Bidet toilet seat apparatus and system for its use

Abstract

A bidet toilet seat apparatus and method of using the apparatus comprising: a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an open interior; a fluid inlet plug extending from a location associated with the body and communicating with a plurality of succeeding and interior extending passageway channels, the channels communicating in turn with a plurality of spray nozzles; the lower surface of said seat has a splash guard that surrounds the open interior of said seat to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; and the plurality of spray nozzles are located at spaced locations along an inner wall of the splash guard. Wherein said splash guard can be positioned (1) against the rim of said toilet bowl, (2) adjacent to the rim of said toilet bowl, and (3) below the rim of said toilet bowl, to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to bidets, and more particularly to a toilet seated bidet, which is mounted onto a toilet for use as a bidet in a manner that easily adapts to different lavatory conditions and user preferences without requiring specialized plumbing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although, the use of bidets is common in many countries around the world, it use in The United States is less well known. This may be attributed to several factors such as general unfamiliarity with bidet type apparatuses, the additional cost associated with the same, space constraints for incorporating the same into a toilet system or, merely lack of habit for such personal hygiene.

Generally, there is two reasons people feel a need to have a bidet toilet: (1) out of convenience, or (2) out of necessity, such as for use with the physically impaired, or even purely for improved hygiene.

Extensive time, expense, and efforts have been expended in the development of bidet toilets and their related counterparts which are designed to either wash or wash and dry a person's genital area and anus.

Unfortunately current toilet seat bidets do provide an effective and efficient means of washing a person's genital area and anus, since the spray outlets or nozzles are located around the inner rim of the seat instead of being located below the seat to achieve a more effective and efficient angle to spray the water at the person's genital area and anus.

Unfortunately current bidets are not designed with one important factor in mind, to avoid water spillage outside of the toilet bowl. In fact, current bidet toilet seats are designed with spacers that leave a big gap between the toilet seat and toilet bowl wherein the water is sprayed all over the floor around the toilet when the bidet is in use. In this respect, the bidet according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a bidet toilet seat which incorporates a splash guard to avoid water spillage outside of the toilet bowl.

Typically, bidets are incorporated into the water supply lines of a toilet system and are positioned adjacent to the toilet seat whereby the flow, temperature and pressure of the water can be regulated for discharge from nozzles mounted on the front and the rear of the toilet seat.

Unfortunately most current bidets are not designed for ease and efficiency in adapting the bidet to various lavatory conditions and user preferences without requiring specialized plumbing. In this respect, the bidet according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a bidet which can be easily adapting to different lavatory conditions and user preferences efficiently without requiring specialized plumbing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that avoids water spillage outside of the toilet bowl.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that does not leave a gap between the toilet seat and toilet bowl wherein water is sprayed all over the floor around the toilet when the bidet is in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates a splash guard to avoid water spillage outside of the toilet bowl.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates a splash guard that surrounds the hole in the seat.

It is an object of the present invention in an alternative embodiment to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates a splash guard that can designed to surrounds either: half, less than half, or more than half of the hole in the seat.

It is an object of the present invention in an alternative embodiment to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates a splash guard that extends below the toilet bowl rim.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates spray outlets or nozzles which are located in a splash guard.

It is an object of the present invention in an alternative embodiment to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates spray outlets or nozzles which are located in a splash guard that is positioned below the inner rim of the toilet seat.

It is an object of the present invention in an alternative embodiment to provide a bidet toilet seat that incorporates spray outlets or nozzles which are located in a splash guard that is positioned below the inner rim of the toilet seat and are angled upper ward to spray the water at the person's genital area and anus to effectively clean the region.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bidet toilet seat that controls water pressure with a water control unit.

It is a further object of the bidet apparatus to utilize existing hot and cold water sources, thereby negating the need for additional heating mechanisms and water storage.

Still a further object of the bidet apparatus is to provide for mixing of hot and cold water sources.

It is an object of the present invention in an alternative embodiment to provides a new system for adapting a toilet for use as a bidet construction wherein the same can be utilized in a manner that easily adapts to different lavatory conditions and user preferences without requiring specialized plumbing.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new system for adapting a toilet for use as a bidet apparatus which has many of the advantages of the bidet systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new system for adapting a toilet for use as a bidet which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bidet systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is an object of the bidet apparatus that the seat is designed to fit on and about an existing toilet.

