US3461870A - Douche attachment for connection with a shower having antisiphon and pressure control means - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 19., 1969 c. VAN LINGE 3,461,870 nouclm ATTACHMENT FOR CONNECTION WITH A SHOWER HAVING ANTISIPHON AND PRESSURE CONTROL MEANS Filed March 6, 1967 FIG.

FIG. 2.

INVENTOR: cormsuus VAN umsz BY 12m & flu? ATTORNEY? United States Patent fice 3,461,870 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 3,461,870 DOUCI-IE ATTACHMENT FOR CONNECTION WITH A SHOWER HAVING ANTISIPHON AND PRES- SURE CONTROL MEANS Cornelius Van Linge, 4165 Marcasel Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90066 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 448,360, Apr.

15, 1965, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 430,101, Feb. 3, 1965. This application Mar. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 620,933

Int. Cl. A61m 7/02 U.S. Cl. 128229 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 448,360, filed Apr. 15, 1965 and entitled Douche Attachment, now abandoned, which application in turn is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 430,101, filed Feb. 3, 1965 and also entitled Douche Attachment, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to douching apparatus and more particularly to a novel douche attachment for connection between a shower head water outlet supply and the shower head itself so that douching may be carried out in a shower enclosure without the necessity of using a douche :bag.

Conventional douching requires that a woman fill a a douche bag with water at a comfortable temperature and suspend it at a given level above the end of the douching instrument. There are thus required hooks or other means for supporting the bag in an elevated position. Further, such suspending of the bag cannot always be carried out without spilling. In addition, there is usually no convenient place to store the douch bag and yet permit it to dry up after use. As a consequence, the bag is usually left hanging on the bathroom door hook or other location in the bathroom to the annoyance of other persons who may enter the bathroom.

Furthermore, with conventional douch bags, a woman will generally employ the douching instrument until all of the water has left the bag. As a consequence, the douching instrument itself may become clogged or contaminated unless additional douching water is passed through the instrument after it has been removed. A similar situation obtains with respect to the douche bag which still retains moisture on its inner surfaces and may provide an environment for bacterial growth and the like.

With theforegoing in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a douche attachment which does away with any necessity for a douche bag itself, all to the and that the above problems are readily overcome.

More paticularly, it is an object to provide a douche attachment which may be readily secured between a standard water outlet in a shower and the shower head as a substitute for the conventional short length of pipe connecting the shower head to the outlet so that use may be made of water from the water outlet for the douching operation thereby avoiding the problem of filling and suspending a bag.

Another object is to provide a douch attachment readily adaptable for use with conventional douching hoses and instruments.

Another important object is to provide a combination douch attachment and douching hose incorporating means for readily introducing an additive to the douching water, such as a medicant solution or other chemical.

Still another important object is to provide a douche attachment in which the water temperature may be very easily adjusted prior to an actual douching operation.

Another very important object of this invention is to provide a douche attachment which, while having its water supply from a shower head water outlet, nevertheless insures unique control of the rate of flow of water so that any accidental increases in pressure or the like will not appreciably affect the rate of flow of water to the douching instrument or nozzle.

Still another object is to provide a douche attachment which is extremely simple and rugged in design, satisfies the plumbing cole with respect to antisiphon provisions, and incorporates only a single valve operating mechanism so designed as to enable diverting of the water from the shower head to the douche apparatus with only a single manual movement.

Brieflly, these and many other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing a douche attachment in the form of a pipe fixture having opposite threaded ends for easy insertion between a water outlet for a shower head and the shower head itself. This pipe fixture includes an angulated end portion for connection to the shower head so that the shower head is disposed at a downward angle. This feature in conjunction with the conventional ball-type swivel enables the shower head to be more easily directed towards the wall of the shower itself. The pipe fixture also includes a transverse opening intersecting the internal passage therethrough adapted to receive a valve body. This valve body functions as a diverting valve for diverting water from the water outlet normally passing to the shower head to a laterally extending nipple from the pipe fixture.

The nipple, in turn, is adapted to be connected in a preferred embodiment of the invention to the upper end of a hose by means of a tapered connector received over the nipple. This hose includes a plurality of lateral or side openings providing an antisiphon and pressure control. The lower end of the hose receives a novel douching instrument 'or nozzle designed to eject water over 360.

In a modified embodiment, the hose includes an applicator chamber in series such that the chamber is disposed in a vertical position. Rather than lateral or side openings in the hose, the chamber includes upper openings such that water passing through the chamber is regulated in flow rate in that the upper openings serve as an exit means for the water should the flow rate exceed a predetermined value. The water actually flowing through the remaining portion of the douche hose to the douching instrument or nozzle is at a rate thus corresponding to that which would be provided by a conventional douche bag.

