US 8,109,450 B2Granted

Connection structure for handheld showerhead

AssigneeWater Pik, Inc.

InventorsHarold A. Luettgen, Leland C. Leber, Michael J. Quinn

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion and a handle portion. The showerhead portion may include at least two fluid channels. The handle portion may be operatively associated with the shower portion. The handle portion may include at least one fluid inlet or fluid passage. A rigid internal shaft is used to reinforce the connection between a fluid conveyance structure in the showerhead portion, the handle portion, or both, and a water supply connector at least partially in the handle portion The handle portion may further include a movable mode selector. Movement of the mode selector may selectively place the fluid inlet or fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the two fluid channels in the showerhead portion.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A handheld showerhead comprising

a handle portion;
a showerhead portion extending from the handle portion;
a water supply connector at least partially housed within the handle portion and configured for connection to a water supply;
a fluid conveyance structure having a base and positioned within the handle portion, the showerhead portion, or both;
and
a rigid connection shaft extending between and fixedly connecting the water supply connector and the base of the fluid conveyance structure without functioning as a conduit for fluid flow between the water supply connector and the base of the fluid conveyance structure, the connection shaft defining
a cylindrical first portion that interfaces with the base of the fluid conveyance structure;
and
a second portion of a noncircular cross section that prevents rotation of the water supply connector with respect to the handle portion and includes a longitudinal central cavity having a surface that is at least partially threaded;
and
a screw received within the longitudinal central cavity of the second portion of the connection shaft;
wherein
the screw fixedly connects the connection shaft to the water supply connector.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/846,491Filed 29 Jul 2010 · continuation
Priority: 29 Nov 2006
Published: US 2011/0000982 A16 Jan 2011
Granted: 7 Feb 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

B05B 1/185
Roses; Shower heads: characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
B05B 1/16
With multiple outlet openings ; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening: having selectively- effective outlets
B05B 1/1636
With a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock: by relative rotative movement of the valve elements
B05B 1/1663
With a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock: by relative translatory movement of the valve elements

Family

Application60/867,778Us provisional application · filed 29 Nov 2006
Application60/882,898Us provisional application · filed 29 Dec 2006
Application11/669,132Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Jan 2007
US 2011/0000982 A1Pre-grant publication · published 6 Jan 2011
US 7,789,326 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2008/0156902 A1Published application
US 8,109,450 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.