BIDET-TYPE SPRAY-NOZZLE ASSEMBLY FOR A TOILET BOWL

Abstract: A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl according to the invention comprises a connecting piece (1; 33) having a radial projection (13; 40), the cleaning water inlet hole (14; 41) extending into the longitudinal direction thereof. In the area above the radial projection (13; 40) the connecting piece (1; 33) has a radially extending bulge (17; 42) in its interior and an additional cleaning water inlet hole (18; 43) extending therethrough. Moreover, both cleaning water inlet holes (14, 18; 41, 43) form a uniform cleaning water passage. The inlet hole (18; 43) aperture is linked to a connecting pipe (19) leading into a holding means (21) wherein a nozzle hose (22) extending therefrom terminates in a nozzle (23).

Description: Bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl The present invention relates to a bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl comprising a nozzle pipe terminating in a nozzle, and a connecting pipe, the first end thereof being connected to the nozzle pipe and the other end being connected to the water source. The invention relates to a spray-nozzle assembly which can be installed into a new toilet bowl and, preferably, into an existing toilet bowl, i.e., one already in use. The present invention is classified into the class E03D 9/08 according to Int.Cl.5. Aforementioned spray-nozzle assembly is, e.g., known from the EP 0 530 965 Al. This solution comprises an inwardly directed protrusion arranged on the flange of the bowl portion of the toilet body. The cleaning water supply means comprises a nozzle pipe ex¬ tending through the protrusion and terminating in a nozzle. A water supply pipe extend¬ ing transversely at least a part of the way through the toilet body, to which the nozzle pipe is connected. A disadvantage of this known solution is that the water supply pipe extends through the walls of the toilet body, which is inconvenient for an installation on the existing toilet bodies. It requires, namely, making of through holes, which is rather a time consuming operation and, in addition, there is present rather high risk of breaking the toilet body. Another disadvantage is the arrangement of the nozzle on the flange of the bowl portion of the toilet body, which is thereby permanently exposed to dirt through use. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide such a bidet-type spray- nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl which overcomes problems associated with the known solutions and is easily installed to both a new and an existing toilet bowl whereby addi¬ tional intervention in the toilet body itself becomes superfluous. According to the invention the aim as set has been surprisingly solved by the bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl comprising a connecting piece having a radial projection, the cleaning water inlet hole extending into the longitudinal direction thereof. In the area above the radial projection the connecting piece has in the interior thereof a readily extending bulge, an additional cleaning water inlet hole extending therethrough. Moreover, both cleaning water inlet holes form a uniform cleaning water passage. The inlet hole aperture arranged inside the connecting piece is linked to a con¬ necting pipe leading into a holding means wherein a nozzle hose extending therefrom terminates in a nozzle. The holding means comprises a body having in its longitudinal direction a blind hole the free end whereof is closed by means of a set screw. In the area of the each end of the body the latter is formed with one taphole extending perpendicularly to the blind hole and is connected therewith. A connecting pipe and a nozzle pipe are threaded into the first taphole and threaded into the second taphole, respectively. Perpendicularly to one of side faces of the body, said faces lying in the plane parallel to the tapholes, the body is provided with a spacing projection. Coaxial with said projection the opposite face of the body is provided with a blind hole into which is slidably and movably inserted an addi¬ tional spacing projection. Moreover, a flexible spring means is provided in-between the bottom of the blind hole and the end of the projection inserted therein. Preferably, the flexible spring means is either formed as an elastomer spring or as a heli¬ cal compression spring. A blocking element, e.g., a globe valve is connected to the free end of the radial projec¬ tion, and a cleaning water pressure reducing and/or flow reducing element is provided between the blocking element and the cleaning water supply pipe. The spray-nozzle assembly according to the present invention can be supplemented by a water heater arranged in a cleaning water supply pipe. Furthermore, it is preferably to provide a filtering means in the cleaning water supply pipe in order to eliminate solid particles from the cleaning water. The entire spray-nozzle assembly according to the invention is preferably made of syn¬ thetic material, the connecting pipe and the nozzle pipe being flexible in order to be easily adapted to the course of the flushing water supply channel into the bowl and at the same time to retain the shape into which they are forced by means of bending. Further features of the present invention will be evident from the following description of the embodiments of the invention, which has been made with reference to the ac¬ companying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a partial cross-section of a spray-nozzle assembly in a toilet bowl according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detail partly in cross-section, of the spray-nozzle assembly of Fig. 1; Fig.3 is a section according to line III-III of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an exploded view in cross-section, of another embodiment of the spray-nozzle assembly according to the present invention; and Fig.5 is a detail in ground plan, of the spray-nozzle assembly of Fig. 