Waterspout adapter for providing a user-selectable type of water flow

Abstract

A device enables a user to selectively change the flow of water produced by a waterspout between aerated flow and non-aerated flow. The device is preferably implemented as an adapter that is threaded to or otherwise coupled to the end of a waterspout such as a kitchen or bathroom faucet waterspout or a bathtub waterspout. The device includes a closure mechanism that is operable by a user to permit or prevent aeration of water flowing through the adapter. The adapter may include a control ring that may be rotated by a user to selectively open and close bores for introducing air into the interior of the adapter. When the control ring is turned to an open position, air is introduced and an aerated water flow is produced. When the ring is turned to a closed position, air is not introduced and non-aerated or laminar flow is produced. A user is thereby enabled to select the desired type of flow.

1 . A flow controller apparatus that enables a user to receive different types of fluid flow, the apparatus comprising: 
 a flow controller body defining a fluid flow channel and comprising at least one aperture extending through a wall of the controller body to the channel;    an accelerator plate retained within the controller body for accelerating fluid passing through the channel, the accelerator plate situated upstream from the at least one aperture; and    a closure mechanism located adjacent to an end of the at least one aperture for selectively allowing air from outside the controller body to enter the controller body through the at least one aperture.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the channel is an annular channel, and 
 wherein the closure mechanism comprises:    an aeration ring retained within and rotatable within the channel of the controller body, the aeration ring having at least one aperture extending through a wall thereof, the at least one aperture of the aeration ring corresponding to the at least one aperture of the controller body such that rotation of the aeration ring to a position where the at least one aperture of the aeration ring is out of alignment with the at least one aperture of the controller body restricts air from entering the channel through the at least one aperture in the controller body; and    a control ring engaging the aeration ring and comprising an outer portion situated outside of the controller body allowing the aeration ring to be rotated thereby.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the control ring further comprises an inner portion situated within the channel of the controller body and engaging the aeration ring, and being rotatable by the outer portion to rotate the aeration ring.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the inner portion of the control ring is retained within the controller body by a retainer ring seated in corresponding grooves in an outer wall of the inner portion of the control ring and an inner wall of the controller body.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the aeration ring is retained within the controller body as a result of retention of the inner portion of the control ring within the controller body.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the inner portion of the control ring engages the aeration ring with tabs that are received by corresponding features of the aeration ring.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an inlet end of the controller body comprises threads for mating with corresponding threads of the a waterspout.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a screen assembly located near a downstream end of the controller body in the path of fluid flow through the controller body.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a stream straightener located downstream from the screen assembly at an outlet end of the controller body for controlling the direction of fluid flow leaving the controller body.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a stream straightener located at an outlet end of the controller body for controlling the direction of fluid flow leaving the controller body.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the accelerator plate comprises a rigid plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein for allowing passage of fluid therethrough.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , controller body is an adapter coupleable to a bathtub waterspout.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , controller body is an adapter coupleable to a kitchen faucet waterspout.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 1 , controller body is an adapter coupleable to a bathroom faucet waterspout.  
     
     
         15 . A flow controller apparatus that enables a user to select different types of fluid flow, the adapter comprising: 
 a controller body for conveying a fluid flow; and    control means attached to the controller body and moveable with respect to the controller body for controlling aeration of fluid flowing through the controller body.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the controller further comprises: 
 at least one aperture extending through a wall of the controller body to a channel within the controller body; and    an accelerator plate retained within the controller body for accelerating fluid passing through the channel, the accelerator plate situated upstream from the at least one aperture; and    wherein the control means comprises a closure mechanism located adjacent to an end of the at least one aperture for selectively allowing air from outside the controller body to enter the controller body through the at least one aperture.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises: 
 an aeration ring retained within and rotatable within the channel of the controller body, the aeration ring having at least one aperture extending through a wall thereof, the at least one aperture of the aeration ring corresponding to the at least one aperture of the controller body such that rotation of the aeration ring to a position where the at least one aperture of the aeration ring is out of alignment with the at least one aperture of the controller body restricts air from entering the channel through the at least one aperture in the controller body; and    a control ring engaging the aeration ring and comprising an outer portion situated outside of the controller body allowing the aeration ring to be rotated thereby.    
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a waterspout body for conveying fluid, the waterspout body defining a water flow channel upstream of and in fluid flow communication with the fluid flow channel of the controller body.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises: 
 an aeration ring retained within and rotatable within the fluid flow channel of the controller body, the aeration ring having at least one aperture extending through a wall thereof, the at least one aperture of the aeration ring corresponding to the at least one aperture of the controller body such that rotation of the aeration ring to a position where the at least one aperture of the aeration ring is out of alignment with the at least one aperture of the controller body restricts air from entering the channel through the at least one aperture in the controller body; and    a control ring engaging the aeration ring and comprising a portion situated outside of the controller body allowing the aeration ring to be rotated thereby.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the controller body comprises a separable adapter body in which said at least one aperture is provided, the separable adapter body being separably connectable to the waterspout body.