Patent Publication Number: US-11041296-B2

Title: Toilet having a bidet shower

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application serial number 180939.7, filed on Jun. 4, 2019 entitled “Toilet having a bidet shower”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to toilets and more particularly to a toilet having a bidet shower. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the advent of modem toilets, different means have been developed for sanitary washing of the intimate parts after defecation and urination. Examples of such means include toilet paper, wet and gel wipes, cloths, and bidets. 
     While different people have different preferences with regard to sanitary washing, bidets have proved popular as they generally allow cleaning of intimate parts more thoroughly than with toilet paper and cloths. 
     Bidets are generally used to wash and clean the genitalia, perinium, inner buttocks and anus using a water jet, thus replacing or complementing the use of toilet paper. 
     Different bidet systems have been developed, including ceramic floor-mounted bidets, ceramic wall-mounted bidets, non-electric seat bidets and electric seat bidets. 
     Generally, bidet showers, also known as bidet sprays, bidet sprayer and health faucet, are used for anal cleansing and cleansing of the genitals after defecation and urination. Bidet showers generally consist in a hand-held triggered nozzle connected to an end of a hose for delivering a spray of water to assist cleansing. 
     However, ceramic bidets may require a lot of bathroom space, and may be costly, while electric bidets may also be costly and difficult to install. 
     While less costly, toilets with bidet showers may not always be aesthetically pleasing, as the hose may be visible and cumbersome, and may not always be practical to use, as the hose may be tangling, and necessitating the user to be in an uncomfortable position during sanitary washing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,180, titled “Sanitary washing toilet seat device” by Hayashi et al. teaches a sanitary washing toilet device which includes a toilet seat, a toilet seat cover, and a case fixed to a rear top periphery portion of a toilet bowl. The case is rotatably connected with the toilet seat and the toilet seat cover. The sanitary washing toilet device further includes an optical sensor device provided on a front surface of the case for detecting an open and closed state of at least the toilet seat cover. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,590 titled “Toilet system attached a multi-purpose hand held sprayer” by Lim teaches an improved toilet system affording upgraded hygienic environment by attachment of a multi-purpose hand held sprayer and addition of new features on the existing toilet system ae provided. The multi-purpose hand held sprayer that incorporates a manual shut-off valve delivers various patterns of water spray via an extension bar and a spray tip, which further employs a flexible hose, a valve to regulate the flow, a Y-adapter assembly to supply water from an existing plumbing fixture, a hose hanger mounted on the existing toilet fasteners, a holder for placing the sprayer, and a holder for placing lavatory items. The new features include an improved toilet seat having an additional opening with guidelines and an embedded fortifying element at the frontal area for facilitating placement of the sprayer, a toilet bowl having the same guidelines, and an improved water tank together with its lid having cutouts at the edges and holes on the side wall for mounting the holders. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,185 titled “Antiseptic bidet in combination with a hygiene sty guard” by Deveer teaches an effective hygiene device that enables easy installation to the toilet bowls of most households. It is comprised of a high pressure, adjustable water stream and an antiseptic spray. A built in Hygiene Safety Guard enables a safety margin against the male penis being the toilet bowl. This invention easily installs onto toilet bowls found in most households. It also requires no connection to the water supply in the household. This invention may reduce infections that may be afflicting children, adults, and the elderly, who may find toilet paper difficult to use. There are many serious diseases associated with human excrement, and the antiseptic spray feature of this invention may reduce the risk of many infections. This invention also leads to a higher quality of life and a greater feeling of cleanliness. 
