US3493977A

US3493977A - Safety bathtub diverter spout

Info

Publication number: US3493977A
Application number: US642949A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward C Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-06-01
Filing date: 1967-06-01
Publication date: 1970-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-10

Description

Feb. 0, 1 1 s. c. GREEN 3,493,917

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-lluiii INVENT OR EDWARD c; GREEN ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,493,977 SAFETY BATHTUB DIVERTER SPOUT Edward C. Green, 80 Dutch Broadway, Elmont, N.Y. 11003 Filed June 1, 1967, Ser. No. 642,949 Int. Cl. E03c 1/04; F16]: 31/58, 29/00 US. Cl. 4-191 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination safety bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly for use in bathtub and shower systems to retract the spout and thereby remove a protruding object from the bathtub when a bather desires to use a shower system in conjunction with a bathtub; comprising a water supply pipe having a valve assembly to control the water supply; a retractable bathtub diverter spout member having its trailing end adapted to removeably engage one end of the supply pipe, the spout being further provided with means to control the operation of the valve assembly disposed in the supply pipe; a diverter spout container assembly, the diverter spout member being adapted to being retractable to a position within the diverter spout container assembly in such manner that when the diverter spout member is in horizontal position the valve assembly is in an open position to permit water to pass out of the spout into the bathtub, and when the diverter spout member is in a vertical position, the valve assembly is closed to permit water from passing out of the spout member and causes the water to be forced up the supply pipe and to be distributed through the shower systems above the bathtub.

Background of the invention It is well known to utilize combination bathtub and shower systems wherein a shower mechanism is placed above the bathtub and is adapted to cooperate with the water supply such that the water may be either obtained from the spout leading to the bathtub or caused to pass out of the shower system, the user thereby being enabled to take a shower while standing in the bathtub. This system has of course gained acceptance in large numbers of homes and hotels and motels as it provides both bathtub and shower facilities in a single compartment thereby saving on space as well as expenses in the provision of both systems.

Heretofore however, the bathtub spout has been provided as a fixed member which in many cases has led to serious accidents during the showering operation as by reason of the users slipping and falling in the wet bathtub and striking some portion of their body on the protruding bathtub spout. Obviously, a protruding sharp object, such as a bathtub spout, can cause quite serious injuries as opposed to merely striking a flat surface such as a tiled Wall which is ordinarily employed around the bathtub construction. It is therefore clear that a distinct need is present in the art for a bathtub spout combinable with a shower system wherein the spout can be moved to a position out of the direction of the fall thus obviating the possible serious injuries which may result from striking the protruding spout.

Summary of the invention It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a combination bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly which retains all the advantages of the conventional bathtub spout and shower assembly systems but yet provides means for removing the spout from prominence when desiring to take a shower and thus serving ice as an effective means of preventing serious accidents caused by falls in the bathtub.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly for use in combination bathtub and shower systems wherein the bathtub spout is adapted to be retractable to a position such that it is removed from the bathtub as a protruding object while at the same time serving to direct the water supply to the shower assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages there is provided by the present invention a combination bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly comprising; a water supply pipe, the water supply pipe being provided with a check valve assembly; a retractable diverter spout member having a trailing end which is adapted to removeably engage one end of the supply pipe member, the trailing end of the diverter spout member being further provided with means to control the operation of the check valve assembly; a diverter spout container assembly, the diverter spout member being adapted to be retracted to a position within the diverter spout container assembly in such manner that when the spout is in a horizontal position, the check valve assembly is open to permit water to pass out of said spout into the bathtub, and when the spout member is in a vertical position, the check valve assembly is closed to thereby prevent water from passing out of the spout and causes the water to be directed to the shower assembly mechanism from which it will be distributed.

