Transverse Mounted In-Line Shower Filter

Abstract

A shower filter/diverter assembly is provided for selectively outputting filtered water to one of a plurality of output ports. The assembly comprises a shower filter/diverter body having an input port for receiving unfiltered water, a plurality of output ports for outputting filtered water, a first end for receiving a shower filter and a second end for communicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports. A diverter control assembly is engageable to the filter/diverter body second end and translatable to selectively direct filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to in-line shower filters and, more particularly, to an in-line shower filter having an extractable, transverse mounted filter element and a diverter output control for selectively directing the filtered output to one of a plurality of output ports, e.g. for a shower head or a hand-held shower wand.

In-line shower filters for use in conjunction with shower heads, and filtered shower heads are well known in the art. Examples of such in-line shower filters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,742 to Farley for Shower Filter Assembly Having Reversible Filter, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,187 to Farley for Magnetic Shower Filter Assembly. In-line filters are typically connected to the ends of shower arms, with shower heads secured to the filter outputs. One difficulty with respect to use of in-line filters, is that, depending on the components used, the combination of filter and shower head may extend too far into the shower area.

Alternatively, shower heads, including integral shower filters, may be attached directly to the end of the shower arm. One example of such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,930 to Farley for a Filtered Shower Head. Such filtered showerheads commonly avoid problems associated with extension of the shower head too far into the shower area. However, the selection of filtered showerheads is less than the selection of conventional showerheads, and may not suit the tastes of some consumers. Moreover, some consumers prefer the option of changing showerheads, as they may find appealing, without changing the filtering apparatus.

Hand-held shower heads, or shower handles, have also been constructed to incorporate integral filters. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,023 to Farley for Hand Held Shower Head with Unitary Filter Housing. However, such integral filters add weight to the shower handle, which may detract from their appeal and usage.

Moreover, the types and styles of filtered shower handles is again relatively limited, and may not match a persons aesthetic tastes, or the overall décor of a bathroom or shower area. As such, some consumers find it desirable to provide a shower filter which is separate from the shower head or hand-held shower arm, in order to maximize their options in available shower heads or shower arms that can be used.

Transverse mounted in-line shower filters allow for the use of conventional shower heads or hand-held shower wands, without extending the shower head too far into the shower area. One implementation of such a transverse mounted shower filter is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,122 to Farley for Filtered Shower Arm. The transverse mounted filter disclosed in the reference additionally allows for removal and replacement of the filter without the need to disconnect the shower head from the supporting filter assembly. However, while the device disclosed in the Farley '122 patent satisfies many of the needs described above, it is limited to a single output, e.g. for a shower head.

Some consumers prefer the option of using either a hand-held shower wand, or a shower head in the shower. Having such an option not only accommodates the general preferences of different users, but also allows for use of an alternate output where it may be most effective, e.g. use of a shower wand to rinse sand off of the user's legs. Shower diverter valves, having a plurality of selectable output ports, may be connected to the output of an in-line filter, to allow for such dual outputs. However, the combination may again cause an undesirable extension of the shower head into the shower area, or create undesirable aesthetics. Moreover, hand-held shower handles commonly include brackets for receiving and supporting the handle when not in use. The orientation of the brackets and the dimensions of the adjacent shower head may make it cumbersome to mount both the shower head and shower handle to the diverter.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a less cumbersome, easy to install and use, combination water filter and diverter that allows for multiple shower outputs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A shower filter/diverter assembly is provided for selectively outputting filtered water to one of a plurality of output ports. The assembly comprises a shower filter/diverter body having an input port for receiving unfiltered water, a plurality of output ports for outputting filtered water, a first end for receiving a shower filter and a second end for communicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports. A diverter control assembly is engageable to the filter/diverter body second end and translatable to selectively direct filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports.

In the presently preferred embodiment the filter/diverter assembly defines a longitudinal axis which may be transverse to the direction of water into the body input port.

The filter/diverter body defines an internal filter chamber for receiving a replaceable water filter cartridge, and a filter chamber output port.

The diverter control assembly may include a rotatable diverter cap engageable to the filter/diverter body second end, the diverter cap being rotatable to direct filtered water from the filter chamber output port to one of the plurality of body output ports.

The filter/diverter body may further define a plurality of filtered water output pathways, each of the filtered water output pathways extending from the filter/diverter body second end to a respective one of the plurality of body output ports. Each of the plurality of filtered water output pathways may define a respective pathway input aperture.

The diverter control assembly may include at least one aperture sealing member, translatable in response to rotation of the diverter cap, to selectively seal at least one of the pathway input apertures to preclude filtered water flow therethrough.

In the presently preferred embodiment the sealing member is selectively translatable to preclude communication of filtered water to at least one of the body output ports.

The rotatable diverter cap may define a filtered water chamber intermediate the rotatable diverter cap and the body second end, the filtered water chamber being in fluid communication with the filter chamber output port and with the filtered water output pathways.

