MANUAL BIDET
BACKGROUND
[0001] Toilets may include bidet features, which are configured to spray water toward a user
for cleaning or washing portions of the user. Such bidet features may include various expensive
or complex components for actuating or moving a bidet sprayer, such as electronic motors,
power supply systems, and control systems. It would be desirable to provide an improved bidet
feature, which avoids expensive components and provides an intuitively operated bidet that is
adaptable to a person's desired cleaning characteristics.
SUMMARY
[0002] According to an exemplary embodiment, a bidet assembly for a toilet generally includes
a sprayer, a water supply system, and an arm. The sprayer is configured to spray water. The
water supply system is configured to selectively communicate water from one or more water
sources to the sprayer. The arm is operationally coupled to the water sprayer and the water
supply system. The arm is configured such that rotation of the arm acts to rotate the sprayer, and
the arm further comprises a feature configured to allow control of the amount of water flow from
the water supply to the sprayer.
[0003] According to an exemplary embodiment, a toilet seat assembly includes a bidet
assembly. The bidet assembly generally includes a sprayer, a water supply system, and an arm.
The sprayer is configured to spray water. The water supply system is configured to selectively
communicate water from one or more water sources to the sprayer. The arm is operationally
coupled to the water sprayer and the water supply system. A user may move the arm to pivot the
sprayer and to change water flow from the water supply to the sprayer.
[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment, a toilet includes a bidet assembly. The bidet
assembly generally includes a sprayer, a water supply system, and a arm. The sprayer is
configured to spray water. The water supply system is configured to selectively communicate
water from one or more water sources to the sprayer. The arm is operationally coupled to the
water sprayer and the water supply system. A user may move the arm to pivot the sprayer and to
change water flow from the water supply to the sprayer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet including a bidet assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bidet assembly according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective, partial cutaway view of a bidet assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment with a sprayer shown in a retracted position.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial cutaway view of a bidet assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment with the sprayer shown in an extended position.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective, partial cutaway view of a bidet assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment showing the range of motion of the sprayer in the extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Referring generally to the figures, according to an exemplary embodiment, a manually
operated bidet assembly 40 is provided for a toilet 2. The bidet assembly 40 generally includes a
housing 26, a control lever or arm 42, a sprayer 60, and a water supply system 80, which are
collectively configured to allow a user to control the direction and flow of a spray of water 74 for
cleaning the user. More particularly, the control arm 42 is configured for a user to manually
pivot the sprayer 60 into various positions or orientations to direct the spray of water 74 in a
desired manner. The control arm 42 may further be configured to allow the user to manually
adjust the flow of the spray of water 74.
[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment, the housing 26 generally includes a base 28 and
a cover 30, which are collectively configured to serve as a chassis for mounting the bidet
assembly 40 to the toilet 2. In particular, the base 28 and cover 30 cooperatively define a
compartment for containing various components of the bidet assembly 40 and also include
various features for operatively coupling components of the bidet assembly 40 to the toilet.
[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment, the base 28 is configured to mount the housing
26, and thereby the entire bidet assembly 40, to the toilet 2. In particular, the housing base 28 is
configured to rigidly couple to a toilet base 10 of the toilet 2 toward a rearward position of a
bowl 12 of the toilet 2. The housing base 28 may be coupled to the toilet base 10, for example,
with the use of fasteners, seals, adhesives, complementary interferences features (e.g., clips, tabs,
recesses, apertures, protrusions, etc.), or any suitable combination thereof. Further, the housing
28 may be configured to couple to a conventional toilet, such as for retrofitting an existing toilet,
or a toilet that is specially configured for use with the bidet assembly 40.
[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cover 30 is configured to define an upper
portion of the compartment for containing various components of the bidet assembly. The cover
30 is configured to couple to the base 28, for example, with the use of fasteners, adhesives,
interferences features, other methods, or any suitable combination thereof.
