US3788553A

US3788553A - Shower with oil reservoir

Info

Publication number: US3788553A
Application number: US00336822A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Heckman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-28
Filing date: 1973-02-28
Publication date: 1974-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-29

Abstract

This specification discloses a shower with oil reservoir comprising two basic elements. These are a shower head that is generally conventional and a reservoir for bath oil mounted within the head. A tubular filling spout extends from the reservoir to the head, adjacent to the upper end of these members with its outer end having a removable closure. A perforated plate constitutes the lower end of the reservoir and cooperating therewith is a valve plate within the reservoir and mounted on the upper end of a plunger that is reciprocal in a central opening in the perforated plate and extends through a hole in the end plate assembly of the head. The lower end of the shower head takes the form of a pair of perforated plates, the inner of which is fixed while the outer plate is rotatable by a fin depending therefrom to adjust the amount and character of the oil water mixture emitted from the head.

Description

Heckman 1 SHOWER WITHIOIL RESERVOIR 1111 3,788,553 1451 Jan.29, 1974 Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kimmel, Crowell & Weaver Inventor: Gertrude E; Heckman, 4395 W. 4th

St., Reno, Nev. 89503 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Feb. 28, 1973 1 This specification discloses a shower with oil reservoir PP 3369822 1 comprising two basic elements. These are a shower head that is generally conventional and a reservoir for 52 us. 01 '239/315 239/407 239/540 hath Oil mounted Within the head- A tubular filling 239/581 spout extends from the reservoir to the head, adjacent 51 Int. Cl BOSb 1/1s B05b 7/28 the PPer end these members with its end [58] Field of Search 239,310 407409 having a removable closure. A perforated plate consti- Z39/S38 54O 581 tutes the lower end of the reservoir and cooperating therewith is a valve plate within the reservoir and mounted on the upper end of a plunger that is recipro- [56] References Cited cal in a central opening in the perforated plate and ex- UNITED STATES PATENTS tends through a hole in the end plate assembly of the 1 945 701 2/1934 Pearl 239/315 x head- The end the shower head takes the 211561114 4/1939 Jilford 239 315 x form of a P Of Perforated Plates, the inner Of which 2,583,232 1/1952 Russell 239/407 UX is fi While the ut r plat is rotatable by a fin de- 2,986,34O 5/1961 Webb 239/315 pending therefrom toadjust the amount and character 3,018,969 1 1962 Jentry 239/581 X of the oil water mixture emitted from the head.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SHOWER WITH OIL RESERVOIR The present invention relates to showers in which bath oil is combined with water as the latter emerges from a shower head and is concerned primarily with anovel manual control for the oil as it is discharged from a reservoir and an adjustable perforated plate assembly for varying the rate and nature at which the mixture of oil and water is emitted from the shower head as a spray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION charged from the head. Shower heads for shampoo purposes have been provided with means for adding soap to the water but such heads are not adapted for use as showers for bathing because of the difference in the quantity of soap required for a shampoo on one hand and the amount of bath oil needed for a shower with oil reservoir'on the other.

So called mixing plates for combining water with various materials including liquids are known but devices of this type which are now available are not adapted for use as shower with oil reservoir mainly because of their complex nature. F

If a shower with oil reservoir is to meet with publi acceptance, it is believed thatthe following conditions must be satisfied. In the first place, it must include a reservoir for bath oil of a capacity which will supply enough bath oil for at least one complete shower. It also shouldinclude a discharge valve controlling the flow of oil from the reservoir to the interior of the shower head which is under the control of the person taking the shower as he is so engaged and with a simple operation which will vary the quantity of oil that is added to the water.

The shower head itself should also be adjustable to vary the amount and character of the oil water mixture which is discharged therefrom. The mechanism for this purpose should be simple and also susceptible of adjustment while a person is taking a shower. And finally, the entire shower with oil reservoir should be as highly simplified as possible so as to hold the cost of the manufacture thereof to a minimum.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in view the following objectives:

1. To provide a shower with oil reservoir that is of a simplified construction and may be produced at low cost.

2. To provide a shower ofthe kind described that includes two basic elements. These are: a shower head and a reservoir for bath oil within the shower head.

