Device For Discharging Liquid For Injection Or Washing Purposes

Abstract

A device for bathroom equipment and the like, comprising a casing, a liquid inlet member, and a nozzle assembly which may be at will located inside or outside the casing, in which the liquid inlet member communicates with an outlet provided in the casing when the nozzle assembly is inside the casing, or with any nozzle of the assembly when the latter is outside the casing. The device further comprises a valve for controlling the liquid flow, the open or closed condition of which depends on the inside or outside condition of the nozzle assembly. A sprinkler may be connected to the casing at its liquid outlet, and the nozzle assembly may comprise a hollow portion with the nozzle at an end thereof and a slidable sleeve srurrounding this hollow portion.

Description

The present invention relates to bathroom equipment, and in particular to a device for discharging liquid with a removable nozzle element for injection or washing purposes, the nozzle or spray unit being hidden from view. The liquid supplying device may be a hand shower unit equipped with a "rose" to act as a spraying shower, or a stationary tube incorporated with a bidet.

The nozzle element of the shower unit is screwed or inset in a connection or union secured in direct or indirect manner to the liquid supplying device.

The invention thus consists in the insertion, in a hermetic joint, of this union or connector into the passage wrought in the liquid supplying device in such manner that the nozzle of the shower unit is inserted into this passage or duct and is hidden from view. To make use of the shower unit, it is sufficient to detach the said device from the said union. On the contrary, to fill the bidet, or to take a shower bath, the assembly is kept complete and the nozzle is enclosed within the liquid supplying device, but the rate of flow of the water should be adjustable according to the method of use intended, such as the filling of a vessel, sprinkingly or douching. This is why, according to the invention, a device has been devised which renders it possible to convey an adequate and adjustable rate of flow of water to the water supplying device in the two modes of application contemplated.

A clearer grasp of the invention will be gained by reference to the following description as well as to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration in axial section of one embodiment according to the invention of a shower handle for spraying purposes, with a nozzle element incorporated therein;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrations showing elevational views of the nozzle element of FIG. 1, separated from the handle, in the positions corresponding to spraying and douching;

FIG. 4 is an illustration in axial section of another embodiment according to the invention of a handle unit with a nozzle element incorporated therein;

FIG. 5 is an illustration in axial section of the nozzle element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment according to the invention of a bidet filling device with a douching nozzle incorporated;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view in section taken along the plane I--I of the device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a section taken along the vertical plane II--II of FIG. 7.

Identical elements bear the same reference numerals in all these figures.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a handle 1 of the shower device has a sprinkling rose 2, disposed therein. An opening 3 of this handle 1 fits on to a frustoconical bearing surface of the liquid outlet 4. A nut 5 screwed on to a screw-thread of the opening 3 maintains the handle 1 in connection with the outlet, whilst compressing a toroidal seal 6. The nozzle element 7 is screwed onto the outlet 4, in such manner that it covers or partially covers the holes 8 of the outlet 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 a calibrated orifice R which renders it possible to limit the water outflow at the outlet 4 of the nozzle element 7, is incorporated moreover. The nozzle element 7 is equipped in conventional manner at an outflow extremity with two cruciformly cut slots 9 and 9'. Care is taken to ensure that the outer diameter of the nozzle element 7 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hand shower unit, in such manner as to leave open an annular space 10 through which the water issuing from the holes 8 will reach the sprinkling rose 2 at an adequate rate of flow.

FIG. 4 illustrates the nozzle element 7 installed within the handle 1. In this embodiment, the nozzle element 7 comprises a sufficiently large terminal orifice 25 to allow flowing of a substantial volume of water.

An outer casing of the nozzle element 7 consists of an elbow portion 4 and a cylinder 13 which are coupled to each other by means of a screw-thread 14 and with a toroidal seal 15. The nozzle element 7 slides in the cylinder 13. The elbow portion 4 is connected to a water supply pipe (not illustrated).

A carrier 18 of a valve 19 having a calibrated hole 22 is screwed to a base of the nozzle element 17. Opening and closing the valve 19 permit adjustment of the rate of flow of water into the nozzle element 17.

To act as a sprinkling shower, the nozzle element 7 is held within the handle 1 by means of a toroidal seal 6 in a corresponding groove 12.

The nozzle element 7 impinges against a countersunk face 14 of the passage wrought in the handle, which has the consequence of keeping the valve 19 opened. The liquid thus flows in bulk between the valve 19 and its seat 21, through orifices 23 and the calibrated hole 22, and then through the amply dimensioned orifices 25 of the nozzle element and finally feeds the sprinkling rose 2, thus producing the required sprinkling spray.

