Joint unit for shower head

Abstract

To simply release connection between a first joint member and a second joint member.SOLUTION: A joint unit for a shower head is composed of a first joint member having a first channel and a second joint member having a second channel. The first joint member is provided with a first connection part to which one of a shower head and a shower hose is connected, and a cylindrical part. The second joint member is provided with a second connection part to which the other of the shower hose and the shower head is connected, and is provided with an insertion hole. The second joint member is provided with a button which is installed in a displaceable manner in an inward direction facing a central axis of the second joint member, and a lock mechanism which displaces to an unlock state for releasing the lock of the cylindrical part, from a lock state for locking the cylindrical part inserted into the insertion hole, in accordance with the displacement in the inward direction of the button.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a joint unit for a shower head. [Background technology]

[0002] The shower head joint unit is a unit for detachably connecting a shower head to a shower hose connected to a water supply source (such as a water heater). The shower head joint unit is useful, for example, when multiple shower heads of different types are selectively connected to the shower hose.

[0003] A conventional shower head joint unit includes a nipple to which a shower head is connected, and a hose connection member to which a shower hose is connected. The hose connection member is formed with an insertion hole into which the nipple is inserted, and is provided with a protrusion and a slider. The protrusion is provided on the hose connection member so as to be displaceable between a locked position where it advances into a recess formed in the nipple inserted into the insertion hole, and an unlocked position where it retreats from the recess. The slider is provided on the hose connection member so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the hose connection member. When the slider is slid relative to the hose connection member, the protrusion is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby releasing the connection between the nipple and the hose connection member (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-248357 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, shower head joint units are often used in places with high humidity, such as bathrooms. For this reason, in conventional shower head joint units, when operating the slider, water droplets and the like on the slider make it slippery and difficult to operate. In addition, in conventional shower head joint units, it is necessary to hold the shower head or the like with one hand while operating the slider with the other hand, making it difficult to release the connection between one joint member (e.g., a nipple) and the other joint member (e.g., a hose connection member) with one hand.

[0006] This specification discloses a technique that can solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0008] (1) A shower head joint unit disclosed in this specification includes a first joint member having a first flow path and a second joint member having a second flow path, and the first joint member and the second joint member are detachably connected so that the first flow path and the second flow path communicate with each other. The first joint member is provided at one end of the first flow path and has a first connection part to which one of a shower head and a shower hose is connected, and a cylindrical part protruding from the other end of the first flow path and communicating with the first flow path. The second joint member is provided at one end of the second flow path. a second connection portion to which the other of the shower head and the shower hose is connected, and an insertion hole is formed at the other end of the second flow path, the insertion hole being connected to the second flow path and into which the cylindrical portion of the first joint member is inserted, and the second joint member further has one or more buttons provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second joint member and displaceable in an inward direction toward a central axis of the second joint member, and a locking mechanism that is shifted from a locked state, which locks the cylindrical portion inserted into the insertion hole, to an unlocked state, which unlocks the cylindrical portion, in response to the inward displacement of the one or more buttons.

[0009] According to this shower head joint unit, the connection between the first joint member and the second joint member can be easily released by displacing the button provided on the second joint member in an inward direction.

[0010] (2) In the above-mentioned shower head joint unit, a recess is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and the locking mechanism has one or more protrusions of the second joint member arranged on the inner peripheral wall side forming the insertion hole, and the one or more protrusions are configured to be displaced from a locked position in which they advance into the recess of the cylindrical portion inserted into the insertion hole to an unlocked position in which they retreat from the recess. According to this shower head joint unit, by displacing a button provided on the second joint member inward, the engagement between the protrusions and the recess is released, and the connection between the first joint member and the second joint member can be easily released.

[0011] (3) In the above-mentioned shower head joint unit, the one or more buttons may include a first button and a second button, and the one or more protrusions may include a first protrusion that displaces from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to displacement of the first button, and a second protrusion that displaces from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to displacement of the second button. In this shower head joint unit, the connection between the first joint member and the second joint member is not released unless both the first button and the second button are pressed. Therefore, according to the shower head joint unit, it is possible to prevent the connection between the first joint member and the second joint member from being released, for example, even if the button is pressed accidentally while the shower head is in use.

