US3925826A

US3925826A - Sanitary apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3925826A
Application number: US363734A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Huyot; Antje S Huyot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-05-26
Filing date: 1973-05-24
Publication date: 1975-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-16
Also published as: DE2325260A1; IT994451B; CH564657A5

Abstract

Sanitary apparatus combining the functions of a water closet and bidet is disclosed. The apparatus of the invention can be incorporated into an entirely new construction or may comprise an additional component for an existing W.C. bowl. The invention utilises a single nozzle, rotatable in a vertical plane to direct water upwards to act as a bidet or generally downwards to act as a flushing device for a conventional water closet. The apparatus may be included in a novel seat construction entirely separate from the bowl and utilise modified seat mounting means to deliver water thereto. A recess is formed either in the bowl or seat to house the nozzle when not in use and protect it from pollution.

Description

United States Patent [191 I -I uyot et al.

3,925,826 Dec. 16, 1975 1 SANITARY APPARATUS v FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnventors: Robert Huyot; Antje S. Huyot, both 209,265 2/1908 Germany 4/7 of 25 rue Laugier, 75017 Paris, France Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-Stuart S. Levy [22] Filed: May 24, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Haseltine, Lake & Waters [21] Appl. No.: 363,734

ABSTRACT Sanitary apparatus combining the functions of a water [30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 26, 1972 France. Apr. 25, 1973 closet and bidet is disclosed. The apparatus of the in France vention can be incorporated into an entirely new construction or may comprise an additional component for an existing bowl.

The invention utilises a single nozzle, rotatable in a vertical planeto direct water upwards to act as a bidet 722 9 2 2 4/8 .3 Wk 7 m7m2 hum .72 9 WIT m" NNU .c ""r mmw L C mm Umfi 11.1. 2 8 555 ill.

or generally downwards to act as a flushing device for a conventional yvater closet. The apparatus may be included in anove'l seat construction entirely separate from the bowl and utilise modified seat mounting References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS a 5 0 0 r 6 u re 2 h .I At" F .eb g 0 n u .I- 60 W h0 a e p m mo wwm m m W 1 ,.0

.vl m w. 060- d O n t-ma S 2m em m m.m HHHHKH 444444 m m Win uy n mmnkmk nVU faeflo CPGDHM 56 499 356666 999999 llllll 228 38 889976 675266 .2 045602 979536 979 44 a a v v a a US. Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet 1 of6 3,925,826

FIG. 1

U.S. Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet2of6 3,925,826

US. Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet 3 of6 3,925,826

US Patent Dec. 16,1975 Sheet6 of6 3,925,826

alre'adykno wn, some of which are designed for this purpose, while others are formed by attaching, to the bowl of a conventional water closet of the English type, means for performin the bidet function.

However, none of these apparatus ensures, when used as a bidet, a possibility of controlling the direction of the flush, which must be appropriate for the nature of the ablutions which the user desires to perform, or complete protection of the flush nozzle against soiling or pollution when it is used as a water closet.

, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention aims to make it possible to combine 'thefunctions of a water closet and bidet in a single'unit'and can, if so desired utilise a singleflushing unitto perform both functions. I

'The' invention provides sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl having a plane of symmetry, a flush nozzle mounted on' the apparatus to be movable within the plane. between an unoperative position and a plurality of operative positions, means for'rotating the nozzle about an axisperpendicular to the plane and means for retracting the" nozzle to its inoperativeposition in an element of the apparatus, means being'pro'vided for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste 'water outlet. By virtue of the movementof thenoz'zle the jet of water issuingtherefrom may be directed in almost any"direction' within the plane subject to the configuration of the nozzle and the limits of rotational movement defined by the apparatus.

The nozzle mayalso be mounted for rotation about an ax'islin the plane of symmetr'y, to enhance the flushing processl 1 In preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a mov'able'seat, supported on thebowl, theseat providing the element of the apparatus for housing the nozzle in its unope'rative position. It can'be entirely contained in the seat'if desired. Especially preferred is' the embodiment wherein the nozzle is pivotally mounted on a part of the seat, whether the seat has a corresponding recess ornot. In this way the mounting assembly for the seat may comprise the water inlet means tothe nozzle;

The water inlet means is usually'provided with one or more non-retum valves for preventing'flow of polluted water to the supply system;

By incorporating' the system of the invention in a seat 2 above an'exi'sting water closet may be converted to perform the double function of a water closet and a bidet, for which it was not originally designed. In'tliis case, the flush nozzle is pivotally mounted on a water "closet which is provided with means for mounting the seat on a water closet bowl and the ducts for the supply to'the flush nozzle can then extend through the holes originally provided in the bowl for the passag e o f bolts for In" the aforesaid embodiments, the flush nozzle is adapted to be manually oriented by the user jby means of an operating lever to which it is connected, but it can also be protected, when the apparatus is used as a water closet,'by a flap which masks the seating recess of the bowl, or of the seat, in which it is contained.

controlling the flow of hot and cold water to the nozzle and the pipe's for the connection of the valves to the nozzle are entirely contained in the seat.