     Therefore, there is a desire for a toilet having a bidet shower that is convenient to use, hygienic, and allows hiding the bidet shower at least partially when not in use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the in conveniences present in the prior art. The present invention provides a toilet having a bidet shower having a head and a hose, a base, a bowl mounted on the base, a tank mounted on a rear portion of the base, a toilet seat and a toilet seat cover. The toilet has a generally elongated bowl with a bowl opening, a toilet seat cover pivotally connected to at least a portion of the tank about a rotational axis that is located above the base, the hose passing from a back side of the tank to a front side of the tank via a passage defined between a cover and the tank. The toilet may further include a protective panel removably mounted to one of the toilet seat and the bowl, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening, and the toilet seat may have a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the one of the bowl and the tank, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm defining a recess structured and dimensioned for receiving a human hand holding a head of the bidet shower. One broad aspect of the present technology provides a toilet comprising: a bidet shower for connection to a water source, a base, a bowl mounted on the base, the bowl defining a bowl opening, a tank mounted on a rear portion of the base, and a toilet seat pivotally connected to one of the bowl and the tank about an axis of rotation. The toilet seat defining a toilet seat opening, and a protective panel removably mounted to one of the toilet seat and the bowl, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening and separating the bowl opening into a front section and a back section. 
     In some embodiments the bidet shower includes a hose and a shower head connected to an end of the hose, the tank comprises: a cover disposed on top of the tank, and the hose passes from a back side of the tank to a front side of the tank via a passage defined between the cover and the tank. In some embodiments, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening defines a generally vertical wall. In some embodiments, the protective panel is removably mounted to the toilet seat and extends at least in part downwardly in the toilet seat opening. In some embodiments, the toilet seat comprises: a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the one of the bowl and the tank about the axis of rotation, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm defining a recess structured and dimensioned for receiving a human hand holding a head of the bidet shower, the recess being of least partially aligned with the bowl opening when the toilet seat is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the tank comprises a first rib located on one side of the tank and a second rib located on another side of the tank, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib respectively about the axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation is a first axis of rotation, and the toilet further comprises a seat covey being selectively disposed on top of the toilet seat, the seat cover being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being located above the first axis of rotation of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the seat cover conceals at least a portion of the head of the bidet shower when the toilet seat and the seat cover are in a closed position and the bidet shower is not in use. In some embodiments, the recess of the toilet seat is structured and dimensioned to receive the protective panel when the protective panel is not mounted to the one of: the toilet seat and the bowl. In some embodiments, the bowl and the base are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the bowl is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises a faucet connected to one of the bowl and the tank, and wherein the bidet shower is connected to the faucet. 
     A second broad aspect of the present technology provides a toilet comprising: a bidet shower for connection to a water source, the bidet shower including a hose and a shower head connected to an end of the hose, a base, a bowl mounted on the base, the bowl defining a bowl opening, a tank mounted on a rear portion of the base, the tank including a cover disposed on top of the tank, and a toilet seat pivotally connected to one of the bowl and the tank about an axis of rotation, the toilet seat defining a toilet seat opening, and the hose passes from a back aide of the tank to a front side of the tank via a passage defined between the cover and the tank. 
     In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises: a protective panel removably mounted to one of the toilet seat and the bowl, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening and separating the bowl opening into a front section and a back section. In some embodiments, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening defines a generally vertical wall. In some embodiments, the protective panel is removably mounted to the toilet seat and extends at least in part downwardly in the toilet seat opening. In some embodiments, the toilet seat comprises: a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the one of the bowl and the tank about the axis of rotation, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm defining a recess structured and dimensioned for receiving a human hand holding the head of the bidet shower, the recess being at least partially aligned with the bowl opening when the toilet seat is in a closed position. In some embodiments, the tank comprises a first rib located on one side of the tank and a second rib located on another side of the tank. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation is a first-axis of rotation, and the toilet further comprises a seat cover being selectively disposed on top of the toilet seat, the seat cover being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being located above the first axis of rotation of the toilet seat. In some embodiments, the seat cover conceals at least a portion of the head of the bidet shower when the toilet seat and the seat cover are in a closed position and the bidet shower is not in use. In some embodiments, the recess of the toilet seat is structured and dimensioned to receive the protective panel when the protective panel is not mounted to the one of: the toilet seat and the bowl. In some embodiments, the bowl and the base are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the bowl is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises a faucet connected to one of the bowl and the tank, and wherein the bidet shower is connected to the faucet. 
