US2228626A - Shower unit - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 14, 1941. R. HETHERINGTON SHOWER UNIT 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed May '7, 1938 1941- R. HETHERINGTON 2,228,626

SHOWER UNIT Filed May 7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 14, 1941 2 UNITED STATES PA ENT Q' QE' 14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a shower unit intended for use with bath-tubs, particularly with tubs which have already been installed andin shower stalls.

A purpose of the invention is to provide novel and inexpensive structure of the character indicated for easy connection and disconnection with any of the widely variant bath tubs already installed or/ and to be installed.

A further purpose is to provide a spray unit having inside and outside pipes from acommon inlet fitting at the top, oneor more valved spray heads from the side, a safety thermostatic valve outlet at the bottom and removable support at top and side or bottom respectively from a mixed hot and cold water-inlet pipe and a water inlet,

fitting of the tub or a stall wall.

A further purpose is to surround a water inlet pipe with an outside discharge pipe having one or more valved spray heads from an upper portion or upper portions thereof and. a thermostatically controlled safety discharge to waste from the lower end. I

A further purpose is to present a shower unit as an easy and convenient safe hand hold for the shower user.

A further purpose is to brace'a shower unit near its lower end from a bath tub fitting, preferably from one or both ofthe interior curved walls ofa bath tubwater-inlet fitting, while supporting the unit from the top by suitable connection to a preferably downwardly directed mixed hot-andcold water supply pipe.

A furtherpurpose is to provide a novel bracket for easy application at one end to the inside walls of Variant water inlet fittings of different bath tubs and at the other end adapted to be vertically adjustable along and in use clamped to the body of a spray unit.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

I have electedto show one main form only of my invention showing however a modification thereof and selecting a form that is practical and efiicient-in operation and which well illustrates the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a Vertical elevation, in .part sectioned, showing a desirable. embodiment of my spray'unit applied to a conventional bath tub and with diagrammatic'showing ofhot and cold connections.

Figure 2 is an enlarged broken section. ,of the spray unit of Figure 1, omitting a clamp vconnectionflthereof tothe bath tub water supply fitting.

Figure 2a is a fragmentary section oi-analternative form.

Figure 3 is a broken sectional elevation corresponding to, armodified lower portion of FigureZ and showing clamp structure omitted iD iQ -Ie 2 but shown to smaller scale in Figure l.

Figured is a section of Figure 3 taken upon the line 4-4 thereof. 1

Figure 5.is a view corresponding to Figure 3 but showing the bracket structure connected to a bath tub waterinlet fitting in a way different from that of Figure 3. I

F ure 6 is a fra mentary s levatio part y sectioned, of an alternative form.

Describing in illustration and not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

My shower unit, 9 in;Fig ures 1 and2 is shown assembled for useremovably with a conventional bath tub, 10 having a conventional water-inletfitting l I. Hot and cold water supply valves 12 and l3 respectively, are indicated in hot and cold .Water supply pipes 14 and 15 that, connect intermediate their valves I2 and 13 with a mixed hotand-cold water pipe I 6 having upward and downward branches, I! and I8 respectively which through valves 19 and 20 feedshOWer supply 2] and normal tub fitting ll. Either valve l9 or valve 22 can be used as a limit to speed of water inlet and the other can be used tOI Tn the water ,onor ofi.

The shower'unit 9, is shown as set in approximately vertical position as would p the'case Where it is to stand in a tub and where it 'is to ,bestayed by a tub inlet fitting. Somefeatures of the invention are equally operative with theunit in other positions, even in horizontal position, In

the illustration the inlet end is at the top where it is threaded removably upon and supported .by the .outlet end 23, of the, fitting 2|. Toward its lower end it is bracedfromswinging movement inany directionby an adjustable hookconnection into the open end of the tub fitting l I.

This h o ect on s emit e b c amp bracket 24 which at;,its inner end is tightened by scre s 25. Thec am ca s ese ii onthebgd of the w r n t a an eigh ;A i Timb end=thebracket is provided with cooperating upwardly presented outer 'and'Li'nne'r prongs '26. 'and 21, .of vwhiclitl'ie inner pron 21 extend'slupvvardly from a sleeve 28 upon a rod 'portiemzafof fthe bracket. 1 Alsuitable .set 'sc'rewjfl hol'ds jthe' sleeve .28 and'therebythe prong 26 to ,bestaccornrno'date thespread .of, the prongs 26 and '21 into the fittin H, 'rnaintaining the prongs firmly against the contactwalls of the fitting ,l l.

