GB2192564A - Adjustable spray assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A spray assembly for showers includes a handset 1 for connection to a water supply line, a handle 2, and a head 3 carrying a spray fitting 4 having a rotatable control member 6 by which the spray discharged may be varied. An inlet mounting 10 provides the main inlet for water and supports the control member 6 and other parts. A spray plate 5 has two sets 45, 50 of outlet holes with each set being associated with separate outlet chambers 38, 43 to which the flow of water from a main inner chamber 30 is controlled by a poppet valve 31 arranged to cooperate with seatings 36, 41 of respective ports opening to each outlet chamber 38, 43. The poppet valve 31 is arranged to be moved axially on rotation of the control member 6 whereby water discharged through the fitting may have spray directed through the outlet holes from either one or both of the outlet chambers. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB2192564A 1 SPECIFICATION control member supported on the inlet mount

ing for rotation relative to the inlet mounting, Adjustable spray fitting for ablutionary ap- a spray plate carried by the control member pliances and defining first and second outlet chambers 70 each outlet chamber having an array of outlet This invention concerns adjustable spray fittholes for the discharge of water, a valve ings for ablutionary appliances, particularly but member mounted in the control member for not exclusively, spray fittings for showers and limited axial movement on rotation of the con spray handsets. trol member between a first seating and a Spray fittings in which the spray can be 75 second seating, said first and second seatings changed are already known, and adjustable being associated with first and second ports spray fittings have commonly been used in opening from a chamber in the control mem mains pressurised hot water systems where ber to the respective first and second outlet the water pressure to the fittings is high, of- chambers, and the valve member being oper- ten as much as 15 times greater than in a 80 able on axial movement by rotation of the typical low pressure domestic installation control member to control flow through said where the water pressure is derived from a first and second ports whereby water dis header tank system. charged through the fitting may have a spray There is an increasing demand for high flow directed through either one or both of the out rate showers which can discharge large vol- 85 let chambers by selective adjustment of the umes of water greater than in the past, and control member.

this can only be achieved in such typical low The invented spray fitting is arranged to pressure installation by the modification of the have two separate discharge or outlet cham installation to include a pump for shower pres- bers each with their respective array of holes surisation. However, although a high flow rate 90 so that on operation of the valve member the shower is acceptable for many people, it has water is directed to one or other of the outlet the disadvantage of using more water, even chambers as selected by simple rotation of more than a normal bath, and is not eco- the control member. Thus, the spray pattern nomic. and/or type of spray may be adjusted by the Accordingly, it is desirable that a spray f itt- 95 selection of the outlet chamber by controlled ing be provided that can be used for high operation of the valve member.

flow rates as well as for a lower economic Preferably, the spray plate has a first series flow rate whilst being operable at the rela- of outlet holes associated with the first cham tively low water pressures as found in such ber and a second series of outlet holes asso- typical installation without pressurisation by 100 ciated with the second chamber that are dif pump. ferently arrayed and different to the first Although adjustable spray fittings are known series. In this way different discharge as a for mains pressurised systems, these are de- selected spray can be obtained by rotation of signed for operation at such high pressures the control member to effect axial adjusting with small waterways permitting small and 105 movement of the valve member to engage simple designs that cannot be applied to either the first seating for discharge through spray fittings operable at low water pressures the second series of outlet holes or the sec wherein the size of the waterways for the ond seating for discharge through the first same flow volume are considerably greater. series of outlet holes.

