US2589592A

US2589592A - Multipurpose bath apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2589592A
Application number: US148027A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ocana Manuel Munar
Original assignee: APLICACIONES SANITARIAS SA
Current assignee: APLICACIONES SANITARIAS SA; DE APLICACIONES SANITARIAS SA
Priority date: 1949-04-26
Filing date: 1950-03-07
Publication date: 1952-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1969-03-18

Description

March 18, 1952 M. M. ocANA MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS Filed March '7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /m/e/7/0/ Mame/Manor 000/70 By his ahorneys March 18, 1952 M QCANA MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1950 EW E i," L.

/7l/e/7/0r Manue/Munar 000/70 By his attorneys March 18, 1952 M M, QCANA 2,589,592

MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS Filed March 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mme/var Mame/Manor 050/70 By his afforneys March 18, 1952 M. M. ocAfiA MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS 5 sheetssheet 4 s /m/en for Manue/MunarOcafi'a By his aflorneys I Filed March 7, 1950 M. M. ocANA MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS March 18, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 7, 1950- //7 Venfor Manue/MunarOcafio By his a/fom eys Patented Mar. 18, 1952 MULTIPURPOSE BATH APPARATUS Manuel Munar Ocaiia, Madrid, Spain, assignor to Sociedad Anonima de Aplicaciones Sanitarias, Madrid, Spain, a Spanish company Application March 7, 1950, Serial No. 148,027 In Spain April 26, 1949 10 Claims.

1 This invention relates to a multi-purpose bath apparatus. Disregarding the toilet-bowl, which is not considered bath apparatus and should preferably be placed in a separate room, the modern bathroom comprises at least a bath-tub, Wash-stand and bidet. In some installations 2 spraying, and Fig. 10 showing it adjusted for a j t;

there are also included a shower-bath, foot-bath and sometimes a childs bath-tub, as well as a chair or stool. v

It will be seen that a bathroom comprises a group of equipment occupying a space which is not suited to the characteristics of modern apartments, and that it also requires expensive installations and anetwork of piping which gives considerable trouble and leakage when embedded in walls or floors. More importantly, such bathrooms represent an enormous waste of water and fuel, both of which it is increasingly important to avoid. The cost of maintenance is also high. My invention avoids these disadvantages. I have evolved a total and perfect synthesis of a modern bathroom, concentrated in less than half the floor space occupied by a normal bath-tub. In this space I have placed multi-purpose bath apparatus performing all the functions of bathtub, wash-stand, bidet, foot-bath, shower and babys bath. My arrangement is a bath apparatus economical of area, water, time and fuel, as well as having considerable advantages in hygiene and comfort.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my bath apparatus installed in a bathroom, with the near wall of the bathroom removed;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the bath receptacles of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a view of .the receptacles of Fig. 1, taken in vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking toward the front; 7

Figured is a view of the receptacles taken in vertical section at right angles to Fig. 3, on the line 4-4 of Fig; 2, showing the water levels in the inner and outer receptacles;

Figure 5 is a view in detail of the rear end of i Figure 11 is a vertical view in side elevation of the foot valve controlling the water supply for the shower arm;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cavity in which the foot valve of Fig. 11 is located;

Figure 13 is a view of my bath apparatus in front elevation, showing the shower-head, curtain and receptacle adjusted for washing the face and hands;

Figure 14 is a perspective viewof the apparatus arranged as in Fig 13, showing a person washing his face and hands, while Figure 15 is a view in front elevation, on a larger scale than Fig. 13, of the front plate and end of the outer receptacle.

Thelargest single element in the multi-purpose bath apparatus shown in the drawings is an externally rectangular bath receptacle. Inside this outer receptacle is a smaller one B which acts as a bidet. The bidet is centrally located at the head end of the rectangular receptacle. It is conoidal in inner shape and generally oblong in form, with its longest dimension running in a direction from the head end towards the foot of the main receptacle. The upper edge of the head end is formed into a pair of horizontal surfaces A, A which extend between the inner edges of the main bath receptacle and the side edges of the bidet B, overlying the latter slightly. Thus the two surfaces are spaced apart over the bidet. Together, this pair of surfaces form a seat perfectly adapted to the human anatomy, the user being able to sit facing either inwardsor outwards. This seat is sloped slightly downward in the direction of the foot end of the main bath-receptacle.

