SHOWER VALVE SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/728,382 , filed Dec. 5, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to showerhead valve assemblies. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to showerhead valve assemblies that are configured to be operated by a user of a shower to adjust an output of water provided by the shower.

Many residential spaces (e.g., homes, condos, apartments, hotels, motels, etc.) and recreational spaces (e.g., gyms, spas, health clubs, etc.) have showers. Often times, the showers may be manually operated by a user to control a temperature of the water provided by the shower, an outlet of the water provided by the shower, or other output conditions of the showers. However, the showers may not be configured to retain a temperature level of the water outputted by the shower between uses. For example, if a user sets the shower to output water at a certain temperature during a first shower, the shower may not automatically provide the water to the user at the certain temperature during a second shower.

It would be advantageous to provide a showerhead that addresses one or more of the aforementioned issues.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a valve assembly for a shower system. The valve assembly is configured to provide a flow of water. The valve assembly includes a first assembly, a second assembly, and a third assembly. The first assembly includes a first valve configured to control a temperature of the flow of the water and a first user interface configured to be operated by a user of the shower system to operate the first valve. The second assembly includes a second valve configured to control the flow of the water through the valve assembly and a second user interface configured to be operated by the user of the shower system to operate the second valve. The second valve is fluidly coupled with the first valve and is configured to receive the flow of the water from the first valve. The third assembly includes a third valve configured to control an outlet of the flow of the water from the valve assembly and a third user interface configured to be operated by the user of the shower system to operate the third valve. The third valve is fluidly coupled with the second valve and is configured to receive the flow of the water from the second valve.

Another embodiment relates to a valve assembly for a washing system. The valve assembly is configured to provide a flow of water. The valve assembly includes a valve housing defining an interface aperture, a first assembly coupled to the valve housing, and a second assembly coupled to the valve housing. The first assembly includes a first valve configured to control the flow of the water through the valve assembly and a first user interface configured to be operated by a user of the washing system to operate the first valve. The first user interface extends through the interface aperture. The second assembly includes a second valve configured to control (i) a temperature of the flow of the water or (ii) an outlet of the flow of the water from the valve assembly and a second user interface configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to operate the second valve. The second user interface extends through the interface aperture. The second user interface is configured to be operated separately from the first user interface.

Yet another embodiment relates to a valve assembly for a washing system. The valve assembly is configured to provide a flow of water. The valve assembly includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a first valve configured to control (i) a temperature of the flow of the water or (ii) an outlet of the flow of the water from the valve assembly and a first user interface configured to be operated by a user of the washing system to operate the first valve. The first user interface defines an opening extending through the first user interface. The second assembly includes a second valve configured to control the flow of the water through the valve assembly and a second user interface configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to operate the second valve, The second user interface is positioned at least partially within the opening of the first user interface. The second user interface is configured to be operated separately from the first user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a shower system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example shower valve assembly of the shower system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is another block diagram of the shower system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a valve assembly of the shower system of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the valve assembly of FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to showerhead assemblies that allow for a person to change a configuration of the showerhead. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of a number of ways, as the described concepts are not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementation and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

I. Overview

A washing valve assembly (e.g., shower valve, bathing valve, etc.) may be installed in a washing system (e.g., a bathing system, etc.) in a bathroom configuration (e.g., bathrooms, rest rooms, etc.) to provide water (e.g., a bathing fluid, etc.) to a user during a washing, for example while the user is showering in the bathroom configuration. In some embodiments, the washing system may include a multiple outlets configured to provide water to the user during the washing. For example, a first showerhead (e.g., a first water outlet, a first outlet, etc.) may be installed on a ceiling of the bathroom configuration (e.g., in a showering area, above a bathtub, etc.) and a second showerhead (e.g., a second water outlet, a second outlet, etc.) may be installed on a side wall of the bathroom configuration (e.g., a sidewall making up a showering area, a sidewall proximate a bathtub, etc.).

The washing valve assembly is configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to adjust water flowing through the washing system. For example, the user of the washing system may operate the washing valve assembly to adjust a flow rate of the water flowing through the washing system and provided to the user during the washing, to adjust a temperature of the water flowing through the washing system and provided to the user during the washing, and/or to adjust an outlet of the water flowing through the washing system and provided to the user during the washing. The washing valve assembly includes a mixing assembly, a flow assembly, and a diverter assembly.

