US3081040A

US3081040A - Spray head

Info

Publication number: US3081040A
Application number: US159108A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gilbert L Hartmann
Original assignee: Milwaukee Faucets Inc
Current assignee: Milwaukee Faucets Inc
Priority date: 1961-12-13
Filing date: 1961-12-13
Publication date: 1963-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 1980-03-12

Description

Margh 12, 1963 G. L. HARTMANN SPRAY HEAD Filed Dec. 15, 1961 INVENTOR. GILBERT L. HARTMANN BY WMZW nited States Fatent Gi e 3,681,040 SPRAY HEAD Gilbert L. Hartmann, Whitefish Bay, Wis, assignor to Milwaukee Faucets, Inc, Milwaukee, Wis. a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec. 13, 1961,'Ser. No. %,108 7 Elainls. (Cl. 239-457) This invention relates generally to improvements in the art of creating liquid spray, and it relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of spray heads especially adapted for use in shower bath installations.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved liquid spray device which is simple in structure and efficient in operation.

Some of the more important and specific objects of the invention are as follows:

To provide an improved shower spray head which embodies a minimum number of simple parts adapted to be readily manufactured and assembled or dismantled.

To provide an improved shower head which may be conveniently adjusted to deliver liquid spray in any desired direction with variable intensity, and in which objectiona-ble leakage or dripping of liquid is eliminated.

. To provide a compact and simple spray head composed of a minimum number of parts which may be produced at moderate cost from durable materials, which will resist excessive wear and thus avoid necessity for rapid replacement, and in which the spray producing components are especially resistant to the action of hard Water and lime deposits.

To provide an improved shower nozzle of the univer-' sally movable ball suspended type wherein the ball joint is positively locked against possible separation when the device is in use, and which is relatively tamper-proof after assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following disclosure.

A clear conception of the features constituting the present improvement, and of the construction and operation of a typical spray shower head embodying the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a central vertical section through one of the improved spray heads, but showing a part of the spray adjusting disk in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a part sectional bottom View of the same spray head, the section having been taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse horizontal section through the same spray head taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the spring and ball joint locking plate of the same spray head.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as having special utility when embodied in spray heads for shower bath installations, it is not intended to limit the use of the improvements to such shower heads; and it is also contemplated that specific descriptive terms employed herein be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the typical spray head shown therein by way of illustration comprises, a tubular casing 6 having a spherical zone seat 7 at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs 8 remote from the seat 7; a hollow ball member 9 co-acting with the seat 7 to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support for the casing 6; a plate 10 normally confined within the casing 6 and being provided with a Patented Mar. 12, 1963 2 series of circumeferen-tially spaced peripheral notches 11 and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets 12, the spacing of which is the same as that of the casing lugs 8; resilient means such as a helical compression spring 13 interposed between the plate 10 and the ball member 9 for simultaneously retaining the ball against the casing seat 7 and the casing lugs 8 seated within the sockets 12; and -a liquid spray discharge regulating disk 14 adjustably secured to the plate 10.

The casing 6 is preferably made of sheet metal and is tapered toward its open end remote from the ball seat 7, and the lugs 8 are formed integral with the casing wall somewhat above its open lower annular end 16. The ball suspension member 9 is preferably made of metal and is provided with a central passage 17 for admitting liquid into the casing interior, and this member 9 also has a screw-threaded portion 18 for attaching it to a liquid supply conduit, see FIG. 1. A flexible sealing ring 19 coasts directly with the ball of the member 9 and is engaged by a metal ring element 26 with which one end of the spring 13 coacts to constantly force this ball into sealing engagement with the casing seat 7, and the opposite end of this spring reacts against the locking plate 10. While the ball 9 afford a swivel suspension for the spray head, this ball may be replaced by a fixed member having a water inlet conduit therein without departing from the invention.

