Combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus
A combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus includes a toilet seat member formed with a top wall, a continuous arcuate outer sidewall extending between opposite ends of a back wall and an inner sidewall defining, in part, a seat opening. An arcuate nozzle support arm is mounted on the seat member for rotation about an axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the seat member. An operating handle is connected to the arm at one side of the seat and a water flow control valve and operating handle are mounted on the seat opposite the arm operating handle for controlling water flow to a water jet nozzle mounted on the arm. The arm is adapted to be moved to selected working positions by the arm operating handle, and water flow may be selectively varied at will.
In the art of toilet apparatus and the like, there have been efforts to adapt bidet devices to mount on existing toilet apparatus, including devices which mount directly on a toilet seat, or the toilet bowl or adjacent structure. Efforts have also been made to develop bidet devices which include moveable support structure for a water spray nozzle, which support structure may be moved between a working position and a stored position out of the way of a toilet seat opening.
However, known bidet devices or apparatus adapted for mounting on a toilet seat are not configured such that only a single water jet nozzle is required and wherein the nozzle may be placed in one of several selected working positions and further wherein the bidet device may be moved to a non-working position which is substantially out of the way but which is retained on a toilet seat in a convenient and unobtrusive position.
Accordingly, there has been a need to develop bidet apparatus which may be mounted on a toilet seat, which may be moved conveniently to selected working positions while at the same time being operable to project a stream of cleaning water in a variable selected amount. There has also been a need for a bidet apparatus which is built into a toilet seat in such a way as to be stored in an unobtrusive or out-of-the way position when not required to be used. Various needs and desiderata in the art of bidet apparatus have been met by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides an improved combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus is provided wherein a moveable support arm for a water jet nozzle is mounted on a toilet seat for rotation between various selected working positions and a stored position. The support arm is conveniently located in a stored position within a recess formed in the toilet seat in such a way that the bidet support arm is completely unobtrusive and out of the way when not being used.
In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, a bidet apparatus is provided which is mountable on a toilet seat and is characterized by a support arm for a water jet nozzle which arm is rotatable about an axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the toilet seat and is moveable to selected working positions for directing a stream of cleaning water from the nozzle. The support arm is connected to an operating handle for selectively positioning the arm and the water jet nozzle in a selected working position and the arm is biased to a retracted position by a return spring mechanism. Still further, the bidet apparatus includes a control handle for operating a water flow control valve to control the flow of water to the nozzle.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, a bidet apparatus is provided which is mounted on a toilet seat and is arranged such that a water flow control valve operating handle is mounted on one side of the toilet seat and an operating handle for positioning a support arm for a water jet nozzle is mounted on the toilet seat on an opposite side thereof. Accordingly, operating handles for the bidet apparatus are conveniently placed for manipulation by a person using the apparatus.
In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention, a combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus is provided which is configured for easy assembly and disassembly for repair or replacement of parts, as needed. A substantial number of parts are configured for ease of manufacture, such as by injection molding using a filled or unfilled thermoplastic or thermoset polymer material.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-mentioned advantages and superior features of the invention, together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawing with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Referring to
Toilet seat 12 is further provided with a plurality of spaced apart fastener receiving bosses 26, several of which are identified in
Referring further to
Referring briefly to
Bidet support arm 36 is at least partially supported on seat 12 by a trunnion 44,
The opposite side of support arm 36 is supported by seat 12 for rotation about axis 42 by a rotary coupling 51,
Spigot 52 journals a hollow boss 64,
As illustrated in
An additional advantage and convenience accorded to the user of the combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus 10 is with respect to the placement of the operating handles 50 and 62. The user of the apparatus 10 may selectively position the support arm 36 with one hand by manipulating the handle 50 while at the same time, using the other hand, for example, adjust the flow of water being ejected by the nozzle 38 by manipulation of the handle 62 which controls valve 54. Accordingly, the combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus 10 is particularly versatile with respect to ease of use and selection of a working position of the support arm 36 and nozzle 38 supported thereon.
Referring briefly to
Referring briefly to
Still further, the apparatus 10 is provided with suitable openings 36b in arm 36, see
The construction and operation of the apparatus 10 is believed to be understandable to those of skill in the art based on the foregoing description. Conventional engineering materials, such as moldable plastics, may be used to fabricate the seat 12, arm 36, seat cover 25, lid 34 and arm cover 37, for example. Other components described above may be formed of suitable engineering materials and fabricated using substantially conventional manufacturing practices.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus comprising:
- a toilet seat member including wall means defining a seat opening;
- a nozzle support arm mounted for rotation on said seat member and moveable between a retracted position disposed in a recess in said seat member and a selected working position about an axis generally normal to a longitudinal axis of said seat member; and
- a water jet nozzle mounted on said support arm for ejecting a stream of water in a direction corresponding to a selected working position of said support arm.
