Shower head nozzle

Abstract

The shower head nozzle as disclosed herein includes a quick-connect coupling for selectively attaching the nozzle to a downwardly extending conduit or tube for directing tested water through a test unit and into a bucket or drain, wherein the test unit may include a flow meter for measuring real-time water flow rate and a temperature sensor for measuring real-time water temperature dispensed from the shower head, thereby reducing the testing time, more accurately determining flow-rate and water temperature, and decreasing the amount of waste water.

Claims

1. A shower head nozzle, comprising: an elongated body having a hollow interior for channeling fluid therethrough; a first end of the elongated body is configured to selectively couple to an emergency wash unit in fluid communication with a fluid source; and a second end of the elongated body opposite the first end thereof is configured to selectively receive and dispense fluid, the second end including the combination of a dispense outlet having a size and shape to selectively at least partially outwardly dispense fluid therefrom when the emergency wash unit is in an activation state and a recessed engagement groove formed in an outer periphery of the elongated body projecting outwardly from the emergency wash unit and proximate the dispense outlet, the recessed engagement groove having a size and shape for select direct water-tight attachment to a quickconnect coupler for confined channeling of fluid from the dispense outlet to a remote location when the emergency wash unit is in the activation state; wherein the dispense outlet includes an outwardly diverging internal diameter for at least partially outwardly radially dispensing fluid from the emergency wash unit.

2. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, wherein the elongated body includes a step transitioning the first end having a first relatively larger cross section to an intermediate section adjacent the recessed engagement groove having a second relatively smaller cross-section, the step facilitating select engagement with the emergency wash unit.

3. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first end mounts within the emergency wash unit in non-projecting relation relative thereto.

4. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, wherein the recessed engagement groove couples to the quick-connect coupler by snap-fit engagement.

5. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, including a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to and extending between the quick-connect coupler and a remote drain or a storage tank.

6. The shower head nozzle of claim 5, including a flow meter in-line with the fluid conduit for measuring a real-time flow rate of the fluid flowing through the dispense outlet when the emergency wash unit is in the activation state.

7. The shower head nozzle of claim 5, including a temperature sensor in-line with the fluid conduit for measuring a real-time water temperature of the fluid flowing through the dispense outlet when the emergency wash unit is in the activation state.

8. The shower head nozzle of claim 5, wherein the fluid conduit selectively couples to a portable storage tank for selectively receiving a quantity of fluid.

9. The shower head nozzle of claim 8, wherein the portable storage tank is associated with a portable storage and testing unit that includes a controller for recording a real-time flow rate and a real-time temperature of fluid flowing out from the dispense outlet.

10. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises a cylindrical body and the recessed engagement groove comprises a circumferential recessed engagement groove having a diameter relatively smaller than a cylindrical cam-lock of the quick-connect coupler.

11. The shower head nozzle of claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a universal connector selectively engageable with multiple emergency wash units.

12. An shower head nozzle, comprising: an elongated cylindrical body having a hollow interior for channeling fluid therethrough; an upper end of the elongated cylindrical body is configured to couple to an emergency shower unit in fluid communication with a fluid source; and a lower end of the elongated cylindrical body is configured to selectively receive and dispense fluid from the hollow interior, the lower end including the combination of a dispense outlet having an outwardly diverging internal diameter for at least partially outwardly radially dispensing fluid from the emergency shower unit and a circumferential recessed engagement groove formed in an outer diameter of the elongated cylindrical body and proximate the dispense outlet, the circumferential recessed engagement groove having a diameter relatively smaller than a cylindrical cam-lock of a quick-connect coupler for select water-tight snap-fit engagement therewith for constraining the at least partially outwardly radially dispensing fluid into a conduit coupled to the quick-connect coupler.

13. The shower head nozzle of claim 12, wherein the conduit comprises a pipe fitting or a hose fluidly coupled to and extend between the quick-connect coupler and a remote drain or a storage tank and wherein the elongated cylindrical body includes a step transitioning the upper end having a first relatively larger diameter to an intermediate section adjacent the circumferential recessed engagement groove having a second relatively smaller diameter, the step facilitating select engagement with the emergency shower unit.

14. The shower head nozzle of claim 13, including a temperature sensor in-line with the conduit for measuring a real-time water temperature of the fluid flowing through the dispense outlet when the emergency shower unit is in an activation state, wherein the upper end mounts within the emergency shower unit in non-projecting relation relative thereto.

15. The shower head nozzle of claim 13, including a flow meter inline with the conduit for measuring a real-time flow rate of the fluid flowing through the dispense outlet when the emergency shower unit is in an activation state.

