Water-saving shower head

Abstract

The shower system includes a shower head, a valve, a fluid line, a receiver and a switch disposed in a floor of the shower system. The valve fluidly connects the shower head to a fluid line, with the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; the receiver is operable to control the valve. The switch is operable to transmit a signal to the receiver, such that the actuation of the switch adjusts flow of fluid through the shower head.

1 . A shower system comprising:
 a shower head;   a valve fluidly connecting the shower head to a fluid line, the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head; and   a switch disposed on a floor of the shower system and being operable to control the valve, wherein actuation of the switch causes the valve to adjust flow of fluid through the shower head.   
   
   
       2 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a panel on the floor of the shower system. 
   
   
       3 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein a signal is sent electrically to the receiver via a wired connection based upon activation of the switch. 
   
   
       4 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein a signal is sent wirelessly to a receiver controlling the valve based upon activation of the switch. 
   
   
       5 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein a signal is sent mechanically based upon activation of the switch. 
   
   
       6 . The shower system of  claim 1 , wherein the valve reduces the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated. 
   
   
       7 . The shower system of  claim 7 , wherein the valve completely closes off the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated. 
   
   
       8 . The shower system of  claim 1  wherein the switch is a first switch which when activated reduces the flow of fluid through the valve, the system further including a second switch which when activated increases the flow of fluid through the valve. 
   
   
       9 . A valve system comprising:
 a valve for controlling flow of a fluid therethrough;   a receiver operable to control the valve; and   a switch operable to transmit a signal to the receiver wherein the receiver controls the valve to reduce flow of fluid through the valve based upon the receiver receiving the signal from the switch.   
   
   
       10 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a mat. 
   
   
       11 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the signal from the switch is sent electrically to the receiver via a wired connection. 
   
   
       12 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the signal of the switch is sent wirelessly to the receiver. 
   
   
       13 . The valve system of  claim 9  wherein the valve is a normally open valve. 
   
   
       14 . The valve system of  claim 9 , wherein the signal of the switch is sent mechanically to the receiver. 
   
   
       15 . The shower system of  claim 9  wherein the switch is a first switch, the system further including a second switch which when activated increases the flow of fluid through the valve. 
   
   
       16 . A method of adjusting fluid flow through a shower head in a shower comprising the steps of:
 actuating a switch disposed on a floor of the shower;   sending a signal to a receiver in response to actuation of the switch; and   adjusting a valve to reduce fluid flow in response to reception of the signal by the receiver.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  including actuating the switch is performed by stepping on it. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the switch sends an electronic signal to the receiver via wire. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the switch sends a signal wirelessly to the receiver. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the switch sends a signal mechanically to the receiver. 
   
   
       21 . A shower system comprising:
 a shower head;   a valve fluidly connecting the shower head to a fluid line, the valve being operable to control flow of fluid to the shower head;   a receiver operable to control the valve; and   a user-activated switch operable to transmit a signal to the receiver, wherein actuation of the switch causes the valve to reduce flow of fluid through the shower head.   
   
   
       22 . The shower system of  claim 21 , wherein the switch is actuated via pressure on a mat. 
   
   
       23 . The shower system of  claim 21 , wherein the signal of the switch is sent wirelessly to the receiver. 
   
   
       24 . The shower system of  claim 21 , wherein the valve completely closes off the flow of fluid through the shower head when the switch is actuated.