It is an object of this invention to provide 110 It is also preferred that the size of said first an adjustable spray fitting wherein the flow and second outlet chambers be different in rate from the spray can be varied from a high volume so that for a given flow rate of water rate to low by manual adjustment of the fitt- into the spray fitting and by the design of the ing and which is operable at low water pres- first and second series of holes, the spray sures. 115 pattern and/or type of spray on adjustment It is a further object of this invention to may vary from a high flow rate to an eco provide an adjustable spray fitting that is of nomy rate.

compact construction and that can be applied Typically, the series of outlet holes of the to a wide range of ablutionary appliances such first chamber may be less in number than as a shower with a fixed shower head, a 120 those of the second series so that the force body shower with one or more fixed spray of the spray discharged from the first chamber heads, a handset spray either for a shower, or is greater than that from the second chamber.

a body shower, hair washing or perianal use. In addition, the valve member may be ad Other objectives of this invention will be- justed in an intermediate position wherein both come apparent from the description later 125 the first and second ports are open so that herein. water may flow from the chamber past the According to this invention we provide an valve member into both the first and second adjustable spray fitting for an ablutionary appli- outlet chambers whereby maximum flow may ance, the fitting comprising an inlet mounting be discharged through the fitting to obtain a for communication with a water supply line, a 130 full drenching high flow rate spray.

2 GB2192564A 2 Conveniently, the second outlet chamber is permit axial movement of the valve member concentric to the first outlet chamber and the on rotation of the control member which ro valve member is a poppet valve mounted for tates the valve member through the inter-en axial displacement between the first and sec- gagement of the spline formations.

ond seatings which are annular concentric 70 In a preferred arrangement of the invented faces spaced axially apart with the valve mem- spray fitting, the inlet mounting is of annular ber being adapted for respective engagement form with the control member being mounted with the first and second seatings. thereon by a hub mounted on the boss of the In one arrangement the valve member has a inlet mounting by the retainer, and the control head providing opposed annular seal faces for 75 member having an outer peripheral flange respective engagement with the first and sec formed with recesses for manual engagement ond seatings. The valve head with it's co-axial for use in rotating the control member for ad and concentric form of the seal faces on the justing the spray fitting.

head enables water pressure affects to be Preferably, the inlet mounting and peripheral minimised to enable the valve to be adjusted 80 flange of the control member have co-operat to the_ selected operative positions during use ing stop faces to limit rotational movement of of the spray fitting. the control member.

In another arrangement the valve member It is also preferred that the spray plate is has an O-ring seated in an annular groove for received and mounted within the peripheral respective engagement with the first and sec- 85 flange of the control member remote from the ond seatings. The opposed sidewalls of the inlet mounting.

groove are preferably outwardly inclined to en- Other preferred features of the invented able the O-ring to deflect on engaging a re- spray fitting will be referred to and described spective seating to accommodate excess tra- later herein.

vel of the valve member while maintaining 90 The invented spray fitting has many applica sealing engagement with the seating. The tions for various kinds of ablutionary app.li elasticity of the O-ring allows it to return to ances, and in a fixed shower, the inlet mount its original position on movement away from ing may be connected to an inlet chamber the seating and the self-adjusting action of the formed in the water supply pipe connection O-ring minimises stressing of the seatings anleading to the spray fitting. In a shower with a d/or valve member during use of the spray handset connected to the water supply pipe fitting. by a flexible pipe, then the inlet mounting may Preferably, the inlet mounting provides a form part of the handset and be mounted in central boss to which the control member and the handset with an inlet chamber being spray plate are mounted by a retainer that 100 formed or provided within the handset.

also mounts the valve member for axial move- The invented spray fitting may be utilised in ment relative both to the retainer and the con- the other ablutionary appliances such as body trol member carrying the spray plate. sprays or peri-anal washing devices and the - By this arrangement, a compact arrangement adjustable spray fitting can be used as an a[ and assembly can be achieved ' with all of the 105 ternative to the conventional fixed spray plate.

main component parts being cO-axially and The invented spray fitting has been particu concentrically arranged relative to a single cen- larly designed with it's special construction tral boss of the inlet mounting. and type of valve member to accommodate a Advantageously axial free play of the control wide range of water supply pressures, and to member is accommodated by resiliently biass- 110 operate under a wide range of conditions ap ing the control mem ' ber. The biassing is con- pertaining to domestic and other water instal veniently provided by a corrosion resistant lations.

