JPH0151615B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the art of toilet bowls or flush toilets, and more particularly to sanitary devices made for attachment to a toilet seat or bowl.

The present invention is for use in personal hygiene, specifically for cleaning the anal and genital areas of the human body. The device can be used, for example, immediately after using the toilet without any further removal of clothing.

Private room cleaning devices, commonly known as bidets, can be relatively expensive depending on the region.
However, it is also true that this is generally seen as a personal hygiene device primarily for women. Although the benefits of bidets are increasingly being recognized in the United States, their space requirements and separate drainage pipes make them extremely difficult to install in current restroom facilities, especially in private residences. be.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional toilet accessories are known that are intended to have the cleaning capabilities of a bidet. In theory, the above-mentioned space and drainage problems should be solved with devices of this type, at least one of which is currently commercially available.

However, these devices have been found to have some practical drawbacks, as they must be operated in the physical environment of a conventional toilet. Significant drawbacks include poor cleaning effectiveness due to lack of or non-uniformity of action on the targeted areas, namely the anal and genital regions of the human body. A second disadvantage is that water is often splashed onto the floor or onto the user's clothing. The main cause of these two drawbacks lies in the design requirements imposed on this type of device, namely:
This is due to the requirement that it be fitted within the confines of a conventional toilet and that it be stored out of the way when not in use and preferably out of sight.

A third drawback is the inability to effectively warm up. Most devices use a pivoting spray head that is moved to guide water into the toilet bowl until it is at a suitable temperature for use. However, such a configuration makes the device mechanically complex and increases cost.

A first object of the invention is therefore to provide a toilet hygiene device which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above.

A second object is to provide a sanitary device configured to be attached to a conventional toilet.

A third object is to provide a sanitary device that can be moved to a generally invisible retracted position when not in use.

A fourth objective is to provide a sanitary device that is capable of thoroughly cleaning the entire target area.

A fifth object is to provide a sanitary device that does not splash cleaning fluid, e.g. water, either onto the floor or onto the user's clothing.

A sixth object is to provide a sanitary device that allows fluid to easily flow into the toilet bowl.

A seventh objective is to provide a sanitary device that is mechanically simple and easy to clean.

As can be understood from the above explanation, the present invention includes:
This sanitary device is configured so that it can be used in common with a conventional toilet equipped with a toilet bowl and a toilet seat. This device includes:
A support member positioned on the toilet rim is included. The support member includes a handle and is movable between a first position and a second position. Several elements are provided to enable a cleaning fluid, such as water, to be supplied to the support member. That is, the apparatus further includes an elongate arm member for conveying fluid, an ejection head member, and a base member. The arm member is coupled at one end to and is in fluid communication with the support member. Also, the other end is connected to the injection head member. The base member is fixed to the bottom of the toilet seat, and the support member is rotatably attached to the base member. The support member is aligned with the base member, and its alignment is such that the support member can rotate about a support axis that is at an angle between about 30° and 55° with respect to the horizontal plane of the toilet seat. belongs to. As a result of this configuration, the injection head member is located between a first position below the rear of the toilet seat and a second position located approximately at the center of the lateral dimension of the toilet seat opening and near the front edge of the toilet seat. Over time, I was able to draw the locus of movement. That is, when activated, the spray head member moves in a relatively shallow arc below the toilet seat opening to clean both the fluid within the toilet bowl and the user seated on the toilet seat. The focal point of the arc drawn by the head member is at least several inches above the plane of the toilet seat.

The present invention will be more fully understood upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1-4 and FIGS. 7 and 8, the apparatus of the present invention is shown installed in a conventional toilet environment. Briefly, the present sanitary device is indicated as a whole by 11 and is composed of a base 12, a support member 13, and a rod-shaped elongated handle 15 forming a part of the support member 13. Support member 1
3 is rotatable around a rotating shaft 17, and the rotating shaft 17 is set at a predetermined angle with respect to the plane of the toilet seat 19 on which the sanitary device 11 is mounted.

An elongate fluid carrying arm 21 is provided which extends outwardly from the support member 13 and terminates in an ejection head 23. Water is supplied to the sanitary device 11 through a high/low temperature water mixer 25 and a pipe 27 connecting the mixer 25 and the support member 13 via the base 12. Since the support member 13 is partially hollow, there is direct fluid communication between the mixer 25 and the injection head 23.

