GB2393974A

GB2393974A - Thermostatic valve accessory to convert toilet into bidet

Info

Publication number: GB2393974A
Application number: GB0323603A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paremjit Bhatoa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-09
Filing date: 2003-10-09
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0323603D0

Abstract

The toilet accessory comprises a cylindrical thermostatic water mixing valve 1 mounted on the toilet pan 4 at the traditional position of the toilet seat hinge holes (4a, Fig 2). The mixer valve 1 may be secured to the toilet using fixing bolts 2 with a hollow core (2c, Fig 6), allowing water to pass through the fixing bolts to the mixing valve. Preferably there is an adjustable water spray nozzle assembly 8 attached to the mixer valve. The nozzle assembly is located at the toilet rim at the rear of the toilet. The accessory provides a simple way to convert a conventional toilet into a dual functioning toilet and bidet.

Description

TERMOSTATIC BIDET TOILET SEAT

This Is mventlon concerns a conventional toilet seat which also acts as a bidet Due to the size hmtatlons of most modern bathrooms there is not enough space to fit a bidet. A vast number of people especially from Aslan and European origms resort to using a Jug of water on a conventional toilet to wash their anus area after use of the toilet. This IS generally awkward and results In splashes of water on clothing and the surrounding area of the toilet. This mventlon ehminates the need to resort to such measures by simply mcorporalmg the essential elements of a bidet into the toilet seat. Accordingly this mventlon provides a simply and cost effective way to transform a existing toilet mto a bidet by simply mstallatlon of this invention.

The mventlon comprises of a thermostatic water mixer valve (this gives the users the luxury of water at the desired temperature), the thermostatic water mixer valve used IS cyhndrlcal m design (more commonly used m bathroom / shower cubicles). The thermostatic water mixer valve IS mounted on the toilet pan at the location of the toilet scat hmge holes. The thermostatic water mixer valve IS mounted with Its water-outlet facing the rear of the toilet (towards the cistern), thus not to infringe upon the seating area space. Attached lo the thermostatic water mixer valve water-outlet IS a spray nozzle assembly which convemently fits under the toilet seat. Attached to the spray nozzle Is a water spray nozzle head which Is positioned at the rear of the toilet, m the tollct bowl, Just above the toilet rim edge The water spray nozzle head Is optimally angled to spray only the user anus area, thus mmmsng water splashes.

When the user wishes to use the bldct he simply reaches back behind him with both hands, and turns the on off control knobs on each end on the thermostatic water mixer valve. One knob turns on the water flow and the other allows the user to set the desired water temperature. The water now sprays out of the water spray nozzle head and cleans the users anus area.

A preferred embodiment of the Invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I. Shows a side elevation view of the assembled 'Bidet Tollet Seat'. T he actual toilet seat and hd have not been shown since due to their size they would mfrmge on the clarity of the diagram. Only the toilet seat hinge plate (connects to the toilet seat and kid) has been shown.

I;IGURE 2. Shows an exploded view of the components, which are required m the 'Bidet Tollet Seat' The actual toilet seat and lid have not been shown since due to their size they would mirmge on the clarity of the diagram. Only the toilet seat hmgc plate (connects to the toilet seat and lid) has been shown. FIGURES 3,4,5 Show the three damsons of the thcnnostatlc waler mixer valve fixmg bolt.

I;IGURE 6 Shows a cross section of a thermostatic water mixer valve fixmg bolt.

FIGURE 7. Shows a side elevation view of the complete toilet seat, hd and hmge plate.

FIGURES 8,9,10. Show the couphugs (lomts), which are used to Jom various sections of small-bore plastic tubing at the required angle. (the smallbore plastic tubing IS used to supply the hot and cold water to the thermostatic water mixer valve) FIGURE 11 Shows a self-adhesive plastic clip that Is used to secure the small bore plastic tubing m place.

DESCRIPTIONS

A more detailed descapton of each Figure will now follow.

As shown Figure 1. The thermostatic water muxer valve I Is convemently mounted on the toilet pan 4 m the location of the traditional toilet seat hinge. Hot and cold water Is supplied to the thermostatic water muxer valve I through the fixmg bolt 2 which secures the water mixer valve 1 to the toilet pan 4.

The fixmg bolts 2 have a hollow core, which allows water to pass through them. Small-bore plastic tubmg 5 is connected to the end of the fixing bolts 2 by means of a screw-on connector 6. The other end of the Smallbore plastic tubing 5 has a sell:cuttlng compression clamp 7. This clamp 7 IS connected to the hot and cold water supply pipes (please note the view in fig.l only shows the cold water fitting, the hot water fitting Is obscured from view smce It Is on the opposite side of the toilet pan). This IS a very discrete way to supply hot and cold water since all the pipe work Is out of sight at the lower rear of the toilet pan. The water spray nozzle assembly 8 Is connected to the water mixer valve wateroutlet 9.