FIG. 5 illustrates the nozzle element 7 withdrawn from the handle 1, enabling the nozzle element to be employed as a douche element. Since the nozzle element 7 no longer impinges against the countersunk face 24 of the handle 1, water pressure acts on the external surface of the valve 19 which bears on the seat 21 of the cylinder 13, so that the valve 19 is closed. The liquid therefore passes through the calibrated hole 22, at a reduced rate of flow only.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the fitting for the filling of a bidet, with a douching nozzle incorporated and removable according to the invention. This fitting comprises a case 30 comprising a spout 30a and a hollow transversal pipe 34 which are fastened on the ledge 31 of the bidet bowl 32 by means of a base 29. The nozzle element 7 is coupled by means of a connector 41a and of a nut 36a to a flexible metal pipe 35, which is itself fastened to the other extremity of the pipe 34 by means of a nut 36b and of a connector 41b. When the nozzle element 7 is placed within the pipe 34 as illustrated in this figure, and when the water supply tap (not illustrated) is opened, the water flows freely into the bidet bowl through the aperture 33 of the spout 30a. When the nozzle element 7 is withdrawn from the pipe 34, and the water supply tap is opened again, the outflow of water through the aperture 33 is blocked whilst the water is discharged at a reduced rate of flow through the orifices 25 of the nozzle element.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 the case 30 is equipped at its base with a standard connector or union 4 connected to a pipe carrying water under pressure coming from the pipe 40 and controlled by means of a tap which is not illustrated. In the case 30 is a transverse pipe 34 which has the dual purpose of conveying the supply of water and of acting as a carrier for the douche unit consisting of the nozzle element 7 and the bent portion of the connector 41a. The water intended to fill the bidet bowl emerges from the aperture 33. The nozzle element 7 is normally screwed on to a bent portion 41a which is inserted within the hollow case 30 in a taper fit, a seal 43 assuring the seal between the douche unit and its carrier (FIG. 8). A valve head 45 equipped with a rod 46 may be applied on an internal seat 50. This valve is acted upon, on the one hand by the pressure of the water coming from the pipe 40 and by a light spring 49, and on the other hand by the nozzle element 7 which, upon insertion within the case 30, thrusts the rod 46 downwards whilst keeping the valve 45 open. A passage 48 is formed within the case 30 and is in permanent communication with a chamber 51 (FIG. 8) which is formed in the pipe 34. Chamber 51 communicates with the connector 41b, the flexible pipe 35, the connector 41a and the nozzle element 7.

The appliance operates in the following manner. When the bidet is to be filled, the connector 41a bearing the nozzle element 7 is inserted into the transverse pipe 34. The rod 46 of the valve 45 impinges with its extremity 47 against the nozzle element 7 of the douche or hosing jet unit, so that valve 45 is open. The water coming from the pipe 40 when the water supply tap is opened, flows easily through the opening between the valve 45 and its seat 50, towards the outlet 33 of the spout 30a.

It is apt to point out in this case that the water equally flows through the passage 48, the chamber 51, the flexible pipe 35 and the douche pipe passage, but under low pressure in view of the open valve. The liquid which flows out of the nozzle element 7 finally returns to the spout chamber at the periphery of the pipe 34 and to an opening 52 which is formed in the lower part of the pipe and is combined with the overall rate of flow of the water discharged at the aperture 33.

When it is intended to use the douche unit, the assembly of the nozzle element 7 and connector 41a is withdrawn from the pipe 34. If the supply tap is closed, the valve 45 which is released at its tip 47, is thrust on to its seat by the action of the spring 49. Upon opening the supply tap, the valve head 45 is applied with greater force on its seat and the water is fed to the internal passage of the douche unit through the passage 48, the chamber 51 and the flexible pipe 35. The rate of flow required from the douche unit is determined by the calibrated hole 22, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the nozzle element 7 is withdrawn from the pipe 34, and the supply tap is opened, the valve 45 bears on its seat so that the bidet cannot be filled whilst the nozzle element 7 is supplied with water. Any water left in the pipe 34 flows out through the opening 52. An actuating rod for draining of the bidet may be incorporated in the composite unit.

The flexible pipe 35 may traverse the ledge of the bidet in such manner as to pass behind the same, and thus without causing the least obstruction during the filling of the bidet.

Claims

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for discharging a liquid comprising:

a liquid conduit member;

a hollow union connected to said liquid inlet conduit member;

a nozzle assembly secured to said union;

said nozzle assembly having an exterior sleeve and a hollow cylindrical douching element slidable within said sleeve and provided with an opening at a first end thereof;

said douching element having at its second end a valve provided with a narrow central passage cooperating with a seat provided in said sleeve;

a liquid distributing hollow body within which said union and said nozzle assembly may be removably inserted;

a stop provided in said body arranged so that the first end of said nozzle assembly abuts against said stop and opens said valve when said nozzle assembly is secured within said body whereby said valve is thrust against its seat by the pressure of liquid when the nozzle assembly is withdrawn from said body, and

the flow of liquid into the nozzle assembly then occurring only through said central passage.

2. Apparatus for the filling of a vessel and for douching comprising:

a liquid inlet conduit member;

a body connected to said inlet member and provided with a spout for the filling of said vessel;

a spring valve put between said member and said spout and controlling the flow of liquid in said spout;

a fixed hollow conduit in said body open at a first end and comprising a peripheral chamber formed in its side wall at its second end;

a hollow cylindrical douching element having an opening at one end thereof and connected at its other end to said chamber by means of a flexible tube;

said element being removably secured within said conduit;

a narrow lateral passage in said body connected to said liquid inlet member and to said chamber, and

a rod secured to said valve and projecting into said conduit, so that the insertion of the douching element into said conduit opens said valve by means of said rod and supplies liquid to said spout, whereby the withdrawal of said douching element from said conduit closes said valve and feeds liquid at a slow rate into said douching element through said lateral passage and said peripheral chamber.