The rotation axis 17 is set to form the above angle with respect to the toilet seat plane, and the elongated arm 21 is
The injection head 23 is configured to move in a relatively shallow arc. In other words, the head 23
The movement of the toilet seat 19 starts from a retracted position located near the plane of the toilet seat 19 and the deflecting member 29 fixed in a state facing rearward, and passes through an operating track extending below the opening 19a of the toilet seat 19. It is movable to a position near the front end of the opening 19a and approximately in the middle of the lateral dimension of the opening 19a.

The injection head 23 is movable on its operating trajectory from a certain position at the rear of the toilet seat to a position near the front end of the toilet seat. When the head 23 is approximately centered in the opening 19a, it is approximately 3 inches (7.62 cm) below the plane of the underside of the toilet seat. Since the focal point of the arc of the spray head 23 is several inches above the toilet seat, the area of interest in the plane of the opening 19a is completely covered by the head 23 as the head 23 moves across its trajectory. will be covered. This arrangement will be described in more detail later, but many of the problems of the prior art described above can be solved by this arrangement.

Now, regarding the operating principle of this device, see Figures 1 to 4.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings and FIGS. 7 and 8. Initially, a cleaning fluid, typically water, is supplied to the sanitary device 11 via hot and cold water supply pipes (not shown). This water is sent to mixer 25, where high temperature water and low temperature water are mixed at a predetermined ratio. In addition, this ratio is determined by the user when using the mixer handle 3.
1 can be set. The mixer 25 is supported on a platform plate which is also connected to the toilet bowl via a toilet seat mount.

The output of the mixer 25 communicates with the main part of the sanitary device 11 via a tube 27, which can also be sheathed with a metal flexible hose (not shown) for aesthetic and protection purposes. There is. Armorable tube 27
extends to the outer edge of the lower surface of the toilet seat 19, where it enters the elongated groove 33 on the lower surface of the toilet seat. Groove 33
are cut to a depth sufficient to accommodate the sheathable tube 27 and extend approximately along one side of the seat 19 from a point in close proximity to one of the pivot points 35 of the seat 19. It extends to the longitudinal center point 37 of. A catch 39 is provided to hold the tube 27 with flexible hose in place as it enters the groove 33. Also, the cover plate 41
(shown in FIG. 4), which covers the entire length of the groove 33 and the tube 27 therein.

This elongated groove 33 connects with the cavity in which the base 12 is arranged. Base 12 is approximately 2 inches (5.08 cm) square and approximately 1/2 inch deep in the illustrated embodiment.
inch (1.27cm). The base 12 extends approximately 1/4 inch (0.635 cm) downward from the bottom surface of the toilet seat.
The base 12 has flat wall surfaces 45 on three sides and a plate 47 attached to the top surface, with most of the plate 47 being parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of the toilet seat, that is, when the toilet seat is lowered, it is horizontal. be. The other portion of the plate 47 is a sloped portion 49 forming the remaining wall surface of the base 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclined portion 49 forms an angle of about 45° with respect to the plane of the underside of the toilet seat, and is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toilet seat 19. The angle of the rotating shaft 17 of the support member 13 is determined by the angle of the inclined portion 49. In the illustrated example, the rotation angle is about 45 degrees, but the device can be operated properly as long as this angle is within the range of approximately 30 degrees to 55 degrees. A circular hole (not shown) is provided in the inclined portion 49 of the plate 47, and the support member 13 is attached to the inclined portion 49 via a hollow rotation joint (not shown) rotatably fitted to the circumference of the circular hole. It is held rotatably. The support member 13 is a tube 27
a tube for communicating with the rotary joint, the tube passing through the center of the rotation joint and entering the base 12;
There, it is rotatably fitted to the end of the tube 27.
The shape of the support member 13 is somewhat irregular, and one end of the hollow portion of the support member 13 rotatably communicates with the tube 27 as described above, and the arm 21 is connected to the other end, so that the tube 27 and the arm 21 are connected to each other. The two are starting to communicate with each other. As shown in FIG. 7, a handle 15 is provided on a part of the support member 13 in order to rotate the support member 13 with respect to the inclined portion 49 of the plate 47 about the shaft 17. The arm 21 can be rotated about the rotating shaft 17. Note that the rotating shaft 1
7 is approximately perpendicular to the plane of the sloped portion 49, and the sloped portion 49 intersects with the lower surface of the toilet seat at an angle of about 45°. The axis 17 thus also forms an angle of approximately 45 DEG with respect to the plane of the underside of the toilet seat in the illustrated example. However, as mentioned above, this angle can be varied to some extent within the range of approximately 30° to 50°. The axis 17 also lies generally on the cross section of the toilet seat 19.