4. The bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly according to the invention is preferably designed for installing into existing toilet bowls, nevertheless, it can also be arranged into new ones. Referring to the attached drawings, said spray-nozzle assembly comprises a con¬ necting piece 1 resting with a flange part 1' thereof on the front face of a rear part 4 of a toilet bowl 5. The connecting piece 1 is with the first end thereof being shaped as a pipe projection 2 inserted into an ordinary flexible sealing 3 known per se, and arranged in an inlet hole of the rear part 4 of the bowl 5. Preferably, the pipe projection 2 projects through the sealing 3. In order to achieve better sealing and adjusting to the variations of the inlet hole leading into the part 4 of the bowl 5, at least one additional O ring and preferably two O rings 7, 7' can be positioned into a annular groove 6 of the sealing 3. In axial direction subsequent additional O rings 7 are preferably arranged in the area un¬ der each of the sealing lips 8, 8' of the sealing 3. Sideways, averted from the pipe projec¬ tion 2, a flushing water supply pipe 9 is inserted into the connecting piece 1. The supply pipe 9 is fixed in the connecting piece 1 by means of a threaded nut 10 threaded onto a threaded lug 11 of the connecting piece 1. Sealing of the split between the supply pipe 9 and the connecting piece 1 is achieved by means of an O ring 12 axially arranged in- between the threaded nut 10 and the threaded lug 11. Flushing water is supplied from a flushing tank (not shown) 5 via supply pipe 9, in a manner known per se, into the bowl 9, said tank being filled up and emptied in usual manner. The connecting piece 1 is in the area of the flange part 1' provided with a radial projec¬ tion 13, a cleaning water inlet hole 14 extending longitudinally thereof. To the free end of the projection 13 is in the longitudinal direction connected a blocking element 15 known per se, said element being optionally a ball-valve, to which is connected a clean¬ ing water supply pipe 16. Preferably, between the supply pipe 16 and the blocking ele¬ ment 15 is arranged a cleaning water pressure and/or flow reducing element known per se and, therefore, not shown in detail. In the area above the radial projection 13 the wall of the pipe projection 2 is in the interior thereof provided with a radially extending bulge 17, an additional cleaning water inlet hole 18 extending therethrough and with the inlet hole 14 forming a uniform passage for the cleaning water. The inlet hole 18 is threaded on the muzzle averted to the free end of the pipe projection 2, a connecting hose 19 being threaded thereto. The connecting hose 19 leads through a bowl channel 20 for flushing water supply into the area of the aperture of the channel 20, there being threaded on a block-shaped holding means 21. A nozzle hose 22 is threaded to the hold¬ ing means 21 on the opposite side extending to the area of the lower edge of the flange of the bowl 5 and terminating in a nozzle 23. Detailed description of the holding means 21 is now set forth with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. A body 24 of the holding means 21 is in longitudinal direction provided with a blind hole 25, the free end thereof being closed by means of a set screw 26. In the area of each end part of the body 24 the latter is provided with a taphole 27 and 28, respec¬ tively, extending perpendicularly to the blind hole 25 and connected thereto. The con¬ necting hose 19 is threaded into the taphole 27, and the nozzle hose 22 is threaded into the taphole 28. Perpendicularly to one of side faces of the body 24, said faces lying in the plane parallel to the tapholes 27 and 28, the body 24 is provided with a spacing projec¬ tion 29. On the opposite side and coaxially with the projection 29 the body 24 is provided with a blind hole 30 into which is slidably and movably inserted an additional spacing projection 31. Between the bottom of the blind hole 30 and the end of the projection 31 inserted therein is arranged a flexible spring means 32 formed either as an elastomer spring or as a helical compression spring. The holding means 21 to which aforementioned connecting hose 19 and the nozzle hose 22 are connected is positioned into the channel 20 of the bowl 5 in a manner that, e.g. the distance projection 31 is pressed by hand in longitudinal direction thereof, com¬ pressing the spring means 32 thereby. As a result the projection 31 is shifted into the blind hole 30 and the holding means is inserted into the channel 20 releasing the projec¬ tion 31 which is due to the action of the spring means 32 shifted in the direction out of the blind hole 30 wedging in the channel 20 of the bowl 5. Another embodiment (Fig. 4 and 5) differs from the previously disclosed embodiment according to the place of installation. Namely, it is intended for a toilet bowl 5 into which flushing water is supplied from the flushing tank installed on the end of the bowl, extending rearwardly. According to this embodiment a connecting piece 33 comprises an annular body 34. On the first flat side of said body 34 and in the area of the inside diameter thereof there is formed an annular recess 35 intended to receive a sealing O ring 36. On the opposite flat side of the body 34 and likewise in the area of the inside diameter thereof there is formed an annular collar 37 which at assembled spray-nozzle assembly rests on an additional sealing O ring 38 inserted into respective recess around the flushing water supply hole on the rear part 4 of the bowl 5. A flushing tank 39 is placed onto the sealing O ring 36 from the upper side thereof and fixed to the bowl 5 in a manner known per se and not shown. The annular body 34 is provided with a radial projection 40, a cleaning water inlet hole 41 extending in longitudinal direction thereof. The free end of the projection 40 is adapted to be connected to a blocking element, e.g. ball-valve, known per se and already described in the