US3921635A

US3921635A - Shower head and douche

Info

Publication number: US3921635A
Application number: US472091A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Kohlmann Gauthier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-05-22
Filing date: 1974-05-22
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

A shower head having a water inlet at one end thereof and a water outlet at the other end thereof, a chamber for containing a dissolvable cartridge to treat water flowing through the chamber, said chamber operatively associated with the shower head for flow of water through the chamber and then through the outlet to obtain flow of treated water through the outlet, and a douche attaching fitting on said other end of the shower head for attachment of a douche or the like thereto to obtain flow of water from the chamber and through the douche when the douche is attached to the shower head, said shower head thus usable alone or with a douche attached thereto, as desired.

Description

United States Patent 1 Gauthier Nov. 25, 1975 1 SHOWER HEAD AND DOUCHE [22] Filed: May 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 472,091

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 1,163,343 9/1958 France 128/229 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner.lr Yasko Attorney, Agent, or FirmShoemaker and Mattare [57] ABSTRACT A shower head having a water inlet at one end thereof and a water outlet at the other end thereof, a chamber for containing a dissolvable cartridge to treat water flowing through the chamber, said chamber operatively associated with the shower head for flow of water through the chamber and then through the outlet to obtain flow of treated water through the outlet, and a douche attaching fitting on said other end of the shower head for attachment of a douche or the like thereto to obtain flow of water from the chamber and through the douche when the douche is attached to the shower head, said shower head thus usable alone or with a douche attached thereto, as desired.

17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 SheetlofS 3,921,635

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet2of5 3,921,635

FIG.5.

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet30f5 3,921,635

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet40f5 3,921,635

FIG/3.

F/G. ll.

FIG. /2.

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,921,635

FIG. 15.

SHOWER HEAD AND DOUCI-IE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shower head and douche, wherein the shower head has chamber means operatively associated therewith for containing a dissolvable cartridge, such as a medicated or scented cartridge or the like. to treat water flowing through the chamber and through the shower head. The shower head has outlet means at one end thereof for producing a spray of water and fitting means is at the outlet end for attachment thereto of a douche for flow of water from the shower head to and through the douche, when the douche is attached to the shower head.

According to one form of the invention, the shower head is a hand-held, elongate, hollow-body comprising a handle, and with inlet means at one end thereof for attachment of the shower head to a source of water, and with outlet means at the other end thereof for producing a spray of water so that the shower head may be used as a personal, hand-held shower for application of water to selected portions of the body, as desired. The hand-held shower means has douche attachment means at said other end thereof for quick and easy attachment thereto of a douche so that the shower head may be used as a douche when the douche is attached thereto. In this form of the invention, the elongate shower head may be made readily separable, so that access to the hollow interior of the shower head may be quickly and easily accomplished for placement of a scented or medicated cartridge or the like therein to treat water flowing through the shower head and thus to obtain a flow of medicated or scented water or the like either from the shower head or from the douche when the douche is attached thereto. Alternatively, a separate chamber may be provided in the conduit means connected to the inlet end of the shower head for containing a scented or medicated cartridge or the like.

In another form of the invention, the shower head is fixed in an overhead position and is connected directly to a source of water in a conventional manner. The shower head is hollow and defines a chamber therewithin for containing a dissolvable, medicated or scented cartridge or the like for treating water flowing through the shower head and has an inlet at one end thereof for attachment to said source of water and a first outlet at the other end thereof for producing a spray of water. and a second outlet at said other end having an attachment thereon for attachment thereto of a douche or the like. Valve means is in the chamber and is manually operable from exteriorly of the shower head for selectively diverting flow to one of said first and second outlets to either obtain a spray of water from the shower. and thus resulting in a conventional spray, as with a conventional shower device, or to obtain flow of water through the second outlet to a douche attached thereto, thus rendering the device usable as a douche, and wherein the flow of scented or medicated water is obtained through the douche.

