Systems and methods for lighted showering

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12520404-B2
Application number	US-202418659233-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 9, 2024
Priority date	Dec 20, 2019
Publication date	Jan 6, 2026
Grant date	Jan 6, 2026

Abstract

A showerhead includes a plurality of water outlets for providing a flow of water. The showerhead includes one or more lighting elements and a light driver communicably coupled to the one or more lighting elements. The light driver is configured to control at least a subset of the lighting elements to output light based on various conditions corresponding to the showerhead.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A showerhead comprising:
a housing comprising:
a plurality of lighting elements arranged between a central axis of the housing and an outer edge of the housing, the plurality of lighting elements arranged to direct light in a primary direction;
a light reflector having a non-flat profile facing the plurality of lighting elements, the light reflector arranged to reflect the light in the primary direction from the plurality of lighting elements to a different direction; and
a cover from which the light reflected by the light reflector is visible along a surface of the cover,
wherein the primary direction is directed opposite the cover and is substantially parallel with the central axis.

2 . The showerhead of claim 1 , further comprising one or more water outlets.

3 . The showerhead of claim 2 , wherein the cover surrounds at least one of the one or more water outlets.

4 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the light reflector is concavely shaped relative to the plurality of lighting elements.

5 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the light reflector is concavely shaped such that a concave portion of the light reflector faces the plurality of lighting elements.

6 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the light from the plurality of lighting elements is emitted along a first path, and wherein the light reflector is arranged to reflect the light along a second path towards the cover.

7 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the cover is arranged along a perimeter portion of a shower face of the showerhead.

8 . The showerhead of claim 7 , further comprising one or more water outlets which define the shower face of the showerhead, surrounded by the cover.

9 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a light diffuser which diffuses the light reflected by the light reflector along the surface of the light diffuser.

10 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lighting elements are arranged to emit the light along a first path which is different than a second path of water flow into the showerhead.

11 . The showerhead of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lighting elements emit the light along a first direction substantially parallel with the central axis, and wherein the light reflector reflects the light emitted from the plurality of lighting elements in a second direction substantially parallel with the central axis.

12 . A method of manufacturing a showerhead, the method comprising:
providing a housing; arranging a plurality of lighting elements between a central axis of the housing and an outer edge of the housing, the plurality of lighting elements arranged to direct light in a primary direction; providing a light reflector having a non-flat profile facing the plurality of lighting elements, the light reflector arranged to reflect the light in the primary direction from the plurality of lighting elements to a different direction; and providing a cover from which the light reflected by the light reflector is visible along a surface of the cover, wherein the primary direction is directed opposite the cover and is substantially parallel with the central axis.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the light reflector is provided along an optical path of the plurality of lighting elements.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein providing the light reflector comprises providing the light reflector at a position to reflect the light from the plurality of lighting elements towards the cover, wherein the light reflector is concavely shaped relative to the plurality of lighting elements.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the light reflector is concavely shaped such that a concave portion of the light reflector faces the plurality of lighting elements.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein providing the cover comprises providing a light diffuser as the cover, the light diffuser arranged to diffuse the light reflected by the light reflector along the surface of the light diffuser.

17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing one or more water outlets which define a spray face of the showerhead, wherein the cover is provided at a location which surrounds the spray face.

18 . A spray device, comprising:
a housing, comprising,
one or more water outlets:
a plurality of lighting elements arranged between a central axis of the housing and an outer edge of the housing, the plurality of lighting elements arranged to direct light in a primary direction,
a light reflector having a non-flat profile facing the plurality of lighting elements, the light reflector arranged to reflect the light in the primary direction from the plurality of lighting elements to a different direction; and
a cover from which the light reflected by the light reflector is visible along a surface of the cover, the cover surrounding at least one of the one or more water outlets,
wherein the primary direction is directed opposite the cover and is substantially parallel with the central axis.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Miller Brandon H
• Mcmanus Connor
• Kaule Brian M

Classifications

• B05B1/182

  characterised by their outlet openings or elements; Mounting arrangements therefor · CPC title

• F21V7/0008

  providing for indirect lighting · CPC title

• F21V3/00

  Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses (with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506) · CPC title

• F21V33/004

  Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers · CPC title

• B05B1/185

  characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor · CPC title