When the user wishes to use the bidet he simply turns on/off control knob la to set the desired temperature and then turns knob lb to turn on the water supply. The water now sprays out of the water spray nozzle head 3 and cleans the users anus area. The water spray nozzle head IS optimally angled to spray only the user anus area, thus mlnmlsmg water splashes.

As shown m Figure 2. To construct the mventlon hinge plate 11 (together with the toilet seat and kid) Is placed on toilet pan 4 and evenly aligned with toilet pan hmge holes 4a. Fixing bolt ends 2b are placed m the toilet pan hmge holes 4a.

Thermostatic water mixer valve I (with ItS water mixer valve water-outlet 9 facmg towards the toilet cistern) Is placed on top of fixing bolt heads 2a and IS secured to 2a by means of the water mixer valve securing nuts 10.

The water spray nozzle assembly 8 IS now positioned m between the thermostatic water muxer valve I and hinge plate 11. Water spray nozzle threaded end 12 Is secured to water mixer valve water-outlet 9.

To overcome the problem of venous size toilets, the water spray nozzle has been made as two adJommg sections - 13 and 8. Water spray nozzle section 8 shdes mode of section 13 allowing for a perfect fit on any size of toilet. The user can push water spray nozzle section 8 mto section 13 until it comes to a stop and water spray nozzle head 3 IS positioned towards the back of the toilet, resting above the toilet rim. Now usmg a plastic glue water spray nozzle sections 8 and 13 can be permanently glued at water spray nozzle pomt 16.

Thermostatic water mixer valve 1 Is now secured to the toilet pan 4 by placing washers 14 over the fixmg bolt lower ends 2b and then nuts 15 are screwed on to fixmg bolt lower ends 2b until they finally come to stop under the toilet pan hmge holes 4a.

Now small bore plastic tubmg connector ends 6 are connected by screwing them on to fixmg bolt lower ends 2b respectfully. Assuming Hot and cold water supply pipes 17 and 18 are located at the rear of the toilet (wlthm a distance of approximately 50cm of fixmg bolt lower ends 2b), connect the small bore plastic tubmg pipe clamp ends 7 to the hot and cold water supply pipes 17 and 18 respectfully. By turmng the self-cutting keys 19, the small bore plastic tubing pipe clamp ends 7 will cut mto the hot and cold water supply pipes 17 and 18 creating a water tight seal In the process.

This completes the fitting of the mventlon.

Figures 3,4 and 5 explained.

Since this mventlon IS designed to fit on to any toilet pan, the issue of different toilet pans having their hinge holes set at different widths apart had to be addressed.

Most toilet pans have their hmge holes widths between 13cm and 17cm apart. 'l'hc thermostatic water mixer valve used assumes toilet pan hinge holes are set at 15cm apart.

As shown m figures 3, 4, and 5, three different pairs of Mung bolts 2 are supphcd with the invention to overcome the Issue of dlf'ferent hinge hole widths.

figure 3 shows a fixmg bolt 2 with fixmg head 2a set centrally.

Figure 4 shows a fixmg bolt 2 with fixmg head 2a offset from the centre by tom Figure 5 shows a fixmg bolt 2 with fixmg head 2a of'f'set from the centre by 2cm.

By using different pairs of fixmg bolt 2 or even by mlxmg the pairs (for example, by using a fixmg bolt 2 from figure 3 and another from figure 5 to make a pair), the user Is able to connect the thermostatic water mixer valve to different sizes of toilet pan.

Not only can the user mix the pairs of fixing bolt 2, but also once they are placed m the toilet pan hinge holes they can be turned m a clock/antclockwlse duectlon to obtam the perfect alignment with the thermostatic water mixer valve securing nuts If the fixing bolts 2 are turned in a clock/antl-clockwlse direction the thermostatic water mixer valve mounting position will deviate left or right from the centre of the toilet pan hmge holes (i.e. towards or away from the toilet pan rim). This deviation is compensated nor by the water spray nozzle assembly bemg m two adjoining sections One section bemg able to freely slide mto the other to overcome any deviation In length encountered.

Figure 6 shows a cross section view of the fixmg bolt 2. It clearly shows how the core 2c of the fixing bolt Is hollow, this is to allow water to pass through the fixing bolt 2 as the hot and cold water supply for the thermostatic water mixer valve.

Figure 7 shows the toilet pan hmge plate 1 I complete with toilet seat 20 and toilet hd 23.

