GB2176390A

GB2176390A - Brackets for shower heads

Info

Publication number: GB2176390A
Application number: GB08610014A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Lewis Crane
Original assignee: NewTeam Ltd
Current assignee: NewTeam Ltd
Priority date: 1985-04-24
Filing date: 1986-04-24
Publication date: 1986-12-31
Also published as: GB2176390B; GB8510380D0; GB8610014D0

Abstract

A bracket (4) for use in supporting a portable shower head is adapted to be mounted upon a riser rail (6), and comprises a housing (8, 10) having a bifurcated end portion (12) adapted to receive a shower head (2). An intermediate portion (10) has two apertures (14) through which the riser rail passes. Means are provided for gripping the rail and the opposite end portion of the housing incorporates grip release means. The means for gripping the rail comprises an annular or substantially annular grip member (18) mounted to encircle the rail (6) in an eccentric manner, spring means biassing the annular member eccentrically of the rail so as to contact the rail firmly on a first side portion thereof and to force an opposite side portion thereof into the firm contact with edges of the housing apertures (14). The grip release means comprises at least one manually movable cam surface (30) co-operating with an external surface (32) of the annular grip member to cause the latter to move from its eccentric position to a position at least substantially co-axial with the riser rail (14). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to brackets for shower heads The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to brackets for shower heads, particularly to brackets which are adjustably positioned upon a riser rail.

Shower equipment conventionally comprises a wall-mounted vertical rail upon which a bracket is secured at a desired height. The bracket is adapted to provide support for a portable shower head. Such a shower head may be used when supported in the bracket in a manner similar to a fixed shower head or if desired the shower head may be held in the hand while in use.

While the shower head is supported by the bracket, it is desirable that the bracket should be firmly positioned on the rail, that is, should not slide lengthwise of the rail and preferably should resist any rotary movement about the rail, since this will affect the direction of the water flow from the shower head. On the other hand, the firm grip of the bracket on the rail must be easily released when the user wishes to adjust the height at which the shower operates.

The invention therefore provides a bracket for use in supporting a portable shower head said bracket being adapted to be mounted upon a riser rail, and comprising a housing having a bifurcated end portion adapted to receive a shower head, an intermediate portion having apertures through which is received a riser rail, means for gripping said rail and an opposite end portion incorporating grip release means, wherein the means for gripping said rail comprises an annular or substantially annular grip member mounted to encircle the rail in an eccentric manner, spring means biassing said annular member eccentrically of the rail so as to contact the rail firmly on a first side portion thereof and to force an opposite side portion thereof into firm contact with edges of the housing apertures, and wherein the grip release means comprises at least one manually movable cam surface cooperating with an external surface of the annular grip memberto cause the latterto move from its eccentric position to a position at least substantially co-axial with the riser rail.

Advantageously, an inner surface of the annular member adapted to contact the rail at said first side portion is provided with a friction-promoting layer.

Conveniently two cam surfaces are provided one on each of two inner surfaces of a U-shaped member, the arms of which may be squeezed by finger pressure to cause the cam surfaces to approach each other. Preferably the annular grip member may be provided with a bevelled surface against which the cam surfaces bear, and in moving towards each other, exert pressure in a radial plane with respect to the annular member.

There will now be described one example of a bracket according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a bracket in use; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section view through the bracket; Figure 3 is an end view of a U-shaped member thereof showing cam surfaces; Figure 4 is a sectional view on line IV--IV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of an annular grip member; and Figure 6 is a side view of a portion of the housing.

Figure 1 illustrates a shower head assembly including a bracket according to the invention A portable shower head 2 is supported by the bracket 4which is slidable upon a wall-mounted riser rail 6.

The bracket 4 comprises a two-part housing 8, 10 housing part8 having a bifurcated end portion 12 adapted to receive the shower head 2. Housing part 10, which partially overlaps the part 8, is provided with apertures 14, which together with further apertures 16 in the 8, receive the rail 6 therethrough.

