US2583232A - Shower head - Google Patents

Description

l. H. RUSSELL Jan. 22," 1952 SHOWER HEAD 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Nov. 5, 1948 INVENTOR. JRV//VG H. RUSSELL Fig. l

Fig. 3

ATTORNEYS Jan. 22, 1952 l. H. RUSSELL 2,583,232

SHOWER HEAD Filed Nov. 5, 194eV 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 F '2. 5 F ig. 6

RV/NG H. RUSSELL.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 22, 1952 UNITEDl STATES I PATENT OFFICE SHOWER HEAD Irving H. Russell, Oak Fark, Ill., assignor to Sloan Valve Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation oi Illinois Application November 5, 1948, Serial No. 58,498

8 Claims. (Cl. 299-59) The present invention .relates to shower heads ofthetype commonly used in shower baths, and

after water iiow ceases, so there is no subsequentI dribble.

Another object of the invention is to produce a shower head in which the water dispersing disc is normally spaced away from the spray outlet and responsive to water iiow through the device, is automatically moved into engagement with the spray outlet to produce a multiplicity of jet discharge orifices.

Still further objects are to provide a new and improved shower head which is simple but du-l rable in construction; is highly efficient and re-' liable in performing its intended functions, which can `be economically manufactured in high production machinery so the device can be sold at low cost; and finally which does not require constant maintenance and service over long periods l of operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention consists in certain novel features in construction, operation, and combination of the various elements as will be more fully described and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1- is a sectional view through head embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view showing the shower head in operation with water, flowing through the device;

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the internal assembly unit of the device;

Fig. 5.is a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is another modification;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section of a different form of the invention in which'the piston is movable,l

while 1 v Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken generally along the line 1-1 of Fig. 7.

In a large number of shower heads in general use at the present time there is a Xed water dispersing disc arranged across the outlet end of the shower head, which is provided'with a multi plicity of small jet discharge passages over its a shower l flushing out and cleansing the same.

head eventually becomes completely clogged up with lime deposits or sediment carried along in the water supply. This necessitates thorough cleaning of the jet orifices, and where a large number of shower heads are provided, as in public places, constant maintenance is required.

Other shower heads, of which a large number are in use at the present time, are provided with.

a manually operated handle which is connected to an adjustable water dispersing disc, so that the disc may be raised or lowered in the spray outletV to regulate the annular jet discharge. After use by a person, the handle must be turned to lower the water dispersing disc and permit a large ow of water to pass out of the shower head, thereby other shower heads, the water dispersing disc is adapted to be axially screwed outward from the annular spray discharge opening to permit flush-` A further objection to the foregoing types of shower heads is that after the water supply has been turned off by a user, there is always a long drawn out dribble of water from the shower headv which is objectionable and annoying to the user.

The foregoing disadvantages have all been overcome by the .present invention, in which the shower head is automatically self-cleaning and. permits instant discharge of the accumulatedv water in the shower head after the supply valves' are turned off. Accordingly, the jet discharge orifices will not become clogged up and the spray discharge therefrom will always be constant and of the desired character.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, which dis-y` closes a preferred embodiment of the invention, the general outward 4appearance of the shower head is of conventional shape, the internal mech anism, however, being entirely different as will now be pointed out.

The shower head casing comprises .a bellshaped body 5 having a lower flanged portion E surrounding the spray outlet or discharge end l. The upper neck portion 8,01 the body 5 is arranged to be carried or supported from a. coupling nut 9 threaded thereon which clamps a universal swivel joint or ball I0 directly against the packing ring I i, located in the top of the shower head casing to permit swinging the shower head in any In still desired direction. A nipple |2 is formed integral Vwith the ball I and may be threaded onto a pipe carrying the inlet water supply through the nipple passage I3. The passage i3 connects directly with the water passage I4 through the ball IE).

In order to regulate the Water flow through the passage I4, and thereby the force or velocity of the spray emitted, a throttle valve is provided on the shower head. This comprises a manual rotatable knob |5, having a 'shaft extending through packing nut I6 in the side of the nipple I2. The valve opening I1 of the throttle I5, when turned in the direction shown in Fig, l, shuts off the water supply, and in the position shown in Fig. 2, permits water to enter the passage I4. A small circular groove I 8 surrounding the shaft of throttle I on both sides of the valve opening I1 per.- mits a small leak in the supply line to prevent reverse .flow between the hot and cold water supply valves connected to the rnipple I 2 in case the pressure of one exceeds the other.

