US1676116A - Lavatory fixture - Google Patents

Description

July 3, 1928. 1,676,116

E. G. SMITH LAVATORY FIXTURE Filed Jan. 24, 192 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I J W Ill. "mm mr mum."

lllll IIYVENTOR. 27 {Mac 5. M

J'M W A TTORNEYS July 3, 1928.

E. G. SMITH LAVATORY FIXTURE Filed Jan. 24, 1928 g s t -s t 2 INVENTOR.

E'M -A A TTORNE Y5 Patented July 3, 1928.

ERRETT G. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

LAVATORY FIXTURE.

Application filed January 24, 1928. Serial 1T0. 249,043.

This invention relates to lavatory fixtures, and more specifically to a structure in the nature ofa bidet, so designed as to facilitate the application of vaginal douches, or 1n cleansing operations or treatments of the rectum or other private parts of the human body, or which may also be utilized as a foot bath, when desired.

One of the objects of the inventlon is the 1 provision of an improved device of thls character equipped w th waterunlets and waste outlets having controls within reach of the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of .such a device constructed to provide foot rests for the user, so positioned that when the feet are on said rests, the portion of the body to be cleansed or treated is in the position best adapted for easy access.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of another set of foot rests so positioned that the user may stand on said rests while cleansing, treating or drying certain portions of the body.

Other objects of the invention Wlll be made apparent in the accompanying specifications, when read in connection with the drawings forming a part thereof.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the structure.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudlnal sectlon taken centrally through the structure.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken through a acking box and strainer forming a part of t e waste outlets.

Fig. 5 is an *enlarged perspective v ew of the means for opening and closing the waste outlets.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the structure, and, 1

Fig. 7 is a perspective view thereof.

Now referring specifically to the drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, 1 indicates the supporting structure or stand, made of porcelain covered metal or of earthenware or-fire-clay, and provided with a receptacle or basin 2, and broad flat side rails 3, 3, a rear edge 4, and a front'rim 5 around the top of said basin, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 3, a folding top 6, shaped to the curvature of the buttocks of the user, is pivotally securedto the rear edge 4 of the stand 1.

The stand is also equipped with footrests 7, 7, located below and at each side of the rim 5. In administering vaginal douches, or in washing or treating diseases of the rectum or the generative organs, the user straddles the stand and rests the thighs u on the rails 3, 3, and the feet upon the oot rests 7 7, or upon elongated foot rests 8, 8, arranged to extend longitudinally of the stand, below the rails 3, 3. Either set of foot rests may be used, de endent uponthe portion of thebody to be cl eansed or treated, and the manner in which the treatment is to be applied, it being understood that the basin 2 contains an adequate supply of water mixed with medicants, if desired. After the cleansing operation or treatment is com pleted, the user places the feet upon the rests 8, 8, and stands astride the basin 2, while drying or bandaging the parts which have been cleansed or treated. As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, the seat rails 3 are concaved to the curvature of the thighs of the user, and, as specifically shown in Fig.

6, said side rails gradually approach eachother to forma narrow space above the basin 2, at a point sl1ghtly in front of the center of said basin, the foot rests 8 being directly 85 opposite this narrowed portion of the stand 1. Such convergence of the side rails renders the device more comfortable to the user, when standing on the foot rests 8, 8, as will be understood.

It is to be noted that the structure also includes a foot tub 9, located in front of and below the rim 5. In taking foot baths the user lowers the top 6 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and utilizes said top as a seat while the feet are in the tub 9, as will be readily understood. After the feet have been cleansed, they may be placed upon the rests 7, 7, for convenience in drying. The tub 9 is'also equally useful as an infants bath, as will be manifest.

- The stand heretofore described may be secured in osition in the bath room, or elsewhere if esired, by means of connecting elements (not shown) entered into the apertures 10, 10, and fastened to the floor. It is also connected to hot and cold water supply, and with the waste water discharge. As illustrated in Fig. 3, a hot water pipe 11, and a cold water pipe 12, extend upwardly under the stand 1, and each pipe communicates with valve controlled inlets 13, 14, entering the basin 2, and the tub 9, respectively. The

valve levers 15, 16 and 17, respectively, controlling the suppl of hot and'cold water to the basin 2, and t e outlet therefrom, are of the ordinary bell-crank lever variety, as are also the valves 18, 18 and 18, controllingwaste-outlet 19, best shown in Fig.3, under control of the valve 20, h'ousedin a valve casing 21, located below the outlet 19. A rubber stuiiing box 22 fits around the flanges of the outlet 19, and is bolted at .23, to the lower wall of the reservoir 2, the lower periphery of the box 22 being formed of soft rubber or leather 24, or other packlng material adapted to co-operate in effecting a tight joint with the valve closure in contact therewith, a foraminated screen or strainer 25 extending across the bottom of the stuffing box 22. Y v

Extending longitudinally within-the casing 21, is the valve 20, preferably comprising a single sheet'of sprin metal, made up of'two integral leaves 26, 2 {The leaf 26 is provided at its front edge with two integral, rearwardly and downwardly-extending, curved guide fingers 28, 28, and the leaf 27 is similarly provided with similarlyshaped but upwardly extending fingers 29, 29, the structure being best illustrated in Flg. 5.

