GB2102464A - Bidet attachments for water- closets - Google Patents

Abstract

A WC bowl 70 has a seat 92, bidet basin 94 and lid 96 hinged to the rear thereof, the lid housing a flexible conduit 108 arranged when the lid is raised to direct a stream or spray of water into the mouth of the bowl 70 from a position at least 15 cm above the rim thereof, thus complying with Water Authority regulations. In a modification the flexible conduit 108 is replaced by an upstanding swan-neck pillar adjustably directing a water spray into a WC bowl whose seat and lid may be either rearwardly gapped or completely omitted. In other arrangements dispensing with a bidet bowl a flexible or rigid spray tube is mounted on the rim of a WC bowl and is advanceable into the bowl to project an upwardly directed spray from within the WC bowl. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bidet attachments for water-closets This invention relates to bidet attachments for water closets.

To save space in a small bathroom and to avoid the expense of providing separate water-closet and bidet bowls it has often been proposed to fk spray attachments to water-closet bowls. These attachments are generally mounted on the seat or rim but the problem with such a position is that the water does not emanate from a sufficiently low level for it to be directed upwardly at the portion of the body being washed and, moreover, leakage tends to occur, particularly through the gap between the rim of the bowl and the seat. To ensure that the water spray originates from a sufficiently low position it has been proposed that the spray attachment be mounted through the wall of the bowl. However such an arrangment leads to other disadvantages including complication of manufacture.

According to the present invention there is provided a spray attachment for fitting to a watercloset bowl to enable the water-closet also to be used as a bidet, the attachment comprising guide means, securing means for securing the guide means to the bowl at the rear of the rim thereof and a spray tube slideable within the guide means between a retracted position and an operative position, the arrangement being such that in the operative position the spray tube projects downwardly into the mouth of the bowl so as to be capable of delivering an upwardly directed spray.

Preferably at least that portion of those guide means nearest the mouth of the bowl is formed by a downwardly inclined guide tube. If the spray tube is formed of flexible material the guide means may also comprise a further length of tube which is, when fitted to the closet, positioned horizontally above the rear portion of the closet so as to cause minimum obstruction: if the spray tube is formed of rigid material the guide means may be constituted partly by an aperture formed through the rim of the bowl and partly by a bracket mounted on a housing fitted to the rear of the closet.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the rear portion of a water-closet fitted with a spray attachment according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan of the portion of the closet shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view, on a larger scale, of part of the spray attachment shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an elevation, similar to that of Fig. 1 of a modification of the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 5 is a plan of the modification shown in Fig. 3.

In the following description iike parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a water-closet bowl 10 terminates in a rim 12 and has a conventional rear extension 14 on which are mounted bolts 16, 1 8 supporting hinge pins (not shown) for a seat 20 and cover 22.

Secured by the bolts 1 6, 18 and overlying the upper surface of the extension 14 is a mounting plate 24 having a central, forwardly projecting bridge piece 24a on which is supported a square section tunnel piece 26 terminating at its forward end in a downwardly-inclined portion 26a and extending at its rear end into a channel piece 28 in which a basal flange 30 (see Fig. 3) of a tubular carrier 32 is slidably received. Secured within the carrier 32 is a flexible spray tube 34 of plastics material, the forwardly-extending portion 34a of which projects into the tunnel piece 26 and has a closed end 36 and an apertured area 38. The rear of the tube 34 terminates in a valve block 40 having laterally-projecting spigots 42, 44 to which are connected flexible tubes 46, 48 for the supply of hot and cold water respectively.A rotatable knob 50 mounted on top of the block 40 controls admission of hot and cold water to the tube 34 and also enables the valve block 40 and spray tube 34 to be slid from the retracted position shown in full line in Figs. 1 and 2 to the operative position shown in chain-dotted line in Figs. 1 to 3, the limits of the reciprocal movement being indicated by the arrow 52 in Fig. 1. A cover 54 extends over, and virtually conceals, most of the spray attachment.

