US20140291417A1

US20140291417A1 - Liquid aspirator and reservoir for shower head

Info

Publication number: US20140291417A1
Application number: US13/851,042
Authority: US
Inventors: David Anthony GREEN; John Harrison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: KOHLE LLC
Priority date: 2013-03-26
Filing date: 2013-03-26
Publication date: 2014-10-02

Abstract

For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This relates generally to aspirators for mixing a liquid with pressurized water.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Additionally, it can be difficult to reach a shower head fixture to make adjustments to the shower head.

SUMMARY

For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head. For example, the flow may be manually controlled from around the same height as a water stream control knob in a shower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a liquid aspirator that can attach to a shower fixture between a water source and a shower head to introduce liquid shower products into the water stream according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a liquid aspirator having a control knob that can adjust the flow of contents of a reservoir into a water stream.

FIG. 2 illustrates a liquid aspirator with multiple reservoirs and according to examples of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head. For example, the flow may be manually controlled from around the same height as a water stream control knob in a shower.
FIG. 1A illustrates a liquid aspirator 100 that can attach to a shower fixture between a water source and a shower head to introduce liquid shower products into the water stream according to examples of the disclosure. A first threaded pipe end 102 can attach to a water source such as a shower fixture. Pressurized water can flow through the pipe end 102 through a tee fitting 104 and out a second threaded pipe end 106. The second threaded pipe end 106 is provided for the attachment of a shower head.
A removable reservoir 108 can attach to the tee fitting 104 to introduce its contents into the water stream that flows through the tee fitting and out the second threaded pipe end 106. An end of the reservoir can be threaded to removably attach to the tee fitting 104. The reservoir 108 can be filled with liquid shower products such as soap, shampoo, and/or conditioner, among other possibilities.
In some examples, the tee fitting 104 may be a venturi tee fitting, wherein the diameter of the tee fitting narrows after the opening to the first threaded pipe end 102. When a water stream passes through the narrowing tee fitting, a region of lower pressure is created (the venturi effect) that can pull the contents of the reservoir 108 into the water stream.
FIG. 1B illustrates a liquid aspirator 100 having a control knob 110 that can adjust the flow of contents of reservoir 108 into a water stream passing through tee fitting 104 according to examples of the disclosure. In some examples, the control knob 110 can adjust a valve in the tee fitting 104. For example, turning the control knob 110 in one direction can reduce the flow of the contents of the reservoir 108 into the water stream. Turning the control knob 110 as far as possible in that direction may shut off the flow completely. Turning the control knob 110 in the opposite direction may increase the flow of the contents of the reservoir 108 into the water stream.
In some examples, a control bar 114 may be connected to the control knob 110 to allow manual adjustment of the control knob 110 remotely. In some examples, the control bar 114 may be connected to the control knob 110 by one or more control mechanisms, such as control cords 112. For example, a first control cord may connect a first end of the control bar 114 to a first end of the control knob 110, and a second control cord may connect a second end of the control bar to a second end of the control knob. If a user pulls on the first end of the control bar, the first control cord can be pulled taut, pulling the first end of the control knob and turning the control knob in a first direction. If a user then pulls on the second end of the control bar, the second control cord can be pulled taut, pulling the second end of the control knob and turning the control knob in a second, opposite direction.
In some examples, each control cord 112 can be a length such that the control bar 114 can hang from a shower head fixture at a height that can be easily reached by a user having difficulty reaching above the waist. For example, each control cord 112 can be three feet long, in some examples.
FIG. 2 illustrates a liquid aspirator 200 with multiple reservoirs 208 and 210 according to examples of the disclosure. The tee fitting 204 can have multiple outlets for attaching removable reservoirs, such as reservoirs 208 and 210. In some examples, each outlet and reservoir can have a corresponding valve, control knob, and/or control bar to allow for individual adjustment of the flow of each reservoir. For example, a first reservoir may contain shampoo, and a second reservoir may contain a body wash. A user can use a first control bar to adjust the flow of the first reservoir so that shampoo is mixed with the water stream in a shower. Then, the user can use the first control bar to shut off the flow of the first reservoir so that only water comes through the shower. The user can use a second control bar to adjust the flow of the second reservoir so that body wash is mixed with the water stream. Then, the second control bar can be used again to shut off the flow of the second reservoir so that only water comes through the shower.
Although FIG. 2 illustrates two reservoirs, examples of the disclosure are not so limited and may have any number of reservoirs. Additionally, although FIG. 2 illustrates each reservoir coupled to a single tee fitting, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. In some examples, the reservoirs may be offset from each other on a single tee fitting, or a plurality of tee fittings may each be attached to a different reservoir.
Although the disclosed embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid aspirator comprising:

a venturi tee fitting having first, second, and third outlets;

a first threaded pipe end coupled to the first outlet of the venturi tee fitting;

a second threaded pipe end coupled to the second outlet of the venturi fee fitting;

a reservoir removably coupled to the third outlet of the venturi tee fitting;

a control knob coupled to the venturi tee fitting for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the venturi tee fitting; and

a control bar coupled to the control knob with one or more control mechanisms.

2. The liquid aspirator of claim 1, further comprising an additional reservoir.

3. The liquid aspirator of claim 2, wherein the venturi tee fitting further has a fourth outlet, and the additional reservoir is removably coupled to the fourth outlet of the venturi tee fitting.

4. The liquid aspirator of claim 2, further comprising an additional venturi tee fitting, wherein the additional reservoir is removably coupled to an outlet of the additional venturi tee fitting.

5. The liquid aspirator of claim 1, wherein the one or more control mechanisms include one or more control cords.