US3577567A

US3577567A - Modified multipurpose bidet

Info

Publication number: US3577567A
Application number: US767227A
Authority: US
Inventors: Andrew F Wintercorn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-10-14
Filing date: 1968-10-14
Publication date: 1971-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-04

Abstract

The device in both forms may be used with an adapter attached to the mixing faucet on a lavatory or bathtub, or may be connected permanently or semipermanently with a mixing valve that has connections with the hot and cold water valves under a lavatory. In either event, the basin has its flange resting on the toilet bowl for support and is provided with a substantially central upwardly directed spray nozzle to which water of the desired temperature is delivered normally when a spring closed valve on the rear flange is automatically opened by the operator sitting on the basin, the flow being controllable by the user leaning forward, more or less, to relieve pressure on the rear portion, which is an especially important feature when a douche or enema nozzle is being used in lieu of the ordinary bidet nozzle. Jet sprays around the rim of the basin to which water is delivered continuously independently of the automatic valve, serve for rinsing purposes and also for temperature testing, while the flow to these jets warms up the rim of the basin for better comfort prior to the operator sitting on the basin. In the combination bidet and sitzbath the basin is somewhat deeper, and, in addition to the holes provided in the bottom around the nozzle for drainage, there are overflow holes provided in the sidewalls of the basin near the top in circumferentially spaced relation between the jet openings, and one may, by shutting off flow through the bottom drain holes, trap sufficient water in the basin for sitzbath operation. Medication may be added by passing the incoming warm water through a container for the medication, that is transparent so that one can tell immediately when the medication is used up.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor 21 AppLNo. 767,227 [22] Filed Oct. 14,1968 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [54] MODIFIED MULTl-PURPOSE BIDET 15 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 4/7 [51] Int. Cl A47k 3/22 [50] Field of Search 4/6, 7,234, 237, 251, 253, 254; 128/224, 226, 251, 272, 229

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,985,119 12/1934 Vogel 4/25 2,075,061 3/1937 Salvoni.... 4/7 2,811,156 10/1957 Bragg 128/229 2,947,995 8/ 1 960 Saulson 4/6 3,072,918 1/ 1963 McCall 4/6 3,142,297 7/1964 Attebery 128/229 3,430,267 3/ 1969 Van l-louten 4/6 3,461,870 7/ 1969 Von Linge 128/229 FOREIGN PATENTS 776,129 10/1934 France 4/6 893,923 9/1953 Germany 4/ 7 Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea Assistant Examiner-John l-l. Dodge ABSTRACT: The device in both forms may be used with an adapter attached to the mixing faucet on a lavatory or bathtub, or may be connected permanently or semipermanently with a mixing valve that has connections with the hot and cold water valves under a lavatory. In either event, the basin has its flange resting on the toilet bowl for support and is provided with a substantially central upwardly directed spray nozzle to which water of the desired temperature is delivered normally when a spring closed valve on the rear flange is automatically opened by the operator sitting on the basin, the flow being controllable by the user leaning forward, more or less, to relieve pressure on the rear portion, which is an especially important feature when a douche or enema nozzle is being used in lieu of the ordinary bidet nozzle. Jet sprays around the rim of the basin to which water is delivered continuously independently of the automatic valve, serve for rinsing purposes and also for temperature testing, while the flow to these jets warms up the rim of the basin for better comfort prior to the operator sitting on the basin. 1n the combination bidet and sitzbath the basin is somewhat deeper, and, in addition to the holes provided in the bottom around the nozzle for drainage, there are overflow holes provided in the sidewalls of the basin near the top in circumferentially spaced relation between the jet openings, and one may, by shutting off flow through the bottom drain holes, trap sufficient water in the basin for sitzbath operation. Medication may be added by passing the incoming warm water through a container for the medication, that is transparent so that one can tell immediately when the medication is used up.

MODIFIED MULTl-PURPOSE BIDET This invention relates to a modified multipurpose bidet designel for postoperative, as well as nonsurgical perineal bathing, in or out of a hospital. When the combination device is set up for use as a sitzbath it is easily convertible from such use to the more common and regular use as a bidet for personal hygiene and cleanliness and a feeling of general well-being, the device by virtue of its novel tilt-controllable valve being also useable for douche and enema purposes by substitution of an appropriate nozzle.