The mixing assembly is configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to mix a first flow of hot water and a second flow of cool water to form a third flow of combined water. For example, the mixing assembly may include a mixing valve that is configured to receive the first flow of the hot water from a hot water source and the second flow of the cool water from a cool water source. The user may operate the mixing assembly to control the mixing valve to change a proportion of the cool water relative to the hot water in the third flow of the combined water to change a temperature of the third flow of the combined water that will be provided to the user of the washing system. In some embodiments, the mixing assembly includes a first user interface configured to be operated by the user to control the mixing valve.

The flow assembly receives the third flow of the combined water from the mixing assembly and is configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to control the third flow of the combined water through the washing valve assembly. For example, the flow assembly may include a flow valve that is configured to receive the third flow of the combined water from the mixing valve. The user may operate the flow assembly to control the flow valve to selectively allow the third flow from flowing through the flow valve or prevent the third flow from flowing through the flow valve. In some embodiments, the flow assembly includes a second user interface configured to be operated by the user to control the flow valve. The second user interface may be operated independently from the first user interface of the mixing assembly.

The diverter assembly is configured to be operated by the user of the washing system to control where the third flow of the combined fluid is outputted from the washing system. For example, the diverter assembly may include a diverter valve that is configured to receive the third flow of the combined water from the flow valve (e.g., when the flow valve allows the third flow through the flow valve, etc.). The user may operate the diverter assembly to control the diverter valve to direct the third flow of the combined flow between a first outlet, a second outlet, and a third outlet of the washing system. In some embodiments, the diverter assembly includes a third user interface configured to be operated by the user to control the diverter valve. The third user interface may be operated independently from the first user interface of the mixing assembly and/or the second user interface of the flow assembly.

