SHOWER HEAD ATTACHMENT
20240368867 ยท 2024-11-07
Inventors
Cpc classification
E03C1/0465
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A shower head attachment provides a method of dispensing a water-soluble product such as soap or scents or the like from a shower head and includes a perforated cage having a body with a circumferential side for substantially underlying a shower head. One or more retainers extend from the circumferential side for resiliently extending around and retaining the shower head attachment to the shower head, wherein the retainer is adapted to be detachably resiliently securable to the shower head.
Claims
1. A shower head attachment comprising: a perforated cage having a body with a rim at an open top, and a base having perforations extending across the bottom of the body wherein in use the perforated cage is for substantially underlying a substantial portion of the shower head perforations of a shower head; and one or more resilient retainers detachably attachable to the rim of the shower head attachment and extendible at least partially around the shower head for resiliently retaining the shower head attachment to the shower head; wherein perforations of the perforated cage have a size and quantity relative to the size and quantity of the perforations of the showerhead so as to avoid back pressure.
2. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the perforated cage that, in use, underlies the shower head is adapted to contain one or more water-soluble products such as soap or scents or the like to allow dispensing when water flows through the perforated cage.
3. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more resilient retainers include a rim attachment.
4. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the body of the perforated cage includes a circumferential rim surrounding an open top of the perforated cage.
5. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential rim and the one or more resilient retainers allow for ready detachable positioning on the shower head, with said perforated cage at its open top being adapted to abut and underlie a substantial portion of the shower head perforations.
6. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers includes at least one extending from the circumferential rim to overlay a rear of the shower head in use when the perforated cage underlies the shower head.
7. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers extend from spaced opposing positions on the circumferential rim.
8. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers are resilient towards the perforated cage to provide a resilient clamping of the shower head attachment to the shower head in use.
9. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers are fixed to the circumferential rim.
10. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers are detachably attached to the circumferential rim.
11. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the one or more retainers are detachably attached to the circumferential rim by the retainer having a shaped attachment means that matches a shaping of the circumferential rim.
12. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the resilience of the one or more retainers includes a resilient hinge between the attachment means and the resilient arm.
13. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the resilience of the one or more retainers includes the resilient arm having a flexibility tending to return a deformation back to the original position so as to provide a clamping tension.
14. The shower head attachment according to claim 1, wherein the shaped attachment means of the detachable retainer includes a two-pronged attachment means forming an internal shaping the matches and clips over the shaping of the circumferential rim.
15. A method of dispensing a water-soluble product such as soap or scents or the like from a shower head, the method comprising: providing a shower head attachment having a perforated cage substantially coextensive with the shower head, the shower head attachment having an open top defined by a circumferential rim, and at least one resilient arm extending from the circumferential rim; providing a resilience of the one or more retainers including the resilient arm having a flexibility tending to return a deformation back to the original position so as to provide a clamping tension; resiliently clamping the perforated cage around a shower head by use of the resilient adaptation of the resilient arm to the perforated cage; and providing a one or more water soluble products such as soap or scents into the perforated cage for being in water flow path when shower head attachment is mounted to the shower head.
16. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein the size and quantity of the perforations of the perforated cage are less than the size and quantity of the perforations of the showerhead so as to avoid back pressure.
17. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein the shower head attachment is positioned on the shower head without disassembly of the shower head by means of providing one or more resilient retainers being detachably attached to the rim of the shower head attachment and extendible at least partially around the rim for resiliently retaining the shower head attachment to the shower head.
18. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein the one or more resilient retainers are shaped and sized to fit a range of different sized shower heads.
19. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein the one or more resilient retainers have shape to complement the shape of the peripheral wall of the perforated cage.
20. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein the one or more resilient retainers have resilience formed by shaping of the resilient arm by one or more of a convex resilient arm, a concave resilient arm, a horizontal serpentine resilient arm and a vertical serpentine resilient arm.