The principal object of the invention is to provide devices of the kind described in the form of a basin having an annular flange designed to rest on the rim of the toilet bowl only when in use utilizing a flexible conduit for supplying warm water from an adjoining lavatory or bathtub by detachable connection temporarily with a mixing faucet or by semipermanent or permanent connection with a mixing valve that is connected with the hot and cold water supply valves under the lavatory, so that the basin of either kind, when used in hospitals, may be disconnected from the flexible conduit for thorough sterilization between uses, and, when the basin is used in the home, it may be stored without disconnection from the flexible conduit in a suitable receptacle under the lavatory or alongside the toilet bowl where it will not be too conspicuous and objectionable, especially if a cover is provided on the receptacle for concealment of its contents, or the basin with flexible hose attached may have its hose disconnected from the mixing valve andstored elsewhere. ln any case, this important toilet adjunct will be handy enough for easy and immediate use whenever wanted, whereby to have all of the convenience and comfort of a conventional bidet or a combination bidet and sitzbath and also for douche and enema purposes at a small fraction of the cost of a toilet bowl designed solely for one or the other of those purposes and the same is made available where limited space in a bathroom would otherwise rule it out.

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet bowl and adjacent lavatory showing a bidet made in accordance with this invention that is connected with the lavatory plumbing and is set up on the toilet bowl and ready for use;

P10. 2 is a cross section on line 2-2, of FIG. 1, illustrating in dotted lines a douche or enema nozzle;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the plumbing connections under the lavatory for the bidet of FIG. I that is also used for the combination bidet and sitzbath of FIG. 7

FIG. 4 is a side view of an adapter which may be used with equal success with the bidet and the combination device;

HO. 5 is a side view of a medication unit which may be used with either of the devices but is intended for use mainly for douche and enema purposes and with the combination device when set up for use as a sitzbath;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail of a modified or alternative construction of nozzle useful with either of the devices;

FIG. 7 is a section similar to FIG. 2 showing in full lines how i the combination device is used as a bidet, and, in dotted lines,

how it is equipped to be used as a sitzbath,

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another modified or alternative construction for the combination device, an edge portion being bent upwardly to better disclose the construction, and

FIG. 9 is a sectional detail of another construction for the combination device.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts in the nine views.

Referring fust of all to FIG. 4, the reference numeral 11 designates an adapter to fit a mixing faucet on a lavatory or a bathtub, the same having a flexible hose 12 extending therefrom to the bidet basin 13 or the combination bidet and sitzbath basin 13', where the connection A at the basin end (see FIG. 1 or 5) is a detachable screw threaded one per-' mitting disconnection of the

basin

13 or 13 from the tube 12 for sterilization, as where the unit is being used in a hospital. A

three-way shutoff cock 14 has as its rotary plug a swivel test fitting B, which in the one position shown bypasses the hose 12 and is open only to the adapter 11 to enable testing the water in the tub or lavatory for comfortable temperature before turning the swivel test fitting B through to its other position where hose 12 is directly connected with adapter 11 and flow is shut off from the swivel test fitting B. Water at the desired temperature is then available for the nozzle 15, but not until the spring closed valve 16 in this line is opened against resistance of its spring 17 by reason of a person sitting on the basin 13 or 13'. The inwardly projecting rounded rims 18 of the