[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bidet assembly 40 is part of a toilet seat
assembly 20. The housing cover 30 is further configured to rotatably couple a lid 22 and a seat
24 to the toilet 2. In particular, the housing cover 30, lid 22, and seat 24 are configured for the
lid 22 and seat 24 to operate in conventional manners by rotating between lowered and raised
positions to cover the bowl 12 and provide a seating surface for the user, respectively. The
housing cover 30, lid 22, and seat 24 include complementary mounting features (e.g., protrusions
and recesses/apertures, hinge assemblies, etc.), which are positioned, shaped, sized, and
otherwise configured to allow rotation of the lid 22 and seat 24 relative to each other and to the
toilet 2. For example, the seat 24 may include interior and exterior protrusions, the interior
protrusions being configured to be received by exterior apertures of the housing cover 30 and the
exterior protrusions being configured to be received by interior apertures of the lid 22.
According to other exemplary embodiments, the lid 22 and seat 24 may be configured to
rotatably couple to the housing 26 in other manners including, for example, coupling the lid 22
and seat 24 to the housing base 28 or a single-piece housing 26, or coupling the lid 22 and seat
24 independently of each other to the base 28 or cover 30. According to still other exemplary
embodiments, the bidet assembly 40 may be part of the toilet 2.
[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, the water supply system 80 generally includes
an inlet tube 82, a conduit or flexible tubing 88, and a flow control valve 86, which are
collectively configured to selectively communicate water from one or more water sources to the
sprayer 60.
[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, the inlet tube 82 is a generally elongate,
tubular structure configured to communicate water from one or more water supplies (e.g., hot
and cold water supplies) to the tubing 88. The inlet tube 82 is configured to sealingly couple at
each end 84 to one of the water supplies and at an intermediate or upstream portion to the tubing
88. For example, the inlet tube 82 may include various types of fittings (e.g., threaded, clamp,
etc.), include a ribbed stem, or otherwise be configured to sealingly couple to the water supplies
and tubing 88. According to some exemplary embodiments, the inlet tube 82 may be configured
in other manners including, for example, to mix water (e.g., from hot and cold water supplies), or
as a multi-piece structure.
[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment, the inlet tube 82 is disposed generally within
the housing 26 and is mounted thereto. For example, the housing base 28 may include one or
more brackets 32 for receiving and coupling the inlet tube 82 to the housing base 28. The
housing base 28 and cover 30 may further include cutouts, such that ends of the inlet tubes 82
may protrude outside the housing 26 for coupling to the water supplies.
[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, the tubing 88 is configured to communicate
water to and from the flow control valve 86, which may be positioned within the control arm 42.
A first segment of the tubing 88a extends from the water inlet tube 82 inside the housing 26 to
the flow control valve 86 in the control arm 42. A second segment of the tubing 88b extends
from the flow control valve 86 in the control arm 42 to the sprayer 60 in the housing 26. The
tubing 88 is sealingly coupled to the inlet tube 82, flow control valve 86, and sprayer 60 in any
suitable manner including, for example, with ribbed stems, fittings, or other configurations.
[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, the tubing 88 is flexible or otherwise
configured to be compliant (e.g., with flexible joints or other fittings) in order to move with the
control arm 42 and sprayer 60. Movement of the control arm 42 and sprayer 60 is discussed in
further detail below.
[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment, the flow control valve 86 is configured to
selectively control a flow of water from the water supply system 80 to the sprayer 60 that forms
the spray of water 74. The flow control valve 86 may be a conventional binary or progressive
type of manually controlled valve (as opposed to electronically controlled) or any other type of
valve suitable for being opened, being closed, or otherwise varying the flow of water. As
discussed in further detail below, the flow control valve 86 is disposed within and coupled to the
control arm 42, such that the user may manually manipulate the flow control valve 86 with the
control arm 42.
[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sprayer 60 includes an inlet 62, a wand 64,
and a spray head 66, which are collectively configured to generate the water spray 74 for
cleaning a user. More specifically, the inlet 62 is configured to receive water from the water
supply system 80, the wand 64 receives water from the inlet 62, and the spray head 66 receives
water from the wand 64 and ejects the water spray 74 from one or more nozzles thereof.