It will be understood that the fitting M, intended for any usual or suitable tub fitting, whether or not already installed, may have any of quite widely difierent dimensions. Usually however as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the fitting outlet is large enough to receive both of the prongs 26 and 21, so set as to engage opposite inside walls of thefitting. However the bracket may connect .to a fitting I I as in Figure 5. From its character it will be seen that the outlet may be of smaller bore than the bore of outlet I I. Here the outer prong 26 only of the bracket hooks into the open end of the fitting and the inner prong 21 presents its outer edge to the outside of the fitting.

llt will be seen that whether or not both or one only of the prongs 26 and 21 as thus presented fit within the outlet opening of the fitting the bracket is blocked at its prongs from any horizontal movement, whether laterally or longitudinally of the bracket. Firm support of the body'of the shower unit from any horizontal movement is thus secured. f

It also will be seen that the shower unit can be connected and disconnected easily and quickly. By loosening the screws the bracket 24 will slip downwardly to release its hook engagement with tub fitting I l and the unit may be then unscrewed from the permanent fitting Z'I.

4 Replacement is equally easy, the unitbeing fir screwed at the top into the fitting 2| and being afterward firmly supported irom horizontal movement by sliding the bracket 24 upwardly into firm hook engagement with the tub fitting I I, as already explained, setting the bracket by tightening the screws 25. Suitable washers-such as that at 28-may be used to prevent leakage;

When the shower unit 9 is to be connected and disconnected repeatedly at "the same tub there will be usually no change in the set spread of the prongs 26 and 21 and no change in the set length of the bracket; for which reason I prefer to have the set screws 30 and 3| respectively controlling the setting of the sleeve 28 and of the length of the bracket, less readily operated than the more frequently operated screws 25 controlling the clamping of the bracket to the body of the unit. 3

The body of the shower unit as shown in Figure 1 comprises a head 32, carrying inside and outside pipes 33 and 34, thermostat element 35, waste valve 36 and outlet L31.

The head 32, axially bored and counterbored, presents the washer 28' and upwardly directed threaded counterb'ore for connection to the nipple 39 threaded into fitting 2 I. Downwardly it gives threaded support to the inside and outside pipes 33 and 34. 1

The outside pipe 34 extends downwardly some distance beyond the lower end of the inside pipe 33. The thermostat element 35 lies a little below and across the end of the inside pipe. The water valve 36 is operatively connected to the thermostat el-ement 35. The valve 316 closes against a valve seat 38. The washer at 28' may be used to throttle by substituting here a washer having an opening just large enough to pass the desired -volume of water. This means of throttling may be used in addition to or instead of the valve 2 2.

The valve 36, valve seat 38 and thermostat element may be supported in any suitable way. As shown they are held rigidly at theirupper .end upon an inverted U stand 39 having strap arms 40, 41I extending upwardly from and rigidly connected with a collar 42 by which the valve seat is carried. The flange 43 of the collar is held between the lower end 44 of Ilhe outer pipe and the upper end of the elbow lay a coupling 45. In Figure 3 the U is given support from trunnions 4-6 threaded into the outer pipe at 41.

The water from the inner pipe is delivered into the outer pipe immediately adjacent the thermostat. In the structure of Figures 1 and 2 the outer pipe is used as additional mixing space and the shower heads are connected directly with it, but in Figure 3 the heads are connected with the inner pipe and the outer pipe is maintained at a very much lower temperature than would otherwise be the case, suiting this outer pipe to use by the b ather as a hand hold for steadying purposes.

In Figure 2 discharge of the water takes place directly from the lower end of the inner pipe into the outer pipe just above the thermostat. All of the water follows this path, and discharges through the holes 48, flowing back up the outer pipe to the shower outlets. The water spreads out into the outer pipe, falls down along the coned guide 49 and passes along its edgesand through the openings 50 into the space 5| about the thermostalt. V

In the form shown in Figure 3, when the valve at the bottom is closed a part only of the flow discharges from the lower end of the inner pipe at 52 and is directed toward the thermostat.

