Shower Apparatus

This invention relates to shower apparatus and particularly to apparatus which is operable to dispense a predetermined quantity of a selected liquid into the shower head as desired.

It has heretofore been suggested as desirable from the standpoint of convenience and economy that it would be desirable to dispense a predetermined quantity of a selected liquid such as shampoo, body oil and the like, into the shower head as the person is taking a shower.

Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a shower apparatus wherein a predetermined quantity of a selected liquid is dispensed into the shower head; wherein the apparatus is readily manufactured and assembled, efficient in operation, and requires minimum maintenance; and which includes a separate manually operable device for dispensing a selected liquid in full strength directly into the hand of the person taking the shower.

Basically, the shower apparatus comprises a shower head which is to be adapted to be connected to a source of water, means in the head operable by the flow of water to produce a vacuum, a housing having a plurality of reservoirs for containing diverse liquids, a line extending from the vacuum producing means to the housing, first valve means in the housing for selectively connecting one of the reservoirs, second valve means in the housing operable to isolate a portion of the liquid from the selected reservoir and thereafter provide communication to the line so that the predetermined quantity may be drawn by suction to the shower head.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of the shower apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a part sectional elevational view of another portion of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the parts in a different operative position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the lines 7--7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modified form of shower head.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the same.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 10--10 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 11--11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an end view of a part of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the shower apparatus embodying the invention comprises a shower head 10 which is adapted to be connected to a source of water in a conventional manner and a housing 11 that includes a line 12 connecting the housing to the shower head 10. The shower head 10 is constructed and arranged to produce a suction so that when water flows through the shower head, a predetermined quantity of liquid stored in the housing 11 is drawn through the line 12 to the shower head and mixed with the water being dispensed. In the form shown in FIG. 3 the shower head has an opening 13 including a venturi 14 to which an orifice 15 is connected so that a suction is created as the water passes through the opening 13 and venturi portion 14 drawing liquid from the line 12.

The housing 11 is preferably made of a suitable plastic and is generally rectangular and includes a top wall 16, side wall 17, front wall 18, bottom wall 19 and rear wall 20. Housing 11 further includes intermediate walls 21,22,23,24,25,26 and 27 that divide the interior of the housing into a plurality of chambers or reservoirs 28-34 respectively. The reservoirs 28-34 are so shaped that a portion of the reservoir is formed by the bottom wall of the housing. In addition, the shape of each reservoir 30,31,32 inclusive is such that it communicates with an opening that in turn extends to a cylindrical opening 36 in a portion 37 that extends from the front wall 18 rearwardly to a secondary rear wall 38.

A first valve is provided in the opening 36 and functions to select a predetermined reservoir and upon actuation to permit a predetermined quantity of liquid from the selected reservoir to pass to a chamber where it is available for communication with the suction line 12. Specifically, a plastic plunger 40 is rotatably mounted in the opening 36. A sleeve 57 surrounds plunger 40 and includes openings 41-43 which are aligned with the openings 41a-43a from the reservoirs. The number of openings 41-43 corresponds with the number of reservoirs which are to be used herein shown as three, namely, reservoirs 30, 31, 32.

Plunger 40 includes a knob 46, held in place by a screw 46a, for rotating the plunger and a detent comprising a rib 47 and groove 48 holds the knob 46 and in turn the plunger 40 in particular selected rotated position. A spring 49 normally urges the plunger outwardly of the housing. The spring is interposed between a portion of the body 50 and an enlarged portion 51a of the knob 46.

The portion 37 of the housing having the opening 36 therein also includes a chamber 51. When the plunger 40 is depressed against the action of the spring 49, communication is provided through a passage 52 in the plunger to the chamber 51 permitting a selected quantity of liquid to flow from the selected reservoir to chamber 51 (FIG. 6). During this time, a valve member 53 functions to close an opening 54 to a passage 55 formed by walls 38,20. Specifically, valve member 53 is generally L-shaped and includes a free end 53a associated with an opening 54 and a portion slidably mounted in plunger 40 and having an enlarged head 53b. Thus, valve 53 has a lost motion connection with plunger 40. When the plunger 40 is released, the plunger retracts the valve member 53 permitting the predetermined quantity of liquid in chamber 51 to be exposed through the opening 54 to the suction in the passage 55. A vent orifice 56 is provided in order to facilitate the action of suction. A seal is provided by a seal member 57 surrounding the end of the plunger in the area of the openings.

In a preferred form of shower head, the shower head comprises a first part 60 (FIG. 8) made of plastic having an opening 61 therethrough which is adapted to be attached to the source of water and a second part 62 pivotally connected to the part 60 so that it is angularly movable as shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, the part 62 includes spaced portions 63 which are aligned with a central portion 64 of the part 60 and pivot pins 65 extend through openings in the portion 63 and 64. The shower head further includes a third part 66 that telescopes over the part 62 and has a portion 67 overlying the portions 63 and pins 65. The part 62 includes an opening 68 which is aligned with the opening 61 and has a venturi 69 and orifice 70 communicating with a restricted portion of the venturi to which the suction line from the housing is attached. The part 66 further includes a plurality of openings 71.

The parts 60,62,66 are preferably made of a suitable plastic and the portions 67 are connected to the portions 63 by use of adhesive or ultransonic bonding.

In use, the water flowing through the opening 61 and in turn the opening 68 and venturi 69 passes to a chamber defined by the part 66 surrounding the part 62 and then out through the openings 71. The suction formed at orifice 70 functions to draw the selected liquid from one of the reservoirs in the apparatus and it passes outwardly into the chamber mixing with the water and being dispensed through the openings 71.

The parts 61,62 have generally arcuate cooperating surfaces and a seal 72 is provided therebetween.

In the event the user wishes to dispense the liquid from the reservoirs 28,29,33,34 in full strength, each of these reservoirs is provided with a manually operable valve adjacent the bottom wall for dispensing the liquid manually. Each of these valves comprises a slidable valve member 80 along the bottom wall adjacent each reservoir having an opening 81 that is adapted to be aligned with a selected opening 82 in each bottom wall reservoir so that when grasped as indicated in FIG. 10 and moved against the action of the spring, the openings 81,82 are aligned. A resilient member 83 normally provides a seal between the slide member and the bottom wall and the opening 82 is preferably tear drop shaped in order to provide effective cutoff.

Each slide member 80 is maintained for movement in the reciprocating motion by side and bottom walls formed as an integral part of the housing.

The housing 11 is preferably formed in two parts. One part comprises the top wall, bottom wall, front wall and side walls with the intermediate walls 21-26 molded as a part thereof. The other part comprises the rear wall. In this manner, the valve including the plunger 40 and associated parts and the slide valve 80 can be assembled after which the rear wall is bonded by adhesive or ultrasonically.

In order to provide access to the reservoir, the housing includes a removable panel 85 that is hinged by cooperating portions to the top wall 16 and can be pivoted upwardly (FIG. 4).