US2995759A

US2995759A - Sanitary rectal fountain

Info

Publication number: US2995759A
Application number: US744415A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merle O Gentry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-25
Filing date: 1958-06-25
Publication date: 1961-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1978-08-15

Description

Aug. 15, 1961 M. o. GENTRY 2,995,759

SANITARY RECTAL FOUNTAIN Filed June 25, 1958 INVENTOR. MERLE O. GENTRY ATTORA/EKS United States Patent 2,995,759 SANITARY RECTAL FOUNTAIN Merle 0. Gentry, Rte. 1, Box 890, Ventura, Calif. Filed June 25, 1958, Ser. No. 744,415 2 Claims. (Cl. 4-7) This invention relates generally to attachments for toilet bowls and more particularly to an improved bidet for cleansing the rectal area after defecation.

Many different types of anal douches or bidets for use with toilet bowls have been proposed heretofore. Generally, these devices take the form of a swingable pipe terminating in a nozzle arranged to be positioned in the central portion of the toilet bowl to direct a spray of water upwardly against the rectal area of the user. When not in use, the swingable nozzle structure may be positioned adjacent the side of the bowl in an out of the way position.

In all such prior art devices of which the present inventor is aware, however, there is no effective means for confining the water spray from the nozzle to a limited area of the anal region. Thus, while the rectal area itself will be washed, much of the water will be splashed on other surrounding portions of the buttocks and ricochet therefrom as well as from the sides of the toilet bowl to the end that possible unsanitary conditions can arise. Moreover, as a consequence of present day designs in which the nozzle portion is swung to the side or even to the exterior of the toilet bowl, there is no simple means for cleansing the nozzle after use.

Bearing the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved bidet in the form of a sanitary rectal fountain in which water spray is confined to the precise area to be cleansed with the resulting advantage that a minimum of the buttock area of the user is splashed with water.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide an improved rectal fountain which when not in use may be swung to a position in the toilet bowl such as to intercept normal flushing water so that upon flushing the toilet, the device will be washed and thus kept in a relatively sanitary condition all in an automatic manner.

Still other objects of this invention are to provide an improved sanitary rectal fountain which is relatively simple in construction, employs a minimum number of parts some of which perform dual functions so that a reliable and economical device is provided, and which may be readily attached to any conventional toilet bowl without major modification of the bowl structure itself.

Briefly, these and many other objects and advantages of the present invention are attained by providing a pipe arranged to extend transversely across the rear portion of the toilet bowl. One end of this pipe serves as an inlet form from a source of water and the other end is closed and terminates in a bent portion forming a simple handle. Intermediate the ends of this pipe there is provided a coupling means for rotatably securing the central portion of the pipe to the rear central portion of the toilet bowl beneath the conventional seat and cover. From this central portion of the pipe, there extends a small branch pipe terminating in an outlet opening. This branch pipe extends perpendicularly from the transversely positioned pipe and is arranged to be swung from a downwardly depending position adjacent the rear wall of the toilet bowl to a position substantially parallel to the plane of the upper peripheral edge of the toilet bowl upon rotation of the pipe by means of the handle through substantially ninety degrees.

The outlet end of the branch pipe itself includes a cup shaped member surrounding the outlet opening and havice ing an upper annular surface designed to engage and surround substantially three hundred sixty degrees a peripheral area of the anal opening of the user when the cup and branch pipe are swung upwardly as described. A small flexible hose may be positioned between the inlet of the transverse pipe and the water source to accommodate in torsion the ninety degree rotation of the pipe. Further, a control valve is preferably disposed between the inlet end of the flexible hose and the water source so that water from the source passing into the transverse pipe and branch pipe to the outlet opening within the cup can be controlled by the user.

When the branch pipe and cup are in their downwardly depending position, the cup shaped member is disposed adjacent the flush openings so that flushing of the toilet bowl will result in the flush water passing over the cup shaped member and outlet of the branch pipe to maintain them relatively clean after use.

A better understanding of a preferred embodiment of the invention will be had by referring now to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating the improved sanitary rectal fountain;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view partly in cross section of a portion of the toilet bowl taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the rectal fountain when in an operative position, the toilet seat itself being partially disclosed in dotted lines; and,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the outlet portion of the branch pipe taken in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIGURE 3.