basins

13 and 13 are hollow and molded integral with the basins and each has a series of circumferentially spaced downwardly directed jet openings C for rinse purposes communicating directly through chamber T and annular passage T, with the hose 12 independently of the valve 16 so that there is a rinse flow of warm water through the rim 18 starting when the water is first delivered to the bidet or combination bidet and sitzbath, thereby insuring the delivery of warm water from nozzle 15 right from the outset and also that the rim 18 will be prewarmed and comfortable to sit upon. This advance flow of water from the jet openings C prior to opening of valve 16 for nozzle 15 is naturally with greater force than after valve 16 is opened, and when using mixing valve 25, one can easily check the water temperature at an enlarged one C of these jets, preferably in the rear portion of the basin, directed downwardly and inwardly, and set the handle H accordingly before sitting on the basin. The importance of having the automatically openable valve 16 at the rear of the basin 13 is that it eliminates the necessity for the operator having to reach faucets on the lavatory or bathtub or the swivel test fitting B, or the handle H of the mixing valve 25 where the bidet is a permanently or semipermanently connected fixture, as will next be described, since neither fitting B nor the faucets nor the mixing valve 25 might be within handy enough reach from the toilet bowl D, the front of which is indicated at e and the rear at f. Valve 16 serves also as a manually operable regulating valve, especially if its spring 17 is strong enough, as the operator can regulate the discharge by leaning forward and rocking the basin at R on the bowl D to relieve pressure on the valve stem when the flow is too strong, this being especially important when the device is being used for enema or douche purposes.

Referring next to FIG. 1, illustrating the permanent or semipennanent hookup for the

basin

13 or 13', 20 is the shutoff valve to which the flexible hose 12 leading to the basin 13 is connected, as shown, and 21 and 22 are the hot and cold water shutoff valves, respectively, under the lavatory 23, situated usually nearby the toilet bowl D on which the basin 13 or 13' rests when in use. it will be noticed that a pipe connection 24 extends from the cold water shutoff water valve 22 to the mixing valve 25 on one side and another tube 26 extends from the hot water shutoff valve 21 to the other side of the mixing valve 25, while shutoff valve 20 for the basin 13 is connected with the outlet port of the mixing valve 25 at an intermediate point. The operator leaves the handle H of the mixing valve 25 in the OFF position after each use of the basin 13 or 13' so as not to permit any bypassing of cold water to the hot water line, as would otherwise occur. The operator soon learns from experience at what point to set the handle H of the mixing valve for most comfortable use of the basin 13 as a bidet or basin 13' as a bidet or sitzbath, and likewise soon learns from experience how far to open the shutoff valve 20 to get the desired volume of flow from the nozzles for all of the purposes mentioned. Naturally, the flow during operation of basin 13' as a sitzbath should be greatly reduced in relation to the flow during its operation as a bidet.

Referring now to FIG. 5, medication for a postoperative patient during use of the bidet basin 1,3 or basin 13' as a bidet or sitzbath at home or in the hospital can be supplied continuously with the water delivered to the basin by interposing a transparent plastic container 27 in which a plug 28 or a supply of the medication in powdered or pellet form can be placed when one or the other of the

end caps

29 and 30 is unscrewed from the container, cap 2 having a neck 31 to which the detachable male connection A is connected, and cap 30 having a threaded nipple 32 thereon to make connection with the automatic shutoff valve 16 on either of the basins I3 and I3". Medication is also used in 'using the present devices for douche and enema purposes.

The medication 28 is, of course, soluble and adapted to be dissolved slowly as the water flowing through the unit 27 at a slow enough rate from hose connection 12 flows to the

basin

13 or 13. Perforated plastic discs 33 inserted in the

fittings

29 and 30 at opposite ends of tube 27 retain the medication plug 28;, and, since the tube 27 is of transparent, clear plastic material, the operator can see at a glance whether or not all of the medication 23 has been used up, The amount of medication per treatment and its rate of going into solution could determine the length of the therapeutic treatment and thereby insure the patient prolonging the sitzbath to the proper extent to be truly beneficial, whereas, without such an indicator, the tendency might be to cut the treatment too short and thus deprive the patient of the proper benefit.