II. Example Shower System

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a shower system 10 (e.g., a showerhead system, a valve system, a water distribution system, etc.) is shown, according to some embodiments. The shower system 10 may be installed in a showering environment within a bathroom configuration. In some embodiments, the shower system 10 is configured as a ceiling hanging shower system configured to be installed on a ceiling (e.g., a substantially horizontal surface, etc.) of the bathroom configuration. In other embodiments, the shower system 10 is configured as a wall mount shower system configured to be installed on a wall (e.g., a substantially vertical surface, etc.) of the bathroom configuration. In various embodiments, the shower system 10 may be configured to be installed on other surfaces of the bathroom configuration (e.g., a floor, etc.) or the shower system 10 may be configured to be installed on multiple surfaces of the bathroom configuration (e.g., a ceiling and wall mounted shower system, etc.). For example, a first portion (e.g., a first showerhead, a first outlet, etc.) of the shower system 10 may be mounted to the ceiling of the bathroom configuration (e.g., as a ceiling hanging portion of the shower system 10, etc.), a second portion (e.g., a second showerhead, a user interface, a second outlet, etc.) of the shower system 10 may be mounting to a wall of the bathroom configuration (e.g., as a wall mounting portion of the shower system 10, etc.), a third portion (e.g., a user interface, a third outlet, a third showerhead, etc.) of the shower system 10 may be mounted external from the showering environment (e.g., as an external portion of the shower system 10, etc.), etc.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shower system 10 includes a valve assembly 100 (e.g., a shower valve assembly, a shower valve system, etc.) configured to control a flow of water through the shower system 10 to achieve desired characteristics of the water outputted by the shower system 10, according to some embodiments. For example, the valve assembly 100 may be configured to control a temperature of the water outputted by the shower system 10, a flow rate of the water outputted by the shower system 10, and/or an outlet of the water outputted by the shower system 10. The valve assembly 100 may be operated by a user of the shower system 10 to control the flow of water through the shower system 10. For example, the valve assembly 100 may include user interfaces (e.g., button, knobs, switches, etc.) configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to control the flow of water through the shower system 10. The valve assembly 100 may be configured to be installed in the bathroom configuration. For example, the valve assembly 100 may be configured to be positioned behind one of the walls of the bathroom configuration or inside of a panel (e.g., a box, an enclosure, etc.) configured to be mounted to one of the walls of the bathroom configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the valve assembly 100 is fluidly coupled to a hot water source 20 (e.g., a water heater, a hot water pipe, etc.) configured to provide a flow of hot water to the shower system 10 and is fluidly coupled to a cool water source 22 (e.g., a cool water pipe, a water chiller, a utility pipe, etc.) configured to provide a flow of cool water to the shower system 10. For example, the valve assembly 100 may be fluidly coupled with the hot water source 20 through a first inlet pipe and may be fluidly coupled to the cool water source 22 through a second inlet pipe.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shower system 10 includes a first outlet 30 (e.g., a first showerhead, a first output, etc.) fluidly coupled to the valve assembly 100 and configured to receive fluid from the valve assembly 100, a second outlet 32 (e.g., a second showerhead, a second output, etc.) fluidly coupled to the valve assembly 100 and configured to receive fluid from the valve assembly 100, and a third outlet 34 (e.g., a third showerhead, a third output, etc.) fluidly coupled to the valve assembly 100 and configured to receive fluid from the valve assembly 100. The first outlet 30, the second outlet 32, and the third outlet 34 are configured to provide the water received from the valve assembly 100 to the user of the shower system 10. For example, the first outlet 30 may be a showerhead fixedly coupled to a wall of a bathroom configuration at a first height above a bathtub, the second outlet 32 may be a movable showerhead movably coupled to the wall of the bathroom configuration (e.g., coupled to the wall of the bathroom configuration via a flexible hose, etc.), and the third outlet 34 may be a bathtub faucet coupled to the wall of the bathroom configuration at a second height above the bathtub that is less than the first height. In some embodiments, the shower system 10 includes more outlets (e.g., a third outlet, a fourth outlet, etc.) or fewer outlets (e.g., only the first outlet 30 and the second outlet 32, etc.) fluidly coupled to the valve assembly 100 and configured to receive fluid from the valve assembly 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve assembly 100 includes a valve housing 102 (e.g., a valve bracket, etc.) configured to couple to the bathroom configuration and configured to support (e.g., house, receive, etc.) other components of the valve assembly 100. For example, the valve housing 102 may be configured to couple to a wall of the bathroom configuration. In some embodiments, the valve housing 102 defines at least one interface aperture 104 (e.g., a first aperture, a second aperture, a third aperture, etc.) configured to align with and receive at least a portion of the other components of the valve assembly 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the valve assembly 100 includes a mixer assembly 110 (e.g., a first assembly, etc.) configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to adjust a temperature of the water outputted by the shower system 10, according to some embodiments. For example, the mixer assembly 110 may receive the flow of hot water from the hot water source 20 and the flow of cool water from the cool water source 22 and mix the flow of the hot water with the flow of the cool water to form a flow of mixed water with an intermediate temperature between a temperature of the hot water and the temperature of the cool water.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the mixer assembly 110 includes a mixer valve 112 (e.g., a first valve, etc.) configured to adjust the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 (e.g., to be outputted by the shower system 10, etc.). The mixer valve 112 includes a first mixer inlet 114 fluidly coupled with the hot water source 20 and configured to receive the flow of the hot water from the hot water source 20, a second mixer inlet 116 fluidly coupled with the cool water source 22 and configured to receive the flow of the cool water from the cool water source 22, and a mixer outlet 118 configured to output the flow of mixed water from the mixer valve 112. The mixer valve 112 may control a proportion of the hot water and the cool water in the mixed water to control the intermediate temperature of the mixed water. For example, the mixer valve 112 may have a first configuration that allows for the mixed water to be formed with a greater proportion of the hot water than the cool water that results in the mixed water having a first temperature and a second configuration that allows for the mixed water to be formed with a greater proportion of the cool water than the hot water that results in the mixed water having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The mixer valve 112 may be configured as a thermostatic mixing valve, a pressure balancing valve, a single valve mixer valve, a dual valve mixer valve, or any other type of valve configured to receive the flow of hot water and the flow of cool water and mix the hot water and the cool water to form the flow of mixed water with an intermediate temperature between a temperature of the hot water and a temperature of the cool water.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the mixer assembly 110 includes a first user interface 120 (e.g., mixer user interface, mixer user control, etc.) configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to control the mixer valve 112 to adjust the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first user interface 120 is a first knob that is configured to be rotated (e.g., turned, twisted, etc.) by the user of the shower system 10 to control the mixer valve 112 to adjust the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. In other embodiments, the first user interface 120 is a button, switch, handle, and/or other user interface that may be operated (e.g., pressed, turned, flipped, etc.) by the user of the shower system 10 to control the mixer valve 112 to adjust the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first user interface 120 aligns with and is received by a first of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102. For example, the mixer valve 112 may be positioned behind (e.g., rearward of, etc.) the valve housing 102 and the first user interface 120 may extend through the first of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 such that the user of the shower system 10 may control the mixer valve 112 while the user is positioned forward of the valve housing 102. In other embodiments, the mixer valve 112 and the first user interface 120 are positioned on a same side of the valve housing 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve housing 102 defines first markings 122 positioned around the first user interface 120 and configured to indicate a configuration of the first user interface 120 to the user of the shower system 10. For example, the first markings 122 may indicate a first direction that the first user interface 120 may be rotated to control the mixer valve 112 to increase the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 and a second direction that the first user interface 120 may be rotated to control the mixer valve 112 to decrease the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the valve assembly 100 includes a flow assembly 130 (e.g., a second assembly, etc.) fluidly coupled with the mixer assembly 110 and configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to adjust a flow of the water outputted by the shower system 10, according to some embodiments. For example, the flow assembly 130 may receive the flow of mixed water from the mixer assembly 110 and control an amount of the flow of the mixed water that can pass through the flow assembly 130 and be outputted by the flow assembly 130. The flow assembly 130 is positioned downstream of the mixer assembly 110. For example, the flow assembly 130 may be fluidly coupled with the mixer assembly 110 and be configured to receive the flow of the mixed water from the mixer assembly 110.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the flow assembly 130 includes a flow valve 132 (e.g., a second valve, etc.) configured to adjust the flow of water outputted by the valve assembly 100 (e.g., to be outputted by the shower system 10, etc.). The flow valve 132 includes a flow inlet 134 fluidly coupled with the mixer outlet 118 and configured to receive the flow of the mixed water from the mixer valve 112 and a flow outlet 136 configured to output the flow of the mixed water from the flow valve 132. The flow valve 132 may selectively allow for water to flow through the flow valve 132 or prevent water from flowing through the flow valve 132. For example, the flow valve 132 may have a first configuration that allows the flow of water through the flow valve 132 to the flow outlet 136 and a second configuration that prevents (e.g., blocks, etc.) the flow of water through the flow valve 132. The flow valve 132 may be configured as a ball valve, a gate valve, a globe valve, a butterfly valve, or any other type of valve configured to control the flow of water through the flow valve 132.