[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sprayer 60 is generally contained within
the housing 26. During operation, the wand 64 is configured to position and orient the spray head
66 for spraying water toward the user. In a first aspect, the wand 64 is configured to position the
spray head 66 generally outside the housing 26 and under the user. More particularly, the wand
64 is configured for the spray head 66 to move laterally from inside the housing 26 to a position
outside the housing 26. For example, the sprayer 60 may be configured as a nozzle portion
detachably or permanently coupled to a piston portion, the piston portion configured to slide
within the wand 64. In this manner, the spray head 66 extends from inside the wand 64 (and/or
from inside the housing 26) in order to spray water and, thereafter, retracts to inside the wand
(and/or to inside the housing 26). The sprayer 60 may also have a spring configured such that
the telescopic extension and retraction occurs in response water pressure that is increased or
decreased, respectively, within the wand 64. For example, the spring may be held in
compression to force the spray head 66 into the retracted position when no water pressure is
present within the wand 64 or spray head 66. When water pressure (e.g., greater than
approximately 0.05 MPa or another pressure) is present within the wand 64 or spray head 66, the
spring may be further compressed to allow the spray head 66 to move to the extended position.
[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, in a second aspect, the wand 64 is configured
to orient the spray head 66 such that the water spray 74 is at a particular angle or impacts a
particular location of the user. More specifically, the spray head 66 may be oriented by pivoting
or rotating the wand 64 into various. For example, the wand 64 may include an intermediately
positioned post 70 that is received by a bracket 36 of the housing base 28 to form a pivot axis of
the wand 64. The wand 64 may be pushed at a distal position relative the spray head 66, so as to
pivot or rotate the wand 64 about the post 70 to change the position and angle of the spray head
66. According to one exemplary embodiment, the sprayer 60 is configured to pivot in a range of
up to approximately 30 degrees. According to an exemplary embodiment, the 30 degree range of
motion for the sprayer 60 may allow for an adjustable cleaning range or area on the user of
approximately 55 mm (i.e., the positions of the user which the water spray 74 may impact), thus
allowing the user to change the position of the water spray 74 according to physical
characteristics of the user (e.g., male, female, size, shape, etc.) or the user's preferences.
[0024] According an exemplary embodiment, the control arm 42 generally includes outward,
forward, and inward extending sections 44, 46, 50, which are collectively configured to allow a
user to manually control operation of the sprayer 60. The inward extending section is disposed
generally within the housing 26 and is operatively engaged with the wand 64. The outward and
forward extending sections 44, 46 are interconnected and extend generally outward from the
housing 26 to be within reach of the user for control of the sprayer 60.
[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control arm 42 is configured to rotate
relative to the housing 26 and is operatively engaged with the wand 64 for orienting the spray
head 66. The housing base 28 includes brackets 34, which are operatively coupled to the
inwardly extending section 50 and enable the control arm 42 to rotate about a fixed axis which is
generally parallel to the pivot axis of the bidet wand 64. An arm 56 extends generally away from
the inwardly extending section 50 of the control arm 42 and is configured to operatively engage
the wand 64. More particularly, the arm 56 includes a slot 58 that engages a distally positioned
post 72 of the sprayer 60. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, as the control arm 42 is rotated, the
post 72 is pushed by the arm 56 and slides within the slot 58, such that the wand 64 pivots about
the post 70 to change the orientation of the spray head 66. A spring 54 (e.g., torsion or other
type) may also be coupled to the inwardly extending section 50 and the housing base 28, so as to
provide resistance to the user' s rotation of the control arm 42 and to return the control arm 42 to
a resting position (e.g., a horizontal position). While other ranges of motion are contemplated,
according to one exemplary embodiment, the range of motion of each of the control arm 42 and
the sprayer 60 is approximately 30 degrees. Lesser and greater ranges of motion are
contemplated, and the ranges of motion of the control arm 42 and sprayer 60 are not necessarily
the same as each other.
[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control arm 42 is also configured to allow
a user to control the water flow to the sprayer 60. The control arm 42 includes a cavity 48 in
which the flow control valve 86 is positioned. The forward extending section 46 of the control
arm 42 is physically coupled to the control valve 86, such that movement of forward extending
section 46 relative to the outward extending section 44 causes the flow control valve 86 to open,
close, or otherwise adjust water flow to the sprayer 60. For example, the forward extending
section 46 may be rotatably coupled to the outward extending section 44, such that the forward
extending section 46 may be twisted or rotated by the user to open, close, or otherwise adjust the
flow control valve 86. The forward extending section 46 may, for example, have a range of
motion of approximately 90 degrees, while greater and lesser ranges of motion are also
contemplated.
