GB2532071A

GB2532071A - Slide rail assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2532071A
Application number: GB1419903.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Banham Stuart
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-07
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2016-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-07
Also published as: GB201419903D0; GB2532071B; WO2016071709A1; CN106715807A

Abstract

A slide rail assembly 10 for mounting a height adjustable shower head wherein the slide rail assembly includes an entertainment device 24. The entertainment device may generate an audio or visual output, the signal for which may be wirelessly provided from a remote source. The wireless link may be one way or two way. The entertainment device may comprise a speaker 30 held in a housing 28 by magnetic coupling. The speaker may be provided at an end of the slide rail. The slide rail may comprise a tube into which a clip (40, Fig. 6) on the housing of the speaker may be received for releasable attachment. The slide rail assembly may include a height adjustable support bracket 18 for mounting a shower handset. There may be two or more entertainment devices.

Description

SLIDE RAIL ASSEMBLY

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to slide rail assemblies for mounting a height adjustable showerhead.

The present invention seeks to improve the user experience when showering.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a slide rail assembly for mounting a height adjustable showerhead wherein the slide rail assembly includes an entertainment device.

The entertainment device may generate an audio output such as music and/or a visual output such as pictures. The entertainment device may receive a signal from a remote source for generating the audio output and/or visual output. The entertainment device may communicate with the remote source via a wireless link. The link may be one-way from the remote source to the entertainment device. Alternatively, the link may be two-way between the remote source and the entertainment device whereby the remote source can be controlled from the entertainment device.

In some embodiments, the entertainment device comprises a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly may include a housing and a speaker. The speaker may be detachable from the housing. The speaker may be held in the housing by a magnetic coupling or any other suitable means. The housing may be configured for attaching the speaker assembly to the slide rail assembly. The housing may be releasable attached to the slide rail assembly.

In some embodiments the slide rail assembly includes a slide rail and is mountable on a support surface with the slide rail arranged vertical or substantially vertical. The speaker assembly may be provided at an end of the slide rail. For example the speaker assembly may be provided at the upper end of the slide rail. Alternatively, the speaker assembly may be provided at the lower end of the slide rail. Alternatively a speaker assembly may be provided at both ends of the slide rail.

In some embodiments, the slide rail comprises a tube and the housing of the speaker assembly includes an attachment member received within the end of the tube. The tube may be of circular or non-circular cross-section. The attachment portion may be an interference friction fit within the tube. The housing may be detachable from the tube.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides an entertainment device for attaching to a slide rail assembly for mounting a height adjustable showerhead.

In some embodiments, the entertainment device comprises a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly may include a housing and a speaker. The speaker may be detachable from the housing. The speaker may be held in the housing by a magnetic coupling or any other suitable means. The housing may be configured for attaching the speaker assembly to the slide rail assembly. The housing may be configured to be releasably attached to the slide rail assembly.

In some embodiments the housing may be configured for mounting at an end of a slide rail of the slide rail assembly. For example the speaker assembly may be mounted at the upper end of the slide rail. Alternatively, the speaker assembly may be mounted at the lower end of the slide rail. Alternatively a speaker assembly may be provided at both ends of the slide rail.

In some embodiments, the housing includes an attachment member for attaching the entertainment device to the slide rail assembly. The attachment device may be received within the end of the slide rail. The slide rail may be of circular or non-circular cross-section. The attachment portion may be an interference friction fit within the end of the slide rail. The housing may be detachable from the slide rail.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a slide rail assembly embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the slide rail assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the slide rail assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slide rail assembly, similar to Figure 1, showing the speaker unit detached from the speaker housing; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of the slide rail assembly of Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the speaker housing shown in Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 is a front view of the speaker housing shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of the speaker housing shown in Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a rear view of the speaker housing shown in Figure 6.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, a slide rail assembly 10 is shown for mounting on a vertical extending support surface (not shown) such as a vertical wall of a shower enclosure.

The slide rail assembly includes a slide rail 12 supported at or near its terminal ends by wall mounting brackets 14, 16 attached to the support surface by any suitable means (not shown).

In this embodiment the slide rail 12 is of circular section. This is not essential and, in other embodiments, the slide rail may have other shapes, for example the slide rail may be of non-circular section such as oval section or C-section or D-section. The slide rail 12 may comprise a hollow tube. The slide rail 12 and brackets 14, 16 can be made of any material suitable for a water environment.

The slide rail assembly 10 also includes a support bracket 18 slidably mounted on the slide rail 12 for movement lengthwise of the slide rail 12 between the mounting brackets 14, 16. The support bracket 18 includes a parking socket 20 for detachably receiving and supporting a shower handset (not shown) and an actuator 22 for adjustment of the position of the bracket 18.