compression spring, for example a stainless The invention will now be described in more steel disc spring washer, acting between the detail, by way of example only, with reference inlet mounting and the control member. The 115 to the accompanying drawings wherein:

spring force produced keeps the control mem- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shower ber lightly tensioned so that it is quite easy to handset incorporating a spray fitting according adjust but will not rattle. to the present invention; Conveniently, the valve member may be Figure 2 is a detail plan view of the head of mounted for axial displacement relative to the 120 the handset and the spray fitting depicted in control member by inter-engaging spline for- Fig. 1; mations on the valve member and the control Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view member, and the valve member being taken substantially on the line X-3' of Fig. 2 mounted on the retainer with inter-engaging with the valve member shown in an intermedi thread formations that cause axial displace- 125 ate position; ment of the valve member when the control Figure 4 is an enlarged detail section similar member with the valve member are rotated to Fig. 3 of a modified form of the handset relative to the retainer. and spray fitting depicted in Fig. 1 with the Again, such an arrangement is compact for valve member shown in an intermediate posi the spline formations and thread formations 130 tion; and 3 GB2192564A 3 Figure 5 is an enlarged detail section similar control member 6 relative to the mounting 10.

to Fig. 4 with the valve member shown in a The control member 6 has a central hub 28 limit or end position. that is connected to the inner flange 25 by The shower handset 1 depicted in Figs. 1 radial webs 29 that provide therebetween an to 3 of the accompanying drawings comprises 70 entrance from the inlet passageway 15 into a a handle portion 2 for holding or supporting chamber 30 from which the flow of water is the handset, and a head portion 3 offset with controlled by a poppet valve 31. The control respect to the handle portion 2 and mounting member 6 is located on the spigot 16 of the the spray fitting 4 that has a spray plate 5 mounting 10 by an internal lip 32 of which and a rotatable control 6 for use in adjusting 75 one side abuts the shoulder formed by the the spray. webs 14 of the mounting 10 with the other In known manner, the handset would be side of the lip 32 being engaged by one end connected to a water supply line through a of the retainer 19 secured to the mounting 10 flexible hose (not shown) by means of a by the screw 18.

threaded boss 7 at the end of the handset 80 The hub 28 of the control member 6 has an remote from the head 3. The handle portion internal spline 33 which is engaged by a has an internal passageway 8 for water splined inner annular wall portion 34 of the through which water flowing from the shower valve 31 for axial sliding movement of the device (not shown) would be conducted to an valve 31 relative to the control member 6.

inlet chamber 9 of the spray fitting 4. The 85 The annular wall portion 34 extends between temperature control or mixing of the water the hub 28 and the retainer 19, and the outer would be done by any suitable means associcylindrical surface of the retainer 19 has a fast ated with the shower device, and the control thread formation 35 which is engaged by and supply of water to the handset is not a complementary thread formation on the annu feature of this invention. 90 lar wall portion 34. The valve 31 is thereby In the spray fitting 4, there is an inlet mounted on the retainer and the hub 28 of mounting member 10 of dished annular form the control member 6 so that on rotation of of which the outer flange 11 is seated within the control member 6, the valve 31 is moved complementary walls 12 of the head portion 3 axially along the splines by the translated ro- and is secured or bonded thereto in a water- 95 tary movement due to the fast thread 35.

tight manner. The member 10 has a central The control member 6 has an inner annular boss 13 connected to the outer flange 11 by flange extending from the hub 28 that pro radial webs 14 between which there is an vides a first annular seating 36 for co-oper inlet passageway 15 leading from the inlet ation with a first annular seal face 37 of the chamber 9 in the head 3. 100 valve 31 controlling a first port leading from The boss 13 has a spigot portion 16 pro- the chamber 30 to a first outlet chamber 38 jecting towards the spray plate 5 and the spi- associated with the central portion of the got has a threaded closed bore 17 receiving a spray plate 5. The annular seal face 37 of the set screw 18 which secures an annular repoppet valve 31 is provided on an annular tainer member 19 to the spigot 16. The re- 105 head 39 connected by radial webs 40 to the tainer member 19 is held in place by the inner wall 34 of the valve, and when such screw 18 and assembles the control member first port is open as shown in Fig. 3, the 6, the spray plate 5 and other parts to the water may flow between the webs 40 into inlet mounting 10. the first outlet chamber 38.

