Abstract: The present invention is for a showerhead selectively operable to produce a plurality of different streams, enabling the user to select one form of large diameter stream, rich in bubbles, when the water pressure is high, and another large diameter rich stream full of bubbles when the water pressure is low. Furthermore, the user may select a spray instead of the bubbly stream. The invention is accomplished by having an upstream disc with chambers therein for directing the water downstreamwardly. In the path of the jets from said chambers there is a screened-disc which is rotatable selectively by the user and which has a number of openings therethrough. By bringing the correct opening below the jets, the user may select one of several different types of streams. One of the openings has two screens, one at the top and one at the bottom of the opening so that at low water pressures, there is abundant aeration which provides a rich outgoing stream of water.

Abstract: The present invention is for a showerhead selectively operable to produce a plurality of different streams or different number of streams, enabling the user to select (a) a set of streams having a large diameter, rich in bubbles, when the water pressure is high, (b) a set of streams having a smaller diameter full of bubbles when the water pressure is low, or (c) a spray instead of the bubbly stream. This capability is achieved by having an upstream disc with openings therein for directing the water downstreamwardly in a number of jets. In the path of the jets downstream from said disc there is a rotatable member which can be selectively positioned by the user and which has a number of outlet chambers therethrough, and two or more screen members attached thereto. By adjusting the rotatable member amongst its predetermined positions, the user may select one of several different types of output streams from the showerhead.

Abstract: An aerator for introducing air into a liquid flowing under pressure through a spout, the aerator being partially or totally concealed by the spout and being substitutable--in dimensions and flow characteristics--with a conventional, unconcealed aerator having standard male threading. The concealed aerator is couplable to a spout having female threading at the most downstream portion thereof and provides enhanced sealing between the concealed aerator and spout. Specifically, for a concealed aerator including two concentric tubular members with an air space therebetween, the present invention teaches the forming of a seal between the upstream surfaces of both tubular members against an annular shelf defined within the spout.

Abstract: An aerator (208) for introducing air into a liquid flowing under pressure through a spout (200), the aerator (208) being partially or totally concealed by the spout (200) and being substitutable--in dimensions and flow characteristics--with a conventional, unconcealed aerator having standard male threading. The concealed aerator (208) is couplable to a spout (200) having female threading at the most downstream portion (202) thereof and provides enhanced sealing (218) between the concealed aerator (208) and spout (200).

Abstract: An aerator which considerably reduces the noise, as measured in an adjacent room, resulting from a water flow through a faucet aerator, is disclosed. The aerating disc which directs the water upon one or more screens is preferably about 1.75 mm thick, and has at least 36 water passages (which may be called chambers) through the disc. The water passages or chambers are parallel to the general direction of flow of water through the aerator and have a cross-section no greater than 0.8 mm.sup.2. The upstream entrance to each chamber comprises at least two entrance openings, the aggregate cross-section of which openings is at least equal to the cross-section of the chamber.

Abstract: An aerator for use on water faucets having a metal casing and a one-piece plastic insert that includes both the diaphragm for directing a large number of water jets in a downstream direction and a ledge for holding a screen to mix said water jets with air. The one-piece molded plastic insert is held in the casing due to compression between the downstream end of the faucet and an inturned ledge or lip at the downstream end of the metal casing. The one-piece insert defines air intake passageways passing along the inside wall of the casing and entering the mixing space between the diaphragm and the screen. The plastic material is soft enough so that the upper end of the one-piece plastic insert makes a substantial seal with the faucet. If some water does pass this seal, it enters the air intake passageways and passes out the downstream end of the casing. Slits are provided in the side wall of the insert to enhance the molding of the insert.

Abstract: A conduit is traversed by a screw, which screw may or may not be capable of rotating within the conduit, the screw alone, or the screw together with the conduit, become rotatable around their common axis when fluid under pressure enters from one end of the conduit, exits from the other by traversing the helical path of the screw. The construction in which the screw is rotatable within the conduit is found suitable for producing a pulsating stream of water and for building showerheads for selectively producing different types of streams, such as (a) pulsating stream, (b) spray, and (c) soft bubbly aerated stream. Various valves manually operated by a part of the showerhead perform the selection. The pulsating stream is achieved by a screw having helical threads that makes a snug fit with the inside wall of a cylindrical pipe through which the water flows; the flow rotating the screw which in turn operates a valve that at least partially interrupts the flow of water through an outlet orifice.