16. The shower head nozzle of claim 15, wherein the portable storage tank is associated with a portable testing unit that includes a controller for recording the real-time flow rate and a real-time temperature of fluid flowing out from the dispense outlet and the upper end comprises a universal connector selectively engageable with multiple emergency shower units.

17. The shower head nozzle of claim 16, wherein the portable testing unit includes a screen for displaying the real-time flow rate and the real-time temperature.

18. The shower head nozzle of claim 12, wherein the cylindrical camlock comprises a diameter of at least one inch.

19. A process for testing an emergency shower unit, comprising the steps of: mounting a first end of a shower head nozzle having an elongated body with a hollow interior for channeling fluid therethrough to a shower head with a second end projecting outwardly therefrom and having the combination of a dispense outlet for at least partially outwardly directing dispensing fluid therefrom and a recessed engagement groove formed in an outer periphery of the elongated body; attaching a quick-connect coupler directly to the recessed engagement groove of the shower head nozzle in water-tight relation; activating the emergency shower unit to produce a fluid flow to the shower head nozzle and out through the dispense outlet, the quick-connect coupler confining the fluid flow into a conduit coupled thereto for delivery to a remote location; measuring at least one of a flow rate or a temperature of the fluid flow in real-time; deactivating the emergency shower unit to cease the fluid flow through the dispense outlet of the shower head nozzle; and at least partially outwardly dispensing the fluid flow from the dispense outlet without the quickconnect coupler attached to the recessed engagement groove; wherein the dispense outlet includes an outwardly diverging internal diameter for at least partially outwardly radially dispensing the fluid flow therefrom.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein the measuring step further includes measuring the real-time flow rate with a flow meter in-line with the conduit and measuring the real-time temperature with a temperature sensor in-line with the conduit.

21. The process of claim 20, including the step of recording the realtime flow rate and the real-time temperature.

22. The process of claim 20, including the step of displaying the real-time flow rate and the real-time temperature on a screen in real-time.

23. The process of claim 19, wherein the remote location comprises a drain or a storage tank.

24. A process for testing an emergency shower unit, comprising the steps of: mounting a first end of a shower head nozzle having an elongated body with a hollow interior for channeling fluid therethrough to a shower head with a second end projecting outwardly therefrom and having the combination of a dispense outlet for at least partially outwardly directing dispensing fluid therefrom and a recessed engagement groove formed in an outer periphery of the elongated body; attaching a quick-connect coupler directly to the recessed engagement groove of the shower head nozzle in water-tight relation; activating the emergency shower unit to produce a fluid flow to the shower head nozzle and out through the dispense outlet, the quick-connect coupler confining the fluid flow into a conduit coupled thereto for delivery to a remote location; measuring at least one of a flow rate or a temperature of the fluid flow in real-time; deactivating the emergency shower unit to cease the fluid flow through the dispense outlet of the shower head nozzle; and connecting the conduit to a portable storage tank having a capacity for selectively receiving a quantity of fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the front, top and right sides of one embodiment of a shower head nozzle as disclosed herein;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the shower head nozzle of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the shower head nozzle taken about the line 8-8 in FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the shower head nozzle spaced apart from a cam-lock;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating engagement of the shower head nozzle with the cam-lock;

(12) FIG. 11 is an environmental perspective view illustrating the shower head nozzle extending out from a emergency shower known in the art; and

(13) FIG. 12 is an environment perspective view illustrating the shower head nozzle coupled to the cam-lock and having a tube extending therefrom for connection to a portable testing unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, one embodiment of an improved show head nozzle as disclosed herein is generally referred to in FIGS. 1-12 by reference numeral 10. Preferably, the shower head nozzle 10 includes integration of a quick-connection profile that permits attachment directly into the body of the shower head nozzle 10 to more quickly and accurately perform a weekly ANSI test on an emergency shower or the like.

(15) More specifically with respect to FIGS. 1-8, one embodiment of the shower head nozzle 10 is shown having an elongated cylindrical body 12 with an upper end 14 formed next to a relatively smaller diameter intermediate section 16. In this respect, the transition area 18 between the upper end 14 and the intermediate section 16 may include a ledge or step 20 that allows the upper end 14 to be selectively engaged or otherwise be retained within the shower head (not shown). The intermediate section 16 then projects downwardly from the shower head fixture, thus extending a quick-coupling section 22 and a dispense outlet 24 out therefrom for easy external accessibility.