Thus, with the present invention. a simple and effective shower head is provided having means associated therewith for obtaining a scented or medicated flow of water from the shower head, and having attachment means thereon for attachment thereto of a douche. so that personal hygiene, and particularly feminine hygiene, may be greatly improved. I

OBJECTS or THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a shower head having spray producing means at one end thereof for obtaining a spray of water, and also having douche attachment means at said one end for attachment to the shower head of a douche to render the shower head usuable with a douche.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shower head having achamber means associated therewith for containing a dissolvable cartridge therein to treat water flowing through the chamber, and with spray producing means at one end of the shower head for producing a spray of treated water flowing from the chamber and through the shower head, and also with douche attachment means at said one end for attachment thereto of a douche to obtain treated flow of water from the chamber and through the douche when the douche is attached to the shower head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handheld shower head having inlet means atone end thereof for connection of the shower head to a source of water and spray producing outlet means at the other end thereof. Attachment means are on the other end of the shower head for quick and easy attachment thereto of a douche to render the shower head usable as a handheld douche.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held shower head having inlet means at one end thereof for connection of the shower head to a source of water and spray producing outlet means at the other end thereof, and wherein the shower head is separable to provide access to the interior thereof for placement therein of a scented or medicated cartridge or the like for treating water flowing through the shower head.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shower head having inlet means at one end thereof and a first, spray producing outlet means at the other end thereof and with a second outlet means at the other end, and with douche attaching fitting means at the second outlet for attachment thereto of a douche, and with valve means in the shower head to selectively divert flow to one of the first and second outlets and thus obtain flow either through the spray producing means or through the douche, when the douche is attached to the shower head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of the device of FIG. 2 and is taken along line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along line 44 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a second form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view shown partly in section of the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the chamber means in the conduit leading to the shower head of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a vertical, sectional view of a third form of shower head according to the invention, and showing the shower head in a first operative position with flow occurring only through the spray producing means.

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 9, but with the valve means in a second operative position and flow occurring through the cartridge containing chamber and thence through the spray producing means.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but with the valve means in a third operative position and flow occurring through the chamber means and through the second outlet and douche attaching fitting.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line l2-12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a botton perspective view on a reduced scale of the shower head of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 of a modified douche attaching means.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a fourth form of the invention, and showing the valve means in a first operative position, with flow occurring only through the cartridge containing chamber and the second outlet and douche attaching fitting.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, with the valve means of the fourth form of the invention in a second operative position and with flow occurring through both the first and second outlets from the cartridge containing chamber. 3

FIG. 17 is a view in section taken along line 17-l7 in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIGN OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a first form of shower head 10 is illustrated in the FIGS. 1 4 and comprises an elongate, hollow body 11, including two

separable parts

12 and 13, having cooperating fastening means 14 and 15 thereon at adjacent ends thereof, such as, for example, mating cooperating threads to readily releasably join the

separable parts

12 and 13 together. The body 11 defines a chamber 16 therewithin, in which may be placed a dissolvable cartridge or tablet T when the

parts

12 and 13 are separated to provide a medicated or scented or otherwise treated flow of water from the shower head. Suitable spray producing outlet means 19 is at the other end of the body 11 for producing a spray of water flowing from the source through the chamber 16 and through the outlet 19. Thus, the body 11 defines a handle portion which may be grasped with the hand, as indicated atH in phantom lines, for providing a spray of water to selected portions of the body, as desired. The shower head 10 is connected via a conduit C (shown in phantom line) to a suitable source of water, such as faucet F.

A suitable douche attaching means, such as an annular, radially outwardly extending flange 20, is on the other end of the body 11 at the outlet 19 thereof for quick attachment directly thereto of a douche, indicated in phantom lines at D in FIG. 2. Any type of quick-connect coupling, rather than the annular flange 20, may be utilized as desired as, for example, threads or a bayonet connection or the like.

A suitable eye formation 21 is integral with the body 11 at the other end thereof adjacent outlet 19 for supporting the shower head from a suitable hook or the like when not in use.

The douche D is seen best in FIG. 6, and comprises an elongate, rigid, tubular body 22 having an axially extending fluid flow passageway 23 therethrough. A diametrically enlarged, generally cup-shaped, relatively flexible coupling or attaching skirt 24 is, integral with one end of the body 22 and has a flexible, annular, radially inwardly turned lip 25 on the marginal edge thereof for engagement behind the flange 20 on the shower head 10 to retain the douche to the shower head. The skirt 24 defines an enlarged inlet chamber 26 therein for receiving water from the spray head 19 and to divert the water to the axial passageway. 23 in the body 22 of the douche D. The other end of the body 22 terminates in an axially outwardly facing, substantially flat surface 27 and the other end of the body is internally threaded, as at 28. A plurality of substantially arcuate ly-shaped, generally radially extending fluid passage ways 29 are in the outer surface 27 of body 22 and extend from the passageway 23 through the outer surface of the body 22. A pair of elongate,

tubular extension adaptors

30 and 30 each having an externally threaded projection 31 on one end thereof, and an internally threaded recess 32 in the other end thereof, are

secured on said other end of the body 22 and the threaded projection 31 on one extension adaptor 30 is threadably engaged with the internal threads 28 in the body 22, and the threaded extension 31 on the other extension adaptor 30 is threadably engaged with the internal threads 32 in the first extension adaptor 30.