In some embodiments, the flow valve 132 is configured to control a flow rate of the flow of the water through the flow valve 132. For example, the flow valve 132 may have an intermediate configuration between the first configuration and the second configuration that partially restricts the flow of water through the flow valve 132 such that a first flow rate of the flow of water through the flow valve 132 in the first configuration is greater than a second flow rate of the flow of water through the flow valve 132 in the intermediate configuration. In some embodiments, the flow valve 132 is configured to control a pressure of the water outputted by the shower system 10. For example, in the intermediate configuration the flow valve 132 may partially restrict the flow of water through the flow valve 132 such that a first pressure of the flow of water when the flow valve 132 is in the first configuration is less than a second pressure of the flow of water when the flow valve 132 is in the intermediate configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the flow assembly 130 includes a second user interface 140 (e.g., flow user interface, flow user control, etc.) configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to control the flow valve 132 to adjust the flow of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second user interface 140 is a button that is configured to be pressed (e.g., engaged, pushed, etc.) by the user of the shower system 10 to control the flow valve 132 to adjust the flow of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. For example, when the second user interface 140 is pressed in by the user to an inner setting (e.g., an inner position, a pressed configuration, etc.), the second user interface 140 may control the flow valve 132 to prevent the flow of the water through the flow valve 132 and when the second user interface 140 is pressed in by the user when the second user interface 140 is in the inner setting, the second user interface 140 may return to an outer setting (e.g., an outer position, an unpressed configuration, etc.) and may control the flow valve 132 to allow the flow of the water through the flow valve 132. In some embodiments, the second user interface 140 is the button that is configured to be pressed to allow or prevent the flow of water through the flow valve 132 and is configured to be turned (e.g., rotated, etc.) to adjust a flow rate of the water that is allowed through the flow valve 132 when the flow of the water is allowed through the flow valve 132. In other embodiments, the second user interface 140 is a knob, switch, handle, and/or other user interface that may be operated (e.g., pressed, turned, flipped, etc.) by the user of the shower system 10 to control the flow valve 132 to adjust the flow of water outputted by the valve assembly 100.

