BIDET

Abstract

A bidet connected to a water supply that also has an integral supply of liquid. The liquid is selectively combined with the water from the water supply and discharged through a sprayer. The sprayer has a valve that when operated discharges water. When the sprayer valve is operated simultaneously with the activation of a pump then the liquid is combined with the water and then discharged. The liquid can be any of a soap, a moisturizer, a deodorizer, a perfume, a sanitizer or a drying agent.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bathroom plumbing, and more particularly, to a bidet for use with a toilet.

2. Description of the Related Art

Several designs for bidets have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes a clean and efficient way to provide bidet functionality including amendment of the water supply to the bidet with a cleaning solution in new construction or existing bathroom structure configurations.

Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,937 issued to Safara. However, it differs from the present invention because the Safara device requires liquid soap to be stored in the handle of a terminal spray wand and does not effectively combine water with the soap.

Safara also uses a constant connection to household electricity that could pose a safety risk or at least a perceived risk of electrocution, particularly to sensitive body parts.

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an easy to install bidet.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bidet that adds a cleaning solution to a water stream on demand from the user.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bidet that is easy to maintain and clean

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a plan view of a version of a bidet separated from a wall.

FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of a bidet.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevation view of a bidet.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a right side elevation view of a bidet.

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation view of a bidet.

FIG. 6 is a cross section plan view of a bidet about the plane indicated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross section elevation view of a bidet about the plane indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a bidet.

FIG. 9 is a cross section isometric view of a bidet.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a bidet positioned near a toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, where a version of the present invention is shown. It can be observed to basically include, among other elements, screws 02, a connector 03, a bracket 04, a connector 05, a filter 06, screws 07, a reinforcement 08, a support 09, a marker 10, a case 12, a lid 14, a cover 16, a button 18, a plug 20, a window 22, a fitting 23, a fitting 24, a fitting 25, a supply 26, a hose 28, a sprayer 30, a button 32, a hinge 34, a cap 36, a controller 38, a battery 40, a pump 42, a valve 44, a pipe 46, a pipe 47, a tube 48, wire 50, a compartment 51, a compartment 52, a compartment 53 and a wall 54. A toilet 56 and a tank 58 are provided primarily for context but also play a role in the use and functionality of a bidet. A crosshatched “wall” is also provided for context in several of the figures but is not intended as an element of the invention.

A bidet is sometimes referred to as the device, invention or other term as apparent by context. Singular may include the plural and vice versa. Masculine includes the feminine and neuter as appropriate and as context allows.

Generally, the bidet has three main areas: compartment 51, compartment 52 and compartment 53. In the example of a bidet shown in the drawings, compartment 51 contains various tubes and fittings to carry water and soap and forms the base of the bidet. Compartment 53, in the example shown in the drawings contains soap (or other product as described below). Compartment 52 contains, generally, the mechanicals of the device.

The mechanicals in compartment 52 houses, among other elements, a battery 40, a pump 42, a controller 38, pipe 47 and several wires 50 connecting the electrical components.

The controller 38 may include a microprocessor and memory module as well as other functional elements. A button 18 is provided in or near the controller 38 to activate the device. Optionally a light is present on or near the controller 38. The light or lights, if present, could indicate charge status, operational status, low soap or other information relevant to a user of the device.

The device is typically connected to the normal water supply of the building in which the device is used. Because the bidet is often used in a bathroom, with and near to a toilet, it may be convenient to utilize the same water supply as the toilet or sink in the bathroom. It could also be connected to a heated water supply.

A sink or toilet will often be connected to the water supply at a valve 44. A “T” or “Y” fitting may also be employed so that both the bidet and the toilet or sink may also share the same water supply in a semi-permanent type of connection.

The water is supplied to the bidet from the wall by supply 26 hose where it enters the bidet at connector 03 and into the compartment 51. From the connector 03 the water travels though tube 48 and through fitting 24 where the water exits the compartment 51 at connector 05.

Hose 28 connects on one end to the connector 05 and on the opposite end to sprayer 30. Sprayer 30 further includes a button 32. In at least one version of the device the button 32 is essentially a valve that allows water to flow through the bidet and out the sprayer 30 where it is used by a user of the bidet.

In another variant of the device the button 32 is an electrical switch that is connected to the controller 38 that is in turn electrically connected to the pump 42 and a solenoid valve (not shown in the drawings). When the button 32 is depressed the solenoid valve opens and the pump 42 is activated.

Compartment 53 is dimensioned and adapted to hold a liquid to be injected into the water stream before the combination of that liquid and water are expelled from the sprayer 30 end of the device.

In one version of the device, the compartment 53 can contains bulk liquid, such as soap. When the pump 42 is activated, the soap is drawn through the filter 06 and fitting 25 then though the fitting 23 and pipe 46, then though the pump 42 and pipe 47 and then into fitting 24 where the soap is injected into the water supply that flowed from the tube 48 into fitting 24. Once the soap and pure water have intersected at fitting 24 the combination of soap and water passes through connector 05 to the sprayer 30 via hose 28.

Fitting 24 may optionally include a one-way valve to prevent soap from backing up into the tube 48 instead of exiting the bidet towards the sprayer 30.

In an alternate embodiment of the bidet, the soap may be contained in a modular system, such as a cartridge or bag format that connects to the fitting 25. There may be a clip system or threads that connect and disconnect the modular system from the fitting 25 for maintenance or replacement of the soap solution.

The filter 06 between the soap and plumbing between compartments 51 and 53 is optionally present. If provided it may be replaceable. The filter 06 can prevent hardened pieces of soap or other anomalies from entering the plumbing and pump and causing contamination or restriction of easy flow of the water and water soap mixture.

A lid 14 is provided as part of the top of the case 12 to provide access to the compartment 53 for maintenance and re-supplying soap to the device. In at least one version of the device a hinge 34 is provided to allow for articulation of the lid 14. Alternatively, the lid 14 may be held with clips, friction fit or gravity fit to the top of the case 12 over the compartment 53. A support 09 may be present to reinforce the connection between the case 12 and lid 14.

A cover 16 is provided over the compartment 52 to protect and conceal the mechanicals. The cover 16 is affixed to the case 12 with screw 07 or other such fasteners to prevent casual access to compartment 52 yet allow maintenance by removal of the screws 07 and lifting of the cover 16 to access the interior.

Caps 36 are optionally provided to cover other fasteners that are included in the construction of the case 12. The caps 36 can be removed to reverse the device 180 degrees horizontally to be attached to the wall bracket. In some versions of the device the caps 36 and underlying fasteners are not present where the case 12 does not require in a monolithic construction.

The battery 40 provides a power source for wireless use of the bidet. The battery 40 may require periodic charging. A plug 20 is provided to fit a charging cord to supply a recharging current to the battery. By avoiding full wall current during use and relying on the battery alone for power during operation the risk of electrical fault or other stray current to the user is avoided.

In a version of the device the power is supplied from available wall alternating current. If so, a ground fault interrupter circuit is preferred but not required to be included. The device could be hard wired into a permanent circuit or could utilize a plug of the type found commonly on household appliances. If alternating current is utilized for powering the device then the inclusion of a battery is optional as it is not required for normal operation of the device

A window 22 is optionally provided in the edge of the case 12 covering the compartment 53. The window 22 may be a simple aperture or may be clear window to view the contents and condition of the soap contained therein. A marker 10 may be on or near the window 22 to provide a measure of the remaining contents of soap inside the compartment 53. This allows an easy visual confirmation of readiness of the device without the need to actually open the lid 14 or even to touch the device.

In one version of the device a bracket 04 is provided to aid in attaching the bidet to a wall or other structure. The bracket 04, when present, is fastened to that structure and screws 02 or other types of fasteners engage in the bracket 04 to support the device. To ensure the robustness of the device when hanging it to the bracket 04, reinforcements 08 may be provided in the case 12 to strengthen the attachment points and prevent failure.

The bidet could also be floor mounted or placed onto another surface as an alternative to a vertical mount such as provided by the bracket 04 and screws 02. A stand or feet, not shown in the drawings, may also be provided as an accessory.

The term soap used throughout this document is meant to include any solution that the user desired to incorporate into the water stream delivered by the bidet. Soap is but one possible component. Others solutions that may be desired may be fragrances, deodorizers, medicines, lotions, skin treatments, cleaners, drying agents, chemicals, compounds or other such product. Soap or other soap-like products may or may not be included in the injected solution.

FIG. 10 shows an example of how the bidet may be positioned near a toilet 56 and tank 58. It can be seen in this example that the fitting 24 allows the valve to provide water service to both the toilet tank 58 and bidet simultaneously.

The hose 28 and sprayer are then conveniently positioned near the toilet 56 for use. The bidet may be used similar to more traditional forms of bidet to aid in cleaning a person during the bathroom process and procedure.

In a variant of the device the sprayer 30, sub-assemblies or parts of the sprayer 30 are easily removable and disposable for sanitary purposes. The sprayer 30 could be a one use part or could be periodically removed and replaced during routine bathroom cleanings.

A bidet can be fairly described as having, inter alia, a case with a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment contains a predetermined volume of liquid, typically soap or other solution but could be any type of liquid. The second compartment contains a power supply and a pump, along with other fittings and fixtures if needed. The power supply and pump are electrically connected and are activated by a controller, essentially a switch, solenoid or microprocessor controller mechanism. The controller is accessible on an exterior of the case so that the user can operate the device. A supply hose on a first end is in fluid communication with water from a water supply (typically a standard plumbed water connection, and on a second end is in fluid communication with a fitting on an interior of the case to supply a water input to the device. A tube on a first end is in fluid communication with the liquid and on a second end is in fluid communication with the pump. When activated by the controller, the pump pumps the liquid into the fitting where the liquid is combined with the water. Some mixing of the liquid and water takes place inside the fitting and connecting plumbing. A delivery hose on a first end is in fluid communication with the fitting and on a second end is affixed to a sprayer. The sprayer includes a valve that is selectively operated to open and close to control a flow through the sprayer where the body of the user can be sprayed. When the valve is open then the delivery hose carries the water from the fitting out of the case and discharges the water through the sprayer and if the pump is simultaneously activated then the delivery hose additionally carries the liquid from the fitting along with the water through the sprayer.

Some options that may be included in a bidet, either individually or in combination, include a backflow prevention valve to prevent the liquid from entering the supply hose, a rechargeable battery and a window to view the liquid inside the first compartment. The liquid can be any of: a soap, a moisturizer, a deodorizer, a perfume, a medicine, a sanitizer or a drying agent. The liquid can be poured bulk into the device or can be contained in a cartridge or bag connected to the first end of the tube. In another version, the water supply is under sufficient pressure before entering the first end of the supply hose that no second pump is needed to cause the flow through the sprayer.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A bidet comprising a case having a first compartment and a second compartment;

the first compartment contains a predetermined volume of liquid;

the second compartment contains a power supply and a pump;

the power supply and pump are electrically connected and are activated by a controller;

the controller is accessible on an exterior of the case;

a supply hose on a first end is in fluid communication with water from a water supply and on a second end is in fluid communication with a fitting on an interior of the case;

a tube on a first end is in fluid communication with the liquid and on a second end is in fluid communication with the pump;

when activated by the controller the pump pumps the liquid into the fitting where the liquid is combined with the water;

a delivery hose on a first end is in fluid communication with the fitting and on a second end is affixed to a sprayer;

the sprayer includes a valve that is selectively operated to open and close to control a flow through the sprayer;

when the valve is open then the delivery hose carries the water from the fitting out of the case and discharges the water through the sprayer and if the pump is simultaneously activated then the delivery hose additionally carries the liquid from the fitting along with the water through the sprayer.

2. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the fitting includes a backflow prevention valve to prevent the liquid from entering the supply hose.

3. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the liquid is selected from any of: a soap, a moisturizer, a deodorizer, a perfume, a medication, a sanitizer or a drying agent.

4. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the power supply is a rechargeable battery.

5. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the liquid is further contained in a cartridge or bag connected to the first end of the tube.

6. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the first compartment includes a window to view the liquid inside the first compartment.

7. A bidet as in claim 1 further characterized in that the water supply is under sufficient pressure before entering the first end of the supply hose that no second pump is needed to cause the flow through the sprayer.