The handle 15 is an elongated flat member extending from a portion 54 of the support member 13, and in the illustrated example,
It is approximately 3 inches (7.62 cm) long, 3/4 inch (1.905 cm) wide, and 3/8 inch (0.953 cm) thick.
The exposed edges and edges are beveled and rounded for comfort in the user's hand.

The elongated arm 21 for conveying fluid is hollow,
One end 57 of the tube 27 is connected to a part 55 of the support member 13 to communicate with the hollow part of the support member 13, so that the elongated arm 21 is connected to the pipe 27 through the support member 13.
There is fluid communication up to the point.

Elongate arm 21 has a particular shape that helps achieve the objectives of the invention. In the illustrated example, the arm 21 is composed of three parts, each of which has a generally straight shape, but if the parts shown and described above are combined, it will have a complex shape.

The shape and relative position of each part of the arm 21 and its retracted position will be described. Arm 2
The first portion 59 of the toilet seat 19 extends outwardly from the support member 13 in a plane substantially coplanar with the underside of the toilet seat 19 . It extends somewhat toward the rear of the toilet seat at an angle of about 15 DEG to 20 DEG from the transverse axis and ends in close proximity to the border edge of the opening 19a. As the injection head 23 moves on its working trajectory, the portion 59
The space between the toilet seat 19 and the top surface of the toilet bowl is moved in a very shallow arc approximately parallel to the plane of the toilet seat 19. The overall shape of the portion 59 and its angle of connection to the support member 13 are such that its entire range of movement lies between the toilet seat 19 and the toilet bowl. Therefore, the entire portion 59 is located under the toilet seat 19 and is hidden from view.

Second portion 63 extends from first portion 59 and is approximately 3 1/2 inches long in the illustrated example.
cm). This means that the first part 59 is the toilet seat 19.
When parallel to the horizontal axis of the toilet seat 19, it is inclined downwardly at an angle of about 30° and backwardly at an angle of about 45° from the plane of the toilet seat 19. This second portion 63 extends from the seat edge 61 into the opening 19a and is connected to the first portion 59 at an angle that allows the spray head 23 to follow the desired arcuate trajectory. When the device is fully retracted, the second portion 63 is hidden under the toilet seat 19 and is located relatively close to the edge of the opening 19a. As the injection head 23 moves on its working trajectory, the second portion 63 moves below the opening 19a, with its far end, ie the end closest to the injection head 23, forming a shallow arc below the opening 19a. draw

The third portion 65 is relatively short, approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) in the illustrated example, and connects with the injection head 23. The third portion 65 is the second portion 6
3, such that the third portion 65 extends in the same direction as the first portion 59 and the injection head 23
is positioned such that it is housed within the deflecting member 29 when it is retracted.

In the illustrated example (FIG. 5), the injection head 23 has:
It has a rectangular shape with a length of approximately 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm), a width of 3/4 inches (1.91 cm), and a depth of approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). A plurality of small holes 69 are drilled in one of its surfaces, through which the fluid is directed to the mixer 2.
From step 5 onwards, it is pumped out in the form of a spray.

The relationship between the arm 21, the injection head 23, and the handle 15 is such that when the handle 15 is in a generally horizontal position near the outer edge of the toilet seat 19, the injection head 23 is deflected near the bottom surface of the toilet seat and on one side of the rear of the toilet seat. It is set to be housed within the member 29.

The baffle member 29 of the present invention, in the illustrated example, is generally dish-shaped with a diameter of 2 inches (5.08 cm) and a height of 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). The deflecting member 29 includes a base 70 (shown in the sixth figure) fixed to the bottom surface of the toilet seat;
A relatively thin boundary wall 71 is included with a flat exterior surface and a curved interior surface so that there are no angular or sharp edges within the baffle member 29.

The deflecting member 29 is arranged at a position slightly shifted from the rearmost center of the toilet seat. Injection head 2
3 is in its fully retracted position, said head 23
A portion thereof is adapted to fit into the cavity defined by the deflecting member 29. When the injection head 23 is in its retracted position and fluid enters the device,
The fluid is deflected into the toilet bowl. this is,
It is particularly advantageous in that the cold water in the device flows easily into the toilet bowl as soon as the device starts operating, without any splashing. In another embodiment, a heater is disposed within the mixer 25 to uniformize the water temperature in the apparatus.

