At Least One Flow Path Always Open Patents (Class 239/447)
  • Patent number: 4537350
    Abstract: A Drinking Fountain attachment for a water faucet is automatically turned on when water is supplied at low pressure and low water flow rates. The assembly includes a hollow body portion between an inlet and an outlet, and the fountain outlet is connected to a central portion of the hollow body. A partition with a central opening extends across the hollow body between the outlet and the point of connection to the fountain. Valve arrangements are provided for normally closing the central passage and for opening it when the water pressure and rate of flow exceed predetermined levels. A flexible, resilient membrane or washer forms a normally open valve but is deflected to close off the connection to the fountain at the higher pressure and flow level at which the valve arrangements operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventor: Edward W. Apri
  • Patent number: 4471998
    Abstract: A cutter drum assembly for longwall mining machines incorporating means for spraying trickle water onto the face area being mined as the cutter drum rotates. This requires valving for supplying high-pressure liquid to only those nozzles adjacent the face area as the drum rotates. In accordance with the invention, the valving takes the form of individual valves spaced around the drum, the valves being actuated by a relatively low-pressure control medium (i.e., a liquid) which obviates the necessity for the close tolerances and rigid sealing requirements of prior art devices where high-pressure liquid valve assemblies were built into the rotary connection between a support shaft and the drum which rotates about it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Gebr. Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik und Eisengiesserei m.b.H.
    Inventor: Karl Hotger
  • Patent number: 4467964
    Abstract: A mixing device is disclosed for the purpose of mixing a first fluid with a second fluid contained in a pressurized stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventor: Charles Kaeser
  • Patent number: 4448351
    Abstract: Water faucet modifying apparatus including a housing, a main passage with an inlet and an outlet extending through the housing, an aerator connected with the outlet, a side passage in the sidewall of the housing communicating with the main passage intermediate the inlet and outlet, a conduit extending from the side passage outlet in the direction of the inlet, diverter mechanism disposed within the housing adjacent the intersection of the side passage with the main passage thereof, the diverter mechanism including a valve stem member extending into the main passage transversely thereto, the stem member including an actuator portion extending through the sidewall of the housing, a seal disposed on the opposite end of the stem member engageable with the side passage, a first barrier section disposed across the main passage between the stem member and the outlet of the main passage, the first barrier section including an opening therethrough at a point adjacent the stem member opening in the housing sidewall, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventors: Darrell D. Aldinger, Roger B. Van Wagoner
  • Patent number: 4402331
    Abstract: A portable lavage device comprising a moveable tank for holding a cleansing liquid, a pump coupled to the tank for circulating the cleansing liquid under a pressure which varies from a maximum to a minimum and spaced nozzles coupled to the circulating pump and arranged to spray the cleansing liquid under varying pressure against an item to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Delta Manufacturing and Sales, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Taldo, Kenneth R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4398669
    Abstract: A fluid-spray discharge apparatus has a housing associated with a fluid inlet. Also associated is a fluid outlet and an arrangement for effecting pulsation of fluid delivered from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet is composed of a series of spaced-apart fluid conveyances. Associated with the housing are means for enabling selection of the number of the series of conveyances operative in the flow of the fluid. Also included is an arrangement of fluid dischargers disposed outwardly of the conveyances and fluid emitters disposed inwardly of the same. Internal diverters and channels enable the provision of fluid delivery from any of the combinations of entirely from the emitters, entirely from the dischargers, in a mixture from the emitters and the dischargers, entirely from the conveyances and in a mixture from the dischargers and the conveyances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Fienhold
  • Patent number: 4358058
    Abstract: Firefighting apparatus for rapidly dispersing water spray into a super heated atmosphere with as little effort on the part of the fire fighter as possible includes a nozzle providing a whirling fog cone wide angle discharge coaxial with a conventionally supplied narrow angle forward discharge, by means of water pressure spinning of a rotatable section having angled fog heads; control is by handle which can provide for forward discharge, or combination forward and wide angle fog cone discharge, or can shut off all flow; to provide optimum control with smooth flow a transverse cylindrical shape valve body is decentered relative to the bore of the system and has a tapered passage through it; the invention also gives the fire fighter the option of injecting the apparatus into an involved structure without subjecting himself to any more danger than necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Scott A. Bierman
  • Patent number: 4356976