Nozzles somewhat similar to the one indicated at have been available in metal for some time threadable in bath sprayheads provided on the ends of flexible hoses, and then too there are other nozzles like those used in the conventional European type bidets, so there is a ready source of supply of this element and likewise of all of the other elements for the permanent or semipermanent hookup shown in FIG. ll, including the flexible hose connection 12, so that oneneed only supply the specially molded plastic basin 13 or R3 with the automatic shutoff valve I6 thereon. In using the basin 13' as a bidet, the fairly large drain holes 34 that are provided in circurnferentially spaced relation in a circle around the nozzle 15 serve to drain the water and any excreta directly into the toilet bowl. The circumferentially spaced downwardly directed jets C in the rim 18 help keep the sidewalls of the basin clean in the event of any spatter. A hollow boss 35 molded or otherwise made integral with the bottom and sidewalls of the

basins

13 and 13 provide communication between the shutoff valve 16 and the nozzle 15 so that the interior surfaces of the basin are left smooth and easy to keep clean. The annular supporting flange 36 molded integral with the basins I3 and I3 is adapted to rest on the rim of the toilet bowl and may or may not be provided with a small upwardly projecting bead 37 as in FIG. 7 all around the flange 36 to reduce the likelihood of any water finding its way over the flange 36 and onto the floor around the toilet bowl during operation of the basin 13 as a bidet, or basin 13 either as a bidet or as a sitzbath. During operation of basin 13' as a sitzbath, the basin has a centrally perforated thin, flexible plastic or rubber disc 38 slipped down over the nozzle 15 with a snug fit to cover up the circumferentially spaced drain holes 34 and allow the basin to fill up with warm water to the level of the dot and dash line xy in FIG. 7, above which level is a series of circumferentially spaced drain or overflow holes 39 that are large enough and of sufficient number to insure continual drainage even when the water may be turned on higher than it should be for the usual sitzbath operation. A coating of pressure sensitive adhesive on the bottom of the disc 33 is uncovered by peeling off a protective covering before the disc is applied to the basin, and this covering can be saved and used overand over again to protect the adhesive between uses of the disc. In lieu of a disc 38 centere'd by the nozzle 15, one may use a flexible plastic or rubber ring 384; shown in FIG. 3 as having a large center hole h to clear the nozzle 15 and having a coating g of adhesive that is nonnally protected by a flexible peel-off ring 1'. This ring 38a seals the holes 34 in the same way as disc 38. It will be seen that the downwardly directed jets C are located between the overflow holes 39 so that they function equally well during both kinds of operation in the same way, namely, to rinse off having holes, as at 34, to register with the drain holes 34 can be used, swiveled relative to the reduced portion 45 of nozzle 15b and having its openings 34out of register with the drain holes 34 during sitzbath operation and more or less in register with the drain holes 34 during bidet operation, the disc 38' being merely turned relative to the nozzle from one operative position to the other. The peripheral edge 46 of the disc 38' is preferably beveled to facilitate wiping the basin clean and dry after use. Also a thin cupped spring washer 47 is preferably compressed between the large end of the nozzle and the disc to urge the latter resiliently onto its seat on the basin bottom.

Referring-finally to FIG. 6, the nozzle 15a shown here is adjustable on a fore and aft line with respect to the basin shown, the nozzle having its inlet port 40 communicating with an elongated slot 41 extending in a fore and aft direction in the bottom wall of the basin and communicating with the bore in the molded passageway 35 that receives the warm water from the shutoff valve 16. An elongated broad base 42 on the nozzle 15a is arranged to be secured in adjusted position by screws 43 threaded in holes 44 provided in the bottom wall of the basin in' longitudinally spaced relation. There are sufficient drain holes 34 all around the nozzle so that in the event one of these drain holes is closed partially or totally by base 42 it will make very little difference in the satisfactory operation of the basin. Overall adjustment of the nozzle 15a to even as small an extent as threequarters of an inch one way or the other is considered desirable to better suit the comfort and convenience of the individual user. Another advantage in this separate adjustable nozzle construction is that the nozzle may be inclined as indicated in dotted lines at 15b and then the user, if he or she prefers rearward direction, or forward direction, of the stream of water from the nozzle, the unit may be turned end for end and adjusted longitudinally to precisely the desired position, or, if preferred, two separate nozzles with attaching bases 42 may be provided, one giving a vertical jet as at 15a and the other an inclined jet as at 15b.

