Showerhead with removable electronic media device

ABSTRACT

A combination showerhead and electronic media device is provided. The electronic media device is integrated within the housing of the showerhead, thus saving space within the shower. The electronic media device may also be easily removed from the showerhead. In one embodiment, the electronic media device stores digital audio data, such as MP3 formatted audio data, and includes an interface for connecting the electronic media device to an external source, allowing audio data to be loaded into the electronic media device from the external source.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A combination showerhead and electronic media device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer wall and an inner wall . The showerhead housing may be, for example, a handheld housing or a wall mounted showerhead housing. The inner and outer walls of the housing define a chamber which is open in one direction and closed off in the other direction by the closed end of housing . A second chamber is defined by the inner wall of the housing. An electronic media device is seated in chamber .

In one embodiment, a handle may be provided and connected to housing . Handle may include a duct for delivering water into chamber . Duct may be connected to flexible hose (not shown) which carries water from a water pipe or other water source into the duct. A nozzle ring is provided which may be seated in chamber . Nozzle ring carries an array of nozzles which protrude out in the direction of the open end of the showerhead housing for discharging water in the chamber. Optionally, a spacer ring which carries a plurality of holes, may be seated below nozzle ring in chamber to help prevent nozzle ring from twisting.

faceplate which attaches to the housing is shown. Faceplate includes a front wall having a plurality of openings through which the nozzles of nozzle ring extend and deliver water from the showerhead. As shown in FIG. 2, faceplate may also include an outer wall and an inner wall . The outer wall of the showerhead housing and the outer wall of faceplate may be threaded to allow faceplate to screw onto the housing. Inner wall of faceplate may be seated inside chamber parallel to inner wall of the showerhead housing. O-rings and , shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be provided to seal housing . O-ring may be seated on top of outer wall to prevent water in chamber from leaking outside the housing, and O-ring may be seated on inner wall to prevent water in chamber from leaking into chamber .

Electronic media device may be seated in chamber inside inner wall of faceplate . The front wall of electronic media device may be substantially even with the front wall of faceplate , but may include a grip which protrudes outward from the front surface of electronic media device and the front wall of faceplate . Grip allows a user to easily remove electronic media device from chamber . In this embodiment, grip allows a user to twist the electronic media device. However, the type of grip may vary depending on how the electronic media device is attached to the showerhead. For example, a tab could be used to pull the electronic media device out, or a lever could be used to disengage the electronic media device from the showerhead. Alternatively, the front wall of electronic media device may extend outward past the front wall of faceplate to allow a user to grip the sides of electronic media device .

FIGS. 3A and 3B are examples of how electronic media device may be retained in the showerhead. As shown in FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, a bayonet-type connection is used. Inner wall of faceplate may include projections which protrude inwardly from the inner side of inner wall . The outer wall of electronic media device may include grooves with inlet openings . The projections may enter the circumferential part of grooves through the axial inlet openings . When the electronic media device is twisted, projections retain electronic media device within the wall of the faceplate. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the inner wall of faceplate carries threads and the outer wall of electronic media device is also threaded as shown at . Thus, electronic media device may be screwed into the inner wall of faceplate . It should be noted that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are given only as examples. Numerous other ways of retaining an electronic media device inside a showerhead will occur readily to one skilled in the art and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a bolt or screw could be used to retain the electronic media device. Alternatively, a friction fit may be used.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Corresponding parts in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and A and B are similarly numbered. A faceplate is provided which attaches to the showerhead housing formed in a well located at the center of the back wall. Faceplate , in this embodiment, includes a back wall having a hole . The showerhead housing includes a receptacle in rear wall of chamber . A screw extends into receptacle through hole in faceplate rear wall to attach faceplate to showerhead housing . The well houses the head of screw . The back wall and inner wall of faceplate define another chamber within chamber of the showerhead housing. Electronic media device is disposed in the chamber , and may be retained in the faceplate by, for example, the connections illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Electronic media device may be a device such as a radio or other audio device, a television, a telephone, wireless network component, etc. Because electronic media device is embedded in the showerhead housing, the device should be water resistant. Additionally, electronic media device may be subject to high temperatures due to hot water flowing through the showerhead. Thus, electronic media device may be insulated to prevent damage to the electronic components of the device.

In one embodiment, electronic media device stores compressed digital audio data. The compressed digital audio data may be stored in a format such as MPEG layer III (MP3), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Windows Wave Format (WAV), Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF), or any other digital audio format. Electronic media device may decompress the digital audio data and convert the data to an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal may then be played through a speaker built into the electronic media device . The digital audio data may be stored in a non-volatile memory of electronic media device . The memory may be an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), such as a flash memory, or a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM). Audio data may be loaded into the memory of electronic media device from an external data source. The external data source may be, for example, a general purpose computer, a computer network connection, or another electronic media device.

