Control for bathtub and shower

Abstract

A control for controlling the flow of water to a bathtub and shower which may be readily assembled using standard electrically operated valves. The control includes a pair of electrically operated variable position valves, one in each of the hot and cold water supply pipes or lines for regulating the flow of water through the associated line. A manifold is provided downstream of the hot and cold water supply lines. A pair of pipes or lines extend away from the manifold to the tub and to the shower, each line being provided with a normally closed electrically operated “on/off” valve. An electrical control circuit is provided for operating the various valves so that water flow can be initiated either to the bathtub faucet or to the shower head, and so that hot and cold water flow rates may be varied.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A control for bathtub and shower which controls the flow of water from hot and cold water supply lines to either a tub faucet or a shower head, the control including: 
 an electrically operated variable position valve in each of the supply lines for regulating the flow of water through the line;    a manifold downstream of the hot and cold water supply lines which may receive the water from the hot and cold supply lines;    a first line leading from the manifold to the bathtub and a second line leading from the manifold to the shower, each of the first and second lines being provided with an electrically operated “on/off” valve; and    an electrical control circuit for operating the various valves so that water flow can be initiated to either the bathtub faucet or shower head, and so that hot and cold water flow rates may be varied.    
     
     
         2 . The control for bathtub and shower as set forth in    claim 1    wherein each of the electrically operated “on/off” valves is a normally closed valve which will return to the closed position when current is not applied to the valve.  
     
     
         3 . The control for bathtub and shower as set forth in    claim 1    further including a normally open high voltage relay which will only be closed when flow to either the bathtub or shower is desired.  
     
     
         4 . The control for bathtub and shower as set forth in    claim 1    wherein the relays for initiating flow to the tub and shower are latching relays which will permit only one of the “on/off” valves to open at a time.