The upper openings in the applicator chamber also serve to provide an antisiphon feature for the attachment in order to meet conventional plumbing codes. The chamber itself is arranged to receive a dissolvable additive so that the douching water may be treated with an additive if desired.

With the foregoing arrangement, the douche attachment and douche hose together with the douching instrument or nozzle may be left permanently connected to the pipe fixture between the water outlet and shower head fixture in an out-of-the-way place. There is no douche bag involved so that drying problems and the like are completely avoided. Further, the douching operation may be carried out in the shower and it is an easy matter for the user to adjust the proper water temperature by feeling the water passing through the openings in the hose. In addition, after the douching operation is complete, the user may permit the water to continue to run through the douching instrument and thereby cleanse the same.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shower incorporating the douche attachment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a greatly enlarged cross section of the douche attachment illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view partly exploded useful in describing the valve assembly in the douche attachment;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the douching instrument or nozzle utilized in the apparatus of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 illustrates an applicator chamber which may be incorporated in the douche hose in accord with a modification of the apparatus; and,

FIGURE 6 is a cross section taken in the direction of the arrows 66 of FIGURE 5.

Referring first to FlGURE 1, there is shown a portion of a shower wall 10 including an annular chrome flange 11 surrounding the conventional water outlet to which a short length of pipe and a conventional shower head is affixed. In accordance with the present invention, the short length of pipe normally connected to the water outlet is removed and the douche attachment of this invention is substituted. Thisdouche attachment takes the form of a pipe fixture 12 having an outer end portion for reception of the conventional shower head 13.

At an intermediate point in the pipe fixture 12 there is provided a three-way valve body having a handle portion 14 and arranged to divert water from the water outlet normally passing to the shower head 13 through a lateral outlet connected to a douche tubing or hose 15 by a connector 16. The hose 15 includes lateral or side wall openings 17 and terminates at its lower end in a douching instrument or nozzle 18.

Referring now to the enlarged cross section of FIG- URE 2, details of the valve body portion connected to the handle 14 of FIGURE 1 are illustrated. The valve body is indicated at 19 and includes a transverse cylindrical bore 20 arranged to be aligned with the internal passage 21 of the pipe fixture 12 when in a first position. A lateral bore 22 communicates with the transverse bore 20 and it will be evident that if the valve body 19 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 a quarter turn to a second position, the lateral bore 22 will receive water from the internal passage 21 from the water outlet and divert the same through a lateral nipple 23 connecting to the hose 15 by means of the connector 16. The connector 16 is internally tapered as at 24 to provide a friction fit over the nipple 23. It will be also be evident that when the valve body 19 is rotated to this second position, water passing through the internal passage 21 is blocked from passing out the shower head 13.

Referring now to the perspective exploded view of FIGURE 3, the details of the valve structure will become clear. As shown, the valve body 19 is preferably cylindrical ly shaped and terminates at its far end opposite the operating handle 14 in an annular groove 25 for receiving an O-ring 26. Further O- rings 27 and 28 are provided intermediate the ends of the body 19 on either side of the passages 20 and 22.

The internal passage 21 indicated by dotted lines in FIGURE 3 is intersected by a transverse opening 29 which is provided with a matching cylindrical interior to that of the valve body 19. The arrangement is such that the valve body 19 with its transverse and lateral bores 20 and 22 may be received within the transverse opening 29 in such a manner that the end O-ring groove 25 will extend beyond the peripheral end 30 of the transverse opening in a position to receive the O-ring 26 and thereby lock the valve body 19 in the transverse opening. The arrangement is extremely simple and by constructing the valve body of suitable plastic material, an excellent bearing will be provided for rotative movement of the valve body without risk of the valve body itself moving longitudinally out of the transverse opening 29. The valve structure is thus designed for easy cleaning and inexpensive manufacture.

Preferably, the valve body is limited to a quarter turn between its first and second positions by means of a lug 31 at the entrance portion of the transverse opening 29 in the pipe fixture. This lug engages stops 32 and 33 in a flange adjacent to the handle 14 of the valve body 19 to thus limit rotative movement of the body.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown the dou'ching instrument or nozzle 18. This member includes a solid cylindrical body portion 34 terminating in an enlarged diameter smoothly rounded head 35. The peripheral surface of the portion 34 includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 36 terminating in the initial portion of the enlarged head 35. The dimensioning of the body 34 is such as to be received in the end of the hose 15 in a friction fit such that the grooves define with the interior wall of the hose narrow channels through which water passes.

