CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present invention is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Applications 2004-021933 filed on Jan. 29, 2004; 2004-021934 filed on Jan. 29, 2004 and 2004-021935 filed on Jan. 29, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person. More particularly, this invention relates to a sanitary device attached to a rear portion of a rim surface of a toilet bowl, a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person.
BACKGROUND
A known sanitary device for washing private parts of a person (hereinbelow referred to as a sanitary washing device), which is attached to, and positioned at, an end portion of the rim surface of the toilet bowl, basically includes a toilet seat, on which a user is seated; and a box portion, which is positioned at the rear portion of the toilet seat and houses controlling apparatuses, such as a washing nozzle apparatus for washing the private parts of the user; and a drying apparatus, which dries the user with warm air. Further, a toilet lid is provided on the toilet seat so as to cover it. Both a rear end portion of the toilet seat, and a rear end portion of the toilet lid, are attached to the box portion so as to be rotatable relative to the box portion. In this configuration, spaces, which are relatively large, are formed respectively between the toilet seat and the box portion, and between the toilet lid and the box portion, and dust and dirt tend to easily accumulate within the space. Moreover, because of the structure of the sanitary device, dust and dirt cannot be wiped completely with a duster. In addition, according to the design of such a device, the box portion is separated from the toilet seat, flexibility of design tends to be limited.
In view of the above circumstances, a known sanitary device for washing private parts of a person, which is disclosed in a patent documents JP H05(1993)-4995 U, includes a toilet seat and a box portion, which is formed integrally with a toilet seat. Specifically, a bottom plate of the box portion is supported to the rear end portion of a mounting member, which is directly fixed to a rim surface of the toilet bowl. The undersurface of the bottom plate of the box portion, and the toilet bowl rim surface, are exposed by rotating the box portion in a backward direction by means of lifting up the box portion, the toilet lid, which is rotatably attached to the box portion, and the toilet seat so as to be moved backward. Thus, the undersurface of the bottom plate of the box portion and the toilet bowl rim surface can be easily cleaned without removing the entire sanitary device from the toilet bowl.
Thus, because of the structure, wherein the box portion is formed integrally with the toilet seat, and the bottom plate of the box portion is rotatably attached to the rear end portion of a mounting member directly fixed to a rim surface of the toilet bowl, the undersurface of the bottom plate of the box portion and the toilet bowl rim surface can be cleaned without removing the entire sanitary device from the toilet bowl. However, this kind of sanitary device is inconvenient to use for the reasons described below.
Specifically, because the toilet seat is formed integrally with the box portion, and the bottom board of the box portion is rotatably attached to the rear end of the mounting member, which in turn is directly fixed to the rim surface of the toilet bowl, the toilet seat can be maintained in an open position by rotating the box portion at approximately 90 degrees relative to the rim surface of the toilet bowl so as to position rear surface of the box portion, at a time when the toilet seat is in a closed position, on the rim surface of the toilet bowl. However, when the box portion is rotated at 90 degrees so as to locate on the rim surface at the undersurface thereof, the toilet seat needs to be holed and slowly rotated to prevent the toilet seat from clashing with the rim surface of the toilet bowl.
Further, because a rear portion of the toilet lid, which covers the toilet seat, is rotatably supported to the box portion at a position, which is higher and more forward relative to a position, where the box portion is rotatably supported to the mounting member, which is directly fixed to the rim surface of the toilet bowl, while the box portion is rotated at 90 degrees so as to position the rear end surface thereof on the rim surface, the toilet lid needs to be hold by hands together with the toilet seat so as to prevent the toilet lid from independently rotating in a backward direction and clashing with the low tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention provides a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person, comprising a toilet seat unit which has a seating surface portion at a front portion thereof in a longitudinal direction, and a box portion at a rear portion thereof in a longitudinal direction, the seating surface portion and the box portion being formed integrally together, and a mechanism portion, which has a washing mechanism or the like, and which is housed in the box portion, wherein, while the box portion is rotatably attached at a predetermined height to a bracket, which is in turn fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl rim surface, by means of a damper, which is fixed to the box portion, the toilet seat unit rotates within a range between a closed position, in which the seating surface portion is positioned on the toilet bowl rim surface, and an open position, in which the seating surface portion is positioned so as to be, at a right angle, or at an obtuse angle, relative to the toilet bowl rim surface.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person, comprising a toilet seat unit which has a seating surface portion at a front portion thereof in a longitudinal direction, and a box portion at a rear portion thereof in a longitudinal direction, the seating surface portion and the box portion being provided integrally together, and a mechanism portion having a washing mechanism or the like, which is housed in the box portion, wherein, while the box portion is rotatably attached at a predetermined height to a bracket, which in turn is fixed to a rear portion of a toilet bowl rim surface, the toilet seat unit rotates within a range between a closed position, in which the seating surface portion is positioned on the toilet bowl rim surface, and an open position, in which the seating surface portion is positioned so as to be, at a right angle, or at an obtuse angle, relative to the toilet bowl rim surface; and wherein, a rear end portion of a toilet lid, which covers the seating surface portion, is rotatably attached to the box portion so as to rotate relative to the same axial as the box portion.