Brief description of the drawings Reference is now made to the drawings accompanying this application wherein one form of the invention is illustrated and wherein:

FIGURE 1 represents a perspective View of the retractable bathtub diverter spout assembly and container assembly of this invention mounted for use in a conventional bathroom;

FIGURE 2 represents an exploded view of the diverter spout container assembly together with a detailed view of the diverter spout;

FIGURE 3 represents an enlarged sectional view of the diverter spout member assembly in combination with the water supply pipe and check valve means seen along lines 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 represents an enlarged view of the diverter spout member in vertical position with the check valve assembly in the Water supply pipe being in closed position.

Description of the preferred embodiments According to the present invention, a combination bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly is provided wherein the bathtub spout is adapted to be reciprocated to a position which removes the spout as a protruding object in the bathtub and thereby serves to remove the spout as a possible cause of serious injury in case of a fall by a person in the bathtub. The invention further provides means whereby the retracting action of the diverter spout member serves to actuate a check valve assembly in a water supply pipe and thereby direct the flow of water to the shower system when a user desires to take a shower.

It is to be appreciated that the bathtub diverter spout and valve assembly of this invention is adapted for use in conventional bathtub and shower assemblies and may be placed in the system of an existing bathroom tubshower system or may be incorporated into completely new systems during original construction of the bathroom where such systems are desired.

Referring now in detail to the drawings accompanying the application, it is to be seen that in FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a conventional bathroom and shower assembly in which the retractable diverter spout and valve assembly of this invention has been incorporated. In FIG- URE 1, reference numeral 1 illustrates a conventional tiled bathroom wall with numeral 2 generally representing the bathtub diverter spout assembly of this invention, including retractable, diverter spout, or diverter spout member 3 in horizontal position together with operating components enclosed within diverter spout container assembly 4. Thus the drawing set forth in FIGURE 1 is intended to illustrate the appearance of the bathtub diverter spout assembly of this invention when actually mounted in a bathroom system.

In FIGURE 3, the diverter spout member 3, in combination with the other component parts of this invention, is set forth in an enlarged sectional view showing the diverter spout member, represented by numeral 3 in its horizontal position, and also in its vertical position by phantom lines. Also in this figure, it may be seen that numeral 10 represents a water supply pipe through which water is supplied to the bathtub and/or shower assembly and numeral 4 depicts the diverter spout container assembly,

The water supply pipe 10 is provided at its lower end with a tapered portion 11 and in the neck of the tapered portion, a ground seat ledge, ground seat, or seating member 12 is provided, this ground seat ledge being adapted to receive the ground lower seat portion, valve seat, or seating member 13 of check valve, check valve member, or assembly 14. It should be noted that conventional ground steel seats may be employed in

parts

12 and 13 so long as a water tight seal is achieved when the valve seat 13 closes upon the ledge seat 12. The remaining members of the supply pipe assembly 10 may be constructed of conventional plumbing materials.

As pointed out, the tapered end 11 of supply ipe 10 is adapted to engage the trailing open end 15 of the diverter spout member 3, the diverter spout member in the embodiment illustrated, comprising a T-shaped spout construction as illustrated more particularly in FIGURE 2. The diverter spout thus comprises a trailing open end 15, an exit portion 16 and protruding closed side portions 17 and 17', which are adapted to be disposed within the diverter container assembly 4 to permit the diverter spout member 3 to be rotated as described hereinafter. The interior of the rearward portion of spout member 3 is also provided with an abutting ledge member 18 which is adapted to engage the lower ball portion 19 of check valve member 14 such that the check valve 14 Will be forced upwardly when the diverter spout member 3 is in a horizontal position to thereby permit water to pass from the supply pipe 10 out into the bathtub by way of diverter spout member 3,

Also provided in the assembly is a spring member secured to the rear wall of the diverter spout container assembly 4 by a screw 6, which spring member is adapted to be biased against the elbow portion 7 of diverter spout member 3, when in horizontal position, and thus apply an upward force against the spout member. This embodiment is necessary to overcome the effect of the initial thrust of the water when it is turned on thus preventing the diverter spout member from swinging to its vertical position when the water is turned on to fill the bathtub.

