GB2220567A

GB2220567A - Shower head fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2220567A
Application number: GB8915549A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Leslie Winnington; Allen William Goosey
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 1988-07-15
Filing date: 1989-07-10
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-10
Also published as: GB2220567B; GB8816893D0; GB8915549D0

Abstract

A Shower head fitting comprises a mounting plate 1 for securing to a structure e.g. wall, a booster pump 7 having a water inlet and a water outlet mounted on the plate together with associated electrical circuitry including flow switch 13 for controlling operation of the pump, a front panel 14 fittable on the plate, and a support e.g. guide rail 16 and bracket 18 for a spray head 17 connected to water outlet connection 12. The fitting may include a mixing valve connected to the pump inlet and to hot and cold water supplies. The pump may be of the centrifugal or positive displacement type. Modular assembly facilitates fitting. <IMAGE>

Description

ABLUTIONARY SHOWER INSTALLATION This invention concerns an ablutionary shower installation of the kind in which there is a shower head to which water is supplied by a connection to a source of preconditioned water. Such preconditioned water being at a desired or predetermined or selected temperature. The water source commonly is a thermostatically controlled mixing valve that is connected into the cold and hot water system with a conventional header tank. However, the source of preconditioned water may be a suitable water heater arranged to supply water to an outlet or a controllable water supply in which temperature is preset.

This traditional type of shower installation is usually dependent upon the standing head of water for the water pressure at the shower head, and commonly in the United Kingdom this has meant that showering systems are only capable of delivering a low pressure spray unless water pressure is increased by a booster pump arrangement in the water circuit. High pressure showering is desired in many installations, but the provision of a special pump arrangement has presented certain difficult and expensive procedures that have to be plumbed in with specialist skills and often there is significant disturbance to walls, floors and general decor in order to connect to the existing pipework carcass and electrical circuitry.

It is an object of this invention to provide a shower head fitting incorporating a booster pump and which can be installed and fitted in a simple manner.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a shower head fitting that houses a booster pump and which avoids extensive on site disturbance for plumbed fitting.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shower head fitting incorporating a booster pump and which is in the form of an integrated unit to facilitate simple fitting and assembly on site.

Other objects of this invention will be appreciated from the description of an exemplary embodiment as given later herein.

According to this invention we provide a shower head fitting comprising a mounting plate for securing to a structure, the mounting plate mounting a booster pump having a water inlet and a water outlet, circuitry means connected to the booster pump and including switch means for controlling operation of the pump, a front panel fitted to the mounting plate and providing an enclosure for the booster pump, and a support for a shower spray head connected to the outlet of the booster pump.

By the invented shower head fitting, a booster pump is incorporated inside the enclosure provided by the mounting plate and the front panel with all essential circuitry and plumbing connections being integrated.

The mounting plate would be securely fixed to a wall or like structure so that the shower spray head is accessible on the support with the operative functional parts and connections and circuitry being enclosed and housed within the enclosure so as to be concealed in an unobtrusive manner.

In this way, for installing the invented fitting only simple connections to the current supply and to the water supply are required and extensive primary plumbing changes are avoided.

The fitting may be used with an existing mixing valve enabling an existing low pressure shower to be changed or converted to a high pressure shower by a relatively simple fitting and installation procedure.

For such arrangement, inlet-and outlet connections for the booster pump are preferably located in the base or lower portion of the enclosure. In this way, the connections may be aligned together to extend through the base of the enclosure in a neat and simple manner.

Alternatively, for new insallations or where there is no suitable existing mixing valve, the fitting may include a mixing valve connected to the inlet of the pump within the enclosure and arranged for connection to the water supply.

In this alternative arrangement, separate hot and cold water inlet connections for the mixing valve are preferably located in the base or lower portion of the enclosure with the outlet connection for the booster pump being provided in the side of the enclosure.

The support for the shower spray head preferably comprises a guide rail on which is mounted a support bracket for the shower spray head with a flexible pipe connection extending between the spray head and the outlet of the pump. Thus, by providing the guide rail and support bracket for the shower spray head with flexible pipe connection, the user can move and adjust the shower spray head to a selected position along the length of the rail.

Conveniently, the guide rail is provided in the upper portion of the front panel and is arranged so that, in use, when the mounting plate is mounted on a structure, the guide rail extends substantially vertically for relative adjustment of the vertical position of the spray head.

By this arrangement, the guide rail is incorporated in the shower head fitting so that the fitting can be installed on and to the structure without any need for separate fitting of a guide rail or like adjustable mounting for the shower spray head.

