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Multiple head shower kitMultiple head shower kit description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070209108, Multiple head shower kit. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001]This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/776,405, filed Feb. 24, 2006. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]This invention relates to shower devices, and more particularly to shower devices having multiple discharge heads. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Trends in plumbing practice have witnessed a movement toward shower facilities in the home having multiple discharge heads. Such facilities convey numerous advantages by delivering a full body spray that provides therapeutic as well as hygienic service. Modern shower heads surrounding the bather may be adjusted from massaging needle sprays to pulsating flows that provide a relaxing experience, maintaining the bather in a fully encompassing torrent of water at a desired temperature without the need to turn or shift to position body portions in the comforting water stream. [0004]While it is relatively easy to outfit shower facilities in new construction with multiple discharge heads, it can be expensive and disruptive to retro-fit existing shower facilities by traditional plumbing techniques. Shower facilities in most homes are not free standing, but are an integral part of the full bathroom and use the walls of the room to form a substantial portion of the enclosure. Retro-fitting such a facility may require that the shower enclosure be substantially dismantled so that piping may be installed in the walls to supply water to the additional shower heads mounted at predetermined locations within the shower stall. Add to this the complication that there are various sizes and types of shower facilities, from single stalls to combination stall and bathtub enclosures. There is clearly a need for a universal device that will permit the easy conversion of a shower facility from single to multiple discharge heads without major construction, disruption and expense. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]In one form, the present invention provides a combination of components, such as a kit, for assembling a shower manifold for installation in an existing shower stall or tub enclosure. The components include a plurality of bifurcated conduits for mounting of shower heads, a plurality of shower heads mountable on the bifurcated conduits, at least one optional straight conduit to adapt the manifold to a particular length and to provide fluid communication between the bifurcated conduits, and a plurality of spacer shafts of various lengths to further aid in adapting the manifold to a shower stall of a particular length. Fittings and flexible tubing can be provided to provide various connection options to the water supply, namely, the existing shower bib. Also included are connecting elements in the form of seals, threaded nipples and/or quick-disconnect couplings that permit the various straight and bifurcated conduits to be connected to one another and the spacer shafts. Additional hardware in the form of bracketry and cover plates is included for added adaptability and to provide a finished appearance. [0006]The shower manifold according to the invention is for installation in an existing enclosure having a bib connected to a source of pressurized water. The shower manifold is mountable between first and second facing walls forming the enclosure and comprises a first bifurcated conduit in fluid communication with the bib. The first bifurcated conduit has a first main branch and a first auxiliary branch for conducting water therethrough. A first shower head is mounted on the first auxiliary branch for discharging water within the enclosure. A second bifurcated conduit is formed of a second main branch and has a second auxiliary branch for conducting water therethrough. The second main branch is in fluid communication with the first main branch. A second shower head is mounted on the second auxiliary branch for discharging water within the enclosure. [0007]The first auxiliary branch may be angularly oriented with respect to the first main branch and the second auxiliary branch may be angularly oriented with respect to the second main branch. The first and second auxiliary branches have an orientation angle between about 40.degree. and about 90.degree.. [0008]In one embodiment, a flexible hose extends between the bib and the first main branch thereby providing fluid communication between the bib and the first bifurcated conduit. Alternately, the first bifurcated conduit is connectable directly to the bib. [0009]The manifold may also include a cruciform conduit having a first cruciform branch in fluid communication with the first and second main branches and a second cruciform branch oriented transversely to the first cruciform branch. The second cruciform branch is in fluid communication with the first cruciform branch and has oppositely disposed ends. A third shower head is mounted on one the end of the second cruciform branch and a fourth shower head mounted on another the end of the second cruciform branch. [0010]The manifold also includes a spacer shaft having a first end coupled to one of the first and second bifurcated conduits and a second end mountable on one of the walls forming the enclosure. A straight conduit may be positioned between the first and second bifurcated conduits and providing fluid communication therebetween. [0011]The various components of the manifold may have a coupling, for example, for joining the first and second bifurcated conduits together. The coupling comprises a male component extending from one of the bifurcated conduits and having external threads there around. A channel is cut transversely to the threads in the male component. A female component is mounted on the other of the bifurcated conduits, the female component having a lug projecting radially inwardly so as to engage the channel when the male component engages the female component. The channel may have a J shape. Alternately, the female may have internal threads compatible with the external threads of the male component when the male component engages the female component. [0012]The invention also encompasses a kit for a shower manifold installable within an existing enclosure having a bib connected to a source of pressurized water. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a plurality of bifurcated conduits, each bifurcated conduit having a main branch and an auxiliary branch. A plurality of straight conduits connectable to the bifurcated conduits may also be included, as well as a plurality of spacer shafts connectable to the bifurcated conduits and the straight conduits. A plurality of shower heads attachable to the auxiliary branches is also a part of the kit. Further items of the kit may include a flexible hose connectable between the bib and one of the bifurcated conduits for providing fluid communication therebetween as well as a cruciform conduit having a first cruciform branch connectable with the main branches of the bifurcated conduits and a second cruciform branch oriented transversely to the first cruciform branch. The second cruciform branch is in fluid communication with the first cruciform branch and has oppositely disposed ends, wherein the shower heads are mountable on the ends of the second cruciform branch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shower stall with a manifold made from a kit according to the invention; [0014]FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sectional views of representative manifolds made from a kit according to the invention; [0015]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a manifold made from a kit according to the invention; [0016]FIG. 5 is a front view of a component included with the kit according to the invention; [0017]FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side view of the component shown in FIG. 5 taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; [0018]FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a portion of a manifold connected to a water supply; [0019]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 8-8 of FIG. 7; Continue reading about Multiple head shower kit... Full patent description for Multiple head shower kit Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multiple head shower kit patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multiple head shower kit or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Mixing device for tub Next Patent Application: Floor drain Industry Class: Crop threshing or separating ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multiple head shower kit patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.08495 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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