APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING A LOOSE SHOWERHEAD

Abstract

A shower stabilizer assembly for use in connection with a broken or loose showerhead assembly is provided. The assembly includes a stabilizer plate, one or more spacers of varying sizes/thicknesses, and a plurality of fasteners to secure the stabilizer plate to a structure. The stabilizer plate comprises a cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple having a first end affixed to a flange that extends outwardly from the spacer contact nipple and has a circular opening aligned with an interior of the cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple for receiving a shower pipe arm of the showerhead assembly. The opening in the flange and interior of the cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple are sized to receive the shower pipe arm.

Claims

1. A showerhead stabilizer assembly for use in connection with a broken or loose showerhead assembly, said showerhead stabilizer assembly comprising: a. a stabilizer plate comprising a cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple having a first end affixed to a flange, said flange extending outwardly from said spacer contact nipple and having a circular opening therein that is aligned with an interior of the cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple for receiving a shower pipe arm of the showerhead assembly, the opening in the flange and interior of the cylindrically shaped spacer contact nipple sized to receive said shower pipe arm therein; b. at least one cylindrically shaped spacer having a length and an interior sized to receive said shower pipe arm therein; and c. a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners having a first end configured to engage a surface of said circular flange and a second end configured to engage a structural surface proximate to the showerhead assembly.

2. The showerhead stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said flange is circular shaped and extends radially outwardly from said spacer contact nipple.

3. The showerhead stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cylindrically shaped spacer comprises a plurality of cylindrically shaped spacers.

4. The showerhead stabilizer assembly according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of spacers has a different length.

5. The showerhead stabilizer assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise a plurality of screws, each screw having a first threaded end for engaging said structural surface and a second end having a head for engaging said flange.

6. The showerhead stabilizer assembly according to claim 5, wherein the flange includes a plurality of openings therein, each opening sized to allow the first end and a shaft of the screw to pass through, but engage the head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a showerhead assembly as is known in the prior art;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a showerhead stabilizer according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a showerhead assembly as is known in the prior art;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shower arm pipe as is known in the prior art;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the step of installing a first spacer over a shower arm pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the step of installing a second spacer over a shower arm pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the step of installing a stabilizer plate over a shower arm pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the step of installing fasteners to secure the stabilizer plate to the wall according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the step of re-installing the snap on cover over the stabilizer plate according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic planar side view of an installed showerhead stabilizer plate and spacers according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0027] One presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a showerhead stabilizer assembly 10 (FIG. 2) for use in connection with a broken or loose showerhead assembly 30 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3). The invention further includes a method of stabilizing a loose showerhead assembly 30 using the stabilizer assembly 10.

[0028] As best shown in FIG. 2, the showerhead stabilizer assembly 10 includes a stabilizer plate 12 and one or more spacers of varying sizes/thicknesses 20a, 20b, 20c. Although only one spacer of each size is shown in FIG. 2, it is contemplated to provide multiple spacers of varying sizes to accommodate varying depths of the wall cavity between the scab board rear surface of the wall 39, which can be drywall or other wall material, and the elbow fitting 33. The stabilizer plate 12 includes a spacer contact nipple 16 and a circular flange 17 having a plurality of mounting holes 18 formed therein.

[0029] FIG. 3-FIG. 10 depict the steps involved in using the showerhead stabilizer assembly 10 to repair a loose showerhead assembly 30. The first step, as best shown in FIG. 3-FIG. 4, includes removal of the showerhead 32 and snap-on cover or flange 36 from the shower arm pipe 34 thereby exposing the loose shower arm pipe 34 as it projects through the opening 41 in the wall 39. The second step, as best shown in FIG. 5-FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, includes installing one or more spacers 20a, 20b, 20c onto the shower arm pipe 34 to a depth that creates a hard stop against the elbow fitting 33 and scab board 35 (see FIG. 10). While FIG. 6 shows two spacers 20a, 20b being installed over the shower arm pipe 34, a single spacer or any number of spacers may be used so long as a hard stop is created. The third step, as best shown in FIG. 7, includes installing the stabilizer plate 12 such that the spacer contact nipple 16 creates a hard stop against the spacer 20b and the circular flange 17 is in contact with the front surface of the wall 39. The fourth step, as best shown in FIG. 8 is to secure the stabilizer plate by installing one or more fasteners 40 in appropriate mounting holes 18. The last step, as best shown in FIG. 9, is to replace the snap on cover or flange 36 such that it covers the stabilizer plate 12.

[0030] This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become evident to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.