The control member 6 is generally of annu- 110 The inner marginal edge of the seating ring lar form received within the inlet mounting 10 22 provides a second seating 41 for co-oper and has an outer peripheral flange 20 which is ation with a second annular seal face 42 formed with finger grip recesses 21 around formed on the head 39 of the valve 31 con it's outer surface. The flange 20 is formed tro - Iling a second port leading from the cham with an internal thread with which the 115 ber 30 to a second outlet chamber 43 associ threaded outer peripheral edge of the spray ated with the outer portion of the spray plate plate 5 is engaged to secure the control mem- 5.

ber 6 and spray plate 5 together. An annular The spray plate 5 has a central circular seating ring 22 is held between the spray spray portion 44 formed with an array of first plate 5 and an internal shoulder 23 of the 120 outlet holes 45 that lead from the first outlet control member 6 with an O-ring seal 24 ther- chamber 38 which is separated from the sec ebetween. ond outlet chamber 43 by an internal partition The control member 6 further includes an wall 46 integral with the spray plate. The inner flange 25 extending within the dished valve 31 has an outer annular wall 47 extend part of the inlet mounting 10 with the flange 125 ing from the rim 39 which engages over the having an annular rib 26 projecting topartition wall 46 with an O-ring 48 there wards the mounting 10 and enclosing a lip between to seal the first chamber 38 from the seal 27 between the mounting 10 and the second chamber 43 during axial movement of control member 6 to maintain the two parts in the valve 3 1.

sealed engagement on use and rotation of the 130 The spray plate has an outer annular spray 4 GB2192564A 4 portion 49 formed with an array of second lected.

outlet holes 50 that lead from the second out- Water pressure in the respective chambers let chamber 43. The first outlet holes 45 are 30 and first outlet chamber 38 also acts on designed to provide a coarse or strong spray the valve between the co- axial diameters of pattern of water from the centre of the spray 70 the seat 41 and valve wall 47. These faces plate 5 whilst the second outlet holes 50 are are arranged so that any pressure differential designed to provide a finer or more dispersed produces only a low axial force on the valve gentler spray from the spray plate. to avoid the poppet valve 'locking on' when The first outlet chamber 38 has a smaller engaged with the second seating 41.

volume than the concentric second outlet 75 To change the spray mode, the user may chamber so that for the same inlet water turn the control member 6 and as this is pressure, the flow rate through the respective turned, the valve 31 is displaced axially as it first and second outlet holes will be different rides up the thread 35 of the retainer 19 co even if the outlet holes are of the same di- nfined by the splines 33. The axial forces act- mensions. 80 ing on the poppet valve are relatively low, as The raised formation 51 on the outer face just explained, and do not impede operation of the spray plate 5 intermediate the series of of the control member 6 and the poppet valve first and second outlet holes is designed and 31. The valve 31 is moved so that the sec adapted for use with a tool (not shown) for ond valve seal face 42 is displaced away from extracting or inserting the spray plate 5 rela- 85 the second seating 41 to open the second tive to the control member 6 as required for port leading to the larger second outlet cham assembly or servicing. ber 43.

