GB1580134A

GB1580134A - Water closets

Info

Publication number: GB1580134A
Application number: GB2042277A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-05-24
Filing date: 1977-05-24
Publication date: 1980-11-26

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CLOSETS (71) I, RAINER LUTZ of Oeschlanderweg 23, 8990 Lindau (B), Germany, a German citizen; do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to improvements in a combined bidet and w.c.

The subject matter of the invention is a bidet installation as a fixture on a w.c. bowl with a w.c. seat, a bidet bowl with flow off opening on the rear end and a common lid in this sequence which are arranged hinged together on the rear end of the w.c. bowl.

According to the invention a bidet installation in combination with a conventional w.c. having a toilet pan, a seat pivotally resting on said toilet pan and a lid pivotally mounted on said toilet pan comprises a bidet bowl pivotably mounted on said toilet pan, a bottom surface of the bidet bowl having a flow off opening and being inclined towards said flow off opening; a fixing plate secured to the toilet pan and on which the seat, the lid, and the bidet bowl are mounted; and a jet nozzle mounted in said fixing plate so that it directs a flow of cleaning fluid toward the user of the bidet installation into the bidet bowl and wherein an inner wall and an edge of the bidet bowl define a receiving space into which the seat is received during use of the bidet bowl.

By means of this arrangement the w.c.

seat upon use of the bidet installation is located in a receiving space below the edge of the bidet bowl and is thus completely covered. Upon use of the w.c. seat the bidet installation is tilted up so that soiling is not possible. Upon use of the toilet installation as a urinal the bidet installation as well as the w.c. seat are tilted up so that the w.c.

seat is located in the space below the edge of the bidet bowl and thus the upper side of the w.c. seat is protected against soiling.

Hygiene is thus preserved to the highest degree in all types of use.

It is preferred that the bottom of the bowl of the bowl part be in alignment with the under edge of the seat. Thereby the bottom of the bowl is formed only relatively flat and therefore does not project when the bowl part is tilted up.

Due to the flat construction of the bidet bowl the bidet installation fits all types of construction of w.c. pans.

Furthermore it is essential for the bottom of the bowl to be inclined in the direction of at least one water flow off opening. With this feature it is ensured that no water remains in the bottom of the bowl when the water supply is turned off.

It is particularly advantageous if the water flow off opening is located in the vicinity below the jet nozzle. The water is led in a flat jet and can thus flow relatively free of pressure and free of spray against the parts of the body to be washed. The water is then led from the inside of the bowl part and flows off in the counter current to the water flowing in to the water flow off opening.

It is advantageous if the upper edge of the inner wall of the bowl is formed as a beading or inner wall directed inwards so that in any case water spraying outwards is avoided.

A further feature of the present invention is that the bowl has on the outer periphery a receiving space which is strengthened by radially running ribs and the receiving space engages over the seat so that the ribs contact the upper side of the seat. The receiving space is therefore on the one hand produced by the inner wall of the bowl and on the other hand by a wall which engages over the seat. Due to the fact that the ribs arranged in the receiving space lie on the seat in the turned down position of the bowl part, a hollow space in the receiving space is maintained which in an advantageous man ner is suitable for receiving a water heater.

The receiving space may be closed from below with a cover plate so that the parts disposed therein are no longer visible in the tilted up position of the bowl part.

With the feature that the receiving space engages over the seat and that some ribs connected to the receiving space lie on the seat several advantages are achieved at the same time. On the one hand with the lying thereon of ribs which are disposed in a hollow profile whereby the receiving space is a constituent part of the bowl a secure seating and free from play of the pivotable bowl part on the seat is ensure. The bowl can withstand high stresses without warping or even breaking when it is made of a plastics material. The bowl is thus centered by itself on the seat when it is turned down onto the seat. The joints of the bowl part are thereby not stressed. A further essential advantage is that now two different seating faces or contact faces with the skin of the user are provided which are separated from one another in a hygienic manner.

The users who use the toilet seat do not sit on the bowl part as this has to be tilted up during the use of the toilet seat. Only when the bidet installation according to the invention is to be used for washing pruposes is the bowl part turned down so that now the possibly soiled toilet seat is covered.