The water passes through the shower head.

from passage I4 and lextends through a hollow piston stem 2|. This hollow stem at its upper end is threaded directly into a partition 22 formed across the upper end of the casing 5 and has a passage 23 extending axially therein with a series of transverse orices 24 at the bottom end of the stem. The hollow stem 2| is provided with a screw driver slot 25 at its lower end to permit it to be screwed into the body 5 from the open end thereof into the partition 22,. and a nut 25 also threaded onto the lower end of the hollow stem .2| clamps a stationary piston member 2`| upon the stem. This stationary piston 21 is preferably `formed of molded rm synthetic rubber having a reinforcement washer 28 imbedded therein to lend rigidity to the same.

Located within the open end of the shell casing 5 is a hydraulic cylinder 3|, which is cupshaped, having its open upper end internally threaded to receive a second inverted cup-shaped member 32. This cup member 32 has an opening 33 through which the stem 2| slidably extends and the cup forms a hydraulic pressure chamber 34 directly above the stationary piston 21. Below the stationary piston 21, the hydraulic cylinder 3| forms the relief chamber 35. Located within the relief chamber 35 and encircling nut 25 is a restoring spring 31 exerting its pressure between the bottom of the piston head 21 and the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder 3|, so that cylinder 3| is normally .urged in a downward direction by the spring 31, and the open end 0f the upper cup 32 contacts the top side 0f piston 21 and rests thereon.

At a point approximately midway of the length of hydraulic cylinder 3| is a series of orices 36 extending through the walls of the cylinder. These orices are preferably four in number and are of a size or total cross-sectional area less than the hollow stem orices 24. It will be observed that an annular space 39 is formed between the outside walls of hydraulic cylinder 3| and the inside walls of the casing 5 for the passage of water therethrough.

Located normally in juxta-position to the spray discharge opening 44 is an annular water dispersing' disc 48, having a series of jet discharge passages or grooves 4| formed around its periphery and inclinedv at an angle outward with respect to the axis of the shower head. These grooves. cooperate with the smooth inner sur'-l face of the spray voutlet 1 and are substantially parallel therewith to form the cone-shaped spray pattern made up of individual streams corresponding to each groove 4|. The water dispersing disc is preferably made of some synthetic plastic product, preferably Bakelite, which has the property of resisting corrosion and preventing the accumulation of sediment from the water. The disc 40 .is provided .at its upper surface with a pair of lugs 42, adapted to register loosely with holes formed in the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder 3| to prevent relative rotation therebetween, as when the disc 40 is clamped directly onto the rlower end of cylinder 3| by the knurled clamp screw 43, screwed axially in the bottom of the cylinder. It will be noted that the spray dispersing disc 40 is normally projected outward from the spray outlet 1 to provide a relatively large annular discharge opening 44.

The knurled screw 43 is provided with a bore 4,6 for the accommodation .of a secondary water dispersing member 41, which is adapted to loosely rest on the bottom ledge of the bore 4S directly over a jet discharge orifice 48. A pair of flutes 49 are formed on opposite sides of the dispersing member 41 to provide passages for the water through the j et discharge nozzle 48.

In assembling the shower head, the hollow stem 2| is iirst passed through the opening 33 of the upper cup member 32, after which the hydraulic cylinder 3| is threaded onto the upper cup 32, the spring 31 being first placed under the head of nut 26. This primary assembly is then placed inside of the casing 5 and a screw driver applied to the lower slotted end 25 of hollow stern 2| and the stem threaded into partition 22, the screw driver having access to the slot 25 through the axial opening in the bottom of cylinder 3|. Next, the disc 40 is placed in position on the bottom of the cylinder 3|, with the lugs 42 in regis' try with the holes in the bottom of the cylinder. The periphery of disc 4D is then grasped and the assembly held from rotation while the knurled screw 43 is screwed into the cylinder 3|, thereby clamping the disc 40 in position. The complete assembly and its external appearance is depicted in Fig. 4, which shows knurled surfaces on cylinders 3| and 32 to facilitate their assembly.