The operation of the basins of my invention should be clear from the foregoing description. Those who are interested only in a bidet will select the construction of FIGS. I and 2, con nectable to and detachable from a mixing faucet on a bathtub or lavatory with the adapter of FIG. 4, or, if permanently connected to the plumbing under a lavatory, as in FIG. I, the basin can be stored beside the toilet bowl in a plastic receptacle of about the same size as a waste basket. However, some will prefer to store the unit elsewhere by disconnecting the hose I2 from valve 20 by opening the hand operable threaded swivel connection 45 seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, this being what I have referred to as a semipermanent hookup. These bidets may be used with or without the medication unit of FIG. 5 inserted in the line between hose l2 and valve 16. Also these bidets may have a fixed nozzle 15 or an adjustable one 15a or 151). Those interested in a combination bidet and sitzbath will select the basin shown in FIG. 7 connected like the basin of FIGS. I and 2 in any of its ways just described, using the separate bottom closure 33 of FIG. 7 or 38a of FIG. 8 or the rotary one 38' .of FIG. 9. Both types of basins have the test opening or openings C preferably at the rear.

The bidet basins l3 and 13 may be used by some additionally as an enema or as a douche, especially if the flow of water is suitably increased, and more particularly if a longer enema type nozzle llSc shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 as projecting appreciably higher is 'used or a longer douche type nozthe sidewalls of the basin. It may be considered best by some modification of the construction, as shown in FIG.,9, a plastic zle 15d shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 as also extending appreciably higher and suitably inclined rearwardly is used, both nozzles having a smaller orifice to deliver a stronger and finer and more penetrating injection stream than the usual bidet nozzle. When the bidet nozzle 15 is of the screw-in type as in FIG. 2, the substitution of one form of screw-in nozzle for the other is an easy matter. Likewise, where the bidet nozzle is a detachable type, like the one shown in FIG. 6, it is obvious that substitution of one form for another is easily accomplished. In other words, the purchaser of a bidet basin 13 can or rubber disc 33' like the disc 38 but preferably thicker and readily acquire the additional nozzle or nozzles mentioned here similarly as additional sizes lengths and shapes of nozzles are bought with enema bags to broaden the range of uses of that article. The rocker portion R molded integral with and extending crosswise of the underside of the flange 36 at the front end of basins l3 and 13' serves both (1.) to give the basins added strength where maximum strain is concentrated, especially when the person seated on the basin rocks it to regulate the water flow, and (2) make it easier to rock the basins about the front end portion.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

lclaim:

l. A multipurpose device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed body contacting nozzle such as a douche or enema nozzle detachably mounted in an opening provided in the bottom of said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin in spaced relation to said nozzle, a flexible conduit for conducting water to said basin and nozzle from a source of water under pressure, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having a movable part thereof resting ir contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to saidnozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rim portion of said basin has a plurality of downwardly directed jet openings provided therein in circumferentially spaced relation for discharge of water onto the inside of the sidewalls of said basin, and means for continuously supplying water from said conduit to said jet openings independently of said springclosed valve.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit has an adapter on the end thereof remote from said basin for connection with a mixing faucet in a lavatory or bathtub for delivery to said basin of hot and cold water in a ratio and amount regulatable by manual operation of the lavatory or bathtub hot and cold water valves, the device including in said conduit at the adapter end a test valve for bypassing the mixture of hot and cold water directly into the lavatory or bathtub while the hot and cold water valves are being manually adjusted to determine a mixture at the desired temperature and volume, said test valve fitting being movable after testing to another position in which the water is delivered from said adapter to said spring closed valve through said flexible conduit'.