' 3. To provide, in a shower of the type noted, a valve for controlling the quantity of oil that is released from the reservoir for mixing with the water in the head and which valve is readily operated by a person while taking a shower; and

4. To provide a shower of the character aforesaid with an assembly of a pair of perforated plates through which the oil water mixture is discharged and which plates are relatively adjustable to vary the amount and nature of the mixture which is so discharged.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carry ing out the above ideas in a practical embodiment, will, in part, be hereinafter. stated, and in part, become apparent, as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a shower with oil reservoir that comprises a generally conventional shower head and a reservoir therewithin for the oil. The shower head comprises a rounded tapered wall terminating in a neck at one end for a connection to a water supply. The lower end of this wall defines a circular opening in which there is mounted a pair of perforated plates, the intermost of which is fixed while the outermost is rotated by a fin projecting therefrom.

The reservoir is of the same general shape as the head and is mounted therewithin and in spaced relation thereto. A filling spout extends from the upper or smaller end of the tapered wall of the reservoir to an opening in the tapered wall of the head and is provided with a removable closure. The lower or larger end of the reservoir is closed by a circular perforated wall having a central aperture. A plunger is reciprocal in this aperture and carries a valve plate at its upper end which, in a lowered position closes the perforations in the wall. This plunger extends downwardly and through aligned holes in the plates of the head and projects therefrom into a position in which its end may be engaged by the hand of a person taking the shower to raise theplunger and valve plate carried thereby and thus open the perforations in the lower wall of the reservoir to a desired degree.

The tapered wall of the reservoir is formed with an orifice slightly above its medium height through which water from the head is admitted to the reservoir.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be 'had to the following discription and accompanying drawing wherein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a shower embodying the precepts of this invention with the reservoir being illus trated by broken lines; and

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding elements throughout the several views, a shower made in accordance with the principles of this invention includes a shower head referred to in its entirety by the reference character 10. Head 10 comprises a rounded tapered wall 11 which at its upper or smaller end is formed with a truncated conical portion 12. The latter terminates in a cylindrical neck 13 which is connected to a suitable water supply as by a fitting 14. Conical section 12 is formed with an opening 15 which communicates with a filling spout 16. A closure for opening 15 is shown at 17 and is pivotally mounted at 18 on section 12 where the latterjoins neck 13.

The lower end of wall 11 is externally threaded at 19 and screwed thereonto is'a retaining ring comprising an internally threaded cylindrical part 20 from which an annulor flange 21 extends inwardly. This lower or larger end of wall 1 l defines a mouth or circular opening in which is mounted a plate assembly comprising an inner fixed plate 22 formed with perforations 23 and a central aperture 24 together with a rotatable outer plate 25 having apertures 26 which are adapted to align with perforations 23 to varying degrees, and on aperture 27 which aligns with aperture 24.

A fin depends from the outer face of plate 25 and is arranged diametricallyv with respect thereto. It is formed with a central cutout or recess 29 for a purpose to be later described and constitutes a hand engagable member which will rotate the plate 25.

A reservoir for bath oil is designated generally 30. It comprises a rounded tapered wall 31 which terminates at its upper end in an apex 32 and a bottom wall 33 formed with a plurality of openings 34 arranged in a circle. Wall 33 is also formed with a central aperture 35 in alignment with

apertures

24 and 27.

A valve plate 36 is mounted on the upper end of a plunger 37 which is reciprocal in aperture 35 with a seal 38 being mounted in aperture 35. Plunger 37 also passes through aligned

apertures

24 and 27 and its lower end is provided with a head 39 for manual engagement to elevate the plunger. Upward movement of head 39 is accommodated by recess 29. Valve plate 36 is formed with a plurality of truncaded conical projections 40 on its lower face which correspond in number and arrangement to openings 34 in wall 33. The underface of valve plate 36 may also carry an ring 41 which affords a seal with wall 33 when valve plate 36 is in its lower position.

Reservoir 30 is supported within wall 11 in spaced relation to the walls thereof by struts 42 which are angularly spaced about reservoir 30 and spout 16. While reservoir 30 and head may be of any material having the required properties of strength and rigidity and is susceptible of being fashioned into the shapes illustrated, sheet metal is the material depicted in the drawing and plastic is indicated or another suitable material. Tapered wall 31 of reservoir 30 is formed with an opening 42 to which spout 16 is connected. Spout l6 and struts 42 are shown as integral with walls 11 and 31 although they could be initially formed as individual elements and subsequently connected to the respective walls.