[0012] (4) In the above shower head joint unit, the first button and the second button may be arranged in positions that face each other across the central axis of the second joint member. With this shower head joint unit, it is easier to press the first button and the second button simultaneously with one hand, compared to, for example, a configuration in which the first button and the second button are arranged on the same side of the central axis of the second joint member.

[0013] (5) In the above shower head joint unit, the first protrusion may be disposed inward of the second button and facing the first button across the central axis of the second joint member, and the second protrusion may be disposed inward of the first button and facing the second button across the central axis of the second joint member. With this shower head joint unit, the protrusions can be positioned so as to be hidden by the buttons.

[0014] (6) In the above-mentioned shower head joint unit, the first protrusion is located closer to the opening of the insertion hole than the second protrusion, the recess of the cylindrical part includes a first recess into which the first protrusion advances and a second recess into which the second protrusion advances, and the second joint member may include a restricting part that restricts the first protrusion from advancing into the first recess during the insertion process of the cylindrical part into the insertion hole until the second protrusion reaches a position where it can advance into the second recess. In this shower head joint unit, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed at different positions in the central axis direction. Therefore, the shower head joint unit can be prevented from becoming large in size, compared to a configuration in which the first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed at the same position in the central axis direction. In addition, it is possible to prevent the second protrusion from locking before the second protrusion reaches a position where it can be locked.

[0015] (7) In the shower head joint unit, the one or more buttons and the one or more protrusions may be integrally formed. This shower head joint unit can reduce the number of parts compared to a configuration in which the button and the protrusion are separate.

[0016] (8) In the shower head joint unit, the one or more protrusions may have a shape of an arc when viewed in the central axis direction, the portion of the protrusion that advances into the recess. This shower head joint unit can improve the locking effect of the locking mechanism, compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is a protrusion. Also, this shower head joint unit can stabilize the locked state of the locking mechanism, since the contact area of ​​the protrusion with the cylindrical portion is larger by the arc shape of the protrusion, compared to a configuration in which the protrusion is a protrusion.

[0017] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms, such as a shower head joint unit, a method for attaching and detaching a shower head, a method for replacing a shower head, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the external configuration of a shower head joint unit according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] A side view showing the external configuration of the joint unit. [Diagram 3] A vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a joint unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration at each position in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of removing the head joint member from the hose joint member; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of attaching a head joint member to a hose joint member; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] A. Embodiment: A-1. Shower head joint unit configuration: FIG. 1 is a side view showing the external configuration of a joint unit 10 in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a shower head 1, a part of a shower hose 5, and an intermediate member 6 are shown. In FIG. 1 and each of the figures described later, mutually orthogonal XYZ axes are shown to specify directions. The positive Z direction is the upward direction, the negative Z direction is the downward direction, the positive Y direction is the left direction, the negative Y direction is the right direction, the positive X direction is the forward direction, and the negative X direction is the backward direction. The joint unit 10 is an example of a joint unit for a shower head.

[0020] The joint unit 10 is a unit for detachably connecting the shower head 1 to a shower hose 5 connected to a water supply source (such as a water heater, not shown). The joint unit 10 is useful, for example, when multiple shower heads 1 of different types are selectively connected to the shower hose 5. Specifically, it can be used to replace a larger shower head with a relatively large number of water discharge modes with a smaller shower head with a relatively small number of water discharge modes.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the joint unit 10 includes a head joint member 20 and a hose joint member 30. A shower head 1 is connected to the head joint member 20, and a shower hose 5 is connected to the hose joint member 30 via an intermediate member 6. The shower head 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a typical shape with a shower plate 2 having a plurality of discharge holes formed at its tip, but other shapes are also possible. The head joint member 20 is an example of a first joint member, and the hose joint member 30 is an example of a second joint member.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the external configuration of the joint unit 10. FIG. 2 shows the side configuration of the joint unit 10 as viewed from the rear side (X-axis negative direction side). FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the joint unit 10. FIG. 3 shows the vertical cross-sectional configuration at the position of III-III in FIG. 1. The vertical cross section is a cross section along the central axis L (see FIG. 2) of the joint unit 10. FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration at each position in FIG. 3. FIG. 4(A) shows the transverse cross-sectional configuration at the position of IVA-IVA in FIG. 3, FIG. 4(B) shows the transverse cross-sectional configuration at the position of IVB-IVB in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(C) shows the transverse cross-sectional configuration at the position of IVC-IVC in FIG. 3. The transverse cross section is a cross section perpendicular to the central axis L of the joint unit 10.

