Spray head

Abstract

A slim, ergonomic spray head includes a shell that defines a smooth tubular shape. A body is disposed in the shell and includes two water passages disposed in spaced-apart relation, forming an opening therebetween. A diverter for selecting between an aerator and a sprayer includes a piston and a trigger actuator that are completely contained within the smooth tubular shape. The engagement of the piston and actuator is located in the opening between the passages. The body further includes an outlet that directs an outflow of water along the longitudinal axis of the body. By matching the tubular shape to the shape of a faucet, the spray head appears to be an extension of the faucet, rather than a conventional bulky pull-out sprayer, providing a more pleasing appearance.

1 . A spray head comprising: 
 a flexible conduit for coupling the spray head to a faucet;    a shell coupled to the conduit;    an aerator coupled to the shell for providing an aerator mode of operation;    a spray ring disposed between the aerator and the shell for providing a spray mode of operation, the spray ring cooperating with the shell to provide a plurality of fluid channels; and    a diverter including a piston and actuator, the actuator moving the piston between a first position and a second position, the spray head operating in the aerator mode of operation when the piston is in the first position and in the spray mode of operation when the piston is in the second position.    
     
     
         2 . The spray head of  claim 1  wherein the ring includes a plurality of grooves that cooperate with the shell to define the plurality of fluid channels.  
     
     
         3 . The spray head of  claim 1  wherein the spray ring is coupled to the aerator to form a unit, the spray ring and aerator being removable from the shell as a unit to facilitate cleaning of the spray ring and the aerator.  
     
     
         4 . A spray head comprising: 
 a flexible conduit for coupling the spray head to a faucet;    a shell;    two fluid supply passages in fluid communication with the conduit and disposed in spaced-apart relation;    an aerator;    a sprayer; and    a diverter assembly disposed between the passages and the aerator and sprayer, the diverter being moveable between a first position and a second position, the diverter diverting a stream of fluid from the passages to the aerator when in the first position and to the sprayer when in the second position.    
     
     
         5 . The spray head of  claim 4  wherein the diverter includes a piston, the piston being retained in the second position by fluid pressure and returning to the first position in response to removal of the fluid pressure.  
     
     
         6 . An ergonomic spray head comprising: 
 a shell having a cutout;    a resilient cover disposed in the cutout and generally flush with the shell to form a tubular shape and define an interior volume;    a body coupled to the shell and having a longitudinal axis;    an aerator/sprayer assembly coupled to the body, the aerator/sprayer assembly having an inlet and an outlet for a flow of fluid, the outlet directing the flow of fluid along the longitudinal axis of the body; and    a diverter for diverting a stream of fluid to the aerator or to the sprayer, the diverter including a piston adapted to move generally along the longitudinal axis of the body between a first position and a second position.    
     
     
         7 . The spray head of  claim 6  wherein the diverter further includes an actuator and the body includes an inlet and an outlet and two fluid passages extending between the inlet and the outlet, the passages being disposed in spaced apart relation and cooperating with the inlet and the outlet to define an opening, the actuator being coupled to the piston in the opening.