Heater structure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG.
1 shows the heater structure of the present invention comprising a housing means and generally indicated as 10.
The housing means includes a water chamber 12 and a contact casing 14 interconnected to one another in substantially stacked array about a common outer periphery generally indicated as 16.
A water inlet generally indicated as 18 is defined by a pipe element having connector means 20 formed about one end thereof for proper interconnection to conventional water piping or water outlets which are part of the residence.
As set forth above, the entire structure, by virtue of its configuration may be attached in the place of a conventional showerhead or otherwise attached to a faucet or like in a sink.
With reference to FIG.
2, the subject invention further comprises a heating assembly generally indicated as 22 and including a heating component 24 and a contact assembly 26.
Both the heating component 24 and the contact assembly 26 are attached to one another and are also both attached to a flexible diaphragm member 28 serving to separate the latter two components.
More specifically, the diaphragm 28 (FIG.
3) is secured about its outer periphery to the housing means 10 along the common peripheral junction 16.
Attachment may occur by a plurality of connecting holes 23 having conventional connectors placed therethrough.
The existence of the diaphragm 28 serves to totally segregate the interior of the water chamber 12 from the interior of the contact casing 14 and also provides a watertight seal preventing water from escaping the interior of the water chamber 12 other than through the water outlet generally indicated as 30 (FIG.
4), as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
Further structural details of the heating component comprises an electrically insulative base 31 extending from one side of the flexible diaphragm 28 into the interior of the water chamber 12 (See FIG.
4).
At least one and preferably two resistance coils 33 and 34 are mounted on the outer exposed surface 35 of the base 31 into direct contact with water passing into and throughout the interior of water chamber 12