[0023] A-1-1. Configuration of head joint member 20: As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the head joint member 20 is a tubular member in which a first flow path 25 is formed. The head joint member 20 has a head connection part 22 and a nipple part 24. The head connection part 22 and the nipple part 24 are both tubular parts in which a through passage constituting the first flow path 25 is formed, and the nipple part 24 is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower end of the head connection part 22. When viewed from a direction along the central axis L of the joint unit 10, the outer shape of the head connection part 22 and the outer shape of the nipple part 24 are both approximately circular. However, the outer diameter of the nipple part 24 is smaller than the outer diameter of the head connection part 22. The head connection part 22 and the nipple part 24 are integrally formed, for example, from a resin (for example, polyacetal resin). The head connection part 22 is an example of a first connection part, and the nipple part 24 is an example of a cylindrical part.

[0024] The head connection part 22 is a part to which the showerhead 1 is detachably connected. Specifically, a female thread 26 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the head connection part 22 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the showerhead 1 can be connected to the head connection part 22 by screwing a male thread (not shown) formed on the lower end part of the showerhead 1 into the female thread 26 of the head connection part 22. At this time, the first flow path 25 of the head joint member 20 communicates with the internal flow path (not shown) of the showerhead 1. Note that the configuration for detachably connecting the showerhead 1 to the head connection part 22 is not limited to a configuration for connection by a screw structure, and may be, for example, a configuration for connection by a press-fit structure or a locking mechanism.

[0025] The nipple portion 24 is a portion that is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the hose joint member 30. A first recess 26a and a second recess 26b are formed on the outer periphery of the nipple portion 24. The first recess 26a and the second recess 26b are both grooves that extend in the circumferential direction of the nipple portion 24, and in this embodiment, are formed over the entire circumference of the nipple portion 24. The first recess 26a and the second recess 26b may be formed only on a part of the entire circumference of the nipple portion 24. The second recess 26b is disposed closer to the tip end side (lower end side) of the nipple portion 24 than the first recess 26a. The nipple portion 24 is further provided with a sealing recess 28 on its outer periphery, and a sealing member (O-ring, for example, made of ethylene propylene diene rubber) 29 is disposed in the sealing recess 28. The sealing recess 28 is disposed closer to the tip end (lower end) of the nipple portion 24 than the first recess 26a and the second recess 26b.

[0026] A-1-2. Configuration of the hose joint member 30: As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the hose joint member 30 is a tubular member in which a second flow path 33 is formed. The hose joint member 30 has a storage portion 32 and a hose connection portion 36. Both the storage portion 32 and the hose connection portion 36 are tubular portions in which a through passage constituting the second flow path 33 is formed, and the hose connection portion 36 is provided so as to protrude downward from the lower end of the storage portion 32. The storage portion 32 and the hose connection portion 36 are integrally formed, for example, from a resin (for example, a polyacetal resin). The hose connection portion 36 is an example of a second connection portion.

[0027] The hose connection part 36 is a part to which the intermediate member 6 connected to the tip of the shower hose 5 is detachably connected. Specifically, a male thread is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the hose connection part 36 (see Figs. 2 and 3). Therefore, the shower hose 5 can be connected to the hose connection part 36 via the intermediate member 6 by screwing a female thread (not shown) formed on the upper end part of the intermediate member 6 into the male thread of the hose connection part 36. At this time, the second flow path 33 of the hose joint member 30 communicates with the internal flow path (not shown) of the shower hose 5. Note that the configuration for detachably connecting the shower hose 5 (intermediate member 6) to the hose connection part 36 is not limited to a configuration for connection by a screw structure, and may be, for example, a configuration for connection by a press-fit structure or a locking mechanism.

[0028] The housing portion 32 is a portion in which an insertion hole 31 into which the nipple portion 24 of the head joint member 20 is inserted is formed. The insertion hole 31 communicates with a second flow path 33. The housing portion 32 has a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a first button 40a, a second button 40b, a first convex portion 44a, a second convex portion 44b, a first biasing member 50a, and a second biasing member 50b.

[0029] Both the first button 40a and the second button 40b are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the housing portion 32 and are provided displaceable inward (radially inward) toward the central axis L of the housing portion 32 (insertion hole 31). The first button 40a and the second button 40b are disposed at positions facing each other across the central axis L of the housing portion 32 (insertion hole 31).