The actuator 22 may be manually operable by a user for securing the support bracket 18 to fix the position of the bracket 18 along the slide rail 12 and for releasing the support bracket 18 to adjust the position of the bracket 18 along the slide rail 12. In this way the vertical height of the handset supported by the bracket 18 can be adjusted as required. The support bracket 18 can be made of any material suitable for a water environment.

The handset may be of any suitable type and may include a grip portion that receives a water supply from a hose or similar conduit and delivers the water to a spray head configured to deliver the water as a directed spray.

The spray head may comprise an array of nozzles arranged to deliver the water in a defined spray pattern. The spray head may be adjustable to change the spray. For example the nozzles may be arranged in groups providing different spray patterns and the spray head may include an actuator operable by any suitable means to switch between the groups of nozzles to change the spray pattern.

The slide rail assembly 10 further includes an entertainment device 24. In this embodiment the entertainment device 24 is a speaker assembly 26 that provides an audio output. The speaker assembly 26 is mounted at one end of the slide rail 12.

In this embodiment, the speaker assembly 26 is mounted at the upper end of the slide rail 12. This is not essential and in other embodiments, the speaker assembly 26 may be mounted at other positions. For example, Figure 5 shows the speaker assembly 26 mounted at the lower end of the slide rail 12.

In other embodiments (not shown), the speaker assembly 26 may be mounted between the ends of the slide rail 12 and/or the position of the speaker assembly 26 may be adjustable along the length of the slide rail. For example, a connector such as a clip may be provided for attaching, preferably releasably, the speaker assembly 26 to the slide rail 12 at any position. Alternatively, a support bracket may be provided for attaching the speaker assembly 26 to the slide rail 12. The support bracket may be slidably mounted on the slide rail 12 for movement lengthwise of the slide rail 12 for adjusting the position of the speaker assembly 26 between the mounting brackets 14, 16. The support bracket may be similar to the support bracket for the handset.

The speaker assembly may be detachable from the support bracket.

A single support bracket may be provided for both the parking socket 20 and the speaker assembly 26 whereby the vertical height of the handset and speaker assembly can be adjusted simultaneously.

Alternatively, separate support brackets may be provided for the parking socket 20 and speaker assembly 26 whereby the height of the handset and speaker assembly 26 can be adjusted independently.

In other embodiments (not shown) more than one entertainment device 24 may be provided. For example there may be a speaker assembly 26 at both ends of the slide rail 12. Alternatively, there may be a speaker assembly 26 providing an audio output at one end of the slide rail 12 and a screen assembly providing a visual output at the other end of the slide rail 12. Other combinations of the same or different entertainment devices may be employed.

The speaker assembly 26 includes a housing 28 and a speaker 30 supported in the housing and operable to output audio. The speaker 30 is releasably secured in the housing 28 whereby the speaker 30 can be detached from the housing 28. The housing 28 and speaker 30 can be made of any material suitable for a water environment.

The speaker 30 may be releasably secured by any suitable means (not shown) including, but not limited to, a magnetic coupling, a mechanical coupling between elements of the housing 28 and the speaker 30 or a separate retainer releasably secured to the housing 28 to hold the speaker 30 in the housing 28.

With reference now also to Figures 6 to 9, the housing 28 has a body 32 providing a recess 34 to receive the speaker 30. In this embodiment the recess 34 is frusto-conical and the speaker 30 is of complementary shape to fit within the recess 34.

A front face 36 (Figure 3) of the speaker 30 may project slightly from a peripheral edge of the opening 38 at the front of the recess 34.

In this way, a front edge portion of the speaker 30 is accessible for a user to grip when it is desired to remove the speaker 30 from the housing 28.

The speaker 30 may be watertight to prevent ingress of water. A watertight seal may be provided between the housing 28 and the speaker 30 when the speaker 30 is received in the recess 34.

In other embodiments the housing 28 and speaker 30 may have shapes other than frusto-conical. In other embodiments the speaker 30 may project from the housing 28 or may be substantially flush with the housing 28 or may be recessed within the housing 28.

A tool may be provided to assist insertion of the speaker 30 into 15 the housing 28 and/or removal of the speaker 30 from the housing 28.

The housing 28 has an attachment member 40 that extends from the body 32 and is received in the end of the slide rail 12 to mount the housing 28 on the slide rail 12.

The member 40 may be configured to be an interference push fit in the end of the slide rail 12 whereby the housing 28 is retained in place by friction between the member 40 and the internal surface of the slide rail 12. For example, the member 40 may comprise a plurality of resilient legs 42.

The member 40 may also be configured to limit insertion into the end of the slide rail 12. For example, the member 40 may include a shoulder 44 that seats against the end of the slide rail 12 when the member 40 is inserted into the end of the slide rail 12.