Each extension adaptor also has a plurality of substan- I tially arcuately-shaped, generally radially extending fluid passageways 29' therein, extending from the bore 23' therein to the outer surface thereof. Additionally, the outer surface of each of the extension adaptors has a plurality of axially extending channels or grooves 33 therein at the outer ends of the radially extending passageways 29 and 29'. A rounded tip 34, having an externally threaded axial projection 31' thereon threadably engaged with the threads 32 in the second extension 30', is secured over the outer end of the second extension adaptor and has a plurality of apertures 35 extended thereto for producing a generally axially directed flow or spray of water from the end of the douche. D. The

radially extending passageways

29 and 29 and the axially extending channels 33 produce a swirling or spiraling, generally radially extending flow or spray of water from the douche adjacent the end thereof to effect thorough cleansing of the vagina, due

to the tendency of the generally radially extending sprays of water to distend the vagina and thus produce a cleansing spray or flow of water in crevices or folds in the vagina wall.

A pair of closely axially spaced apart, annular, radially outwardly projecting

flanges

36 and 37 are integral with the body 22 adjacent the skirt 24 and define therebetween an axially outwardly opening annular groove 38 in which is snap fitted the inner peripheral edge of a substantially cup-shaped, flexible splash guard or shield 39, which is positioned in cupped relationship over the female genitalia when the douche is in use to prevent uncontrolled splashing or flow of water from the vagina and thus preventing an unsanitary condition. I

A second form of shower head 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and is substantially identical with the form. t of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 14, with the ex ception that the elongate, hollow body 11 is of one piece construction rather than comprising the

separable parts

12 and 13 of the first form of the invention, and a separate container 40 comprising

separable parts

41 and 42 releasably secured together by means of mating, cooperating

threads

43 and 44 on their adjacent ends is provided in the conduit C leading to the shower head 11' and defines a chamber 45 for receiving a dissolvable cartridge or tablet T or the like therein to treat water flowing through the chamber 45 in the container 40. A plurality of axially extending

projections

46 and 46 are in the opposite ends of the chamber 45 to provide passage means past the tablet T, if the table T is resting against an end of the chamber.

A third form of the invention is indicated generally at 47 in FIGS. 9-14 and comprises a main shower head body 48 having an axially upstanding tubular projection 49 on one end thereof with a diametrically re duced, externally threaded coupling nipple 50 on the end of the projection 49 for attachment of the shower head to a source of water. An axially extending fluid passageway 51 extends through the coupling 50 and projection 49 and a diametrically enlarged, outwardly flared skirt 52 is on the other end of the body and is approximately twice the length of the projection 49. The inner, uppermost end of skirt 52 is internally threaded at 53 and an elongate, cylindrical, axially extending partition 54, having externally threaded ends 55 and 56 thereon, is threadably engaged at its uppermost end with the threads 53 in the skirt 52 and projects at its other end downwardly to a point spaced upwardly from the lower edge of the skirt 52, and in radially inwardly spaced relationship to the inner surface of the skirt 52. An annular, radially outwardly extending flange 57 is integral with the cylindrical partition 54 between the upper and lower ends thereof and extends outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the skirt 52. A plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending channels or flow passages or perforations 58 extend through the outer surface of the flange 57 for producing a spray of water flowing therethrough. A generally cup-shaped closure cap 59 is internally threaded at its upper end at 60 and the threads 60 of the cap 59 are matingly engaged with threads 56 on the cylindrical partition 54 and the cap is sealed to the partition by means of an O-ring or the like 61 engaged between adjacent portions of the lower edge of the partition 54 and an upwardly facing shoulder on the cap 59. A plurality of radially extending wings or lugs 62 are integral with the cap at its lower outer surface for facilitating manual grasping and turning of the cap to attach and remove the cap from the lower edge of partition 54.

