Ratcheting adjustment for supporting shower structures

Abstract

An improved height adjustment mechanism for showering devices that are attached to the shower stem. The improved mechanism features a simple, locking ratchet clamp that can be easily released, adjusted up or down and reliably locked.

1 . A ratcheting mechanism for supporting a shower structure comprising: 
 a member adapted to connect said shower structure to a shower stem;    a plurality of teeth along said member; and    a pawl fixed to said shower structure and adapted to engage said plurality of teeth to prevent said shower structure from moving downward.    
   
   
       2 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a lever extending from said pawl adapted to selectively disengage said pawl from said teeth, enabling said shower structure to move downward.    
   
   
       3 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 2 , further comprising 
 a spring adjacent said lever adapted to bias said pawl against said teeth.    
   
   
       4 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 each of said plurality of teeth is tapered inward toward the bottom of each tooth and includes a stop at the bottom of each tooth to enable said shower structure to selectively move upward and lock at each tooth without said pawl being disengaged from said teeth.    
   
   
       5 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 2 , further comprising 
 a protrusion at the bottom of said member to prevent said shower structure from moving beyond said protrusion.    
   
   
       6 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising 
 a plate adapted to cover said member.    
   
   
       7 . A ratcheting mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said member further comprises a clamp adapted to secure said member to said shower stem.