Referring first to FIGURE 1 there is shown a conventional toilet bowl 10 provided with a seat 11 in the up position and a cover 12. Behind the seat and cover is shown a conventional flush tank 13.

The improved sanitary rectal fountain of the present invention comprises a pipe 14 extending transversely across the rear portion of the toilet bowl 10 and having a central portion thereof rotatably coupled to this rear portion. This central portion includes a T-joint 15 from which a branch pipe 16 extends terminating in an outlet structure 17. The pipe 16 extends normally away from the central portion of the pipe 14 as shown, and in a first position will depend downwardly adjacent the rear wall of the toilet bowl 10.

One end of the transverse pipe 14 terminates in a closed bent portion 18 defining a handle for enabling rotation of the central portion of the pipe 14- about its axis. The other end of the pipe 14 connects to a flexible hose 19 in turn having its inlet end connected to a push button valve 20 leading from a source of water supply indicated by the small arrow. The flexible hose 19 can accommodate a ninety degree torsional twist upon rotation of the pipe 14 by an upward swinging movement of the handle 18. This torsional twist also serves the function of biasing the branch pipe 16 and outlet structure 17 into the down position as shown in FIGURE 1 when the structure is not being used.

FIGURE 2 illustrates in greater detail the physical positioning of the pipe section 14 with respect to the rear portion of the toiletbowl and the seat 11 when in its down position. As shown in FIGURE 2, the seat 11 and cover 12 are normally pivoted for swinging movement about a hinge rod 21. The same bolts that serve to fasten the supports for the hinge rod 21 may be employed to secure a mounting plate 22 coupling the central portion of the pipe 14 in a rotatable manner to the rear edge of the toilet seat.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the bent pipe 16 and outlet structure 17 are in a first or down position adjacent the rear wall of the toilet bowl 10. -In this position the conventional flushing water outlet openings 23 will be above the level of the end portion of the branch pipe 16 and the outlet structure '17 so that flushing water will pass over the end portionsof the branch pi e and outlet structure to maintain this structure relatively clean.

When the pipe 14 is rotated ninety degrees, it will serve to swing the branch pipe 16 and outlet structure 17 into the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 2. In this second position, the branch pipe 16 and outlet structure 17 is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper peripheral edge or the toilet bowl.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the details of the mounting of the pipe 14 are illustrated wherein it will be noted that the plate 22 is provided with extending

trunnions

24 and 25 encircling the pipe 14 on either side of the T- joint 15. The plate also includes

screw openings

26 and 27 spaced to register with the openings for the supports used in connection with the rod 21 of FIGURE 2 so that the device may be readily attached to conventional toilets without any major modification of existing structure.

The outlet structure 17 at the end of the branch pipe 16 includes a laterally extending nipple 28 positioned to cause water to pass upwardly when the branch pipe 16 is in the operating position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. This direction of the water is indicated by the small arrows in the cross sectional View of FIGURE 4. Surrounding the outlet nipple structure 28 is a cup shaped element 29. The upper annular opening of this element is of a specified shape in which the rear portion 30 generally has a radius of curvature less than the front portion 31 as viewed in FIGURE 3. Further, as shown best in FIGURE 4 the rear portion 30 is at a higher level than the front portion as indicated by the difference 32. This particular shape of the upper annular opening of the cup shaped member 29 is designed to fit the rectal area of the user over a substantially three hundred sixty degree engagement so that the anal opening is completely surrounded by the cup member. The bottom of the cup is open as indicated at 33 so that water directed up through the nipple 28 and impinging against the rectal area will drain down through the cup to the toilet bowl.

The operation of the device will be evident from the above description. Normally, the structure is in the down or folded away position as indicated in FIGURE 1 and in such position it will be out of the way and relatively inconspicuous when the seat 11 is down. In using the device after defecation, the person on the toilet simply swings the handle 18 with his left hand upwardly to rotate the pipe 14- through substantially ninety degrees. This action swings the branch pipe 16 and cup shaped member 29 upwardly to engage about the anal opening of the user. As mentioned heretofore, the unique shaping of the upper annular opening of the cup shaped member 29 insures complete engagement about the anal opening.