It is of course to be understood that devices other than the spring 5 as shown can be employed for this purpose. Thus a brake-shoe type device may be inserted around the T arms of the diverter spout to control its action. Further, a spring catch device may be mounted on the supply pipe to catch and hold a corresponding device attached to the spout member. Also, a spring catch or magnet may be mounted on the diverter spout container assembly to achieve this purpose. Other means of performing this function will become obvious to those skilled in the art,

To place the diverter spout member 3 and check valve assembly 14 in proper position for use, a diverter spout container assembly 4 is provided as shown specifically in FIGURE 2. In this figure it is to be noted that there is provided a diverter spout container assembly 4 comprising a diverter box-like member 21 provided with a pair of

horizontal grooves

23 and 23 into which the T portions of the T-shaped diverter spout member 3 are placed for rotation. The diverter box 21 is further provided with a vertical recessed portion 24 for reception of spout member 3 when it is raised to a vertical position and with opening 28 for reception of the water supply pipe position. Diverter box member 21 is also provided with conventional tapped holes for the insertion of screws in mounting diverter box cover 30 to diverter box 21. In FIGURE 2, it may be seen that that diverter box 21 may be attached to the inside of the rear wall by means of flange or car 37 using screw means.

After placing the T-shaped diverter spout member 3 into grooves 23 and 23' of the diverter box 21, a diverter box cover 30 is then placed thereover by the use of conventional screws 31 which are passed freely through holes 32 of cover 30 and engage screw holes 25 provided in the appropriate positions in the diverter box member 21.

As may be noted in FIGURE 2, the diverter box cover is provided with raised

portions

33 and 33 which correspond to the grooves 23 and 23' in diverter box 21 and thus are adapted to retain diverter spout member 3 in a position such that the spout member 3 may turn freely within the grooves or rounded portions formed therein. It is also to be noted that the diverter lbox cover 30 is provided with a vertical groove or indented area 34 which fits within the recessed portion 24 of diverter box 21 for receiving the spout member 3 when it is raised to a vertical position. Also, diverter box cover 30 is provided with a bottom raised portion 35 for the spout member 3 to rest on when in a horizontal position and to provide a finished and enclosed appearance for trailing end 15 of spout member 3 when raised.

After placing the diverter box cover 30 over the diverter spout member 3 resting on diverter box 21, an adjustable face plate or face plate member is provided to cover the operating components and provide an aesthetic appearance to the diverter spout assembly. An enlarged view of this face plate member 40 is shown in FIGURE 2, and FIGURE 1 illustrates the face plate in position in a conventional bathtub. The face plate 40 generally comprises a box-shaped member 41 adapted to fit over the diverter box 21 and diverter box cover 30 and further is provided with a flanged portion 42 to cover the seam formed with the bathroom wall when the diverter box is placed therein. The face plate 40 may be mounted with conventional screws 43 which pass through screw holes 44 and in the face plate and the middle holes in the diverter box and cover. Also, it is contemplated that a sealing compound should be placed behind the face plate as a seal between it and the tile wall. It is to be noted that the face plate shown is adjustable by reason of its variable thickness and thus may be utilized regardless of the distance between the tiled portion of the bathroom wall and the position of the supply pipe leading to the bathtub.

The diverter box member 21 is also provided with a drip ramp 26 (see FIGURES 3 and 4) leading to a small opening or weep-hole 27 from which any water which may drip during action of the check valve assembly may be removed from the diverter spout container assembly and allowed to drip into the bathtub by passage down a similar ramp 45 and out opening 46 in the face plate 40. This provision for elimination of any water drippage is necessary in view of the fact that a small amount of water can be expected to drip during operation of the diverter spout assembly.

The diverter spout member is shown in its horizontal position in FIGURE 3 wherein it may be seen that abutting ledge 18, disposed in the rear portion of the spout has pushed valve member 14 upward by contacting ball portion 19 of the valve, and thus separating the seating members. Water can therefore pass through the valve and into the bathtub through the spout.

FIGURE 4 on the other hand shows the diverter spout in vertical position wherein it may be seen that moving of the spout to this position has permitted valve member 14 to fall by gravity and thus provide a water-tight seal by the coaction of

seating members

12 and 13.