An axially downwardly projecting douche attaching fitting 63 is integral with the cap in the center thereof and comprises a downwardly projecting, tubular extension 64 having a diametrically enlarged annular flange 65 at the lower end thereof and an axial flow passageway 66 therethrough. The cap 59 and cylindrical partition 54 define a hollow cavity 67 and an elongate valve actuating stem or shaft 68 extends axially through the center of the cavity 67 and has a diametrically reduced, elongate, axial guide projection 69 on the lower end thereof, slidably received in the bore 66 through the douche attaching fitting 63. The upper end 70 of the valve actuating stem 68 is also diametrically reduced in size and is slidably received in a valve stem guide 71 integral with projection 49 and projecting radially into the passage 51 between the upper and lower ends of the passage 51. A gear rack or series of spaced teeth 72 are on the side of stem 70 extending over a substantial portion of its upper end, and a pinion 73 is engaged with the rack 72 to raise and lower the valve actuating stem 68. The pinion 73 is secured on the end of a shaft 74, extending radially through the side of projection 49 and the shaft 74 has a collar 75 thereon between its ends and clamped between an axially outwardly facing shoulder 76 and a jam sleeve 77 disposed in surrounding relationship to the shaft 74. A suitable sealing ring, such as an O-ring or the like 78 is disposed between the collar 75 and jam sleeve 77 to effect a fluid tight seal along the shaft 74. A threaded lock nut 79 is threadably engaged in the outer end of a boss 80 through which the shaft 74 extends to retain the shaft 74 against axial displacement in the boss 80. A knurled operating knob 81 is affixed to the outer end of shaft 74 for rotating the shaft and thus the pinion 73 to effect raising and lowering of the valve actuating stem 68.

The upper end of passage 66 through cap 59 and douche attaching fitting 63 is diametrically enlarged at 82 and the lower end of valve actuating stem 68 is slidably received therein when the stem is in its lowered position and is sealed relative thereto by a suitably sealing means, such as O-ring 83 or the like, disposed in a channel around the lower end of stem 68.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced, primary outlet ports 84 extend radially through the upper end of cylindrical partition 54 from the cavity 67 to the space between the partition and the skirt 52, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced, secondary outlet ports 85 extend through the cylindrical partition 54 spaced intermediate the ports 84 and annular flange 57 in flow communicating relationship between the cavity 67 and the space between the partition 54 and skirt 52.

A substantially inverted cup-shaped valve member 86 is secured on the valve actuating stem 68 between the ends thereof and is clamped between an axially upwardly facing shoulder 87 on the valve actuating stem and a snap ring or the like 88 secured on the reduced diameter upper end portion 70 of the stem. The valve 86 includes a diametrically reduced, axially upwardly extending stop portion 89, and a further diametrically reduced, axially upwardly projecting valving portion 90, having a suitable sealing means, such as O-ring 91 or the like disposed therein, and adapted to enter passageway 51 to block flow therethrough when the valve is in its raised position. The stop projection 89 engages the lower inner surface of the projection 49 to index or align the valve 86 in one of its operative positions, as hereinafter described. The valve 86 includes a cylindrical, downwardly projecting skirt 92, having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending ports 93 therethrough adjacent the upper end thereof and a pair of axially spaced, annular sealing rings or. O-rings or the like 94 and 95 are positioned in annular channels or grooves above and below the ports 93 to effect a seal between the skirt 92 and partition 54 on opposite sides of the ports 93. A further sealing means, such as O-ring 96 or the like, is disposed within an annular channel at the lower end of the skirt 92 to effect a seal between the skirt and partition 54. The valve member 86 subdivides the cavity 67 into an inlet chamber 97, and a treatment chamber 98, in which may be placed a dissolvable cartridge or tablet or the like T to obtain a medicated or scented flow of water from the chamber 98. The cartridge or tablet T may be placed in the chamber 98 merely by the removal of the cap 59 and placing the cartridge the rein and then replacing the cap 59 on the lower end of partition 54. An elongate, axially extending fluid passageway 99 extends through the upper end 70 of valve actuating stem 68 and a plurality of radially extending passageways 100 extend from the lower end of the axial passageway 99 into the chamber 98 to provide for flow of water from the source and passageway 51 into the chamber 98.