foregoing. The annular body 34 is in the area above the radial projection 40 and on the inner side provided with a radially extending bulge 42, an additional cleaning water inlet hole 43 extending therethrough. Moreover, the inlet holes 41 and 43 form a uniform passage for the cleaning water. The inlet hole 43 has a threaded muzzle, said connecting hose 19 being threaded therein. Further design and construction of the spray-nozzle assembly is identical to that of the first embodiment. At use, a user turns on the cleaning water flow by actuating a blocking element 15. Cleaning water is then supplied to the holding means 21 through the passage formed by inlet holes 14, 18; 41, 43 and the connecting hose 19. Cleaning water flows through said holding means 21 through the taphole 27, blind hole 25 and taphole 28, it then flowing through the nozzle hose 22 being forced out from the nozzle 23 toward the user seated on the toilet bowl 5. After use, the user closes the cleaning water supply by deactivating said blocking element 15 and, afterwards, by releasing the flushing water supply from the flushing tank in order to wash the nozzle hose 22 and the nozzle 23 if the latter be¬ came dirty by accident. Practically, there is no possibility of soiling since both the nozzle hose 22 and the nozzle 23 itself are in any case located beyond the edge of the flange of the bowl 5. Cleaning water can be taken out from the water network at the flushing water supply into the flushing tank, however, it can be supplied separately. A thermostatically con¬ trolled continuous flow heater can be incorporated into the cleaning water supply for heating the cleaning water. Preferably, a filtering means is inserted into the cleaning water supply pipe in order to eliminate solid particles from the cleaning water. The advantage of the spray-nozzle assembly according to the present invention in com¬ parison to the prior art is that it can be applied at no additional intervention in the body of the toilet bowl on both new and existing toilet bowls. The entire spray-nozzle as¬ sembly can, e.g., be made of synthetic material while the connecting pipe and the nozzle hose are flexible in order to be easily adjusted to the course of the flushing water supply channel into the bowl and, simultaneously, to retain the shape they are forced into by means of bending. The connecting piece and the holding means can also be made of metal, e.g. die-cast brass, which is additionally chromium- and/or nickel-plated.

Claims: Claims: 1. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly for a toilet bowl comprising a nozzle pipe terminating in a nozzle, and a connecting pipe, the first end thereof being con¬ nected to the nozzle pipe and the other end being connected to the water source, characterised in that it comprises a connecting piece (1; 33) having a radial projection (13; 40), a cleaning water inlet hole (14; 41) extending into the lon¬ gitudinal direction thereof, in the area above the radial projection (13; 40) the connecting piece (1, 33) having a radially extending bulge (17; 42) in its interior, an additional cleaning water inlet hole (18; 43) extending therethrough, both cleaning water inlet holes (14, 18; 41, 43) forming a uniform cleaning water pas¬ sage, and that the inlet hole (18; 43) aperture is linked to a connecting pipe (19) leading into a holding means (21) wherein a nozzle hose (22) extending there¬ from terminates in a nozzle (23). 2. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the holding means (21) comprises a body (24) having a blind hole (25) in its lon¬ gitudinal direction, the free end thereof closed by means of a set screw (26), in the area of the each end of the body (24) the latter formed with one taphole (27, 28) extending perpendicularly to the blind hole (25) and being connected there¬ with, a connecting pipe (19) and a nozzle pipe (22) being threaded into the first taphole (27) and into the second taphole (28), respectively, perpendicularly to one of side faces of the body (24), said faces lying in the plane parallel to the tapholes (27, 28), the body (24) provided with a spacing projection (29), while coaxially with said projection (29) the opposite face of the body (24) is provided with a blind hole (30) into which is slidably and movably inserted an additional spacing projection (31), a flexible spring means (32) being provided in-between the bottom of the blind hole (30) and the end of the projection (31) inserted therein. 3. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in claim % characterised in that the flexible spring means (32) is formed either as an elastomer spring or as a helical compression spring. 4. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that a blocking element (15) is connected to the free end of the projection (13; 40). 5. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cleaning water pressure reducing and/or flow reducing ele¬ ment is provided between the blocking element (15) and the cleaning water supply pipe (16). 6. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a water heater is arranged in the cleaning water supply pipe. 7. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a filtering means is provided in the cleaning water supply pipe. 8. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the entire spray-nozzle assembly is preferably made of synthetic material, the connecting pipe and the nozzle pipe being flexible in order to be easily adapted to the course of the flushing water supply channel into the bowl and at the same time to retain the shape they are forced into by means of bending. 9. A bidet-type spray-nozzle assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the connecting piece (1; 33) and the holding means (21) is made of metal, e.g. die-cast brass, which is additionally chromium- and/or nickel-plated.

Inventors: LESKOVAR PETER, LESKOVAR, PETER
Applicants: LESKOVAR PETER, LESKOVAR, PETER
Application year: 1995
Main classification: E03D9
IPC codes: E03D9, E03D11