In .this. embodiment,.when theflush nozzle is in the inoperative position, 'its upper face can close off at least partially the segiting recess of the nozzle in the seat, and is flush with the surfaceofthe seat. The closing of the seating recess of the flush nozzle is thus effected by the latter itself. In order to permit access to the flush nozzle for manipulating it, a free space is left between its end and the seat. A I 1 Thus, when the flush jet is in the inoperative position, the appearan'cefof the apparatus is very similar to that of a conventional water closet.

;-' A water closet not designedto function as a bidet can be converted in the manne'r described, for double function by simplyreplacing the seat with one constructed in accordance with the invention and connecting it to the cold and/er hot water supplies. In this case, the supply valves can be fixed by means of holes which were originally presentifor the passage of the bolts for fixing the conventional seat. ,It is advantageous to also provide a compressible packing washer around the outlet of each valve, between a wall of the valve forming one abutment, and a corresponding wall of the seat. The packings not only ensure fluid-tightness of the connection between the valve and the pipe leading tothe flush nozzle, but also permit fitting of standard seats to bowls in which the seat-fixing holes are differently spaced.

In preferred embodiments, the flush. nozzle is enclosed, when in the inoperative position, in a recess in the seat which entirely isolated from the face by which the seat' bears on the bowl. The flush nozzle is thus protected against any pollution when the apparatus is employed as a water closet.

.The flush nozzle is where the apparatus of the inventionis incorporated in the seat normally pivotally connected on the one hand to a fixing member fast with the seat and on .the other hand to that end of the pipe which is contained in the seat and situated coaxially with the fixing member... By appropriate locking of the said fixing member, the. flush jet can be maintained by friction in a fan of operative positions.

The'invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate asnonlimiting examples'a number of embodiments of them vention. l 1 i BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view from above of a first em"- bodime'nt of the sanitary apparatusaccording to the invention, FIG. 2 is'a si'de view, in section along the line IIII, of the apparatus of FIG. l,

FIG. 3 is a side view, in section along the line Ill-III, of the'apparatus of FIG: l,

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view, in axial section, of a second form of the sanitary apparatus according to the invention, FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a variant of the forms of construction of FIGS. 1 to 4,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view from above of a sanitary apparatus according to a third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sanitary apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, is in fact a modified water closet adapted also to perform the function of a bidet.

This apparatus comprises essentially a water closet bowl 23 of the English type, from which the seat-cover assembly has been removed and replaced by a special seat-cover assembly 24-25 carrying an orientable flush nozzle 26.

The seat-cover assembly 24-25 is pivotally mounted on the bowl 23 by a fixing and feeding assembly bearing on the bowl 23 through the existing passages of the latter, through which passages the original seat-cover assembly, previously removed, was fixed. The fixing and feeding assembly comprises two valves 27a-27b, the inlets of which are connected respectively to a cold water supply system and a hot water supply system by pipes 28a-28b (partly shown), the outlets of which are connected by a T-shaped manifold 30, to which the seat 24 and the cover are pivotally connected.

The valves 27a-27b extend through the passages provided in the bowl 23 and are fixed to the latter. The seat 24 and the cover 25 are pivotally connected to the manifold 30 by straps 31-32. The nozzle 26 is connected to the manifold 30 by a pipe 33 through a nonreturn valve 34 and an adjustment strap 35.

The nozzle 26 is pivotally mounted at 36 below the seat 24 and is fast with an operating lever 37, by which the user can control the displacements of the nozzle between an inoperative upper position a (shown in solid lines in FIG. 2) and operative positions b and c (two of which are shown in dash-dotted lines in FIG. 2), to which positions there correspond respectively the positions a, b and c of the lever 37.

In order to avoid inconveniencing of the user when the apparatus is used as a water closet, the seating recess 38 for the seat 24 permitting displacements of the lever 37 is adapted to be closed off by a hinged flap 39 having an end hinge (FIG. 2) or a side hinge.

In addition, the nozzle 26, when in its inoperative position a, is partially contained in a recess 40 provided below the seat 24 and protected in the said recess 40 by a flap 41 supported by the nozzle.

In order to ensure that the lever 26 is maintained in its inoperative upper position as long as the lever 37 is not moved by the user, the free forward edge 43 of the flap 41 and the opposite part support respectively the complementary elements of a permanent-magnet closure unit (partially shown at 42). In addition, fluidtightness of the joint between the flap 41 and the seat 24 is ensured by a rubber or like packing provided on the flap 41.