It is however also possible for the lid to engage over and close the opening of the bowl part but not the doughnut-shaped receiving space connecting thereon. The lid is thus formed as it were with its surface in alignment with the hollow profile so that the constructional height of this unit can be kept relatively small. This brings about the advantage that when both parts are turned back only little space is necessary behind the toilet pan.

A feature of the present invention has been previously defined to the effect that for the user it it particularly convenient to wash in a counter current of water flowing in and flowing out on the bottom of the bowl.

According to another construction of the present invention it is however also possible for one or more flow off openings to be arranged on the periphery of the inner wall of the bowl. These flow off openings then cause no swirling counter current of the water but a continuous current.

Especially advantageous is the fact that the lid covers the flow off opening of the bowl and that in the tilted up position of the two parts the water dropping from the bottom of the bowl is led into the flow off channel of the fixing plate through the lid close the flow off opening of the bowl.

It is furthermore advantageous for a flow opening to be provided which is covered against splash from the w.c. bowl. Thereby a soiling of a bidet bowl by spray water from the toilet pan is no longer possible even when the bidet bowl is turned down.

In order also to protect the operating knobs from soiling it is preferred if the operating knobs for the bidet installation are fixed outside the bidet bowl.

For the purpose of assembly, cleaning and for any repair purposes and also for hygienic reasons it is furthermore preferred if the supply unit for the bidet installation is formed as a separate constructional unit.

With this embodiment it is possible for there to be fixed on the supply unit flanges with bearings for the w.c. seat, the bidet bowl and the common lid. Thereby with maintaning a small distance between the pivot of these constructional parts and the rear distance of the new bidet installation these constructional parts are separate and are mounted in use hygienically satisfactorily.

In order to arrange for the new bidet installation to be able to be adapted to different lengths of toilet pans it is furthermore preferred for the bidet installation to be movable and adjustable in a longitudinal direction.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bidet installation with the bidet bowl tilted up; and flapped down w.c. seat; the representation shown the washing apparatus in use as a conventional w.c. seat; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the arrangement according to Figure 1 with flapped down bidet bowl when the lid is tilted up; this view shows the use as a bidet washing apparatus; Figure 3 is a plan view of the w.c. seat in the arrangement according to Figure 1; Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of an arrangement according to Figure 2 with the use as a bidet washing apparatus with the bowl part turned down; Figure 6 is a section on line VI-VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view of the arrangement according to Figure 2 with partly tilted up bowl and with a container fixed to the inside of the lid for receiving the washing utensils; Figure 8 is a view from below of a further new bidet installation; Figure 9 is a side view of the bidet installation; Figure 10 is a plan of same; Figure 11 is a view of a supply unit from the rear; ; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the operating knobs with spray nozzle and flanges on which bearings are mounted; Figure 13 shows the bidet installation with the lid tilted up; Figure 14 shows the bidet installation with bidet bowl tilted up; Figure 15 is an enlarged detail view of Figure 13 for illustrating the flow off from the bidet bowl; Figure 16 shows the bidet installation tilted up, mounted on a w.c. bowl; Figure 17 is a section on line I-I of Figure 8; Figure 18 is a view of the bidet bowl from the rear side; Figure 19 shows edge members of the new bidet installation in position.

The bidet washing apparatus according to the invention is placed on the w.c. pan shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 the washing apparatus is shown in use as a conventional w.c., that is, the bowl 6 and the lid 1 pivotably fixed thereon tilted up. The w.c. seat 4 lies on projections 17 (see Figure 7) on the upper edge of the toilet pan 40.

In the rear part in this construction the w.c. seat is open with a fixing plate 5 in the intermediate space with an operating panel 8 fixed thereon. The w.c. seat 4 is pivoted on fixed hinges 2 (see Figure 3) to the fixing plate 5. The fixing plate 5 is detachably fixed on the w.c. pan 40 by conventional fixing means such as, for example, screws or clamps. The bidet apparatus can be ex changed for a simple seat already on the w.c. pan 40. The fixing point of the fixing plate is selected so that each conventional seat can be exchanged.

