Convenience Accessories Patents (Class 4/605)
  • Patent number: 11884200
    Abstract: A slide-up bathroom for a vehicle that have the following characteristic: telescopic walls that allow an upper section of the slide-up bathroom to move up and down relative to a lower section of the slide-up bathroom; and a toilet storage container for the toilet to move in and out thereof and into a main interior of the slide-up bathroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Peter J. Tezza, II, Jean-Thierry Aupetit
  • Patent number: 11680396
    Abstract: A shower hair receptacle may include a sleeve. The sleeve may include an enclosure, at least one opening in the enclosure, at least one flap selectively disposable over the at least one opening, or a rake edge disposed inside the enclosure. The shower hair receptacle may include at least one adhesive disposed on a back side of an exterior portion of the sleeve. The rake edge may catch hair disposed in the enclosure by a user and remove the hair from the grasp of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Emily Clawson
  • Patent number: 11584283
    Abstract: A pipe stanchion mounting structure includes an upper mounting section configured to fixedly mount an upper end of a pipe stanchion on an upper part of a vehicle body, and a lower mounting section configured to mount a lower end of the pipe stanchion on a lower part of the vehicle body in a vertically movable manner, wherein the upper mounting section includes a first mounting bracket fixedly fastened to the upper part of the vehicle body, and a screw part integrally formed on an upper side of the pipe stanchion so as to be fixedly screwed into the first mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sun Hyuk Yun
  • Patent number: 11273457
    Abstract: A shower system includes a water supply conduit, a reservoir, and a valve actuator. The reservoir is fixedly coupled to the water supply conduit such that the reservoir and the water supply conduit are fluidly coupled. The valve actuator is configured for actuation between a first position in which water is supplied from the water supply conduit and a second position in which water is supplied from the reservoir. In some implementations, the shower system further includes a showerhead that is fluidly coupled to the water supply conduit and the reservoir such that water may be supplied from either the water supply conduit to the showerhead or from the reservoir to the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Matthew Joseph Ball
  • Patent number: 11255076
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device that saves water, energy, and money and may record the savings with a software analytics dashboard. The device allows cold water to flow out when the shower is first turned on and slows or shuts water flow once the water is heated and the shower is unoccupied. After the presence of the user is detected, the shower flow may resume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ABSTRACT ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Greg Floyd, Ian Howard, Rahul Verma, Cameron Meziere, Emily Hood, Michael Mayes, Priya Sara Thomas
  • Patent number: 10542849
    Abstract: Elastomeric holders in the form of toiletry holders, mirrors holders, shower caddies and make-up holders are provided. The holders comprise a body, having a substantially planar rear surface, configured to releasably adhere to a vertical surface without the use of adhesives, and a retainer, for retaining an item and formed at least in part by the body, such that a front surface of the body forms a peripheral edge around the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Inventors: Saul Cockburn, Joshua Cockburn, Angus Chapman
  • Patent number: 10428504
    Abstract: An electronic toilet and method of controlling the same. The electronic toilet includes a controller, a water spraying cleaner, a water chiller having a cold-water outlet pipe and a cold-water electromagnetic valve disposed on the cold-water outlet pipe, a water heater having a hot-water outlet pipe and a hot-water electromagnetic valve disposed on the hot-water outlet pipe, and a booster water pump. A water inlet of the booster water pump is connected to a confluent water outlet pipe of the water chiller through a water outlet pipe of the cold-water electromagnetic valve and the water heater through a water outlet pipe of the hot-water electromagnetic valve. A water outlet of the booster water pump is connected to the water spraying cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HANYU GROUP JOINT-STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuping Chen, Huashan Shi, Yong Luo
  • Patent number: 10415223
    Abstract: An electronic toilet and method of controlling the electronic toilet. The electronic toilet is connected to a cold water supply and a hot water supply and includes a controller that is configured to allow the electronic toilet to communicate cold water and/or hot water to a water straying cleaner that directed toward the anus of a user of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: HANYU GROUP JOINT-STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuping Chen, Huashan Shi, Yong Luo
  • Patent number: 10267023