21. The method of dispensing a water-soluble product from a shower head attachment according to claim 15, wherein: the first step is selecting an appropriate retainer with a resilient arm that fits with the shower head; the second step is the assembly of the shower head attachment including: identifying a position on the circumferential rim 14 of the perforated cage 12 where the attachment means 31 of the one or more retainers will be attached; inserting the upper edge of the circumferential rim in the shaped opening 36 made by the attachments means 31 of the one or more retainers; and adjusting the attachment means 31 until a locking or stabilizing effect occurs between the attachments means and the circumferential rim; and the third step is the mounting of the shower head attachment on the shower head including: determining the type of resilient arm of the one or more retainers; attaching the resilient arm in such a way that it overlays the upper surface of the shower head; adjusting the spacing joint of the retainer so that it rests under the lower surface of the shower head; and adjusting the perforated cage with respect to the shower head in order to create a stabilized position.
22. A kit for dispensing a water-soluble product such as soap or scents or the like from a shower head, the kit comprising: a perforated cage having a body with a rim at an open top, and a base having perforations extending across the bottom of the body wherein in use the perforated cage is for substantially underlying a substantial portion of the shower head perforations of a shower head; a plurality of different sets of resilient retainers configured to each be detachably attachable to the rim of the shower head attachment and extendible at least partially around the shower head for resiliently retaining the shower head attachment to the shower head; and wherein the user can select one set of the plurality of different sets of resilient retainers according to the size and type of their shower head and attach the selected set of resilient retainers to the rim of the perforated cage to allow mounting to their shower head.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
[0044]
[0045]
[0046]
[0047]
[0048]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.
[0050] Referring to the drawings and particularly
Container for Adjacent Location
[0051] The perforated cage 12 that underlies the shower head is adapted to contain one or more water-soluble products (not shown) such as soap or scents or the like to allow dispensing when water flows through the perforated cage.
[0052] The container does not need to fit or connect with the shower head but to be held against the lower surface of the shower head to receive the majority if not all of the fluid expelled from the shower head. The body of the perforated cage includes a circumferential rim 14 surrounding an open top of the perforated cage, wherein the circumferential rim and the retainer allow for ready detachable positioning on the shower head, with said perforated cage at its open top being adapted to abut and underlie a substantial portion of the shower head perforations.
[0053] This is particularly beneficial in therefore not requiring each shower head attachment to be exactly matching the shower head profile. Instead, a single shower head attachment can apply to a range of showerheads that are of similar sizing.
[0054] Additionally, since the container is not closely fitted to the shower head and the circumferential rim 14 creates a considerable height difference from the lower surface of the shower head to the perforated cage 12, a variety of sizes of water-soluble products may be placed on top of the perforated cage 12.
Mesh Not Limiting Flow
[0055] A shower head attachment is not a pressure resisting trap but instead allows ready flow of the liquid from the shower head to readily pass through the perforated cage 12. This is achieved by the size and quantity of the perforations of the perforated cage 12 are less than the size and quantity of the area size of the perforations of the showerhead so as to avoid back pressure.
[0056] That is the sizing, number and area of the perforations provide a particular flow rate from the shower head at standard mains pressure water supply. The perforations of the perforated cage 12 are sized shaped and area size to be in total substantially equal to or greater than the flow rate provided by the shower head so that there is no build-up of back pressure liquid in the perforated cage but a steady flow. In this way there is no detrimental use of the shower head but instead an active performance improvement in allowing water-soluble products such as soap or scents or the like to allow dispensing when water flows through the perforated cage.
Fixed Resilient Arm
[0057] Referring to
[0058] As most shower heads have a central piping inlet at the back of the shower head the resilient arm 32 is fixedly attached 31 to the circumferential rim 14 and extends inwards to extend over part of the rear of the shower head and urge it in a clamping manner towards the perforated cage so that it is held in adjacent position to the shower head.
[0059] The fixed connection can be by plastic weld or adhesive or other fixed connection.
[0060] The shower head attachment can have a plurality of retainers being a plurality of resilient arms 32 extending from angularly spaced positions on the circumferential rim 14 and extending inwardly from the circumferential rim to overlay a rear of the shower head in use when the perforated cage underlies the shower head. As shown in
[0061] In another form the one or more retainers extend from spaced opposing positions on the circumferential rim. As can be seen various arrangements of arms can be used while providing the one or more retainers are resilient towards the perforated cage to provide a resilient clamping of the shower head attachment to the shower head in use. However, the one or more retainers in this form 31 are fixed to the circumferential rim.