In order to prevent any cross connection between clean and dirty water when using my bath apparatus, I provide outlet ducts A1, A; extending from the inside of the main receptacle to the exterior of thehead end at the outer side edges of the surfaces A, A. As shown in Fig. 4, these ducts A1, A1 are at such an elevation as to prevent the level of the water in the main receptacle rising to the level of the water'in the bidet. Any overflow through these ducts goes into a curb channel G at the floor level at the end of the main receptacle and thence through a grating G1 to a waste pipe (not shown).

The bidet B is provided, with a water supply nozzle B, connected to a pipe B2, the nozzle termin ating above the level of the water in the bidet but belowthe level of the seat. The bidet also has a discharge opening B4 at the bottom.

2,589,592 J 7 i i 1 It will be noted that the edges of the plane surfaces A extend slightly inward beyond the side edges of the bidet, thereby forming anti-splash edges B5 for the bidet.

The main receptacle of my apparatus is divided vertically into two parts. The lower part is a cavity C of adequate dimensions, first to avoid slipping of the feet as sometimes occurs in other installations, and secondly to enable control of the water supply when taking a medical foot-bath. This lower cavity C has the usual outlet and drain valve P.

The upper part of the main receptacle is formed into horizontal surfaces D at the level where it joins the lower cavity. These plane surfaces D extend along the two sides of the main receptacle and are adapted for use as a seat for children while bathing. In this way children are able to play and get used to water from their youngest days. The shape of the foot end of my main receptacle is one of the novel features of my invention. This end is divided into halves by a vertical cavity F and is formed into footrests on each side of the cavity suitable for use when taking a foot-shower, jet bath, etc.

Each half of thefoot f the receptacle presents a shape comprising an upper portion E inclined downwardly toward the center of the receptacle. This portion E connects with a curve at its lower end forming a cavity E1 and a plane surface E2 corresponding to the aforementioned seats D (see Figs. 4 and 5), but preferably inclined slightly downwardly towards the center of the receptacle. It will be seen from Fig. 5 that the shape of the halves therefore follows the anatomic shape of the human foot perfectly, enabling the user to lean his feet comfortably on the slopes when applying soap, or simply to have a rest for them during other hygienic applications with the apparatus.

I also find it preferable to provide a slightly raised edge A2 around the periphery of the receptacle to receive the lining material of the room or chamber in which the bath apparatus is installed and thereby avoid humidity or leakage (see Figs. 1 and 4).

Turning now to the arrangements for water supply, reference is made more particularly to Figs. 1, 6 and 7. I provide a mixer valve M connected to a distributor valve M1. The mixer valve M is connected to the cold water supply pipe R and hot water supply pipe T and has an operating lever S which enables the delivery of hot, cold or tepid water to the distributor valve M1. This latter valve has four outlets. The outlet L leads to a jet shower, the outlet N to a perineal douche set N1, N2. The outlet B2 is the pipe going to the bidet nozzle B3, and the fourth and final outlet V is another connection to the jet shower through an automatic foot valve shown in Figs. 6 and 11. This valve is for use when the jet shower is used to wash the hands and face, as explained below. The distributor valve M1 has the usual handle S for connecting the water from the mixer valve to whichever of these four outlets it is desired to connect.

The front wall or head end of my bath apparatus is enclosed by a plate I (see Fig. This plate is mounted on supports K (see Fig. 1) by means of screws J so that the plate can be re moved and replaced as necessary.