It is an object of the bidet apparatus that the seat can be offered in an elongated and/or round design.

It is an object of the present invention, that the bidet toilet seat apparatus can be manufactured and assembled in combination with a toilet or sold separately as a package along with hoses for connecting the same to water lines.

It is an object of the present invention, that the design of the bidet toilet seat be package with a bidet toilet or as a replacement toilet seat that can be easily installed and mounted.

It is also an object of this invention to providing a bidet toilet seat apparatus that is easy to manufacture, simple to assemble, reliable and durable in operation, easy to market, and relatively inexpensive to produce.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the improved bidet apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment of the improved bidet apparatus when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the improved bidet apparatus in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the several figures, summarized as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the bidet toilet seat apparatus with a control panel and a splash guard to avoid water spillage outside of the toilet bowl.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the bidet toilet seat apparatus with a control panel and a splash guard to avoid water spillage outside of the toilet bowl.

FIG. 3 is a broken away view of the control panel that controls water pressure and the mixing of hot and cold water.

FIG. 4 is a broken away view of the toilet seat.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a broken away view of the splash guard.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a broken away view of the splash guard.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the internal structure of the control panel for the bidet toilet seat apparatus.

FIG. 8 is the top view of the internal structure of the preferred embodiment of the bidet toilet seat apparatus with a control panel and a splash guard that incorporates spray outlets.

FIG. 9 is the bottom view of the internal structure of the preferred embodiment of the bidet toilet seat apparatus with a control panel and a splash guard that incorporates spray outlets.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hot water valve adaptor.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cold/hot water adaptor.

FIG. 12 is a color photo of the preferred embodiment of the bidet toilet seat apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a color photo of the cold/hot water adaptor.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, various features of embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings are provided for purpose of illustrating and describing presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in anyway. It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials arrangements of parts or operational conditions which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of this invention.

Referring to the drawings wherein numerals correspond to the like elements throughout, attention is first directed to FIG. 1-13, a Bidet Toilet Seat Apparatus 10 is shown to comprises a toilet seat 15, a splash guard 40, means for connecting the splash guard to the toilet seat. Wherein, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the toilet seat and splash guard can be manufactured as one piece.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 show a bidet toilet seat 15 that is comprised of an upper surface 16, a lower surface 17, an open interior hole 18, one or two fluid inlet plug(s) 22 and 24, and an interior extending passageway channel 26 for fluid. Wherein said bidet toilet seat is design so that it could be attached to numerous toilets.

FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 show a splash guard 40 that is comprised of an inner wall 42 and an outer wall 44 that surrounds the open interior hole 18 of the toilet seat 15. Said splash guard 40 is design to have one or more spray outlets 52, which are located at spaced locations along an inner wall 42 of the splash guard. Said spray outlets are designed to be angled upper ward to spray the water at the person's genital area and anus to more effectively clean the region.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the bidet toilet seat apparatus 10 is comprised of a seat 15 having a body that has an upper surface 16, a lower surface 17, and an open interior hole 18, one or two fluid inlet plug(s) 22 & 24 extending from a location associated with said body and in communication with an interior extending passageway channel 26, said channels communicates in turn with a plurality of spray outlets 52; said lower surface 17 of said seat 15 has a splash guard 40 that surrounds said open interior 18 of said seat 15 to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; and said plurality of spray outlets 52 are located at spaced locations along an inner wall 42 of said splash guard 40.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the toilet seat 15, control panel 30, and splash guard 40 can be manufactured as separate pieces that can be connected to the toilet seat. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the toilet seat 15, control panel 30, and splash guard 40 are all manufactured as one piece as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9 of the drawings.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bidet toilet seat apparatus 10 is comprised of a seat 15 having a body that has an upper surface 16, a lower surface 17, and an open interior hole 18; a control panel having one or two fluid inlet plug(s) 22 and/or 24; a splash guard 40 that surrounds said open interior 18 of said seat 15 to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; said splash guard 40 has a plurality of spray outlets 52 are located at spaced locations along an inner wall 42 of said splash guard 40; wherein the fluid inlet plugs connect to a first fluid channel that is located in the control panel and that connects to a second fluid channel that is located in the seat and that connects to a third fluid channel that is located in the splash guard; wherein the splash guard is attached to the toilet seat; and wherein the control panel is attached to the toilet seat.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention the bidet toilet seat apparatus 10 is comprised of a seat 15 having a body that has an upper surface 16, a lower surface 17, and an open interior hole 18, one or two fluid inlet plug(s) 22 and 24 extending from a location associated with said body and in communication with an interior extending passageway channel, said channels communicates in turn with a plurality of spray outlets 26; said lower surface 17 of said seat 15 has a splash guard 40 that surrounds said open interior 18 of said seat 15 to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; and said plurality of spray outlets 52 are located at spaced locations along an inner wall 42 of said splash guard 40.

