Patent Publication Number: US-6339853-B1

Title: Combination hydrothermal bath and bidet

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The instant application is a formal application of U.S. provisional application No. 60/173,267, filed on Dec. 28, 1999, and entitled COMBINATION SITZ BATH-BIDET APPARATUS, and it is respectfully requested that this application be accorded the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of said U.S. provisional application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hydrothermal baths and bidets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous innovations for bath and bidets have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 288,588 to Stairs Jr. teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 310,558 to Kohler Jr. et al. teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 325,248 to McKeone teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 326,315 to Waldren teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 332,137 to Kohler Jr. et al. teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 337,380 to Stainton teaches the ornamental design for a bidet and the like. 
     A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 353,658 to McKeone et al. teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 355,025 to Kohler Jr. et al. teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 355,963 to Formgren et al. teaches the ornamental design for a bathtub. 
     A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 365,144 to Gruber et al. teaches the ornamental design for a hydromassage bath tub. 
     A ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 378,777 to Hohenthaner teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A TWELFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 379,852 to Eeckhoudt teaches the ornamental design for a bath tub. 
     A THIRTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 387,140 to Laguera Garza teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A FOURTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 388,159 to Laguera Garza teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A FIFTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 398,383 to Kergoet teaches the ornamental design for a bidet. 
     A SIXTEENTH EXAMPLE. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 404,805 to Hurt teaches the ornamental design for a bath tub. 
     A SEVENTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,767 to Ibel teaches a composite water closet and bidet that includes a bowl defining a water basin having a rear edge portion on which a storage tank is positioned, in fluid communication with the water basin. A toilet set having an opening therein is pivotally mounted on the bowl to provide a seating surface on the rim of the bowl. A bidet basin is pivotally mounted on the bowl above the seat and has a peripheral seating flange overlying the seating surface of the toilet seat as well as a basin portion which extends through the opening of the toilet seat into the water basin of the bowl. The bowl rim, toilet seat, and bidet have a generally complementary peripheral configuration to provide a uniform and neat appearance, as well as comfortable seating. The water tank has a front surface which includes a bulbous portion formed therein that is generally complementary to a portion of the basin of the bidet whereby the bulbous portion of the tank is received in the bidet basin, when the bidet basin is pivoted upwardly towards the tank, to expose the toilet seat and provide a compact storage configuration for the raised bidet basin. 
     A EIGHTEENTH EXAMPLE. U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,851 to Brunelle teaches a hydro-thermo massaging tub and method of massage treatment wherein the treatment is performed by warm air jets distributed adjacent the bottom wall of the tub all about its circumference. Air jets are formed by holes made in the tub wall with the longitudinal axis of the holes oriented loss than 45 degrees from the plane of the bottom wall. The jets communicate with an air distribution duct which is fed hot air under pressure by a blower. Controls are also provided to vary the pressure of the air as well as the temperature thereof. Warm air jets are released in the water contained within the tub to impart turbulence in the body of water to create acupressure massaging flows of warm air jets and water flows from opposed sidewalls and end walls of the tub towards a central area of least turbulence which is occupied by the body of a person. The acupressure massaging flows perform a massaging action all about the body simultaneously. The tub also includes a back massaging cavity to simultaneously massage the back. Hot air circulating in the distribution duct also beats the neck and back portion of the tub where the neck and back of the bather rests during treatment. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for baths and bidets have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet that is one-piece, made of porcelain, and has a base portion, a front portion, a rear portion, a pair of side portions, and a seat portion The base portion rests on a floor The front portion extends upwardly from the base portion The back portion extends upwardly from the base portion and is leaned against by the back of the user when the combination is utilized as a hydrothermal bath. The pair of side portions extend upwardly from the base portion and forwardly from the back portion to the front portion and are straddled by the legs of the user The seat portion is sat upon by the user when the combination is utilized as the hydrothermal bath, and is bordered by the base portion, the front portion, the rear portion, and the pair of side portions. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the present invention in use as a hydrothermal bath; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  2  in FIG. 1 of the present invention: 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front elevational view taken generally in the direction of arrow  3  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  in FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
       10  combination hydrothermal bath and bidet of present invention for user  12   
       12  user 
       14  body for resting on floor  18   
       16  base portion of body  14  for resting on floor  18   
       18  floor 
       20  front portion of body  14   
       22  back portion of body  14  for leaning against by back  23  of user  12  when combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as hydrothermal bath 
       23  back of user  12   
       24  pair of side portions of body  14  for straddling by legs of user  12   