Medical science considers immersion in bathtubs non-hygienic, but my apparatus operates on the opposite principle. Thus in my apparatus,

sprinkling, squirting and spraying of running water and jets of water at convenient tempera ture and pressure are used as the only reasonable and scientific method for cleaning the human body because they carry away from the body from head to foot all the dirt, exudations and humors and at the same time strengthen and serve as a tonic for the body.

For these operations attention is called to the articulated and pivoted jet shower (see Figs. 1, 6 and 14). There is a shower pipe or arm L to carry the water to the shower head. The wall end of this shower arm turns on a plate L1 on the wall, thereby describing a semi-circular trajectory. The arm can lie in any desired position in this semi-circle. At its free end this articulated arm has a turning pivot plate L2 and fastened on that plate is the head or jet shower L3 shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10. This jet shower head is able to make acomplete circle of movement about its pivot point on the shower pipe L and can be fixed at any desired angle in this circle.

. the head is knurled and by rotation of this head charge of Fig. 10.

It will be obvious that the apparatus already. described can be mounted on or formed from various other types of conduits and valves.

Itwill be seen that the equipment so. far described provides a substitute for a full-length bath-tub.

All the services obtained fromthe bath equipment of a modern bathroom having running water are replaced to advantage, by my simple and novel apparatus. I will now describe the additional equipment necessary to enable my apparatus to be usedas a substitute for a washstand. I provide a water-proof curtain X shown in Figs. 13 and 14 which is strung by means of rings on a bar Q extending across the head end of the receptacle slightly above waist level. While I have shown the curtain arranged at this level when not using the equipmentas a washstand, the curtain is normally suspended by means of its bar Q on upper supports 0. These upper supports provide a full-length shower cur tain. When used as a substitute for a washstand the bar is placed on the lower supports 0 at waist level, as already mentioned. When properly hung on the lower supports '0, the cur- I tain forms an apron preserving the body from splashing water. When the user is ready towash his face and hands or his arms and entire head; the arm L1 is lowered and the jet shower L3 turned upward to the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, thus providing. an ascending water jet or shower. In the plate I at the head end of the receptacle at the floor level are two openings H, H1 into which the bather puts his feet. This enables him to get close to the curtain and the jet shower and have the body in a perfectly com-l fortable position while washing. The water is mixed to the desired temperature by means of the water mixer valve M. Then the lever S of the distributor valve M1 is turned so as to establish communication between the distributor valve M1 and a button V1 of a valve V in the cavity H1. When the bather presses on this button with his foot, the water spray 0r jet from the articulated shower pipe L and jet shower head The periphery of the discharge end'of;

part of a perfect form of bidet system. Water is supplied through the nozzle B3 and the bidet can be drained, when necessary, through the outlet B4. The overflow edge B1 and the anti-splash edges B5 of the seat control the water in an ideal manner. 1

The arrangement of the bidet between the two plane surfaces A, A allows the bather to sit comfortably upon the said surfaces, facing either inwards or outwards, as if on a chair. This obviously is more comfortable than the ordinary bidet where the user is obliged to ride upon a narrow and uncomfortable edge. I A perineal douche can also be obtained with the stationary water in the bidet B or with a flowing supply of water if the nozzle B3 is left,

tion and contamination owing to the fact that any dirt or water in the bidet B never can reach the level of the fresh water nozzle B3. Instead, the waters in the bidet flow over the edge B1 and fall into the main bath receptacle, from whence they flow through the outlet ducts A1.

If desired, the bidet service can be rounded out by installation of a portable perineal douche N1, N2 (see Fig. 1).

My novel bath apparatus also represents the perfect and comfortable solution for foot-baths heretofore known.

In order to take a foot-bath the bather sits on the plane surfaces A, A, turns the articulated jet shower down and opens the jet until the cavity.

C of the main receptacle is filled to a convenient level. When it is desired to washthe feet by means of a jet or shower, the same manipulation is used, but the jet or shower is directed at the feet of the user which alternately are leaned.

against the slopes E1, E2 at the foot end of the main receptacle. As already mentioned, my apparatus serves equally well for bathing children, who can sit on the plane surfaces D at the upper edge of the lower cavity C while the shower arm L and the jet shower Ls are manipulated as desired.