    Abstract: A support device useful for holding height-adjustable hand-held showers and other devices includes a support slider (1), displaceable along a support bar (2), having a releasable clamping device (3) for fixing the support slider on the support bar. The clamping device (3) has two clamping jaws (8a, 8b) capable of being expanded elastically from a clamping position reducing the clamping gap to a sliding position increasing the clamping gap, which jaws encompass the support bar (2) at least partially, and define a clamping gap (7) between them. An operating unit (50), in an operative position, retains the clamping jaws in a clamping gap increasing sliding position, while the clamping jaws assume their clamping position in an initial position of the operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Hansgrohe SE
    Inventors: Marc Kalmbach, David Zapf
  • Patent number: 9132437
    Abstract: A folding clamshell shower has a body containing a water passage, a water diversion unit and an outlet unit. The outlet unit is rotationally and pivotally connected with the body to form the folding clamshell structure. The outlet unit is provided with at least two outlet functions; the water diversion unit is mounted at the rotary pivot joint site of the outlet unit and the body, and comprises a water diversion body; the rotation of the water diversion body relative to the body can be driven by the rotation between the outlet unit and the body, the relative rotation between the water diversion body and the body controls outlet functions of the shower to pause or switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Xiaozhao Sun, Jianmin Chen, Bin Chen
  • Patent number: 9085880
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085881
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9085882
    Abstract: A shower generally includes a shower enclosure, various shower systems having output devices, and a control panel having an electronic display and configured for receiving user inputs. Shower control systems and methods are provided for receiving and processing user inputs, displaying a graphical user interface on the electronic display, and controlling outputs of the various output devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Hanna, Jacob P. Vanderheyden, Keith S. Ruh
  • Patent number: 9022073
    Abstract: Provided is a device for use in a shower system and a related method. The device may include an appliance for adding a medium to shower water. The appliance may be designed such that it works according to the principle of a water jet pump. Advantageously, the medium added to the shower water may contain one or more fragrance media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Urs Strauli
  • Patent number: 9003576
    Abstract: Grab rail assemblies are disclosed for mounting on walls, such as the tiled walls of a showering area or a mud room. The assemblies are designed to aesthetically meld with the surrounding environment by having a front tile mounting panel. They may also be provided with a drainage system to avoid water collecting long term within the rail when the rail is used in a shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Leila M. Rubin, Michael R. Bates, Nicholas T. Pairolero, Katherine A. Stanchak
  • Publication number: 20150053790
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Patent number: 8919709
    Abstract: A lifting rod device of shower has a lifting rod, a sucker mechanism and a locking mechanism. A penetrating hole penetrates the upper end part. The locking mechanism has a support seat connected to the lifting rod, a lower wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in a forward and backward sliding manner, an upper wedge block that can be connected in the support seat in an upward and downward sliding manner and a nut, a transversal threaded rod is fixedly arranged on the lower wedge block, the threaded rod can rotationally pass through the support seat; the nut is screwed to the threaded rod and connected out of the support seat in a relying manner, and the lower wedge block can be driven to move forward and backward by rotating the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Shenghe Chen, Xijie Deng, Qingshuang Li
  • Patent number: 8876025
    Abstract: A showerhead operable to reduce water consumption configured to detect the presence of an individual within the spray pattern of water exiting the showerhead. The showerhead further includes a housing having an internal volume that is configured to receive and discharge water. A sensor is integrally mounted to the discharge surface of the housing and is operable to detect either the presence or absence of an individual within the spray pattern of water. A valve is disposed within the housing and is operable to control the water volume exiting the housing. The showerhead being operable to discharge substantially all of the water volume available thereto upon the detection of an individual within the spray pattern and further being operable to discharge a water volume that is less than the water volume available thereto to upon detection of an absence of an individual within the spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: MJ Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Mary Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8819876
    Abstract: An example shower assembly includes a mount for removeably securing and supporting an accessory item to a shower wall. The mounts are permanently attached to the shower wall and are spaced apart a set desired distance. Slots on the accessory item receive the mounts to support the accessory item firmly and substantially rigidly to the shower wall. Removal of the accessory item is performed by lifting to allow installation of another accessory item as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Peter Dabrowski, Michael Krushlin
  • Patent number: 8806670
