Background Art Generally, a shower head serves to disperse water which flows therein through a hose. While a variety of kinds of shower heads are known in the art, a shower head to which a two-stage switching knob functioning only to disperse water is mounted and another shower head to which a three-stage switching knob functioning simultaneously to disperse water and adjust water injection is mounted, have been mainly used throughout the world.

Concretely speaking, a shower head having mounted thereto a two-stage switching knob, is composed of a body which is connected with a hose, and a shower nozzle which is installed on an upper surface and adjacent to a front end of the body for dispersing water supplied thereto. The two-stage switching knob switches water flow through the shower nozzle.

While the shower head having the two-stage switching knob can be suitably used for a showering purpose, because a pressure of water which is injected through the shower nozzle, is substantially low, the shower head cannot be adequately used for a cleaning purpose.

To cope with this problem, recently, another

shower head having mounted thereto a three-stage switching knob has been developed.

In this shower head having the three-stage switching knob, a shower nozzle is disposed on an upper surface of a body. A water discharging hole through which a single water stream is discharged out of the body, is defined at a center portion of the shower nozzle. A plurality of water injecting holes are defined through the shower nozzle around the water discharging hole, in a manner such that water can be dispersed through the water injecting holes upon taking a shower.

The three-stage switching knob is provided to a side wall of the body, so that the water discharging hole and the water injecting holes are selectively opened, or all of the water discharging hole and the water injecting holes are closed.

In the case that a water cleaning operation is performed using the shower head having the three-stage switching knob, only the water discharging hole which is defined at the center portion of the shower nozzle, is opened in such a way as to discharge the single water stream under a high pressure, whereby a problem occurring in the first mentioned shower head having the two-stage switching knob can be solved. However, when performing the water cleaning operation, since the shower head must be uprighted in a vertical direction, in the case that the shower head is used for a lengthy period of time, a piece which connects the shower head and a hose with each other, is apt to be broken due to repetitive bending thereof.

Also, the shower head having the three-stage switching knob is encountered with a drawback in that it is still only capable of being used upon performing a water cleaning operation and taking a shower.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shower head which enables a shower to be taken, private parts of a female to be washed and a water cleaning operation to be performed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower head in which a shower head body is defined, at a front end thereof, with cleaning holes, whereby a connecting portion which connects the shower head body and a hose with each other, is prevented from being bent upon performing a water cleaning operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shower head in which each of a number of the cleaning holes and a number of water injecting holes defined in a bidet nozzle is determined to be less than a number of water discharging holes defined in a shower nozzle, whereby water pressure is raised upon using a cleaning nozzle and the bidet nozzle and thereby cleaning efficiency and washing efficiency are improved.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shower head in which a pair of switching knobs are respectively arranged at both sides of the shower head body, whereby a structure of the shower head is simplified.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a shower head in which diameters of shower water passages defined in an adjusting plate are differentiated from each other, whereby it is possible to properly regulate an amount of water which is discharged through the water discharging holes.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shower head comprising: a body having a water inlet passage and a water receiving groove which are communicated with each other, the body being defined, on

an upper surface thereof and in front of the water receiving groove, with a bidet hole which is communicated with the water receiving groove and, at a front end thereof, with at least one cleaning hole which is communicated with the water receiving groove; an adjusting plate located in the water receiving groove for selectively supplying water which flows through the water inlet passage into the water receiving groove, into the bidet hole or the cleaning hole, or upward therethrough; actuating means disposed under the adjusting plate for adjusting water flow through the adjusting plate; a shower nozzle arranged at an upper end of the water receiving groove and above the adjusting plate; and a flexible tube section placed at a rear end of the body and having a mesh for filtering water flowing into the water inlet passage.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shower head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view illustrating main component elements of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rotating section and a switching knob of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the shower head according to the first

embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating a variation of an adjusting plate and the rotating section of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shower head in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged perspective view illustrating main component elements of the shower head according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a partially broken-away side view illustrating a portion of the shower head according to the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a transverse-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 8.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shower head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinbelow, a construction of a shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The shower head includes a body 1, an adjusting plate 4, actuating means 5, a shower nozzle 6 and a flexible tube section 7. The body 1 has a water inlet passage 12 and a water receiving groove 11 which are communicated with each other. The body 1 is defined, on an upper surface thereof and in front of the water

receiving groove 11, with a bidet hole 2 which is communicated with the water receiving groove 11 and, at a front end thereof, with a plurality of cleaning holes 3 which are communicated with the water receiving groove 11. The adjusting plate 4 is located in the water receiving groove 11 for selectively supplying water which flows through the water inlet passage 12 into the water receiving groove 11, into the bidet hole 2 or the cleaning holes 3, or upward therethrough. The actuating means 5 is disposed under the adjusting plate 4 for adjusting water flow through the adjusting plate 4. The shower nozzle 6 is arranged at an upper end of the water receiving groove 11 and above the adjusting plate 4. The flexible tube section 7 (see FIG. 4) is placed at a rear end of the body 1 and has a mesh 71 for filtering water which flows into the water inlet passage 12.