Detachable Resilient Arm
[0062] In another form 31 as shown in
[0063] The one or more retainers are detachably attached to the circumferential rim by the retainer having a shaped attachment means 35 being a bifurcated structure that has a central opening 36 that matches a shaping 14 of the circumferential rim. In this way the detachable resilient arm 23, 24, 25 can readily click around the matching shaped circumferential rim 14.
[0064] The shaped attachment means of the detachable retainer includes a two-pronged attachment means forming an internal shaping the matches and clips over the shaping of the circumferential rim. However, it is possible for partially matching shapes to be clicked to each other.
[0065] A benefit of this arrangement is again the versatility of the attachment such that it can be sold in a easy to assemble manner and the user can locate the detachable resilient arm at a location on the circumferential rim so as to maximise the clamping effect and to avoid hitting the piping on the back of the shower head. This allows the one structure to be fitted to a range of showerheads.
Spacing Joint
[0066] The one or more retainers has a spacing joint 33 which is the connection point of the resilient arm 32 and the attachment means 31.
[0067] In the forms as shown in
[0068] In other forms as shown in
[0069] The spacing joint allows the shower head attachment to be versatile by not creating a close fitting with the shower head. This then benefits the shower head attachment as it can be attached adaptively to different types of shower heads. The space created by the spacing joint likewise avoids damages and scratches between the lower surface of the shower head and the circumferential rim of the perforated cage. The spacing joint 33 also strengthens the clamping tension between the resilient arm 32 and the shower head 16 as the spacing joint acts like a platform for the shower head and the perforated cage to be stabilized in the same horizontal axis.
Shaping of Resilient Arm
[0070] A shower head attachment has resilient arms in most preferential forms so as to provide the resilient clamping of the attachment to the shower head.
[0071] The resilience of the one or more retainers can include a resilient hinge between the attachment means 31 and the resilient arm 32, 23, 24, 25.
[0072] However, another element of the resilience of the one or more retainers can includes the shaping of the resilient arm 32 so that the shaping, material, hinging or tension provides a flexibility tending to return a deformation back to the original position so as to provide a clamping tension. As shown in
Horizontal Serpentine Resilient Arm
[0073] In the form as shown in
[0074] In another form as shown in
[0075] When the retainers 20, 25, 29 are used to attach the perforated cage to the shower head, the serpentine resilient arm is placed on top of the upper surface of the shower head 16 and the spacing joint 33 is attached on the lower surface of the shower head, providing the resting arm a clamping effect on the upper surface of the shower head 16.
[0076] Retainers with this resilient arm allow the perforated cage to be adaptively connected to a wide variety of shower heads such as, but not limited to, flat backed shower heads or bell-shaped central piping backed shower heads.
Vertical Serpentine Resilient Arm
[0077] In another form as shown in
[0078] One or more retainers with these resilient arms allow the perforated cage to be adaptively connected to wide variety of shower heads such as, but not limited to, bell-shaped central piping backed shower heads or any shower heads with tall and bulky backends.
[0079] In another form as shown in
[0080] One or more retainers with these resilient arms allow the perforated cage to be adaptively connected to a wide variety of shower heads such as, but not limited to, narrow bell-shaped central piping backend shower heads or any shower heads with a tall but narrow backends.
Convex Resilient Arm
[0081] In another form as shown in
[0082] A retainer with this resilient arm allows the perforated cage to either adaptively connect or hang on a variety of shower heads such as, but not limited to, bell-shaped central piping backed shower heads, flat backed shower heads, or show heads with short backends.
Concave Resilient Arm
[0083] In the form as shown in
[0084] A retainer with this resilient arm allows the perforated cage to adaptively connect on a variety of shower heads such as, but not limited to, flat backed shower heads or any short straight-edged backed shower heads.
Shaping of Circumferential Rim
[0085] In another form, the internal side and external side of the circumferential rim 14 is shaped in such a way that the attachment means 31 of the one or more retainers 20, 22, 23, 24 and 25 creates a locking effect with the circumferential rim 14.