     A third broad aspect of the present technology provides a toilet comprising: bidet shower for connection to a water source, a base, a bowl mounted on the base, the bowl defining a bowl opening, a tank mounted on a rear portion of the base, and a toilet seat pivotally connected to one of the bowl and the tank about an axis of rotation, the toilet seat defining a toilet seat opening, the toilet seat comprising: a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm pivotally connecting the toilet seat to the one of the bowl and the tank about the axis of rotation, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm defining a recess structured and dimensioned for receiving a human hand holding a head of the bidet shower, the recess being at least partially aligned with the bowl opening when the toilet seat is in a closed position the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib respectively about the axis of rotation. 
     In some embodiments, the bidet shower includes a hose and a shower head connected of an end of the hose, the tank comprises: a tank, and a cover disposed on top of the tank, and the hose passes from a back side of the tank to a front side of the tank via a passage defined between the cover and the tank. In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises a protective panel removably mounted to one of the toilet seat and the bowl, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening and separating the bowl opening into a front section and a back section. In some embodiments, the protective panel extending at least in part downwardly in the bowl opening defines a generally vertical wall. In some embodiments, the protective panel is removably mounted to the toilet seat and extends at least in part downwardly in the toilet seat opening. In some embodiments, the tank comprises a first rib located on one side of the tank and a second rib located on another side of the tank, and the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib respectively about the axis of rotation. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation is a first axis of rotation, and the toilet further comprises a seat cover being selectively disposed on top of the toilet seat, the eat cover being pivotally connected to the first rib and the second rib about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being located above the first axis of rotation of the toilet. In some embodiments, the seat cover conceals at least a portion of the head of the bidet shower when the toilet seat and the seat cover are in a closed position and the bidet shower is not in use. In some embodiments, the recess of the toilet seat is structured and dimensioned to receive the protective panel when the protective panel is not mounted to the one of: the toilet seat and the bowl. In some embodiments, the bowl and the base are integrally formed. In some embodiments, the bowl is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the toilet further comprises a faucet connected to one of the bowl and the tank, and wherein the bidet shower is connected to the faucet. In some embodiments there are two faucets located at the front of the elongated bowl and connected to the bidet shower wherein one faucet controls the flow of hot water and the other faucet controls the flow of cold water flow of the bidet shower. 
     Additional and/or alternative objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toilet having a bidet shower according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a-right side view of the toilet having a bidet shower according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side cutway view of the toilet having a bidet shower in use according to an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIGS. 4A-B  are top and front views of a storage compartment of the toilet a according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a toilet having a bidet shower. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a toilet  10  having a bidet shower  22  is Illustrated. In one embodiment, the toilet comprises a base  12 , a bowl  14 , a tank  16 , a toilet seat  18 , a toilet neat cover  20 , and the bidet shower  22 . In one embodiment, the bidet shower  22  includes a hose  24  and head  26  connected to an end of the hose. The base is positioned directly over the floor and fixed to the floor via mounting nuts as well known in the art. In one embodiment, the bowl  14  and the base  12  are integrally formed. Preferably, the bowl  14  is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis more so than toilet bowls of the prior art. This will be explained in greater detail below. 
     In one embodiment, a rear portion of the bowl  14  enables a hand  34  of a user  36  holding the head  26  of the bidet shower  22  to pass in a recess  38  of the toilet seat  18 . This will be explained in greater detail below. 
     In one embodiment, the tank  16  includes a cover  44 , a left rib  46 , and a right rib  48 . The tank is mounted to a rear portion of the base  12 . In one embodiment, the left rib  46  is positioned on the left side of the tank  16  extending towards the bowl  14 . Similarly, the right rib  48  is positioned on the right side of the tank extending toward the bowl  14 . The left rib  46  is parallel to the right rib  48  and defines a concave curve such that the head  26  and the hose  24  of the bidet shower  22  fit at least partially between the left rib  46  and the right rib  48 . Advantageously, the concave curve allows the toilet seat cover  20  to fit at least partially between the left and right ribs  46 ,  48  when the toilet seat cover is in an open position. 