As shown the toilet seat 20 hinge hftlng mechamsm Is conventional in dcslgn. Hmge 21 is screwed to toilet scat 20 at one end and the other end IS connected to hmge plate 11 via hmge pins 22. Thus toilet seat 20 can be hfted/closed by the use of this mechamsm.

The closmg /hftmg of the toilet hd 23 Is more complex since it has to overcome the thermostatic water mixer valve being mounted in the conventional hd hinge position.

To close the toilet lid 23 the user must first hat up the toilet hd 23 m an upward, vertical manner and thus by virtue of llftmg the hinge assembly mechamsm 28 Is stretched. In this stretched position the rear hinge plates 24 are m a vertical position bchmd the thermostatic water mixer valve.

As the user continues to close the toilet lid 23, the curved hmge plates 25 are m a horizontal resting position on top of the thermostatic water mixer valve.

When the toilet hd 23 is completely closed, hmge plates 26 are no a vertical position m front of the thermostatic water mixer valve, and hmge plates 27 are In a horizontal position resting on the toilet seat 20. The hmge plates 27 are secured to the lower end of toilet hd 23 by the means of screws.

Lifting the toilet hd 23 IS the reverse of closing, and the toilet hd 23 Is placed m a conventional vertical restmg position between the rear of the thermostatic water moor valve and the toilet cistern. In this position the hmge assembly mechanism 28 collapses In a neatly folded concertina fashion behmd the rear of the thermostatic water mixer valve.

Flgures 8,9,and 10 explained.

If the hot and cold water supply pipes are not located at the rear of the toilet, additional lengths of small-bore plastic tubing may be needed to connect the hot and cold water supply pipes to thermostatic water mixer valve. Also the actual run of the pipe-work (small-bore plastic tubing) to be carried out may be an awkward one with obstacles and corners in Its path.

In this instance the small bore plastic tubing will need to be cut in two, and one end connected to the lower end of the fixing bolt (which connects to the thermostatic water mixer valve), and the other end connected to the hot or cold water supply pipes.

Now extension pleces/lengths of small-bore plastic tubmg and couplings can be used to Jom these cut ends of the orlgmal small-bore plastic tubmg.

figure 8 shows a straight coupling 29 used to Jom two extension piece ends of small-bore plastic tubmg 5a and 5b. Plastic glue IS apphed to 5a and 5b and then 5a and 5b are inserted mto straight coupling 29.

Figure 9 shows a 90 degrees angled coupling 30 used to Jom two extension piece ends of small-bore plastic tubmg.

Figure 10 shows a 45 degrees angled coupling 31 used to Jom two extension piece ends of small-bore plastic tubmg.

Figure I] shows a self-adhesive plastic clip used to secure the extension pieces of small-bore plastic tubing m place. Therefore giving a neat finish, with the actual pipe-work (small-bore plastic tubmg) out of sight Self-adheslve pad 33 IS stuck on to any dry, clean surface to which the small-bore plastic tubmg IS to be firmly secured. Flexible chp end 32 IS clipped-over the small-bore plastic tubmg and thus holds It firmly m place.

Claims

1. An accessory for a toilet compnsmg a thermostatic water mixer valve which IS CyhildrlCal III design bemg mounted on a toilet pan at the position of the common toilet seat hmge holes (see It Igure 1).

2. An accessory according to claim 1, with thermostatic water mixer valve havmg its water-

outlet located at the centre of the thermostatic water maxer valve.

3. An accessory according to claim 1, with thermostatic water mixer valve bemg mounted on the toilet pan with Its water-outlet facmg towards the rear of the toilet (towards the cistern), thus not to mirmge on the seating area space.

4. An accessory according to claim 1 with a water spray nozzle assembly bemg attached to the thermostatic water mixer valve water-outlet, and also bemg located at the central rear of the toilet pan with the water spray nozzle head located m the toilet pan at the central rear Just above the rim (see Figure I).

5 An accessory according to claim 4, where the water spray nozzle assembly Is m two adJomlng sections, with one section slldmg mto the other section to allow for a correct fit on any size toilet pan.

6. An accessory according to clams 1, with the fixing bolts used to secure the thermostatic water mixer valve to the toilet pan, having a hollow core, which allows water to pass through the fixing bolts to the thermostatic water mixer valve (see Figure 6).

7. An accessory according to claim 6 where the lower end of the thermostatic water mixer valve fixmg bolts are attached to small-bore plastic tubmg which have plastic screw connectors at one end and sclf:cuttmg plpC clamps at the other end.

8. An accessory for a toilet compnsmg a hmge plate connected to a toilet seat and toilet hd as described m 'Descriptions, Figure 7'.

9. An accessory substantially as described herem with reference to and as Illustrated by the several figures of the accompanying drawings.