As will now be understood from the forego- At the intermediate position as shown in ing description of the component parts and Fig. 3, before the control member 6 has been construction of the spray fitting 4, the poppet 90 turned to engage the respective stops 52 and valve 31 is designed and arranged to be con- 53, both first and second ports may be open trolled by rotation of the control member 6 by to permit water to flow into both the first and the user who may rotate the control member second outlet chambers for a maximum 6 by means of the finger grip recesses 21 drenching spray pattern of water. The concen- either before or during use of the spray fitting. 95 tric and co-axial seatings and seal faces defin- The degree of rotation of the control mem- ing the first and second ports are so arranged ber 6 relative to the inlet mounting 10 is lim- that no high axial forces act on the poppet ited by respective stop faces 52 and 53 on valve 31, and the valve 31 can be maintained the control member 6 and on the inner face in a selected intermediate position by mere of the flange of the inlet mounting 10. The 100 frictional forces arising in the fitting between positions of the stop faces are chosen to limit the relatively movable parts and the seals.

movement of the control member 6 so that By completing the turning of the control the permitted degree of rotation of the control member 6 to the stop or limit position, the member corresponds to the extreme limits of valve 31 is displaced so that the first seal axial movement of the valve 31 between the 105 face 37 of the valve engages with the first first and second seatings 36 and 41. A limit seat 36 to close the first port to prevent of 120' rotation is considered suitable, and water from going into the central first outlet the limit stops prevent over-stressing of the chamber 38 and to control water spray valve and other components. through the outer outlet holes for a fine or In use of the invented spray fitting, the 110 light spray. In this limit position, any axial water flows into the inlet chamber 9 in the forces acting on the valve are low as the head 3 and thence through the inlet passage- water pressure in the respective chambers 30 way 15 intolthe chamber 30. and 43 act on the valve between the co-axial In the position of the control member 6 as diameters of the seat 36 and the internal par- shown, the valve 31 is in an intermediate po- 115 tition wall 46.

siton wherein both ports are open so all pres- This special feature of the design of the sure is substantially balanced and no axial valve to limit development of high pressure forces are exerted on the poppet valve. differentials within the spray fitting is impor By turning the control member 6, the pop- tant for it enables the spray fitting to be used pet valve 31 is closed onto the second sea- 120 with a wide range of water inlet pressures ting 41 so that the first port is open providing whilst' accommodating relatively large water a throughway into the first chamber 38 to ways within the fitting sufficient for operation direct water through the first outlet holes 45. at low water pressures in typical domestic The water pressure in the chambers 30 and water installations with a header tank.

38 act on the head 39 of the valve 31 to 125 The use of a poppet valve with it's op hold same in sealing engagement with the posed sealing faces that are swept by the second seating 41 so that water is prevented water flow through the fitting also ensures from flowing into the outer second chamber that the risk of debris or the like being 43 and all of the water flows through the first trapped in the fitting is avoided and a selfsmaller chamber giving the strong spray se- 130 cleaning operation of the valve is achieved, GB2192564A 5 particularly as the closure of the valve sealing seating.

faces onto the respective seatings will prevent Such excess travel may occur where the ax build up of scale or other deposits common in ial displacement of the poppet valve 31 as hard water supply areas. permitted by the limit stops 52,53 does not Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 of the ac- 70 coincide with the engagement of the O-ring companying drawings, there is depicted a mo- 57 with the seatings 36,41, for example due dified form of the shower handset and spray to manufacturing tolerances, and by this ar fitting above-described. For convenience, like rangement, overstressing of the components reference numerals are used to indicate parts of the spray fitting is avoided in a simple of this modified form corresponding to the 75 manner having particular benefit when such parts of the handset and spray fitting above- components are made of plastics materials.

described. In other respects the construction and oper In this modified form of the handset 1 and ation of this modified form of handset and spray fitting 4, the inlet mounting 10 is of spray fitting is generally similar to the embodi- annular form seated wholly within the wall 12 80 ment of Figs. 1 to 3 with the spray fitting of the head portion 3 with an O-ring seal 54 being adjustable on rotation of the control therebetween and the peripheral flange 20 of member 6 to provide discharge through either the control member 6 is co-extensive with the the first outlet holes 45 or the second outlet wall 12. holes 50 at the limit positions of the poppet The central hub 28 of the control member 6 85 valve 31 or through both the first and second is mounted on the spigot 16 of the inlet outlet holes 45 and 50 at an intermediate po mounting 10 with a disc spring washer 55 sition of the poppet valve 31 as previously located between the internal lip 32 of the con- described.