    Abstract: A rotatable shower rod system may be provided. The system may include a pair of mounting brackets coupled to a wall, the pair of mounting brackets includes a stationary portion; a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the stationary portion, the rotatable portion rotates to at least one of a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation; and a cover coupled to the stationary portion; and a curved rod extending between the pair of mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Colleen O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8763172
    Abstract: A concealing system for hiding shower curtain rods in bathtubs and shower compartments featuring a pair of extension rods oriented parallel to each other and spaced a distance apart and a sheet spanning between the pair of extension rods. The extension rods are sandwiched between the shower compartment walls and positioned to cover and conceal the shower curtain rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Virginia A. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8719975
    Abstract: A shower system comprising: an enclosure, the enclosure comprising: at least one interior wall; at least one exterior wall; an opening; a floor; a top; an exterior power button located on an exterior wall and configured to turn the shower system on or off; a control panel located on an interior wall; a thermostatic valve located on an interior wall, a mirror located on an interior wall; an overhead light attached to the top, and configured to stay on about one minute after powering off, the overhead light in communication with the exterior power button and the control panel; audio speakers located at the top, and in communication with the control panel and exterior power button, and configured with the control panel to provide audible alerts including indicating when the shower system has achieved the proper preselected water temperature; and a phone system in communication with the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Alec Phillips, Bart Phillips
  • Patent number: 8667623
    Abstract: Various apparatus and methods involve a showerhead that directs a stream of fluid through a portion of a cavity in a direct heat transfer relationship with a reflective surface prior to directing a stream out of the cavity and through a plurality of apertures toward a user. In an illustrative example, the user may view an image on the reflective surface while being sprayed with the plurality of streams in a steam filled environment. In some examples, the showerhead may include an inlet configured to direct the fluid toward the reflective surface as it enters the cavity. In some examples, the showerhead may operate to substantially reduce or prevent condensation from forming on the reflective surface by promoting heat transfer from the fluid to the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Clifson Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas G. Paget
  • Patent number: 8662463
    Abstract: A temporary bracket includes a mounting bracket, an absorbing dish, and a placing member. The mounting bracket includes a mounting body. A mounting opening is defined in the mounting body. The mounting opening includes a wide part and a narrow part communicating with the wide part. The absorbing dish includes a suction cup for sucking a surface, a neck portion extending from the suction cup, and a securing portion extending from the neck portion. The neck portion is disposed in the narrow part. The securing portion is used for extending into the wide part and moves to the narrow part to enable the neck portion to be disposed in the narrow part. The placing member is secured to the mounting bracket for supporting an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Chuan-Kai Chang, Tsung-Te Tai
  • Patent number: 8662418
    Abstract: A showerhead system for dispensing soap and water simultaneously having a reservoir with an inner cavity for holding a material, a first and second opening are each in the reservoir providing access to the inner cavity, a reservoir hose extending from the second opening into the inner cavity, a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir hose having a switch activating and deactivating the pump, a connector hose fluidly connected to the pump, and a showerhead having an inner cavity and a connector base for fluidly connecting to a main water line in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Peter M. Ferrante
  • Patent number: 8651399
    Abstract: A structure to hang a showerhead includes a fixed base and a supporting unit, wherein the supporting unit has two clamping arms and two conjugating arms, and one side of the clamping arms has a wedging surface that has two conjugating recessed arcs with an inclined angle corresponding to a mounting surface of the fixed base, and the inclined angle of one recessed arc is smaller than the other recessed arc. A conjugating surface extends from one end of the wedging surface, and engages with the other conjugating surface of the other clamping arm. An engaging surface is formed on the other side of the clamping arm to engage with the conjugating arms. According to this structure, the angle of the showerhead can be adjusted based on different inclined angles of the conjugating recessed arcs to further achieve the goal of easily adjusting the angle of water output from the showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Jiin Haur Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Piao Wu
  • Patent number: 8627850