It will be noted that the downwardly-inclined portion 26a of the tunnel piece 26 causes the forwardly-extending portion 34a of the tube 34 to project well down into the bowl 10 when in the operative position so that the spray of water which issues through the apertured area 38 when the knob 50 is operated is directed in the most efficacious direction for washing the anal and genital regions. After use the knob 50 is slid back to retract the tube 34, allowing the water closet bowl to be used for its primary purpose. The above-described arrangement has the advantages of great simplicity and of being easily attachable to a conventional water-closet simply by raising the clearance between the seat 20 and rear extension 14 and removing a small portion at the rear of the seat 22 to allow movement of the knob 50.

The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 differs essentially in that the flexible tube 34 is replaced by a rigid spray tube 60 which passes through an aperture 62 formed in the rim 12.

The tube 60 is supported for sliding movement in a ring 63 mounted on an inclined front panel 64 of a box 65 positioned on the extension 14 and held in place by a hinge bar 66 passing through apertures (not shown) in the side panels 67. At its distal end the tube 60 terminates in a spray head 68 and at its proximal end in a valve block 70 which is supported by an arm 44 of a telescopic hinge received in a barrel 48. The valve block 70 is provided with spigots 42 for connecting to the flexible water pipes 46, 48 which pass out through the relieved cover rear corners of the respective side panels 67; the water supply is controlled by rotation of the knob 72 which projects through a slot 74 in the panel 64. The knob 72 also of course allows the tube 60 to be slid between the retracted position shown in full lines and the operative position shown in chain-dotted line in Fig. 4.

If, in either of the above-described embodiments, the flow of water cannot be controlled by the valve in order to meet the regulations and bye-laws of British Water Authorities for a water closet that is combined with a bidet, the retractable spray tube according to the first aspect of the present invention is replaced according to a second aspect, by a conduit, preferably mounted on the rim of the WC bowl, the outlet of which is at least 1 5 cm above the rim and arranged to direct a stream or spray of water downwardly and forwardly into the bowl.

Conveniently the conduit has a generally swanneck configuration and at least a portion of its length, preferably the distal portion, is flexible so as to allow alterations of the position or direction of the stream or spray to suit an individual user.

The WC bowl may or may not be provided with a seat or with a lid; if either of these fitments is provided it is preferably cut away at the central rear to accommodate the conduit. The rim of the WC bowl may also have a configuration such that water landing thereon drains into the bowl and not onto the floor.

In a preferred embodiment the WC is provided with a lid and the conduit is arranged for movement with the lid such that the open position of the lid the outlet of the conduit is at least 1 5 cm above the rim of the bowl.

If preferred a separate bidet basin may be provided which in use is positioned in or above the mouth of the WC bowl.

Some embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 6 is a part-sectional side elevation of a combined WC and bidet; and Figure 7 is a modification of the combination of Fig. 6 having a bidet basin.

As shown in Fig. 6 a bowl 70 of a conventional water-closet supplied by a cistern 72, has a rim 74 with an enlargement 76 at the rear, on which is mounted a tube 78 comprising an upstanding pillar 80 and a downwardly and forwardly inclined terminal portion 82. The portion 82 may be flexible so as to be adjustable to a desired position and may be fitted with a spray head (not shown).

Water is supplied to the tube 78 through a single or twin water-mixing valve (not shown).

Water dropping on to the enlargement 76 runs into the bowl through a gulley 84 formed in the rim 74 as shown by the arrow 86.

Optionally a seat (not shown) and a lid (also not shown) are hinged to the enlargement 78, the seat being discontinuous at its rear and the lid having a rear indentation to accommodate the tube 78 and to allow water to pass harmlessly into the bowl if the lid is closed.

As shown in Fig. 7 the bowl 70 of a conventional water-closet has mounted on the enlargement 76 a hinge bar 90 having arranged thereon for pivotal movement a conventional WC seat 92, a bidet basin 94 and a lid 96.