d. A device as set forth in claim 1 including a medication container connectable between the spring-closed valve and the flexible conduit, said container being adapted to receive a water soluble medication.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 including means for sealing the drain openings provided in the bottom of said basin, the basin having another set of openings provided in the sidewalls thereof below the rim portion in elevated relation to the first named drain openings for outflow of water, whereby to maintain a predetermined level of water in said basin in relation to the rim portion.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 including means for sealing the drain openings provided in the bottom of said basin when a bidet nozzle is substituted for the body contacting nozzle, the basin having another set of openings provided in the sidewalls thereof below the rim portion in elevated relation to the first named drain openings for outflow of water, whereby to maintain a predetermined level of water in said basin in relation to the rim portion, the drainage openings in the bottom of said basin being in circumferentially spaced relation around said nozzle, and the means for sealing said openings comprising a disc having a central opening to receive said nozzle while the radially outer portion of said disc covers and closes said drainage openings, said dischaving on its bottom face a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive, which, when said disc is pressed into place, serves to hold said disc in place on the bottom of said basin.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1 including means for sealing the drain openings provided in the bottom of said basin when a bidet nozzle is substituted for the body contacting nozzle, the basin having another set of openings provided in the sidewalls thereof below the rim portion in elevated relation to the first named drain openings for outflow of water, whereby to maintain a predetermined level of water in said basin in relation to the rim portion, the drainage openings in the bottom of said basin being in circumferentially spaced relation around said nozzle, and the means for sealing said openings comprising a disc having a central opening to receive said nozzle while the radially outer portion of said disc covers and closes said drainage openings, said disc being rotatable with respect to said nozzle and having a plurality of openings provided therein arranged to register with said drainage openings in one position of said disc, said disc when turned slightly serving to move said openings out of register with said drainage openings so as to seal the latter, the nozzle having a reduced portion entered in the center hole in said disc, and the annular shoulder defined on said nozzle above said reduced portion serving to retain said disc in operative relationship to the bottom of said basin.

8. A device as set forth in claim 1 including means for sealing the drain openings provided in the bottom of said basin when a bidet nozzle is substituted for the body contacting nozzle, the basin having another set of openings provided in the sidewalls thereof below the rim portion in elevated relation to the first named drain openings for outflow of water, whereby to maintain a predetermined level of water in said basin in relation to the rim portion, the drainage openings in the bottom of said basin being in circumferentially spaced relation around said nozzle, and the means for sealing said openings comprising a disc having a central opening to receive said nozzle while the radially outer portion of said disc covers and closes said drainage openings, said disc being rotatable with respect to said nozzle and having a plurality of openings provided therein arranged to register with said drainage openings in one position of said disc, said disc when turned slightly serving to move said openings out of register with said drainage openings so as to seal the latter, the nozzle having a reduced portion entered in the center hole in said disc, and the annular shoulder defined on said nozzle above said reduced portion serving to retain said disc in operative relationship to the bottom of said basin, there being compressible spring means inserted between said annular shoulder and said disc which when compressed serves to hold said disc under pressure resiliently toward sealing engagement with the bottom of said basin.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet nozzle is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin but is adjustable relative to the basin in a fore and aft direction with respect to a center line on the bottom of said basin.

10. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet noule is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin, said nozzle being removable and replaceable by another nozzle of greater length to reach to a higher level and serve for an additional purpose for which the first mentioned nozzle is not as well adapted, said nozzle being furthermore adjustable in a fore and aft direction with respect to a centerline on the bottom of said basin.

ll. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet nozzle is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin and has an angularly directed discharge .bottom of said basin and extends upwardly high enough relative to the rim of said basin to serve as an enema nozzle and/or douche nozzle when a nozzle for other purposes is not used, said nozzle being furthermore adjustable in a fore and aft direction with respect to a centerline on the bottom of said basin.

13. A device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed inlet noule in the bottom of said basin, of a length and st ape suitable for injection of the water from said nozzle into the body of a person seated on said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin, a flexible con-- duit for conducting water from sources of hot and cold water under pressure to said basin, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having amovable part thereof resting in contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to said nozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve, the basin having a rocker portion transversely of the under side of its flange at the front end for rocking support of the basin on the toilet bowl.

M. A device as set forth in claim 13 including a medication container connectable between the spring-closed valve and the flexible conduit, said container being adapted to receive a water soluble medication.

15. A device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl-with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed inlet nozzle in the bottom of said basin, of a length and shape suitable for injection of the water from said nozzle into the body of a person seated on said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin, a flexible conduit for conducting water from sources of hot and cold water under pressure to said basin, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having a movable part thereof resting in contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to said nozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve, the upwardly directed inlet nozzle being substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin but being adjustable relative to the basin in a fore and aft direction with respect to a center line on the bottom of said basin.