    Abstract: An electronic shower system comprises in major part a console and plumbing assembly and effective for reducing water use and cost by enabling the storage and use of preset shower settings, the shower console configured to adjust the flow of hot and cold water from hot and cold water lines fluidly attached to a shower faucet via the use of motors and water valves and where the console can further comprise such additional features as a radio unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Eddie Booker
  • Patent number: 8534325
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation device for ventilating shower streams that is configured as an insert, and that may be utilized in a connection of a sanitary fitting, particularly in the connection of a shower head housing. The insert contains at least one water throughput channel connected to a ventilation channel such that air is suctioned in through the ventilation channel when a flow passes through the water throughput channel, ventilating the water stream. The insert may have a receptacle for a flow restrictor. A backflow preventer may be provided in order to prevent water leakage from the exterior end of the ventilation channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hansgrohe SE
    Inventors: Fabian Melle, Ulrich Kinle
  • Patent number: 8490891
    Abstract: A washing fluid supply structure of a water outlet device and a shower device, is arranged in the water supply pipeline of the water outlet device. It has a container for washing liquid, and a fluid supply device disposed in a main body which is a water flow pipeline. The upper end of the water flow pipeline is connected with a water supply pipeline, and the lower end of the water flow pipeline is connected with the water outlet device. A connecting pipe connects the container to the fluid supply device. The washing liquid flows into the fluid supply device through a pathway of one-way valves. The fluid supply device is connected to the water outlet device through a washing fluid delivery pipe. The washing liquid in the fluid supply device flows into the water outlet device through the pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tianyu Chen
  • Patent number: 8448270
    Abstract: A movable support seat for a shower head includes a holding member to receive a removable shower head; a moving member moving vertically along a post and being used to receive the holding member; the moving member having a body disposed to the post, at least one movable retaining paw axially fixed to the body, a resilient element installed to a predetermined position of the retaining paw to actuate the paw portion to elastically engage with a peripheral outer surface of the post and to position the moving member to the post such that when a pressing portion of the retaining paw is pressed, first or second abutting wall of the retaining paw disengages from the post so that the moving member is adjusted freely on the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Chao-Ta Yang
  • Patent number: 8448664
    Abstract: A fluid control device connected to a water pipe and having a mini water turbine and electrical generator combination for generating electricity by taking advantage of the water flow. The electricity is supplied to a temperature measurement member for measuring temperature of the water flowing through the device. The temperature in the form of electrical signal is sent to an LCD panel and circuit assembly for showing so as to visually alert a person using the tap water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fujian Xihe Sanitary Ware Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaofa Lin, Xiaoshan Lin
  • Patent number: 8347425
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a shower attachment capable of affixing to a standard residential or commercial shower enclosure. The shower attachment uses existing plumbing to supply pressurized water to a water intake, which in turn feeds a vertical assembly. The vertical assembly includes a stabilizing rod having a top end and corresponding back end. A pivot arm having a first portion and corresponding second portion connects to the stabilizing rod. A detachable shower wand is positioned at the second portion of the pivot arm, which is capable of receiving pressurized water from the water intake. In addition, a horizontal assembly connects to the bottom end of the shower attachment to secure the device to the shower enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Edgar L. Bronstein
  • Publication number: 20120304377
    Abstract: A hair collection system including a backboard for providing a location for detached hair collection, a basin for capturing detached hair, and an attachment means to couple the system to a wall. The system provides a new method and apparatus for collecting detached hair before it becomes entrapped in the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Shawn Reile
  • Patent number: 8292253
    Abstract: A device for supporting bathroom accessories and the like, comprising a suction cup element including a suction part and a holding part adapted to hold a bathroom accessory and the like, and a mounting element including an engaging formation formed to engage and retain the suction part of the suction element and member adapted to attach to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Eli Zhadanov
  • Publication number: 20120246821
