VALVE BODY EXTENSION

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/684,623, filed Aug. 19, 2024, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a shower valve assembly and, more particularly, to an extension for a shower valve body or rough.

An illustrative valve body extension of the present disclosure allows for the retrofit of existing “behind wall rough” shower assemblies to move plumbing in front of a shower wall. Conventional “behind wall rough” shower assemblies include a valve rough or valve body at least partially recessed within the shower wall. Known valve roughs restrict the shower valve components (e.g., valve cartridge) to fitting within the confines of the rough (e.g., valve body) and generally only allows it to extend perpendicular to the shower wall. This conventional arrangement greatly reduces allowable space and limits potential features. The present invention provides the manufacturer with the ability to provide “outside the rough” functionality and design.

By effectively extending waterways outside of the valve rough, the valve cartridge and other functional components are not constrained to the rough housing or existing behind the wall plumbing. This allows components that work with a conventional valve rough or valve body (such as batteries, motors, controls, user interfaces, diverters, and/or additional outlets) to be placed elsewhere in an adapter.

More particularly, the waterways of the valve rough are extended beyond the rough by way of an adapter. Hot and cold water supply lines are extended out and into a “remote rough” where water can be mixed, and diverted to a location and/or diverted back through the rough behind the wall. The resulting box or housing that receives the adapter and extension can be repurposed to house more diverters, batteries and/or user interfaces, and can also serve as a secondary purpose of a functional or decorative shelf.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve body extension includes an in-wall rough assembly having a rough valve body with a chamber, a hot water port, a cold water port and a mixed water port, and an adapter received with the chamber of the rough valve body. The adapter includes a hot water passageway in fluid communication with the hot water port, a cold water passageway in fluid communication with the cold water port, and a mixed water passageway in fluid communication with the mixed water port. An extension valve assembly includes an extension valve body having a chamber, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and a mixed water outlet, and a valve cartridge received within the chamber of the extension valve body. The valve cartridge is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet and the mixed water outlet. A hot water line fluidly couples the hot water passageway of the adapter of the in-wall rough assembly and the hot water inlet of the extension valve body. A cold water line fluidly couples the cold water passageway of the adapter of the in-wall rough assembly and the cold water inlet of the extension valve body. A mixed water line fluidly couples the mixed water passageway of the adapter of the in-wall rough assembly and the mixed water outlet of the extension valve body.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve body extension includes an in-wall rough assembly having a rough valve body having a chamber, a hot water port, a cold water port and a mixed water port, and an adapter received within the chamber of the rough valve body. The adapter includes a hot water passageway in fluid communication with a hot water port, a cold water passageway in fluid communication with a cold water port, and a mixed water passageway in fluid communication with the mixed water port. An extension valve assembly includes an extension valve body fluidly coupled to the in-wall rough assembly, the extension valve body including a chamber, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and a mixed water outlet, and a valve cartridge received within the chamber of the extension valve body. The valve cartridge is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet and the mixed water outlet. A diverter valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a valve body extension includes an in-wall rough assembly having a rough valve body with a chamber, a hot water port, a cold water port and a mixed water port, and an adapter received with the chamber of the rough valve body. The adapter includes a hot water passageway in fluid communication with a hot water port, a cold water passageway in fluid communication with the cold water port, and a mixed water passageway in fluid communication with the mixed water port. An extension valve assembly includes an extension valve body having a chamber, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and a mixed water outlet, and a valve cartridge received within the chamber of the extension valve body. The valve cartridge includes a movable valve member configured to control water flow from the hot water inlet and the cold water inlet to the mixed water outlet. A diverter valve assembly is fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly. The diverter valve assembly includes a diverter valve body having a mixed water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A diverter valve cartridge is received within the diverter valve body and is configured to provide selective fluid communication between the mixed water inlet and at least one of the first water outlet and the second water outlet.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent of those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with a partial cut-away, of a shower enclosure including an illustrative valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the illustrative valve body extension of FIG. 1, diagrammatically showing fluid connections to a hot water source, a cold water source, a shower head and a spout, and with certain fluid connections removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative in-wall rough assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear exploded perspective view of the illustrative extension valve assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front exploded perspective view of the illustrative extension valve assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the illustrative valve cartridge received within the extension valve body of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the illustrative diverter valve assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative diverter valve assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12A is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12B is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12C is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12D is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12E is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12F is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12G is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12H is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12I is a schematic view of an illustrative arrangement of the valve body extension of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

