GB2280131A

GB2280131A - Shower head

Info

Publication number: GB2280131A
Application number: GB9315116A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Deeley
Original assignee: Stoves PLC
Current assignee: Stoves PLC
Priority date: 1993-07-21
Filing date: 1993-07-21
Publication date: 1995-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-21
Also published as: GB9315116D0; GB2280131B

Abstract

A shower head for a domestic shower installation has a spring biassed non-return valve 42 openable by the pressure of water when the shower head is in use to permit water to flow to the shower head outlet and which is closed to prevent such flow when the head is not in use. The shower head may be part of a shower control unit having a base plate on which are mounted a water mixer valve with inlets for hot and cold water and an outlet for mixed water, the outlet being joined to the inlet of a motor-driven pump also mounted on the base plate. The pump has an outlet connected to the inlet of a diverter valve also mounted on the base plate. The diverter valve has first and second outlets one of which is joined to the shower head. The shower heads may be mounted on the control unit, for example on a base plate that is detachable from the control unit. That shower head may be pivotally mounted on the base plate. As shown, the valve 42 is located at the entry to a shower bar 20. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to Shower Heads for Shower Installations and to Shower Control Units incorporating such Shower Heads.

This invention relates to shower heads for use in shower installations and to shower control units incorporating such shower heads and has particular but not exclusive reference to shower heads, control units and installations for use in the home.

Many home user shower installations have a shower head to which water is pumped by a pump that is a part of the control unit . The shower head may be such that it can be hand-held by a user and employed to direct the water shower at a required part of the body. It is found that under some conditions water drains from the pump at the end of a showering operation and the pump then requires to be primed before the unit is ready for use again. The control unit may also include a diverter valve operation of which enables a user to direct the water output of the pump to one or other of two shower heads.

The pump is driven by an electric motor controllable by the user to commence and terminate a shower. It the case of an installation with a shower head that is an integral part of the control unit it is found that if the user fails to turn off the diverter valve before turning off the electric motor water drips from the shower head and, if allowed to continue, will drain the pump and the latter will require to be primed before the shower can be used again. In similar circumstances drainage may also occur in the case of installations that have a hand-held shower head and which is left inadvertently left in a position in which it is at a level below the diverter valve.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shower head and an installation incorporating such a head in which draining of the pump is substantially prevented.

According to the present invention a shower head for a shower installation includes fluid flow control means operable to prevent fluid flow to the shower head when the shower head is not in use.

Preferably, the fluid flow control means comprises a flow control valve that may be operable by the pressure of water supplied to the shower head when in use.

The fluid flow control means is preferably located as close as possible to the water outlet of the shower head and may be incorporated in the structure thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention a control unit for a shower installation includes a mixer valve with a cold and a hot water inlet for mixing supplies from the inlets and with an outlet for the mixed supplies, a motordriven pump unit with a pump inlet joined to the outlet of the mixer valve and a pump outlet connected to a shower head, and in which additional fluid flow control means are provided for preventing water flow from the pump when the control unit is not in use.

The control unit may include a diverter valve with an inlet joined to the pump outlet and with first and second outlets at least one of which is joined to the shower head.

A shower installation according to the present invention comprises a control unit as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph and in which one of the outlets of the diverter valve is joined to a hand-holdable shower head and the other outlet is joined to the one shower head which is mounted on the unit and is so arranged as to be capable of limited movement relative to the unit so as to direct its output in a required direction.

Preferably, the fluid flow control means is incorporated in the one shower head in the structure of the shower head and may consist of a valve operable by the pressure of water in the connection to the one shower head to a position in which water flow to the one shower head is permitted.

By way of example only embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater details with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of part of a shower control unit.

Fig. 2 is a side view of part of the unit, and, Fig. 3 is a cross section, in diagrammatic form only, of a shower head embodying the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a control unit 1 and part of a shower installation intended for domestic use. Mounted on the base plate 2 of the control unit is a mixer valve 3 having inlets 4, 5 for hot and cold water supplies respectively. The supplies are low pressure supplies and are normally taken from the hot water cylinder and the cold water tank of the domestic premises or they may be connected to the hot and cold pipes of a bath when the shower is installed in a bathroom.

Alternatively, the control unit may also incorporate a water heater as is described in UK Patent No. 2219497B.