(16) In this embodiment, the quick-coupling section 22 includes a recessed or relatively smaller diameter engagement groove 26 circumferentially formed around the outer diameter of the quick-coupling section 22 of the shower head nozzle 10. In one embodiment, the engagement groove 26 is of a size and shape to selectively couple to a camlock 28 (FIGS. 9 and 10), such as Model SP829 manufactured and sold by ProFlow Dynamics of 330 South Maple Street, Units F-H, Corona, Calif. 92880. Although, the engagement groove 26 may be of a size and shape to couple with other cam locks known in the art, such as those that may be manufactured in accordance with the traditional United States Military Specification MIL-C-27487 or the more recent United States Federal Standard A-A-59326. In this respect, the camlock 28 preferably includes a relatively larger inner diameter (e.g., 1 inch or larger) that engages the relatively smaller outer diameter of the quick-coupling section 22 for engagement within the engagement groove 26. Although, of course, the engagement groove 26 may be of any shape or size known in the art such that the quick-coupling section 22 includes an external profile configured to accept an industry-standard cam-lock hose fitting. This permits rapid water-tight connection of the camlock 28 to the shower head nozzle 10 for purposes of performing the above-mentioned ANSI test, and one step removal therefrom when the testing is finished.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the camlock 28 may include a corrugated end 30 having a size and shape suitable for water tight retention of a hose 32 (e.g., a rubber hose) or the like known in the art. In this respect, attachment of the camlock 28 to the engagement groove 26 in the shower head nozzle 10, as mentioned above, facilitates water-tight coupling of the hose 32 thereto. The hose 32 may then retain and channel water dispensed out the outlet 24 to a desired location. For example, water dispensed through a flow conduit 34 in the nozzle 10 may be directed to the hose 32 to a local drain (e.g., a relatively short hose), a remote drain (e.g., a relatively longer hose or conduit), or to a portable tank or testing unit to create a non-leaking, self-contained system during the ANSI test. As such, the hose 32 may vary in length and may be flexible or rigid, depending on the use. This setup provides cleaner and more efficient water flow characteristics when compared, especially, to trying to capture the radially dispensing water with the aforementioned shower sock. To this end, coupling the camlock 28 to the shower head nozzle 10 permits replacement of the aforementioned shower sock.

(18) Another advantage of the shower head nozzle 10 with the quick-coupling section 22 disclosed herein, such as the engagement groove 26 and the camlock 28, is that it is easier and quicker to perform the ANSI water flow rate and water temperature testing. For example, an operator can more easily verify compliance to ANSI water flow and temperature standards using measurement instruments coupled to the drain hose 32, if one is connected to the corrugated end 30, for example. Directly measuring flow rate and water temperature at or near the dispense outlet 24 of the shower head nozzle 10 may be more accurate and quicker than the manual methods mentioned above used with the shower sock. As a result, a flow meter (not shown) may determine the flow rate from the dispense outlet 24 almost immediately or in real-time.

(19) In another aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein, the hose 32 could couple to a mobile test cart. In this embodiment, the mobile test cart may include a water collection tank, a flow meter, a temperature probe or the like, a storage compartment for the water connection hose 32, and/or an electronic interface for recording the test results, such as shower location, water flow rate, water temperature, test duration, test date and time, etc. The mobile test cart with water collection tank could be transported to a remote location for draining. This feature may be beneficial when the emergency shower is installed in a water-sensitive location, such as semiconductor fabrication laboratory or in multi-story facilities.

(20) In other embodiments, the quick-coupling section 22 may include other mechanisms for providing internal or external coupling of the dispense outlet 24 to the hose 32 or the like, for channeling water from the nozzle 10 during an ANSI test. For example, the quick-coupling section 22 may be configured for snap-fit engagement with a pipe fitting or hose. In another embodiment, the quick-coupling section 22 may be configured to rotatably engage another pipe fitting. For example, the dispense outlet 24 may include a series of external or internal threads (not shown) configured for threaded engagement to a pipe fitting having a similar corrugated end 30 suitable for connection to a rubber hose 32 or the like. In each of these embodiments, the shower head nozzle 10 preferably directs water into a channeled tube or hose to increase the efficiency and accuracy of conducting the weekly ANSI compliance test of the water flow rate and water temperature, such as by way of enhanced coupling with instruments coupled to the drain hose or testing unit.

(21) In general, the shower head nozzle 10 disclosed herein may be used with virtually any emergency shower or eye/face wash unit known in the art. Moreover, having a non-leaking, locking hose connection allows for the possibility to more easily verify emergency shower ANSI compliance by connecting a flow meter and/or temperature probe directly to the shower head. These instruments allow for direct testing of the shower water in a significantly shorter time period (e.g., potentially only a few seconds). The short testing time minimizes the amount of waste water generated and allows for faster testing cycles, which increases the accuracy of the tests.