With reference initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a shower enclosure 10 is shown as including a shower system 12 including an illustrative valve body extension 14 of the present disclosure. The shower enclosure 10 illustratively includes a first shower wall 16a, a second shower wall 16b, and a third shower wall 16c. The first shower wall 16a is perpendicular to the second shower wall 16b, and the third shower wall 16c is perpendicular to the second shower wall 16b. The first shower wall 16a and the third shower wall 16c are positioned in parallel relation to each other. Each shower wall 16a, 16b, and 16c illustratively includes mounting studs 18 supporting a planar substrate 20, such as a molded panel depicting tile. While the shower enclosure 10 illustratively includes three walls 16a, 16b, 16c, it should be appreciated that other types of shower enclosures may be substituted therefor. For example, the shower enclosure 10 may be a corner enclosure including two perpendicular walls (not shown).

The valve body extension 14 may be supported by the shower all 16b and fluidly coupled to a conventional hot water source 22 and a cold water source 24 via hot water and cold water inlet tubes or pipes 26 and 28, respectively, positioned illustratively behind the shower wall 16b. The illustrative shower system 12 further includes a showerhead 30 supported by the shower wall 16b and including a water outlet 32 that directs water from a conventional shower arm 34 into the shower enclosure 10. A spout 36 may also be supported by the shower wall 16b and includes a water outlet 38 to discharge water into the shower enclosure 10. The illustrative spout 36 may include a conventional diverter valve 40 configured to toggle water flow between the outlet 32 of the showerhead 30 and the outlet 38 of the spout 36.

Illustratively, the showerhead 30 is supported above the valve body extension 14, and the spout 36 is positioned below the valve body extension 14. As further detailed herein, the showerhead 30 and the spout 36 are illustratively in selective fluid communication with the valve body extension 14 via outlet tubes or pipes 42 and 44, respectively, positioned behind the shower wall 16b. In other illustrative embodiments, the tubes 42 and 44 may be exposed as a decorative shower column in front of the wall 16b. In certain illustrative embodiments, the valve body extension 14 may be integrated with the showerhead 30 and/or the spout 36.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a shower base 46 fits within the shower wall 16a, the second shower wall 16b, and the third shower wall 16c at the bottom of the shower enclosure 10. The shower base 46 illustratively includes a drain 48 to allow water from the showerhead 30 and the spout 36 to evacuate from the shower enclosure 10.

The valve body extension 14 of the shower system 12 illustratively includes an in-wall rough assembly 50 fluidly coupled to an extension valve assembly 52. In certain illustrative embodiments, a diverter valve assembly 54 may also be fluidly coupled with the extension valve assembly 52. As further detailed herein, a variety of different fluid connections between the rough assembly 50, the extension valve assembly 52 and/or the diverter valve assembly 54 are contemplated (see, e.g., FIGS. 12A-12E) to provide different water delivery arrangements.

A support or cover 56 may be operably coupled to the in-wall rough assembly 50, the extension valve assembly 52 and the diverter valve assembly 54. The cover 56 illustratively includes a rear wall 58 supported by the in-wall rough assembly 50, and hence the shower wall 16b, via a mounting plate 60. It should be appreciated that other conventional mounting means may be substituted therefor.