In Figure 2 is shown the bidet apparatus in its intended position in use, that is, the bowl, part pivotably fixed on the fixing part 5 is down on the seat 4. The jet nozzle 14 fixing to the operating panel 8 by means of a pivoted mounting 15 is now directed into the bowl. With the actuation of the operation panel 8 a water jet can be introduced from the jet nozzle 14 into the bowl 6. The user, for washing sits with his face to the tilted up lid 1 on the bowl and manipulates the taps 12, 13 of the operating panel 8 in front of him.

The bottom of the bowl 7 is formed as a water flow off surface and at least one fow off opening 19 is disposed approximately level with the bottom of the bowl 7 and the water supply is formed as a jet nozzle 14 which is directed into the bowl.

As follows from Figure 2 and in particular Figure 6 the bottom of the bowl is relatively flat. Thus a damming of the water is avoided, it is possible for the user of the bidet to employ freely flowing water without splashing and without troublesome water pressure.

For an explanation of these features according to the invention reference is made to the drawings and in particularly Figures 3 to 7.

Figure 3 shows the washing apparatus with a single representation of the turned down seat 4. From Figures 3 and 4 it follows that the seat 4 is pivoted by the hinge 2 on the fixing plate 5. The hinge 2 is disposed in the front area of the fixing plate 5 so that there is still sufficient space therebehind for the pivot 21 of the bowl 6 (see Figures 5 and 7). The hinges 2 and 21 are arranged one behind the other. Thus a hinge increasing width is obviated with a substantial saving in space in the width of the washing apparatus.

Figure 5 shows the washing apparatus with the bowl 6 turned down but with the lid 1 removed whilst Figure 6 also shows the lid 1 turned down onto the bowl 6. From this representation it is clear that the hinges 21 of the bowl 6 are situated at the rear end of the fixing plate 5. Likewise it is clear therefrom that the lid 1 is connected to the bowl pivotably on a hinge 3. Furthermore the seat hinge 2 shown in Figure 3 but omitted from Figures 5 and 6, is placed on the upper side of the fixing plate 5 here also a hinge of increasing width is avoided. From Figure 6 it is furthermore clear that the bottom 7 of the bowl 6 is substantially in alignment approximately with the underside of the seat 4. From this it is clear that the bowl 6 is formed shallow.From Figure 1 the advantage of this measure is clear which is to be seen in that the relatively flat bottom 7 of the bowl in the tilted up position does not contact the back of the user when he sits on the w.c. seat 4.

Figures 5 and 6 also show approximately the water flow in a first embodiment of the washing apparatus. The water emerging from the jet nozzle 14 flows in the direction 16 in a free jet into the bowl 6 and thus meets at an obtuse angle the bottom 7 of the bowl. Thus direct spray water at a high water pressure which could act inconveniently on the skin is avoided.

The user may now wash sitting on the bowl rim 6; the washing water flows in the direction 18 to a flow off opening 19 disposed in the vincinity of the operating panel 8, into the w.c. pan 40. The user therefore washes in the counter current.

Due to this counter current the water flows in a convenient manner and is continuously renewed. The hygienic conditions are optimum as the user can now wash in the inflowing water without coming into contact with washing water flowing away or even stationary water. The w.c. bowl allows the user additionally to scoop water from the bottom of the bowl to wet parts of the body which are not contacted by the water jet flowing in the direction 16.

The inner wall 20 of the bowl 6 merges into a receiving space 25 which with its bowl edge 9 engages over the seat 4. In this way, according to the foregoing explanation, two different seating surfaces are provided separated from one another, namely the seat 4 and the bowl 6. In this way a person who is using the seat 4 is prevented from coming into contact with the seating surface of the bowl 6.

According to the representation of Figure 1 the bowl is characterised in that it has on the outer periphery a receiving space 25 which is strengthened with radially extending ribs 24 and the receiving space 25 is over the seat 4 so that the ribs 24 are capable of being brought into contact on the top side of the seat 4. Due to this feature it has the advantage that within the receiving space 25 a hollow space is formed which is suitable for housing, one (or more) electric heaters which heats the water from the jet 14. In addition there may be arranged inside the space 25 further jet nozzles and/or flow off openings. The flow off openings may be connected to a waste water discharge from the space 25. A single discharge opening 19 can be employed but on the other hand further discharge openings may be provided on the inner wall 20 along the periphery, with additional jet nozzles.In addition also air pipes may be arranged in the receiving space 25 for drying any wet parts of the body after the completed washing operation.

