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US 9,844,788 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 the air inlet, while reducing noise associated with the air induction.
Claims20
A joint connector comprising:
- a housing having an inlet section configured to connect to a fluid supply outlet, and an outlet section configured to receive a fluid dispersing member;
- a passageway extending axially through the housing, wherein a portion of the passageway is sized and shaped to form a venturi;
- a fluid pathway extending from a portion of the venturi to a port in an exterior surface of the outlet section of the housing, wherein the fluid dispersing member conceals the port;
- and
- a flow control member disposed within the fluid pathway.
2 more elements
A showerhead assembly configured to mount to a water supply line, the showerhead assembly comprising:
- a showerhead;
- and
- a unitary one-piece joint connector comprising an inlet portion, which is configured to mount to the water supply line, an outlet portion integrally formed with and extending from the inlet portion, a passageway extending through the joint connector and having a first frusto-conical portion that narrows to a cylindrical venturi throat, and a fluid pathway extending from the passageway to a port in the outlet portion;
- wherein the showerhead is mounted to the outlet portion of the joint connector such that the port is concealed by the showerhead.
1 more element
A showerhead assembly configured to mount to a water supply line, the showerhead assembly comprising:
- a showerhead;
- a one-piece joint connector comprising:
- an inlet portion configured to mount to the water supply line;
- an outlet portion integrally formed with and extending from the inlet portion, the showerhead being mounted to the outlet portion;
- and
- a passageway extending through the joint connector, the passageway having a portion that narrows to define a venturi throat;
- a packing seal and a bushing provided between the showerhead and the joint connector, wherein a gap is disposed between the packing seal and the bushing, the gap is in fluid communication with the passageway, and a split in the bushing is in fluid communication with the gap and with an environment external to the showerhead assembly.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.