Reference is made to my co-pending application S'erial No. 32,109, filed June 10, 1948 (now Patent No. 2,589,280), containing claims directed broadly to the seat shown in the present application without reference to any perineal shower cavity or bidet. Reference is also madeto my copending application Serial No. 109,333, filed August 9, 1949 (now Patent No. 2,589,281), which contains claims to the seat shown in the present application in connection with a perineal shower cavity.

I claim:

1. Multi-purpose bath apparatus comprising a rectangular bath receptacle having an entirely planar bottom and a seat at the front end of the receptacle, in combination with a small, oblong bidet whose body is almost entirely outside the receptacle and located midway of the upper front of the receptacle, the entire edge of said bidet except a small front sector which projects over the receptacle being covered by thelower face of the seat following the contours of an opening formed in the center of the seat topermitthe use. of the bidet but leaving a small flange. tor anti-splash edge; and a separate water supply means and waste connection for the bidet independent of the receptacle.

2. Multi-purpose bath apparatus comprising an externally rectangular bath receptacle and a receptacle mounted mid-way of the head end of the rectangular receptacle and inside same, in combination with two plane surfaces provided at the head end of the outer receptacle covering the space between external edges of both the outer and inner receptacles, said two plane surfaces being spaced apart over said inner receptacle and together forming a seat adapted to the human anatomy.

3L Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 2 in which in the outer receptacle, laterally outside said plane surfaces, are outlet ducts forming an overflow system for the outer receptacle below the upper edge of the inner receptacle, whereby any mixing of the water in the outer receptacle with the water in the inner receptacle is prevented.

4. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at one end of the outer receptacle are two outlet ducts forming an overflow for the water in the outer receptacle, whereby any mixing of the water in the outer receptacle with that in the inner receptacle is prevented.

5. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inner face of the foot end of the outer receptacle is divided into halves by a vertical cavity, said halves being inclined inwardly toward the bottom, whereby the users feet can be rested against them when the user is seated at the head end of the outer receptacle.

6. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of the foot halves has an upper part inclined inwardly toward' the bottom of the receptacle, said upper incline merging at its lower end into a cavity ending in a horizontal surface slightly inclined inwardly toward the bottom of the receptacle, this shape following the anatomic shape of the foot, whereby the user can lean his feet comfortably on the foot halves when applying soap, or simply have a rest for his feet while using the bath apparatus.

7. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 in which there are a pivoted jet shower above the receptacles, a foot valve for said shower employed when the shower is to be used for washing face, head or hands, in combination with a perineal douche, a water mixer and a distributor connecting the water to the jet shower, the perineal douche, the bidet, the water supply or the foot valve, as desired.

8. Mult'l-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 in which there are a pivoted jet shower above the receptacles and a foot valve therefor employed when the shower is used to wash the face, head or hands, said shower comprising a pipe arm and a pivot plate rigidly supported on a wall of the room in which the bath apparatus is installed, said pipe arm being connected to the plate and adapted to be moved by hand to any desired position in a vertical, semi-circular trajectory, in combination with a turning pivot plate on the other end of the pipe arm and a jet shower head attached to the said pivot plate adapted to turn up or down, said jet shower head being adapted to produce either a jet or a spray. as desired.

9. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 in which thereare a pivoted jet shower above the receptacles and two cavities located in the lower front wall of the outer receptacle in which the user can put his feet in order to maintain a 'comfortable position when using the shower to wash the face, head or hands, and a valve in the bottom of one of said cavities connected to said jet shower, whereby pressure of the foot will produce a water spray or jet from the jet shower.

l0. Multi-purpose bath apparatus according to claim 1 in which there is front wall on the outer receptacle in combination with a movable file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name 1 Date 1,129,612 Stoneback Feb. 23, 1915 2,163,154 Radimsky June 20, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 245,360 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1926