The illustrative cover 56 also includes a front wall 62 extending parallel to the rear wall 58, and opposing left and right end walls 64 and 66 extending between the rear wall 58 and the front wall 62. The left end wall 64 illustratively supports the diverter valve assembly 54, and the right end wall 66 illustratively supports the extension valve assembly 52. A top wall 68 is illustratively supported by the walls 58, 62, 64, 66 and includes an upper surface 70 defining a shelf.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the illustrative in-wall rough assembly 50 includes a rough valve body or fitting 72 coupled to a mounting bracket 74 via conventional fasteners, such as screws 75. The valve body 72, in turn, is coupled to a plaster guard 76. The mounting bracket 74 may be secured to the shower wall 16b, illustratively via a stringer 77, which is a horizontally mounted piece of wood positioned between two studs 18. The mounting bracket 74 may be similar to that disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0231140 to McNerney, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

As further detailed herein, an adapter 78 is illustratively received within the valve body 72 and secured thereto through a bonnet nut or collar 80 threadably coupled to the valve body 72. In certain illustrative embodiments, stop valves (not shown) may also by supported by the valve body 72.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve body 72 includes a first or hot water inlet 82 which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the conventional hot water source 22 via the inlet tube 26, and a second or cold water inlet 84 which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the conventional cold water source 24 via the inlet tube 28. The hot water inlet 82 includes a tubular body 86 defining the hot water inlet 82. Similarly, the cold water inlet 84 includes a tubular body 88 defining the cold water inlet 84. In the illustrative embodiment, the tubular bodies 86 and 88 are co-axially aligned such that the hot water inlet 82 and the cold water inlet 84 are positioned to the left and the right, respectively, of the valve body 72.

The valve body 72 further illustratively includes a mixing valve housing 90 having an end wall 92 and a cylindrical sidewall 94 defining a cavity or chamber 96 receiving the adapter 78. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a first or hot water supply port 98 extends through the end wall 92 and is in fluid communication with the chamber 96. Similarly, a second or cold water supply port 100 extends through the end wall 92 and is in fluid communication with the chamber 96.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the valve body 72 further includes a first mixed water outlet 102 and a second mixed water outlet 104. The first mixed water outlet 102 includes a tubular body 106, while the second mixed water outlet 104 includes a tubular body 108. In the illustrative embodiment, the first and second tubular bodies 106 and 108 are co-axially aligned and extend substantially perpendicular to the tubular bodies 86 and 88 of the hot and cold water inlets 82 and 84. A connecting bore 110 illustratively fluidly couples the first and second mixed water outlets 102 and 104 and, in turn, is fluidly coupled to the chamber 96 through a mixed water outlet port 112a. In certain illustrative embodiments, a second outlet port 112b is also provided in the valve body 72. A filter or screen 114 may be received within the valve body 72 in fluid communication with the first outlet port 112a.

In one illustrative embodiment, the first mixed water outlet 102 is configured to be fluidly coupled to the conventional showerhead 30 through the outlet tube 42, defining a shower riser. Further illustratively, the second mixed water outlet 104 is configured to be fluidly coupled to the spout 36, through the outlet tube 44, defining a delivery pipe. In a further illustrative embodiment, an aspirator or ejector 115 may be positioned within the connecting bore 110 to produce a vacuum when water is flowing through the spout 36, thereby reducing leakage through the showerhead 30. Illustrative aspirators 115 are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,397 to Crawford et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0056639 to McNerney, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIG. 3, the plaster guard 76 illustratively includes a body 116 having a substantially planar base 118 and a peripheral flange 120. The base 118 includes an opening 122 configured to cooperate with the valve body 72. A pair of escutcheon mounting holes 124 are provided within the base 118 of the plaster guard 76 and are positioned radially outwardly from the opening 122. The base 118 is substantially rectangular such that the peripheral flange 120 includes a plurality of sides defining a parallelogram with at least one right angle.