The thermostats and their valve connections with the valves are readily standardized for any desired temperature of thermostatic Valve operation. However, in view of the possible desire to adjust for different temperatures, I have shown an adjustment between the thermostat and the valve. r

The adjustment is shown by means of sleeve 53 which is threaded upon stud 54 connected with the thermostat and in turn threads into the valve. If the valve be held stationary and a different number of threads'be used upon the inner and outer surfaces. of a sleeve a difierential action may be secured, by which very fine and exact adjustments are possible. On the other hand,

the valve may be adjusted upon the sleeve or the sleeve upon the stud for a coarse adjustment. A look nut 55 is shown upon the stud.

Whatever the construction in this particular, the mixed hot and cold water supply is'delivered from the inner pipe into the annular space between it and the outer pipe and is tapped from it to the individual showerheads 56, 51-, 58 through individual valves 59, 60, 6|.

In FigureB a straight discharge mouth 31 is shown taking the place ofthe waste discharge outlet 3I in order that more ,convenientlythe shower unit may be rested in. the bottom within a well 62 connectingwithany dischargeoutlet 63 to the sewer such as can conveniently be placed, for example, in the near ,orinany other Wall of a shower stall. A washer '64.may be used between the well and the collar 45, if the structure generally of Figure 2be followed, or between the lower end of the unitwhatever shape-and the well in order to prevent regurgitation of discharged water on theieet ofthe user and at the same time to steady the showeriunit at the lower. end. a V Structures having coaxial pipes as described, supported at the topand side overa tub and supported at the top and bottom in a shower stall have been used quite successfully. 7 I" It will beievident that my spray nozzle unit has advantages entirely independent of whether it be vertical or horizontal or at an angle in 'use,

and independently of the manner ,in which the inlet end of the unit is supported ,or the opposite end is supported .Qrstayed. The passage ofythe inletwater through the inner pipe and, subject to -a thermostatic discharge in case of. excessive heat, through .the outer pipe, or directly from the inner pipe provide'safety-features not otherwise obtainable. In either case the free discharge of hot water protects against overheating of the outerpipe, and where the water does not directly engage the outer pipe provides a hand hold definitely maintained at low temperature.

It will be evident that the purpose is primarily to produce a spray vand that I aminterested therefore in the production of the spray rather than in the question of whether the openings through which the water is sprayedtechnically are classified as spray heads or merely as spray openings; my function being carried out in the form-of Figures 1 and 2 for example, with any type of openings independently-of whether there be separate projecting spray heads or not. This thought has been carried out in Figure 2a. in which a very much cheaper construction is shown than that in Figure 2. A much thinner outer pipe is shown in 9', having a number of separate openings at B. The pipe connects with the plug 32 also in a different way, it is merely shrunk upon the plug permissibly being tinned and sweated into contact. The term shower is intended to cover this form also and the shower head in this case is valved because of the valves controlling the inflow of the water into the unit.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to those skilled in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A spray nozzle unit comprising an inlet inner pipe, an enclosing outer pipe with which an outlet lower end of the inlet pipe communicates, a thermostat and an emergency discharge to waste, both located in the outer pipe below the outlet end of the inner pipe and at a point adjacent to the point at which the two pipes communicate and allowing quick outlet of water supplied by the inlet pipe, and a shower nozzle connected with one of the pipes above the discharge to waste.

2, A shower unit comprising an inlet pipe open near its lower end, a thermostatically controlled emergency discharge valve to waste located below the lower end of the inlet pipe, an outer pipe with which the inner pipe communicates and a spray nozzle connecting with the outer pipe.

3. A shower unit, comprising an inlet pipe having an outlet lower end, a thermostatically controlled discharge valve to waste at the lower end of the outer pipe and adjacent the lower end of the pipe, an outer pipe enclosing the inner pipe, and a spray nozzle connecting with one of the pipes above the lower end of the inlet pipe and located outside of the outer pipe.

4. A spray nozzle unit, comprising an inner supporting pipe discharging from its lower end adapted to connect with a mixed hot and cold water supply, a thermostatically controlled emergency outlet discharge valve to waste adjacent to the lower end of the inner pipe, means for supporting the :unit adjacent the outlet to waste, anbuter pipcssurroundin the inner. p p lip- .portedat one end from it, and a spray nozzle receiving .water supply from one of the pipes and'locatecl above the emergency discharge valve.