Wall 31 of reservoir 30 is formed with an orifice 44 through which water may pass from head 10 into reservoir 30. It is also possible that water carrying oil may pass from reservoir 30 into head 10.

4 OPERATION While the manner of using the subject shower is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawing and description of parts .set forth above, it may be briefly outlined as follows:

With neck 13 connected to a suitable supply of water under pressure, closure 17 is opened and a required amount of bath oil introduced into reservoir30 through spout 16. The weight of valve plate 36 and plunger 37 which is supplemented by the weight of the contents of reservoir 30 normally maintains valve plate 36 in its lower position in which projections 40 close openings 34. In this condition no oil is added to the water.

When a person taking a shower is desirous of having bath oil added to the water he merely pushes plunger 37 upwardly a required degree depending on the oil water ratio desired. Head 39 is manually engaged for this purpose. Water in head 10 will pass through orifice 40 and the weight of this water will force the oil downwardly through openings 34 whereupon it will mix with the water in the space below wall 33.

Fin 28 manually engaged to rotate outer plate 25 to bring perforations 22 in plate 21 and perforations 26 in plate 25 into a desired condition of alignment which determines the amount and character of the oil water mixture which is discharged as a spray from the plate assembly.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustrated an described becuase various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a shower for providing a mixture of bath oil and water to a person taking a shower,

a. a shower head comprising a rounded tapered wall terminating at its upper and smaller end in a neck to be connected to a supply of water under pressure, and presenting a larger lower end,

b. a plate assembly in said lower end and comprising a fixed inner perforated plate and an outer rotatable perforated plate, the perforations of which are alignable to various degrees with the perforations in said inner plate, said plates being formed with aligned central apertures,

c. manually engagable means on said outer plate for rotating it,

d. a reservoir within said head in spaced relation thereto, said reservoir comprising a rounded tapered wall and a bottom wall having holes therein and a central aperture,

e. a filling spout communications between upper end portions of said head and reservoir,

f. a valve plate in said reservoir having a plurality of projections of truncated conical shape on its lower face corresponding in number and arrangement to the holes in said bottom wall and closing said holes when the valve plate is in its lowermost position, and

g. a plunger having said valve plates secured to its upper end and reciprocal in said central apertures, and projecting downwardly beyond said plate assembly.

2. The shower of claim 1 together with a removable closure for said filling spout at the outer end thereof.

3. The shower of claim 2 in which said closure is hingedly mounted on said head.

4. The shower of claim 1 in which the plunger is formed with a head on the end remote from the valve plate.

5. The shower of claim 1 in which the tapered wall of the reservoir is formed with an orifice slightly above the median height thereof.

6. The shower of claim 1 in which there is a seal between the plunger and he aperture in the bottom wall of the reservoir. I

7. The shower of claim 6 together with an 0 ring carried by said valve plate on its underface and adjacent to the periphery of the valve plate. =l=

Claims

1. In a shower for providing a mixture of bath oil and water to a person taking a shower, a. a shower head comprising a rounded tapered wall terminating at its upper and smaller end in a neck to be connected to a supply of water under pressure, and presenting a larger lower end, b. a plate assembly in said lower end and comprising a fixed inner perforated plate and an outer rotatable perforated plate, the perforations of which are alignable to various degrees with the perforations in said inner plate, said plates being formed with aligned central apertures, c. manually engagable means on said outer plate for rotating it, d. a reservoir within said head in spaced relation thereto, said reservoir comprising a rounded tapered wall and a bottom wall having holes therein and a central aperture, e. a filling spout communications between upper end portions of said head and reservoir, f. a valve plate in said reservoir having a plurality of projections of truncated conical shape on its lower face corresponding in number and arrangement to the holes in said bottom wall and closing said holes when the valve plate is in its lowermost position, and g. a plunger having said valve plates secured to its upper end and reciprocal in said central apertures, and projecting downwardly beyond said plate assembly.

6. The shower of claim 1 in which there is a seal between the plunger and he aperture in the bottom wall of the reservoir.

7. The shower of claim 6 together with an 0 ring carried by said valve plate on its underface and adjacent to the periphery of the valve plate.