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to shower caddy retaining apparatus and methods thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for retaining a shower caddy in place, when positioned on a shower arm, to prevent it from sliding and causing items therein to fall. In one embodiment, a shower caddy retaining apparatus comprises a substantially tubular body having a narrow end and a wide end, the substantially tubular body comprising a slit extending from the narrow end to the wide end to facilitate fitting the substantially tubular body around a shower arm; wherein the narrow end of the tubular structure is formed to be positioned adjacent a shower head at and end of the shower arm; and wherein the wide end of the tubular structure is formed to support a shower caddy retaining apparatus adjacent a wall of the shower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Theresa Trentacosta
  • Publication number: 20120240327
    Abstract: A holder apparatus, preferably for a shower head, which includes an elongate holder bar that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a holder element that is keyed to the holder bar for slidable movement along the holder bar, an adjustment mechanism for rotating the holder bar so as to alter a pan position of the holder element, and a locking mechanism for positively and releasably locking the holder bar in place so as to prevent or limit rotation. The adjustment mechanism may have a controller at, or adjacent to, one end of the holder bar that is operable by a user to adjust an angular position of the holder bar. The holder bar may also function as a fixed and secure grab bar when used in conjunction with the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: DLP LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert W. Stimpson
  • Patent number: 8215064
    Abstract: A shower vanity for use with a wall having spaced apart framing members. The vanity includes a housing dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members in the wall and the housing is attached to the framing members by fasteners. The housing includes an open front forming a cavity dimensioned to contain bathing products. Two mirrored doors are slidably mounted to the housing which cover the housing front when closed and provide access to the bathing products when opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Dewain J. Diacono
  • Patent number: 8156579
    Abstract: A shower arrangement (10) includes a mixer valve assembly (110) and conduit means (120) for the supply of water to the assembly (110). The conduit means (120) includes a conduit casing (2) defining an interior (122), a hot water pipe (3) defining a passage (103) for hot water and a cold water pipe (4) defining a passage (104) for cold water, the hot and cold water pipes (3, 4) being located in the interior (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Energy Products Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Boulton Renfrew
  • Patent number: 8132778
    Abstract: A remote controlled valve for cessation of water flow from an outflow component such as a showerhead or faucet during periods where water flow is not required by the user to provide for water conservation. The device features a remote control having a large contact area for contact with the user's arm or leg or hip to allow for activation without the use of their hands and fingers. The large size also renders the remote control unit easily located by sense of touch and without the user's eyesight to encourage use by users who might otherwise be concerned about reinitiating water flow during shampooing or while using the device on a sink with their hands wet or occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Paul E. Connors
  • Patent number: 8095999
    Abstract: Shoulder supports extend from a shower enclosure wall and support a shower accessory. The shoulders have an attachment on the side for the shower accessories. The selected shower accessory would have a mating attachment on each of its ends to correspond to two shoulders extending from the enclosure walls. The attachment is preferably a male/female indentation on one of the shoulders and shower accessory and a corresponding attachment on the other. The indentations provide a non-permanent attachment of the shower accessory to the supports so that the chosen accessory may later be removed and replaced if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aqua Glass Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Wilson, Evan Carpenter Crawford, Jeffrey A. DeBoer
  • Patent number: 8069508
    Abstract: A rotatable shower rod system may be provided. The system may include a pair of mounting brackets coupled to a wall, the pair of mounting brackets includes a stationary portion; a rotatable portion rotatably coupled to the stationary portion, the rotatable portion rotates to at least one of a first position and a second position about an axis of rotation; and a cover coupled to the stationary portion; and a curved rod extending between the pair of mounting brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Colleen O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8066204
    Abstract: A shower assembly is provided that includes a shower head having an integrated diverter valve. The shower head receives a detachable hand-held shower wand. The diverter valve is arranged upstream of an adjustable connector so that length is not added to the shower assembly that would interfere with headroom. A cam shaft of the diverter valve is rotated to selectively control fluid flow between the shower head and the hand-held shower wand. Cam followers are moved linearly in response to rotation of the cam shaft to selectively block first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alsons Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Petrovic, Peter Dabrowski, Curtis J. Bailey, Michael A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110271438