A third aspect of the present invention provides the sanitary device for washing private parts of a person according to claim 2 further comprising a stopper which extends from the bracket to support the rear end portion of the toilet lid at an open position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 represents a flat view which illustrates a sanitary device for washing private parts of a person according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 represents a side view which illustrates the sanitary device for washing private parts of a person in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 represents a flat view which illustrates a toilet seat unit, which is a main component of the sanitary device for washing private parts of a person in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 represents a bottom plan view which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 3 positioned on a rear portion of a toilet rim surface;
FIG. 7 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 3, wherein a toilet lid is rotated so as to be in an open position;
FIG. 8 represents a side view which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 3, wherein both the toilet lid and a toilet seat are rotated so as to be in an open position;
FIG. 9 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates the toilet seat unit in FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 represents a cross section of the toilet seat unit in FIG. 6 along I-I line;
FIG. 13 represents a flat view which illustrates a washing mechanism housed in a box portion;
FIG. 14 represents a cross section of the toilet seat unit in FIG. 12 along II-II line;
FIG. 15 represents a flat view which illustrates the toilet seat unit seen along arrow D in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates a rear portion of the toilet seat unit, which is in a state as illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 17 represents an explanation view which explains an engagement between the toilet lid and the toilet seat unit, which are in a state as illustrated in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 represents an oblique perspective figure which illustrates a rear portion of the toilet seat unit, from which the toilet lid is removed;
FIG. 19 represents a cross section which illustrates the toilet seat unit, especially near a nozzle, while the toilet seat unit is in a closed position, and
FIG. 20 represents a cross section which illustrates the toilet seat unit, especially near a nozzle, while the toilet seat unit is in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A preferred embodiment related to the present invention will be explained below with reference to the attached drawings FIGS. 1 through 20. A sanitary device for washing private parts of a person 10 includes a toilet seat unit 20. Specifically, the toilet seat unit 20 includes a seating surface portion 22 at a front portion thereof and a box portion 24 at a rear portion thereof, the two portions of the toilet seat 20 both being molded integrally together. Resin or metal can be employed as a main material of the toilet seat unit 20. The box portion 24 houses a washing mechanism 30 inside thereof, a washing mechanism 30 for washing with warm water private parts of a user, who is sitting on the seating surface portion 22, such as back parts or anus of the male and the female, and in the case of a female, private parts, with warm water.
A bracket 70 is detachably attached to a rear portion of a rim surface 12a of a toilet bowl 12, and the toilet seat unit 20 is rotatably attached to the bracket 70. A range of rotation of the toilet seat unit 20 is set within a closed position, in which the seating surface portion 22 is positioned on the rim surface 12a through rubber legs 22a, and an open position, in which the seating surface portion 22 is positioned so as to be at a right angle, or at an obtuse angle, relative to the rim surface 12a; at the same time a space G is provided between a rear surface of the box portion 24 and rim surface 12a, as shown in FIG. 8. Because the space G, which is formed between the rear surface of the box portion 24 and the rim surface 12a, is set at equal to, or greater than, when the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in an open position, 20 millimeters, the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12 can be easily cleaned.
On the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12, a low tank 50 is positioned immediately behind the box portion 24 of the toilet seat unit 20. Further, a toilet lid 60 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24 of the toilet seat unit 20 so as to cover the seating surface portion 22. A center point of the rotation of the toilet lid 60 is identical to a center point of the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20, and thus, when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated by hand, so as to be rotated from a closed position to an open position, the toilet lid 60 rotates integrally with the toilet seat unit 20. Thus, only when the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, the toilet lid 60 follows the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20 so as also to be in a closed position, and only when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated by hand, and rotated, so as to be in an open position, together with the toilet lid 60, the toilet lid 60 is rotated integrally with the toilet seat unit 20 so as to be in an open position.