Advantageously, the second user interface 140 may allow for the user of the shower system 10 to control the flow of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 separately from controlling the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. For example, the user of the shower system 10 may operate the first user interface 120 to adjust the mixer valve 112 to control the temperature of the water outputted by the shower system 10 separately from operating the second user interface 140 to adjust the flow valve 132 to control the flow of the water through the valve assembly 100. In some embodiments, the valve assembly 100 “remembers” the temperature of the water provided to the user during a first shower and may provide the water with the same temperature during a second shower. For example, the user may operate the first user interface 120 to place the mixer valve 112 in a configuration during a first shower that results in the water outputted by the shower system 10 having a temperature. At the completion of the first shower, the user may operate the second user interface 140 to prevent the flow of the water through the flow valve 132 to stop the flow of water out of the shower system 10 without the user operating the first user interface 120. When the user returns to the shower system 10 for a second shower, the user may operate the second user interface 140 to allow the flow of water through the flow valve 132 such that the flow of water is provided to the user by the shower system 10 without the user operating the first user interface 120. As a result, the mixer valve 112 may remain in the same configuration during the second shower as the first shower which results in the water outputted by the shower system 10 having the same temperature as the water outputted by the shower system 10 during the first shower.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the second user interface 140 aligns with and is received by a second of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102. For example, the flow valve 132 may be positioned behind the valve housing 102 and the second user interface 140 may extend through the second of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 such that the user of the shower system 10 may control the flow valve 132 while the user is positioned forward of the valve housing 102. In other embodiments, the second user interface 140 aligns with and is received by the first of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 (e.g., the same of the interface apertures 104 that aligns with and receives the first user interface 120, etc.). In still other embodiments, the flow valve 132 and the second user interface 140 are positioned on the same side of the valve housing 102.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the valve assembly 100 includes a diverter assembly 150 (e.g., a third assembly, etc.) fluidly coupled with the flow assembly 130 and configured direct the water outputted by the shower system 10 between different outlets of the shower system 10 (e.g., the first outlet 30, the second outlet 32, the third outlet 34, etc.), according to some embodiments. For example, the diverter assembly 150 may receive the flow of mixed water from the flow assembly 130 and direct the flow of mixed water between the first outlet 30, the second outlet 32, and the third outlet of the shower system 10. The diverter assembly 150 is positioned downstream of the flow assembly 130. For example, the diverter assembly 150 may be fluidly coupled with the flow assembly 130 and be configured to receive the flow of the mixed water from the flow assembly 130.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the diverter assembly 150 includes a diverter valve 152 (e.g., a third valve, etc.) configured to direct the water outputted by the diverter assembly 150 between different outlets of the diverter assembly 150 (e.g., to be outputted by different outlets of the shower system 10, etc.). The diverter valve includes a diverter inlet 154 fluidly coupled with the flow outlet 136 and configured to receive the flow of the mixed water from the flow valve 132, a first diverter outlet 156 fluidly coupled with the first outlet 30 of the shower system 10 and configured to output the flow of mixed water from the diverter valve 152 to the first outlet 30, a second diverter outlet 158 fluidly coupled with the second outlet 32 of the shower system 10 and configured to output the flow of mixed water from the diverter valve 152 to the second outlet 32, and a third diverter outlet 160 fluidly coupled with the third outlet 34 of the shower system 10 and configured to output the flow of mixed water from the diverter valve 152 to the third outlet 34. For example, the diverter valve 152 may have a first configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the first diverter outlet 156, a second configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the second diverter outlet 158, and a third configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the third diverter outlet 160. The diverter valve 152 may be configured as a disc diverter valve, a ball diverter valve, a gate valve diverter valve, a cartridge diverter valve, or any other type of valve configured to direct water between at least two different outlets. In other embodiments, the diverter valve 152 includes more (e.g., a fourth diverter outlet, a fifth diverter outlet, etc.) or fewer (e.g., on the first diverter outlet 156 and the second diverter outlet 158, etc.) outlets.

In some embodiments, the diverter valve 152 is configured to direct the flow of the mixed water through the diverter valve 152 to more than one of the first diverter outlet 156, the second diverter outlet 158, and/or the third diverter outlet 160. For example, the diverter valve 152 may include a first intermediate configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the first diverter outlet 156 and the second diverter outlet 158, a second intermediate configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the second diverter outlet 158 and the third diverter outlet 160, a third intermediate configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the first diverter outlet 156 and the third diverter outlet 160, and/or a universal configuration that directs the flow of water through the diverter valve 152 to the first diverter outlet 156, the second diverter outlet 158, and the third diverter outlet 160.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the diverter assembly 150 includes a third user interface 170 (e.g., diverter user interface, diverter user control, etc. configured to be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to control the diverter valve 152 to adjust the output of the water outputted by the diverter valve 152 (e.g., between the first diverter outlet 156, the second diverter outlet 158, and the third diverter outlet 160, etc.). According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the third user interface 170 is a knob that is configured to be rotated (e.g., turned, twisted, etc.) by the user of the shower system 10 to control the diverter valve 152 to adjust the output of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. For example, when the user of the shower system 10 rotates the third user interface 170, the third user interface 170 may transfer the rotation to a movable disc of the diverter valve 152 that rotates relative to a stationary disc of the diverter valve 152 to align apertures of the movable disc and the stationary disc to direct the flow of the water to the first diverter outlet 156, the second diverter outlet 158, and/or the third diverter outlet 160. In other embodiments, the third user interface 170 is a button, switch, handle, and/or other user interface that may be operated by the user of the shower system 10 to control the diverter valve 152 to adjust the flow of water outputted by the valve assembly 100.

Advantageously, the third user interface 170 may allow for the user of the shower system 10 to control the outlet of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 (e.g., between the first diverter outlet 156, the second diverter outlet 158, and the third diverter outlet 160, etc.) separately from controlling the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 and/or the flow of the water through the valve assembly 100. For example, the user of the shower system 10 may operate the third user interface 170 to adjust the diverter valve 152 to control the outlet of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 separately from operating the second user interface 140 to adjust the flow valve 132 to control the flow of water through the valve assembly 100 and/or separately from operating the first user interface 120 to adjust the mixer valve 112 to control the temperature of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100. In some embodiments, the valve assembly 100 “remembers” the outlet of the water outputted by the valve assembly 100 during a first shower and may provide the water through the same outlet during a second shower. For example, the user may operate the third user interface 170 to place the diverter valve 152 in a configuration during a first shower that results in the water being outputted from the second diverter outlet 158 of the diverter valve 152. At the completion of the first shower, the user may operate the second user interface 140 to prevent the flow of the water through the flow valve 132 to stop the flow of water out of the shower system 10 without the user operating the third user interface 170. When the user returns to the shower system 10 for a second shower, the user may operate the second user interface 140 to allow the flow of water through the flow valve 132 such that the flow of water is provided to the user by the shower system 10 without the user operating the third user interface 170. As a result, the diverter valve 152 may remain in the same configuration during the second shower as the first shower which results in the water being outputted from the second diverter outlet 158 of the diverter valve 152 (e.g., the same outlet as during the first shower, etc.).

