Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Terminal member adjustably or shiftably connected to flow... – Flexible coupling section
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-11-13
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Terminal member adjustably or shiftably connected to flow...
Flexible coupling section
C004S615000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315220
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for converting a faucet to a hand-held shower device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for converting a faucet to a hand-held shower device which includes an adaptable connector that can be adapted to fit any size or type of faucet including a bath faucet, a sink faucet, an outdoor faucet, and an existing shower head faucet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The number of bathrooms existing in American households has increased. Of the privately owned single-family houses completed in 1995, only 11% had just 1½ bathrooms or less, compared to 13% of the homes built in 1990 and 27% of those built in 1980. Of the homes completed in 1995, 41% had two bathrooms, and another 48% had more than two bathrooms.
In addition to the increased number of bathrooms now being built in American households, there is also a clear trend in constructing bathrooms that are more luxurious. For example, today's master bathrooms typically include a whirlpool bath that is separate and apart from an enclosed shower. It is not uncommon for Americans to have saunas, whirlpool baths, exercise equipment and other luxuries in their bathrooms. As a result, it has sometimes become more difficult to bathe for physically challenged or elder individuals who may have difficulty moving in a shower stall. A solution to this problem exists in converting a faucet or existing shower head into a flexible and extendable shower head.
Several devices for converting a faucet into a movable and extendable shower head exists in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,279,006, issued to Rose, discloses a device that can be readily applied to or detached from a standard bathtub fixture which affords a full and effective shower. The device includes a flexible tube adapted to connect to a bathtub faucet on one end and a shower head on the other. Straps are placed around both ends of the flexible hose and secured to the faucet and shower head, respectively, by screws and thumb nuts. A rigid arm separates the bands and functions to mount the shower head in different positions. The bands, straps, and all other parts, except for the flexible tube, are made of sheet metal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,919, issued to Knapp, describes a hand-held shower head for domestic sinks having a tubular handle member connected to the water supply via flexible piping. Although this patent does not describe means for connecting the flexible pipe to a water supply, this patent reference does disclose a hand-held shower head that can be used with a faucet and residential sink that is adapted for low supply water pressure and particularly for a water supply through a simplified diverter valve.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,362, issued to Chianco et al., discloses a sit-down shower for children which includes a sleeve adaptor that fits over a bathtub's tap and a rigid and self-supporting tubing extending from the adapter which projects the shower water to a movable shower head that is connected to the far end of the rigid tubing. The rigid tube forms a one-piece plastic molded unit with the adaptor and the adaptor may be clamped on the faucet with a conventional clamp.
Although the general concept of converting a faucet into an extendable and movable shower head does exist as evidenced by the above described patents, there is a need for an apparatus for converting a faucet or existing shower head to a hand-held shower head which can accommodate any type or size of faucet and which can be easily secured to, and removed from, the faucet. In addition, there is a need for a simple and low-cost device which converts any type or size of faucet or existing shower head into a hand-held shower without leaking. Such a device should be able to be easily manipulated by children, physically handicapped individuals, and the elderly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for converting any size or type of faucet or existing shower head into a movable and extendable shower head that allows the user to direct the stream of water from the shower head in any direction.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower head into a movable and extendable shower head apparatus that is flexible, durable, versatile, and easy to install and remove.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower head into a movable and extendable shower head that is convenient, effective, and easy to manufacture.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for converting any type or size of faucet or existing shower head existing in hotels, motels, fitness clubs, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, standard homes, etc., into a movable and extendable shower head device that can be easily used to shower individuals, wash family pets, and clean and sanitize existing bathtubs and shower stalls.
The above and other aspects of the present invention may be carried out in one exemplary form of the invention by an adaptable connector having a flexible opening for receiving a faucet, an extendable hose having a first end connected to the adaptable connector and a second end connected to a shower head, and means for releasably securing the flexible opening of the adaptable connector about the opening of a faucet.
In another aspect of the present invention, the adaptable connector may comprise a hollow, flexible connector element that is generally bulb shaped or spherical in shape. This generally bulb shaped or spherical shaped configuration of the adaptable connector enables the method and apparatus for converting a faucet or existing shower head to a flexible and extendable shower apparatus to operate under high water pressure conditions without becoming forcibly removed from the faucet. In another aspect of the present invention, the adaptable connector and extendable hose may be formed from one continuous piece of material, such as a flexible rubber, polyethylene or any other flexible polymers consisting of lightweight thermoplastics that are resistant to chemicals and moisture and have good insulating properties. In still another aspect of the present invention, the shower head connected to the faucet or existing shower head by way of the extendable hose may rotate about a circumference of the extendable hose thereby avoiding twisting and tangling of the extendable hose during use. Alternatively, if the adaptable connector and extendable hose are not formed from one continuous piece, the extendable hose may also be configured to rotate about a circumference of the adaptable connector at its connection point with the adaptable connector by using currently existing hardware.
One exemplary method of the present invention for converting a faucet or existing shower head into a flexible and extendable shower apparatus comprises the steps of attaching an adaptable connector having a flexible opening around a faucet opening or existing shower head, releasably securing the adaptable connector to the faucet or existing shower head with a clamping means, and employing a switching means on a shower head connected to the adaptable connector by way of an extendable hose to access water flow through the shower head.
REFERENCES:
patent: 785824 (1905-03-01), Nicholls
patent: 1319738 (1919-10-01), Watrous
patent: 1327428 (1920-01-01), Gregory
patent: 1432501 (1922-10-01), Tuozzuli
patent: 1641778 (1927-09-01), Overton
patent: 1840812 (1932-01-01), Hardy
patent: 2218759 (1940-10-01), Lineman
patent: 2383235 (1945-08-01), Brown
patent: 2600554 (1952-06-01), Lyons
patent: 2873999 (1959-02-01), Webb
patent: 3865310 (1975-02-01), Elkins et al.
patent: 4413362 (1983-11-01), Chianco et al.
patent: 5070553 (1991-12-01), Chambers
patent: 5926868 (1999-07-01), Bjerke
Morris Lesley D.
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
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