Abstract:
A shower mounted douche/bidet apparatus employs a diverter and an angled handle member with a dispenser head thereon. The handle is a ball headed arm member which provided an ergonomic spray dispensing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to douche and bidet devices, and more particularly to a shower mounted douche/bidet apparatus and method.  
           [0002]    Douche or bidet devices for use in the shower for personal cleaning, such as the device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,100, employ an elongate douche applicator spray device. However, the configuration of such an elongate device makes it difficult to hold and use. For example, insertion of the applicator into or positioning of the applicator near certain parts of the body, such as genital or rectal areas, is awkward and requires an uncomfortable positioning of the user&#39;s hands, wrist, and arms. Also, the known devices typically have 5 or 6 spray holes, oriented in different directions, which result in multiple sprays in multiple directions, which may not be desirable for a user.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In accordance with the invention, an improved shower mounted douche/bidet apparatus employs a shower ball mount arm as an applicator head.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shower mounted douche apparatus.  
           [0005]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved shower mounted bidet apparatus.  
           [0006]    Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved shower mounted douche/bidet apparatus.  
           [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved shower mounted douche/bidet apparatus not requiring a backflow prevention valve.  
           [0008]    The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a photograph of the douche/bidet apparatus and its components, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a shower prior to installation of the device;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a shower after installation of the device;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a partial view of a handle illustrating a single stream aspect;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shower head with the diverter installed;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a user holding the handle, showing an exemplary flow of water; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a view of a shower wall with the device hung thereon by use of the hook and hanger, when in a not-in-use mode. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a valve that selectively controls the amount of water diverted from a shower head supply to a douche/bidet head, via a flexible hose.  
         [0017]    Referring to FIG. 1, a photograph of the douche/bidet apparatus and its components, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a handle “A”, suitably having an elongate portion  10  which is straight from a connection  12  at one end thereof and angles at an angle α, continuing on for a somewhat shorter portion, ending with a ball shaped head  14 . The angle α is approximately 70 degrees or so in the illustrated embodiment.  
         [0018]    The connection  12  of the handle receives a hose “C” therein, suitably comprising a flexible type hose which extends to a side connection  16  of a diverter “B”. A sleeve  13  may be provided, in the form of a tape or such, to cover the threaded portion of the handle where it engages the hose, if desired, and to provide an aesthetic appearance. Different models employ different color sleeves  13 , which may comprise a gold metallic or silver metallic color band, with metal flake appearance, for example.  
         [0019]    The diverter is adapted to be received by threaded portion  18  at a shower head attachment point of a typical bathroom shower. An opposite end  20  of the diverter is adapted to threadably receive a shower head thereon.  
         [0020]    The diverter carries first and second buttons  22 ,  24  thereon, which control valves therein so as to adjust the flow volume through each arm of the diverter.  
         [0021]    In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter “B” is suitably a chrome plated, solid brass diverter which is manufactured by RESOURCES CONSERVATION INCORPORATED (“Deluxe DUAL Shower Arm Diverter #YA903). The hose “C” suitably comprises a chrome plated or stainless steel shower hose. However, an alternate hose may take the form of a vinyl tubing, for example. Handle “A” is preferably a ball type shower arm manufactured by Price Pfister and distributed for example by LASCO (Santa Fe Springs, Calif. 90670) (part #08-2463). The handle in the illustrated embodiment is chrome plated, solid brass, and is approximately six inches long, although other lengths may be desirable for different models, adapted for different users. For example, a women&#39;s model employs a longer handle portion than a men&#39;s model. In the illustrated embodiment, the length from the tip of the ball portion of the handle to the bend in the handle is approximately 2.5 inches, while the length from the bend to the handle/connection  12  interaction point is 3.5 inches. The connection  12  is about 1 inch in length in the illustrated form, and an exemplary hose length, from the junction with connection  12  to the end of the side connector  16  of the diverter is 5 feet. Of course, other lengths are possible, depending on the size and configuration of the individual shower. It should be noted that the use for which the handle was originally created and manufactured was to receive a shower head on the ball end thereof, and it is applicant who has found the new use therefor as a douche/bidet apparatus.  
         [0022]    In use, the purpose of this product is for personal hygiene, as a handheld shower douche for men or women. The unique shape of the handle results in an ergonomic design that does not require full insertion into the body, is thus it is easier to use.  
         [0023]    To install the device in a shower, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, schematic view of before and after the mounting of the device, an existing showerhead is removed from the shower, and the diverter is mounted in place thereof via threaded receiving portion  18 . Then, the showerhead that was just removed is attached to the portion  20  of the diverter. Thus, the shower may continue to be used. To employ the douche/bidet, the shower is turned on as would have been done before installation. Then, by operation of the flow control buttons  22 ,  24 , water is at least partially diverted from the showerhead end of the diverter to the hose. This diverted water flow then exits from the ball end of the handle as shown at  30  in FIG. 1. The handle may then be moved about as desired by the user for application of the flow to the body. In the preferred embodiment, the exiting stream of water from the head is substantially a single stream  32 , as shown in FIG. 4, a partial view of an end of the handle.  
         [0024]    The diverter unit is advantageously usable throughout the U.S. while complying with plumbing code requirements, because it continues to drip (slightly) whenever the shower is in use. Because of this feature, a backflow prevention device is not required for the attachment of this unit to the shower. Additionally, since the unit continually drips while the shower is being used, it is self cleaning. The continuous trickle assists in the continuous cleaning of the unit. The diverter is designed such that when water is diverted to the handle the water continues to flow to the showerhead.  
         [0025]    Also show in FIG. 1 is a hook member  26  which is attachable to the wall of the shower, so that the hose may be advantageously hung therefrom when the unit is not in use. Further, a handle receiving hanger  28  may be provided, wherein the handle may be placed in the hanger for storage when not in use. The hanger  28  suitably has a U-shape and forms an open trough which the handle fits into. A wall mounted soap holder may be employed for this purpose. In the illustrated embodiment, the hanger  28  attaches to the shower wall via suction cups.  
         [0026]    The device may be sold as a kit, including substantially all the components shown in FIG. 1, plus an amount of PTFE thread sealing tape, also known as “plumbers tape”. In more detailed steps of how to install the device, when sold in a kit form, the existing shower head is removed, and the threads on the shower are then cleaned to remove any dirt or debris. Then, the threads are wrapped with several revolutions of the PTFE thread sealing tape in a clockwise direction. Portion  18  is then threaded onto the shower head arm. The suction cups of the hanger  28  and hook member  26  are then wetted and those two items may be attached to the wall of the shower on a flat area, by firmly pressing them against the shower wall. Next, the threads  20  of the diverter are wrapped with several revolutions of the PTFE thread sealing tape, and the shower head is attached thereto.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shower head  34  with the diverter  36  installed, illustrating hose  38 . FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a user holding the handle  10 , showing an exemplary flow  32  of water. FIG. 7 is a view of a shower wall with the device hung thereon by use of the hook  26  and hanger  28 , when in a not-in-use mode. A suitable position relative to the hot/cold water faucets  40  is as shown in FIG. 7, with the device hanging above the faucets. However, this is not a requirement, and different mounting locations are possible, and may be desirable, especially in the case where the faucets are mounted higher on the wall, for example, or in the case of a single centrally mounted hot/cold water control.  
         [0028]    Accordingly, an improved shower bidet/douche is provided which enables easy use thereof, while not requiring installation of backflow prevention valves.  
         [0029]    While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.