       26  seat portion of body  14  for sitting upon by user  12  when combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as hydrothermal bath 
       28  lower flange part of base portion  18  of body  14  for resting on, and sealing against, floor  18   
       30  lowermost surface of lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14  for resting on, and sealing against, floor  18   
       32  uppermost surface of lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       34  front wall of lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       36  rear wall of lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       38  pair of side walls of lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       40  first feed pipe chamber in lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       42  drain pipe ring in lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14  for encircling waste pipe  43  passing vertically through first feed pipe chamber  40  in lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       43  waste pipe passing vertically through first feed pipe chamber  40  in lower flange part  28  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       44  upper part of base portion  18  of body  14   
       46  lowermost surface of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       47  feed source throughbore through rear wall  50  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       48  front wall of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       49  upper terminal end of front wall  48  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       50  rear wall of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       51  upper terminal end of rear wall  50  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       52  pair of side walls of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       53  upper terminal ends of pair of side walls  52  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       54  top wall of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       55  uppermost surface of top wall  54  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       56  front feed pipe passageway 
       57  forwardmost end of top wall  54  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       58  second feed pipe chamber in upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       60  drain tube in upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       62  drain stopper control bore in drain tube  60  in upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       64  drain throughbore through top wall  54  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       66  bidet jet throughbore through top wall  54  of upper part  44  of base portion  18  of body  14   
       68  front wall of front portion  20  of body  14   
       70  uppermost edge of front wall  68  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       72  rear wall of front portion  20  of body  14   
       74  uppermost end of rear wall  72  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       76  pair of side walls of front portion  20  of body  14   
       78  upper terminal ends of pair of side walls  76  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       80  top wall of front portion  20  of body  14   
       82  third feed pipe chamber in front portion  20  of body  14   
       84  drain stopper control throughbore through top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       85  diverter valve throughbore through top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       86  bath jet throughbore through rear wall  72  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       87  mixer valve throughbore through top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       88  extension of top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       90  terminal edge of extension  88  of top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       92  lip of extension  88  of top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       94  rear wall of rear portion  22  of body  14  for allowing user  12  to lean back thereagainst while having upper legs  96  of user  12  rest incliningly forwardly upwardly on top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14  and buttocks  98  of user  12  to sit on seat portion  26  of body  14 , with rearward downward slope of top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14  facilitating resting of buttocks  98  of user  12  on seat portion  26  of body  14  by tilting upper legs  96  of user  12  rearwardly downwardly 
       95  transition point of rear wall  94  of rear portion  22  of body  14   
       96  upper legs of user  12   
       98  buttocks of user  12   
       100  pair of side walls of rear portion  22  of body  14   
       102  concave areas in pair of side walls  100  of rear portion  22  of body  14  for allowing legs  96  of user  12  to separate and pass over so as to expose user  12  to hydrothermal bath and straddle divert valve throughbore  85  and mixer valve throughbore  87  in top wall  80  of front portion  20  of body  14   
       104  top wall of seat portion  26  of body  14   
       106  plurality of bidet water ejecting throughbores  106  through top wall  104  of seat portion  26  of body  14   
       108  side wall of seat portion  26  of body  14   
       110  plurality of bath water ejecting throughbores through side wall  108  of seat portion  26  of body  14   
       111  central opening in seat portion  26  of body  14  for providing space for genitalia of user  12  when user  12  is male and combination hypothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as a bath 
       112  bath manifold contained in seat portion  26   
       114  bidet manifold contained in seat portion  26   
       130  diverter valve for selectively directing water to one of bath manifold  112  in seat portion of body  14  and bidet manifold  114  in seat portion  26  of body  14   
       132  drain stopper control 
       134  mixer valve for selectively determining amount of hot and cold water to be used 
       136  drain stopper 
       138  drain stopper linkage 
       140  pair of source feed pipes for supplying hot and cold water 
       142  connecting pipe for conducting water from mixer valve  134  to diverter valve  130   
       144  bidet jet 
       146  bidet jet connecting pipe 
       148  bath jet 
       150  bath jet connecting pipe 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the combination hydrothermal bath and bidet of the present invention is shown generally at  10  being utilized as a hydrothermal bath for a user  12  sitting therein. 