The basin 94, which is generally hemi-ovoid in form, has a peripheral lip 98 which rests on the seat 92, a drain hole 100 closable by a captive stopper 102 and two overflow holes 104. Water is supplied through a single or twin water-mixing valve 106 mounted on the enlargement 76, and a flexible hose 108 which runs within the lid 96 and terminates in a portion 110 that is downwardly and forwardly inclined when the lid 96 is fully raised. The portion 110 may be constituted by a separate length of tubing that is only slightly flexible so as to allow the direction of the issuing stream to be altered and be fitted with a spray head.

The basin 94 is so shaped that when it is raised after use to the upright position shown in broken line water will drain down the outer surface without dropping on to the seat 92 and then drain off the edge of the lip 98 which is below the seat 92, into the gulley 84 formed in the rim 74.

A further modification is to have the peripheral lip 98 thicker at the sides than at the front and the back, with smoothly sloping transitional portions.

This is done so that the user is elevated and can gain better access to the bidet basin with the hand either anteriorly or posteriorly. The arrangement does not limit the size of the bidet to that of the opening in the seat and therefore makes access to the basin much easier than with a flat peripheral lip.

Claims (22)

Claims

1. A WC-bidet combination comprising a WC bowl having water supply means arranged to direct a stream or spray of water forwardly and downwardly into the mouth of the bowl from an outlet located above the rim thereof.

2. A combination as claimed in Claim 1, in which the water supply means comprise a conduit mounted on the rim of the bowl.

3. A combination as claimed in Claim 2, in which said conduit has a generally swan-neck configuration.

4. A combination as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, in which the outlet portion of the conduit is flexible to enable the direction of said stream or spray to be altered.

5. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, and additionally comprising a lid having an indentation at the rear thereof to allow said stream or spray to pass into the bowl when the lid is closed.

6. A combination as claimed in Claim 1, and additionally comprising a lid hinged to the rear of the bowl, said outlet being mounted on said lid.

7. A combination as claimed in Claim 6, in which the water supply means comprise a conduit arranged for movement with the lid.

8. A combination as claimed in Claim 7, in which the conduit is housed within the lid.

9. A combination as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, in which the conduit has a flexible root portion allowing pivotal movement of the lid.

10. A combination as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9, in which the conduit has a flexible terminal portion allowing the direction of the stream or spray to be adjusted.

11. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim and additionally comprising a bidet basin which is moveable between an operative position in which it is located in or above the mouth of the WC bowl and an inoperative position in which it is clear of the mouth.

12. A combination as claimed in Claim 11, in which the basin has a peripheral flange which, in said operative position, is directly or indirectly supported on the rim of the WC bowl.

13. A combination as claimed in Claim 12, in which the upper surface of the flange is higher at the sides than at the front and rear.

14. A combination as claimed in Claim 11, 12 or 13, in which the basin is hinged to the bowl and has a closable outlet at the bottom thereof, the position of the outlet and the configuration of the outer surface of the basin being such that in the raised, inoperative position of the basin water drains along the outer surface of the basin and finally into the WC bowl.

1 5. A combination as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said outlet in an operative position is at least 1 5 cm above the rim of the bowl.

1 6. A bidet attachment for fitting to a WC bowl to enable the WC also to be used as a bidet, the attachment comprising guide means mountable on or above the rim of the bowl and a conduit slideable within the guide means between a retracted position in which it is clear of the bowl and an advanced, operative position, the arrangement being such that in the operative position the conduit projects downwardly into the mouth of the bowl so as to be capable of delivering an upwardly directed stream or spray of water.

1 7. An attachment as claimed in Claim 16, in which the conduit is flexible and the path defined by the guide means, when the conduit is in its operative position, is curved or angled.

18. An attachment as claimed in Claim 17, in which said conduit is rigid and mounted for sliding and/or pivotal movement.

1 9. An attachment as claimed in Claim 18, in which said tube is rectilinear.

20. A WC-bidet combination substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 6 or Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.

21. As WC attachment substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

22. The features as herein disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.