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the third user interface 170 aligns with and is received by the second of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 (e.g., the same of the interface apertures 104 that aligns with and receives the second user interface 140, etc.). For example, the diverter valve 152 may be positioned behind the valve housing 102 and the third user interface 170 may extend through the second of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 such that the user of the shower system 10 may control the diverter valve 152 while the user is positioned forward of the valve housing 102. In other embodiments, the third user interface 170 aligns with and is received by the first of the interface apertures 104 of the valve housing 102 (e.g., the same of the interface apertures 104 that aligns with and receives the first user interface 120, etc.). In still other embodiments, the third user interface 170 aligns with and is received by a third of the interface apertures of the valve housing 102. In other embodiments, the diverter valve 152 and the third user interface are positioned on the same side of the valve housing 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the valve housing 102 defines second markings 172 positioned around the third user interface 170 and configured to indicate a configuration of the third user interface 170 to the user of the shower system 10. For example, the second markings 172 may indicate a first rotational position of the third user interface 170 that results in the diverter valve 152 directing the flow of water through the first diverter outlet 156, a second rotational position of the third user interface 170 that results in the diverter valve 152 directing the flow of water through the second diverter outlet 158, and a third rotational position of the third user interface 170 that results in the diverter valve 152 directing the flow of water through the third diverter outlet 160.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the flow assembly 130 is at least partially received by the diverter assembly 150. For example, the flow valve 132 may be coupled to and received by a portion of the diverter assembly 150 that transfers rotation between the third user interface 170 and the diverter valve 152 such that the third user interface 170 may operate the diverter valve 152. As a result, when the third user interface 170 is rotated by the user, the portion of the diverter valve 152 rotates the flow valve 132 while transferring the rotation between the third user interface 170 and the diverter valve 152. As another example, the third user interface 170 may define an opening extending through the third user interface 170 and the second user interface 140 may be positioned at least partially within the opening of the third user interface 170. As a result, the user of the shower system 10 may press the second user interface 140 to move the second user interface 140 axially relative to the third user interface 170 to operate the flow valve 132. Additionally, the user of the shower system 10 may rotate the third user interface 170 with or around the second user interface 140 to operate the diverter valve 152. In other embodiments, the diverter assembly 150 is at least partially received by the flow assembly 130.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the diverter assembly 150 includes a transfer frame 162 (e.g., a torque transfer frame, etc.) configured to transfer rotation (e.g., transfer torque, etc.) between the third user interface 170 and the diverter valve 152 to allow for the user to rotate the third user interface 170 to adjust the diverter valve 152. The flow valve 132 may be received by the transfer frame 162 and may be coupled to the transfer frame 162. For example, the flow valve 132 may be coupled to the transfer frame 162 such that the flow valve 132 rotates with the transfer frame 162 when the transfer frame 162 transfers the rotation from the third user interface 170 to the diverter valve 152. In some embodiments, the transfer frame 162 may fluidly couple the flow outlet 136 of the flow valve 132 to the diverter inlet 154 of the diverter valve 152. For example, a first side of the transfer frame 162 may seal around the flow outlet 136 and a second side of the transfer frame 162 may seal around the diverter inlet 154 to fluidly couple the flow outlet 136 and the diverter inlet 154.

In some embodiments, the flow assembly 130 is at least partially received by the mixer assembly 110. For example, the flow valve 132 may be coupled to and received by a portion (e.g., a transfer frame, a torque transfer frame, etc.) of the mixer assembly 110 that transfers rotation between the first user interface 120 and the mixer valve 112 such that the first user interface 120 may operate the mixer valve 112. As a result, when the first user interface 120 is rotated by the user, the transfer frame rotates the flow valve 132 while transferring the rotation between the first user interface 120 and the mixer valve 112. As another example, the first user interface 120 may define an opening extending through the first user interface 120 and the second user interface 140 may be positioned at least partially within the opening of the first user interface 120. As a result, the user of the shower system 10 may press the second user interface 140 to move the second user interface 140 axially relative to the first user interface 120 to operate the flow valve 132. Additionally, the user of the shower system 10 may rotate the first user interface 120 with or around the second user interface 140 to operate the mixer valve 112. In other embodiments, the mixer assembly 110 is at least partially received by the flow assembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flow valve 132 is positioned in line (e.g., along an axis, aligned, co-linear, co-axial, etc.) with the diverter valve 152. For example, when the flow of the water is provided from the flow valve 132 to the diverter valve 152, the water may flow forward or rearward from the flow valve 132 to the diverter valve 152. As shown in FIG. 5, the flow valve 132 is positioned forward of the diverter valve 152 such that the water flows rearward from the flow valve 132 to the diverter valve 152. In other embodiments, the flow valve 132 is positioned rearward of the diverter valve 152.

In some embodiments, the mixer valve 112 and the flow valve 132 are positioned in line with each other. For example, when the flow of the water is provided from the mixer valve 112 to the flow valve 132, the water may flow forward or rearward from the mixer valve 112 to the flow valve 132. In some embodiments, the flow valve 132 is positioned forward of the mixer valve 112. In other embodiments, the flow valve 132 is positioned rearward of the mixer valve 112.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.