2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said support arm is connected to an operating handle disposed on one side of said seat member for moving said support arm between said retracted position and a selected working position.
3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 including:
- a retainer for retaining said support arm in said retracted position disposed in said recess in said seat member.
4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein:
- said retainer includes a magnet operable to retain said support arm in said retracted position by magnetic forces.
5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein:
- said support arm includes at least one trunnion disposed thereon adjacent one end of said support arm and operably connected to said operating handle, said trunnion being supported at least in part by said seat member.
6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5 including:
- a coupling operable to conduct water from a flow control valve to said nozzle, said coupling including cooperating members supporting said support arm for rotation with respect to said seat member.
7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein:
- said flow control valve is supported on said seat member.
8. The apparatus set forth in claim 7 including:
- an operating handle operably connected to said flow control valve for controlling the flow of water to said nozzle.
9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein:
- said operating handle for said flow control valve is disposed on a side of said seat member opposite said operating handle for moving said support arm between working and retracted positions.
10. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein:
- said seat member includes a top wall, a continuous outer sidewall extending from one end of a backwall to an opposite end of said backwall and said opening in said seat member is defined in part by an inner sidewall.
11. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 including:
- a spring return mechanism operably connected to said support arm for biasing said support arm toward said retracted position.
12. A combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus comprising:
- a toilet seat member including a top wall, an outer sidewall, a back wall and an inner sidewall defining at least in part a toilet seat opening;
- a nozzle support arm mounted for rotation on said seat member and moveable between a position disposed in a recess in said seat member and a selected working position about an axis generally normal to a longitudinal axis of said seat member, said support arm is connected to a first operating handle disposed on one side of said seat member for moving said support arm between a retracted position and a selected working position;
- a nozzle mounted on said support arm for ejecting a stream of water in a direction corresponding to a selected working position of said support arm;
- a water flow control valve supported on said seat member; and
- a second operating handle connected to said flow control valve for controlling the flow of water to said nozzle.
13. The apparatus set forth in claim 12 including:
- said second handle is disposed on a side of said seat member substantially opposite said first handle.
14. The apparatus set forth in claim 12 wherein:
- said support arm includes at least one trunnion disposed thereon and operably connected to said first handle, said trunnion being supported at least in part by said seat member.
15. The apparatus set forth in claim 14 including:
- a spring return mechanism including a torsion coil spring operably connected to said one trunnion and said seat member for biasing said support arm toward said position disposed in said recess.
16. The apparatus set forth in claim 12 including:
- a coupling operable to conduct water from said flow control valve to said nozzle, said coupling including cooperating members supporting said support arm for rotation with respect to said seat member.
17. The apparatus set forth in claim 12 wherein:
- said flow control valve is supported on said seat member.
18. A combination toilet seat and bidet apparatus comprising:
- a toilet seat member including wall means defining a toilet seat opening;
- a nozzle support arm mounted for rotation on said seat member and moveable between a position disposed in a recess in said seat member and a selected working position about an axis generally normal to a central longitudinal axis of said seat member, said support arm includes at least one trunnion disposed thereon and operably connected to a first handle for moving said support arm between a retracted position and a selected working position;
- a nozzle mounted on said support arm for ejecting a stream of water in a direction corresponding to a selected working position of said support arm;
- a water flow control valve supported on said seat member;
- a coupling operable to conduct water from said flow control valve to said nozzle, said coupling including cooperating members for supporting said support arm for rotation with respect to said seat member; and
- a second handle connected to said flow control valve for controlling the flow of water to said nozzle.
19. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 including:
- a retainer for retaining said support arm in a retracted position disposed in said recess in said seat member.
20. The apparatus set forth in claim 19 wherein:
- said retainer includes a magnet operable to retain said support arm in said retracted position by magnetic forces.
21. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein:
- said second handle is disposed on a side of said seat member opposite said first handle.
22. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein:
- said seat member includes a top wall, a continuous outer sidewall extending from one end of a backwall to an opposite end of said backwall and said opening in said seat member is defined in part by an inner sidewall.
23. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein:
- said support arm comprises a channel shaped member for supporting a conduit extending between said coupling and said nozzle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 21, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 27, 2006
Applicant: STEVEN L. MOSS (LINDALE, TX)
Inventors: Steven Moss (Lindale, TX), Mart Betts (Jacksonville, TX), Keith Lindsey (Troup, TX)
Application Number: 11/040,938
International Classification: E03D 9/08 (20060101);