Referring now to the operation of the shower head in connection with Fig. 2, it will be observed that the throttle valve I5 is turned to permit passage of the water from the inlet supply passage I3 to the passage I4. The opening or closure of this throttle valve, however, is not necessary each time the shower head is used, its principal pur pose being to throttle the supply of water to the' desired flow when the pressure is excessive, the

usual thermostatic mixing valve or the separate hot vand cold valves being used for shut-off purposes.

The inlet Water flow from the passage I4 extends through the hollow interior passage 23 of stem 2| and out transversely through the series of orifices 24 into the pressure chamber 34. At the instant that the water flow takes place, as in Fig. l, there will be no direct outlet for the water ilow,nbut as the. pressure builds up in the pressure chamber 34, which will be practically instantaneous, the pressure is exerted upward against the underside of the cup 32, forcing the same to rise upwardly along the outside of piston. stem 2|. This movement carries along the hydraulic cylinder 3| upwardly against the small amount. of tension exerted by restoring spring 31 and in sliding engagement with stationary piston 21. This upward motion of the hydraulic unit continues until the periphery of the water dis persing disc and its grooves 4I have been moved into closing or contacting engagement with the annular spray outlet opening 1 of thecasing 5. thereby stopping the movement. An instant before this action takes place, the cylinder orifices 36 will have been moved into a position where they are approximately parallel with the upper surface of the stationary piston 21, as shown in Fig. 2. This permits the passage of water outward through the orifices 3S and into the annular chamber 39 between cylinder 3i and casing 5. Water now continues outwardly through the annular disc grooves 4I, resulting in the discharge of a cone-shaped spray formation from the spray outlet 44 and individual jet streams `corresponding to each groove 4I. It will be observed that the cylinder orifices 36 are of a smaller crosssectional area than the orifices 24 in the stationary piston stem 2|. This is to enable a certain amount of back pressure to be built up within the chamber 34 to provide a head'of water suilicient to maintain the hydraulic cylinder 3l in its upward position and the water dispersing disc 40 in the jet discharge position, as long as water flow takes place through the shower head.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the movement of the water dispersing disc 4U is in a direction in opposition to the ow of water through the shower head withthe piston 21 remaining stationary while the hydraulic cylinder moves upwardly. no water ow can take place and no spray formation emitted until the disc 4U is completely into engagement with the annular spray outlet 1 of the shower head, which can only occur when orifices 36 are moved into a position above piston 21. A perfect spray formation is therefore emitted at once and instantly instead of gradually as in all other shower heads.

Upon the cessation of water flow through the shower head, as when the shut-01T valves are closed, the pressure within the pressure chamber 34 is reduced and the restoring spring 31 is ef- Afective to exert its pressure against the bottom surface of piston 21 is contacted by the bottom of upper cup member 32, stopping the movement. At the same time, the water dispersing disc 40 moves downward and outward away from engagement with the spray outlet 1, widely opening up the annular passage 44 to permit the instant discharge of the remaining amount of water in the head after the supply valves have shut off, whereby no annoying prolonged dribble of water will take place..

It will be observed that the foregoing action and the inward and outward movement of the spray dispersing disc 45 takes place each time the shower head is turned on and off. The action is entirely automatic and results in the immediate cleansing or flushing out of any sediment which may lodge within the grooves il or above the spray outlet 1 when the disc is closed upon it.

It has been found in practice that where the rubber stationary piston head 21 has sliding Contact with the inner walls of the hydraulic cylinder 3 I, there will be a small amount of leakage due to the pressure built up within the pressure chamber 34. This leakage will pass into the lower chamber 35, and unless some provision was made for relieving the same. the operation It will also be observed thatl of the device would not be entirely reliableV at all times. This relief has been accomplished by permitting the leakage in chamber 34 to pass out through the bore 46 of the clamping screw 43, through the water dispersing member 41 and out ofthe jet nozzle 48. The jet discharge from the nozzle 48 provides a secondary small discharge arranged axially' within the cone-shaped spray discharge emitted from the annular spray outlet 44. This is ar desirable feature since it provides an additional spray discharge to a user of the shower'head which would not be available from the circular cone spray itself. The small dispersing member 41 being loosely positioned in the bore 4B, and having relatively large discharge passages 49, is not subjected to clogging, since foreign material will readily pass out of the relatively large openings. It has been observed that if a transverse slot is cut across the bottom of the dispersion member 41 connecting the two iiutes 49, a better and more desirable spray pattern formation is provided for the jet nozzle 48. 1