trol member 6 and a collar 56 integral with As will now be appreciated, the spray fitt- the spigot 16. 90 ings as just described are only exemplified by The washer 55 which is made of stainless reference to the application to a handset for a steel or other suitable corrosion resistant shower. By suitable design of the inlet mount metal acts as a short stroke compression ing and the fitting to a water supply pipe, the spring producing a spring tension that keeps principle of the invented spray fitting can be the control member 6 lightly tensioned. In this 95 applied to a wide range of ablutionary appli way, the control member 6 can be turned ances where water is discharged through a relatively easily for operating the spray fitting spray or rose fixture. The invented spray fitt yet will not rattle. ing can be used with a high pressure water For engaging the selected seating 36,41 to installation and can be applied to other instal close the associated port for directing the dis- 100 lations incorporating a boost or pump for charge of water through either the first outlet 11 power" showering, and in this regard, it is holes 45 or the second outlet holes 50, the important to emphasise the special design fea poppet valve 31 has an O-ring 57 in place of tures which avoid the development of high the integral head 39. forces acting on the valve from the water The poppet valve 31 is constructed from 105 pressure, and thus the spray fitting may be two plastics parts 31a,31b which are welded used not only for the relatively low water or otherwise secured together to define an pressures but also for other water installa annular groove 58 in which the inner marginal tions.

edge of the O-ring 57 is located with the 0- Although the control member in the exem- ring being lightly stretched. 110 plary embodiments is intended to be rotated By this arrangement, the opposed sides of by the user, other means for rotating the con- the O-ring 57 provide the first and second trol member may be employed, such as a sealing faces 37,42 for engagement with the control knob projecting through a shield or the first and second seatings 36,41 respectively like.

on axial displacement of the poppet valve 31 115 In the exemplary embodiments, the spray by rotation of the control member 6 to one or plate is an integral component, but the spray other of the limit positions determined by the plate may be an assembly of an outer annular engagement of the limit stops 52,53. spray plate with one type and array of outlet The groove 58 is of V-shape in transverse holes with the spray plate having a central cross-section with the opposed sidewalls outcircular plate assembled thereto with a differ- wardly inclined relative to one another in the ent type and array of outlet holes. By such an direction from the base of the groove 58. In arrangement of a multi-part spray plate, then a this way, on engagement with either seating range of spray plates for different applications 36,41, the O-ring 57 can deflect by sliding up may be generated by selection of the desired the opposite sidewall of the groove 58 as 125 combination of inner and outer plates.

shown in Fig. 5 to absorb excess travel of the The spray plate may incorporate a pulsator poppet valve 31, and the elasticity of the 0device which can be mounted in one of the ring 57 allows it to be pulled back into the outlet chambers and be driven by the water bottom of the groove 58 when the poppet pressure or water flow. Commonly, such pulvalve 31 is displaced axially towards the other130 sator devices include a form of swirler or tur- 6 GB2192564A 6

Claims (1)

1. bine or vaned member which is rotatably preceding Claims wherein the valve

   member mounted and rotated by the water flow. The may be adjusted to a position in which both action of the rotation of the member causes the first and second ports are open so that the flow to be interrupted and results in inter- water may flow from the chamber past the mittent bursts of water through each outlet 70 valve member into both the first and second hole giving the sensation of pulsation. This outlet chambers.

   kind of pulsator may conveniently be mounted 7. The fitting according to any one of the in the central chamber 44 of the embodiments preceding Claims wherein the second outlet depicted in the accompanying drawings. How- chamber is concentric to the first outlet cham- ever, such pulsator devices are varied, and it 75 ber and the valve member is a poppet valve is envisaged that any common pulsator de- mounted for axial displacement between the vices of the type mentioned could be incor- first and second seatings.