The bracket 70 is positioned near a pair of holes 14 and detachably attached to the rear portion of the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12. Specifically, the bracket 70 includes a base plate 72, a pair of supporting units 74 and a pair of stopper members 76. Two supporting units 74, are formed integrally with the base plate 72 so as to project from the base plate 72 in an upward direction. Two stopper members 76, also spaced with a predetermined length in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12, are formed integrally with the base plate 72 at the rear end portion thereof so as to project in an upward direction. One of the supporting units 74 corresponds to one of the stopper members 76 so as to be on a line in a longitudinal direction of the toilet bowl 12. On the supporting units 74, slots 74a are sculpted so as to open in an upward direction, and two arms 78 (a first arm and a second arm) are detachably fitted within the slots 74a. Further, holes 78a are formed on each of the arms 78 so as to be coaxial with each other in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12. Further, a pair of screw rods 79 is formed on the undersurface of the base plate 72. Two screw rods 79 are, fitted into, and supported at, either of the holes 14, which are formed on the rear portion of the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12. Thus, the bracket 70 is positioned near the holes 14 and detachably attached to the rear portion of the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12.
As shown in FIG. 12, on the undersurface of the box portion 24, a pair of slot portions 24a (a first slot portion 24a and a second slot portion 24a) is formed so as to be dug down inwardly, the two slot portions 24a being respectively spaced at a predetermined distance from each other in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12. However, while the seating surface portion 22 and the box portion 24, which is formed integrally with the seating surface portion 22, are mounted to the rear portion of the rear surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12 so as to piled on the bracket 70, each of the arms 78 of the bracket 70 is housed into one or the other of the slot portions 24a.
Under such circumstances, in the box portion 24, a hinge pin 80 penetrates through a left-hand surface, as viewed in FIG. 12, of a first outer bailey 24b of the first slot portion 24a, through the hole 78a of the first arm 78, and then a right-hand surface, as viewed in FIG. 12, of the first outer bailey 24b of the first slot portion 24a. The hinge pin 80 includes a head portion at a left end thereof, as viewed in FIG. 12, so as to be engaged with the left surface of the first outer bailey 24b, and a right end portion of the hinge pin 80 is engaged with the right surface of the first outer bailey 24b so as to be caulked. Thus, the hinge pin 80 is prevented form being pulled out from the first outer bailey 24b of the first slot portion 24a. Further, in the box portion 24, a first shaft portion 82a of a first damper 82 is rotatably fitted into a hole of a left surface, as viewed in in FIG. 12, of a second outer bailey 24b of the second slot portion 24a, and tightly fitted into the hole 78a of the second arm 78. Thus, while the box portion 24 is rotated so as to be in an open position, the box portion 24, rotatably attached to the two arms 78 of the bracket 70, can rapidly rotate without the actuation of the first damper 82. On the other hand, while the box portion 24 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, the box portion 24 can slowly rotates because of the actuation of the first damper 82. As a result, the seating surface portion 22 can be prevented from clashing with the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12. The first damper 82 is fixed with a clamp to a platform 24c, which is formed at the left side of the second outer bailey 24b of the second slot portion 24a. Furthermore, a rotational axis of the hinge pin 80 is identical with a rotational axis of the first shaft portion 82a of the first damper 82.
The toilet lid 60 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24 of the toilet seat unit 20 so as to cover the seating surface portion 22. A first boss portion 60a is formed on the inner surface of the toilet lid 60 at one side (the left side as viewed in FIG. 12) thereof. A second damper 86, at which a second shaft portion 86a is formed, is provided on one side (the left side in FIG. 12) of the box portion 24 so as to protrude from a first wall on one side (the left side in FIG. 12) of the box portion 24 in an outward direction thereof. The second shaft portion 86a is tightly fitted into the first boss portion 60a. Further, a land portion 60b is formed on the inner surface of the toilet lid 60 at the other side (the right side in FIG. 12) thereof. The land portion 60b is rotatably inserted into a second boss portion 24p, which is formed on a second wall of the box portion 24 at the other side (the right side in FIG. 12) thereof. Thus, while the toilet lid 60 is rotated so as to be in an open position, the toilet lid 60, rotatably attached to the box portion 24, can rapidly rotate without the actuation of the second damper 86. On the other hand, while the toilet lid 60 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, the toilet lid 60 can slowly rotates because of the actuation of the second damper 86. As a result, the toilet lid 60 can be prevented from clashing with the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12. Further, a rotational axis of the second shaft portion 86a of the second damper 86 is identical to a rotational axis of the land portion 60b.