[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment, the arm 42 may also include markings or other
indicia to indicate the water pressure in the sprayer 60, flow through the sprayer 60, or a position
or state of the valve 86. For example, the outward extending section 44 may include a stationary
indicator of relative or absolute pressure, flow, or position (e.g., with shading, quantity, or size of
a figure such as water drops, alphanumeric characters, lines, gradations, etc.), while the forward
extending section 46 includes a moving indicator (e.g., a line, dot, or other moving reference
point) that is configured to move relative to the indicator when the forward extending section 46
rotates relative to the outward extending section 44. The position of the moving indicator
relative to the stationary indicator will thus indicate to the user the relative or absolute water flow,
water pressure, or valve position. The indicators may, for example, be molded, painted, or
otherwise formed on the outward extending section 44 and forward extending section 46.
[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the user may control the bidet assembly 40
described above with the control arm 42 by rotating the outward extending section 44 relative to
the toilet and by rotating the forward extending section 46 of the control arm 42. More
particularly, the user may twist or turn the forward extending section 46 of the control arm 42 to
open the flow control valve 86. The resulting water pressure in the wand 64 causes the spray
head 66 to extend from the wand 64 such that it is positioned outside the housing 26 and under
the user seated over the bowl 12 of the toilet 2 for the water spray 74 to clean the user. The user
may then adjust the angle or position of the water spray 74 by rotating the outward extending
section 44 of the control arm 42 relative to the toilet 2, for example, by pulling or pushing on the
forward extending section 46. The user may adjust the flow or turn off the water spray 74 by
twisting or turning the forward extending section 46 to further open or close the flow control
valve 86. Furthermore, the position of the sprayer 60 and the water flow may be adjusted
simultaneously, by simultaneously rotating the outward and forward extending sections 44, 46 of
the control arm 42.
[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bidet assembly 40 or the toilet seat
assembly 20 may be provided in a method for retrofitting an existing toilet or providing a
conventional toilet with a bidet assembly 40. For example, the method may include removing an
existing toilet seat or otherwise preparing the toilet base 10 of the toilet 2 for mounting the bidet
assembly 40 or toilet seat 20 to the toilet 2. The bidet assembly 40 or toilet seat assembly 20 is
positioned on the toilet 2, for example, in proper alignment with mounting features of the toilet 2.
The base 28 is then rigidly coupled to the base 10 of the toilet 2. The one or more water sources
are configured for coupling to the inlet tube 82, for example, by sealingly coupling tubing to an
existing water (e.g., for filling a tank of the toilet 2 or for a nearby faucet). Each end 84 of the
water tube 82 is sealingly coupled to the one or more water sources, for example, with a threaded
or other type of fitting.
[0030] According to other exemplary embodiments, the bidet assembly 40 and its components
may be configured in various other manners. For example, the housing 26 may be provided in
different manners, such as providing the base 28 without the cover 30, such that components of
the bidet assembly 40 are exposed or are covered by other components of the toilet seat assembly
20 (e.g., covered by the lid 22 or seat 24) or the toilet 2 (e.g., the bidet assembly 40 is integrated
with the toilet base 10). Similarly, the cover 30 may be provided without the base, such that
components of the bidet assembly 40 are coupled directly to the toilet 2. The housing 26 may
also be provided as a single-piece unit, or may include additional pieces. The bidet assembly 40
may be configured to position the spray head 66 in a different manner, such as sliding the spray
head 66 forward into position, rotating the wand 64 about a vertical axis, or rotating the wand 64
from a generally vertical orientation. The bidet assembly may be configured to orient the wand
64 and spray head 66 in different manners, such as operatively engaging the control arm 42 with
the wand 64 in a different manner (e.g., using gears, belt drives, or linkages, or fixedly coupling
the control arm 42 to the wand 64 without intermediate engaging components).