The plate It) is an important part of the present improvement, and it may be made of metal or durable plastic of a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tubular casing 6, see FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. This plate 10 besides having the peripheral notches 11 and sockets 12 formed therein is provided with a plurality of holes 22 for permitting relatively large liquid jets to flow therethrough, and with a central integral hub 23 and integral spring centering ribs 24 radiating from the hub. Each of these ribs 24 is formed as shown in FIG. 1 in order to maintain the helical spring 13 perfectly centnalized within the tubular casing 6, and the ribs also reinforce the plate 10 and prevent distortion thereof.

The spacing of the plate notches 11 and of the plate sockets 12. is such that the plate 10 may be bodily inserted within the casing 6 and pressed inwardly to compress the spring 13 when the notches are in alignment with the lugs 8, and the plate 10 may then be rotated after the lugs 8 have passed through the notches 11, and the pressure may be subsequently released to cause the spring '13 to force the sockets 12 over and against the casing lugs S as shown in FIG. 1. The plate 10 will thereafter be locked in position to confine the spring 13 and ring 19 within the casing and the suspension ball against the seat 7, but the assemblage may be just as readily dismantled by reversing the foregoing operations, all of which can be eifected by assemblymen without the aid of special tools.

The water flowing through the openings 22 is conducted to the space between the plate 10 and the liquid spray discharge regulating disk 14 which may also be constructed of metal or durable plastic and this disk 14 is provided with an integral central screw-threaded spindle 26 adapted to snugly coact with internal screw threads formed in the hub 23 of the locking plate 10'. The disk 14 also has a series of small spray openings 27 and an annular series of peripheral spray grooves 28 therein, the latter being inclined toward the interior of the casing 6 and cooperable with the annular casing end 16 to vary the spray intensity when the disk 14 is rotated relative to the plate 10. When the disk 14 is adjusted toward the interior of the casing 6, the sprays delivered through the grooves willdiminish in intensity and vice versa, and in order to facilitate rotary adjustment of the disk 14, it

3 is provided with an integral transverse gripping flange 29 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

While the coacting screw threads of the disk spindle 26 and plate hub 23 may be of sufiiciently tight fit to permit rotary adjustment of the spray regulating disk 14 while still preventing ready complete removal of this disk, the disk 14 may also be positively attached to the plate 16 by means of a screw 30 driven centrally into the free end of the spindle 26 and slightly overlapping the adjacent end of the hub 23, see FIGS. 1 and 3. This stop screw 36 prevents tampering and possible theft while still permitting the disk 14 to be adjusted outwardly of the casing 6 any distance within the length of the grooves 22 in order to vary the intensity of the spray delivered from the nozzle, and this feature is especially valuable in public installations. When the stop screw 30 is utilized it must either be applied through the inlet 17 of the ball or before the locking plate is inserted within the casing in which case the spray disk 14 is used to effect assembly of the spray head, the screw then positively preventing removal of the disk 14 without first releasing the plate 10.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a compact and simple spray head Which is highly flexible and effective in use and may be readily assembled or dismantled when necessary. After the plate 10 is snapped into place, it positively maintains the shower nozzle in assembled condition and prevents possible separation of parts while the device is in use; and it also cooperates with the spring 13 and ring 19 to produce an efiicient seal and to eliminate leakage between the ball suspension member 9 and the casing 6. The flexible sealing ring 19 is reinforced and protected by the metal ring element 20 with which the spring 13 coacts, and this spring is maintained in central position within the casing 6 by the ribs 24 which also serve to reinforce the plate 10. While the nozzle unit may be readily initially assembled, it can only be dismantled for internal inspection or replacement of parts with somewhat more difficulty due to the use of the stiff spring 13, and when the stop screw 30 is provided the spray disk 14 is tamper-proof and cannot be removed from the assemblage without first releasing the plate 10 from the lugs 8 of the casing 6. Also, by forming the plate 10 and disk 14 of suitable plastic, these parts are highly resistant to lime deposits and corrosion otherwise resulting from the action of minerals and the like carried by the water.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention:

I claim:

1. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs remote from said inlet, a plate normally confined within said casing and being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets being the same as that of said lugs, and resilient means interposed between said plate and said inlet end for retaining said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets.

2. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seat at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs remote from said ball seat, a hollow ball member coacting with said casing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support for said casing, a plate normally confined within said casing and being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets being the same as that of said lugs, resilient means interposed between said plate and said ball member for simultaneously retaining the ball against said casing seat and said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets, and a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate.

3. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seat at one end and a series of equally circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs near its opposite open end, a hollow ball member coacting with said casing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support for said casing, a plate normally confined within said casing but being rotatable and provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs, a helical compression spring interposed between said plate and said member for holding the ball against said casing seat and said lugs within said sockets, and a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, said plate being freely insertable within and removable from said opposite casing end when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs from said sockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alignment with the plate notches.

4. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular sheet metal casing having a ball seat at one end and a series of equally circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs near its opposite open end, a hollow metal ball member coacting with said casing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support for said casing, a plastic plate normally confined within said casing but being rotatable and provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs, a flexible sealing ring coacting with the ball of said member, a helical compression spring interposed between said plate and said ring for holding the ball against said casing seat and said lugs within said sockets, and a plastic liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, said plate being freely insertable within and removable from said opposite casing end when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs from said sockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alignment with the plate notches.

5. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having a ball seat at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed integral lugs remote from said ball seat near its opposite open end, a hollow ball member coacting with said casing seat to provide a universally adjustable liquid admission support for said casing, a perforated plate normally confined within said casing and being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets being the same as that of said lugs, and a helical compression spring interposed between said plate and said ball member for simultaneously retaining the ball against said casing seat and said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets, said plate being rotatable to align said notcheswith said lugs for free insertion or removal of the plate through said open casing end when forced inwardly to compress said spring and release said lugs from said sockets.

6. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet at one end and a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly directed lugs remote from said inlet, a plate normally confined within said casing and being provided with a series of circumferentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and said sockets being the same as that of said lugs, resilient means interposed between said plate and said inlet end for retaining said casing lugs seated within said plate sockets, a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate and cooperable with said casing remote from said inlet to vary the discharge spray, and means on said disk coacting with said plate and accessible only from said inlet end for preventing displacement thereof from said plate.

7. A liquid spray head comprising, a tubular casing having an inlet end and a series of equally circumferential- 15/ spaced inwardly directed lugs near its opposite open end, a plate normally confined Within said casing but being rotatable and provided with a series of circumterentially spaced peripheral notches and with an intervening series of circumferentially spaced peripheral sockets, the spacing of said notches and sockets being the same as that of said lugs, a helical compression spring interposed between said plate and said inlet end for urging said plate toward said opposite end to retain said lugs within said sockets, and a liquid spray discharge regulating disk adjustably secured to said plate and coacting with said opposite casing end, said plate being freely insertable within and removable from said opposite casing end when the plate is forced inwardly to release said lugs from said sockets and is rotated to bring said notches in alinement with the plate notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,646 Burdick Apr. 21, 1953 2,680,649 Hansen June 8, 1954 2,690,930 Corson Oct. 5, 1954 2,756,108 Warren July 24, 1956 3,003,650 Prokop Nov. 14, 1961

Claims

1. A LIQUID SPRAY HEAD COMPRISING, A TUBULAR CASING HAVING AN INLET AT ONE END AND A SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED INWARDLY DIRECTED LUGS-REMOTE FROM SAID INLET, A PLATE NORMALLY CONFINED WITHIN SAID CASING AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED PERIPHERAL NOTCHES AND WITH AN INTERVENING SERIES OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED PERIPHERAL SOCKETS, THE SPACING OF SAID NOTCHES AND SAID SOCKETS BEING THE SAME AS THAT OF SAID LUGS, AND RESILIENT MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID PLATE AND SAID INLET END FOR RETAINING SAID CASING LUGS SEATED WITHIN SAID PLATE SOCKETS.