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle is proposed having two nozzle needles in which the control of the fuel delivered via an inflow line is effected by means of a slide valve embodied as a 3-way valve, which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is simultaneously embodied as a 3-position valve and permits not only the alternative exertion of the fuel pressure upon one of the nozzle needles but also a common pressure exertion of both nozzle needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ewald Eblen, Odon Kopse
  • Patent number: 4349039
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device mounted for traveling movement on the edge of a rain gutter to clean it. The frame of this device may be stamped from a single sheet of metal or molded as a single piece from a plastic and has a vertical portion, to which is rigidly secured, the fixed tubular part of a rotary valve. Support rollers are carried on horizontal axes in turn carried by a vertical portion of the frame and these support rollers support the device for travel on the outer edge of a rain gutter. The frame continues to a U-shaped portion providing a horizontal frame portion. Guide rollers are mounted on vertical axes carried by the horizontal frame portion. These guide rollers are individually adjustable and support the device against lateral tipping. The fixed tubular valve part may have one nozzle or may have two nozzles connected therewith directing fluid in opposite directions in a rain gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Robert S. Egger
  • Patent number: 4346844
    Abstract: A stream of water introduced to a shower head is split into two paths. The first water path is discharged in the form of a cone shaped spray. The second water path is channeled into a chamber containing a rotor rotationally responsive to the flow of water into the chamber and which rotor includes a chopper for regulating pulsed discharges of water through varying ones of a plurality of discharge ports. The proportional water flow in the two water paths is selectively variable. Air is introduced to the stream of water upstream of the water path split to aerate the water and reduce the quantity of water flow without an apparent water flow reduction to a user. A non-pulsating aerated shower head is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Conservation Associates Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard C. Harmony
  • Patent number: 4330089
    Abstract: An adjustable massage shower head comprising, a housing defining a liquid input chamber for receiving a liquid, a flow guide mounted for axial movement in the housing defining a liquid flow passage from the input chamber and a turbine chamber, the flow guide having a spray bottom connected thereto with openings therethrough. A rotor valve is rotatably mounted and fixed at an axial position to the housing and disposed in the turbine chamber for rotation which produces a pulsating spray from the openings. A ring wall is disposed around the turbine chamber and has a plurality of ducts extending radially at an oblique angle therethrough for directing liquid against the rotor valve. The flow guide is axially movable to direct liquid against increasing areas of the rotor valve to increase the frequency of the pulsing spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Werner Finkbeiner
  • Patent number: 4328834
    Abstract: A pinch valve for selectably controlling flow of fluid through one of two resiliently deformable tubes used e.g., for transporting water in a steam iron. The valve comprises a body member defining a compression surface supporting each one of the tubes. A selector lever is pivotally mounted on the body for selectably moving an integral cam abutment between individual tube shut-off positions. A rocker element supported on the tubes is captively held in the body member intermediate the selector lever and the compression surface for rocking movement between tube pinching positions. The cam abutment continually presses on the rocker causing the rocker to bear upon each one of the tubes on the compression surface. As the selector lever is pivoted, the cam abutment engageably slides along the rocker to rock the rocker between its tube pinching positions. The tubes are thus isolated from sliding contact with the cam abutment by the interposed rocker thereby preventing frictional wear of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: SCM Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Oates, Sr., John C. Fagan
  • Patent number: 4324364
    Abstract: An adjustable shower head for producing adjustable sprays comprising, a housing, a liquid supply connection connected to the housing for the input of liquid into the housing, and a slide bushing mounted for rotation and axial movement in the housing which has an inclined slot defined thereon and a toothed rim which is engageable by a pinion which is rotatably mounted on the housing wall. The pinion carries a guide pin which is flushly engaged within the inclined slot for axial movement of the slide bushing when the pinion is rotated. At least one spray element is fixedly connected to the slide bushing for producing an adjustable output spray of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Hans Grohe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Buzzi, Magdalena Faisst
  • Patent number: 4303201
    Abstract: A showering system includes a source of hot water and a showerhead fed from that source. To produce steam, there is a conduit that delivers water from the source to a showerhead and in which is defined an outlet. Disposed within the conduit is a selectively controlled diverter of the water arriving from the source, so as to direct it away from the showerhead and through the outlet in the form of a mist. The preferred showerhead is of a turbine-valve kind in which the turbine is driven by nozzles. Apertures in a flow director plate, governed by a control plate, feed nozzles predetermined to vary the force of water delivered from outlet orifices in correspondence with the number of the nozzles open to communicate with the inlet through the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Elkins, David W. Smith, John Trenary