Indeed, the mounting plate may be secured to the wall so as to cover any holes or redundant fixing provided for a former fitting part of a low pressure shower fitting.

The guide rail may be a simple bar supported on the front panel by suitable brackets or bosses that are connected to or integral with the front panel.

However, the guide rail may be integral with the front panel and comprise an upstanding or undercut rib engaged by clamping limbs of the support bracket for the shower spray head. In either arrangement, the shower spray head is supported for lengthwise adjustment relative to the guide rail.

Conveniently, the support bracket for the shower spray head includes a parking socket in which the shower spray head is located but from which it is detachable. Such an arrangement enables the shower spray head to be used remote from the shower head fitting, for instance, for hair washing or peri-anal washing.

Preferably, the booster pump comprises an electric motor arranged to drive a pump. The pump may be of the centrifugal type, but the pump could be of the regenerative or positive displacement type. The choice of motor and pump depends on the installation requirements and performance required as well as water flow and pressure requirements.

The motor of the booster pump may be powered by mains voltage (such as 240 volts) or may be powered by a low voltage DC current (such as 12 volts). The circuitry means may be arranged to include any necessary transformer or cut-out for fail-safe operation.

Preferably, the operation of the booster pump is controlled by a flow switch mounted at the inlet connection to the pump so that, when water flows from the source, then the motor of the booster pump is automatically switched on in response to the flow of water. Alternatively, the flow switch could be mounted at the outlet connection from the pump to the shower spray head with such automatic operatiQn on commencement of water flow. By either of these arrangements for controlling operation of the booster pump, when water flow ceases or decreases to a predetermined limit, the booster pump is automatically switched off.

The circuitry means may comprise a relay connected both to the power current source and to the motor with the flow switch being connected to the relay so that the relay is responsive to the flow switch to complete or interrupt the supply of current to the motor.

In an alternative arrangement for controlling operation of the booster pump, there may be provided a separate switch operable manually as desired to provide a high pressure shower. This switch may be mounted on the front panel or be remote from the invented shower head fitting.

In a further alternative arrangement for controlling operation of the booster pump, a flow responsive or other switch could be arranged for coupled or connected operation by the mixing valve water source. Other arrangements are envisaged such as proximity switches or remote controlled switches or sensor devices.

The booster pump mounted within the enclosure may be provided with a shroud or heat barrier to obviate over-heating of the motor and thermal transfer through the front panel. In one preferred arrangement, the motor is partially surrounded by a water cooled shroud.

Various other arrangements for this thermal protection are also envisaged.

Other preferred features of the invented shower head fitting will be described later herein with reference to the exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

From the foregoing summary of the invention and certain special features, it will be appreciated that the mounting plate with the front panel provides a simple unit that can be mounted on a wall or like structure, and all that is required are the connections to the mains or transformed power supply and to the water source. Such fitting and installation does not require any special plumbing skills or expertise, and the whole unit can be fitted in a simple manner by an amateur or do-it-yourself enthusiast.

The design and configuration of the front panel may be selected for styling to suit the type of spray fitting, and it is envisaged that the front panel may be of a suitable plastics material that can be of any one of a range of colours, for instance to match with other colours and hues as used for bathroom or shower fittings.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the shower head fitting with part of the front panel being broken away; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the fitting shown in Figure 1 and also with part of the front panel being broken away; FIGURE 3 is a top plan view in the direction A shown in Figure 1; and FIGURE 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the shower head fitting.

With reference Figures 1 to 3 of the Drawings, the shower head fitting comprises a mounting plate 1 that has suitable clearance holes 2 for use in fixing and securing the plate 1 to a wall structure 3 by means of threaded screws 4 or like fixings. The mounting plate 1 has an entry 5 for a power lead 6 which can be a mains supply or a supply from a 12 volt source (this being preferred).

The mounting plate 1 supports a booster pump 7 that comprises a motor 7a and a centrifugal pump 7b.

The centrifugal pump 7b has a housing 7c within which an impeller (not shown) is rotated by the motor 7a.

The motor 7a has a terminal block 8 connected to the power lead 6, and the power lead 6 is also connected to a relay 9 mounted on the plate 1. The motor 7a is partially surrounded by a shroud 10 having internal circulation through suitable passageways (not shown) through which water flows during operation of the booster pump to cool the motor and to provide a thermal barrier. The motor 7a is mounted above the pump 7b and the shroud 10 is arranged so that if a motor seal fails, then any water can drain away from the motor 7a.

The housing 7c of the pump has inlet and outlet ports (not shown) from which extend respectively an inlet connection 11 and an outlet connection 12. The inlet connection 11 has a flow switch 13 mounted therein with such flow switch 13 being connected to the relay 9.

