Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Means for spraying user
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-02-27
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Means for spraying user
C004S678000, C137S360000, C137S359000, C239S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192529
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 usually 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.
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 the escutcheon, 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 wall from the water supply and this pipe has a smooth unthreaded end. A tubular shower arm, decorative in outer appearance, is mounted to the pipe through the use of an adapter and a coupling nut. The shower fixture is mounted to the exposed end of the tubular shower arm and an escutcheon overlies and masks or covers the connecting elements.
To attach the components to the pipe, an adapter is first placed on the pipe and may be secured thereto either by a set screw or through the use of a threaded nipple which may be soldered onto the end of the pipe. The tubular shower arm has an outwardly flared end which extends inside of an inwardly directed flange on the coupling nut and these assembled elements are slipped onto the pipe and the coupling nut is threaded onto the adapter, thus assembling the components in a fixed position on the pipe. The escutcheon may then be moved over the assembled elements, after which the shower fixture may be attached to the tubular shower arm.
The reverse process is followed to remove these elements. First, the shower fixture is removed, after which the escutcheon is slid off of the adapter and coupling nut. Then the coupling nut is released from the adapter and it and the shower arm may be removed and replaced with similar mechanical elements, but with a different decorative appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a modular shower arm construction and more specifically to a construction in which the decorative appearance of the shower fixture may be changed and the elements of the fixture 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 arm mounting system which provides for removal 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 connection as described in which all decorative elements may be replaced from in front of the shower stall wall.
Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.
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Jones Timothy P.
Limpert Norman E.
Mitchell Gerald M.
Zummersch Martin
Cook Alex McFarron Manzo Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
Le Huyen
Moen Incorporated
Recla Henry J.
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