  • Patent number: 4257560
    Abstract: A spray head for an aerosol container, or the like, for producing a plurality of spray patterns: The spray head includes a central spool with an inlet on its bottom side in communication with the valve stem leading out of the aerosol spray container and with an outlet on the side of the spool. A shell or sleeve surrounds the spool and is longitudinally movable with respect to the spool. The sleeve has two longitudinally spaced apart outlets. Longitudinal shifting of the sleeve with respect to the spool aligns one or the other outlet from the sleeve with the spool outlet. A spring normally returns the sleeve so that a first outlet thereof is aligned with the spool outlet. The entire spray head sits on the valve stem. The valve stem with the associated valve element in the container is spring biased to normally close the valve. The spring force on the valve is less than the spring force in the spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Inventor: George B. Diamond
  • Patent number: 4254914
    Abstract: A shower head for selectively discharging therefrom, alternatively and respectively from one of two sets of apertures, a regular shower spray or a pulsating shower spray is inexpensively provided by the use of molded parts that include a shell and a downstream housing which telescopes into the shell, and with diverter means provided, by a molded diverter body and a pivotable diverter shaft therein, for selectively directing the water that enters the diverter body to one or the other of the two sets of apertures associated with the downstream housing. The pulsating shower spray is achieved by means that includes a propeller, and a molded nozzle plate that directs incoming water in streams against the propeller, whose movement past the set of discharge apertures operates to provide a pulsating discharge therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventors: Sidney J. Shames, Harold Shames
  • Patent number: 4231400
    Abstract: The removable two-way connector is designed for faucets with a nozzle for feeding auxiliary apparatus, such as shower heads, massage devices and the like. It comprises a body with an annular wall divided into four segments and defining a cavity in which a deformable packing sleeve is disposed. The wall has a peripheral wall forming a spiral camming face at each wall segment. A rotary cover caps the cavity and has radially inwardly extending ribs with cam follower faces engaging the spiral camming faces. When the cover is turned, the wall segments are forced radially inwardly by the displacement of the cover ribs along the camming faces whereby the inwardly forced wall segments are pressed against the adjacent deformable sleeve and the sleeve sealingly engages a nozzle surrounded thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventors: Gerard Friedling, Marcel Chuard
  • Patent number: 4221337
    Abstract: An improved faucet spout attachment is provided for selectively delivering therefrom either an aerated stream or a spray of liquid. The attachment is inexpensively manufactured and provided by an adapter and a body member. The adapter is shaped to provide thereon both an upstream annular head and a reduced diameter downstream nipple. The adapter's nipple has its exit passageway only in the nipple's longitudinal wall. Two seals are provided on the nipple both up-stream and downstream of the exit passageway. A seal is provided on the adapter's annular head. The body member is axially elongated and constructed to slidingly cooperate with both the head and nipple of the adapter to provide two liquid tight seals at alternate axial positions for the body member. The body member is shiftable axially between two operative positions that establish alternate paths of flow from the body member, one of which produces a spray while the other path leads to a discharge opening in which an aerator is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventors: Sidney J. Shames, Harold Shames
  • Patent number: 4219160
    Abstract: A fluid spray nozzle of the massaging type for selectively producing pulsating and nonpulsating streams is provided with axially adjustable valve sealing arrangements for selectively opening and closing inlet ports. The axial flow directing and sealing means provides positive shut-off characteristics even after the various elements have been subjected to substantial wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roy H. Allred, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4203550
    Abstract: A shower head comprises a water chamber and attachment means for connecting the water chamber to a water conduit. A rotor in the water chamber is rotated by swirling motion of the water and causes pulsating emission of water from holes in an end face of the water chamber. A movably mounted outer casing has windows formed therein to allow the pulsating emission through. Changing the position of the outer casing causes water to be emitted continuously from holes formed in the outer casing and sealed from the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Hexagear Industries Limited
    Inventor: Lo Hou On
  • Patent number: 4190207
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Fienhold, Michael A. Cammack
  • Patent number: 4151957
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a hand held shower spray apparatus, and more particularly, to a hand held shower spray apparatus including a metering device to adjust the flow rate of water therethrough and apparatus which is selectively adjustable to provide a pulsating spray, a normal spray or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Beatrice Foods Co.