The inlet connection 11 is arranged for connection to the source of preconditioned water (not shown) which is most likely to be an existing water mixing valve of the thermostatic or temperature control type. The connection would be by a simple length of flexible pipe lla having conventional threaded pipe or gland connectors. The flow switch 13 and the associated circuitry is arranged so that when water flows through the inlet connection 11, then the flow switch is actuated and through the relay 9 the motor 7a is switched on to drive the pump 7b to bring the booster pump 7 into operation so that high pressure water is discharged through the outlet connection 12.

On interruption or reduction of flow through the flow switch 13, the power supply to the motor 7a is cut off and the booster pump 7 ceases to operate.

The mounting plate 1 is a flat metal or suitable plastics material plate of generally rectangular shape.

A front panel 14 is of complementary peripheral shape and has an edge rim arranged to seat over the plate 1 and to be secured thereto by fixings (not shown). The front panel 14 is preferably of a moulded suitable plastics- material, and may be of any chosen colour.

The front panel 14 when seated on the mounting plate 1 provides in the base portion an enclosure 15 within which the booster pump 7 and the circuitry is housed.

The front panel 14 has outer side walls 14a that are specially shaped so as to present a side profile with the lower or base portion being of greater depth than the upper portion. A base wall (not shown) of the panel 14 is formed with the apertures through which the inlet and outlet connections 11,12 respectively extend.

A small safety drainage hole or clearance may be provided in the base wall to allow the escape of any water present in the enclosure 15, for instance on failure of a motor seal.

The front wall 14c of the panel 14 has a lower portion 14b which is relatively planar extending between the lower portions of the side walls, and in the upper portion the front wall is of special shape providing an integral guide rail 16 as best shown in Figure 3.

The guide rail 16 projects outwardly from the opposed adjoining faces of the front wall 14c and is formed so as to have a forward guide face 16a and opposed undercut faces 16b. The upper portions of the front wall 14c are shaped so as to present a smooth inclined form extending away from the guide rail 16 to the top wall 14d of the panel 14.

The guide rail 16 extends a substantial length of the upper portion of the front panel 14 and in use will be substantially vertical to support a shower spray head 17 carried by an adjustable mounting bracket 18 at a chosen vertical position selected by the user.

The mounting bracket 18 has two opposed clamping limbs 19 that are arranged to extend so as to engage the respective undercut faces 16b of the rail 16. The limbs 19 are supported on a central control spindle 20 having a threaded release nut 21 on one end by which the clamping pressure can be adjusted to enable the bracket to be slid up and down the rail 16. In addition, the mounting bracket 18 includes a projecting forked member 22 also mounted on the spindle 20 with an adjuster release nut 23 on the other end of the spindle by which the attitude of the member 22 can be adjusted.

The forked member 23 provides a socket support for the shower spray head 17.

A flexible pipe 24 is connected to the outlet 12 and extends to the inlet base of the shower spray head 17 so as to conduct water for pressure discharge through the conventional form of spray plate or other outlet orifices provided in the spray head 17. The forked member 23 has a frontal opening through which the pipe 24 may be released so as to permit remote use of the shower spray head as may be required.

As will now be appreciated, the shower head fitting provides a simple unit in which the integrated booster pump with appropriate circuitry and water connections is enclosed and this may be mounted on an existing wall or other structure. Simple electrical connections and water connections to be made do not require any special plumbing or electrical skills, and the water source may be an existing thermostatic mixing valve. Thus, this unit can be employed as a simple replacement for an existing guide rail or support for a shower spray head and connected to an existing mixing valve with minimum disturbance whilst achieving the important advantage of providing a booster pump for high pressure showering in a conventional low pressure plumbing installation typically found in domestic premises.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example, the shape and configuration of the mounting plate and front panel could be varied for aesthetic appearance. A simple fixed support for a shower spray head can be provided in or on the front panel, or the preferred guide rail may be incorporated. The guide rail need not be an integral moulding, and the front panel could be provided with a tubular guide bar extending between mounting bosses or the like carried on the front panel or projecting from the front panel.

Various other types of shower spray heads, and/or other types of mounting bracket could be used for adjustable support on a guide rail.

Generally, the shower head fitting is designed to provide a simple modular unit that can be fitted easily to an existing low pressure plumbing system to provide a booster pump for high pressure showering with all functional parts being safely and neatly enclosed and without detracting from the eventual visual appearance of the shower installation.

It is also envisaged that the shower head fitting may include a water mixing valve located and received in the enclosure so as to be integrated in the modular unit for use where there is no existing or no suitable existing mixing valve.