A plurality of couplers 126 are supported by a rear end of the plaster guard 76 and are configured to releasably couple the body 116 to the mounting bracket 74 and hence, the valve body 72. Additional details of an illustrative embodiment plaster guard are provided in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0231140 to McNerney, which has been expressly incorporated herein by reference.

As noted above, the chamber 96 of the valve body 72 is configured to receive the adapter 78. The illustrative adapter 78 includes a body 128 formed of a polymer. The body 128 illustratively includes an outer cylindrical side wall 130, a hot water passageway 132 including an inlet 134 and an outlet 136. The inlet 134 is in fluid communication with the hot water supply port 98 of the valve body 72. The body 128 also illustratively includes a cold water passageway 138 including an inlet 140 and an outlet 142. The inlet 140 is in fluid communication with the cold water supply port 100 of the valve body 72. Similarly, the illustrative body 128 includes a first mixed water passageway 144 including an inlet 146 and an outlet 148. The inlet 148 is in fluid communication with the mixed water outlet port 112 of the valve body 72. The illustrative body 128 may also include a second mixed water passageway 150 including an inlet 152 and an outlet 154.

The adapter 78 illustratively includes a physical interface or envelope similar to a conventional shower valve cartridge configured to be received within the valve body 72. More particularly, the side wall 130 of the adapter 78 is configured to be received within the chamber 96 concentric with the side wall 94 of the valve body 72. Tubular projections 156 and 158 extend from an inner end of the adapter body 128 and interface with the ports 98 and 100, respectively, of the valve body 72. The tubular projections 156 and 158 illustratively define the inlets 134 and 140 of the hot water passageway 132 and the cold water passageway 138, respectively. Similarly, tubular projections 160, 162, 164 and 166 defining the inlets 134, 140 and the outlets 148, 154, respectively, extend from an outer end of the adapter body 128 and are configured to interface with fluid tubes, as further detailed herein.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6-8, the illustrative extension valve assembly 52 includes an extension valve body 170 coupled to the right end wall 66 of the cover 56 and fluidly coupled to the in-wall rough assembly 50. The extension valve body 170 illustratively includes a cylindrical side wall 172 and an end wall 174 defining a cavity or chamber 176. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first or hot water supply port 178 extends through the end wall 174 and is in fluid communication with the chamber 176. Similarly, a second or cold water supply port 180 extends through the end wall 174 and is in fluid communication with the chamber 176.

With further reference to FIGS. 6-8, the valve body 170 includes a hot water inlet 182 in fluid communication with the hot water supply port 178, and a cold water inlet 184 in fluid communication with the cold water supply port 180. The valve body 170 further includes a first mixed water outlet 186 in fluid communication with the chamber 176, and a second mixed water outlet 188 in fluid communication with the chamber 176. A hot water tubular projection 190 defines the hot water inlet 182, a cold water tubular projection 192 defines the cold water inlet 184, a first mixed water tubular projection 194 defines the first mixed water outlet 186, and a second mixed water tubular projection 196 defines the second mixed water outlet 188.

A mixing valve cartridge 200 is received within the chamber 176 of the extension valve body 170 and is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet 182, the cold water inlet 184, the first mixed water outlet 186, and the second mixed water outlet 188. The valve cartridge 200 includes a housing 202 having a hot water supply port 204, a cold water supply port 206 and a mixed water outlet port 208. The mixing valve cartridge 200 is configured to control the flow of water from the hot and cold water supply ports 204 and 206 to the outlet port 208.

More particularly, a movable valve member 210 is received within the housing 202 and is operably coupled to a valve stem 212. Illustratively, a handle 214 is operably coupled to the valve member 210 to control movement therefor. In certain illustrative embodiments, the valve member 210 may be operably coupled to an electric actuator, such as a motor (not shown), to control movement thereof. The valve member 210 is configured to control water flow from the cold water inlet 204 and the hot water inlet 206 to the mixed water outlet 208. A bonnet nut 216 threadably couples to the valve body 170 to secure the valve cartridge 200 within the chamber 176.