The filter/diverter assembly may further comprise a shower handle support collar disposed about the filter/diverter body, proximate the body first end. The shower handle support collar includes a shower handle support bracket affixed thereto.

A retaining ring may be provided about the filter/diverter body, proximate the body first end. The retaining ring may include a date selector form thereon. The date indicator ring may also be disposed about the body first end proximate the date selector ring, the date indictor ring being rotatable relative to the date selector ring, to indicate when a filter element was installed within the assembly.

A filter cartridge may be disposed within the filter assembly for filtering water passing therethrough. The filter cartridge is periodically replaceable as useful to maintain filtered water quality. The filter cartridge includes a filter cartridge output port engageable to the filter chamber output port, and an input port disposed proximate the body first end. The filter/diverter body and filter cartridge define a water flow path from the input port, about the filter cartridge and through the filter cartridge to the filter chamber output port. A filter retaining cap is engageable to the filter/diverter body first end.

A filter cartridge retaining member may be disposed proximate the filter cartridge, intermediate the filter cartridge retaining cap and the filter cartridge input port. The filter cartridge retaining member may define a plurality of radially arrayed passageways to facilitate the flow of unfiltered water from the filter chamber to the filter cartridge input port.

In one embodiment the filter/diverter assembly includes first and second output ports and first and second filtered water output pathways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of the invention, as installed;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the filter/diverter assembly;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the filter/diverter body;

FIG. 7 is a first end view of the filter/diverter body; and

FIG. 8 is a second end view of the filter/diverter body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of regulating water flow through the filter/diverter assembly. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary water filter/diverter assembly 11 as installed for use. The assembly 11 is connected to a shower arm 13, to receive the water input. Water is output from assembly 11 through shower head 15 or shower handle 17. The output is selectable by rotation of diverter cap 19, as explained in more detail below. End cap 21 is engageable to assembly 11 and is removable to allow for insertion/replacement of a filter cartridge within the assembly 11.

FIG. 2 is an end view of assembly 11 shown in FIG. 1. Input port 23 is engageable to the shower arm 13 to receive an input water flow. Output ports 25, 27 communicate a flow of filtered water from the assembly to the connected devices, such as a shower head or hand held shower handle. Selection of the output is in response to rotation of the diverter cap 19. Bracket 26 (also shown at FIG. 1) functions to receive and support the shower wand 17.

The internal arrangement of parts and operation of the assembly is shown in more detail at FIGS. 3-8. FIG. 3 shows a front sectional view of the assembly 11, illustrating the unfiltered water input port 23 and filtered water output port 27 which communicate water to and from the filter/diverter body 29, respectively. The filter/diverter assembly 11 defines a longitudinal axis 20, which is transverse to the direct of water flow into the body input port 23. As such, the filter cartridge 31 is disposed transverse to the input water flow from the shower arm and the extension of the assembly, in combination with shower head 15 and shower handle 17, into the shower area is significantly reduced.

In the presently preferred embodiment, end cap 21 is threadably engaged to body 29 to allow insertion/removal of filter cartridge 31, into body first end 42, to filter chamber 33. As further shown in FIGS. 5-8, the filter cartridge 31 includes a filter input 35 and a filter output 37. The filter output 37 is engaged to filter chamber output port 39, which communicates filtered water from the filter 31 to a filtered water chamber 41, disposed intermediate the diverter cap 19 and the body second end 43. Fastener 45 secures the diverter cap 19 to the body second end 43. Fastener sealer 47 circumscribes fastener 45 and prevents water flow from the filtered water output chamber 41 from being discharged. Cover 49 covers fastener 45.

Filter cartridge retaining member 53 is disposed proximate the filter cartridge 31, intermediate the filter cartridge retaining cap 21 and the filter cartridge input port 35. As shown more clearly at FIG. 5 the filter cartridge retaining member 53 defines a plurality of radially arrayed passageways 55 to facilitate the flow of unfiltered water from the filter chamber to the filter cartridge input port. The filtered water output from filter cartridge 31 is communicated from the filtered water output chamber 41 through pathway apertures 56, 58 (shown at FIG. 6) to filtered water output pathways 57, 59 (shown at FIGS. 4, 6 and 7), each pathway being in fluid communication with an associated output 27, 25, respectively. By rotating the diverter cap 19, one or more apertures (and associated pathways) is selectively opened/blocked to regulate the flow of filtered water to the desired fixture, e.g. shower head 15 or hand held shower handle 17.

FIG. 4 provides an alternate sectional view, further illustrating the construction of the assembly 11, to an alternate output, i.e. filtered water output pathway 59 and filtered water output port 25.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the filter/diverter assembly 11. As shown therein, filter cartridge 31 is disposable into a first end of body 29, and engaged by to filter cartridge retaining member 53. Filter retaining cap 21 is threadably engageable to first end 42 of body 29, to secure the filter cartridge 31 to the filter chamber 33.