The mixer valve 3 has a control shaft 3a by operation of which a user is able to control the relative flow rates of the hot and cold supplies thereby controlling the temperature of the mixed supply leaving the mixer valve.

The mixer valve 3 is of the construction described in UK Patent No. 2047552B with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof.

Alternatively, where it is desired to provide the user with a mixer valve giving control over relative flow rates and also over total flow rate, the mixer valve may be of the construction described in European Patent Application No.90301737.4 ( 0384674 ) or of the construction described in UK Patent Application No. 9118055.4.

The mixer valve 3 has an outlet 6 that is connected to the inlet 7 of a water pump shown diagrammatically by block 8.

Pump 8 is driven by an electric motor shown in Fig. 1 as block 9.

Energisation of the motor 9 is controlled by a microswitch associated with the mixer valve 3. UK Patent No.

2047552B describes such a micro-switch that is located within the housing of the valve 3.

The micro-switch may be in the form of a reed relay.

Alternatively, the pump 8 and motor 9 may be of the form described in UK Patent No 2173344B. Incorporated in the pump is a flow sensitive device that is exposed to the flow of water in the pump inlet and that operates, when the inlet flow exceeds a predetermined rate, to switch on the motor 9. The device also switches off the motor when the water flow drops below the predetermined rate. One form of such a device is also described in UK Patent No. 2173344B.

Pump 9 has an outlet 10 that is joined to the inlet 11 of a diverter valve 12 also mounted on the base plate 2. The valve has two outlets indicated at 13 and 14. The construction and operation of the valve 12 are described in greater detail in UK Patent Application No. 9302867.8. The valve 12 is operable by a user of the shower installation and has a valve control shaft 15 for that purpose.

The valve is able to divert the flow of water from inlet 11 to both of the outlets 13 and 14 giving an equal output from each or it can be operated to allow a greater proportion of the flow of water through one outlet as compared with the flow through the other outlet. The proportion is variable and allows the flow from the inlet to pass substantially entirely to one outlet or to the other. Further suitable operation of the diverter valve then allows a user to reduce, to a trickle, the flow to the one outlet then in use, flow to the pump 8 being terminated by operation of the control shaft 3a of the mixer valve 3 to a position in which the micro-switch is actuated to de-energise the motor.

In those embodiments in which motor energisation is controlled by a flow responsive device, the user is able to stop completely the flow of water to the pump 8, the motor then being de-energised by operation of the flow responsive device.

As shown in Fig. 1, outlet 14 is connected by a pipe or flexible hose 16 to a shower head not shown in Fig.1 but included in Fig. 3 of the drawings accompanying UK Patent Application No. 9302867.8. Outlet 13 is joined by a connector 18 to a shower bar 20 which is mounted on the base 2 of the control unit in a manner such that the shower output of the bar can be directed in one or other of a number of different directions ,as illustrated in Fig. 2, to suit the needs of a user.

The shower bar and its associated connectors may be mounted on a base plate that can be separated from plate 2 when is it desired to use an additional hand-held shower instead of the shower bar.

It will be understood that the unit has a cover 17 releasably secured to the baseplate 2 and which conceals the components mounted on the latter. The control shafts 3a and 15 extend through the cover 17 and carry control knobs or levers to enable a user easily and safely to operate them. Fig. 2 shows knobs 26 and 27 respectively which are secured to the shafts 3a and 15. The surface of the cover 17 adjacent to the knobs 26 and 27 carries suitably graduated scales over which pointers of the knobs move to indicate the positions of the associated valves to the user.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the shower bar 20 is positioned centrally below the base 2 on a separate, detachable unit with its own removable cover (not shown) which conceals the connections between the outlets 13, 14 of the valve 12 and the flexible tube 16 and the bar 20.

The shower bar 20 is so mounted that the bar can be pivoted to change the direction of the spray emitted by the bar. For example, the bar 20 may be so mounted as to be capable of pivotal movement through about 80 degrees of arc.

Fig. 3 shows one form of shower bar. As will be seen, the bar is generally similar to that described in UK Patent Application No.9302867.8 and is of rectangular-plate shape when viewed in elevation as in Fig 1. Formed integrally with bar, and lying to the rear of the plane of the plate, is a distributor pipe 31 having a central, exposed surface 32 located between upper and lower longitudinal curved recesses 33 in the plate. The surface 32 has a plurality of holes or apertures 34 in it which form the shower outlets. The holes 34 extend radially through the wall of the pipe 31 so that water emerging from the holes forms a diverging spray whose direction may be altered by pressing on either of the recesses 33 so pivoting the bar 20 about the axis of the spigot.