In an illustrative embodiment, the valve cartridge 200 may comprise a conventional pressure balance shower valve of the type available from Delta Faucet Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. Additional details of illustrative shower valve cartridges are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,656,954 to Deutsch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,750 to Nicholas et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,906 to Marty et al., the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by herein reference.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 9-11, the illustrative diverter valve assembly 54 includes a diverter valve body 220 coupled to the left end wall 64 of the cover 56 and fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly 52. As further detailed herein, the diverter valve assembly 54 is optional and may be eliminated in certain illustrative embodiments.

The diverter valve body 220 illustratively includes a base 222 operably coupled to a diverter valve cartridge 224. The base 222 includes a cylindrical side wall 226 and an end wall 228 defining a cavity or chamber 230. A mixed water inlet 232, a first water outlet 234, a second water outlet 236 and a third water outlet 238 extend through the end wall 228 and are in fluid communication with the chamber 230.

The diverter valve cartridge 224 illustratively includes circumferentially spaced, radial inlets 242 that are in fluid communication with the mixed water inlet 232. A first water outlet 244, a second water outlet 246 and a third water outlet 248 of the valve cartridge 224 are fluidly coupled to the first water outlet 234, the second water outlet 236 and the third water outlet 238, respectively, of the valve body 220.

The diverter valve cartridge 224 is fluidly coupled to the diverter valve body 220 and is configured to provide selective fluid communication between the mixed water inlet 232 and the first water outlet 244, the second water outlet 246 and the third water outlet 248. More particularly, a valve member 250 is received within the valve cartridge 224 and is controls water flow from the inlets 242 to selective ones of the first water outlet 244, a second water outlet 246 and a third water outlet 248. A handle 252 may be operably coupled to the valve member 250 via a valve stem 245. In certain illustrative embodiments, the valve member may be operably coupled to an electric actuator, such as a motor (not shown), to control movement thereof.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the diverter valve assembly 54 is fluidly coupled to the mixing valve cartridge 200 through the mixed water inlet 232. The diverter valve cartridge 224 is configured to control the flow of water from the mixed water outlet 30 to the first water outlet 244, the second water outlet 246 and the third water outlet 248. More particularly, the diverter valve cartridge 224 directs water selectively to one or more of the first water outlet 244, the second water outlet 246 and the third water outlet 248. Illustratively, one of the first water outlet 244, the second water outlet 246 and the third water outlet 248 of the diverter valve assembly 54 is in selective fluid communication with the overhead showerhead 30 and the spout 36. The diverter valve assembly 54 may also control the rate of water flow to the selected water outlet(s) 244, 246, 248.

Additional details of an illustrative diverter valve cartridge are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 9,632,514 to Marty et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 12A-12I are schematic representations of different illustrative configurations of shower system 12, 312, 412, 512, 612, respectively, of the present disclosure. As further detailed below, the systems of FIGS. 12A-12E all include the rough assembly 20 in fluid communication with the extension valve assembly 52. FIGS. 12B and 12C also include the diverter valve assembly 54 fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly 52. Instead of the diverter valve assembly 54, FIGS. 12D and 12E include a plurality of electrically operable valves 282 fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly 52. FIGS. 12A-12E are merely representative configurations and that other arrangements are possible between the rough assembly 50, the extension valve assembly 52 and/or the diverter valve assembly 54.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the illustrative shower system 12 includes the rough assembly 50 fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly 52 and to the showerhead 30 and/or the spout 36. The hot water source 22 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 134 of the hot water passageway 132 of the adapter 78 via the hot water inlet tube 26, and the cold water source 24 is fluidly coupled to the inlet 140 of the cold water passageway 138 of the adapter 78 via the cold water inlet tube 28. The adapter 78 directs hot water to the hot water inlet 182 of the extension valve assembly 52, and directs cold water to the cold water inlet 184 of the extension valve assembly 52.

