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US 10,434,524 B2Granted
Joint connector
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsPeter Kajuch, Todd W. Leonhard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball joint connector is provided for linking a showerhead to a water supply pipe. The connector has an internal venturi that draws air into the connector to aerate water being provided to the showerhead. A flow control member is disposed in a fluid pathway connected to the venturi, preventing spraying or leaking out of the air inlet, while reducing noise associated with the air induction.
Claims21
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing that comprises:
- an inlet configured to receive water from a water supply line;
- a passageway fluidly connecting the inlet and an outlet, the passageway having a venturi throat;
- a flat surface that is recessed inwardly from and forms a secant of an annular outer surface such that opposite side edges of the flat surface intersect the outer surface;
- and
- an air inlet port that extends from the flat surface to the passageway;
- and
- a showerhead coupled to the housing and configured to receive water from the outlet of the housing.
5 more elements
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising a cylindrical portion, a spherical portion, a passageway extending through the cylindrical and spherical portions to fluidly connect an inlet to an outlet, a flat surface that is recessed inwardly from and forms a secant of an outer surface of one of the cylindrical and spherical portions such that opposite side edges of the flat surface intersect the outer surface, and an air inlet port that extends through the housing into the passageway;
- and a showerhead coupled to the housing to conceal the air inlet port, wherein the showerhead is configured to receive water from the outlet.
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a cylindrical portion having an inlet that is connectable to a water supply to receive water;
- a spherical portion having an outlet;
- a passageway extending inside of the cylindrical and spherical portions to fluidly connect the inlet to the outlet;
- and
- an air inlet port extending through one of the spherical and cylindrical portions into the passageway to fluidly connect the passageway to atmosphere outside of the housing;
- a check valve disposed in the air inlet port, wherein the check valve is configured to allow air to flow from atmosphere to the passageway while restricting air to flow from the passageway to atmosphere;
- and
- a showerhead coupled to the spherical portion to receive water from the outlet;
- wherein an interior surface of the showerhead retains the check valve in the air inlet port.
7 more elements
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising:
- a cylindrical portion having an inlet that is connectable to a water supply to receive water;
- a spherical portion having an outlet;
- a passageway extending inside of the cylindrical and spherical portions to fluidly connect the inlet to the outlet;
- and
- an air inlet port extending through one of the spherical and cylindrical portions into the passageway to fluidly connect the passageway to atmosphere outside of the housing;
- a check valve disposed in the air inlet port, wherein the check valve is configured to allow air to flow from atmosphere to the passageway while restricting air to flow from the passageway to atmosphere;
- and
- a showerhead coupled to the spherical portion to receive water from the outlet;
- wherein the air inlet port extends through the spherical portion, and wherein air inlet port is concealed by the showerhead.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.