[0030] Specifically, the housing portion 32 is formed with a first button accommodating recess 39a and a second button accommodating recess 39b that open in opposite directions relative to the central axis L (see Figs. 2 and 3). A first guide hole 34 is formed in the bottom surface (the surface facing the opening direction) of the first button accommodating recess 39a, and the first guide hole 34 penetrates the housing portion 32 and communicates with the insertion hole 31. A second guide hole 35 is formed in the bottom surface (the surface facing the opening direction) of the second button accommodating recess 39b, and the second guide hole 35 penetrates the housing portion 32 and communicates with the insertion hole 31.

[0031] The first button 40a has a first button body 41a and a first guide 42a. The first button body 41a is a plate-like part having an outer shape corresponding to the opening shape of the first button housing recess 39a of the housing part 32, and is housed in the first button housing recess 39a so as to be displaceable in the radial direction (the opposing direction of the first button 40a and the second button 40b). The first guide 42a is formed so as to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first button body 41a. The first guide 42a is inserted into the first guide hole 34, and is guided radially inward along the first guide hole 34. This allows the first button 40a to be displaceable in the inward direction (the negative Y-axis direction in each drawing) toward the central axis L of the housing part 32 (insertion hole 31).

[0032] The first biasing member 50a is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the first button body 41a and the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 32, and biases the first button body 41a radially outward. Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface 47a of the first button 40a receives a pressing force toward the central axis L, the first button 40a is displaced to a pressing position (see FIG. 5 described later) approaching the central axis L against the pressing force of the first biasing member 50a, and when the pressing force is released, the first button 40a returns to a return position (see FIG. 3) where the outer peripheral surface 47a faces the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 32.

[0033] The housing portion 32 is provided with a restricting mechanism that restricts the displacement of the first button 40a between the pressed position and the return position. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(A), the first button 40a is formed with a groove 48a extending along the radial direction (Y-axis direction), and the housing portion 32 is formed with a restricting protrusion 38a that is inserted into the groove 48a. The movement of the restricting protrusion 38a is restricted within the groove 48a, thereby restricting the displacement of the first button 40a between the pressed position and the return position.

[0034] The second button 40b has a second button body 41b and a second guide 42b. The second button body 41b is a plate-like part having an outer shape corresponding to the opening shape of the second button housing recess 39b of the housing part 32, and is housed in the second button housing recess 39b so as to be displaceable in the radial direction. The second guide 42b is formed so as to protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the second button body 41b. The second guide 42b is inserted into the second guide hole 35, and is guided radially inward along the second guide hole 35. This allows the second button 40b to be displaced inward (Y-axis positive direction side in each figure) toward the central axis L of the housing part 32 (insertion hole 31).

[0035] The second biasing member 50b is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the second button main body 41b and the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 32, and biases the second button main body 41b radially outward. Therefore, when the outer peripheral surface 47b of the second button 40b receives a pressing force toward the central axis L, the second button 40b is displaced to a pressing position (see FIG. 5 described later) closer to the central axis L against the pressing force of the second biasing member 50b, and when the pressing force is released, the second button 40b returns to a return position (see FIG. 3) where the outer peripheral surface 47b faces the outer peripheral surface of the housing portion 32.

[0036] The housing portion 32 is provided with a restricting mechanism that restricts the displacement of the second button 40b between the pressed position and the return position. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4(C), the second button 40b is formed with a groove 48b extending along the radial direction (Y-axis direction), and the housing portion 32 is formed with a restricting protrusion 38b that is inserted into the groove 48b. The movement of the restricting protrusion 38b is restricted within the groove 48b, thereby restricting the displacement of the second button 40b between the pressed position and the return position.

[0037] The first and second urging members 50a and 50b are, for example, compression springs (made of, for example, SUS), but may be elastic members such as leaf springs and rubber. The outer peripheral surface 47a of the first button body 41a and the outer peripheral surface 47b of the second button body 41b are both formed in an arc shape centered on the central axis L (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the operation direction of the pressing operation for displacing each button to the pressing position is not limited to the button displacement direction (Y-axis direction), and the button can be displaced to the pressing position even if pressed from an oblique direction relative to the displacement direction. That is, the degree of freedom of the button operation direction is improved. The outer peripheral shape of the hose joint member 30 (housing portion 32) is such that the button non-arrangement portion 49 where no button is arranged is flat. In this way, by making the surface shape of the outer peripheral shape of the hose joint member 30 different between the button arrangement portion and the button non-arrangement portion 49, the position of the button can be grasped by touch without visual inspection. For this reason, even when the shower head 1 is replaced with a shower head equipped with a mist mode suitable for washing the face while the eyes are closed, for example, while washing the face in the bathroom, the position of each button can be found by touch and pressed. Also, the structure is simple enough that even inexperienced users such as the elderly or children can visually determine how to operate it at first glance.

[0038] The first protrusion 44a is disposed on the inner peripheral wall side of the housing portion 32 that forms the insertion hole 31, and is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the displacement of the first button 40a. The locked position of the first protrusion 44a is a position where the first protrusion 44a advances into the first recess 26a of the nipple portion 24 (see FIG. 3), and the unlocked position of the first protrusion 44a is a position where the first protrusion 44a retreats from the first recess 26a (see FIG. 5). The first protrusion 44a is disposed in a position facing the first guide 42a of the first button 40a across the central axis L, and in a position more inward than the second button 40b (second button main body 41b).

[0039] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(A), the first protrusion 44a and the first guide 42a are arranged to face each other via the nipple portion 24 inserted into the insertion hole 31. In addition, both ends of the first protrusion 44a and both ends of the first guide 42a are connected to form a first through hole 43a surrounding the nipple portion 24. That is, the first protrusion 44a and the first button 40a are integrally formed. Therefore, when the first protrusion 44a is in the return position, the first protrusion 44a is in the locked position (see FIG. 3, locked state), and when the first protrusion 44a is displaced to the pressing position, the first protrusion 44a is displaced to the unlocked position (see FIG. 5, unlocked state). In addition, the shape of the part of the first protrusion 44a that advances into the first recess 26a is arc-shaped when viewed from the center axis L (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0040] The second protrusion 44b is disposed on the inner circumferential wall side of the housing portion 32 that forms the insertion hole 31, and is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the displacement of the second button 40b. The locked position of the second protrusion 44b is a position where the second protrusion 44b advances into the second recess 26b of the nipple portion 24 (see FIG. 3), and the unlocked position of the second protrusion 44b is a position where the second protrusion 44b retreats from the second recess 26b (see FIG. 5). The second protrusion 44b is disposed in a position facing the second guide 42b of the second button 40b across the central axis L, and in a position more inward than the first button 40a (first button main body 41a).

[0041] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(C), the second protrusion 44b and the second guide 42b are arranged to face each other via the nipple portion 24 inserted into the insertion hole 31. In addition, both ends of the second protrusion 44b and both ends of the second guide 42b are connected to form a second through hole 43b surrounding the nipple portion 24. That is, the second protrusion 44b and the second button 40b are integrally formed. Therefore, when the second protrusion 44b is in the return position, the second protrusion 44b is in the lock position (see FIG. 3), and when the second protrusion 44b is displaced to the pressing position, the second protrusion 44b is displaced to the unlock position (see FIG. 5). In addition, the shape of the part of the second protrusion 44b that advances into the second recess 26b is arc-shaped when viewed from the center axis L (see FIG. 4(C)).

[0042] A-2. How to attach and detach the joint unit 10: 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of removing the head joint member 20 from the hose joint member 30. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the head joint member 20 and the hose joint member 30 are shown in an attached state. That is, the first button 40a and the second button 40b are in the return position, and the first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are in the lock position. Therefore, the nipple portion 24 of the head joint member 20 is prevented from coming off while being inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the hose joint member 30. At this time, the seal member 29 comes into contact with the nipple portion 24 and the inner wall surface of the housing portion 32, thereby preventing water leakage from between the first flow path 25 and the second flow path 33 (see FIG. 3).

[0043] Next, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the first button 40a and the second button 40b are simultaneously pressed inward toward the central axis L (the opposing direction of the first button 40a and the second button 40b). Then, the first button 40a and the second button 40b are displaced from the return position to the pressing position, and the first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are displaced from the lock position to the unlock position. As a result, the retention of the nipple portion 24 against the housing portion 32 is released, and the nipple portion 24 can be pulled out of the insertion hole 31, and the head joint member 20 and the hose joint member 30 can be separated (see Fig. 5(B)). In this way, the joint unit 10 has a double lock mechanism that releases the connection between the head joint member 20 and the hose joint member 30 when the first button 40a and the second button 40b are pressed simultaneously. Therefore, even if a user accidentally presses either the first button 40a or the second button 40b during use when water is being released from the shower head 1, the connection between the head joint member 20 and the hose joint member 30 is prevented from being unintentionally released.

[0044] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the process of attaching the head joint member 20 to the hose joint member 30. To attach the head joint member 20 to the hose joint member 30, as shown in Figure 6(A), the nipple portion 24 of the head joint member 20 is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the hose joint member 30. At this time, the head joint member 20 can be attached to the hose joint member 30 without pressing the first button 40a and the second button 40b.

[0045] That is, the nipple portion 24 is formed with a first tapered surface T1 that is inclined toward the central axis L toward the tip (lower end) of the nipple portion 24. The first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are each formed with a second tapered surface T2 that is inclined toward L toward the back side of the insertion hole 31. During the process of inserting the nipple portion 24 into the insertion hole 31, the first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position due to contact between the first tapered surface T1 and the second tapered surface T2. Thereafter, when the second convex portion 44b reaches a position facing the second recessed portion 26b, the second convex portion 44b is displaced to the locked position (see FIG. 6(B)), and next, when the first convex portion 44a reaches a position facing the first recessed portion 26a, the first convex portion 44a is displaced to the locked position (see FIG. 3, etc.). This allows the head joint member 20 to be attached to the hose joint member 30.

[0046] In this way, during the process of inserting the nipple portion 24 into the insertion hole 31, the first protrusion 44a is restricted from advancing into the first recess 26a until the second protrusion 44b reaches a position where it can advance into the second recess 26b. In this embodiment, the length Da of the first protrusion 44a is longer than the length Db of the second protrusion 44b in the direction along the central axis L, so that the first protrusion 44a is configured to displace from the unlocked position to the locked position later than the second protrusion 44b. The first protrusion 44a is an example of a restricting portion.

[0047] A-3. Advantages of this embodiment: As described above, in the joint unit 10 according to this embodiment, the first button 40a and the second button 40b are both provided on the outer circumferential surface of the housing portion 32 and are provided so as to be displaceable inward (radially inward) toward the central axis L of the housing portion 32 (insertion hole 31) (see Figs. 2 to 6). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the connection between the head joint member 20 and the hose joint member 30 can be easily released by displacing the first button 40a or the second button 40b inward.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first button 40a and the second button 40b are arranged at positions facing each other across the central axis L of the housing portion 32 (insertion hole 31) (see FIG. 2). According to this embodiment, it is easier to simultaneously press the first button 40a and the second button 40b with one hand, compared to a configuration in which the first button 40a and the second button 40b are arranged on the same side of the central axis L. Also, in this embodiment, a locking force is applied in the opposing directions across the central axis L by the biasing force of the biasing members (first biasing member 50a, second biasing member 50b), and they are in a state of pulling each other, so that the head joint member 20 can be locked to the hose joint member 30 more reliably.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are disposed at different positions in the direction along the central axis L. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first convex portion 44a and the second convex portion 44b are disposed at the same position in the direction along the central axis L, it is possible to prevent the joint unit 10 from becoming large.

[0050] B. Variations: The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0051] The configuration of the joint unit 10 in the above embodiment is merely an example and can be modified in various ways. For example, the shape, dimensions, and forming materials of each part of the joint unit 10 in the above embodiment are merely an example and can be modified in various ways.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the showerhead 1 is connected to a first joint member (head joint member 20) having a cylindrical portion (nipple portion 24), and the shower hose 5 is connected to a second joint member (hose joint member 30) having a locking mechanism. However, the shower hose may be connected to the first joint member, and the showerhead may be connected to the second joint member.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the lock mechanism has two buttons (first button 40a, second button 40b), but the present invention is not limited to this and may have one or three or more buttons. In addition, in the above embodiment, the first button 40a and the second button 40b are arranged at positions facing each other across the central axis L of the housing portion 32 (insertion hole 31), but the present invention is not limited to this and may have a configuration in which the first button 40a and the second button 40b are arranged on the same side of the central axis L.