An embodiment of electronic media device is shown in FIG. . The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 illustrates a device which is capable of playing stored digital audio data. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to such a device and any type of electronic media device may be used. For example, a radio, telephone, or television may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, Electronic media device comprises a back cover and a front cover . The back and front covers and carry threads and to screw the two together. An O-ring is shown at the interface of the front and back covers to prevent water leakage inside the electronic media device. A replaceable battery may be disposed within the front cover of electronic media device to supply power to the electronic components of the device. Electronic media device also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry for storage and playback of music. The operation of PCB is illustrated generally by the block diagram shown in FIG. . In one embodiment, PCB includes CPU which controls operation of components , , . CPU executes program instructions which control operation of electronic media device . These instructions may be located in memory , in another memory unit on PCB , such as a ROM (not shown), or in an internal memory of CPU (not shown). CPU causes the transfer of digital audio data stored in memory to decoder . If the digital audio data is not in a compressed format, decoder may not be needed. Decoder decompresses digital audio data, which is then transferred to digital to analog converter . Digital to analog converter converts the digital data to an analog audio signal which is then supplied to a speaker. Printed circuit board may also optionally include an amplifier (not shown) to increase the volume of the audio signal. Other configurations of circuitry for playing digital audio data will occur readily to one skilled in the art and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, electronic media device further includes a speaker with a mylar diaphragm in order to help prevent leakage of water into electronic media device . The speaker includes a magnet and coil and is driven by an audio signal received from PCB through connecting wire . Another O-ring is shown behind the front wall of electronic media device . O-ring further helps prevent leakage of water through diaphragm . The front cover of electronic media device may include a plurality of holes through which sound passes. The electronic media device may further include an on/off button for activating and deactivating the device. The on/off button may protrude from the front cover so as to be easily accessible when the device is embedded in the showerhead housing. On/off button may be made of a water resistant material such as rubber to help prevent water from leaking into the interior of the electronic media device . On/off button may be electrically connected to PCB . When on/off button is pressed down in contact with PCB , a circuit is completed between PCB and PCB , allowing power from battery to reach PCB and power the circuitry thereon.

The electronic media device may further comprise an interface to connect with an external device for transferring digital audio data. One end of a cable may be coupled with interface and the other end may be coupled to an external media device. The interface may be a serial interface, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, or a parallel interface such as a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). These interfaces are given only as examples and it should be understood that any type of data transfer interface may be used.

Because numerous modifications may be made of the invention, it is not intended that the breadth of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. A and showing an example of a mechanism for retaining an electronic media device in a showerhead in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. A and showing another example of a mechanism for retaining an electronic media device in a showerhead in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electronic media device in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the circuitry of an embodiment of an electronic media device.

CLAIMS

1. A combination showerhead and electronic media device comprising: a housing closed at one end including inner and outer walls defining a first chamber between them, the first chamber being open in a first direction away from the closed end of the housing and being adapted to receive water in a second direction, different from the first direction, and to discharge water in the first direction; a second chamber in the housing defined, at least in part, by the inner wall of the housing; and an electronic media device in the second chamber.

2. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle with a duct communicating with the first chamber for delivering water into the first chamber.

3. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 1, further comprising: a ring seated in the first chamber, the ring carrying an array of nozzles having discharge ends extending away from the closed end of the housing and having inlet ends communicating with the chamber.

4. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 3, further comprising: a faceplate having a front wall and inner and outer walls that engage the inner and outer walls of the housing, the front wall having a plurality of openings through which the discharge ends of the nozzles extend, the faceplate retaining the ring on the housing.

5. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 4, wherein the outer wall of the housing and the outer wall of the faceplate are threaded for joining the faceplate to the housing.

6. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 4, further comprising a first gasket seated on the outer wall of the housing for sealing the outer chamber from outside of the housing and a second gasket seated on the inner wall of the housing for sealing the inner chamber from the outer chamber.

7. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the housing has threads on an inner side of the inner wall and the audio device includes an outer casing, the outer casing having threads on an outer side of the casing for engaging the threads on the inner wall of the housing for removably retaining the device in the second chamber.

8. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the housing includes projections protruding from an inner side of the inner wall and the audio device includes an outer casing, the outer casing having grooves on an outer side of the casing for engaging the projections on the inner wall of the housing for removably retaining the device in the second chamber.

9. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 1, wherein the electronic media device further comprises a front cover having an internal thread and a back cover having an external thread, the external thread connecting the back cover to the front cover by engaging the internal thread of the front cover.

10. The combination showerhead and audio device of claim 9, further comprising a switching device accessible on the front cover of the outer casing for activating and deactivating the electronic media device.

11. The combination showerhead and audio device of claim 1, wherein the electronic media device further comprises: a non-volatile memory unit for storing audio data; a speaker having a mylar diaphragm; and circuitry for reading the audio data from the memory unit and providing an audio signal to the speaker based on the audio data from the memory unit.

12. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 11, where in the electronic media device further comprises: an interface for transferring the audio data between the memory unit and a device external to the electronic media device.

13. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 12, wherein the audio data is digital audio data and the circuitry for reading further comprises: a decoder for decompressing the digital audio data; and an analog to digital converter for converting the decompressed digital audio data to an analog audio signal and providing the analog audio signal to the speaker.

14. A combination showerhead and electronic media device comprising: a housing closed at one end including inner and outer walls defining a first chamber between them, the first chamber being open in a direction away from the closed end of the housing; a second chamber in the housing defined, at least in part, by the inner wall of the housing; a faceplate having an inner wall, an outer wall, a back wall connected to the inner wall, and a front wall connected to the inner and outer walls on a side opposite to the back wall, the inner and outer walls of the faceplace defining a third chamber between them, and the inner wall of the faceplate and back wall defining, at least in part, a fourth chamber, in the second chamber of the housing; and an electronic media device seated in the fourth chamber.

15. The combination showerhead and audio device of claim 14, further comprising: a handle with a duct communicating with the first chamber for delivering water into the first chamber.

16. The combination showerhead and audio device of claim 14, further comprising: a nozzle ring seated in the first chamber, the nozzle ring carrying an array of nozzles having discharge ends extending away from the closed end of the housing and having inlet ends communicating with the first chamber.

17. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 16, wherein the front wall of the faceplate has a plurality of openings through which the discharge ends of the nozzles extend, the faceplate retaining the nozzle ring on the housing.

18. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 17, wherein the closed end of the housing includes a receptacle and the back wall of the faceplate includes a hole in the back wall and a fastener engaging the receptacle through the hole in the back wall.

19. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 17, further comprising a first gasket seated engaging the outer wall of the housing and a second gasket engaging the inner wall of the housing for sealing the first and second chambers.

20. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 14, wherein the inner wall of the faceplate is threaded and the audio device includes an outer casing, the outer casing having threads on an outer side of the casing for engaging the threads on the inner wall of the faceplate.

21. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 14, wherein a bayonet connection removably joins the inner wall of the faceplate to the audio device.

22. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 14, wherein the electronic media device further comprises: a non-volatile memory unit for storing audio data; a speaker having a diaphragm; and circuitry for reading the audio data from the memory unit and providing an audio signal to the speaker based on the audio data from the memory unit.

23. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 22, wherein the electronic media device further comprises: an interface for transferring audio data between the memory unit and a device external to the audio device.

24. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 23, wherein the audio data is digital audio data and the circuitry for reading further comprises: a decoder for decompressing the digital audio data; and an analog to digital converter for converting the decompressed digital audio data to an analog audio signal and providing the analog audio signal to the speaker.

25. The combination showerhead and electronic media device of claim 14, further comprising a control switch on the audio device and accessible from the side of the housing away from the closed end for activating and deactivating the device.

26. A combination showerhead and electronic media device comprising: a housing having an inner chamber and an outer chamber surrounding the inner chamber, an inlet duct connected to the outer chamber for directing shower water to said outer chamber; an array of outlet openings in the outer chamber for discharging the shower water in a spray from the housing; and an electronic media device in the inner chamber.

27. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 26 wherein the array of openings in the outer chamber surround the electronic media device and discharge the shower water in a first direction, and said audio device has a front cover through which sound is emitted from the device.

28. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 26 wherein the electronic media device is removably mounted in the inner chamber.

29. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 28 wherein the electronic media device has an on/off control accessible when the device is in the inner chamber.

30. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 28 wherein the electronic media device is mounted in the inner chamber by a bayonnet-type connection.

31. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 28 wherein the audio device threads into the inner chamber.

32. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 26 wherein the inlet duct comprises a handle for the showerhead.

33. A combination showerhead and electronic media device as described in claim 26 wherein the array of openings comprise a plurality of nozzles mounted on the housing.

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