Abstract: A bead and interconnecting bead structure for use in a flexible arm assembly having improved interface characteristics allowing for simple, quiet adjustment of the structure in three dimensions, while simultaneously increasing the weight of object the arm assembly can support. The interface characteristics are improved by utilizing two different materials at the area of contact between two adjacent beads.

Abstract: A bead and interconnecting bead structure for use in a flexible arm assembly having improved interface characteristics allowing for simple, quiet adjustment of the structure in three dimensions, while simultaneously increasing the weight of object the arm assembly can support. The interface characteristics are improved by utilizing two different materials at the area of contact between two adjacent beads.

Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a cylindrical reservoir with a pistol grip handle. A conical funnel is releasably mounted on the reservoir by quick release threads. A plurality of radially extending support ribs within the funnel support a porous filter disk secured between the reservoir and the funnel. A depending annular seal ring on the reservoir defines a sealing edge which engages the filter disk and seals it against a seal surface and seat on the interior surface of the funnel.

Abstract: A showerhead is either wall mounted or provided with a handle connected through a flexible hose to an incoming water outlet. The showerhead has a turbine which may cause the delivery of pulses of circumferentially distributed groups of pulses of water so as to provide either fast or slow massage action. Also included is a pause mode in which flow is reduced without complete shutoff and a center spray mode which provides a concentrated spray pattern. Other modes possible are a needle spray, a combination pulse and needle spray, a combination needle spray with a body spray, just a body spray, and an oval shape spray pattern. Various water paths are defined from a flow selector through the unit to different ones of front-facing orifices as defined for the different modes. Selection is achieved by a combination of a flow director and a control plate. User access for mode selection is by way of an external circumferential control ring operatively coupled to the control plate through a control arm.

Abstract: A showerhead includes a housing which defines different sets of spray outlets and includes a mounting for the housing that defines a path of water flow from an inlet. Formed on the housing are circumferentially-spaced grooves and formed on the mounting are mating lugs. Lands disposed between successive ones of the grooves include a cam surface which elevates in continuation toward the entrance of a next groove and then terminates in a step leading toward the bottom of that next groove, as a result of which the assembly atop the lands and subsequent movement of the lugs over the cam surface lockingly drops the lugs into corresponding ones of the grooves. The mounting includes a handle through which water flows and which is removably received within arms of a bracket to which water is supplied and therefrom led into the handle. A channel within the body of the bracket accepts a shank projecting from a pivot ball which sealing seats within a nut that, in turn, is threaded onto a water-supply pipe.

Abstract: A showerhead includes a hollow housing with front and rear openings and a closure in the front opening which defines first and second groups of flow outlets. The showerhead is secured to a supply pipe by a nut which has a snout to captivate a ball and fix the position of a shank that projects from the ball and around which the housing is rotatable. A flow control device rotationally fixed on the shank enables selection of liquid flow through the ball and shank to selected ones of first and second channels that lead to corresponding first and second groups of flow outlets as the housing is rotated about the shank.

Abstract: A showerhead includes a hollow housing with front and rear openings and a closure in the front opening which defines first and second groups of flow outlets. The showerhead is secured to a supply pipe by a nut which has a snout to captivate a ball and fix the position of a shank that projects from the ball and around which the housing is rotatable. A flow control device rotationally fixed on the shank enables selection of liquid flow through the ball and shank to selected ones of first and second channels that lead to corresponding first and second groups of flow outlets as the housing is rotated about the shank.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance is of the kind which includes a supply of liquid, a pump and a hand-held tip for directing the liquid where desired. A housing defines a cavity which has a surrounding wall closed by opposing end walls, the pump being seated within the cavity. A reservoir is closed at one end and has a shape in conformity with the housing to telescope thereover in covering relationship. Defined in one end of the reservoir is a valve seat which cooperates with a valve that closes during removal of the reservoir from the housing. On that end of the reservoir also is a coupling element which cooperates with a coupling member disposed in the surrounding wall of the housing. When that coupling relationship is established, the reservoir is seated on top of a side surface of the housing which, in turn, is lying on a table or the like. An outlet in the housing communicates with the hand-held tip and the pump is connected between that outlet and the coupling member.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance is of the kind which includes a supply of liquid, a pump and a hand-held tip for directing the liquid where desired. A housing defines a cavity which has a surrounding wall closed by opposing end walls, the pump being seated within the cavity. A reservoir is closed at one end and has a shape in conformity with the housing to telescope thereover in covering relationship. Defined in one end of the reservoir is a valve seat which cooperates with a valve that closes during removal of the reservoir from the housing. On that end of the reservoir also is a coupling element which cooperates with a coupling member disposed in the surrounding wall of the housing. When that coupling relationship is established, the reservoir is seated on top of a side surface of the housing which, in turn, is lying on a table or the like. An outlet in the housing communicates with the hand-held tip and the pump is connected between that outlet and the coupling member.

Abstract: To be situated between a mattress and a box spring is a hinged frame that includes inflatable bags located respectively beneath the head and foot portions of the mattress. A controlled pump unit permits selective inflating of the bags so as individually to elevate the different portions of the mattress at the command of a user. Construction features of one version include internal contour-defining elements tied between space-opposed supports affixed to the walls of the bags and double-plate supports readily mounted into the bags and which enable tying of the bags to the frame. Another version uses an arrangement of straps to define contour.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance is of the kind which includes a supply of liquid, a pump and a hand-held tip for directing the liquid where desired. A housing defines a cavity which has a surrounding wall closed by opposing end walls, the pump being seated within the cavity. A reservoir is closed at one end and has a shape in conformity with the housing to telescope thereover in covering relationship. Defined in one end of the reservoir is a valve seat which cooperates with a valve that closes during removal of the reservoir from the housing. On that end of the reservoir also is a coupling element which cooperates with a coupling member disposed in the surrounding wall of the housing. When that coupling relationship is established, the reservoir is seated on top of a side surface of the housing which, in turn, is lying on a table or the like. An outlet in the housing communicates with the hand-held tip and the pump is connected between that outlet and the coupling member.

Abstract: A pulsating spray nozzle has a number of features including the introduction into the outer periphery of a forced vortex of a speed-control fluid. In such a forced-vortex environment, a floating turbine is enabled by means of paths correlated with outlet openings better to avoid stalling. Improved dimensioning of elements in the forced-vortex-turbine approach also contributes in that direction. A regulator limits the rate of flow of fluid through the device to a predetermined maximum amount upon increase of incoming water pressure beyond a selectable level.