With his right hand the user may then depress the control valve button 2t) as shown in FIGURE 1 permitting water to pass into the pipe 14 and down the branch pipe 16 to flow upwardly out of the nipple structure 28 shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. This water will impinge about the complete anal opening area and thoroughly cleanse the same ricocheting off this area and dropping back through the cup and out the bottom opening thereof at 33. Because of the substantial engagement of the upper annular opening of the cup, the water is confined to a desired area to be cleansed and the annoying splashing or impinging of the water on other areas of the buttocks which has heretofore characterized prior devices is eliminated. After the cleansing has been completed, the user simply releases the button 20 and the handle 18 wherein the branch pipe 16 and cup shaped member 29 will fall back to the position shown in FIGURE 1. The torsional twist established in the flexible hose 19 as a consequence of the initial rotation to an operative posi- 4 tion will also insure complete retraction of the branch pipe and cup shaped member when the handle 18 is released.

Subsequent flushing of the toilet after the device is used as described above, will result in water passing from the flush outlet openings 23 shown in FIGURE 2 ove-1 the branch pipe 16 and the cup shaped member to insure that the same is maintained in a substantially clean condition.

While it is, of course, possible to provide a source of hot and cold water running into the flexible hose 19 and pipe 14, it is preferable to use cold water as lukewarm or tepid water will promote germ growth.

From the foregoing description, it 'will be evident that the present invention provides a greatly improved sanitary rectal fountain which employs a minimum number of parts and which may be readily attached to conventional toilet bowls with a minimum of difficulty. More over, some of the basic components serve dual functions. For example, the pipe 14 not only serves to pass water from the source to the branch pipe 11 but also serves as a supporting member and a pivot axis for this brancl". pipe as well as a handle for effecting the desired rotating or pivoting action. Further, as mentioned heretofore the flexible hose not only enables the rotation to take place with a fluid tight seal between the moving pipe section 14 and the stationary inlet source, but further provides a downward bias after use to hold the branch pipe 16 and cup shaped member back against the rear wall 01 the toilet bowl for subsequent cleaning by the flushing water.

Minor modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The improved sanitary rectal fountain is, therefore not to be thought of as limited to the specific embodimem set forth for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sanitary rectal fountain for attachment to 2 toilet bowl, the combination comprising: a pipe having at inlet end for attachment to a source of Water, the othe1 end of said pipe terminating in a handle; coupling mean: intermediate the ends of said pipe for rotatably securing the central portion of said pipe to the upper rear edgr portion of said toilet bowl; a branch pipe extending normally from said central portion and terminating in at outlet opening, a cup-shaped member surrounding saic outlet opening and having an upper annular opening f0] engaging the users rectal area substantially over 36( degrees to surround the anal opening, the rear portior of said annular opening having a radius of curvature lest than the front portion thereof and being at a higher leve than the front portion thereof to fit relatively snugly the exterior shape of the rectal area and confine the washing action of said water to said rectal area, the bottom o: said cup-shaped member being opened to drain wate: after impinging from said outlet against said rectal area said coupling means allowing said pipe to rotate about it: own axis through substantially ninety degree swings t( position said branch pipe downwardly into said toilet bow adjacent its rear wall in a first position whereby said cupshaped member intercepts a portion of the flushing watei when said toilet bowl is flushed to cleanse said cup shaped member and outlet opening, said pipe being ro tated upwardly to a second position substantially paralle to the plane of the upper peripheral edges of said toile' bowl during use; and valve means adjacent the inlet 611( of said pipe for starting and stopping Water flow tron said source through said pipe and branch pipe to saie opening.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 including a flexibli hose connected between the inlet end of said pipe and sait source, said hose accommodating a substantially ninety degree torsional twist upon rotation of said pipe, sait 5 6 valve means being disposed between said source and the 1,838,356 Berry Dec. 29, 1931 inlet end of said flexible hose. 1,960,839 Campus May 2.9, 1934 1,963,329 Hornell June 19, 1934 References Cited in the file of this patent 2,726,682 Conroy et a1. Dec. '13, 1955 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,852,782 Sundberg P 1958 115,895 Reese June 13, 1871 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,187,759 Manahan June 20, 1916 502,700 Germany July 16, 1930