(22) FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the shower head nozzle 10 integrated into an emergency shower 36. More specifically with respect to FIG. 11, the shower head nozzle 10 couples to the emergency shower 36 up underneath a shower head 38 in the general shape of a downwardly facing cone. The shower head 38 helps ensure that water dispensed from the dispense outlet 24 is generally directed downwardly over a person (not shown) standing underneath. In one embodiment, the shower head nozzle 10 may include a series of internal or external threads that facilitate threaded water-tight engagement with the emergency shower 36, such as where a shower head conduit 40 terminates just below an elbow 42 (the elbow 42 may turn the otherwise horizontal conduit 40 approximately 90 degrees so the shower head conduit 40 dispenses water downwardly). Although, the shower head nozzle 10 may couple to the shower head conduit 40 by snap-fit engagement, lock-tight engagement, or other attachment mechanisms known in the art for connecting conduits in substantially permanent water-tight relation.

(23) In this respect, the shower head conduit 40 of the emergency shower 36 may couple to a fluid source 44 (FIG. 12) for supplying a quantity of fluid to the shower head nozzle 10, such as in an emergency or for testing purposes. The fluid source 44 may be a mains water source, i.e., a pressurized water source that supplies a constant stream of pressurized water to the shower head nozzle 10. Alternatively, the fluid source 44 may be a storage tank (e.g., a gravity tank) that supplies a select quantity of water to the shower head nozzle 10. In the latter embodiment, water dispensed from such a storage tank would need to be replaced or replenished after use.

(24) Additionally, the emergency shower 36 may include a handle 46 that couples to a lever 48 that may operate a valve (not shown) internally located within the shower head conduit 40. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the emergency shower 36 is shown in a deactivated state, i.e., the handle 46 is in a relatively raised position and the internally placed valve is in a closed position blocking the flow of fluid from the fluid source 44 to the shower head nozzle 10. Pulling down on the handle 46 may activate the emergency shower 36 by rotating or pivoting the level 48, thereby operating the internal valve, i.e., moving the valve from a closed position substantially blocking fluid flow through the shower head conduit 40 to an open position substantially permitting fluid flow through the shower head conduit 40. Activation may thus cause water to dispense out through the shower head nozzle 10. The emergency shower 36 may be activated in this manner in an emergency or for testing purposes.

(25) While one embodiment of an emergency shower is disclosed with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the shower head nozzle 10 as disclosed herein may be used with other emergency showers as may be known in the art.

(26) Moreover, FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment wherein the emergency shower 36 may be tested, e.g., for ANSI compliance. As shown, the cam-lock 28 is connected to the shower head nozzle 10 at one end and has the hose 32 connected thereto at another end. As mentioned above, activating the emergency shower 36 causes fluid to flow through the shower head conduit 40 to the shower head nozzle 10. Although, instead of the shower head nozzle 10 generally dispensing water therefrom at least partially radially outwardly, the fluid is instead channeled into a confined conduit in the cam-lock 28 coupled thereto. The fluid then travels to the hose 32 for eventual disposal (e.g., a drain) or storage (e.g., within a storage tank 50 of a portable storage and testing unit 52, as shown in FIG. 12).

(27) In the embodiment shown with respect to FIG. 12, fluid flowing through the hose 32 to the portable storage and testing unit 52 may travel through a flow meter 54 for measuring the real-time flow rate of water being dispensed from the emergency shower 36 and/or may flow through a temperature sensor 56 for measuring the temperature of the fluid in real-time. The information may be collected and stored in the portable storage and testing unit 52, such as to ensure ANSI compliance. Moreover, the real-time flow rate and/or real-time temperature information may be shown to a user during testing by way of a display 58, which may selectively pop up from the portable storage and testing unit 52. The display 58 may provide the aforementioned real-time fluid flow or temperature details (e.g., during a test) or other historical or ANSI compliance details, as needed and/or desired. The fact that the shower head nozzle 10 includes the dispense outlet 24, which may include an outwardly expanding internal diameter to at least partially radially dispense water therefrom, in combination with the quick-coupling section 22, for quick attachment and/or release with the cam-lock 28, better facilitates use and testing of the emergency shower 36, especially relative to those devices known in the prior art (e.g., the aforementioned sock). To this end, concentrating the fluid flow out through the cam-lock 28 and into the hose 32 further facilitates accurately determining the flow-rate and fluid temperature characteristics, and in less time than conventional systems known in the art since the cam-lock 28 may facilitate one step attachment or disconnection.

(28) Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.