.5. :In av spray nozzle unit, .a pair of communicatingconcentric pipes, the .inner adapted to receive water inlet at one end and to discharge from the other end, a spray, nozzle connected with one of the pipes and ;a thermostatically controlled discharge valve toawaste responding to the temperature in'the inner pipe and located below the sprayynozzle,-the .flowforthe spray .nozzle and discharge valve to waste dividing at the outlet of the inner pipe and following different paths therefrom.

6. In a shower unit a downwardly directed tub water inlet a .water inletabove the tub, and

a spray nozzle unit adapted for connection-with the inlet abovethe tub, and. comprising a .pipe, a plurality of spray nozzles connected at ,different'distancesalong the length of the pipe, a thermostatically operated valve at the lowerend of the pipe, adapted to discharge excessively hot water and a clamp connection with the unit engaging the downwardly directed inlet.

7. A generally vertical shower unit adapted to be attached to a shower connection at the top and comprising an outer pipe closed at the top, an inner pipe connected with the shower connection, a thermostatic valve in the lower part of the outer pipe and adapted to be afi'ected by the temperature of the water from the inner pipe, a plurality of shower heads connected to spray the water from one of the pipes at different levels along the height of the outer pipe and. a waste valve controlled by the thermostat and adapted to discharge water through the waste when the temperature of the water supply is excessively high.

8. In a shower unit for use with a bath tub, an outer pipe closed at the upper end, an inner pipe connected to the water supply, within the outer pipe and communicating with. it at its lower end, a plurality of shower heads connected with one of the pipes, and a thermostatic valve at the lower end of the outer pipe adapted to discharge water with excessive temperature of the water supply.

9. A spray nozzle standard for use in a tub and comprising inner and outer pipes, adapted for connection of the inner pipe with an inlet water supply at the top, the outer pipe being there closed upon the inner pipe, a thermostatically operated waste valve at the lower end of the outer pipe, a thermostat therefor, the inner and outer pipes connecting at thebottom of the inner pipe, and spray heads connecting from the outer pipe.

10. In a shower unit for use with a bath tub and with an outside water-supply fitting above the tub, an inlet inside pipe connected to receive water from the fitting and an outlet outside pipe, connected one with the other at their lower ends, with the outside pipe extending downwardly beyond the inside pipe, 2. valved spray head from the side of the outside pipe, a vertically adjustable bracket from the outside pipe for laterally supporting the unit toward the lower end thereof, a waste valve at the lower end of the outside pipe and thermostatic safety control mechanism inside the outside pipe between the valve and lower end of the inside pipe for opening the valve if the temperature of water passing the inside pipe becomes abnormally high.

11. A unit for spray nozzle use comprising an outer pipe closed at the upper end, an inner pipe therein adapted for connection with water supply at the upper end, spray nozzle heads connected withthe inner pipe, walls forming a thermostat compartment closed from the outer pipe and into'which the inner pipe discharges at its lower end, a thermostat therein and a discharge valve to waste controlled by the thermostat,

12. A tub having an inlet, a spray nozzle standard adapted for use in the tub, comprising an outer pipe closed at the upper end, an inner pipe therein connecting at the upper end with a water supply and thereby holding the upper ends of both pipes, an outlet thermostatic valve adapted to discharge excessively warm water, spray nozzles connecting with the inner pipe and a clamp connected to the outer pipe and having removable connection with the inlet to the tub.

13. A generally vertical shower unit for use with a bath tub and with a lower water-supply fitting of the tub and a top support-and-inlet member, a pipe below the inlet, a plurality of vertically spaced valved spray heads from the side of the 'pipe, an outlet valve to waste at the bottom of the pipe, thermostatic mechanism above the valve controlling the operation thereof and a vertically adjustable laterally extending bracket engaging the pipe at its inner end and adapted at its'outer end to rigidly connect to the lower water-supply fitting.

. 14.'A generally vertical shower unit for use with a bathtub, with a lower water supply fitting of thetub and a top support and inlet, a pipe connected with the inlet, a plurality of vertically spaced valved spray heads from the side of the pipe, an outlet valve at the bottom to waste, thermostatic mechanism above the valve controlling the operation thereof, a vertically adjustable bracket, extending laterally from the pipe, and a pair of upwardly presented relatively adjustable prongs at the outer end of the bracket adapted rigidlyto connect to the water-supply fitting with one of the prongs hooking into the 20 open end of the fitting.

ROBERT HETHERINGTON..

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