Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Means for spraying user
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2001-08-21
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Means for spraying user
C004S675000, C004S567000, C239S282000, C137S359000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276004
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular shower arm construction in which the visible, exterior and/or decorative elements of a shower installation may be removed without affecting or disturbing the connection between the pipe which extends through the shower stall wall and the water supply. It is conventional in shower and bath installations for there to be a pipe which connects to the water supply and extends outwardly through the shower stall wall. This pipe is often threaded and a shower fixture is threaded onto the pipe. Most homeowners are reluctant to remove an existing shower fixture from the wall because of fear that in so doing they would break the connection between the pipe and the interior water supply connection which is behind the shower wall.
The present invention provides a mounting system for a shower fixture, such as a shower head, in which the decorative and exposed elements of the shower assembly, specifically the shower head, the shower arm and escutcheon if one is present, may be removed and replaced with elements of a different esthetic appearance without in any way affecting the behind-the-wall connection with the water supply. There is a pipe which extends outwardly through the shower stall wall from the water supply and this pipe may have a smooth, unthreaded end. A tubular shower arm, decorative in outer appearance, is mounted to the pipe through the use of an adapter sleeve. A set screw, which extends through aligned openings in the tubular shower arm and adapter sleeve, but is normally not visible to a user of the shower fixture, fixes the tubular shower arm and adapter sleeve on the unthreaded end of the pipe. The shower fixture is mounted to the exposed end of the tubular shower arm and the shower arm masks or covers the connection to the pipe extending outwardly from the shower stall wall.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular shower arm assembly and more specifically to an assembly in which its decorative appearance may be changed and the elements of the assembly replaced without affecting the connection between the water supply and the pipe which extends outwardly through the shower stall wall.
Another purpose is to provide a reliable, simply constructed, shower assembly mounting system which provides for removal and replacement of the decorative elements associated with a shower fixture, without removing or affecting the tubular water conduit that extends outwardly from the shower stall wall.
Another purpose is a shower arm construction as described in which all decorative elements may be replaced from in front of the shower stall wall.
Another purpose is a modular shower arm assembly as described in which the attachment of the shower decorative elements to the shower stall wall pipe are normally hidden from view.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.
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Bertrand John E.
Brattoli Michael A.
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Huson Gregory L.
Le Huyen
Moen Incorporated
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