The bar 20 may be of a moulded plastics material or it may be of a cast metal, for example, brass. The bar is preferably moulded from a plastics material, for example that known by the letters ABS, by the process described in UK Patent Application No. 9312019.4.

The shower bar is mounted on a hollow spigot 35 which fits into the pipe 31 so that the bar 20 is pivotable about the longitudinal axis thereof to change the direction of the water spray as required by a user. Pressure on either of the recesses 33 causes the bar to pivot.

The spigot 35 is generally of tubular form with a pair of spaced flanges 36 at one end and, at the other end is an enlarged part 37 to which is secured a short pipe 38 that carries the connector 18. Adjacent the inner side of the part 37 is a further pair of spaced flanges 39. 0 rings (not shown) positioned between the flanges of each pair prevent leakage as will be described below.

The spigot 35 is closed at that end remote from part 37 and communication with the interior thereof is via two circular holes 40 in diametrically opposite positions in the wall of the spigot.

Incorporated in the structure of the bar 20 is a fluid flow control device. That end of the spigot 35 adjacent the enlarged portion 37 is adapted to receive a tubular housing 41 that accommodates a non-return valve having a valve head 42 secured to one end of a support rod 43 slidably mounted in a bearing that is held centrally of the housing at one end thereof by an open frame support 44. The head 42 is urged into contact with a valve seat at that end of the housing 41 adjacent the enlarged portion 37 by a spring 45 positioned between the head 42 and the frame 44. As can be seen from Fig.

3, the end of the rod 43 remote from the head 42 extends through the support 44 and is threaded to receive a nut 46 by means of which the position of the head 42 relative to the valve seat is adjustable.

The spigot 35 is inserted into pipe 31 whose internal diameter is slightly greater than the outer diameter of that part of the spigot between the pairs of flanges 36, 39 thus forming an annular gap which communicates with the interior of the spigot via the holes 40 thereby providing a path for water to flow from outlet 13 to the holes 32 of the shower bar. Leakage from the annular gap is stopped by the 0 ring seals referred to above.

The rating of the spring 45 is such that, when the shower is in use with water flowing to the shower bar 20, valve head 42 is moved away from the valve seat by the pressure of the flow to allow water to flow to the shower bar. However, when that flow ceases and the water pressure drops, the spring 45 returns the head into contact with its seat and the shower bar 20 is isolated from water that remains upstream thereof in the enlarged portion 37 and the connection to the outlet 13 of the diverter valve 12. In that way, water is stopped from dripping from the shower bar 20 and the pump 8 remains primed.

The control unit may be installed in a shower cubicle on a wall thereof or it may be wall-mounted in a bath room in situations where a user stands in the bath when taking a shower. The base plate has holes 2a in to receive screws by means of which the plate is secured to the wall. The inlets 4, 5 are permanently connected to suitable hot and cold water supply pipes and the electric motor is joined to a suitable power supply care being taken to ensure that all electrical safety precautions are observed. Preferably, a holder is also provided to receive the shower head when the latter is not in use, or when an overhead spray is required by the user. The holder may comprise a tubular rail itself supported vertically between brackets fixed to a wall. The holder is movable along the rail, the location of the holder being selected by the user. Once in the selected position, the shower head may be locked therein by operation of a locking knob on the holder.

To operate the shower, the user first actuates the control shaft 3a of the mixer valve 3 by means of the knob 26 to allow water to flow to the pump 8. That action closes the micro-switch in the mixer valve and the motor.9 is energised and drives the pump thereby supplying water at a suitable pressure to the diverter valve 12. The control shaft 15 of the valve 12 is operated by means of the knob 27 to produce the shower conditions required by the user. The operation of the knob 27 may be such as to allow water to flow either equally to both of the hand-held head and the shower bar 20 or at a greater rate to one than the other. Alternatively, by suitable positioning of the control knob 27, only the hand-head shower head or the bar 20 may be bought into use, the flow rate being set by the user by appropriate operation of 27 that controls the valve 12. The temperature of the flow of water is controlled by operation of the knob 26 on control shaft 3a of the mixer valve 3.