     The configuration of the combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  can best be seen in FIGS. 1-5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  comprises a body  14  that has a base portion  16  for resting on a floor  18 . 
     The body  14  further has a front portion  20  that extends upwardly from the base portion  16  thereof. 
     The body  14  further has a back portion  22  that extends upwardly from the base portion  16  thereof for leaning against by the back  23  of the user  12  when the combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as a hydrothermal bath. 
     The body  14  further has a pair of side portions  24  that extend upwardly from the base portion  16  thereof and forwardly from the back portion  22  thereof to the front portion  20  thereof for straddling by the legs of the user  12 . 
     The body  14  further has a seat portion  26  for sitting upon by the user  12  when the combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as the hydrothermal bath, and which is bordered by the portion  16  thereof, the front portion  20  thereof, the back portion  22  thereof, and the pair of side portions  24  thereof. 
     The body  14  is one-piece and made of porcelain. 
     The base portion  16  comprises a lower flange part  26  for resting on, and sealing against, the floor  18 . 
     The lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16  is rectangular-shaped, and has a lowermost surface  30  that is flat for resting on, and sealing against, the floor  18 , an uppermost surface that is flat and disposed above, and parallel to, the lowermost surface  30  thereof, a front wall  34 , a rear wall  36 , and a pair of side walls  38 . 
     The lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16  further has a first feed pipe chamber  40  that opens into the lowermost surface  30  thereof, extends laterally from inward of one side wall  38  thereof to inward of the other side wall  38  thereof, and longitudinally from the rear wall  36  thereof to the front wall  34  thereof. 
     The lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16  further has a drain pipe ring  42  for encircling a waste pipe  43  that passes vertically through the first feed pipe chamber  40  therein, and which is horizontally oriented, and disposed on the lowermost surface  30  thereof, in the first feed pipe chamber  40  therein, closer to the rear wall  36  thereof than the front wall  32  thereof, and midway between the pair of side walls  38  thereof. 
     The base portion  16  further comprises an upper part  44  that extends upwardly from, and communicates with the lower flange part  28  thereof. 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  has a lowermost surface  46  that is coincident with the uppermost surface  32  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 . 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a front wall  48  that extends concavingly upwardly from the front wall  34  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16  and concavingly upwardly from the pair of side walls  38  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 , respectively, to an upper terminal end  49 . 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a rear wall  50  that extends inwardly incliningly upwardly from the rear wall  36  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16  and concavingly upwardly from the pair of side walls  38  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 , respectively, to an upper terminal end  51 . 
     The rear wall  50  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  has a feed source throughbore  47  that extends horizontally therethrough. 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a pair of side walls  52  that extend forwardly from the rear wall  50  thereof to the front wall  48  thereof and concavingly upwardly from the pair of side walls  38  of the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 , respectively, to upper terminal ends  53 . 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a top wall  54  that is flat and disposed above, and parallel to, the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 , and has an uppermost surface  55 . 
     The top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  extends longitudinally from the upper terminal end  51  of the rear wall  50  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  to a forward most end  57  thereof that is short of the upper terminal end  49  of the front wall  48  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  so as to define a front feed pipe passageway  56  therebetween, and laterally from the upper terminal end  53  of one side wall  44  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  to the upper terminal end  53  of the other side wall  44  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a second feed pipe chamber  58  that opens into, and communicates with, the first feed pipe chamber  40  in the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 , extends laterally from one side wall  44  thereof to the other side wall  44  thereof, longitudinally from the rear wall  50  thereof to the front wall  48  thereof, and upwardly to the top wall  54  thereof. 
     The upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a drain tube  60  that is vertically-oriented and depends from the top wall  54  thereof, through the second feed pipe chamber  58  therein, through the first feed pipe chamber  40  in the lower flange part.  28  of the base portion  16 , and coaxially to, and communicates coaxially with, the drain pipe ring  42  in the lower flange part  28  of the base portion  16 . The drain tube  60  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  18  has a drain stopper control bore  62  that extends horizontally through a side thereof that faces the front wall  48  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  has a drain throughbore  64  that extends vertically therethrough, and communicates coaxially with the drain tube  60  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  further has a bidet jet throughbore  66  that extends vertically therethrough, and is disposed slightly forwardly of the rear wall  50  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and midway between the pair of side walls  52  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The front portion  20  of the body  14  has a front wall  68  that extends first concavingly upwardly and forwardly then convexingly upwardly and rearwardly from the front wall  48  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , to an uppermost edge  70 . 