    Abstract: A shelving system can include can include an elongated support member and a plurality of shelves, each of which can be supported by a clamping mechanism. The support member can have a telescoping configuration so that upper and lower ends of the support member can be pressed against upper and lower stationary objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Adam C. Wade
  • Patent number: 8028933
    Abstract: A shower additive dispenser assembly including an arm member. A receptacle is mounted to the arm member. A body member has a cavity formed therein for retaining a fluid, the body member is removably mounted to the receptacle. A microporous flow restrictor is disposed at the body member. The microporous flow restrictor is configured for allowing the fluid to exit the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Nils Friis
  • Publication number: 20110179566
    Abstract: A movable support seat for a shower head includes a holding member to receive a removable shower head; a moving member moving vertically along a post and being used to receive the holding member; the moving member having a body disposed to the post, at least one movable retaining paw axially fixed to the body, a resilient element installed to a predetermined position of the retaining paw to actuate the paw portion to elastically engage with a peripheral outer surface of the post and to position the moving member to the post such that when a pressing portion of the retaining paw is pressed, first or second abutting wall of the retaining paw disengages from the post so that the moving member is adjusted freely on the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: CHAO-TA YANG
  • Publication number: 20110167556
    Abstract: A shower apparatus comprises a water inlet directing water into a container that is structurally supported by and connected to the interior of a shower enclosure. The container has one or more hinged joints that connect to structural supports and allow the container to rotate axially. The container includes an automatic water shut off to stop the flow of water from the water inlet when the container is full, a heating element to heat water in the container and a heating element monitor to prevent overheating. The container has both an outside handle to manually pull the container, rotating it axially latitudinally, and a motion sensor and a sensor activated motor to automatically rotate the container. The container is emptied by rotating latitudinally, thereby causing the contents to be released onto the user in a deluge of water. The speed of rotation can be dialed in to vary the intensity of the expression of water. Water temperature is controlled by mixing hot and cold water to the desired ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Oliver Irwin
  • Patent number: 7857241
    Abstract: A configuration structure of a spray nozzle and a shower head, adapted to a wall outlet, includes a three-way control valve, a connecting rod and a spray unit. The three-way control valve has an inlet connected to the wall outlet, a front outlet connected to an inlet tube extending from a rear side of the connecting rod, and a lower outlet connected to a hose of the spray unit. The connecting rod has a closed lower end, an upper end connected with the shower head, and at least one spray head at a front side thereof. With the three-way control valve and the connecting rod, the front and lower outlets of the three-way control valve are connected to the spray nozzle and the connecting rod respectively to form two water passages. The upper end of the connecting rod is connected with the shower head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Hao Deng
  • Patent number: 7814585
    Abstract: A show head water pick apparatus includes a first pipe segment for attachment to a shower pipe protruding outwardly from shower stall wall and having a first pipe segment outward end; a switch valve having a switch valve intake end connected to the first pipe segment outward end, and having a shower head output branch to which a shower head is connected and a water pick output branch, and having a valve operation handle for delivering water flow alternately to the shower head and to the water pulsing and pick assembly; a water pulsing unit connected to the water pick output branch; a water pick tube having a tube first end and a tube second end, the tube first end being connected to the water pulsing unit; and a water pick secured to the tube second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Bonnie E. Reich
  • Patent number: 7766291
    Abstract: A slide bar assembly is provided having slide bar supporting a bracket assembly that is suitable to retain a handheld showerhead. A brake assembly releasably couples the bracket assembly to the slide bar via a user-actuated trigger in order allow the user to adjust the height of the showerhead by pressing the trigger. The slide bar assembly further includes a wall mounting assembly that is configured to connect the slide bar to the shower wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Niels J. Eilmus, Randy S. Graskamp, John M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7761937
    Abstract: A modified shower head provides a timepiece imbedded within a shower head insert allowing a person showering to keep track of time and also to monitor water usage. It also provides the person showering with a timing mechanism to determine the length of time for use of hair products, tints, dyes and treatments without having to reference an outside timepiece. The insert comprises a timepiece within an encased water-proof enclosure within the shower head insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory J. Foutz, Angela A. Wright, Tarek A. Bawab