As shown in Figure 6 the lid 1 covers the bowl 6. The lid 1 is connected closably onto the bowl 6 so that the use of the bowl is only possible when the lid is raised. The lid 1 may in a first embodiment according to Figure 6 cover the base of the receiving space 25 which is U-shaped in cross section or (not shown) in a second embodiment it may extent only as far as the upper edge of the inner wall 20 of the bowl part 6.

Figures 6 and 7 show a container 26 fitted on the inside of the lid 1 which container when the lid is turned down extends into the bowl 6.

The user may accommodate washing utensils in the container which utensils are immediately available during the washing and are to be stored in the container so as not to be lost. The container 26 is enclosed in a movable or tiltable housing 27 (see Figure 7) which ensures that the washing utensils do not fall out of the container downwards onto the bottom 7 of the bowl 6 when the lid 1 is turned down.

The construction provides a washing apparatus which permits of washing in freely flowing water without the spray water or water pressure being disagreeable. Account is taken of the highest hygienic require ments as the washing water flows immedi ately again from the bowl and due to the different seats a soiling of the individual parts is not possible.

A further arrangement of the new bidet installation is placed on a w.c. bowl 41 with a rim 42 (see Figure 16). It consists substantially of a w.c. seat 43 (see Figure 19), a bidet bowl 44, a common lid 45 and a supply unit 46 for the bidet bowl.

The supply unit 46 is also shown in Figure 12 and consists of lateral handles 47 (see Figures 10 and 13) for valves for a cold water connection 48 and a water connection 49. The connections supply a spray nozzle 50 which is like a garden hose so that the water jet may be adjusted wide or narrow.

The supply unit 46 has in addition upwardly projecting flanges 51 which form bearings 52 for the w.c. seat, the bidet bowl and the lid (see also Figure 11). It is preferred that the container 26 and the housing 27 are integral as the manufacturing costs are reduced.

By comparing Figures 1, 5 and 7 still further features of the invention are clear.

Figure 5 shows that on the upper side of the fixing plate 5 there is disposed at least one discharge channel 23 which surrounds the operating panel 8 and leads at the front side of the fixing plate 5 into the toilet pan 40.

The advantage of this meausre will be clear by comparing Figures 1 and 7. If only the toilet seat 4 is used, the bowl 6 is tilted up then the dripping water will flow downwards from the discharge opening 19 in the direction of the arrow 22. Figure 7 shows a partly tilted up bowl 6, by comparing with Figure 1 it can however be seen that the water dripping on the bottom of the bowl 7 is led into the flow off channel 21 around the operating panel 8.

A further feature of the invention is the fact that the taps 12, 13 and/or the operating panel 8 may be on the lid 1 or on the bowl 6 or on the seat 4 so that the taps 12, 13- are operable when the lid 1 is tilted up. The water supply of the connection pipes 10, 11 of the operating panel 8 may be controlled by a valve which is opened by the swinging up of the lid 1 and is closed by the downward movement of the lid. The taps 12, 11 and/or the operating panel 8 may be covered by a protective lid which may be tilted up or removed on using the bowl 6.

The bidet bowl 44 (Figure 17) has on its rear end a discharge opening 53 which is formed as a narrow slit, situated in a base 54 so that no water can penetrate from the w.c pan 41 into the bidet- bowl. The spray nozzle 50 is also protected from splashing water, see particularly Figure 15, 17 and 18 which also show the downwardly open receiving space 25 for the w.c. seat. The lid 45 pivots about the bearings 52 whilst the bowl 44 pivots about a spindle for the handles 47.

Figure 8 shows the under-side of the base 54 and also a fixing plate 55 of the supply unit 46 with slots 56 on both sides, and holes 57 for screws. The assembly can thus be adapted to the different home and foreign fixing systems, by adjusting the distance 58 between the screws in the fixing.

The new bidet installation can be adjusted by means not shown in a longitudinal direction 59 (see in particular Figure 9) and rubber buffers 60 are fixed on the underside of the w.c. seat.