The channels are of a size to filter out any large particles that may be in the water. Further, the grooves by extending into the initial portion of the head beyond the end of the tube define at these ends outlets for the water, the water being deflected by the enlarged head to squirt out late-rally over 360. It will be evident that a portion of the tube constitutes part of the douching instrument and in view of its flexibility it can easily follow the contours of the vaginal passage during the douching operation.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, there is shown an applicator chamber 37 which may be incorporated in the hose 15 in place of the section of tubing in FIGURE 1 having the openings 17. As shown, the upper end of the chamber includes a cover 38 having a connection to the tube 15 leading to the valve body. The cover is provided with a plurality of openings 39. One of these openings is in the form of an elongated slot 40, as best shown in FIGURE 6, of sufficient size to receive a pill 41. The pill or dissolvable additive 41 is retained in the chamber by a mesh screen 42 seated on a washer 43. The lower end of the applicator chamber terminates in a nipple 44 for connection to the remaining portion of the douche hose 15.

The provision of the applicator chamber openings 39 and the elongated slot 40 as described constitute an important feature in this embodiment of the invention. This chamber with its openings serves three functions: first, it functions to enable a dissolvable additive to be -received and held in the water flow so that a desired chemical may be dissolved in the water; second, it serves as a rate of flow control device in that should a sudden increase in pressure result in an increase in the rate of flow of water through the applicator and douche tube, the openings in the cover will function as exit openings for the water, the water simply spouting out the openings and overflowing. In this connection, the total area of the openings is considerably greater than the hose passage so that water will overflow from the chamber 37 before there is any appreciable increase in pressure in the water flowing out the lower end of the chamber to the douche hose. It will be evident, accordingly, that the pressure of the water in the douche hose will correspond to that provided by a douche bag at approximately the same level as the chamber; third, the openings 39 and 40 function as an antisiphon for the plumbing system in which the douche attachment is employed so as to meet the plumbing code requirements.

If the provision of a medicant or dissolvable pill is not necessary, the embodiment of FIGURE 1 would be used wherein no chamber is necessary, the side openings 17 in the hose providing the desired pressure or How control and antisiphon feature.

The operation of the entire douche attachment will now be described. As set forth heretofore, the douche attachment pipe fixture 12 is very easily substituted for the conventional straight short water pipe normally supporting the shower head 13 in the shower stall. This substitution may 'be very easily carried out without need of the services of a plumber since standard threads are employed on the pipe fixture 12.

After the pipe fixture 12 has been installed, the connector 16 for the hose is urged over the nipple 23. The nozzle 18, if not already in place, may be urged into the lower end of the hose 15 and the entire structure stored in the shower stall as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

When in the stored position illustrated in FIGURE 1, the valve handle 14 is oriented with its elongated axis in a horizontal direction which will indicate to the user that normal shower head operation will take place. In other words, in this first position of the valve handle, the transverse bore of the valve body as illustrated in FIGURE 2 is in alignment with the internal passage 21 in the pipe fixture 12 so that water will pass from the water outlet to the shower head 13 in a conventional manner.

When it is desired to carry out a douching operation, a woman may first divert the shower head 13 towards a wall and turn on the shower with the usual shower valves. The temperature of the water from the shower head 13 may be easily adjusted by testing the same with her hands without wetting her entire body. When the temperature of the water is proper, the woman will then rotate the valve handle 14 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3 a quarter turn to its second position.

With the valve turned so that the longitudinal axis of the handle 14 points downwardly, water will be blocked from passing out the shower 13 and will be diverted through the valve body and through the nipple 23 as described in conjunction with FIGURE 2. The water will then pass through the hose 15 to the instrument or nozzle 18. If a dissolvable additive is employed, a hose incorporating the applicator chamber 37 is used and the additive simply inserted through the elongated slot 40. The woman may pinch off the lower end of the hose 15 below the applicator chamber 37 to permit the applicator chamber to fill with water at least one-half to threequarters full so that the additive 41 will "be cove-red with water. If the chamber is not used, pinching of the hose 15 will force water out of the openings 17 in thehose and the user can test this water with her hands to make sure the temperature is correct. Further, when not using the applicator chamber, the flow of Water may be adjusted by the valves for the shower water to a flow rate at which water trickles out of the lowermost of the holes 17 only. The pressure will then correspond to that of a douche bag at the level of the holes.

The woman may then employ the douching instrument 18 of FIGURE 1 in the conventional manner and carry out the douching operation.

After the douching operation has been completed, the woman will permit water to still run from the end of the douching instrument 18 to cleanse the same. She may then rotate the handle 14 in a counterclockwise direction to its original horizontal position so that Water will then flow out of the shower. She may then take a conventional shower if she desires.

It is to be noted that water will either issue from the shower head 13 or from the douching instrument 18 depending upon whether the valve 14 is in its first or second position. Therefore, the woman will always be advised that the conventional shower control valves are on and there will be no possibility of her inadvertently forgetting to shut off the shower control valves so that water will not remain running through the douching instrument.

