting device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

Printed forHerMajesty's Stationely Office The Tweeddele Pren Ltd..

Belwick upolFTweed, 1981.

Published atthe Patent Office, 25 Southampton Building5 London. WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.