   porated in the spray head or assembled in. or 8. The fitting according to Claim 7 wherein to the spray plate. the first and second seatings are annular con- The advantages and other features of the 80 centric faces spaced axially apart with the invented spray fitting will be understood by poppet valve being adapted for respective en those skilled in this field, and the simplicity gagement with the first and second seatings.

   and compactness of the exemplary embodi- 9. The fitting according to Claim 8 wherein ments is self-evident from the accompanying the poppet valve has a head providing op- drawings, and it will be understood how this 85 posed annular seal faces for respective en invented concept can be applied to a wide gagement with the first and second seatings.

   range of ablutionary applications. 10. The fitting according to Claim 8 wherein the poppet valve has an O-ring the CLAIMS opposed sides of which provide annular seal 1. An adjustable spray fitting for an ablu- 90 faces for respective engagement with the first tionary appliance, the fitting comprising an in- and second spatings.

   let mounting for communication with a water 11. The fitting according to Claim 10 supply line, a control member supported on wherein the O-ring is located in annular groove the inlet mounting for rotation relative to the formed in the poppet valve.

   inlet mounting, a spray plate carried by the 95 12. The fitting according to Claim 11 control member and defining first and second wherein the opposed sidewalls of the groove outlet chambers each outlet chamber having are inclined outwardly relative to one another an array of outlet holes for the discharge of in the direction from the base of the groove.

   water, a valve member mounted in the control 13. The fitting according to any one of the member for limited axial movement on rotation 100 preceding Claims wherein the inlet mounting of the control member between a first seating comprises a central boss to which the control and a second seating, said first and second member and spray plate are mounted by a seatings being associated with first and sec- retainer that mounts the valve member for ax ond ports opening from a chamber in the con- ial movement relative both to the retainer and trol member to the respective first and second 105 to the control member carrying the spray outlet chambers, and the valve member being plate.

   operable on axial movement by rotation of the 14. The fitting according to Claim 13 control member to control flow through said wherein the valve member is mounted for ax first and second porls whereby water dis- ial displacement relative to the control member charged through the fitting may have a spray 110 by inter-engaging spline formations on the directed through either one or both of the out- valve member and the control member, and let chambers by selective adjustment of the the valve member being mounted on the re control member. tainer with inter-engaging thread formations 2. The fitting according to Claim 1 wherein that cause axial displacement of the valve the spray plate has a first series of outlet 115 member when the control member with the holes associated with the first outlet chamber valve member are rotated relative to the re and a second series of outlet holes associated tainer.

   with the second outlet chamber. 15. The fitting according to any one of the 3. The fitting according to Claim 2 wherein preceding Claims wherein spring means acts the first and second series of outlet holes rebetween the control member and the inlet spectively associated with the first and sec- mounting to tension the control member.

   ond outlet chambers are differently arrayed. 16. The fitting according to Claim 15 4. The fitting according to Claim 2 wherein wherein the spring means comprises a disc the first and second series of outlet holes respring washer.

   spectively associated with the first and sec- 125 17. The fitting according to any one of the ond outlet chambers are different. preceding Claims wherein the inlet mounting is 5. The fitting according to any one of the of annular form with the control member be preceding Claims wherein the first and second ing mounted therewith by a hub mounted on a outlet chambers are of different volume. boss of the inlet mounting, and the control 6. The fitting according to any one of the 130 member has an outer peripheral flange formed 7 GB2192564A 7 with recesses for manual engagement for use in rotating the control member for adjusting the spray fitting.

   18. The fitting according to Claim 17 wherein the inlet mounting and control member have co-operating stop faces to limit rotational movement of the control member.

   19. The fitting according to Claim 18 wherein the spray plate is received and mounted within the peripheral flange of the control member remote from the inlet mounting.

   20. An adjustable spray fitting for an ablutionary appliance, the fitting being substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

   21. An adjustable spray fitting for an ablutionary appliance, the fitting being substantially as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings as modifed by Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

   Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 High Holborn ' London WC 1 R 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, st mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.