' Mounted for slidin movement in an apertur-e formed in the front end of the valve in cross-section. The bar 30 extends into the valve casing 21, and is entered between the free ends 31, 32 of the leaves 26, 27 respectively. Adjacent the inner end the bar 30 carries two circular ins '33, 34, which extend therethrough an project on both sides to a point ad'acent the wall of the valve casing 21, an the assembly is such that, on each side of the bar 30, a finger 28 and a finger 29, is entered between the pins 33 and 34, said fin ers lying. in substantial contact each to eagi, all as best shown in Fig. 5, in which the valve 20 is illustrated in its closed position.

The valve 20 is actuated by the bell-crank lever control 17, the inner end of said lever 17- being operatively connected to a rod 35, terminating in a connecting loop 36, operatively secured tothe end 37 of the bar 30,

outside of the valve casing 21. Obviously, when the exposed end of the lever 17, (as shown in Fig. 3) is depressed, a pull will be exerted tending to partially withdraw the bar 30 from the casing 21. In this movement, with the parts assembled as illustrated in Fig. 5, the pin 33, on each side of the bar 30, will slidably bear against the contacting curved edges of the fingers 28 and 29, and cause the leaves 26 and 27 to be drawn together, thereby moving the .leaf- 26 away from the material 24 on the periphery of the pressure upon the lever 17 or by a spring connected to said lever to work upon the toggle principle. In any event movement of the lever 17 in a direction the reverse of that heretofore described, will obviously cause the bar 30 to be again projected to its original position within the casing 21, the pin 34 pressing on the contacting curved; edges of the fingers 28, 28, 29, 29, and, assisted by the inherent resiliency of the leaves 26, and 27 returning the latter to normal position, an simultaneously restoring the valve 20 to the closed position shown in Fi 3.

'The basin 2- is also equipped with an overflow vent from which extends a pipe 40, leading to the valve casing 21. An outlet drain pipe 41 leads to the sewer.

The tube 9 is also equipped with a waste outlet 42, and with valve mechanism in all respects similar to that described in connection'with the basin 2, the valve casing being indicated at 43. The valve lever 18 is operatively connected to a rod 44, pivotally connected at 45 to a bracketsecured to the overflow pipe 46, the lower end of said rod terminating in a loop 47 secured toa bar 48 entering the casing 43, in the manner described in connection with the operation of the valve 20, the casing 43 containing a similar valve. A waste pipe 43 is also provided for the casing 43.

The top 6 carries at its rear end two pivot pins 49,,adapted to be received in supporting studs 50, provided with vertically elongated arcuate .trunnions 51. At the front the top 6 carries the usual sto button 52 for contact with the rim 5, an it also carries a similar button 53 on the lower face of the rear end, for abutment against the edge 4 of the stand 1. As the buttons 52 and 53 become worn in service the pivot pins 49 become automatically adjusted to position within the trunnions 51. 0

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a combined lavatory fixture and bidet so designed as to greatly facilitate the application of vaginal douches, or the operations of cleansing or treatment of the rectum or generative organs of the body, and also carrying a tub adapted for use in taking foot baths, or in bathing infants and small children. The stand 1 is so constructed that the user sits up on the rails 3, 3, the feet being placed on the rests 7, 7,

if desired thereby permitting easy access to the parts to be treated, in the application of vaginal douches. Or the feet may be placed upon the rests 8, 8, while the user is seated on the rails 3, 3, causing the knees of the user to be spread further apart, and thereby further facilitating the application of the douche, as will be understood without additional and objectionable explanation.

In cleaning or treating the rectum, the user sits upon the .rails 3, 3, with the feet upon the rests 8, 8, or upon the rests 7, 7, according to the nature of the treatment intended. In the treatment of the male generative organ, the user may sit upon the rails, or may stand on the rests 8, 8, astride the front portion of the basin, the legs fitting into the restrictions caused by the convergence of the front portions of the rails.

It is to be particularly noted that valve levers 15, 16 and 17, controlling the hot and cold water to the basin 2, and the waste outlet, are located directly below the rim 5, in easy reach of the person using the basin 2. The similar levers 18, 18 and 18'', for controlling the flow of water to and from the tub 9, are arranged in a row directly below the controls for the basin, the levers 18, 18 and 18" being within easy reach of a user seated upon the folding top 6.

Modifications of the structure herein disclosed may be suggested to those skilled in the art, but my invention covers all embodiments falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims. As best illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the tops of the rails 3, and the sides of the restricted portions 2 of the basin, may be covered with a heat- insulation medium 3 and 2, such as cork, or

rubber, rendering it more comfortable for the user when seated on said rails 3, or when standing on the foot rests 8, with the legs in contact with the sides of the basin thereabove, other portions of the structure may be similarly covered, if desired.

I claim:

1. A lavatory fixture comprising a basin provided with a surrounding seat coneaved to the contour of the thighs of a user when seated thereon, and foot rests located in front of and below the plane of said seat.

2. A lavatory fixture comprising a basin provided with a surrounding seat concaved to the contour of the thighs of a user when seated thereon, foot rests located in front of and below the plane of said seat, and a second set of foot rests located below the plane of and on each side of said seat.

3. A lavatory fixture comprising a basin including defining walls having upper edges providing a seat portion shaped to conform to the contour of the thighs of the user when seated thereon, said walls gradually converging in front of said seat portion, and a foot rest located on each side of said basin, and opposite the point of closest approach of said converged walls, substantially as described. V

4:. A lavatory fixture comprising a stand provided with a basin and a tub located in front of and below the plane of the basin, a foldable cover for the basin adapted for use as a seat for the user of the tub, in combination with foot rests located laterally of the basin, and additional foot rests located above the tub and below the to of the basin.

In testimony whereof aflix my signature.

ERRETT G. SMITH.

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