It is obvious that there has'been retained on the bowl originally designed for use only as a water closet the means for connecting the said bowl on the one hand to a water supply system through a spout of flushing system (represented by the pipes 44 and the lever 45), on the one hand to a waste-water discharge duct (not shown) through which the bowl 23 is emptied, whether the latter has been used as a water closet or as a bidet.

For the use of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3 as a bidet, the user proceeds successively with the following steps aftcr sitting on the seat 24:

freeing the recess 38 by pivotting-the flap 39, pivoting the nozzle 26 to its upper position a (HG. 2) opening the hot water and cold .water supplies and adjusting the rate of flow and the temperature of the water distributed by the nozzle 26 by actuation of the valves 27,

adjustment of the nozzle 26 to the desiredposition by actuating the lever 37 in accordance withthe nature of the ablutions,

afterablutions,-release of the lever.37, bringing the nozzle 26 into the operative lowerposition 0 (FIG.

stopping of the supply of hot and cold waterto the nozzle by closing the valves 27,

return of the nozzle 26 to its inoperative upper position a (FIG. 2) and leaving the nozzle in this position,

closing of the recess 38 by pivotting theflap 39.

The sanitary apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is so designed as to be able to perform the function both of a water closet and of a bidet.

In fact, the sanitary apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 is identical in respect of the flush nozzle, the means for operating it and its protection when in the inoperative position, to that of FIGS. 1 to 3, from which it differs only in that the flush nozzle is pivotally mounted on an appropriate bowl (FIG. 4) instead of on the seat (FIGS. 1 to 3).

The sanitary apparatus according to FIG. 4 comprises a bowl 51, a seat 52 hingedly connected thereto at 53, and an orientable flush nozzle 54 pivotally connected at 55 to an extension 56 of the bowl 51. The extension is such that, in its position of non-use, the flush nozzle 54 is entirely situated above the level of the upper edge of the bowl 51, so that it is out of contact with the water of the bowl, even when it overflows from a bowl whose outlet is obstructed.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3., the flush nozzle 54 of the apparatus of FIG. 4 is connected by a pipe diagrammatically shown at 57 to cold water and hot water supply systems the pipe 57 being provided with a non-return valve 58.

Likewise, the flush nozzle is operated through the seat 52 by means of a lever 59 and is fast with a cover 60, which ensures that it is protected in the seat when in the inoperative position.

The sanitary apparatus according to a third embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises a bowl 102 and a seat 104 hingedly connected to a fixing and supply assembly comprising two

valves

106 and 108 connected respectively to hot water and cold water supply systems. Connecting

pipes

110, 112, 114 entirely contained in the seat 104 connect the

valves

106 and 108 to the nozzle 116, which is entirely contained in the seat 104 when in the inoperative position as illustrated in FIG. 6.

There is shown in section in FIG. 7 the mounting of a valve 106 on the bowl 102 and the pivotal connection of the seat 104 to the outlet 118 of the valve, which outlet is connected to the pipe 110. A compressible seal 120 ensures fluid-tightness around the outlet '118 of the valve 106, between the wall 122 of the valve and the wall 124 of the seat 104. The water supply takes place at 126.

The flush nozzle 116 is pivotally connected on the one .hand to a fixing member fast with the seat, forexample a pointed screw 128 (FIG- and onthe other hand ,to the end of the pipe 114, which end. iscoaxial with the pointed screw 128. A compressible packing 130 ensures fluid-tightnessof the connection. of the pipe 114 to the duct 132 of the nozzle 116 and thefrictional rotation of the nozzle 116 on theseat, while a deformable element 134 fast with the seatprotects the lower part of the nozzle. v

Q p pipes

110, 112, 114 may be assembled with the seat from the outset, and likewise the duct 132 with the nozzle116. P

In FIG. 9, the nozzle 116 shown in solid'lin'es in the inoperative position. In this position, the upper face 136 of the nozzle 116 is level with'the surface 138 of the seat 104, and its lower portion restson the base 140 of the recess in the seat 104, serving as'a bedding therefor. Access to the nozzle is facilitated'by' afree space 142 provided for the passage of a fingei' ti'pbetween the end of the nozzle and the wall of the recess in the seat. In addition, the end of the nozzle could be formed with a slot 144 to facilitate its manipulation, 'as also means for fixing a cannula 145 for internal ablutions.