A generally annular grip member 18 surrounds the rail 6 within the housing parts 8, 10 and is spring biassed to the right as viewed in the Figures by means of a compression spring 20 reaching on an interior surface of housing part 8. A portion of rubber material 20 is provided on an inside surface of the member 18 and contacts one side of the rail 6.

This material portion 22 has a high enough coefficient of friction to resist any tendency for the bracket to slide along or around the rail 6, since its eccentric position reiative thereto causes an opposite side portion of the rail also to press against the edges of the apertures 14.

The housing part 10 is secured to the part 8 during assembly by means of a pair of opposed projections 19 receive in a groove 21 having a right-angle junction with a groove 23, in the manner of a socalled bayonet fitting.

The housing part 10 also comprises a retaining loop portion 22 which retains within the part 10 a Ushaped member 24 the arms of which are comprised by two half-shell members hinged apart at 26. Within each shell of the member 24 are two vane-like cam portions 28, end surfaces 30 of which confront a bevelled cam surface 32 of the annular grip member 18.

Finger pressure on the two shells of member 24 in the direction shown in Figures 1 and 2 at arrows A causes the shells to move together about hinge 26 and the cam surfaces 30 to press the surface 32 sufficiently to overcome the spring 20 and move the annular grip member 18 to the left. The member 18 is thus approximately co-axial with the rail 6, the material portion 22 is no longer in frictional contact with the rail and the bracket may slide at the user's will along the rail. As soon as the user releases finger pressure on the shells of member 24, the annular grip member 18 returns to its eccentric position under the influence of the spring 20 and the bracket is firmly positioned on the rail.

