ROUND STEAMHEAD FOR A STEAM GENERATOR

Abstract

The steamhead includes a dispensing chamber having an inlet connected to receive steam from a steam generator located outside of the steam bath enclosure and a steam outlet. The steamhead is mounted between studs which support the enclosure wall by a bracket that is adjustable to accommodate studs of different spacing. A hollow cylindrical member extends from the front of the chamber in alignment with the steam outlet. A first part is telescopically received within the hollow member to accommodate enclosure walls of various thicknesses. A flange extends from the rim of the first part to overlap the chamber edge which defines the steam outlet. A second part having a round, concave surface facing the interior of the enclosure is rotatably mounted within the first part for controlling the flow of steam through the steam passageway. The chamber includes baffles for reducing the force of the emitted steam.

Claims

1. A steamhead for a steam bath enclosure including a wall with an opening, the steamhead designed for use with a steam generator having a steam supply pipe, the steamhead comprising a dispensing chamber with an inlet connected to the steam supply pipe and a steam outlet, a hollow cylindrical member extending from said chamber in alignment with said steam outlet and forming a steam passageway, a first part mounted within said hollow member for movement between a position proximate said chamber and a position remote from said chamber, and a second part rotatably mounted within said first part for controlling the flow of steam through said steam passageway.

2. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said first part comprises a support structure including a recess and wherein said second part comprises a rearwardly extending portion adapted to be received within said recess.

3. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said second part has a substantially round surface facing the steam bath enclosure.

4. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said second part comprises a radially extending member adapted to block a portion of said steam passageway.

5. The steamhead of claim 4 wherein the portion of said steam passageway blocked by said member is determined by the rotational position of said first part relative to said second part.

6. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said first part comprises an exterior rim and further comprises a flange extending from said rim.

7. The steamhead of claim 6 wherein the enclosure wall opening is defined by an edge and wherein said flange overlaps the enclosure wall edge.

8. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said first part is adapted to be telescopically received within said hollow member.

9. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein said second part is rotatable relative to the second part to control the direction of the steam exiting said steam passageway.

10. The steamhead of claim 1 wherein the enclosure wall opening is situated between spaced support members and further comprising means for attaching said steamhead between the support members of the enclosure wall, with said steam outlet aligned with the enclosure wall opening.

11. The steamhead of claim 10 further comprising means for attaching said steamhead between the enclosure wall supports.

12. The steamhead of claim 11 wherein said attaching means is adjustable to accommodate supports of different spacing.

13. The steamhead of claim 1 further comprising at least one baffle within said dispensing chamber.

14. The steamhead of claim 1 further comprising a tray for retaining aromatic substances.

15. The steamhead of claim 14 further comprising tracks on the surface of said second part for mounting said tray.

16. A steamhead for a steam bath enclosure including a wall with an opening, the steamhead designed for use with a steam generator having a steam supply pipe, the steamhead comprising a dispensing chamber with an inlet connected to the steam supply pipe and a round steam outlet, a hollow cylindrical member extending from said chamber in alignment with said steam outlet and defining a steam passageway, a first part telescopically mounted within said hollow member for movement between a position proximate said chamber and a position remote from said chamber, said first part comprising a flange, and a second part mounted within said first part and having a round surface facing the enclosure.

17. The steamhead of claim 16 wherein said first part comprises a support structure including a hub with a recess and wherein said second part comprises a rearwardly extending portion adapted to be received within said recess.

18. The steamhead of claim 16 wherein said second part comprises a radially extending member adapted to block a portion of said steam passageway.

19. The steamhead of claim 18 wherein the portion of said steam passageway blocked by said radially extending member is determined by the rotational position of said first part relative to said second part.

20. The steamhead of claim 16 wherein the enclosure wall opening is defined by an edge and wherein said flange overlaps the wall edge.

21. The steamhead of claim 16 wherein said second part is rotatable relative to said first part to control the direction of the steam exiting said steam passageway.

22. The steamhead of claim 16 wherein the enclosure wall opening is situated between spaced support members and further comprising means for attaching said steamhead between the support members of the enclosure wall, with said steam outlet aligned with the enclosure wall opening.