The water receiving groove 11 is defined in such a way as to have an elliptical contour. By this, since a widthwise length of the body 1 can be shortened, the shower head according to the present invention can be easily grasped by the hand of a user.

A bidet nozzle 21 which is uprighted in a vertical direction, is fitted around the bidet hole 2.

Also, each of a number of the cleaning holes 3 and a number of water injecting holes defined in the bidet nozzle 21 is determined to be less than a number of water discharging holes defined in the shower nozzle 6, whereby a pressure of water which is discharged through the cleaning holes 3 and the bidet nozzle 21, can be raised.

This will be described below in further detail.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view illustrating main component elements of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rotating section and a switching knob of

the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The adjusting plate 4 is defined with a shower water passage 41 which extends upward through the adjusting plate 4, a bidet water passage 42 which is communicated with the bidet hole 2, and a cleaning water passage 43 which is communicated with the cleaning holes 3. The passages 41,42 and 43 are lop-sidedly defined on the adjusting plate 4. A rubber packing P is placed below the shower water passage 41, bidet water passage 42 and cleaning water passage 43 on a lower surface of the adjusting plate 4. The bidet water passage 42 and the cleaning water passage 43 are turned in their extending directions at a right angle, in the adjusting plate 4.

The actuating means 5 includes the single switching knob 51 which projects out of a side wall of the body 1, and the rotating section 52 which is interlocked with the single switching knob 51 to selectively open and close the shower water passage 41, the bidet water passage 42 and the cleaning water passage 43 defined in the adjusting plate 4.

The rotating section 52 includes a vertical shaft 521 which is coupled with the single switching knob 51, a rotating plate 522 which is integrally formed with and at a side of the vertical shaft 521 and is brought into close contact with a lower surface of the rubber packing P, and a cylindrical ball holder 523 which is integrally secured to a lower surface of the rotating plate 522 and is defined with a through-hole H1 and at least one slot H2 extending in an axial direction and in which a spring S and a ball B are sequentially inserted.

On the other hand, a bottom surface of the water receiving groove 11 is defined with at least four

locking grooves 111 in a manner such that the ball B which is inserted into the cylindrical ball holder 523, can be selectively engaged into one of the four locking grooves 111 through manipulation of the single switching knob 51.

In particular, as can be readily seen from FIG. 4, the flexible tube section 7 includes a connector 72 having a sleeve part 721 which is connected with the body 1, a bellows tube 74 which connects a hose 73 and the connector 72 with each other, and the mesh 71 which is disposed between the rear end of the body 1 and a front end of the hose 73. Accordingly, it is possible to filter water which flows into the water inlet passage 12, by the mesh 71 and to prevent a connecting portion between the shower head body 1 and the hose 73 from being broken, by the bellows tube 74.

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating a variation of the adjusting plate and the rotating section of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this variation, a large capacity shower water passage 411 having a diameter which is greater than that of the shower water passage 41, is additionally defined through the adjusting plate 4 at a side of the shower water passage 41. The rotating plate 522 which constitutes the rotating section 52 of the actuating means 5, is extended in its length, in a manner such that the rotating plate 522 can open and close the large capacity shower water passage 411. Thus, it is possible to adjust a water discharging amount through the large capacity shower water passage 411.

Hereinafter, operations of the shower head according to the first embodiment of the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described.

As shown in FIGs. 1 through 4, as the rotating

section 52 is rotated through the manipulation of the single switching knob 51 which is mounted through the side wall of the body 1, the shower water passage 41, bidet water passage 42 and cleaning water passage 43 which are defined in the adjusting plate 4, can be selectively opened.

In the case that the shower head according to the present invention is used as a bidet ; as the bidet water passage 42 which is defined in the adjusting plate 4, is opened, water is discharged through the bidet nozzle 21 after flowing through the bidet hole 2. In other words, due to the fact that the through-hole H1 defined in the cylindrical ball holder 523 which constitutes the rotating section 52 and the bidet water passage 42 are communicated with each other, water which is introduced into the water receiving groove 11, flows through the slot H2 and the through-hole Hl which are defined in the cylindrical ball holder 523 and then, enters into the bidet water passage 42.

Also, in the case that the shower head according to the present invention is used for a cleaning purpose, the cleaning water passage 43 which is defined in the adjusting plate 4, is opened. Thereafter, water flows through the cleaning water passage 43 and then is discharged out of the body 1 through the cleaning holes 3.

In the meanwhile, if it is necessary to discontinue water discharge from the shower head, the through-hole H1 which is defined in the cylindrical ball holder 523 constituting the rotating section 52, is positioned between the shower water passage 41 and the bidet water passage 42 which are defined through the adjusting plate 4.