Shower handle support collar 61 is disposable about the first end of body 29, and includes a shower handle support bracket 26. Retaining ring 63 is also engageable about the first end of body 17. The retraining ring 63 includes a groove 65 adapted to engage rib 69 to preclude rotation of the retaining ring 63 about the body 17. The retaining ring 63 further includes a date selector indicia 67, which may be implemented as an arrow or the like formed on the outer surface of retaining ring 63.

Date indicator ring 71 is also disposable about the first end of body 17, and includes a plurality of grooves 73a, b, which releasably engage 75, such that the date indicator ring 71 may rotate about body 17, but remain in a selected rotational position when rotational force is released. The date indicator ring 71 is provided with a plurality of date markers 77, e.g. indicating the months of the year. The date indicator ring 71 may be rotated relative to retaining ring 63 until an appropriate date, e.g. installation date, is juxtaposed proximate date selector 67, to facilitate timely replacement.

The operation of the diverter control assembly 80 is further shown more clearly at FIGS. 3-6. As generally shown therein, the rotation of diverter cap 19 causes translation of diverter sealing member 79 to selectively seal at least one of the pathway apertures 56, 58, to preclude water flow therethrough. Rotation of the diverter cap moves the aperture sealing member 79 so as to change which aperture is in fluid communication with the filtered water output from filter cartridge 31.

In the presently preferred embodiment the diverter cap 19 is provided with a pair of internal flanges 81, 83, which receive diverter support member 85, to which spring members 87 and diverter engaging member 89 are engaged. The diverter sealing member 79 is, in turn, engaged to member 89. As a result, the diverter sealing member 79 rotates in response to rotation of diverter cap 19 to selectively block/unblock one or more of the apertures, 56, 58 (shown at FIGS. 6, 7).

It is understood that various alternative embodiments are encompassed within the broad spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the particular components of the diverter control assembly 80 may be implemented in a variety of different configurations, operative to selectively direct the output of filtered water to one or more outlets. Similarly, the number of outlets may be increased to 3 or more, and the output appliances may include a plurality of shower heads, hoses or other water output devices, as preferred by the user. These and other modifications and enhancements are understood to be encompassed within the scope of the claims, as set forth below.

Claims

1. A shower filter/diverter assembly for selectively outputting filtered water to one of a plurality of output ports comprising:

a shower filter/diverter body having an input port for receiving unfiltered water, a plurality of body output ports for outputting filtered water, a first end for receiving a shower filter and a second end for communicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports; and

a diverter control assembly engageable to the filter/diverter body second end, the diverter assembly being translatable to selectively direct filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports.

2. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the filter/diverter body defines an internal filter chamber for receiving a replaceable water filter cartridge.

3. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein the filter/diverter body second end defines a filter chamber output port.

4. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein the diverter control assembly includes a rotatable diverter cap engageable to the filter/diverter body second end, the diverter cap being rotatable to direct filtered water from the filter chamber output port to one of the plurality of body output ports.

5. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein the filter/diverter body defines a plurality of filtered water output pathways, each of the filtered water pathways extending from the filter/diverter body second end to a respective one of the plurality of body output ports.

6. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of filtered water output pathways define a respective pathway input aperture.

7. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein the diverter control assembly includes at least one aperture sealing member, translatable in response to rotation of the diverter cap, to selectively seal at least one of the pathway input apertures to preclude water flow therethrough.

8. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein the sealing member is selectively translatable to preclude the communication of filtered water to at least one of the body output ports.

9. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the rotatable diverter cap defines a filtered water chamber intermediate the rotatable diverter cap and the body second end, the filtered water chamber being in fluid communication with the filter chamber output port and with the filtered water output pathways.

10. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a shower wand support collar disposed about the filter/diverter body proximate the body first end, the shower wand support collar having a shower wand support bracket affixed thereto.

11. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 10 further comprising:

a retaining ring disposed about the filter/diverter body proximate the body first end, the retaining ring having a date selector formed thereon; and

a date indicator ring disposed about the body first end proximate the date selector ring, the date indicator ring being rotatable relative to the date selector ring.

12. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 3 further comprising a filter cartridge disposed within the filter chamber, the filter cartridge having a filter cartridge output port engageable to the filter chamber output port and an input port disposed proximate the body first end, the filter cartridge defining a water flow path from the input port, about the filter cartridge and through the filter cartridge to the filter chamber output port.

13. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a filter retaining cap engageable to the filter/diverter body first end.

14. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising a filter cartridge retaining member being disposed proximate the filter cartridge intermediate the filter cartridge retaining cap, and the filter cartridge input port, the filter cartridge retaining member defining a plurality of radially arrayed passageways to facilitate the flow of unfiltered water from the filter chamber to the filter cartridge input port.

15. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the plurality of body output ports comprise first and second output ports.

16. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the plurality of filtered water output pathways comprises first and second filtered water output pathways.

17. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1 where in the filter/diverter body defines a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being transverse to the direction of water flow into the body input port.