[0086] As shown in
[0087] In another form, only one side of the circumferential rim 14, either the internal side and external side, is shaped in such a way that the attachment means 31 of the one or more retainers 20, 22, 23, 24 and 25 creates a locking effect with the circumferential rim 14.
[0088] As shown in
[0089] This is beneficial in a way that different combinations of the body of the perforated cage 12 can be compatible with the differently shaped one or more retainers.
In Use
[0090] As shown in
[0091] In a second step 112 there is provided a shower head attachment having a perforated cage with an open top defined by a circumferential rim, and providing at least one resilient arm extending from the circumferential rim.
[0092] In a third step 113 the attachment is provided with a resilience of the one or more retainers including the resilient arm having a flexibility tending to return a deformation back to the original position so as to provide a clamping tension.
[0093] With the particular shower head attachment having the properties provided by steps 111, 112 and 113 the shower head attachment can in step 114 be resiliently fitted by clamping or resiliently pressing the perforated cage to a shower head by use of the resilient adaptation of the resilient arm to the perforated cage.
[0094] In step 115, the user is able to providing and install one or more water soluble products such as soap or scents into the perforated cage for being in water flow path when shower head attachment is mounted to the shower head.
[0095] Other methods of use are incorporated within the invention.
Methods of Selection and Assembly
[0096] Thie first step is selecting an appropriate retainer with a resilient arm that fits with the shower head. The user may opt to pick a specific kind of shower head attachment with a specific retainer and resilient arm. Alternatively, the user may opt to pick a package which comprises a variety of retainers and resilient arms. The users may likewise decide to pick a fixed version of the resilient arm or a detachable version of the resilient arm.
[0097] The second step is the assembly of the shower head attachment. The step includes: a) identifying a position on the circumferential rim 14 of the perforated cage 12 where the attachment means 31 of the one or more retainers will be attached; b) inserting the upper edge of the circumferential rim in the shaped opening 36 made by the attachments means 31 of the one or more retainers; c) adjusting the attachment means 31 until a locking or stabilizing effect occurs between the attachments means and the circumferential rim.
[0098] The third step is the mounting of the shower head attachment on the shower head. The step includes: a) determining the type of resilient arm of the one or more retainers; b) attaching the resilient arm in such a way that it overlays the upper surface of the shower head; c) adjusting the spacing joint of the retainer so that it rests under the lower surface of the shower head; and d) adjusting the perforated cage with respect to the shower head in order to create a stabilized position.
[0099] More specifically in the third step, various steps of mounting the different kinds of retainers are as follows.
[0100] For horizontal serpentine resilient arms, the step includes a) attaching the serpentine resilient arm on the upper surface of the shower head; b) resting the lower surface of the shower head on the spacing joint; c) adjusting of the perforated cage to underlie the lower surface of the shower head and to create a clamping effect with the shower head through the serpentine resilient arm.
[0101] For vertical serpentine resilient arms, the step includes: a) attaching the vertical serpentine resilient arms are attached on the exterior rim of the shower head in at least two different positions; b) resting of the lower surface of the shower head on the spacing joint; c) adjusting of the perforated cage to underlie the lower surface of the shower head and to create a grabbing effect with the shower head through the vertical serpentine resilient arms.
[0102] For convex resilient arm, the step includes a) attaching the convex resilient arm on the upper surface of the shower head; b) resting the lower surface of the shower head on the spacing joint; c) adjusting the perforated cage to underlie the lower surface of the shower head and to create a clamping effect or hanging effect through the convex resilient arm.
[0103] For concave resilient arm, the step includes a) attaching the concave resilient arm on the upper surface of the shower head; b) resting the lower surface of the shower head on the spacing joint; c) adjusting the perforated cage to underlie the lower surface of the shower head and to create a clamping effect through the concave resilient arm.
[0104] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.
[0105] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.
[0106] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.
[0107] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
[0108] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.
[0109] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as forward, rearward, radially, peripherally, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.
[0110] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0111] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.
[0112] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.
[0113] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
[0114] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the bathroom and shower industries.
[0115] 4861-7674-8669. v. 1