Figure 11 shows in particular that the flanges 51 with their bearings 52 cooperate with corresponding flanges on the other constructional parts and thereby allow the tiltable fixing of these constructional parts 43, 44 and 45.

Figure 14 shows that for the adaptation for different home and foreign connecting systems, distance pieces 62 may be arranged under the bidet bowl 44. These allow the distance pieces when the bidet bowl is turned down to rest on the seat 43.

The recess of the bidet bowl 44 is completely covered by the lid 45.

The lid 45 projects forwardly of the bidet bowl by a slight amount in order to provide a grip for the tilting up of the lid. The rubber buffers 60 fixed on the w.c. seat 43 contact on the edge 42 of the w.c. bowl 41.

Figure 19 shows in particular that the new bidet installation consists of a few easily assembled parts which permit a satisfactory, hygienic use of all parts.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A bidet installation in combination with a conventional W.C. having a toilet pan, a seat pivotably resting on said toilet pan and a lid pivotably mounted on said toilet pan, comprising: a bidet bowl pivotably mounted on said toilet pan, a bottom surface of the bidet bowl having a flow off opening and being inclined towards said flow off opening; a fixing plate secured to the toilet pan and on which the seat, the lid, and the bidet bowl are mounted; and a jet nozzle mounted in said fixing plate so that it directs a flow of cleaning fluid toward the user of the bidet installation into the bidet bowl, and wherein an inner wall and an edge of the bidet bowl define a receiving space into which the seat is received during use of the bidet bowl.

2. A bidet installation according to claim 1, further comprising controls on the fixing plate for controlling the jet nozzle.

3. A bidet installation according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the bidet bowl is substantially in alignment with underside of the seat.

4. A bidet installation according to claim 1, wherein radial ribs strengthen the receiving space, the ribs resting on the seat during use of the bidet bowl.

5. A bidet installation according to claim 1, further comprising heaters located in the receiving space to heat the cleaning fluid.

6. A bidet installation according to claim 1, further comprising a container secured to an underside of the lid and in which washing utensils may be stored.

7. A bidet installation according to claim 1, further comprising a supply unit for the bidet bowl having hot and cold water connections.

8. A bidet installation according to claim 7, wherein the spray nozzle is connected to said water connections.

9. A bidet installation in combination with a conventional W.C. substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. unit 46 with slots 56 on both sides, and holes 57 for screws. The assembly can thus be adapted to the different home and foreign fixing systems, by adjusting the distance 58 between the screws in the fixing. The new bidet installation can be adjusted by means not shown in a longitudinal direction 59 (see in particular Figure 9) and rubber buffers 60 are fixed on the underside of the w.c. seat. Figure 11 shows in particular that the flanges 51 with their bearings 52 cooperate with corresponding flanges on the other constructional parts and thereby allow the tiltable fixing of these constructional parts 43, 44 and 45. Figure 14 shows that for the adaptation for different home and foreign connecting systems, distance pieces 62 may be arranged under the bidet bowl 44. These allow the distance pieces when the bidet bowl is turned down to rest on the seat 43. The recess of the bidet bowl 44 is completely covered by the lid 45. The lid 45 projects forwardly of the bidet bowl by a slight amount in order to provide a grip for the tilting up of the lid. The rubber buffers 60 fixed on the w.c. seat 43 contact on the edge 42 of the w.c. bowl 41. Figure 19 shows in particular that the new bidet installation consists of a few easily assembled parts which permit a satisfactory, hygienic use of all parts. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A bidet installation in combination with a conventional W.C. having a toilet pan, a seat pivotably resting on said toilet pan and a lid pivotably mounted on said toilet pan, comprising: a bidet bowl pivotably mounted on said toilet pan, a bottom surface of the bidet bowl having a flow off opening and being inclined towards said flow off opening; a fixing plate secured to the toilet pan and on which the seat, the lid, and the bidet bowl are mounted; and a jet nozzle mounted in said fixing plate so that it directs a flow of cleaning fluid toward the user of the bidet installation into the bidet bowl, and wherein an inner wall and an edge of the bidet bowl define a receiving space into which the seat is received during use of the bidet bowl.