In other embodiments (not shown), the member 40 may be secured by a mechanical coupling including, but not limited to, a grub screw inserted through the slide rail 12 to engage the member 40.

The speaker 30 may be configured to receive a signal from a remote source (not shown) to provide an audio output. For example, wireless communication may be provided between the speaker 30 and the remote source. Such communication may include, but is not limited to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices.

The remote source may include, but is not limited to devices such as a phone, computer and any other suitable remote communicating devices such as cell phone, smart phone (iPhone), desktop computer, laptop computer, table computer (iPad), MP3 player (iPod) and other comparable devices.

The communication may be one-way. For example, one-way communication from the remote source to the speaker 30. Alternatively the communication may be two-way. For example, two-way communication between the remote source and the speaker 30.

Where two-way communication is provided the speaker assembly 26 may be configured to send signals to the remote source to control operation of the remote source. For example on/off, pause/play, forward, reverse, volume, call answer, end call and other suitable controls.

The speaker assembly may include any suitable means (not shown) such as one or more buttons, a key pad, a touch pad, a touch screen or other suitable means of generating the signals to be sent to the remote source.

The speaker assembly 26 may include a power source (not shown) for powering the speaker 30. For example at least one battery. Where provided, the battery may be a re-chargeable battery.

The battery may be removable from the housing 28 with the speaker 30 and re-charged by connecting to a suitable power supply. Alternatively or additionally the battery may be re-charged by connecting to a suitable power supply with the speaker 30 mounted in the housing 28.

In other embodiments (not shown), the entertainment device 24 may be configured to provide a visual output in place of or in addition to the audio output. For example the speaker assembly 26 may include a screen (not shown) or similar device for generating an image in response to a signal from a remote source.

In other embodiments (not shown), the entertainment device 24 may include a light source, for example one or more light emitting diodes, for illumination in place of or in addition to the audio output and/or the visual output.

In other embodiments (not shown), the entertainment device 24 may include a clock or similar device for indicating the time in place of or in addition to the audio output and/or the visual output.

In other embodiments (not shown), the slide rail assembly may be provided with two or more entertainment devices. For example an audio output may be provided at one end of the slide rail and a visual output at the other end of the slide rail. Any of the entertainment devices described herein may be employed separately or in combination.

In other embodiments (not shown), the entertainment device may be provided in or on a mounting bracket for the slide rail.

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the slide rail assembly and components thereof, as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. The various elements and assemblies may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description, the word "exemplary" is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

For purposes of this disclosure, references to the position and/or orientation of the various elements and assemblies in this description are merely used to identify the various elements and assemblies as they are oriented in the FIGURES and are not meant to limit the elements and assemblies which they describe, as the various elements and assemblies may be oriented differently in various applications. Further, the term "coupled" means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

Any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating configuration, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A slide rail assembly for mounting a height adjustable showerhead wherein the slide rail assembly includes an entertainment device.
2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1 wherein the entertainment device generates an audio output and/or a visual output.
3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2 wherein the entertainment device receives a signal from a remote source for generating the audio output and/or visual output.
4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3 wherein the entertainment device communicates with the remote source via a wireless link.
5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4 wherein the link is one-way from the remote source to the entertainment device.
6. The slide rail assembly of claim 4 wherein the link is two-way between the remote source and the entertainment device.
7. The slide rail assembly of any preceding claim wherein the entertainment device comprises a speaker assembly.
8. The slide rail assembly of claim 7 wherein the speaker assembly includes a housing and a speaker.
9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8 wherein the speaker is detachable from the housing.
10. The slide rail assembly of claim 9 wherein the speaker is held in the housing by a magnetic coupling.
11. The slide rail assembly of any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the housing is configured for attaching the speaker assembly to the slide rail assembly.
12. The slide rail assembly of claim 11 wherein the housing is releasably attached to the slide rail assembly.14. The slide rail assembly of any preceding claim wherein the slide rail assembly includes a slide rail and is mountable on a support surface with the slide rail arranged vertical or substantially vertical.15. The slide rail assembly of claim 14 wherein the speaker assembly is provided at an end of the slide rail.16. The slide rail assembly of claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the slide rail comprises a tube and the housing of the speaker assembly includes 20 an attachment member received within the end of the tube.17 The slide rail assembly of claim 16 wherein the attachment portion is an interference friction fit within the tube.18 The slide rail assembly of claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the housing is detachable from the tube.19. The slide rail assembly of any of the preceding claims wherein the showerhead comprises a shower handset and the slide rail assembly includes a height adjustable support bracket for mounting the handset.20. The slide rail assembly of claim 19 wherein the handset is detachable from the support bracket.21. The slide rail assembly of any preceding claim including two or more entertainment devices.22. A slide rail assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.