In a further preferred embodiment of this invention, the bidet toilet seat apparatus is further comprised of said body of said seat 15 having a control panel 30 that is adjacent to a seating surface of a user; wherein said control panel 30 has one or more fluid inlet plugs 22 & 24 for hot/cold water; wherein said control panel 30 has a first switch 32 for selecting a desired water temperature; and wherein said control panel 30 has a second switch 34 for activating a pressurized water supply.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention not shown, the splash guard is designed to allow said splash guard to be positioned in the toilet bowl below the rim of the toilet.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the splash guard is design to be positioned adjacent to the toilet bowl rim to prevents water spillage outside of a toilet bowl.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention not shown, the splash guard is designed to allow said splash guard to be positioned in the toilet bowl below the rim of the toilet so that said splash guard can have the spray outlets that are angled upwardly to spray water at the person's genital area and anus in a more efficient and effective manner than the prior art.

In the preferred embodiment, a control panel has means for controlling the water pressure with a water pressure control valve. Said control panel has means for controlling the water temperature with a water temperature control valve.

A bidet toilet seat apparatus comprising: a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, an open interior, and a rear portion; said lower surface of said seat has a splash guard that surrounds said open interior of said seat to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; a seat cover; a case fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl, the case being rotatably connected with said seat and said seat cover; and one or more fluid inlet plug extending from a first location associated with said body and communicating with succeeding and interior extending passageway channels, said channels communicating in turn with a plurality of spray nozzles.

The Bidet Toilet Seat of the present invention is designed so that it can be easily installed and mounted onto an existing toilet or it could be package and sold with a bidet toilet system.

The bidet system of the present invention has a Hot Water Adaptor 100 as seen in FIG. 10 that is suitable for use with a faucet and a toilet. For this invention, the hot water adaptor 100 is connected to: (1) hot water valve (faucet) 110 under the washbowl; (2) hot water flexible hose 120 going to the washbowl faucet; and (3) a hot water tube 140 going to the Bidet's Cold/Hot Water Connector 170.

The bidet system of the present invention also has a Cold/Hot Water Connector Adaptor 170 as seen in FIGS. 11 and 13, which is suitable for use with a faucet and a toilet. Wherein this Cold/Hot Water Connector Adaptor 170 will be installed between the water tank valve and the cold water hose connected to the faucet to supply cold water. A polyethylene tubing will connect to the Hot Water Adaptor 100 to the Water Connector Adaptor 170 to supply hot water. Water Connector Adaptor 170 is designed to have two outlets 191 & 192 on its front side, one for cold water and one for hot water. Those outlets 191 & 192 will be connected to the two inlet plugs 22 & 24 in the control panel 30 attached to the toilet seat 15 through the use of polyethylene tubing.

In the control panel region of the toilet seat, the mixture of hot and cold water is controlled by the water temperature valve to produce a single stream of water for the desired temperature. Optionally, a single mixing valve and a single spout may be used. As such, only a single inlet plug could be used in the control panel attached to the toilet seat instead of two inlet plugs used in the preferred embodiment.

A cover may be pivotally mounted on the upper surface 16 of the seat 15, and the cover may have a lowered position for covering the opening of the seat and a raised position for exposing the seat.

The toilet seat and lid are constructed of a durable plastic material or other suitable budget or recycled material. In particular, the seat and lid may be constructed of a sanitary or hygienic plastic material.

The seat can be offered in an elongated and/or round design with a smooth upper surface.

A toilet seat is preferably pivotally mounted on the upper surface of the rim. The seat has a central opening 18 generally aligned with the opening in the rim of the bowl portion. The seat has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, with the inner perimeter defining the central opening and having an inner perimeter edge. The seat has an upper face and a lower face, and the seat has a front and a rear and opposite lateral sides. Preferably, the seat 15 is pivotable between a lowered position oriented adjacent to the upper surface of the rim and a raised position oriented substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the rim.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A bidet toilet seat apparatus comprising:

a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an open interior;

said lower surface of said seat has a splash guard;

one or more fluid inlet plugs;

one or more passageway channels for distributing the water from said fluid inlet plugs to a plurality of spray nozzles at spaced locations along an inner wall of said splash guard.

2. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

said body of said seat having a control panel that is adjacent to a seating surface of a user;

wherein said control panel has one or more fluid inlet plugs for hot/cold water;

wherein said control panel has a first switch for selecting a desired water temperature; and

wherein said control panel has a second switch for activating a pressurized water supply.

3. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard is extended to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl to prevent water spillage outside of said toilet bowl.

4. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard is positioned adjacent to a rim of said toilet bowl to prevent water spillage outside of said toilet bowl.

5. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard surrounds said open interior in said toilet seat.

6. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard partially surrounds said open interior in said toilet seat.

7. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard extends to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl and said splash guard surrounds said open interior in said toilet seat.

8. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 1, wherein said splash guard extends to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl and said splash guard partially surrounds said open interior in said toilet seat.

9. A bidet toilet seat apparatus comprising:

a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, an open interior, and a rear portion;

said lower surface of said seat has a splash guard that surrounds said open interior of said seat to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl;

a seat cover

a case fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl, the case being rotatably connected with said seat and said seat cover; and

one or more fluid inlet plug extending from a first location associated with said body and communicating with one or more succeeding and interior extending passageway channels, said channels communicating in turn with a plurality of spray nozzles.

10. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a first switch located in said seat for determining the water temperature, a second switch for activating a pressurized water supply through said spray nozzles.

11. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 9, wherein said splash guard is extended to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl and said splash guard has a plurality of spray nozzles located at spaced locations along an inner wall of said splash guard.

12. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 9, wherein said splash guard is positioned adjacent to a rim of said toilet bowl and said splash guard has a plurality of spray nozzles located at spaced locations along an inner wall of said splash guard.

13. A bidet toilet seat apparatus comprising:

a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an open interior;

a fluid inlet plug extending from a location associated within said body and communicating with one or more passageway channels, said channels communicating in turn with a plurality of spray nozzles;

said lower surface of said seat has a splash guard that surrounds said open interior of said seat to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl; and

said plurality of spray nozzles are located at spaced locations along an inner wall of said splash guard.

14. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a water control valve for optionally adjusting the pressure of washing water by adjusting the opening ratio of said water control valve.

15. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a water temperature valve for optionally adjusting the temperature of washing water by adjusting the opening ratio of hot to cold.

16. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 13, wherein said splash guard is extended to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl.

17. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 13, wherein said splash guard is positioned adjacent to a rim of said toilet bowl.

18. A method of using a bidet toilet seat apparatus comprising the steps:

providing a seat having a body that has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an open interior, a fluid inlet plug extending from a location associated with said body and communicating with one or more passageway channels, said channels communicating in turn with a plurality of spray nozzles; said lower surface of said seat has a splash guard to prevent water spillage outside of a toilet bowl;

wherein said body of said seat has a control panel that is adjacent to a seating surface of a user; said control panel has one or more fluid inlet plugs for hot/cold water; said control panel has a first switch for selecting a desired water temperature; said control panel has a second switch for activating a pressurized water supply; and one or more passageway channels for distributing the water from said fluid inlet to a plurality of spray nozzles at spaced locations along an inner wall of said splash guard;

wherein said user would like to clean said user genital area and anus, said user will seat on said seating surface of said toilet and said user will turn said first switch to select the desired water temperature and then turns said second switch for activating the pressurized water supply to clean said user's genital area and anus;

wherein said user is finished cleaning said user's genital area and anus, said user will turn said second switch for deactivating the pressurized water supply.

19. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 18, wherein said splash guard is extended to a position below a rim of said toilet bowl.

20. A bidet toilet seat apparatus of claim 18, wherein said splash guard is positioned adjacent to a rim of said toilet bowl.