As described above, because the rotational axis of the hinge pin 80 is identical to the rotational axis of the first shaft portion 82a of the first damper 82, and the rotational axis of the second shaft portion 86a of the second damper 86 is identical to the rotational axis of the land portion 60b; a center of the rotation of the toilet lid 60 is identical with a center of the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20. In this configuration, when the toilet seat unit 20 is operated by hand so as to be rotated from a closed position to an open position, the toilet lid 60 rotates integrally with the toilet seat unit 20. Thus, when only the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closed position, the toilet lid 60 follows the rotation of the toilet seat unit 20 so as to also be in a closed position, and when only the toilet seat unit 20 is, operated by hand, and rotated, so as to be in an open position, together with the toilet lid 60, the toilet lid 60 is rotated integrally with the toilet seat unit 20 so as to be in an open position.
As shown in FIG. 18, the two stopper members 76 are formed at the two rear corners of the base plate 72 so as to project in an upward direction, and as shown in FIG. 17, a groove 76a, which is a trapezoidal-shape in a cross section and opens toward the low tank 50, is formed on each of the stopper members 76. Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 15, on the inner surface of the rear end portion of the toilet lid 60, two projecting portions 60p, which are spaced in a width direction of the toilet bowl at a predetermined distance from each other, are formed (only one projecting portion 60p is shown in FIG. 15 for convenience). Furthermore, a concave portions 60q are formed at a front of, and next to, (immediately above the projecting portion 60p in FIG. 17) each of the projections portions 60p. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the pair of projecting portion 60p of the toilet lid 60 is fit into the groove 76a of the stopper member 76 so as to be maintained in an open position.
While the toilet seat unit 20 is in a closed position, in other words, while the toilet seat unit 20 is positioned in a state of being used, as shown especially in FIG. 7 and FIG. 17, the stopper member 76 is rotatably engaged within a groove 24g, which is formed on the rear surface (low tank 50 side) of the box portion 24. On the other hand, while the toilet seat unit 20 is in an open position, in other words, while the toilet seat unit 20 is positioned in an state of being unused, as shown in FIG. 8, the stopper member 76 is disengaged from the toilet seat unit 20.
As shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, the box portion 24, which is positioned at the rear portion of the seating surface portion 22 of the toilet seat unit 20 as described above, includes a undersurface 24r, which is formed in a smooth circular-arc shape. According to this configuration, when the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in an open position, the undersurface 24r of the box portion 24 is positioned above an opening 100 of the toilet bowl 12, and thus the washing water, attached to the nozzle 32 or the under surface 24r of the box portion 24 so as to be stilliform, drops into the toilet bowl 12. Thus, the washing water can be prevented in advance from being retained, and from being attached for a long time, between the under surface 24r of the box portion 24 and the rim surface 12a of the toilet bowl 12.
In accordance with FIG. 13, FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, a configuration of the washing mechanism 30 will be explained below. The washing mechanism 30, housed in the box portion 24, includes a first nozzle 31 for washing anus of the user, who is sitting on the seating surface portion 22, and a second nozzle 32 for washing the female private parts of the female user, who is sitting on the seating surface portion 22. The nozzle 31 includes a base tube portion 311, which is fixed to the under surface 24r of the box portion 24, and a nozzle body 312, which is housed in the base tube portion 311 so as to move in a longitudinal direction of the base tube portion 311. In this configuration, water is supplied by means of pressure from the water source to the warm water tank 35 through a water supply port 33 and through an electromagnetic valve 34, which causes warm water, which is heated by means of a heater (not shown) at an predetermined temperature and preserved in the warm water tank 35, to be pushed out and moved to the nozzle portion 31 through a first distributor on a first position (not shown). As a result, the nozzle body 312 is pushed out from the base tube portion 311. The nozzle body 312, which is pushed out from the base tube portion 311 moves through an opening 24z inward of the toilet bowl 12 so as to stop at a predetermined position. Warm water is spouted from a jet orifice (not shown) of the nozzle body 312 toward anus to be washed. After this washing process, as it is stopped that warm water is send with pressure to the base tube portion 311, the nozzle body 312 is restored to its initial position. On the other hand, The nozzle 32 includes a base tube portion 321, which is fixed to the under surface 24r of the box portion 24, and a nozzle body 322, which is housed in the base tube portion 321 so as to move in a longitudinal direction of the base tube portion 321. In this configuration. In this configuration, water is supplied by means of pressure from the water source to the warm water tank 35 through the water supply port 33 and through the electromagnetic valve 34, which causes warm water, which is heated by means of the heater (not shown) at an predetermined temperature and preserved in the warm water tank 35, to be pushed out and moved to the nozzle portion 32 through a second distributor on a second position (not shown). As a result, the nozzle body 322 is pushed out from the base tube portion 311. The nozzle body 322, which is pushed out from the base tube portion 321 moves through the opening 24z inward of the toilet bowl 12 so as to stop at a predetermined position. Warm water is spouted from a jet orifice (not shown) of the nozzle body 322 toward female's private parts to be washed. After this washing process, as it is stopped that warm water is send with pressure to the base tube portion 321, the nozzle body 322 is restored to its initial position, and then warm air blows from a third nozzle 37, passes through the opening portion 24y, and then the anus or the female's private parts, which already have been washed, are blown and dried. Electronic components of the washing mechanism 30 are controlled by a controlling device 36, which comprises a CPU (not shown) as a main component.
