Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Means for spraying user
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-09
2001-05-22
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Means for spraying user
C137S039000, C137S901000, C239S569000, C239S571000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233758
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water saving mechanism for a shower device which is assembled with the shower device and is simply constructed, by using a ball valve, in such a manner that supply of water is executed by the pressing of a push member and discharge of water is stopped by the inclination of a shower head in a downward direction.
(b) Description of Related Art
Generally, a shower device, which is connected to a tap via a hose, is used to spray water like a fountain. The shower device is comprised of a shower hose having a predetermined length and branched to be connected from the tap and a shower head installed on the end portion of the shower hose and adapted to be grasped by a user's hand, for spraying water therefrom.
A conventional shower device is constructed in such a manner that as water flowing is selected at a tap side, the water flows to the tap and the shower device, and a valve handle grip, which is connected to a valve device, is installed at the tap side to determine whether the discharge of water is executed.
Under the construction of the conventional shower device, however, in the case where the user takes a shower at the state where the shower head is fixed at a predetermined height, he should bend his back to operate the valve handle grip installed on the tap side, so as to cut the discharge of water from the tap side.
Therefore, most of users should have a shower in the state where the water is continually discharged.
However, from environmental and economical points of view, the conventional shower device contains some problems to be solved. Recently, with the activation of campaigns for water saving or protection of the natural environment, there have been developed various kinds of water saving mechanisms or equipments.
Unfortunately, on the other hand, the water saving structure which is adapted to the conventional shower device has the following disadvantages: firstly, it is constructed in a complex manner; secondly, it is expensive; and thirdly, it often gets out of order.
Moreover, since the conventional water saving structure can not be applicable to the existing shower device, there is an inconvenience that the existing shower device already installed and used should be exchanged into a new one so as to introduce the water saving structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a water saving mechanism for a shower device that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related arts.
An object of the invention is to provide a water saving mechanism for a shower device which can be applicable to an existing shower device which has been already installed and used as well as a new shower device which is newly manufactured.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water saving mechanism for a shower device which can be simply constructed, by using a ball valve, in such a manner that supply of water is executed by the pressing of a push member and discharge of water is cut by the inclination of a shower head in a downward direction.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a shower head including a water saving mechanism which can be simply constructed, by using a ball valve, in such a manner that supply of water is executed by the pressing of a push member and discharge of water is cut by the inclination of a shower head in a downward direction.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water saving mechanism for a shower device comprising: a ball valve taking a ball shape; a body having a valve space into which the ball valve is inserted and having an exit hole on the one side thereof, the exit hole having a smaller diameter than the ball valve; a ball valve moving member adapted to be coupled to the valve space in the direction opposite to the exit hole of the body and having a moving hole into which the ball valve is movably inserted on the interior thereof to thereby limit the moving range of the ball valve; and an operating member adapted to be assembled to be movable forwardly/backwardly in a radial direction on the one side of the peripheral surface of the body and/or the ball valve moving member and for moving the ball valve towards the ball valve moving member by the advancement to the exit hole of the body.
The water saving mechanism for the shower device according to the present invention further comprises a push member which is installed to be movable forwardly/backwardly in a moving direction of the operating member, on the outer peripheral surface of the body and is securely connected to the end portion of the outside of the operating member.
Preferably, the water saving mechanism for the shower device according to the present invention further comprises an elastic member which is installed between the push member and the body and applies an elastic force in a reverse direction to the push member and/or the operating member.
A female screw, which is adapted to be connected to the shower head, is formed on the outside of the exit hole of the body, and a male screw, which is adapted to be connected to the shower hose or to assemble a connecting member connected to the shower hose, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve space of the body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower head including a water saving mechanism comprising: a first head body having a connecting part connected to a shower hose on the one end portion thereof; a second head body adapted to be assembled with the first head body and having a passage and an assembling space in the interior thereof and a plurality of spray holes formed on the end portion opposite to the connecting part of the first head body; a ball valve taking a ball shape; a body adapted to be inserted into the assembling space formed by means of the first and second head bodies and having a valve space into which the ball valve is inserted and having an exit hole on the one side thereof, the exit hole having a smaller diameter than the ball valve; a ball valve moving member adapted to be coupled to the valve space in the direction opposite to the exit hole of the body and having a moving hole into which the ball valve is movably inserted on the interior thereof to thereby limit the moving range of the ball valve; and an operating member adapted to be assembled to be movable forwardly backwardly in a radial direction of the exit hole of the body on the one side of the peripheral surface of the body and by passing the first head body or the second head body and for moving the ball valve towards the ball valve moving member by the advancement to the exit hole of the body.
The shower head including the water saving mechanism according to the present invention further comprises a push member which is installed to be movable forwardly/backwardly in a moving direction of the operating member, on the outer peripheral surface of the first head body or the second head body and is securely connected to the end portion of the outside of the operating member.
The shower head including the water saving mechanism according to the present invention further comprises an elastic member which is installed between the push member and the first head body or the second head body and applies an elastic force in a reverse direction to the push member and/or the operating member.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4614303 (1986-09-01), Moseley, Jr. et al.
patent: 4903897 (1990-02-01), Hayes
patent: 5260918 (1993-11-01), Neustein et al.
patent: 5293654 (1994-03-01), Castwall et al.
patent: 5360172 (1994-11-01), Wang
patent: 5511763 (1996-04-01), Green
patent: 5620022 (1997-04-01), Manoogian
patent: 3726788 (1989-02-01), None
patent: 09273646 (1997-10-01), None
Dae Yong Co., Ltd.
Huson Gregory L.
Prunner Kathleen J.
Shanks & Herbert
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