In FIG. 9, the valve 86 is shown in one of its operative positions, wherein it is in its lowermost position and the sealing ring 83 is engaged in passageway 82 to preclude flow from chamber 98 through passageway 66 in the douche attaching fitting 63. Also, the O-

rings

94, 95 and 96 in the skirt portion of valve 86 are spaced below the primary and

secondary outlet ports

84 and 85 in the partition 54, and the sealing ring 91 is withdrawn from passageway 51 in the extension 49, thus enabling flow from the source through the passageway 51 into the chamber 97 and thence outwardly through

ports

84 and 85 into the space between the partition 54 and skirt 52 and through the spray producing passageways 58 in the flange 57 and thence downwardly from beneath the lower edge of the flared skirt 52. In this position the shower head 47 is operable much in the nature of a conventional shower head and produces an effective spray of water without any treatment of the water.

In FIG. 10,,on the other hand, the valve, through the actuating stem 68, is raised to a second operative position wherein the sealing ring 83 is still sealingly engaged in the enlarged passageway 82 to preclude flow through the douche attaching fitting 63, but the sealing rings 94 and 95 are spaced above and below, respectively, the secondary outlet ports 85 in the partition 54 so that flow is enabled to pass from passageway 51 into chamber 97 and thence outwardly through primary outlet ports 84 and through the spray producing passages 58. Also, flow occurs through the axial passage way 99 and radial passageway 100 in valve actuating stem 68 and into the chamber 98, where the water circulates around the dissolvable cartridge or tablet T and is thus medicated or scented or otherwise treated, and the flow then passes outwardly through the ports 93 in the skirt 92 of valve member 86 and through the secondary outlet ports 85 in the partition 54, which are aligned with the parts 93 in this position of the valve member 86. The treated water flowing from the chamber 98 joins the water flowing through primary outlet ports 84 in passing through the spray producing passageways 58 to thus obtain a medicated or scented or otherwise treated flow of water from the shower head 47.

In FIG. 11, a third operative position of the valve member 86 is shown, and in this position the valve member is in its uppermost position with the stop projection 89 engaged with the underside of projection 49 on the main valve body portion 48, and with the sealing ring 91 engaged in the passageway 51 to preclude flow from the passageway 51 into the chamber 97. However, flow does occur through the axial passageway 99 and radial passageways 100 in the valve stem 68 and into the chamber 98, where the water becomes scented or medicated or otherwise treated by the dissolvable tablet T therewithin. The sealing ring 83 on the lower end of valve stem 68 is withdrawn from the enlarged passageway 82 in the position of the valve and, accordingly, flow of treated water occurs from the chamber 98 and through the passageway 82 and passageway 66 in the douche attaching fitting 63 and thence to a douche D attached to the fitting 63 by means of an enlarged, quick-connect coupling 101 on the end of a conduit C to which the douche D'is connected.

FIG. 14 shows a slightly modified form of cap 59. having a pair of axially downwardly extending lugs 62' ameter tubing to connect a douche D thereto, rather u than utilize the particular coupling 101 of FIG. 11. Of course, any suitable quick-connecting coupling means may be used for attaching the douche to the shower head, rather than the coupling means illustrated and described herein.

A fourth form of shower head 102 is illustrated in.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 and comprises a substantially bellshaped body 103 having a slightly outwardly flared skirt or lower edge portion 104 and defining a hollow.

cavity 105 therewithin. The inner surface of body 103 i has a downwardly axially facing shoulder 106 at the juncture of bell-shaped portion and skirt 104 and a suitable annular sealing ring, such as O-ring 107 or the like,

ispositioned within a channel in the shoulder 106. Similarly, the lower, axially downwardly facing edge 108 of portion 104 has a suitable sealing means, such as O-ring 109 or the like, positioned in an annular channel therein, and the outer lower edge portion of the skirt 104 is externally threaded at 110 for mating cooperation with internal threads 111 on an upturned flange portion 112 of spray producing cap or spray head 112. The sealing ring 109 is engaged by the outer marginal portion of spray producing cap 112 to effect a seal between the cap and lower edge portion of skirt 104. A plurality of slightly outwardly flared, generally axially extending apertures 113 extend through the cap 112 for producing a spray of water flowing from the cavity 105 and through the apertures 113. i

An upstanding boss 114 is formed integral with the center of cap 112 and has an axially extending bore 115 therethrough. The bore 115 is diametrically enlarged and internally threaded at 116 and further diametrim cally enlarged at 117 in a downwardly projecting boss portion 118 below the cap 112.