     The front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a rear wall  72  that extends concavingly upwardly from the forward most end  57  of the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , to an uppermost end  74 . 
     The front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a pair of side walls  76  that extend forwardly from the rear wall  72  thereof, to the front wall  68  thereof, and convexingly upwardly from the pair of side walls  52  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , respectively, to upper terminal ends  78 . 
     The front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a top wall  80  that is flat and extends longitudinally from the uppermost end  74  of the rear wall  72  thereof, incliningly upwardly to the uppermost edge  70  of the front wall  68  thereof, where it convexes, and laterally from the uppermost edge  70  of one side wall  76  thereof, to the uppermost edge  70  of the other side wall  44  thereof. 
     The front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a third feed pipe chamber  82  that opens into, and communicates with, the second feed pipe chamber  58  in the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  through the front feed pipe passageway  56 , and extends laterally from one side wall  76  thereof to the other side wall  76  thereof, longitudinally from the rear wall  72  thereof to the front wall  68  thereof, and upwardly to the top wall  80  thereof. 
     The top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  has a drain stopper control throughbore  84  that extend vertically therethrough, and is disposed midway between the pair of side walls  76  of the front portion  20 , and midway between the front wall  68  of the front portion  20  and the rear wall  72  of the front portion  20 . 
     The top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a diverter valve throughbore  85  that extends vertically therethrough, and is disposed midway between one side wall  76  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  and the drain stopper control throughbore  84  therein. 
     The top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  further has a mixer valve throughbore  87  that extends vertically therethrough, and is disposed midway between the other side wall  76  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  and the drain stopper control throughbore  84  therein. 
     The rear wall  72  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  has a bath jet throughbore  86  that extends rearwardly upwardly incliningly therethrough, and is disposed just above the forward most end  57  of the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and midway between the pair of side walls  76  of the front portion  20  of the body  14 . 
     The top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  further has an extension  88  that extends smoothly rearwardly therefrom, from the uppermost edge  74  of the rear wall  72  of the front portion  20  of the body  14 , to a terminal edge  90 , and laterally from one side wall  76  of the front portion  20 , to the other side wall  76  of the front portion  20 . 
     The extension  88  of the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  has a lip  92  that depends completely along the terminal edge  90  thereof, to the seat portion  26 . 
     The rear portion  22  of the body  14  has a rear wall  94  that extends convexingly sidewardly for matching the back of the user  12 , and first concavingly upwardly from the upper terminal end  51  of the rear wall  50  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , to a transition point  95 , than convexingly upwardly, and finally straight upwardly to an elevation above the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  for allowing the user  12  to lean back thereagainst while having the upper legs  96  of the user  12  rest incliningly forwardly upwardly on the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  and buttocks  98  of the user  12  to sit on the seat portion  26 , with rearward downward slope of the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  facilitating resting of the buttocks  98  of the user  12  on the seat portion  26  by tilting the upper legs  96  of the user  12  rearwardly downwardly. 
     The rear portion  22  of the body  14  further has a pair of side walls  100  that extend forwardly from the rear wall  94  thereof. 
     Each side portion  24  of the body  14  extends convexingly outwardly and upwardly from an associated side wall  52  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and first forwardly outwardly and convexingly downwardly from an associated side wall  100  of the rear portion  22 , then forwardly inwardly at a slight upward incline to an associated side wall  76  of the front portion  20  so as to provide concave areas  102  for allowing the legs  96  of the user  12  to separate and pass thereover so as to expose the user  12  to the hydrothermal bath and straddle the mixer valve throughbore  87  in the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14  and the diverter valve throughbore  85  in the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  of the body  14 . 
     The seat portion  26  has a top wall  104  that is flat, oval-shaped, and disposed parallel to, and above, the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , at an elevation of the transition point  95  of the rear wall  94  of the rear portion  22 . 
     The top wall  104  of the seat portion  26  extends laterally from, and abuts completely against, one side portion  24 , to, and abuts completely against, the other side portion  24 , and longitudinally from, and abuts completely against, the rear wall  94  of the rear portion  22 , to, and abuts completely against, the lip  92  of the extension  88  of the top wall  80  of the front portion  20 . 