Referring now particularly to Fig. 5, this is a further exemplication of the invention illus-A trating similar operating principles in a shower head, resulting in certain economies in construction. In this modification, the body 5| is prefera-bly bell-shaped, having a iiange 52 formed on its lower spray outlet end. A hollow stem 53 is threaded into an upper partition of the body 5l and has a headed portion 54 formed on its lower side and provided wtih a screw driver slot, so that the stem may be threaded into the body partition. An axial opening 55 extends through thestem 53 and provides a passage leading to the series of orices 5B in the bottom of the stem 53. A hydraulic cylinder 51 of generally inverted cup-shaped structure is provided at its upper end with an opening through which the stem 53 extends, and with which the cup has sliding. movement. At the side walls a series of spaced orices 58 are provided in cup 51, which are smaller than orifices 56 and are located directly below a rubber packing member 53, forced onto the screw head 54. The hydraulic cylinder 51 is normally urged into its lower outward position by an expansion spring [i0 pressing against washer 6l on top of the cylinder 51 and at its other end against the upper' body partition 5 i. At its lower open end, the hydraulic cylinder 51 supports a water dispersing disc 62, which is attached to the same by a series of screws 53 threaded into the flanged rim 64 of the cup. In the normal posi-- tion as shown, a large annular water discharge opening 65 exists between thewater dispersing disc 62 and the shower head flange 52. A knurled nut 66 is preferably screwedinthe 'bottom of the water dispersing disc.'

YIn the operation of this modification, the water passes through the hollow stem 53` and the orl-` fices 56 therein, and builds up pressure in the pressure chamber 61, causing the hydraulic cylinder 51 to move upwardly and the disc 52 to move into water dispersing engagement with the flange 52, causing an annular jet discharge from the shower head opening 55. In order to provide a relief in the cylinder 51, below the piston head 54, a small hole 68 may be provided to serve as an outlet for any waterescaping around the end of the piston packing 59. In this construction of shower head, the action is similar to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment illustratedin ligs.` 1 and 2, in that the initial waterow into the device does notresult in the immediate formation of a jet discharge from f'tiie'spray outlet yuntil thedisc 62v is moved into fplace'against the AflangeZ of the casingt after which the 'pressure within the pressure chamber 8 1 holds;it in that position. Upon the cessation of waterrflow, the disc 62 is immediately projected outward from the spray outlet, resulting in the immediate discharge` of the accumulated water lin thegcasing so that no resultant dribble can take place. Y

Referring now to the second modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6, the general arrangement `is 'somewhat4 similar to the previous disclosures in that the shower head casing 1| -provided with a'spray outlet flange 12 and a 'hollow-piston Vstem '|3 threaded into the partition formed `in the upper end of the casing 1|. At its Vlower end, clamping nut Mis threaded onto the stem 13 `and Aan axial hollow portion 'l5 in-stem 'I3 'terminates lin -a series of trans.- verse orifices 15 located near the Alower end of the stem. An inverted cup-shaped member 'I7 forming the hydraulic movable cylinder, has an opening 18 at its upper end, which normally rests in the position shown upon Ian annular shoulder or flange 'I9 'formed 'in the stem 13. Engaging in slidable relationship with the inner walls of the hydraulic cylinder 11 is a cup-shaped packing 'member '80 clamped in position yon the lower end vof stein 13 `by the mit 14. A restoring spring 81 has one end `in abutting 'relationship with the bottomof the 'cup member', and its other end bea-ring againstfa 'closure disc 82 threaded into the V'open n'd of hydraulic cylinder 1l. The spring jBI friornially exerts its pressure against the cylinder l1 vto hold the upper edge and opening 1B against thelsho'ulder 19. A water dispersing disc 83 lis arranged lin `operative relation to the vspray,outlet 12g, and provided with a series of jet discharge openings 85 around its periphery. The 'nut 84 plarrp's the "dispersing disc 83 directly onto -the losure member 82, carried by cylifi-eer 11. w

