US 5,331,692 A · Spray apparatus for use on a toilet seat

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a manifold rotatably attached to the undersurface of a toilet seat extending from front to back and shaped so that when it is rotated against the undersurface it skirts the opening in the seat. A lever is provided at the front end of the manifold for use in moving it between its in use position with the plane of the manifold normal to the undersurface and its stowed position, essentially flat against the undersurface. The back end of the manifold is joined by a rotary joint to a supply tube, also mounted on the undersurface near the back of the seat and at a right angle to the manifold. A valve in this tube controls flow to the manifold. There are several orifices in the manifold, directing flow upward when the manifold is in use. There are movable sleeves on the manifold, one near each orifice, used to close off any orifice(s) when desired. In its stowed position the portion of the manifold in which the orifices are located lies in a channel attached to the undersurface. The flanges of the channel direct flow to clean the manifold and prevent spray from escaping through the space between the seat and bowl rim.

Claims6

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use on a toilet seat to provide the functions of a bidet in dispensing a liquid, said seat having an undersurface, a front, a back and an axis of symmetry extending from said front to said back, said apparatus comprising:

a manifold having a front portion, an arched portion and a back portion, said arched portion extending between said front and back portions of said manifold and having a concave side, said front and back portions being axially aligned, said manifold further comprising a plurality of orifices in said concave side of said arched portion,
means for rotatably attaching said front portion and said back portion of said manifold to said front and back seat undersurface, respectively, with said axially aligned portions aligned with said axis of symmetry,
means for selectively closing off and opening each of said plurality of orifices, said means comprising a plurality of sleeves, one for each of said plurality of orifices, slidably mounted on said manifold such that each one of said orifices can be closed off by sliding one sleeve of said plurality of sleeves over one orifice of said plurality of orifices,
said sleeves being frictionally restrained on said manifold, and
means for conducting said liquid to said manifold.

2 more elements

Apparatus for use on a toilet seat to provide the functions of a bidet, said toilet seat having a front-to back axis of symmetry, an undersurface, an opening having a contoured perimeter and front and back seat portions, said apparatus comprising:

a manifold having a diameter, a front portion, a back portion and an arched portion extending between said front and back portions, said front and back portions being axially aligned, and said front, back and arched portions lying in a flat plane, said arched portion having a concave side, said manifold further having a plurality of orifices in said concave side of said arched portion,
a liquid transmitting rotary joint,
a tube having first and second ends,
a lever,
a valve,
a channel,
a plurality of sleeves, one for each orifice of said plurality of orifices,
means for attaching said tube to said undersurface,
means for attaching said front portion of said manifold rotatably to said undersurface of said front seat portion,
said channel being shaped to fit around said opening,
said channel being adapted to be fastened to said undersurface of said seat adjacent one side of said opening and having first and second flanges, extending essentially normal to said undersurface, said first flange having a first height, being closer to said opening than said second flange, and extending from said front portion to said back portion of said seat, said second flange having a second height, and extending essentially around said opening, said first height being essentially equal to said diameter, said second height being in a range of 1 to 3 inches,
said rotary joint being attached to said first end of said tube,
said back portion of said manifold being rotatably engaged in said rotary joint,
said manifold, rotary joint and tube being attached to said undersurface of said back portion of said seat by said means for attaching said tube, and wherein said means for attaching said front portion of said manifold to said undersurface of said front seat portion and said rotary joint are axially aligned such that said front and back portions of said manifold are aligned with said front-to-back axis of symmetry, whereby said manifold is rotatable in said rotary joint and said means for attaching said front portion of said manifold,
said arched portion being shaped to fit between said first and second flanges,
said valve being attached to said second end of said tube,
said lever being attached to said front portion of said manifold for rotating said manifold from a position in which said arched portion is in said channel to a position in which said plane is normal to said undersurface,
said sleeves being slidable and frictionally restrained on said manifold and positioned such that each sleeve of said plurality of sleeves can be used to close off one orifice of said plurality of orifices by sliding one sleeve of said plurality of sleeves over one orifice of said plurality of orifices.

15 more elements

a manifold having a diameter, a front portion, a back portion and an arched portion extending between said front and back portions, said front and back portions being axially aligned, and said front, back and arched portions lying in a flat plane, said arched portion having a concave side, said manifold further having a plurality of orifices in said concave side of said arched portion,
a liquid transmitting rotary joint,
a tube having first and second ends,
a lever,
a valve,
a channel,
means for attaching said tube to said undersurface,
means for attaching said front portion of said manifold rotatably to said undersurface of said front seat portion,
said channel being shaped to fit around said opening,
said channel being adapted to be fastened to said undersurface of said seat adjacent one side of said opening and having first and second flanges, extending essentially normal to said undersurface, said first flange having a first height, being closer to said opening than said second flange, and extending from said front portion to said back portion of said seat, said second flange having a second height, and extending essentially around said opening, said first height being essentially equal to said diameter, said second height being in a range of 1 to 3 inches,
said rotary joint being attached to said first end of said tube,
said back portion of said manifold being rotatably engaged in said rotary joint,
said manifold, rotary joint and tube being attached to said undersurface of said back seat portion of said seat by said means for attaching said tube, and wherein said means for attaching said front portion of said manifold to said undersurface of said front seat portion and said rotary joint are aligned such that said front and back portions of said manifold are aligned with said front-to-back axis of symmetry, whereby said manifold is rotatable in said rotary joint and said means for attaching said front portion of said manifold,
said arched portion being shaped to fit between said first and second flanges and being telescopic,
said valve being attached to said second end of said tube,
said lever being attached to said front portion of said manifold for rotating said manifold from a position in which said arched portion is in said channel to a position in which said plane is normal to said undersurface.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Spray apparatus for use on a toilet seat

Life of this patent

Spray apparatus for use on a toilet seat

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6