After the douching operation and shower are complete, the woman may simply suspend the instrument as illustrated in FIGURE 1 and shut off the shower with the conventional valves. Alternatively, it is very simple for the woman to simply pull the connector 16 from the nipple 23 as shown in FIGURE 2 and store the douching apparatus portion comprising the applicator chamber, if used, hose, and douching nozzle 18.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention has provided a greatly improved douching apparatus which meets all of the various objects set forth heretofore. Thus, not only is the use of the conventional douche bag wholly avoided with the avoidance of the attendant disadvantages thereof, but in addition, a continuous supply of douching water is insured and its flow rate is such as to correspond to that provided by a conventional douche bag.

While only one particular embodiment of the invention has been set forth and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made that fall clearly within the scope and spirit of this invention by those skilled in the art. The douching apparatus is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the one embodiment set forth merely for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A douche attachment for connection between a water outlet and a shower head, including, in combination: a pipe fixture having an internal passage for passing Water from said water outlet to said shower head; nipple means defining a lateral passage extending from a side of said pipe fixture and intersecting said internal passage at a given point; a diverting valve body disposed at said point in said internal passage for passing water to said shower head when in a first position and diverting water to said nipple means for douching purposes when moved to a-second position; and a douche hose connected to said nipple means at one end and terminating in a douching nozzle at its other end, said hose including antisiphon and pressure control means intermediate its ends through which water in said hose can flow to the atmosphere when the rateof flow exceeds a given rate of flow.

2. A douche attachment according to claim 1, in which said antisiphon and pressure control means comprises a plurality of holes in vertical portion of said hose extending one above the other along said portion.

3. A douche attachment according to claim 1, in which said antisiphon and pressure control means comprises an applicator chamber connected in series in said hose with its upper end in an upright position, said chamber having upper openings to the atmosphere to function as an exit means for water passing through said chamber should the rate of flow of water therethrough exceed a predetermined value.

4. A douche attachment for connection between a water outlet and shower head, comprising, in combination: a pipe fixture having an internal passage and threads at each end for threaded connection between said water outlet and shower head, said pipe having an intermediate transverse opening intersecting said internal passage; a lateral outlet nipple communicating with said transverse opening; a valve body receivable in said transverse opening and including a first bore adapted to be aligned with said internal passage when said valve body is in a first position to pass Water to said shower head, said valve body having a lateral bore intersecting said first bore, said lateral bore being adapted to receive water from said water outlet and divert the water through said lateral outlet nipple when said valve body is rotated a quarter turn in said transverse opening to a second position, water being blocked from passing to said shower head when said valve body is in said second position; and a douche hose detachably connected at one end to said nipple and terminating at its other end in a douching instrument, said hose including an antisiphon and pressure control means providing communication to the atmosphere for water flowing through said hose.

5. An attachment according to claim 4, in which said antisiphon and pressure control means comprises a plurality of holes in a vertical portion of said hose extending one above the other along said portion.

6. An attachment according to claim 4, in which said antisiphon and pressure control means comprises an applicator chamber interposd in said douche hose in a vertical position, said chamber including upper openings to the atmosphere to provide an antisiphon for said water outlet and function as an exit means for water passing through said hose and chamber should the rate of flow of said water exceed a predetermined value, said chamber also including a filtering screen for supporting a dissolvable additive for water flowing through said douche hose.

7. An attachment according to claim 6, in which one of said upper openings in said chamber is sufficiently large to receive said dissolvable additive.

8. An attachment according to claim 4, in which said lateral outlet nipple has a cylindrical exterior surface and said hose includes a connector having an interior tapered surface to frictionally engage over said nipple.

9. An attachment according to claim 4, in which said transverse opening is cylindrical, said valve body, having a matching cylindrical exterior and terminating in an external annular groove adapted to receive an O-ring to engage the periphery of said transverse opening when said valve body is inserted therein to hold said valve body in position, said valve body including additional O-rings on either side of its lateral bore.

10. An attachment according to claim 4, including cooperating stop means on said valve body and pipe fixture for limiting rotative movement of said valve body be tween said first and second positions.

11. An attachment according to claim 4, in which said douching instrument comprises a cylindrical body terminating in an enlarged head, said body having longitudinal grooves extending into the initial portion of said head, said body being receivable in the end of said hose to define with said grooves restricted passages for water flow, said flow passing from the ends of said grooves at said head over 360.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,719,152 7/1929 Watson 128-229 1,827,502 10/1931 Alland 128-229 2,122,995 7/1938 Wiegand 128-229 2,811,156 10/1957 Bragg 128-229 XR 2,867,230 1/1959 Bletcher et a1. 137-119 2,938,216 5/1960 Murray 4-148 3,107,671 10/1963 Farina et a1. 128-229 3,142,297 7/ 1964 Attebery 128-229 3,292,185 12/1966 Lucian 4-145 3,373,744 3/1968 Kendall 128-229 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner RONALD L FRINKS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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