Flow of water from outlet 13 of the diverter valve 12 to the shower bar 20 is normally prevented by the head 42 of the non return valve which is seated on its seating. However, on energisation of the motor 9 and operation of the diverter valve 12 to connect outlet 13 thereof to the shower bar, the pressure of the water in the connection between the valve head 42 and the outlet 13 increases to a value sufficient to overcome the loading of the spring 45 on the valve head 42 and the latter moves away from its seating thereby allowing water to flow through the spigot 35 and holes 40 to the apertures 34.

When the user terminates operation of the shower and motor 9 is de-energised, the water pressure to which valve head 42 is exposed drops to a value that is insufficient to hold the head away from its seating and spring 45 pushes the head onto the seating thereby preventing flow of water into the spigot 35. In that way there is no further flow of water from the pump 8 and the latter remains primed and ready for use the next time that the shower is required.

It will be understood that it is not essential that the valve be accommodated in the structure of the shower bar, it could be located at any point in the connection between outlet 13 and the entrance to the spigot 35. However., the location shown on Fig. 3 is preferred because it reduces to a minimum the volume of water that will trickle out of the shower bar at the end of a shower.

It will also be understood the non return valve may be replaced by other forms of fluid flow control means, for example an electromagnetically- operated flow control valve may be used. Such a valve may be incorporated in the structure of the shower bar and be controlled from the motor energisation control circuit and opened when the motor is energised and closed when the motor is de-energised.

Furthermore, fluid flow control means may be incorporated in the structure of each shower head of the installation or fitted at some other suitable location where water flow from the pump is stopped when the motor is deenergised. For example, the fluid flow control means may be included in the connection between the outlet or outlets of the diverter valve and the shower head or heads.

It will also be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in shower control units that do not include a diverter valve and in which the pump outlet is connected directly to a single shower head or shower bar. In that case, the fluid flow control means may be incorporated in the structure of the shower head or shower bar or in the connection between the pump outlet and the head or bar.

Claims

Claims:

1. A shower head for a shower installation having a water flow control means operable to prevent water flow to the head when the head is not in use.

2. A shower head as claimed in claim 1 in which the control means comprises a flow control valve operable to allow water to flow to the head by the pressure of water supplied to the head.

3. A shower head as claimed in claim 2 in which the valve is a non return valve spring biassed to a position in which it prevents water flow to the head.

4. A shower head as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the flow control means is incorporated in the structure of the shower head.

5. A shower head as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the shower head comprises a spigot on which is mounted a shower plate.

6. A shower head as claimed in claim 5 in which the spigot is adapted to receive the fluid flow control means.

7. A shower head as claimed in claim 6 in which the flow control means comprises a housing located in the spigot, and a non return valve accommodated within the housing.

8. A shower head as claimed in claim 7 in which the valve has a valve head fixed to a rod that is slidably mounted in the housing.

9. A shower head as claimed in claim 8 in which the rod is slidably mounted in an open framework located in the housing.

10. A shower head as claimed in claim 9 in which the valve head is biassed into contact with a valve seat by a spring positioned.between the framework and the valve head.

11. A shower head as claimed in claim 9 or 10 in which means are provided for limiting the movement of the valve head away from the open framework.

12. A shower head as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11 in which the shower plate is so mounted on the spigot that it is capable of pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the spigot.

13. A shower head as claimed in claim 12 which includes a header pipe that extends longitudinally of the head and in which the spigot locates, at least partly, within the header pipe.

14. A control unit for a shower installation comprising a mixer valve with a hot and a cold water inlet for mixing water supplies from the inlets and with an outlet for the mixed supplies, a motor driven pump with a pump inlet joined to the outlet of the mixer valve and a pump outlet through which water is supplied to a shower head and in which fluid flow control means are provided for preventing water flow from the pump when the latter is not in use.

15. A unit as claimed in claim 14 which also includes a diverter valve with an inlet connected to the outlet of the pump and with first and second outlets at one of which is connected to the shower head.

16. A unit as claimed in claim 14 or 15 in which the fluid flow control means is incorporated in the structure of the shower head.

17. A unit as claimed in claim 16 in which the fluid flow control means comprises a non return valve spring biassed into a position in which water flow to the shower head is prevented and movable by water pressure in the outlet to which the head is connected to a second position in which water flow to the head is permitted.

18. A unit as claimed in claim 14 or 15 in which the shower head is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

18. A shower head for a shower installation substantially as herein desc.ribed with reference to and as illustrated by Fig.

3 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A control unit substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by Fig. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.