However, as shown in FIG. 19, a shutter 90 is provided to the box portion 24 so as to cover the opening 24z, which is formed on the bottom portion of the box portion 24 so as to be exposed to inward of the toilet bowl 12 (the opening 100 of the toilet bowl 12). While the toilet seat unit 20 is in a closed position, as shown in a solid line in FIG. 19, the shutter 90 is positioned so as to uncover the opening portion 24z. On the other hand, while the toilet seat unit 2 is in an open position, as shown in an imaginary line in FIG. 19, and also in a solid line in FIG. 20, the shutter 90 is positioned so as to cover the opening portion 24z. The reason why the shutter 90 is positioned so as to cover the opening portion 24z while the toilet seat unit 20 is in an open position is mainly that the shutter 90 can prevent the inside of the box portion 24 from being wet, which causes components of the washing mechanism 30 to be broken. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, while the toilet seat unit 20 is in an open position, the shutter 90, which is positioned so as to cover the opening portion 24z of the box portion 24, faces to the male user standing in front of the toilet bowl 12. Even when the male user urinates with vigor toward the toilet bowl 12, and the urine reaches near the opening portion 24z of the box portion 24, the shutter 90 can prevent the inside of the box portion 24 from being wet, which causes components of the washing mechanism 30 to be broken. The shutter 90 also can prevent the inside of the box portion 24 from being wet by water used for cleaning the toilet bowl 12.
Based on FIG. 19, the structure of the shutter 90 will be described in detail. Inside the box portion 24, and near the opening portion 24z, a pair of supporting bodies 24s is provided so as to be spaced with a predetermined distance in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12. In FIG. 19, only one supporting body 24s is illustrated. The shutter 90 includes a pair of arms 92, and each of the arms 92 is rotatably attached to each of the supporting bodies 24s by means of a pin 91. The two arms 92 extends toward outside of the box portion 24, through the opening portion 24z, and reaches inside of the toilet bowl 12. Thus, the shutter 90 is rotatably attached to the box portion 24 through the pins 91. On the front end portion of the shutter 90, a groove portion 90a is formed so as to extends in a width direction of the toilet bowl 12 (in a vertical direction in FIG. 19). In the groove portion 90a of the shutter 90, a weighting 93, which comprises material whose weight per unit volume is large, a such as rubber, is filled so as to constantly apply biasing force in a clockwise direction to the shutter 90. Thus, while the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in a closed position or in a used state as shown in FIG. 19, the shutter 90 is positioned so as to uncover the opening portion 24z, and thus the nozzle body 312 and the nozzle body 322 can move inward of the toilet bowl.
When the box portion 24 is rotated so as to be uprising, as shown in FIG. 20, the toilet seat unit 20 is rotated so as to be in an open position (unused state). While this rotating process, because of the actuation of the weighting 93, the shutter 90 rotates relative to the pin 91 so as to approach the box portion 24, and at a point when an end portion 90x of the shutter 90 engages with an inner peripheral upper portion 24a of the opening portion 24z, and then the shutter 90 is positioned so as to completely cover the opening portion 24z. After the toilet seat unit 20 is completely open as shown in FIG. 20 because of the weighting 93, the opening portion 24z remains covered by the shutter 90. The shutter 90 is in a bent-form in cross section so as to be descended toward inside of the toilet bowl 12. Thus, even when the male user urinates toward the shutter 90, the urine immediately drops along the descended shutter 90 into the toilet bowl 12.
The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention, which is intended to be protected, is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the sprit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.
Patent Application
20050166310