1. A bracket for use in supporting a portable shower head said bracket being adapted to be

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to brackets for shower heads The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to brackets for shower heads, particularly to brackets which are adjustably positioned upon a riser rail. Shower equipment conventionally comprises a wall-mounted vertical rail upon which a bracket is secured at a desired height. The bracket is adapted to provide support for a portable shower head. Such a shower head may be used when supported in the bracket in a manner similar to a fixed shower head or if desired the shower head may be held in the hand while in use. While the shower head is supported by the bracket, it is desirable that the bracket should be firmly positioned on the rail, that is, should not slide lengthwise of the rail and preferably should resist any rotary movement about the rail, since this will affect the direction of the water flow from the shower head. On the other hand, the firm grip of the bracket on the rail must be easily released when the user wishes to adjust the height at which the shower operates. The invention therefore provides a bracket for use in supporting a portable shower head said bracket being adapted to be mounted upon a riser rail, and comprising a housing having a bifurcated end portion adapted to receive a shower head, an intermediate portion having apertures through which is received a riser rail, means for gripping said rail and an opposite end portion incorporating grip release means, wherein the means for gripping said rail comprises an annular or substantially annular grip member mounted to encircle the rail in an eccentric manner, spring means biassing said annular member eccentrically of the rail so as to contact the rail firmly on a first side portion thereof and to force an opposite side portion thereof into firm contact with edges of the housing apertures, and wherein the grip release means comprises at least one manually movable cam surface cooperating with an external surface of the annular grip memberto cause the latterto move from its eccentric position to a position at least substantially co-axial with the riser rail. Advantageously, an inner surface of the annular member adapted to contact the rail at said first side portion is provided with a friction-promoting layer. Conveniently two cam surfaces are provided one on each of two inner surfaces of a U-shaped member, the arms of which may be squeezed by finger pressure to cause the cam surfaces to approach each other. Preferably the annular grip member may be provided with a bevelled surface against which the cam surfaces bear, and in moving towards each other, exert pressure in a radial plane with respect to the annular member. There will now be described one example of a bracket according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a bracket in use; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section view through the bracket; Figure 3 is an end view of a U-shaped member thereof showing cam surfaces; Figure 4 is a sectional view on line IV--IV of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of an annular grip member; and Figure 6 is a side view of a portion of the housing. Figure 1 illustrates a shower head assembly including a bracket according to the invention A portable shower head 2 is supported by the bracket 4which is slidable upon a wall-mounted riser rail 6. The bracket 4 comprises a two-part housing 8, 10 housing part8 having a bifurcated end portion 12 adapted to receive the shower head 2. Housing part 10, which partially overlaps the part 8, is provided with apertures 14, which together with further apertures 16 in the 8, receive the rail 6 therethrough. A generally annular grip member 18 surrounds the rail 6 within the housing parts 8, 10 and is spring biassed to the right as viewed in the Figures by means of a compression spring 20 reaching on an interior surface of housing part 8. A portion of rubber material 20 is provided on an inside surface of the member 18 and contacts one side of the rail 6. This material portion 22 has a high enough coefficient of friction to resist any tendency for the bracket to slide along or around the rail 6, since its eccentric position reiative thereto causes an opposite side portion of the rail also to press against the edges of the apertures 14. The housing part 10 is secured to the part 8 during assembly by means of a pair of opposed projections 19 receive in a groove 21 having a right-angle junction with a groove 23, in the manner of a socalled bayonet fitting. The housing part 10 also comprises a retaining loop portion 22 which retains within the part 10 a Ushaped member 24 the arms of which are comprised by two half-shell members hinged apart at 26. Within each shell of the member 24 are two vane-like cam portions 28, end surfaces 30 of which confront a bevelled cam surface 32 of the annular grip member 18. Finger pressure on the two shells of member 24 in the direction shown in Figures 1 and 2 at arrows A causes the shells to move together about hinge 26 and the cam surfaces 30 to press the surface 32 sufficiently to overcome the spring 20 and move the annular grip member 18 to the left. The member 18 is thus approximately co-axial with the rail 6, the material portion 22 is no longer in frictional contact with the rail and the bracket may slide at the user's will along the rail. As soon as the user releases finger pressure on the shells of member 24, the annular grip member 18 returns to its eccentric position under the influence of the spring 20 and the bracket is firmly positioned on the rail. CLAIMS

1. A bracket for use in supporting a portable shower head said bracket being adapted to be mounted upon a riser rail, and comprising a housing having a bifurcated end portion adapted to receive a shower head, an intermediate portion having apertures through which is received a riser rail, means for gripping said rail and an opposite end portion incorporating grip release means, wherein the means for gripping said rail comprises an annular or substantially annular grip member mounted to encircle the rail in an eccentric manner, spring means biassing said annular member eccentricaily of the rail so as to contact the rail firmly on a first side portion thereof and to force an opposite side portion thereof into firm contact with edges of the housing apertures, and wherein the grip release means comprises at least one manually movable cam surface co-operating with an external surface of the annular grip memberto cause the latter to move from its eccentric position to a position at least substantially co-axial with the riser rail.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1,wherein an inner surface of the annular member adapted to contactthe rail at said first side portion is provided with a friction-promoting layer.

3. A bracket as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein a U-shaped member is provided having two arms, inner surfaces of which comprise two of said movable cam surfaces, said arms being adapted to be squeezed by finger pressure to cause the two cam surfaces to approaach each other.

4. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the annular grip member is provided with a bevelled surface against which the cam surfaces bear and, in moving towards each other, exert pressure in a radial plane with respect to the annular member.

5. A bracket as claimed in either one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the housing further comprises a retaining loop portion which acts to retain therewithin U-shaped member, the arms of the Ushaped member being comprised by two part-shell members hinged together.

6. A bracket as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cam surfaces are formed on two vanes projecting one from each part-shell member

7. A bracket as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing parts are secured together by a bayonet-type arrangement including an L-shaped groove on one part cooperating with a projection upon the adjacent part.

8. A bracket for use in supporting a portable shower head, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.