In operation, the diverter spout member 3 and check valve assembly 14 operate as do conventional bathtub spouts and valves when desiring to run water into the bathtub or shower head. For example, when the water is turned on by conventional controls, water coming from the supply pipe passes through the open check valve assembly 14 and out the horizontal spout member 3 to pass into the bathtub. When it is desired to take a shower using the assembly of this invention, the spout member 3 is merely raised to the vertical position, shown in phantom in FIGURE 3 and in detail in FIGURE 4, which operation serves to remove the diverter spout as a protruding object and simultaneously permits seat 13 of check valve member 14 to seat on the seating ledge 12 disposed in supply pipe 10, thereby preventing the water from passing into the spout member 3. Closure of check valve 14 therefore forces the water upwardly so as to pass through the shower assembly. Any water which may leak around check valve member 14 would of course be caught on drip ramp 26 and passed through weep

holes

27 and 46 out into the bathtub.

It is of course to be understood that the invention may be modified by various means which would be obvious to one skilled in the art and which would still obtain the beneficial results realized by the present invention. For example, various means obvious to one skilled in the art may be adapted to permit the diverter spout member 3 to be rotated in the diverter box member other than that illustrated herein, such as by bearings, ball and sockets and the like. Moreover, it is contemplated that various types of check valve assemblies and means for their control will become obvious to persons skilled in the art after becoming aware of the disclosure set forth in this application.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, various changes and modilcations which fall within the sphere of the invention and scope of the appended claims will become apparent to the skill of the artisan. The invention is therefore intended to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination bathtub spout and shower system comprising;

(a) a water supply pipe, said supply pipe being provided at its front portion with a diverter valve assembly whereby the water may be directed to a bathtub spout or a shower head;

(b) a diverter spout member, said spout member having a trailing end adapted to removably engage said supply pipe, the trailing end of said spout member being further provided with means to open and close said diverter valve assembly;

(c) a diverter spout container assembly containing said diverter spout member and said diverter valve assemy;

(d) said diverter spout member being pivotable about a horizontal axis within said diverter spout container assembly in such manner that when said spout member is in a horizontal position, the valve is opened to permit water to pass out of said spout member into the bathtub and when said spout member is in a vertical position, the valve is closed so as to prevent water from passing out of said spout member and to direct water to the shower outlet.

2. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 1 wherein said diverter valve assembly comprise a seating member in combination with a corresponding ground seat disposed in said supply pipe, said seating member having a lower appendage actuated by means disposed in said diverter spout member.

3. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 2 wherein said diverter spout member is of T shaped construction, the arms of said T being reciprocal within grooves formed within said diverter spout container assembly.

4. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 3 wherein said diverter spout container assembly comprises (a) a box member, and

(b) a box cover; wherein said box member and box cover define horizontal grooves for reception of the T portions of said diverter spout member by which said spout member is manually movable to vertical and horizontal positions.

5. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 4 wherein said diverter spout container assembly is provided With a vertical recessed por-. tion adapted for reception of said spout member when said spout member is in a vertical position.

6. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 5 wherein said diverter spout container assembly is provided with spring means biased against said diverter spout member to prevent said diverter spout member from movement when said spout is in a horizontal position.

7. A combination bathtub spout and shower system according to claim 6 wherein said diverter spout container assembly is provided with outlets for release of any. drip water from actuation of said diverter valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 656,759 8/1900 Wirt 137-616.5

749,285 1/ 1904 Gardenier 137-616.5

995,340 6/ 1911 Garnet 25 l339 1,195,170 8/1916 Arndt: 251-339 1,727,428 9/1929 Cros-bie 4-191 1,746,727 2/ 1930 Dunlap 25 l339 2,022,875 12/1935 Zinkil et a1 4-145 2,627,872 2/1953 Gruen 4191 3,012,251 12/1961 Fife 419'2 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,406 3/1957 Belgium.

1,197,933 6/1959 France.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner DONALD B. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner