AU1972601A - Improvements relating to bidets with a vacuum breaker - Google Patents

Description

1 IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO BIDETS WITH A VACUUM BREAKER The invention relates generally to bidets and more particularly to an assembly which can be retrofitted to an existing toilet. The invention is also concerned with improved components which are suitable for use in such assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bidets have been used for years in many countries around the world. The advantages of bidets in the area of personal health and hygiene are well recognised and as such there is a growing acceptance of bidets in countries where their use has been hitherto minimal. In such countries there is generally no provision for the installation of a bidet. Thdre is therefore a need for an assembly which can be retrofitted to existing toilets. The currently known retrofit systems are relatively costly and can be complicated to install.

oooo OBJECT OF THE INVENTION o °o i It is an object according to one aspect of the present invention to provide a bidet assembly which can be retrofitted to an existing toilet.

It is an object according to another aspect of the present invention to provide components S. suitable for use in a bidet assembly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION o:oo• According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bidet assembly which is suitable for use in a toilet having a toilet bowl, the bidet assembly including a mounting member for mounting the assembly to the toilet in a fitted position, a fluid delivery portion including a discharge nozzle, the nozzle being disposed within or adjacent the toilet bowl when in the fitted position, means for operatively connecting the fluid delivery portion to a main water supply, an actuator for causing flow to the discharge nozzle and a back flow inhibiting device for inhibiting the back flow of fluid from the discharge nozzle to the main water supply.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a back flow inhibiting device suitable for use in a bidet assembly, the device including a main body an inlet, an outlet and a fluid transfer passage between the inlet and outlet. The device, which may also be referred to as a vacuum breaker, further includes a venting port in fluid communication with the inlet and a valve assembly for selectively opening an closing the venting port. The valve assembly includes a ball valve element disposed within a valve chamber, the ball valve element being movable within the valve chamber between first and second valve seats. The arrangement is such that when the ball valve element is on the first valve seat, the venting port is closed and there is fluid communication between the inlet and the fluid transfer passage and when the ball valve element is on the second valve seat, the venting port is open and the inlet is closed.

Preferably, the valve chamber is disposed between the inlet and the venting port with the oooo fluid transfer passage communicating with the valve chamber. Preferably, the cross sectional dimension of the valve chamber is approximately the same as the diameter of the S "15 ball valve element. Preferably, the first valve seat includes at least one and preferably two O-rings arranged side by side in abutting relation to one another.

Preferably, the valve seats are at opposite ends of the valve chamber and the transfer passage enters the valve chamber intermediate those ends.

device can further include a reservoir associated with the venting port which is adapted 20 to hold any fluid which passes the first valve seat.

The bidet assembly can include a mounting member for fitting the bidet to the toilet. The mounting member can be in the form of a mounting plate which is adapted to fit to the toilet bowl. Preferably, the mounting plate is fixed in position using the fasteners which are used for mounting a toilet seat to the toilet bowl. The assembly can further include an adaptor which is capable of being fitted to existing lines connected to the main water supply. The adaptor can constitute a separate and distinct aspect of the invention. The adaptor can include a main body having a primary through passage and a branch passage of the primary passage. Each passage has at its openings means for coupling the main body to existing lines. The main body of the adaptor can include a portion configured as a nut.

The actuator can be in the form of a tap which upon actuation causes water to flow to the discharge nozzle through the back flow inhibiting device.

The assembly can further include a non-reverse flow valve which is disposed upstream of the actuating tap and is operable to prevent flow of water from the tap back into the main water supply under certain operating conditions. The valve can be in the form of a spring biased ball valve.

The assembly can further include a flow monitoring means which enables the flow of water to the discharge nozzle to be monitored while the assembly is in the fitted position.

The monitoring means can be in the form of a viewing tube or window through which the water can be inspected, the tube being disposed upstream of the discharge nozzle and downstream of the back flow inhibiting device. The viewing tube enables inspection when *o *the main tap is closed, the remaining water in the down tube will be flushed out under the influence ofgravity. This provides an indication that the valve seats are intact and the system is functioning properly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached and in those drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic partially exploded view of a toilet having a bidet assembly mounted thereto; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a bidet assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a back flow inhibiting device or vacuum breaker according to the invention taken along the line A-A in Figure 4; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the back flow inhibiting device shown in Figure 3; Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional side elevation of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in one operating mode; Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional side elevation of the device shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in another operating mode; and Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in Figure 2.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings there is shown a bidet assembly generally indicated at which is mountable to a toilet 100. The toilet is of conventional form and includes a bowl 10 102, a toilet seat 103 and a flush water reservoir 104. The flush water reservoir 104 is in •fluid communication with a water supply such as mains water via connecting pipe 105 and •i *main tap 106. The toilet system 100 operates in a conventional manner.

The bidet assembly 10 is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The assembly 10 includes an mounting member in the form of a plate 12 by which it is adapted to be mounted. The .i 15 mounting plate 12 is adapted to be fitted between the toilet bowl 102 and toilet seat 103. :oo•o The existing fixing screws for the toilet seat are used in the fixing of the mounting plate 12 these screws passing through apertures 13 in the plate 12.

The assembly 10 further includes a delivery conduit or passage which is in the preferred form shown as a pipe 14 having a discharge nozzle 16 at its free end. The pipe 14 passes under the plate 12 in the region of raised plate section 15. The nozzle 16 when the assembly is fitted is disposed within the bowl 102 in a suitable position.

The assembly 10 is operatively connected to the main water supply by means of an adaptor 24 which is fitted between the main tap 106 and connecting pipe 105. The adaptor 24 is in the form of a T section which permits flow of water to the flush water reservoir 104 and the discharge nozzle 16 of the assembly The bidet assembly 10 further includes an actuator 20 in the form of a tap 22. The tap 22 is operatively connected to the adaptor 24 by means of connecting conduit or passage in the form of a steel flexible base 28. A non-return valve 50 is provided between the hose 28 and the tap 22. The adaptor 24 includes a main body having a primary through passage 25 and a branch passage 27 of the primary passage. Each passage has at its openings, means for coupling the main body to existing lines. The main body of the adaptor can include a portion 29 configured as a nut. As shown in Fig. 7 the non-return valve 50 includes a valve ball 54 and a biasing spring 52 which urges the valve ball 54 into a closed position. When the tap 22 is opened the pressure of the water from the main water supply is sufficient to open the valve ball 54 against the influence of the spring 52.

The assembly further includes a back flow inhibiting device or vacuum breaker 30 which is fitted between the tap 22 and delivery pipe 14. As best seen in Figs. 3 to 6, the device 15 includes a main body 32 having an inlet 34 and an outlet 36. The inlet 32 is connected to S•the tap 22 via a connecting hose 31 and connector The outlet 36 is connected to the delivery pipe 14 through connector 37. The inlet 34 and outlet 36 are connected via a transfer passage 40 within the main body 32. There is further provided a venting port 48 which communicates with the inlet 34. The device further X2.C 20 includes a valve assembly 44 comprising a valve element in the form of a ball 46 preferably formed of steel and operable to move between valve seats 48 and 49. Valve seat 49 is defined by the inner end of connector 35. Valve seat 48 includes a pair of side by side O-rings located within the body 32 of the device. The ball 46 is disposed within a valve chamber 47 and is of approximately the same diameter as the cross-sectional dimension of the chamber. As shown the valve seats 48 and 49 are at opposite ends of the valve chamber 47 and the transfer passage 40 enters the valve chamber 47 intermediate its ends. An over flow reservoir 42 projects from the body of the device. A plug 45 provides access to the transfer passage 40 from externally of the body of the device. The transfer passage 40 acts as an orifice, creating a certain back pressure upstream of the valve seat 48 thereby reducing the operating pressure required. This arrangement acts as a safety feature.

A flow monitor in the form of a sight tube 18 is disposed within the delivery pipe 14 for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent.

The operation of the bidet assembly will hereinafter be described. After it has been fitted to use the device the actuating tap 22 is opened. Prior to opening, the valve ball 46 of the back flow inhibiting device 30 is disposed on the valve seat 49 and valve element 54 is in its closed position under the influence of spring 52. When the tap 22 is opened the pressure of the water flowing from the main reservoir causes the valve element 54 to open and the valve ball 46 is urged into position against the valve seat 48. This enables water flow from the mains water supply through the device and be discharged through the discharge nozzle 16.

Should there be a sudden drop in pressure at the mains water supply source the valves 46 and 54 will close thereby preventing any back flow of water which may be contaminated within the toilet bowl returning to the main water supply. In the case of failure of the valve 54, then the valve 46 will act as a back up. If both of the valves leak then the vacuum will be broken by letting the air entering from the inlet tube (reservoir 42). This is the function 15 of the vacuum breaker.

Any leakage of water passed the valve element 46 as it moves between the two valve seats 48 and 49 will be collected in the reservoir 42. The viewing tube 18 enables inspection of the flow lines for mounting proper operation of the bidet device. Air gaps can be created through the flushing out operation under gravity immediately after the main tap is closed.

This inhibits the development of germs in the system.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions can be incorporated into the various constructions

Claims (19)

1. A bidet assembly which is suitable for use in a toilet having a toilet bowl, the bidet assembly including a mounting member for mounting the assembly to the toilet in a fitted position, a fluid delivery portion including a discharge nozzle, the nozzle being disposed within or adjacent the toilet bowl when in the fitted position, means for operatively connecting the fluid delivery portion to a main water supply, an actuator for causing flow to the discharge nozzle and a back flow inhibiting device for inhibiting the back flow of fluid from the discharge nozzle to the main water supply.

2. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 1, further including a mounting member for fitting the bidet to the toilet.

3. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting member is in the form of a mounting plate which is adapted to fit to the toilet bowl.

4. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting plate is fixed in position using fasteners which are used for mounting a toilet seat to the toilet bowl. 15

5. The bidet assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further including an adaptor which is capable of being fitted to existing lines connected to the main water supply.

6. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adaptor includes a main body having a primary through passage and a branch passage of the primary passage, each passage has at its openings, means for coupling the main body to existing lines.

7. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the main body of the adaptor includes a portion configured as a nut.

8. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the actuator is in the form of a tap which upon actuation causes water to flow to the discharge nozzle through the back flow inhibiting device. 8

9. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the assembly further includes a non-reverse flow valve which is disposed upstream of the actuating tap and is operable to prevent flow of water from the tap back into the main water supply under certain operating conditions.

10. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the valve is in the form of a spring biased ball valve.

11. The bidet assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further includes a flow monitoring means which enables the flow of water to the discharge nozzle to be monitored while the assembly is in the fitted position.

12. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the monitoring means is in the form of a viewing tube or window through which the water can be inspected, the tube being disposed upstream of the discharge nozzle and downstream of the back flow inhibiting device.

13. The bidet assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the viewing tube enables 15 inspection when the main tap is closed, the remaining water in the down tube will be flushed out under the influence of gravity, this providing an indication that the valve seats are intact •and the system is functioning properly. oo

14. A back flow inhibiting device suitable for use in a bidet assembly, the device including a main body an inlet, an outlet and a fluid transfer passage between the inlet and outlet, the device further includes a venting port in fluid communication with the inlet and a valve assembly for selectively opening an closing the venting port.

The back flow inhibiting device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the valve assembly includes a ball valve element disposed within a valve chamber, the ball valve element being movable within the valve chamber between first and second valve seats, the arrangement being such that when the ball valve element is on the first valve seat, the venting port is closed and there is fluid communication between the inlet and the fluid transfer passage and when the ball valve element is on the second valve seat, the venting port is open and the inlet is closed.

16. The back flow inhibiting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the valve chamber is disposed between the inlet and the venting port with the fluid transfer passage communicating with the valve chamber.

17. The back flow inhibiting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cross sectional dimension of the valve chamber is approximately the same as the diameter of the ball valve element.

18. The back flow inhibiting device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first valve seat includes at least one and preferably two O-rings arranged side by side in abutting relation to one another. oO.o

19. The back flow inhibiting device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the valve seats are at opposite ends of the valve chamber and the transfer passage enters the valve chamber •intermediate those ends. .ooooi oo oo DATED this THIRTEENTH day of FEBRUARY 2001 :BIANTO SANTOSO o• Patent Attorneys for the Applicant WILSON YOUNG