A diametrically reduced, axially upstanding, externally threaded coupling or fitting 119 is on the upper jecting portion 122 slidably extended through the bore portion 116 of boss 115 and sealed relative thereto by means of a sealing ring, such as O-ring 123 or the like. The upper end of stem is conically shaped as at 122. The lower end of valve actuating stem 120 is diametrically enlarged at 124 and is slidably received in the enlarged bore portion 117 of boss 118 below the cap 112 and is sealed relative thereto by means ofa suitable sealing ring 125. A plurality of radially projecting cars or lugs 126 are integral with the lower end of valve actuating stem 120 for manually operating the actuating stem to move it upwardly and downwardly relative to the cap 112, depending upon the direction of rotation thereof. and suitable douche attaching fitting 63' is on the lowermost end of valve actuating stem 120 for attachment thereto of a douche D, as in the form of the invention illustrated in H6. 11. An axially extending passageway 127 extends through'the valve actuating stem 120 from the upper end through the lower end thereof and a substantially flat, disc-shaped valve member 128, having a conically-shaped opening 129 therethrough, is supported on the upper conically-shaped end 122 of the actuating stem 120 and the outer peripheral edge portion of valve disc 128 is adapted to engage the sealing ring 107 to effect a seal therewith and subdivide the cavity 105 into an inlet chamber 130 and an outlet chamber 131. Thus, by disengaging the cap 112 from the threads 110, the valve assembly may be removed from the lower end of body 103 and a suitable dissolvable tablet or cartridge or the like T may be placed within chamber 130, and the valve assembly and cap then replaced on the lower end of housing 103, as in FIG. 16.

With the valve disc 128 in its raised position, as in FIG. 15, the chamber 130 is sealed from the chamber 131 and flow, accordingly, occurs only through the passageway 127 and through the fitting 63' into the douche D attached thereto. When the valve stem is manipulated to lower it relative to the cap 112, the valve disc 128 is lowered away from the sealing ring 107, as in FIG. 16, thus providing communication between the

chambers

130 and 131 and flow, accordingly, occurs through both the passageway 127 and fitting 63' and around the valve disc into chamber 131 and through the apertures 113 to produce a spray of water from the device.

The shower heads described herein may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal or the like, and the various coupling means for attachment of the shower heads to a source of water or for attachment to the shower head of a douche may be constructed differently from that specifically described and illustrated herein, so long as a relatively quick and easy connection and disconnection of the douche to the shower head may be accomplished.

Further, any suitable dissolvable object may be placed in the chamber in each of the forms of the invention to obtain a medicated or scented or otherwise treated flow of water, as desired.

Moreover, the douche described and illustrated herein need not be used with the shower head, as shown, but may be used in a conventional manner, i.e. the douche body or nozzle could be connected (either integrally or by separate fastening means) to a squeeze bulb, or to a hose for connection to an elevated bag or to a water faucet or the like, as desired. The adjustability of the douche, and the radial flow or spray of water therefrom, are both novel concepts and a douch constructed in accordance therewith may be connected in any suitable manner with a supply of water.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. A hand-held shower head comprising an elongate, hollow body defining a handle, a hose attaching means on one end of the body to attach said shower head to a source of water or the like, a spray head on the other end of the body to effect spraying of water or the like flowing through said body from said source, for use as a shower, said other end of the body having a radially outwardly extending douche attaching flange means thereon, a douche having a generally cup-shaped, flexible attaching means on one end thereof resiliently engaged over said flange releasably attaching said douche to said flange for receiving water from said spray head, and chamber means operatively associated with said shower head for containing a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein to obtain flow of treated water from the spray head and through the douche.

2. A hand-held shower head as in claim 1, wherein said douche comprises an elongate, rigid, tubular body having an axial flow passageway extending therethrough, said cup-shaped member having a flexible, radially inwardly turned lip thereon engaged behind the flange on the shower head connecting the douche to the shower head, a perforated outlet means on the other end of the douche body for flow of water therethrough, and an annular, generally cup-shaped splash shield secured to said douche body between the ends thereof and adjacent said cup-shaped member on said one end of said douche body.

3. A hand-held shower head as in claim 2, wherein an extension adaptor is removably secured to said other end of said douche body to change the length thereof, and a plurality of apertures are formed in said extension adaptor for radial flow of water from said douche body. J

4. A hand-held shower head as in claim 3, wherein said extension adaptor has a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced, elongate flow channels therein, and said apertures extend radially outwardly from the passageway through the douche body to the elongate flow passages on the extension adaptor.

