LIQUID ASPIRATOR AND RESERVOIR FOR SHOWER HEAD
For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head.
This relates generally to aspirators for mixing a liquid with pressurized water.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREFor the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Additionally, it can be difficult to reach a shower head fixture to make adjustments to the shower head.
SUMMARYFor the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head. For example, the flow may be manually controlled from around the same height as a water stream control knob in a shower.
In the following description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which can be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
For the mobility impaired, it can be difficult to reach the hair and face to apply shower products such as soap, shampoo, and conditioner in a shower. Examples described herein can facilitate automatic dispensing of liquid shower products into a stream of water through a showerhead. Additionally, the flow of the liquid shower products into the stream of water can be manually controlled at a height lower than the shower head, so that a user with a limited range of motion can control the flow without needing to reach up to the height of the shower head. For example, the flow may be manually controlled from around the same height as a water stream control knob in a shower.
A removable reservoir 108 can attach to the tee fitting 104 to introduce its contents into the water stream that flows through the tee fitting and out the second threaded pipe end 106. An end of the reservoir can be threaded to removably attach to the tee fitting 104. The reservoir 108 can be filled with liquid shower products such as soap, shampoo, and/or conditioner, among other possibilities.
In some examples, the tee fitting 104 may be a venturi tee fitting, wherein the diameter of the tee fitting narrows after the opening to the first threaded pipe end 102. When a water stream passes through the narrowing tee fitting, a region of lower pressure is created (the venturi effect) that can pull the contents of the reservoir 108 into the water stream.
In some examples, a control bar 114 may be connected to the control knob 110 to allow manual adjustment of the control knob 110 remotely. In some examples, the control bar 114 may be connected to the control knob 110 by one or more control mechanisms, such as control cords 112. For example, a first control cord may connect a first end of the control bar 114 to a first end of the control knob 110, and a second control cord may connect a second end of the control bar to a second end of the control knob. If a user pulls on the first end of the control bar, the first control cord can be pulled taut, pulling the first end of the control knob and turning the control knob in a first direction. If a user then pulls on the second end of the control bar, the second control cord can be pulled taut, pulling the second end of the control knob and turning the control knob in a second, opposite direction.
In some examples, each control cord 112 can be a length such that the control bar 114 can hang from a shower head fixture at a height that can be easily reached by a user having difficulty reaching above the waist. For example, each control cord 112 can be three feet long, in some examples.
Although
Although the disclosed embodiments have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A liquid aspirator comprising:
- a venturi tee fitting having first, second, and third outlets;
- a first threaded pipe end coupled to the first outlet of the venturi tee fitting;
- a second threaded pipe end coupled to the second outlet of the venturi fee fitting;
- a reservoir removably coupled to the third outlet of the venturi tee fitting;
- a control knob coupled to the venturi tee fitting for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the venturi tee fitting; and
- a control bar coupled to the control knob with one or more control mechanisms.
2. The liquid aspirator of claim 1, further comprising an additional reservoir.
3. The liquid aspirator of claim 2, wherein the venturi tee fitting further has a fourth outlet, and the additional reservoir is removably coupled to the fourth outlet of the venturi tee fitting.
4. The liquid aspirator of claim 2, further comprising an additional venturi tee fitting, wherein the additional reservoir is removably coupled to an outlet of the additional venturi tee fitting.
5. The liquid aspirator of claim 1, wherein the one or more control mechanisms include one or more control cords.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2014
Inventors: David Anthony GREEN (Hesperia, CA), John Harrison (Hesperia, CA)
Application Number: 13/851,042
International Classification: E03C 1/046 (20060101);