Such a fitting is shown in Figure 4, like reference numerals in the series 100 being used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.

In this fitting, the front panel 114 includes clearances in the base or lower portion for separate hot and cold water inlet connections 125 and 126 respectively to the mixing valve (not shown) and a cl'earance in the side for the outlet connection 112 of the pump to the flexible pipe 124 connecting the spray head 117 to the pump outlet.

The outlet of the mixing valve is connected to the inlet of the pump within the enclosure formed by the mounting plate (not shown) and the front panel 114, and a manually operable control 127 for the mixing valve extends to and is arranged on the front face of the front panel 114. In known manner, the control 127 would be adjustable to vary the relative proportions in which the hot and cold water supplies are mixed to produce blended water having a chosen temperature selected by the user. The mixing valve may be of the thermostatically controlled type arranged to sense and maintain the selected water temperature substantially constant.

As also shown in Figure 4, the support for the spray head 117 comprises a tubular guide rail 116 extending from the upper portion of the front panel 114 so as to be substantially vertical in use, and a mounting bracket 118 for the spray head 117 slidably mounted on the rail 116 with a manually operable clamp 128 for securing the bracket 118 at the chosen position of the spray head 117 selected by the user.

As described in the first embodiment, the spray head 117 is detachable from a parking socket in the bracket 118.

In other respects this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment and the details of the circuit means and other functional parts located in the enclosure will be understood from the description already given of the first embodiment.

Other modifications and simple alternatives may be employed in the shower head fitting of this invention without departing from the concept of the modular unit with integrated components with simple connection to the electrical and water supplies to facilitate installation.

Claims

Claims:

1. A shower head fitting comprising a mounting plate for securing to a structure, the mounting plate mounting a booster pump having a water inlet and a water outlet, circuitry means connected to the booster pump and including switch means for controlling operation of the booster pump, a front panel fitted to the mounting plate and providing an enclosure for the booster pump, and a support for a shower spray head connected to the outlet of the booster pump.

2. A fitting according to Claim 1 wherein inlet and outlet connections for the booster pump are located in the base or lower portion of the enclosure for connection to a water source, for example a mixing valve, and to the spray head respectively.

3. A fitting according to Claim 1 including a mixing valve located and connected to the inlet of the pump within the enclosure and arranged for connection to a water source.

4. A fitting according to Claim 3 wherein separate hot and cold water inlet connections for the mixing valve are located in the base or lower portion of the enclosure for connection to hot and cold water supplies respectively.

5. A fitting according to Claim 4 wherein an outlet connection for the booster pump is located in the side of the enclosure for connection to the spray head.

6. A fitting according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the support for the spray head comprises a guide rail on which is mounted a support bracket for the shower spray head with a flexible pipe connection between the spray head and the pump.

7. A fitting according to Claim 6 wherein the guide rail is provided in the upper portion of the front panel and is arranged to extend substantially vertically in use.

8. A fitting according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the guide rail is integral with or connected to the front panel and the bracket is slidable lengthwise of the rail with clamp means for securing the bracket at any selected position.

9. A fitting according to Claim 8 wherein the guide rail comprises an upstanding or undercut rib integral with the front panel.

10. A fitting according to any one of Claims 6 to 9 wherein the support bracket includes a parking socket in which the shower spray head is located with the shower spray head being detachable from the parking socket.

11. A fitting according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the switch means comprises a flow switch arranged to control operation of the booster pump in response to flow of water.

12. A fitting according to Claim 11 wherein the flow switch is located at the inlet or the outlet of the pump.

13. A fitting according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the circuitry means comprises a relay for connection both to the power current source and to a motor for the pump with the flow switch being connected to the relay so that the relay is responsive to the flow switch to complete or interupt the supply of current to the motor.

14. A fitting according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein the switch means comprises a manually operable switch mounted on the front panel or remote from the fitting.

15. A fitting according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the booster pump is provided with a cooling shroud or heat barrier.

16. A fitting according to Claim 15 wherein the shroud is water cooled.

17. A shower head fitting comprising a mounting plate for securing to a structure, the mounting plate mounting a booster pump having an inlet connection to a water source and an outlet connection to a shower spray head, circuitry means connected to the booster pump and including switch means for controlling operation of the pump, a front panelfitted to the mounting plate and providing an enclosure for the booster pump and said circuitry means, the front panel comprising a support for a shower spray head mounted on the support for relative adjustment with a flexible pipe connection extending between the spray head and the outlet connection of the booster pump.

18. A shower head fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A shower head fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

20. An ablutionary shower installation comprising a shower head fitting according to any one of the preceding Claims.