5. A shower head, comprising: a hollow body having a chamber therein; inlet fitting means on one end of the body to attach the body to a source of water or the like; douche attaching fitting means on the other end of the body substantially centrally thereof for attachment thereto of a douche and having outlet means extending from said chamber through said fitting for flow of water through a douche attached thereto; said other end of the body having a plurality of perforations therethrough around said fitting defining a spray producing outlet means extending from said chamber and opening outwardly of said body at said other end thereof for producing a spray of water in substantially surrounding relationship to said fitting; valve means in said shower head to selectively divert flow to one of said outlet means, and manually operable means connected to said valve means and accessible externally of said body to operate said valve means and divert flow through said outlets as desired, said shower head thus usable alone or with a douche attached thereto.

6. A shower head as in claim 5, wherein said hollow body has an elongate, slightly outwardly flared skirt thereon and an axially projecting, diametrically reduced projection on said one end thereof, said projection having said inlet fitting means thereon, a cylindrical, elongate partition secured at one end thereof within said body adjacent the end of the skirt nearest said inlet fitting and spaced radially inwardly from said skirt, a closure cap secured on the other end of said partition and defining with said partition a hollow-cavity, said valve means positioned in said cavity and dividing said cavity into an inlet chamber and a treatment chamber, said cap being removable to gain access to said treatment chamber to place a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein, and port means extending through said closure cap and through said partition, said valve means operable to control flow through said port means to selectively divert flow from said inlet chamber to the space between said partition and skirt and thence through said perforations and outwardly from beneath said skirt to provide an untreated spray of water, and to divertflow past said valve into said treatment chamber and from said treatment chamber outwardly. to the space between said partition and skirt to obtain a treated flow of water, and to divert flow directly from the inlet fitting to the treatment chamber and from the treatment chamber outwardly through the douche attaching fitting to obtain a treated flow of water through the fitting.

7. A shower head as in claim 6, wherein said spray producing outlet means comprises an annular, radially outwardly extending flange on said partition extending from said partition into engagement with an inner surface of said skirt, and a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced perforations in said flange to produce said spray.

8. A shower head as in claim 7, wherein a valve actuating stem is connected with said valve and extends axially through said cavity and projects upwardly at one end thereof into said inlet fitting, and valve actuating means on said body-including means extending into engagement with said valve actuating stem to selectively raise and lower said actuating stem to thus selectively position said valve to divert said flow as desired.

9. A shower head as in claim 8, wherein said valve actuating means comprises a series of teeth on one side of said valve actuating stem, a pinion engaged with said teeth, said pinion secured toa shaft extended radially through the side of said projection, and a manually engagable operating knob. connected with said shaft externally of said body to operate said shaft and thus said pinion to effect raising and lowering of said valve stem.

10. A shower head as in claim 5, wherein said hollow body is substantially bell-shaped and defines a hollow cavity therewithin, a slightly outwardly flared skirt on said other end of said bell-shaped body and a diametrically reduced inlet fitting on said one end of said body, a spray producing closure means removably secured to said skirt on said other end of said body, and valve means within said cavity dividing said cavity into an inlet chamber and a treatment chamber.

11. A shower head as in claim 10, wherein a valve actuating means is operatively connected with said valve to selectively divert flow from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber and through said spray head.

' for flow of water from said inlet chamber through said I i 12. A shower head as in claim 11, wherein said valve means comprises a substantially flat valve disc and an annular .resilient valve seat fixed in said body at the upper end of said skirt on said bell-shaped body, and a valve actuating stem axially movable in said shower head and engaged with said valve disc to raise and lower said valve disc into and out of engagement with said valve seat.

13. A shower head as in claim 12, wherein an axial,

flow passage extends through said valve actuating stem from said inlet chamber to said douche attaching fitting fitting.

14. A shower head as in claim 13, wherein said valve actuating stem is threadably engaged within said spray head.

15. A hand-held shower head and douche comprising, an elongate, hollow body comprising a handle and having a chamber therein, a hose attaching means on.

one end of the body to attach said shower head to a source of water or the like, a spray head on the other end of the body to effect spraying of water or the like flowing through said body from said source, said body including two separable parts having mating cooperating fastening means on adjacent portions thereof releasably securing the parts together so that the parts may be readily separated to provide access to said chamber for placing a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein to treat water flowing through the chamber,

sageway extending therethrough, a diametrically enlarged, flexible, generally cup-shaped member at one end of the douche body, said member having a flexible, radially inwardly turned lip thereon engaged behind the flange on the shower head connecting the douche to i the shower head, a perforated outlet means on the other end of the douche body for flow of water therethrough, andan annular, generally cup-shaped splash shield secured to said douche body between the ends thereof and adjacent said cup-shaped member on said i one end of said douche body.