In certain illustrative embodiments, a hot water line 262 (e.g., fluid tube) fluidly couples the hot water passageway 132 of the adapter 78 of the in-wall rough assembly 50 and the hot water inlet 182 of the extension valve body 170. A cold water line 264 (e.g., fluid tube) fluidly couples the cold water passageway 138 of the adapter 78 of the in-wall rough assembly 50 and the cold water inlet 184 of the extension valve body 170. A mixed water line 266 fluidly couples the mixed water passageway 186 of the extension valve body 170 of the extension valve assembly 52 and the mixed water passageway 144 of the adapter 78 of the in-wall rough assembly 50. Similarly, a mixed water line 268 fluidly couples the mixed water passageway 188 of the extension valve body 170 of the extension valve assembly 52 and the mixed water passageway 150 of the adapter 78 of the in-wall rough assembly 50.

The mixing valve 200 controls the mixture of the water from the hot water inlet 182 and the cold water inlet 184, and then directs water to the mixed water outlets 186 and 188 of the extension valve assembly 52. As such, mixing of the hot water and the cold water occurs within the extension valve assembly 52. Water from the mixed water outlets 186 and 188 is then directed to the mixed water inlets 144 and 150 of the rough assembly 50. The adapter 78 then directs water to the showerhead 30 and/or the spout 36. The diverter 40 of the spout 36 may toggle water between the showerhead 30 and the spout 36.

FIG. 12B shows another illustrative shower system 312 including the diverter valve assembly 54 added to the system of FIG. 12A, wherein the showerhead 30 and/or the spout 36 remain fluidly coupled to the rough assembly 50. The mixing valve 200 controls the mixture of the water from the hot water inlet 182 and the cold water inlet 184, and then directs water to the mixed water outlets 186 and 188 of the extension valve assembly 52. As such, mixing of the hot water and the cold water occurs within the extension valve assembly 52.

A mixed water line 270 fluidly couples the mixed water passageway 186 of the extension valve body 170 of the extension valve assembly 52 and the inlet 232 of the adapter 78 of the diverter valve assembly 54. Similarly, a mixed water line 272 fluidly couples the mixed water passageway 188 of the extension valve body 170 of the extension valve assembly 52 and the inlet 232 of the adapter 78 of the diverter valve assembly 54.

The diverter valve assembly 54 controls the flow of water from the inlet 232 to one or more of the outlets 234, 236 and 238. The first outlet 234 is illustratively fluidly coupled to the mixed water passageways 144 and 150 via a connecting line 274 (e.g., fluid tube). The second outlet 236 is illustratively fluidly coupled to a second fluid outlet 276a (e.g., a body spray or a handshower) via a connecting line 280a (e.g., fluid tube), while the third outlet 238 is illustratively fluidly coupled to a third fluid outlet 276b (e.g., a body spray or a handshower) via a connecting line 280b (e.g., fluid tube).

FIG. 12C shows a further illustrative shower system 412 including the diverter valve assembly 54 added to the system of FIG. 12A, wherein the outlets of the diverter valve assembly 54 is fluidly coupled to a plurality of different fluid outlets 276. The diverter valve assembly 54 controls the flow of water from the inlet 232 to one or more of the outlets 234, 236 and 238. The first outlet 234 is illustratively fluidly coupled to the mixed water passageways 144 and 150 via a connecting line 274 (e.g., fluid tube). The second outlet 236 is illustratively fluidly coupled to a second fluid outlet 276a (e.g., shower head 30 or spout 36) via a connecting line 280a (e.g., fluid tube), while the third outlet 238 is illustratively fluidly coupled to a third fluid outlet 276b (e.g., shower head 30 or spout 36) via a connecting line 280b (e.g., fluid tube). The third outlet 238 is illustratively fluidly coupled to a third fluid outlet 276c (e.g., a body spray or a handshower) via a connecting line 280c (e.g., fluid tube).

