Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Means for spraying user
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-03-13
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Means for spraying user
C239S587100, C285S281000, C285S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199227
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a joint for a shower head, and more particularly to a universal joint for a shower head.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 4 and 5
of the drawings illustrates a conventional joint for a shower head, wherein a fitting
22
is used to connect an end coupler
21
of a water tube
20
to a shower head
24
. An inner periphery of the fitting
22
includes a stop flange on an end thereof and a threading defined in the other end thereof for connecting with an end of the shower head
24
. An anti-leak washer
23
is mounted between the end coupler
21
of the water tube
20
and the end of the shower head
24
. Nevertheless, relative free rotational movement between the shower head
24
and the end coupler
21
of the water tube
22
is not allowed, since the rubber
23
is made of rubber and thus has a relatively large friction. As a result, inconvenience occurs during use of the shower head. In addition, the anti-leak washer
23
is apt to wear due to relative twist between the shower head
24
and the water tube
20
. Furthermore, the water tube
22
tends to be damaged by end edge of the fitting
22
when the fitting
22
is bent relative to the water tube
20
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a universal joint for a shower head that is durable and convenient to use.
A universal joint for a shower head in accordance with the present invention includes:
a water tube with an end coupler secured to an end thereof, the end coupler including an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof;
a fitting including a stop flange on a first end of an inner periphery thereof and a threading defined in a second end of the inner periphery thereof, the fitting being mounted around the end coupler and the end of the water tube, the threading of the fitting being adapted to be engaged with an end of the shower head;
an anti-leak washer mounted in the annular groove of the end coupler and in sealing contact with the inner periphery of the fitting; and
a sleeve mounted between the end of the water tube and the fitting, the sleeve bearing against the stop flange of the fitting.
The sleeve includes a second stop flange on an outer periphery thereof for bearing against the stop flange of the fitting. The sleeve includes an end having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first end of the fitting, thereby allowing the end of the sleeve to be extended beyond the first end of the fitting. The anti-leak washer is conic and includes a relatively larger end face, and an annular groove is defined in the relatively larger end face.
By such an arrangement, the shower head and the water tube are freely rotatable relative to each other to provide convenient use. In addition, the anti-leak washer is mounted in the annular groove of the end coupler to prevent wear to the anti-leak washer during rotation of the shower head. In addition, the sleeve is mounted between the fitting and the water tube to prevent wear to the water tube by the fitting. Further, extension of the sleeve out of the fitting prevents the water tube to be damaged by end edge of the fitting.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 351828 (1886-11-01), Bushnell
patent: 2903281 (1959-09-01), Avery
patent: 3090320 (1963-05-01), Hummer et al.
patent: 3447819 (1969-06-01), Borsum et al.
patent: 4303201 (1981-12-01), Elkins et al.
patent: 4589688 (1986-05-01), Johnson
patent: 5364134 (1994-11-01), Anderson
patent: 6050508 (2000-04-01), Fan
Huynh Khoa D.
Recla Henry J.
Rosenberg , Klein & Lee
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