     The top wall  104  of the seat portion  26  has a plurality of bidet water ejecting throughbores  106  that extend vertically therethrough, and are spaced-apart evenly therealong. 
     The seat portion  26  further has a side wall  108  that is flat, oval-shaped, and depends from the top wall  104  thereof, inward of the rear portion  22 , the pair of side portions  24 , and the lip  92  of the extension  88  of the top wall  80  of the front portion  20 , to the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The side wall  108  of the seat portion  26  has a plurality of bath water ejecting throughbores  110  that extend horizontally therethrough, and are spaced-apart evenly therealong. 
     The seat portion  26  has a central opening  111  that is defined by the side wall  108  thereof, and which depends from the top wall  104  thereof to the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16  for providing space for the genitalia of the user  12  when the user  12  is a male and the combination hypothermal bath and bidet  10  is utilized as a bath. 
     The seat portion  26  contains a bath manifold  112  that fluidly communicates with the plurality of bath water ejecting throughbores  110  in the side wall  108  thereof. 
     The seat portion  26  further contains a bidet manifold  114  that fluidly communicates with the plurality of bidet water ejecting throughbores  106  in the top wall  104  thereof. 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a diverter valve  130  for selectively directing the water to one of the bath manifold  112  in the seat portion and the bidet manifold  114  in the seat portion  26 , and which is disposed in the diverter valve throughbore  85  in the top wall  80  of the front portion  20 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a drain stopper control  132  that is disposed in the drain stopper control throughbore  84  in the top wall  80  of the front portion  20 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a mixer valve  134  that is disposed in the mixer valve throughbore  87  in the top wall  80  of the front portion  20  for selectively determining amount of hot and cold water to be used. 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a drain stopper  136  that is disk-shaped, overlies the uppermost surface  55  of the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of base portion  16 , and selectively closes the drain throughbore  64  in the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises drain stopper linkage  138  that is operatively connected to, and depends vertically from, the drain stopper control  132 , through the third feed pipe chamber  82  in the front portion  20 , through the front feed pipe passageway  56 , and into the second feed pipe chamber  58  in the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , then horizontally rearwardly through the second feed pipe chamber  58  in the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and through the drain stopper control bore  62  in the drain tube  60  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and finally vertically upwardly through the drain throughbore  64  in the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , to, and operatively connected to, the drain stopper  136  so as to allow the drain stopper control  132  to control the drain stopper  136 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a pair of source feed pipes  140  that are separate from each other, one being for cold water and the other being for hot water, and which extend through the feed source throughbore  47  in the rear wall  50  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and horizontally forwardly through the second feed pipe chamber  58  in the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , then upwardly through the front feed pipe passageway  56 , and into the third feed pipe chamber  82  in the front portion  20  where they are fluidly connected to the mixer valve  134  for supplying hot and cold water. 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a connecting pipe  142  that extends horizontally in the third feed pipe chamber  82  in the front portion  20 , and fluidly connects the mixer valve  134  and the diverter valve  130  together for conducting the water from the mixer valve  134  to the diverter valve  130 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a bidet jet  144  that extends upwardly through the bidet jet throughbore  66  in the top wall  54  of the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , and into the bidet manifold  114 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a bidet jet connecting pipe  146  that is fluidly connected to the bidet jet  144 , and extends horizontally forwardly through the second feed pipe chamber  58  in the upper part  44  of the base portion  16 , then upwardly through the front feed pipe passageway  56 , and into the third feed pipe chamber  82  in the front portion  20  where it is fluidly connected to the diverter valve  130 , and when the diverter valve  130  is set for bidet, conducts the water to the bidet jet  144 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a bath jet  148  that extends rearwardly through the bath jet throughbore  86  in the rear wall  72  of the front portion  20 , and into the bath manifold  112 . 
     The combination hydrothermal bath and bidet  10  further comprises a bath jet connecting pipe  150  that is fluidly connected to the bath jet  148 , and extends upwardly through the front feed pipe passageway  56 , and into the third feed pipe chamber  82  in the front portion  20  where it is fluidly connected to the diverter valve  130 , and when the diverter valve  130  is set for bath, conducts the water to the bath jet  148 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a combination hydrothermal bath and bidet, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.