[0054] The lock mechanism may be configured without the biasing member (first biasing member 50a, second biasing member 50b). For example, a protruding portion may be provided that protrudes longer from the second joint member when the button is in the pressed position than when the button is in the returned position, and the button may be displaced from the pressed position to the returned position by pushing the protruding portion. In the above embodiment, the guides (first guide 42a, second guide 42b) of each button (first button 40a, second button 40b) and the biasing member are disposed at different positions in the direction along the central axis L, but this is not limited thereto and they may be disposed at the same position. However, by disposing the guides and the biasing member at different positions as in the above embodiment, the external size of the joint unit 10 (hose joint member 30) can be suppressed from increasing.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the buttons (first button 40a, second button 40b) and the locking convex parts (first convex part 44a, second convex part 44b) may be on the same side with respect to the central axis L of the joint unit 10. Also, the buttons and the convex parts may be separate bodies.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the locking mechanism is exemplified as a configuration in which the locking is performed by engagement between the convex portion (first convex portion 44a, second convex portion 44b) and the concave portion (first concave portion 26a, second concave portion 26b). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration using a snap fit or a ball that displaces between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to the displacement of the button may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: shower head 2: shower plate 5: shower hose 6: intermediate member 10: joint unit 20: head joint member 22: head connection portion 24: nipple portion 25: first flow path 26: female thread 26a: first recess 26b: second recess 28: sealing recess 29: sealing member 30: hose joint member 31: insertion hole 32: storage portion 33: second flow path 34: first guide hole 35: second guide hole 36: hose connection portion 38a, 38b: restricting protrusion 39a: first button storage recess 39b: second button storage recess 40a: first button 40b: second button 41a: first button main body 41b: second button main body 42a: first guide 42b: second guide 43a: first through hole 43b: second through hole 44a: first protrusion 44b: second protrusion 47a, 47b: outer circumferential surface 48a, 48b: groove 50a: first biasing member 50b: second biasing member

Claims

1. A shower head joint unit comprising: a first joint member having a first flow path; and a second joint member having a second flow path, the first joint member and the second joint member being detachably connected to each other so that the first flow path and the second flow path communicate with each other, the first joint member has a first connection portion provided on one end side of the first flow path and connected to one of a shower head and a shower hose, and a cylindrical portion protruding from the other end side of the first flow path and communicating with the first flow path, the second joint member is provided at one end of the second flow path and has a second connection portion to which the other of the shower head and the shower hose is connected, and the other end of the second flow path is formed with an insertion hole that communicates with the second flow path and into which the cylindrical portion of the first joint member is inserted, The second joint member further comprises: one or more buttons provided on an outer circumferential surface of the second joint member and displaceable in an inward direction toward a central axis of the second joint member; a locking mechanism that is displaced from a locked state, in which the cylindrical portion inserted into the insertion hole is locked, to an unlocked state, in which the cylindrical portion is unlocked, in response to displacement of the one or more buttons in the inward direction.

2. 2. The shower head joint unit according to claim 1, A recess is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, the locking mechanism has one or more protrusions of the second joint member that are arranged on an inner wall side that forms the insertion hole, and the one or more protrusions are configured to be displaced from a locked position in which they advance into the recess of the cylindrical portion inserted into the insertion hole to an unlocked position in which they retreat from the recess.

3. 3. The shower head joint unit according to claim 2, the one or more buttons include a first button and a second button; the one or more protrusions include a first protrusion that is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to displacement of the first button, and a second protrusion that is displaced from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to displacement of the second button.

4. 4. The shower head joint unit according to claim 3, The first button and the second button are arranged in opposing positions across the central axis of the second joint member.

5. 5. The shower head joint unit according to claim 4, the first protrusion is disposed on the inner side of the second button and at a position facing the first button across the central axis of the second joint member, the second protrusion is located inside the first button and opposite the second button across the central axis of the second joint member.

6. The shower head joint unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the first protrusion is located closer to an opening of the insertion hole than the second protrusion, the recess of the cylindrical portion includes a first recess into which the first protrusion projects and a second recess into which the second protrusion projects, the second joint member includes a restricting portion that restricts the first convex portion from advancing into the first recess during the process of inserting the cylindrical portion into the insertion hole until the second convex portion reaches a position where it can advance into the second recess.

7. The shower head joint unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, The one or more buttons and the one or more protrusions are integrally formed.

8. The shower head joint unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, A shower head joint unit, wherein a portion of the one or more convex portions that extends into the concave portion has an arc shape when viewed in the direction of the central axis.

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