16. A hand-held shower head as in claim 15, wherein an extension adaptor is removable secured to said other end of said douche body to change the length thereof, and a plurality of apertures are formed in said extension adaptor for radial flow of water from said douche body.

17. A hand-held shower head as in claim 16, wherein said extension adaptor has a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced, elongate flow channels therein, and said apertures extend radially outwardly from the passageway through the douche body to the elongate flow passages on the extension adaptor.

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Claims

3. A hand-held shower head as in claim 2, wherein an extension adaptor is removably secured to said other end of said douche body to change the length thereof, and a plurality of apertures are formed in said extension adaptor for radial flow of water from said douche body.

6. A shower head as in claim 5, wherein said hollow body has an elongate, slightly outwardly flared skirt thereon and an axially projecting, diametrically reduced projection on said one end thereof, said projection having said inlet fitting means thereon, a cylindrical, elongate partition secured at one end thereof within said body adjacent the end of the skirt nearest said inlet fitting and spaCed radially inwardly from said skirt, a closure cap secured on the other end of said partition and defining with said partition a hollow cavity, said valve means positioned in said cavity and dividing said cavity into an inlet chamber and a treatment chamber, said cap being removable to gain access to said treatment chamber to place a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein, and port means extending through said closure cap and through said partition, said valve means operable to control flow through said port means to selectively divert flow from said inlet chamber to the space between said partition and skirt and thence through said perforations and outwardly from beneath said skirt to provide an untreated spray of water, and to divert flow past said valve into said treatment chamber and from said treatment chamber outwardly to the space between said partition and skirt to obtain a treated flow of water, and to divert flow directly from the inlet fitting to the treatment chamber and from the treatment chamber outwardly through the douche attaching fitting to obtain a treated flow of water through the fitting.

8. A shower head as in claim 7, wherein a valve actuating stem is connected with said valve and extends axially through said cavity and projects upwardly at one end thereof into said inlet fitting, and valve actuating means on said body including means extending into engagement with said valve actuating stem to selectively raise and lower said actuating stem to thus selectively position said valve to divert said flow as desired.

9. A shower head as in claim 8, wherein said valve actuating means comprises a series of teeth on one side of said valve actuating stem, a pinion engaged with said teeth, said pinion secured to a shaft extended radially through the side of said projection, and a manually engagable operating knob connected with said shaft externally of said body to operate said shaft and thus said pinion to effect raising and lowering of said valve stem.

12. A shower head as in claim 11, wherein said valve means comprises a substantially flat valve disc and an annular resilient valve seat fixed in said body at the upper end of said skirt on said bell-shaped body, and a valve actuating stem axially movable in said shower head and engaged with said valve disc to raise and lower said valve disc into and out of engagement with said valve seat.

13. A shower head as in claim 12, wherein an axial flow passage extends through said valve actuating stem from said inlet chamber to said douche attaching fitting for flow of water from said inlet chamber through said fitting.

15. A hand-held shower head and douche comprising, an elongate, hollow body comprising a handle and having a chamber therein, a hose attaching means on one end of the body to attach said shower head to a source of water or the like, a spray hEad on the other end of the body to effect spraying of water or the like flowing through said body from said source, said body including two separable parts having mating cooperating fastening means on adjacent portions thereof releasably securing the parts together so that the parts may be readily separated to provide access to said chamber for placing a dissolvable cartridge or the like therein to treat water flowing through the chamber, said spray head comprising a perforated cap secured to said body with the axis thereof extending substantially at a right angle to the axis of the elongate body, a douche attaching flange on said spray head, and a douche releasably attached to said flange for receiving water from said spray head, said douche comprising an elongate, rigid, tubular body having an axial flow passageway extending therethrough, a diametrically enlarged, flexible, generally cup-shaped member at one end of the douche body, said member having a flexible, radially inwardly turned lip thereon engaged behind the flange on the shower head connecting the douche to the shower head, a perforated outlet means on the other end of the douche body for flow of water therethrough, and an annular, generally cup-shaped splash shield secured to said douche body between the ends thereof and adjacent said cup-shaped member on said one end of said douche body.