As in the o'thij nrodiflcationsof the invention, water `flow through thehollow stem l5 and orifices To creates a Lpressure `above the piston member '80, resulting in upward movement of hydrauliecylinder until its upper end is spaced away fromI the ledge 19, whereupon water iiow will take place, thrugh the orifices 'I8 and annular passage 88r betweenthe outside of cylinder il and the insideuof casing ll. At this time, the disc 83l isrin spray discharge engagement with the outlet opening 12 of the casing and a conesha-pcd `epr'ay `discharge isceased to be emitted through thegiooves 85,'V -Upon the wateroflow ceasing 'to take plane, the spring 8 I immediately projects 'the disc 8 9 out rdkresulting in Iquick discharge of the remairliney 'volume of Water in the shower head. l n 'y i A 'still further` indication of the invention is illustrated in 7 and 8. In this arrangement, however, contrary to thempreviously described 'niodiiicatiorn` the piston` instead of being stationary. is movable, while the enclosing cylirider stationary. ,Thie reduit-ee a somewhat different, structural arrangement of the shower head, although the principles f operation are essenany 'we en@ The shower head -casing `90,is of bell-shaped construction, and is providedr with the lower ange portion 9| comprising the spray outlet. Piston eating@ heedel. ,Pedim its fairly closely and-,A reeipocates within an inverted cupshaped cylinder 93. while the stem portion 949i the Disti head 92 eitends dwnwardand at its lll 8 lower-end carriesthe Water. dispersine disc .9.5 clamped inyplace lon thestem 94 by the clamp screw 96. A closure member y91 threadedl on the inner surface of casing serves as a bearing for the stem 94 and has an upwardly projecting bearing portion 95', upon which the head of piston 92 normally rests. The closure member 91 is threaded inward until it engages the open end of the cylinder 93 to tightly hold it within casing 90. At its upper end, a protruding boss 98 is formed on lthe top side of cylinder 93 to register with water passageway 99 in the casing and prevent rotation of the cylinder within the casing. A restoring spring |00 arranged between the water dispersing disc y and the closure disc 91 normally holds the piston head 92 on the shoulder 95 of disc 92 and the disc 95 outward from the spray outlet 9|.. Water passages are formed in the body-including passages 99, |0|, |02 and' |03, thepassa'ge |0| leading to two opposite sides of the cylinder 93, as indicated in Fig. 8, and into oppositely disposedoriiices |04 extending through the wall of cylinder '93 to the underside of piston head 92. Another pair of oppositely disposed water passages |03 connect the orices |05 in the cylinder 93 above piston 92 to the water dispersing disc 95 and the spray outlet. As viewed in Fig. 8, the pair of passages |02 and |03 being adjacently disposed, are separated by a series of projections |06 formed in the inner walls of casing 90.

Water flow through the device takes place through passages |i, 99 and |02, and orifices |04, causing pressure formation within the chamber |07 below piston head 92 to raise it upwardly until it is `moved past the position directly opposite the upper cylinder orifices |05, whereupon the water pressure is relieved and passes through the orices |05 and outwardly through the two passages |03 to the spray outlet. At this time, the disc 95 is in registry with the spray outlet 9| to cause a spray discharge. Upon water ceasing to flow through the device, the spring |09 forces the disc 95 outward assisted by gravity and causes the piston 92 to assume its lower-most position. In this modification, it will be seen that the ow of water through the shower head is in a direction opposite to that in which the disc 95 is moved each time, and upon water flow ceasing to take place, the disc is immediately projected outwardv equivalents may be substituted therefor, withoutl departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a; Water supply inlet and a spray outlet, a movable hydraulic cylinder inside said casing but separated from the side walls thereof, a water dispersing disc attached to one end of said cylinder and positioned in spaced relation to said spray outlet, a stationary piston within said cylinder having a hollow supporting stem attached to said casing, the water flow through said hollow stein and into said cylindercausing said cylinder to be. moved Within said casing and thereby move said discinto ,water dispersing position in said spray outlet, said cylinder having orifices in the sides thereof normally blocked by said piston and opened only when said cylinder has positively moved said disc into said spray outlet whereby a water passage is provided extending from said hollow stem through said cylinder orices to the side walls of said casing into said spray outlet.

2. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inlet and a spray outlet, a movable hydraulic cylinder inside said casing but separated from the side walls thereof, a water dispersing disc positioned adjacent said spray outlet, and attached to one end of said cylinder, a stationary piston inside said cylinder having a hollow stem projecting from the other end of said cylinder, the end of said stem being attached to said casing whereby said cylinder and disc are supported by said piston, the flow of water through said casing and said hollow stern into said cylinder causing said cylinder to be raised from said piston to move said disc into water dispersing engagement with said spray out let, said cylinder having orifices in the sides thereof normally blocked by said piston and opened only when said cylinder has positively moved said disc into said spray outlet whereby a water passage is provided extending from said hollow stem through said cylinder orifices to the side walls of said casing into said spray outletA 3. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inlet and a spray outlet, a movable hydraulic cylinder inside said casing but separated from the side walls thereof, a water dispersing disc positioned across but outward from said spray outlet and fastened to one end of said cylinder, a stationary piston in said cylinder having a hollow stem projecting from the other end of said cylinder, the end of said hollow stem being attached to said casing leading to said water supply inlet, said hollow stern being provided with water flow orices leading into said cylinder on one side of said piston, said cylinder being provided with water flow orifices leading from the other side of said piston into said casing side walls and said spray outlet, the water flow through said casing and said hollow stem orifices causing said cylinder to be raised to a position where said cylinder orifices and said stern orinces coincide to permit water flow therethrough, the movement of said cylinder also causing said disc to be moved into engagement with said spray outlet to cause a dispersing spray to be emitted from said spray outlet.

4. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inlet and a spray outlet, a movable hydraulic cylinder in said casing but separated from the side walls thereof, a water dispersing disc attached to said cylinder and normally arranged across but out of engagement with said spray outlet, a piston in said cylinder having a projecting hollow stem attached to said casing, water flow through said casing and into said hollow stem and cylinder causing said cylinder to be moved with respect to said piston whereby said disc is moved into water dispersing engagement with said spray outlet, said cylinder having orifices in the sides thereof to provide a water passage extending from said hollow stem through said cylinder orifices to the side walls of said casing and into said spray outlet and cooperative means on said piston and said cylinder for preventing water ilow through said water passage and spray outlet until said disc is moved into engagement with said spray outlet.

5. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing having a water supply inlet and having a spray outlet, a water dispersing disk and a guiding connection between the disk and the casing formed and adapted to guide the disk toward and away from the spray outlet, said disk having an edge portion conforming substantially to the inner diameter of the spray outlet when opposed thereto, an assembly for moving the water dispersing disk against said spray outlet in respense to a flow of water inwardly through the water supply inlet, said assembly including means adapted to initiate the flow of water between the disk and the spray outlet at the end of the movement of the disk toward the spray oulet, the opposed edge surfaces of the spray outlet and the disk being shaped to deiine circumferentially spaced jet discharge oriiices, and means for moving the disk to a position withdrawn from said spray outlet, when the ilow of water through the water supply inlet is terminated.

6. The structure of claim 5 characterized in that the assembly includes an apertured shutter element and an opposed closure element cooperating therewith, one such element being fixed in relation to the casing and the other such element being mounted for movement in unison with the disk.

7. In a self-cleaning shower head, a casing raving a water supply inlet and having a spray outlet, said outlet having a circumferential lip fixed in relation to the casing, a water dispersing disc and a guiding connection between the disc and the casing formed and adapted to guide the disc toward and away from the lip, said disc having an edge portion conforming substantially to the inner diameter of the lip when opposed thereto, an assembly for moving the water dispersing disc against the lip in response to a flow of water inwardly through the water supply inlet, said assembly including means adapted to initiate the Aflow of water between the disc and the lip at the end of the movement of the disc toward the lip, the opposed edge surfaces of the lip and the disc being shaped to define circumferentially spaced jet discharge orifices, and means for moving the disk to a position outwardly withdrawn from the lip when the ow of water through the water supply inlet is terminated.

8. The structure of claim 7 characterized in that the assembly includes a hollow guiding stem ixed on the casing and a piston member xed on the stem, and a cylinder to which the disc is secured, movable on the stem and with respect to said piston, the cylinder including a ported wall portion opposed to said piston member and movable with the cylinder to place the water inlet in communication with the jet discharge orifices.

IRVING I-I. RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,291,767 Cogswell Jan. 21, 1919 1,597,621 Reichard Aug. 24, 1926 2,049,141 Schneider July 28, 1936 2,222,465 Nystrom Nov. 19, 1940 2,404,081 Mock et a1. ,l'uly 16, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 183,167 France 1887

Images