Shower with Integrated Bidet and Drain System

Abstract

A shower or tub enclosure incorporating a spray nozzle in the drain system to allow a spray of water to be directed up from the lower area of the enclosure. The spray nozzle may be optionally controlled by an individual flow diverter. The spray nozzle may further comprise a plurality of spray selectors for shaping the spray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bidets are frequently found in the bathrooms of many countries, but are not very common in the United States. In recent years there has been an increase in their use in the United States. The use of a doucette may be a convenient replacement to a bidet in a location where space does not allow for the installation of both a bidet and a commode. There are conversion devices which allow a doucette to be incorporated into an existing bathroom by integration into the water supply line for a commode. There are also other attachments which integrate a spray device into a commode's seat and/or hinge assembly. While these approximate the functions of a bidet, they are not a true substitute.

Bidets are used for hygienic purposes which may have a cultural or religious basis. As the population of the United States continues to age, there is an increased need for bidets for those with physical disabilities, dexterity or other health problems, particularly those which limit the range of motion. However, space constraints often prevent the addition of a bidet to many existing bathrooms. Even when bidet attachments and doucette are adapted on existing commodes, the commode's primary use makes it a poor substitute for a bidet, which is primarily for washing activities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a shower with an integrated bidet and drain system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bidet and drain system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A and 3B shows a drain strainer adapted for use in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a bidet and drain system's integration into the drain opening of a drain pan in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By incorporating a bidet's functionality into a shower or bath, one can separate the waste disposal functionality of the commode from the washing and cleansing functionality of the rest of the facility without the introduction of a dedicated device, the bidet. The inventor has incorporated a spray nozzle in the drain configuration of a standard shower. While it is not necessary to incorporate the nozzle into the drain, by doing so, one can avoid another opening in the shower pan which could be a potential point of leakage. Further, the drain is usually situated near the approximate center of the shower pan making it ideally positioned for the spray to strike the user in the preferred location.

In the preferred embodiment, the shower fitting is adapted with a water opening which routes fresh water from a water supply line, up through an opening on the edge of the standard drain opening. This is accomplished by forming a channel in a portion of the drain fitting's wall which has been thickened to accommodate such in at least the position where the channel is located. This channel has an intake which would be located below the shower pan, and is supplied with a freshwater line extending from a diverter existing downstream of the temperature mixing controls for the shower.

In one embodiment, the nozzle may extend up from the drain, to protrude above the floor of the shower, but doing so may create a trip hazard in the shower. In another embodiment, the nozzle extends no higher than the floor of the shower. In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle projects no higher than the drain opening, just under the drain screen and is aligned with the perimeter of the drain screen. The drain screen, in addition to the standard strainer pattern of apertures, further includes additional aperture patterns around the perimeter for shaping and adjusting the spray pattern of the water exiting the nozzle. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the drain screen is modified such that it pivots around a central pivot point allowing a plurality of aperture patterns to be selectively rotated into position above the nozzle. The inventor has further included low profile tabs which can be gripped with the hand, or manipulated with the foot to rotate the drain screen selector between different spray patterns.

In one embodiment, the shower could be fitted with a dual position diverter which would allow one to selectively activate the upper or the lower spray nozzle. Only activating the lower spray nozzle without activating the upper nozzle allows use as a standard bidet where one does not need to fully undress. In another embodiment, multiple diverters allow one to selectively activate one or both nozzles independently of each other. In another embodiment, one of the spray selectors may be a non-spray selector which blocks the nozzle causing fresh water to back up the plumbing. By including a non-spray selector, an existing shower system with a single diverter valve may be utilized to operate dual sprayers. In such an embodiment, the diverter will send water to the floor sprayer, unless the non-sprayer selector is selected, in which case water would further be diverted to an upper sprayer.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that adjustments could be made to extend the nozzle into the drain fitting's central flow channel or drain port rather than simply on the perimeter. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the nozzle could be located separate from the drain, but would need to be at a low enough height and angled in an essentially upward direction to accomplish the task. Where the description herein is for incorporation in a shower with a centrally located drain, one skilled in the arts would appreciate that the same configuration could be incorporated into a tub with a centrally located drain. Further, one skilled in the arts would appreciate that a tub or shower with a drain opening located in a non-central manner could also utilize the teachings herein by angling the spray nozzle toward the center of the tub or shower.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shower with an integrated bidet and drain system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The shower (100) has a traditional wall sprayer (110) which produces a clean water spray (600) directed down over the user. The temperature controls (120) allow one to set the desired water temperature, and the flow diverter (130) allows one to control the pressure. One skilled in the art would understand that temperature controls (120) may be singular or plural. The shower (100) further incorporates a floor sprayer (160) in the drain (150) of the shower's (100) floor pan or floor (140). The floor sprayer (160) directs a spray of water (600) upward from the floor (140) to cleanse the user from a different direction. One skilled in the art would understand the wall sprayer (110) and the floor sprayer (160) may be controlled by a single or a plurality of flow diverters (130) allowing for simultaneous, mutually exclusive, or independent control. Waste water is then directed back down the drain (650) in the traditional fashion.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bidet and drain system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Bidet and drain system (150) comprises the drain fitting (210) which contains the traditional drain channel (270) to collect waste water (650) and funnels it to the discharge port (280). The drain fitting (210) further incorporates, an inflow port (220) which accepts fresh water from a supply line, and directs it through a sprayer port (230) to produce a clean water spray (600), directed up from the floor pan (140) of the shower. The clean water spray (600) from the sprayer port (230) passes through the strainer (240). The drain port (270) is spanned by a pivot plate (250), which may be molded as a part of the drain fitting (210) or may be secured with screws (260) or other mounting hardware. The strainer (240) is mounted to the pivot plate (250) by a central screw (260), allowing pivoting of the strainer to adjust the spray selector aperture pattern positioned above the sprayer port (230). Such task could also be accomplished by a rivet, or other mounting options which would allow the strainer to rotate.

FIG. 3A and 3B shows a drain strainer adapted for use in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drain strainer (240) is a substantially flat disk shaped device which may be, but is not limited to, construction in metal or plastic. The device is preferable made from a non-corrosive, non-reactive material which is rigid. The drain strainer (240) comprises a centrally located pivot point (310) surrounded by a series of apertures which comprise the draining screen (320). The pattern of square apertures illustrated is simply one example of a possible configuration. One skilled in the art would appreciate other patterns which could be utilized for this function of preventing larger objects from flowing down and possibly clogging the drain port. Arranged around the perimeter of the drain strainer (240) is a plurality of spray selectors (330). The spray selectors (330) comprise various patterns of apertures which shape the stream of water emerging from the sprayer port (230), not illustrated) to vary the clean water spray (600, not illustrated). To aid in rotating the drain strainer (240), one or more rotation handles (340) may be formed to allow a user to grip and rotate. The optional handles are illustrated in FIG. 3B as being of a low profile square shape and extending from the surface of the drain strainer (240). However, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the handles may also be recesses into the surface, or simply a roughened section of an otherwise smooth surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a bidet and drain system's integration into the drain opening of a drain pan in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The opening of the floor pan (140) is spanned by a pivot plate (250) which is securely fastened to the opening by a plurality of screws (260) which also draw the drain fitting (210) against the underside of the floor pan (140) such that the drain port (270) and the sprayer port (230) are both within the perimeter of the opening in the floor pan (140). The inflow port (220) and the discharge port (280) remain under the floor pan (140) where they can be connected to supply and discharge lines. The drain strainer (240) is mounted to the pivot plate (250) by a central screw (260) such that it can pivot to allow rotation of the spray selectors around its perimeter.

The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A shower system comprising;

a floor area having at least one opening;

a fresh water source;

a drain system, connected to the opening in the floor area, and

a nozzle for diverting said fresh water source in an upwards direction.

2. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned less than 1 meter from the floor area.

3. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned on the floor area.

4. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned substantially in the center of the floor area.

5. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned adjacent to the drain of the shower system.

6. A shower system ad described in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is positioned substantially in the drain of the shower system.

7. A shower system as described in claim 1 wherein said fresh water source and said drain system is integrated into a single unit.

8. A shower system as described in claim 1 further comprising a spray selector adjacent to said nozzle to shape the upwards flow of the fresh water.

9. A shower system as described in claim 8 further comprising a plurality of spray selectors.

10. A shower system as described in claim 9 wherein the plurality of spray selectors are individually selectable.

11. A shower system as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality of spray selectors are selected by rotating them to a position above the nozzle.

12. A shower system as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality of spray selectors are selected by slidedly positioning them above the nozzle.

13. A shower system as described in claim 10 wherein the plurality of spray selectors includes a non-spray selector comprising a nozzle plug causing water to divert from the nozzle to a traditional overhead shower sprayer.

14. A drain strainer comprising:

a substantially flat rounded disk shape;

a plurality of apertures for allowing the passage of waste water from a first side of the strainer to a second side; the plurality of apertures being clustered around the center of the disk;

at least one spray selector for allowing the passage of fresh water from the second side of the strainer to the first side; said spray selector being located near the perimeter of the disk.

15. A drain strainer as described in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of spray selectors spaced around the perimeter of the disk.

16. A drain strainer as described in claim 15 further comprising a central pivot point allowing individual spray selectors to be rotated into a selected position.

17. A plumbing fitting which comprises:

a fresh water inlet port;

a fresh water nozzle, wherein the nozzle is at one end of a fresh fluid pathway and the fresh water inlet port is at the distal end;

a drain port;

a discharge port, wherein the discharge port is at one end of a waste fluid pathway and the drain port is a the distal end;

said fresh fluid pathways and waste fluid pathways are disconnected; and the drain port and freshwater nozzle are adjacent, and directed to flow fluid in substantially opposite directions.