Claims

1. A multipurpose device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed body contacting nozzle such as a douche or enema nozzle detachably mounted in an opening provided in the bottom of said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin in spaced relation to said nozzle, a flexible conduit for conducting water to said basin and nozzle from a source of water under pressure, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having a movable part thereof resting in contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to said nozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rim portion of said basin has a plurality of downwardly directed jet openings provided therein in circumferentially spaced relation for discharge of water onto the inside of the sidewalls of said basin, and means for continuously supplying water from said conduit to said jet openings independently of said spring-closed valve.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit has an adapter on the end thereof remote from said basin for connection with a mixing faucet in a lavatory or bathtub for delivery to said basin of hot and cold water in a ratio and amount regulatable by manual operation of the lavatory or bathtub hot and cold water valves, the device including in said conduit at the adapter end a test valve for bypassing the mixture of hot and cold water directly into the lavatory or bathtub while the hot and cold water valves are being manually adjusted to determine a mixture at the desired temperature and volume, said test valve fitting being movable after testing to another position in which the water is delivered from said adapter to said spring closed valve through said flexible conduit.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 including a medication container connectable between the spring-closed valve and the flexible conduit, said container being adapted to receive a water soluble medication.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 including means for sealing the drain openiNgs provided in the bottom of said basin when a bidet nozzle is substituted for the body contacting nozzle, the basin having another set of openings provided in the sidewalls thereof below the rim portion in elevated relation to the first named drain openings for outflow of water, whereby to maintain a predetermined level of water in said basin in relation to the rim portion, the drainage openings in the bottom of said basin being in circumferentially spaced relation around said nozzle, and the means for sealing said openings comprising a disc having a central opening to receive said nozzle while the radially outer portion of said disc covers and closes said drainage openings, said disc having on its bottom face a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive, which, when said disc is pressed into place, serves to hold said disc in place on the bottom of said basin.

10. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet nozzle is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin, said nozzle being removable and replaceable by another nozzle of greater length to reach to a higher level and serve for an additional purpose for which the first mentioned nozzle is not as well adapted, said nozzle being furthermore adjustable in a fore and aft direction with respect to a centerline on the bottom of said basin.

11. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet nozzle is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin and has an angularly directed discharge end portion and is reversible to discharge water in a forward and upward direction or in a rearward and upward direction and is furthermore adjustable in a fore and aft direction with respect to a center line on the bottom of said basin.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upwardly directed inlet nozzle is substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin and extends upwardly high enough relative to the rim of said basin to serve as an enema nozzle and/or douche nozzle when a nozzle for other purposes is not used, said nozzle being furthermore adjustable in a fore and aft direction with respect to a centerline on the bottom of said basin.

13. A device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed inlet nozzle in the bottom of said basin, of a length and shape suitable for injection of the water from said nozzle into the body of a person seated on said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin, a flexible conduit for conducting water from sources of hot and cold water under pressure to said basin, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having a movable part thereof resting in contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to said nozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve, the basin having a rocker portion transversely of the under side of its flange at the front end for rocking support of the basin on the toilet bowl.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13 including a medication container connectable between the spring-closed valve and the flexible conduit, said container being adapted to receive a water soluble medication.

15. A device of the character described comprising a basin having a rim portion with an outwardly extending flange for temporary support of the basin on the rim of a toilet bowl with the body of the basin suspended in the bowl, an upwardly directed inlet nozzle in the bottom of said basin, of a length and shape suitable for injection of the water from said nozzle into the body of a person seated on said basin, drainage openings provided in the bottom of said basin, a flexible conduit for conducting water from sources of hot and cold water under pressure to said basin, and a spring-closed valve carried on said flange and having a movable part thereof resting in contact with said bowl for opening of said valve more or less upon downward movement of said flange relative to said bowl against the spring pressure, said valve thereby regulating flow of water from said conduit to said nozzle, said valve being openable in response to sufficient downward pressure on said flange, as when a person sits on said basin, said valve being also regulatable by variation of the pressure applied to said flange in the vicinity of said valve, the upwardly directed inlet nozzle being substantially centrally located in the bottom of said basin but being adjustable relative to the basin in a fore and aft direction with respect to a center line on the bottom of said basin.