Further, in a state wherein the rotating section 52 is rotated through the manipulation of the single switching knob 51, by the fact that the ball B which is

inserted into the cylindrical ball holder 523 integrally secured to the lower surface of the rotating plate 522, is selectively engaged into one of the four locking grooves 111 defined on the bottom surface of the water receiving groove 11, an opening or closing position of the rotating section 52 is not changed unless the single switching knob 51 is manipulated.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a shower head in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinbelow, a construction of a shower head according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The shower head includes a body 1. The body 1 according to this second embodiment is structured in the same manner as that of the first embodiment, in that it has a water inlet passage 12 and a water receiving groove 11 which are communicated with each other, and it is defined, on an upper surface thereof and in front of the water receiving groove 11, with a bidet hole 2 which is communicated with the water receiving groove 11.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the body 1 is defined, at a front end thereof, with a cleaning hole 3 which is communicated with the water receiving groove 11.

The shower head further includes an adjusting plate 4 which is located in the water receiving groove 11 of the body 1, and actuating means 5 which is disposed under the adjusting plate-4. The adjusting plate 4 is defined, at a first region thereof, with first and second shower water passages 45 and 46 which extend upward therethrough, and, at a second region thereof opposite to the first region, with a bidet water passage 47 which is communicated with the bidet hole 2 and a cleaning water passage 48 which is communicated with the cleaning hole 3. The actuating means 5 comprises first and second switching knobs 55 and 56

which respectively project out of both side walls of the body 1, and first and second rotating sections 57 and 58 which are respectively interlocked with the first and second switching knobs 55 and 56 to selectively open and close the first and second shower water passages 45 and 46, the bidet water passage 47 and the cleaning water passage 48. The bidet water passage 47 and the cleaning water passage 48 are turned in their extending directions at a right angle, in the adjusting plate 4.

One of the first and second shower water passages 45 and 46 has a diameter which is less than that of the other. By this, it is possible to adjust a water discharging pressure through a shower nozzle 6 and thereby regulate a water discharging amount through the shower nozzle 6.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged perspective view illustrating main component elements of the shower head according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a partially broken-away side view illustrating a portion of the shower head according to the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a transverse- sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 8. The first and second rotating sections 57 and 58 respectively comprise first and second vertical shafts 571 and 581 which are respectively connected with the first and second switching knobs 55 and 56, first and second rotating plates 572 and 582 which are integrally formed at sides of the first and second vertical shafts 571 and 581, respectively, and first and second cylindrical ball holders 573 and 583 which are integrally secured to free ends of the first and second rotating plates 572 and 582 in opposition to the first and second vertical shafts 571 and 581, respectively.

Each cylindrical ball holder 573 or 583 has mounted thereon a spring S and a pair of balls B. On a lower surface of the adjusting plate 4, a first rubber packing

P is placed below the first and second shower water passages 45 and 46, and a second rubber packing P is placed below the bidet water passage 47 and cleaning water passage 48.

Hereinafter, operations of the shower head according to the second embodiment of the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, will be described.

When the shower head constructed as mentioned above is used, as shown in FIGs. 6 through 9, as the first and second rotating sections 57 and 58 are rotated through manipulation of the first and second switching knobs 55 and 56 which are arranged at both sides of the shower head body 1, respectively, the first and second shower water passages 45 and 46, the bidet water passage 47 and the cleaning water passage 48 can be selectively opened. Namely, the first shower water passage 45 or the second shower water passage 46 can be selected through the first rotating section 57, and the bidet water passage 47 or the cleaning water passage 48 can be selected through the second rotating section 58.

Therefore, due to the fact that the first and second shower water passages 45 and 46 have diameters which are different from each other, it is possible to prevent water from being wasted, by regulating a water discharging amount as occasion arises.

In addition, in the case that the shower head according to this second embodiment of the present invention is used as a bidet, as the second rotating section 58 is rotated through manipulation of the second switching knob 56 and thereby the bidet water passage 47 defined in the adjusting plate 4 is opened, water flows through the body 1 and into the bidet hole 2 and then, is discharged through a bidet nozzle 21.

On the other hand, in the case that the shower head according to this embodiment of the present

invention is used for a cleaning purpose, as the cleaning water passage 48 defined in the adjusting plate 4 is opened, water is discharged through the cleaning hole 3 after flowing through the body 1. At this time, as can be readily seen from FIG. 9, since the cleaning hole 3 is defined as a single integral path, it is possible to prevent water from being abruptly dispersed leftward and/or rightward.

Industrial Applicability As a result, the shower head according to the present invention provides advantages in that, since taking a shower, washing of private parts of a female and a water cleaning operation can be implemented in an easy manner, using the single shower head, use of the shower head is expanded and thereby valuableness of the shower head is enhanced.

Also, due to the fact that a shower head body is defined, at a front end thereof, with cleaning holes, a connecting portion which connects the shower head body and a hose with each other, is prevented from being bent upon performing the water cleaning operation, whereby a lifetime of the shower head can be lengthened to the maximum.

Further, because water pressure is raised upon using a cleaning nozzle and a bidet nozzle, cleaning efficiency and washing efficiency are improved.

Moreover, by the fact that a pair of switching knobs are respectively arranged at both sides of the shower head body, a structure of the shower head is simplified, whereby a competitive price can be lowered.

Furthermore, as diameters of shower water passages which are defined in an adjusting plate are differentiated from each other, it is possible to properly regulate an amount of water which is discharged through water discharging holes, whereby water can be prevented from being wasted.