     In some embodiments, there is a tank recess  50  on the front side of the tank  16  within the concave curve where the bidet shower  22  is positioned such that it does not interfere with the rising and lowering of the toilet seat  20 . Further, this arrangement hides the bidet shower when the toilet seat  20  is in a closed positioned. 
     As expected, the seat over  20  is enabled to pivot from an open to a closed position. In order to do so, the left rib  46  has a left seat cover aperture (not shown) and the right rib  48  has a right seat cover aperture (not shown), wherein both apertures are about a first rotational axis so that pins (not shown) extending integrally from the toilet seat cover  20  can engage in the apertures allowing the seat cover  20  to pivot between the open and closed position. 
     Best seen in  FIG. 3 , the hose  24  of the bidet shower  22  passes fro a back side of the tank  16  to a front side of the tank  16  via a passage  56  located between the tank cover  44  and the tank  16 . In some embodiment, the cover  44  may be disposed an top of the tank  16  via spacers located on the left side and the right side of the tank to create the passage  56 . Advantageously, the hose  24  is enabled to slide freely in the passage  56  allowing a user  36  to use the bidet shower  22 . Specifically, by moving the shower head  26  from a retracted position in positioned in recess  38  to an in use position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Generally, the weight of the hose  24  behind the tank  16  helps in retracting back the bidet shower  22  back into the recess  38  when not in use. 
     In one embodiment, the toilet seat  18  includes a toilet seat opening  59 , a first connecting arm  60 , and a second connecting arm  62 , wherein the connecting arms are for pivotally connecting the toilet seat  18  to the tank  16 . 
     As previously mentioned, the toilet bow  14  is elongated more than toilets of the prior art. For instance, the bowl  14  is approximately 6 inches (15 cm) longer compared to a prior art standard bowl which allows for a user to pit more forwardly on the toilet seat  18  so as to have room for a hand  34  from a user  36  to grab the bidet shower  22  and use it. 
     In one embodiment, the flow of the bidet shower  22  is controlled by two faucets  76  located at the front of the bowl  14  to control the flow of hot and cold water. It should be understood that the location of the faucets may vary based on convenience or ease of operation. 
     In some embodiments, a pair of flap doors  88  is provided forming part of the bottom rear of the toilet  10  acting as storage compartments  92 . Each flap  88  is attached to a back pane  90  which can be mechanically fastened to a wall behind the toilet  10 . Another function is to streamline the rear portion of the base  12  so that it is easier to clean and as such, more sanitary. 
     In one embodiment, advantageously, a protective partition  78  is provided, wherein the protective partition fits inside the bowl  14  preventing the bidet shower from spraying outside of the bowl, as well as limiting the amount of water being sprayed on the user  36 . 
     The best mode of use will now be described. First, assuming the toilet seat cover  20  is in a closed position, the user  36  lifts the toilet seat cover  20  to an opened position. Next, the user  36  sits on the toilet seat  18  and defecates in the bowl receptacle  30  through the bowl opening  28  as well known in the art. Next, the user  36  takes the protective partition  78  stored in the panels and mounts it to the bowl  14 . Then, the user  36  picks up the bidet shower  22  with his hand  34  and passes it through the recess  38  and under the toilet seat  18 . The user  36  then activates the cold and hot water taps  76  located on the front of the bowl  14  such that water flows from the head  26  and the user  36  directs the water spray toward the inner buttocks and anus. Advantageously, the protective partition  78  at least partially protects the intimate parts of the user  36  from the water spray and spatter of water and waste from the bowl receptacle  30 . Next, the user  36  repositions the head  26  of the bidet shower  22  on the rear portion of the base  12  and behind the first rotational axis of the toilet seat cover  20 . Next, the user  36  dries himself or herself as well known in the art. Optionally, the user  36  may remove and clean the protective partition  78 , and store it in the recess compartment  66 . Finally, the user places the toilet seat cover  20  in a closed position. 
     Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alterative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
     In addition, reference to“first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.