[0031] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially", and similar
terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by
those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should
be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended
to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of
these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be
interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the
subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as
recited in the appended claims.
[0032] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein to describe various
embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples,
representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to
connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0033] The terms "coupled," "connected," and the like as used herein mean the joining of two
members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent)
or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two
members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed
as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any
additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
[0034] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "top," "bottom," "above," "below,"
etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should
be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary
embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
[0035] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the bidet assembly and
toilet seat assembly in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a
few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who
review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values
of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described
herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts
or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or
number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any
process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.
Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design,
operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing
from the scope of the present invention.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A bidet assembly for a toilet, comprising:
a sprayer configured to spray water;
a water supply system configured to selectively communicate water from one or
more water sources to the sprayer; and
an arm operationally coupled to the water sprayer and to the water supply system;
wherein the arm is configured such that rotation of the arm acts to rotate the
sprayer and the arm further comprises a feature configured to allow control of the amount of
water flow from the water supply to the sprayer.
2. The bidet assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a base configured to couple to
the toilet, wherein the sprayer is rotatably coupled to the base and the arm is rotatably coupled to
the base.
3. The bidet assembly of Claim 2, wherein the sprayer is configured to rotate about a
first axis and the arm is configured to rotate about a second axis that is generally parallel with the
first axis.
4. The bidet assembly of Claim 1, wherein the arm includes a first section
configured to rotatably couple to the toilet and a second section rotatably coupled to and
extending from the first section.
5. The bidet assembly of Claim 4, further comprising a valve mounted in a cavity of
the arm;
wherein the second section of the arm is configured to control the opening and
closing of the valve when rotated.
6. The bidet assembly according to Claim 5, wherein a first segment of tubing
communicates water to the valve, a second segment of tubing communicates water from the
valve to the sprayer, and at least a portion of the first and second segments of tubing are disposed
at least partially within the cavity of the arm.
7. The bidet assembly of Claim 4, wherein rotation of the first section rotates the
sprayer, and rotation of the second section changes the amount of water flow to the sprayer.
8. The bidet assembly of Claim 7, wherein the arm is configured such that rotation
of the first section may occur simultaneously with rotation of the second section.
9. The bidet assembly of Claim 1, wherein the sprayer is configured to rotate about a
first axis and includes a post disposed at a distal position from the first axis, wherein the arm is
configured to rotate about a second axis and includes an arm having a slot disposed at a distal
position from the second axis, and wherein the post is disposed generally within the slot such
that rotation of the arm causes the arm to push the post for rotating the sprayer.
10. The bidet assembly of Claim 9, wherein the arm is configured to rotate up to
approximately 30 degrees.
11. The bidet assembly of Claim 9, wherein the sprayer is configured to rotate up to
approximately 30 degrees.
12. The bidet assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a housing;
wherein the sprayer is disposed generally within the housing in a retracted
position and comprises an inlet, a wand, and a spray head; and
wherein the spray head is configured to extend telescopically from the wand to a
position generally outside the housing in an extended position.
13. The bidet assembly of Claim 12, wherein the spray head extends telescopically
from the wand in response to an increase of water pressure within the wand.
14. The bidet assembly of Claim 13, wherein the sprayer includes a spring configured
to retract the spray head into the wand in response to a decrease of water pressure within the
wand.
15. The bidet assembly of Claim 12, wherein:
the housing includes a base and a cover;
the base is configured to rigidly couple to the toilet, and the sprayer and arm are
rotatably coupled to the base; and
the cover is coupled to the base in a position to generally over the sprayer and an
interior portion of the arm, and is configured to rotatably couple to a lid or a seat.
16. A toilet seat assembly comprising the bidet assembly of any of Claims 1-15, a lid,
and a seat.
17. A toilet comprising the bidet assembly of any of Claims 1-15 or the toilet seat
assembly of Claim 14.
18. A method of providing the bidet assembly of any of Claims 1-15 or the toilet seat
assembly of Claim 16, comprising rigidly coupling the base of the bidet assembly to a base of the
toilet, and sealingly coupling an inlet tube of the bidet assembly to one or more water sources.