23. The steamhead of claim 22 further comprising means for attaching said steamhead between the enclosure wall supports.

24. The steamhead of claim 23 wherein said attaching means is adjustable to accommodate supports of different spacing.

25. The steamhead of claim 16 further comprising at least one baffle within said dispensing chamber.

26. The steamhead of claim 16 further comprising a tray for retaining aromatic substances.

27. The steamhead of claim 26 further comprising tracks on the surface of said second part for mounting said tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0044] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a round steamhead for a steam bath as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the steamhead of the present invention showing the front, left side and top thereof;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steamhead of the present invention showing the rear, right side and bottom thereof;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the steamhead of the present invention as it would appear mounted to a steam bath enclosure wall;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the steamhead of the present invention showing the interior parts thereof;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the steamhead of the present invention; and

[0050] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The steamhead of the present invention is designed for use with a steam bath enclosure including an enclosure wall 10. Enclosure wall 10 is supported by spaced vertical support members or studs 12. The steamhead is mounted behind the wall, between the studs, in alignment with an opening 14 in the wall. The steamhead is suspended between adjacent studs by an adjustable bracket 16.

[0052] Bracket 16 includes first and second sections 16a, 16b. The bracket sections can be moved relative to each other to alter the length of the bracket so that the bracket can accommodate a wide range of stud spacing. For this purpose, the bracket sections each have vertically spaced, horizontally elongated slots. When the brackets are aligned, the slots line up.

[0053] Screws 18 are provided to secure the bracket to the front surface 20 of the steam dispensing chamber of the steamhead, generally designated A. Once the bracket sections are in the correct relative position according to the stud spacing, the screws are tightened to secure the brackets to the chamber with the bracket sections in the desired relative position.

[0054] At the end of each bracket section is bent portion with elongated openings. The openings in the bent end portions accept screws for fastening each of the bracket sections to the adjacent stud. The elongated openings in the end portions allow the bracket to be attached to the studs at the appropriate depth.

[0055] The steamhead is designed for use with a steam generator (not shown) situated at a remote location outside the steam bath enclosure. The steam generator has a steam outlet connected to a supply pipe which conveys steam from the steam generator to dispensing chamber A through a steam inlet 22 in the top surface 24 of chamber A.

[0056] As seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the interior of chamber A has a series of vertically spaced, pitched baffles 25. The baffles each have a series of openings 27 as seen in FIG. 5. In conventional steam systems the steam travels down the pipe from the generator and hits the steam head. The steam then changes direction and disperses at full velocity inside the steam room (with the accompanying noise and turbulence). With the steamhead of the present invention, all this occurs inside chamber A, where it is muffled. Thus, the steam exits at a lower velocity with minimal noise.

[0057] Chamber A also has a left side 26, a right side 28, a bottom surface 30 and a rear surface 32. The front surface 20 of the chamber has a round steam outlet 34. A hollow cylindrical member 36 is fixed to and extends from the front surface 20 of chamber A in alignment with the steam outlet.

[0058] A first part 38 is received within member 36. Part 38 is telescopically received within hollow member 36. Part 38 can be moved relative to member 36 between a position proximate front surface 20 of chamber A and a position remote from front surface 20 of chamber A.

[0059] Part 38 has a hollow cylindrical portion 40 with exterior rim. The rim of part 38 is curved outwardly to form a flange 42. Once the steamhead is mounted behind the enclosure wall, part 38 can be moved inwardly relative to hollow member 36 such that flange 42 is located adjacent to and covers the edge of the enclosure wall which defines opening 14.

[0060] The exterior wall of portion 40 of part 38 is sealed to the interior wall of hollow member 36 by spaced rubber O-rings 44. A circumferential stop ring 46 extends outwardly from portion 40 of part 38 at a location behind flange 42. Stop ring 46 limits the inward movement of part 38 within hollow member 36.

[0061] Mounted within part 38 is a second part 48. Part 48 is round and preferably has a concave exterior surface 50. Surface 50 is attached to a rearwardly extending cylindrical part 52.

[0062] A wheel-like support structure 54 forms the rear portion of first part 38. Structure 54 includes spokes 56 extending from a central hub 58. Hub 58 defines a recess 60 within which part 52 is rotatably received. O-rings 59 on part 52 are provided to insure a tight fit between the parts.

[0063] As best seen in FIG. 6, part 38 has a rearwardly extending side part 62 which carries a radially extending blocking member 64. Part 62 is arcuate such that it follows the curve of the edge of surface 50. Blocking member 64 serves to block a portion of the steam passageway defined by member 36 to control and direct the steam as it exits the steamhead. Rotating part 48 relative to part 38 causes blocking member 64 to move within part 38 and thus to direct the steam flow as desired.

[0064] A tray 66 may be slideably received between tracks 68 on the interior surface of part 38. The tray is adapted to retain an aromatic substance such as oil, a tablet, or sheet such that as the steam exits the steamhead it carries with it the aroma which disburses in the steam bath enclosure. The tray may have a cover with one or more openings. Further, the tray may be furnished with the steamhead or as a purchased accessory. The tray may be easily removed from the steamhead for refilling, cleaning or other maintenance.

[0065] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.