    Inventors: Norbert A. Gecewicz, Tim M. Uydea
  • Patent number: 4131233
    Abstract: A selectively-controlled pulsating water shower head comprises a housing including a spray block formed with a central chamber having a first group of openings for outletting a continuous spray, and an annular chamber therearound having a second group of outlet openings. A plurality of freely movable members, in the form of curved segments, are drivable around the annular chamber by the water inletted into the housing for outletting the water through the second group of openings in the form of a pulsating spray. The shower head further includes a manually-controlled diverter having a displaceable stem assembly for selectively enabling either the continuous spray or the pulsating spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Inventor: Shulamith Koenig
  • Patent number: 4101075
    Abstract: A shower head includes a tubular body or housing defining a fluid passage which is connected by a plurality of angularly disposed parts directly to a corresponding plurality of fluid chambers. The chambers are defined by axially extending partitions formed as an integral part of the discharge end portion of the housing and are enclosed by a perforated cover member removably secured to the housing. A fluid driven turbine-type valve rotor is supported within the fluid passage by a center pin shaft and includes a projecting closure portion which has a rotating path adjacent the ports for successively closing the ports and momentarily restricting the flow of fluid from the fluid passage into the corresponding fluid chambers. When it is desired to discharge a steady spray, either the cover member is partially released from the housing to provide for fluid communication among the chambers or rotation of the valve rotor is stopped at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Inventor: Charles J. Heitzman
  • Patent number: 4089471
    Abstract: A pulsating shower head comprises a liquid chamber containing a spray block having an annular channel in which are disposed movable members in the form of rotatable balls and slidable segments driven by the force of the liquid to successively cover and uncover outlet openings formed in the annular channel to produce a pulsating effect on the liquid jets exiting from the spray block. The described shower head further includes additional outlet openings for producing non-pulsating liquid jets, and a manipulatable member for selectively connecting either the annular channel outlet openings to the liquid chamber in order to produce the pulsating liquid jets or to connect the additional outlet openings to the liquid chamber to produce non-pulsating liquid jets.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to shower heads, and particularly to a pulsating type of shower head wherein a pulsating effect is produced on the liquid jets exiting from the head.A number of pulsating shower heads are known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Incontrol Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Shulamith S. Koenig
  • Patent number: 4081135
    Abstract: A shower head is provided capable of producing a pulsating or steady spray. Water entering the shower head passes through a set of inlet orifices into a plenum chamber and drives a turbine-type rotor within the chamber. The rotor has water cutting vanes which alternately open and close one or more water outlets from the chamber. The water then passes from the water outlets to the user for pulsed spray, or is directed to smaller openings for steady spray.In the pulsed spray condition the total water outlet opening area is about four times the area of the inlet orifices to the plenum chamber, resulting in low back pressure, rapid rotation of the rotor and so pulsating spray. In the steady spray the smaller openings have a total area approximating that of the plenum inlet orifices, resulting in a high back pressure within the plenum chamber. This high back pressure causes the chamber to fill with water and serves to slow or stop rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick M. Tomaro
  • Patent number: 4010899
    Abstract: A shower head includes a tubular body or housing defining a fluid passage which is connected by a plurality of angularly disposed ports directly to a corresponding plurality of fluid chambers. The chambers are defined by axially extending partitions formed as an integral part of the discharge end portion of the housing and are enclosed by a perforated cover member removably secured to the housing. A fluid driven turbine-type valve rotor is supported within the fluid passage by a center pin shaft and includes a projecting closure portion which has a rotating path adjacent the ports for successively closing the ports and momentarily restricting the flow of fluid from the fluid passage into the corresponding fluid chambers. When it is desired to discharge a steady spray, either the cover member is partially released from the housing to provide for fluid communication among the chambers or rotation of the valve rotor is stopped at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1977
    Inventor: Charles J. Heitzman
  • Patent number: 3967783
    Abstract: The shower spray apparatus has a hollow housing with three spray exit openings in a common face, two for normal spray and the third for pulsating spray. Incoming pressurized water is fed into a diverter which includes a slide valve adjustable to proportion the flow of water along either of two paths exclusively, or in a continuous variable range between the two paths. The first path of fluid flow from the slide valve terminates in the two normal spray exit openings, while water flowing along the second flow path drives a turbine and exits via openings in the pulsating outlet. The rotating turbine includes a mask which sequentially covers and uncovers the spray outlet to provide the pulsating output. A knob on the spray apparatus housing is adjustably rotatable to operate a slide valve throughout a full range of adjustment, providing either all normal spray, all pulsating spray or any ratio therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1976
    Assignee: Chicago Specialty Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Milton Halsted, Tim M. Uyeda
  • Patent number: 3963179
    Abstract: A shower head is provided which can, alternatively, provide a fine, steady stream of shower water or a coarser, pulsating stream of shower water to produce a massaging effect. All of the water stream is, initially, pulsed, but the pulsation is removed when a steady stream is desired.The incoming water enters the spinner of a Hero's engine axially; it causes rotation of the engine spinner as it leaves the tangentially directed exit spouts of the engine. The water then enters a chamber having a circular outlet cover plate carrying small peripheral holes and larger, more centrally located holes inside the periphery.A rotatable dial plate is positioned between the circular outer cover plate and the plenum chamber. This plate has holes in it which can be aligned with the large inner massaging holes, with channels leading to the outer peripheral holes, or at a position in between. The position of the dial plate is controlled by an associated control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: Continental Hair Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Tomaro