When the water temperature reaches the desired temperature, the handle 15 is turned to position the spray head 23 at the user's desired position. By configuring each component of the device as described above, the injection head 23 is able to eject from the rear portion of the opening 19a located approximately 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) lower than the plane of the bottom surface of the toilet seat. It is adapted to move along an arc extending to a region near the front of the opening, which is also approximately 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) below the plane of the toilet seat. At the center point of this arc, the spray head 23 is approximately 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) to 3 inches (7.62 cm) below the seat plane.

In such a configuration, the spray head 23 does not come into contact with the user and can still treat water within the toilet bowl. The fluid within the device must be kept at a certain distance from the plane of the toilet seat, i.e. between 3 inches (7.62 cm) and 4 inches.
It is under sufficient pressure to generate a jet toward the focal point of the arc located inches (10.16 cm) above.
When the injection head 23 moves on its arc, the injection is always directed towards this focal point. However, the area targeted for this injection usually lies on a plane between the focal point of the arc and the injection head 23.
Therefore, a relatively wide range of target areas above the trajectory of the injection head 23 is possible.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, a sanitary device is described herein that is useful as an accessory to a conventional toilet. The device is convenient, effective, and unobtrusive during full retraction. The spraying by this device can treat a relatively wide target area, and does not splash onto the user's clothing. This device also includes:
A component is included to maintain the flushing fluid at the desired temperature, and the device is constructed so that no part thereof comes into contact with the user or the water in the toilet bowl.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein for convenience of explanation, there may be many variations to the present embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is to be understood that various changes, modifications, and substitutions may be incorporated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an environment in which the device of the present invention is installed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the injection head of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. Figure 6 is the first
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the deflector of the illustrated device; FIG. 7 is a partially sectional side view showing the attachment portion of the device of FIG. 1 to a toilet seat. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the attachment portion shown in FIG. 7. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Sanitary device, 12... Base, 13... Support member, 15... Handle, 17... Rotating shaft, 19...
... Toilet seat, 21 ... Elongated arm, 23 ... Injection head, 29 ... Deflecting member, 33 ... Groove.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A sanitary device for use in ordinary toilets, including a toilet bowl and a toilet seat, which is equipped with a handle, is located on the rim of the toilet bowl, and is movable together with the handle between a first position and a second position. a support member that supplies a cleaning fluid such as water to the support member; an elongated fluid conveyance arm that is connected at one end to the support member and is in fluid communication with the support member; an injection head member fixed to the other end, and the support member is rotatably attached to the underside of the toilet seat, and in this attached state, the rotation axis of the support member When in the upper position, the injection head member forms an angle in the range of about 30° to 55° with respect to the plane of the toilet seat, and the spray head member is in a first position below the rear of the toilet seat and lateral to the opening of the toilet seat. The second part is located approximately in the middle of the dimensions and near the front end of the toilet seat.
The injection head member also moves in a relatively shallow arc below the toilet seat opening upon actuation, discharging both the fluid in the toilet bowl and the user seated on the toilet seat. What is claimed is: 1. A sanitary device for a toilet bowl, wherein the focus of the arc drawn by the injection head member is at least several inches above the plane of the toilet seat. 2. Claim 1, further comprising a base member disposed on the bottom surface of the toilet seat and located approximately in the middle of the longitudinal dimension of the toilet seat, and the supporting member is attached to the base member. The equipment described in section. 3. A baffle member located on the lower surface and near the rear of the toilet seat, the baffle member being dish-shaped and including a bottom surface and a surrounding portion curved toward the bottom surface, when the jetting head member is in the first position. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: is housed within said baffle member, and wherein fluid from said squirt head member in said first position is diverted by said baffle member into a toilet bowl. . 4 When the injection head member is in its lowermost position, a first portion of the fluid carrying arm extending from the support member to approximately the inner edge of the toilet seat forms a relatively small angle with respect to the plane of the toilet seat. However, on the other hand, the second part forming the remaining part of the fluid conveying arm after the first part forms a large angle with respect to the plane of the toilet seat.
The equipment described in section. 5. said ejection head member is coupled to said fluid transfer arm and said fluid transfer arm is configured at an angle such that the ejection head member therefrom follows a longitudinal trajectory generally coextensive with the longitudinal axis of the toilet seat; An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterized in: