WO1981000871A1

WO1981000871A1 - Toilet seat structure

Info

Publication number: WO1981000871A1
Application number: PCT/AU1980/000072
Authority: WO
Inventors: S Stamoulis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-09-28
Filing date: 1980-09-26
Publication date: 1981-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1982-03-28
Also published as: EP0038804A1

Abstract

A toilet seat structure (10) for adaption of a toilet for use as a bidet. The seat structure (10) has a mounting portion (16) for attachment to the toilet and a seat portion (12) hinged to the mounting portion. The mounting portion (16) has a water reservoir (32) and an external manually operable water valve (22) for admission of water to the reservoir. A spring loaded outlet member (38) is also provided movable from a retracted condition within the mounting portion (16) to an extended position this movement occurring under influence of water pressure in the reservoir (32) when the valve (22) is opened. The outlet member has an outlet at the outer end and water from the reservoir (32) is sprayed from this under influence of pressure in the reservoir (32) when the valve (22) is turned on. An electric heater (52) is arranged to be operated when a person sits on the toilet seat to heat water in the reservoir (32).

Description

"TOILET SEAT STRUCTURE"

The invention broadly contemplates a toilet seat structure having a water inlet and a water outlet so arranged that when the toilet seat structure is fitted to a toilet, water can be supplied to the said inlet to emerge from the outlet in such a fashion as to render the toilet useful as a bidet.

More specifically, the invention provides a toilet seat structure having a mounting portion adapted in use to be secured to a toilet and a seat portion movably connected to the mounting portion so as to be selectively positionable at either of two locations so that, when the toilet seat structure is secured in position on a toilet by use of said mounting structure, the seat portion, at a first of said locations, rests on the upper margin of the toilet and at a second of said locations is moved clear of the toilet; said toilet seat structure being characterized, by the provision of an inlet, an outlet and a duct providing for fluid flow communication between the inlet and outlet, said outlet being at least positionable, when the toilet seat structure is secured to a toilet with said seat portion in said first location, to be so positioned relative to the toilet that water can be supplied to the inlet to pass through said duct and emerge from said outlet in such a fashion as to permit use of the toilet and toilet seat structure as a bidet.

Preferably, said duct is part of said mounting portion and is provided with a valve' operable by a user of the toilet to open and close the duct for allowing flow from a water supply to the duct from the inlet and for closing the duct against such flow.

Preferably too, the duct has an enlarged portion forming a water reservoir between the inlet and outlet, with said valve being arranged between the reservoir and inlet so that in use of the toilet seat structure with said valve open, water passing through the duct causes filling of the reservoir with water and so that a quantity of such water in the reservoir is retained after closing of the valve. A heating element may be provided for warming such quantity of water within the reservoir. Preferably, in this case, the heating element is an electric heater which is associated with an electric switch in use controlling supply of electric current to the heater for operation thereof. Said switch may be manually operable, but preferably is arranged for actuation so as in use to apply electric current to said heater under the condition where a person sits on the said seat portion. More particularly, the said switch may be positioned on one or other of the said mounting portion and seat portion, and the seat portion may be arranged so that when in said first location it is supported on said toilet by a resilient mounting whereby, when a user sits on said seat portion, the seat portion is moved relative to the mounting portion under influence of weight of the person and against resilient bias provided by said resilient mounting, said switch being arranged to be actuated pursuant to said movement. Thus, the switch may be positioned on the mounting portion at a location so that in use of the toilet seat structure it is positioned with an actuating member thereof adjacent a part of the seat portion for actuation of the switch by movement of the actuating member pursuant to engagement of the actuating member by said part of said seat portion due to movement of the said part occurring when a person sits on said seat portion.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet is defined in an extensible outlet member which is slidable between a retracted position at which it is relatively withdrawn into said mounting portion and an extended position at which it extends therefrom for use. In this case, resilient means may be provided biasing the outlet member to said retracted position, but the outlet member having a surface which is exposed to the interior of said duct so that, under influence of water pressure in said duct when said valve is turned on, the outlet member is moved to said extended position against resilient bias of said resilient means, said resilient means returning said outlet member to said retracted position upon closing said valve pursuant to relief of said water pressure in the duct through the said outlet. Conveniently, the outlet member may be generally tubular with said surface being the interior surface of a closed end wall of the outlet member which end wall is at that end of the outlet member which projects from the mounting portion in the extended position of the outlet member. In this case, the outlet may be formed by at least one opening through the side or end wall of the tube. These openings may be positioned to direct water emerging therefrom both outwardly away from the mounting portion and generally upwardly. The outlet, member may be positioned for sliding movement in a bore through a forward end wall of the mounting portion,and have an inner end open to said reservoir.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a toilet seat structure constructed in accordance with the invention and fitted to a toilet;

Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of portion of what is shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-section substantially on the line 4-4 in Figure 3, but shown to the same scale as Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a cross-section substantially on the line 5-5 in Figure 5, substantially to the same scale as Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view like Figure 5 , but showing a different condition of a switch actuating mechanism included in the seat structure of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of the electrical circuit for supplying electric power to the toilet seat structure of Figure 1.

The toilet seat structure 10 shown includes a seat portion 12 of annular configuration hingedly connected to a mounting portion 16 of the seat structure. The hinged connection is provided in conventional fashion by two pivot pins 14. The pins 14 extend through aligned openings in respective pairs of lugs 12a, 16a and 12b, 16b, of which lugs 12a, 12b are on seat portion 12 and lugs 16a, 16b are on mounting portion 16. Portion 16 is adapted to be affixed to the rear upper horizontal surface of a toilet 18, by any convenient means such as by use of bolts as shown whereby the seat portion 12, when pivoted about pins 14 to a horizontal position (Figure 2 for example) overlies the upper rim 18a of the bowl 18b of the toilet. Again, as is customary, the seat portion 12 is arranged such that it can be pivoted about pins 14 to assume the position shown by phantom lines 12 (Figure 5) at which it clears the toilet bowl 18b.

Mounting portion 16 is hollow having a cavity 25 therein, and is formed of moulded plastics material. A water valve 22 is provided, this extending outwardly to one side of mounting portion 16. The valve is of the screw-down stop valve type having a hand wheel 24 positioned at the outer extremity of the valve 22. Valve 22 has an inlet 22a which is postioned exteriorally of the mounting portion 16 and is adapted to be connected, in use to a water supply pipe 26 (Figure 4 only) leading from a suitable pressurized water supply, such as the usual domestic water supply, to the valve.

As best shown in Figure 4, valve 22 extends through a side wall of the mounting portion 16 so that an outlet 22b of the valve is positioned in communication with the interior cavity 25.

Mounting portion 16 has a forward extension and this has a hollow cavity 30 (Figure 3) therein. Cavity 30 is in communication with cavity 25 and, together, these two cavities define a water reservoir for retention of water when admitted via valve 22. A forward relatively thick wall 34 of mounting portion 16 has a circular bore 36 therethrough.. Bore 36 retains therein an elongate tubular outlet member 38 Member 38 is guided in bore 36 for free axial movement through wall 34. The diameter of member 38 is such that there is only a small clearance between it and bore 36, and a sealing gland 40 is provided set into the bore 36 and surrounding the periphery of the member 38 so as to provide a fluid type seal between bore 36 and the periphery of member 38.

Outlet member 38 extends into reservoir 32 and is slidable in its lengthwise direction between the positions shown in solid lines in Figures 2 and 3 respectively. In the position shown in Figure 2, the outlet member 38 is relatively retracted within reservoir 32 and in the extended position shown in Figure 3 it projects substantially from wall 34 so that its free outer end 38b is positoned somewhat forwardly of the rear part of seat portion 12 and overlies the top of bowl 18b. In order to provide sufficient clearance between rim 18a of bowl 18b and the underside of seat portion 12 (to permit the outlet member 38 to be interposed therebetween when in its extended position) the hinge pins 14 are positioned at a somewhat higher location on mounting member 16 than is customary and the usual rubber support pads provided on the underside of the toilet seat for engagement with the rim 18a are replaced by rather taller resilient pads 42 which are of rather a greater compressability than is usual.

Normally, outlet member 38 is biased to the retracted position by means of a helical compression spring 44 extending therearound and extending between the inner surface of wall 34 and a transverse pin 46 extending through the outlet member 38. When valve 22 is opened, water flow therethrough into the reservoir 32 occurs.

The inner end 38a of outlet member 38 is open to the interior of reservoir 32 and water in the reservoir thus flows into the interior of the tube. However, the outer end 38b of the outlet member 38 has a closed end wall thereat and, consequently, water pressure within a reservoir 32 acts against this closed end. The result of this is to force the outlet member 38 outwardly from its retracted position to its extended position against the resilient bias of spring 44. This condition will be maintained so long as valve 22 is open and provided only that there is sufficient water pressure supply to the valve. As shown best in Figure 3, the outer end of the outlet member 34 has a series of small openings 45 and water may escape from these in the general directions of the arrows 48 shown so as to form a spray which extends some- what upwardly and forwardly away from the outer end of the outlet member 38.

An electric resistance heater element 52 is provided in mounting portion 16. This extends through a side wall of mounting portion 16, opposite that on which valve 22 is mounted, and into reservoir 32. A switch 54 for controlling element 52 is moulded into the side wall of mounting portion 16 adjacent element 52. This is of the push-pull type having an outwardly extending rod-like actuating member 56 which, when pressed inwardly towards the body of the switch, causes the switch to be operated but which is normally biased outwardly of the switch body by an internal spring in the switch body so that the switch is open. As best illustrated in Figure 5 and 6, actuating member 56 extends forwardly from switch 54 through a bore 58 in the mounting member 16 to an outer end which is positioned externally of the mounting portion 16, projecting slightly from a forward surface 60 thereof. One lug 12a of seat portion 12 has an external cam surface 62 and this cam surface is positioned for biasing of the outer end of the actuating member 56 thereagainst under the action of the spring within switch 54. In the upper position of the seat portion 12 Cphantom lines 12' in Figure 5} the cam surface 62 is well clear of the outer end of actuating member 56. In a rest horizontal condition of the seat portion 12, where a person is not sitting on the seat portion 12, seat portion 12 assumes the aforedescribed horizontal position and this is illustrated in Figure 5. Here, the outer end of the actuating member 56 just bears against cam surface 62, but not sufficiently to move the actuating member 56 substantially. However, when a person sits on seat portion 12, the aforedescribed increased resilience of the pads 42 is arranged to be sufficient to permit depression of the forward end of the seat such as to the position shown in phantom lines 12" in Figure 2. The position of the cam surface 62 on lug 12a under this condition is more clearly shown in Figure 6 where it will be observed that the surface 62 so bears against the outer end of actuating member 56 as to depress this against the action of the spring within switch 54. This movement which thus occurs when a person sits on seat portion 12 is arranged to be sufficient to effect actuation of the switch.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a source 70 of alternating current, such as a domestic reticulated supply. This source 70 is connected by a control switch 72 to couple the element 52, together with switch 54 and an internal thermostatic switch 74 associated with element 52 across supply 70. The element 52, thermostatic switch 74 and switch 54 are connected in series so that when switch 72 is closed and thermostatic switch 74 and switch 54 are closed power is applied to element 52 to effect heating thereof. Thermostatic switch 74 is arranged to be closed under the condition where cold water is present in reservoir 32 and open under the condition where the water is hot. The positioning of the element 52 itself is such that when operated, it will heat water within reservoir 32. If cold water is present in reservoir. 32, operation of element 52 will occur even if switch 72 is closed, only if switch 54 is closed. The latter occurs as described when a person sits on seat 12 so that the effect is that a person sitting on the seat portion 12 will cause the heater 52 to be operated if there is cold water in reservoir 32. After a person has been seated on the seat 12 for a certain time, such as one or two minutes, the water in reservoir 32 will be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause thermostatic switch 74 to open and no further heating will occur unless the temperature should subsequently drop. By this means, provided a person sits on seat portion 12 for a sufficient time before operating valve 22,the water which is caused to flow from the reservoir through the outlet member 38 on such operation of the valve will be warm. Of course, incoming water from the valve 22 will be cold and will thence cause cooling of water within the reservoir 32, but in practice, the capacity of reservoir 32 is made sufficient so that for normal use of the described seat structure no substantial lowering of temperature occurs.

The described arrangement has been found particularly effective in operation as a bidet and provides the ability to easily convert an existing toilet installation for dual operation as a bidet and toilet. The described positioning of the switch 54 within the mounting portion 16 is particularly satisfactory since water entry thereinto can be substantially eliminated, particularly if the bore 58 is provided with glands 64 as shown to seal the gap between the actuating member 56 and the bore. However, the switch could be otherwise positioned, such as for example on the underside of the seat portion 12 so that an actuating member of the switch was depressed by engagement with the rim 18a when a person sits on the seat portion 12.

The heating element 52 is shown positioned at a relatively high location within reservoir 32. It could, however, be positioned at a lower location and, unless adequate provision is made for sealing the reservoir 32 against egress of water therefrom when the outlet member 38 is in its retracted position, such positioning is, in fact, desirable. Usually in such a case, the positioning would need to be below the lowest water level which occurs in use of the seat structure. In the present instance, however, the positioning is unimportant, since steps are taken to ensure that effective sealing of the reservoir 32 occurs when the outlet member 38 is retracted. More particularly, as best shown in

Fi-gure 2, when the outlet member is in its retracted position, the outer end of the member is retracted slightly within bore 36 in such a fashion that the outlet openings 45 are located within the bore 36 either at the location of the sealing gland 40 or behind the gland. That is to say, the gland then seals the outlet openings. As soon as water supply to the reservoir is cut off by closing valve 22, a small amount of continued leakage of water will occur. This will result in some displacement of water from the reservoir, but without reducing the level of water .therein. The displacement of water out of the reservoir will proceed exactly in accordance with the progress of inward movement of the outlet member 38 back towards its retracted position until the aforedescribed closure of the outlet openings 45 occurs. Thus, there will be no substantial reduction in level of the water within the reservoir.

The hollow mounting portion 16 may be formed in any convenient fashion, such as from two moulded halves which are secured together such as by welding. A rear plug 74 may be provided positioned so that, when removed, it exposes an opening through which the spring 44 and outlet member 38 may be removed for servicing if required. As shown, the innermost end of this plug also provides a stop limiting the inward movement of the outlet member 38 at its retracted position.

Whilst the described heating arrangement for water is particularly satisfactory, the provision of water heating means is not essential. In a case where no provision is made for heating, then, it is not necessary to provide a reservoir 32. In this regard it will be appreciated that the valve 22, reservoir 32 and interior of outlet member 38 provide a duct extending from the valve inlet to the outlet of the outlet member and this duct may, particularly in the case where no heating is required, be in the form of a simple pipe.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A toilet seat structure (10) having a water inlet (22a) and a water outlet (45) so arranged that when the toilet seat structure (10) is fitted to a toilet (18) water can be supplied to the said inlet (22a).to emerge from the outlet (45) inr-such a fashion as to render the toilet useful as a bidet.

2. A toilet seat structure (10) having a mounting portion (16) adapted in use to be secured to a toilet and a seat portion (12) movably connected to the mounting portion so as to be selectively positionable at either of two locations so that, when the toilet seat structure (10) is secured in position on a toilet (18) by use of said mounting structure, the seat portion (12) at a first of said locations, rests on the upper margin (18a) of the toilet (18) and at a second of said locations is moved clear of the toilet (18); said toilet seat structure (10) being characterized by the provision of an inlet (22a), an outlet (45) and a duct (22, 32, 38) providing for fluid flow communication between the inlet

(22a) and outlet (45), said outlet ( 45) being at least positionable, when the toilet seat structure (10) is secured to a toilet (18) with said seat portion (12) in said first location, to be so positioned relative to the toilet (18) that water can be supplied to the inlet

(22) to pass through said duct (22, 32, 38) and emerge from said outlet (45) in such a fashion as to permit use of the toilet and toilet seat structure (10) as a bidet.

3. The toilet seat structure of claim 1 wherein said duct (22, 32, 38) is part of said mounting portion (16) and is provided with a valve (22) operable by a user of the toilet to open and close the duct (22, 32, 38) for allowing flow from a water supply to the duct (22, 32, 38) from the inlet and for closing the duct (22,32, 38) against such flow.

4. The toilet seat structure of claim 3 wherein the duct (22, 32, 38) has an enlarged portion forming a water reservoir (32) between the inlet (22a) and outlet

(45), with said valve (22) being arranged between the reservoir (32) and inlet (22a) so that in use of the toilet seat structure (10) with said valve (22) open water passing through the duct (22, 32, 38) causes filling of the reservoir (45) with water and so that a quantity of such water in the reservoir (45) is retained after closing of the valve (22).

5. The. toilet seat structure of claim 4 including a heating element (52) for warming said quantity of water within the reservoir (45)

6. The toilet seat structure of claim 5 wherein the heating element (52) is an electric heater (52) which is associated with an electric switch (54) in use controlling supply of electric current to the heater (52) for operation thereof.

7. The toilet seat structure of claim 6 wherein said switch is arranged for actuation so as in use to apply electric current to said heater (52) under the condition where a person sits on the said seat portion.

8. The toilet seat structure of claim 7 wherein said switch (54) is positioned on one or other of the said mounting portion (16) and seat portion (12), and the seat portion (12) is arranged so that when in said first location it is supported on said toilet by a resilient mounting (42) whereby, when a user sits on said seat portion (12), the seat portion (12) is moved relative to the mounting portion (16) under influence of weight of the person and against resilient bias provided by said resilient mounting (42), said switch (54) being arranged to be actuated pursuant to said movement.

9. The toilet seat structure of claim 8 wherein said switch is positioned on the mounting portion (16) at a location so that in use of the toilet seat structure (10) it is positioned with an actuating member of the switch (54) adjacent a part (12a) of the seat portion (12) for actuation of the switch (54) by movement of the actuating member (56) pursuant to engagement of the actuating member (56) by said part (12a) of said seat portion due to movement of said part (12a) occuring when a person sits on the seat portion (12).

10. The toilet seat structure of claim 9 wherein said mounting portion (16) and said seat portion (12) are hingedly connected together and said movement of said part (12a) comprises pivoting thereof, said actuating member (56)being slidable and said part (12a) having a cam surface (62)which engages an end of said actuating member (56) for sliding the actuating member to effect actuation of the switch (54).

11. The toilet seat structure of any preceding claim wherein said outlet (45) is defined in an extensible outlet member (38) which is slidable between a retracted position at which it is relatively withdrawn into said mounting portion (16) and an extended position at which it extends therefrom for use..

12. The toilet seat structure of claim 11 wherein resilient means (44) is provided biasing the outlet member 38 to said retracted position, but the outlet member (38) having a surface which is exposed to the interior of said duct (22,32,38) so that, under influence of water pressure in said duct (22,32,38) when said valve (22) is turned on, the outlet member (38) is moved to said extended position against resilient bias of said resilient means (44), said resilient means (44) returning said outlet member (38) to said retracted position upon closing said valve (22) pursuant to relief of said water pressure in the duct (22,32,38) by water outflow through said outlet (45).

13. The toilet seat structure of claim 12 wherein the outlet member (38) is generally tubular with said surface being the interior surface of a closed end wall of the outlet member which end wall is at that end (38a) of the outlet member which projects from the mounting portion (16) in the extended position of the outlet member (38).

14. The toilet seat structure of claim 12 wherein the outlet (45). is formed by at least one opening through the side or end wall of said outlet member.

15. The toilet seat structure of claim 12 wherein said outlet (45) is arranged for direction of water emerging therefrom both outwardly away from the said mounting portion (16) and generally upwardly.

16. The toilet seat structure of claim 14 wherein said outlet (45) is blocked when said outlet member (38) is in its retracted position.

17. The toilet seat structure of claim 16 wherein said outlet member (.381 is positioned, for sliding movement in a bore (361 through a forward end wall (34). of the mounting portion (161, and has an inner end open to the reservoir (321; said outlet opening or openings being in a side wall of said outlet member (38), said outlet member (38) being so withdrawn through said bore (36) of said forward wall (34) , when in said retracted position of the outlet member (38), as to cause said opening or openings to be closed by the peripheral surface of said bore (36), to effect said blocking.