FIG. 12D shows another illustrative shower system 512 including the rough assembly 50 and the extension valve assembly 52 fluidly coupled to a plurality of fluid outlets 276 via a plurality of electrically operable valves 282. The illustrative shower system 512 includes a first electrically operable valve (V1) 276a and a second electrically operable valve (V2) 276b fluidly coupled to the mixed water passageway 186 of the extension valve body 170 via the connecting line 270. Illustratively, the shower system 512 includes a third electrically operable valve (V3) 282c fluidly coupled to the mixed water passageway 188 of the extension valve body 170 via the connecting line 272. Additional electrically operable valves (VN) 282n may be fluidly coupled to the connecting lines 270, 272. Each electrically operable valve (V1, V2, V3, . . . VN) 282a, 282b, 282c, . . . 282n) may be a solenoid valve fluidly coupled with an associated fluid outlet 276a, 276b, 276c, . . . 276n.

FIG. 12E shows a further illustrative shower system 612 including various components similar to those shown in the shower system 12 of FIG. 12A and the shower system 512 of FIG. 12D. More particularly, the mixed water passageway 144 of the adapter 78 is fluidly coupled to the showerhead 30 and/or the spout 36. The diverter 40 of the spout 36 may toggle water between the showerhead 30 and the spout 36. Illustratively, the shower system 612 includes a first electrically operable valve (V1) 282a fluidly coupled to the mixed water passageway 188 of the extension valve body 170 via the connecting line 272. Additional electrically operable valves (VN) 282n may be fluidly coupled to the connecting line 272. Each electrically operable valve (V1, . . . VN) 282a, . . . 282n) may be a solenoid valve fluidly coupled with an associated fluid outlet 276a, . . . 276n.

FIG. 12F shows a further illustrative shower system 712 including various components similar to those shown in the shower system 12 of FIG. 12A. The shower system 712 includes a hot water valve 714 fluidly coupled intermediate the hot water passageway 132 and the mixed water passageways 144 and 150 of the adapter 78. Similarly, a cold water valve 716 is fluidly coupled intermediate the cold water passageway 138 and the mixed water passageways 144 and 150 of the adapter 78. As shown, the hot water valve 714 is positioned in parallel to the cold water valve 716. Combined operation of the hot water valve 714 and the cold water valve 716 may control the temperature and/or the flow rate of water.

FIG. 12G shows a further illustrative shower system 812 including various components similar to those shown in the shower system 12 of FIG. 12A and the shower system 712 of FIG. 12F. The shower system 812 includes a flow control valve 818 in fluid communication with the hot water valve 714 and the cold water valve 716. More particularly, the flow control valve 818 is in fluid communication with, and positioned in series downstream from, the hot water valve 714 and the cold water valve 716. The flow control valve 818 is configured to control the flow rate of water from the hot water valve 714 and the cold water valve 716.

FIG. 12H shows a further illustrative shower system 912 including various components similar to those shown in the shower system 12 of FIG. 12A and the shower system 812 of FIG. 12G. The shower system 912 includes mixing valve 200 fluidly coupled to the hot water passageway 132 and the cold water passageway 138 of the adapter 78. Flow control valve 818 is in fluid communication with, and positioned in series downstream from, the mixing valve 200. The flow control valve 818 is configured to control the flow rate of water from the mixing valve 200.

FIG. 12I shows a further illustrative shower system 1012 including various components similar to those shown in the shower system 12 of FIG. 12A. The shower system 1012 includes a plurality of mixing valves 200A, 200B, 200C in fluid communication with the hot water passageway 132 and the cold water passageway 138 of the adapter 78. The mixing valves 200A, 200B, 200C are illustratively positioned in parallel to each other and fluidly coupled to a fluid delivery outlet 1014A, 1014B, 1014C, respectively.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.