There may also be provided means which permit feeding of the nozzle only when it occupies an operative position. A simple construction of such means consists of a cock whose body is formed by the end of the pipe 114 and whose casing is formed by the end of the duct 132. Likewise, the connection of the pipes for the admission of hot water and cold water to the bathroom system may be very simply effected by means of needle valves.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, and modifications may be made therein, in accordance with the envisaged applications, without departing from the scope of the invention. More particularly, the sanitary apparatus according to the invention may comprise means which permit feeding of the nozzle only when the user is already sitting on the seat. These means may comprise notably a valve controlling the general supply of the nozzle (hot water and cold water), means for so mounting the seat that it can be tipped in relation to the bowl, and means for the selective control of the valve in accordance with the position of the seat in relation to the bowl, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 5, in which a stop valve 46, in which the sliding valve member 48 is resiliently returned, is fixed to the bowl 49. The said stop valve 47 controls the general supply to the nozzle (not shown).

The tilting seat hinged to the bowl 49 is maintained slightly raised in the inoperative position (unbroken lines) by the sliding valve member 48 of the valve 47. Under the weight of a user, the seat 50 moves into the position of use (dash-dotted lines) and thus opens the valve 47.

We claim:

1. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, means for pivoting said nozzle within a vertical plane between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions, means mounted on the-bowl, the mounting assembly therefor including the means for feeding the :flush nozzle, said mounting assembly including pipes connecting the noz zle to the inlet meansand conduitsifor supplying water to'thenozzle being entirely contained in theseat, a recess formed inthe seat which is entirely isolated from thesurfacewhich supportsthe seat on the-bowl, and said nozzlein the inoperativeposition thereof being positioned within said recess so as: to be fully enclosed thereby. I

v2.;z tpparatus as.claimed in claim 1, said mountinglas sembly comprisingwater supply conduits, twofinlet valves mounted on saidconduits, said conduits extending inwardlyfiom said two inlet valves, said valves each having a passage therein communicating with the outlets from the, conduits for delivering water tothe i102- zle, and a resilient packing washer being located on the conduits between the seatand eachv said respective valve; 3..Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said nozzle being pivotally supportedbetween-a fixed member formed in the seat and the outlet end of the; conduit contained in the seat for supplying water to the nozzleand extending coaxially with the. membjerm v 4. Apparatus-gas claimed in claim i'th e upper faceiof the flush nozzlein its inoperative position at least partially closing the recess in the seat in which it rests and being level with the surface of the seat. I

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including a space between the end of the flush nozzle and the seat in the inoperative position of said nozzle affording access to the nozzle. 7

6. Sanitary apparatus comprising a-bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, means for pivoting said nozzle within a vertical plane between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions, means for rotating the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to said vertical plane and means for retracting the nozzle to its inoperative position, means for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste water outlet; a movable seat supported by the bowl, said flush nozzle being located below the seat, an operating lever for said nozzle extending through the seat to be manually accessible from above the seat; said seat including a recess in its upper surface, which recess entirely contains the operating lever when the flush nozzle is in its inoperative position, and a manually operable cover for closing said recess when the lever is in the inoperative position of said nozzle.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including means for connecting the flush nozzle to both a cold and a hot water supply, and means for selectively controlling said supply of hot and cold water.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, including at least one non-return valve situated between the flush nozzle and the valves controlling the supply of hot and cold water.

9. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl having a rim, a lowerable seat movably supported on said bowl, a mounting assembly pivotably supporting said seat on said apparatus, said bowl rim having an extension, through passages formed in said extension, two inlet conduits vertically projecting through said passages, screw mounting means for said seat in said passages, said conduits being connected at their lower ends to sources of hot and cold water respectively, valves at the upper ends thereof for controlling flow of water therethrough, a transversely extending, horizontal pipe rotatably mounting said seat and connecting the inlet water conduits in said passages to a conduit within said pipe, a flush nozzle, said conduit, within said pipe leading to said flush nozzle, further conduits extending inwardly and coaxially from the valves into said pivotal mounting of said water closet seat, sealing washers being provided between the valves and the mounting, passages within the seat extending from said conduit within said pipe to said nozzle, said nozzle being pivotally mounted in the seat to direct water flowing therefrom in any of a plurality of directions, and a recess being provided in the seat for receiving and protecting the nozzle so as to be fully housed in said recess in the inoperative condition of the noule.

l0. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl including a lowerable seat supported by said bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, manually operable lever means for moving said nozzle between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions along a vertical plane, means for manipulating said lever means from above said seat and for retracting said lever means below the upper surface of said seat and being manipulable from above said seat, means for rotating the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to said vertical plane; said nozzle being retractable to its inoperative position 8 below the upper surface of said seat on said bowl and being housed wholly within said seat in the inoperative position of the nozzle and means being provided for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste water outlet.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said flush nozzle being supported by said lowerable seat so as to be pivotable relative thereto.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, comprising means for selectively permitting or preventing supply of water to the nozzle in response to the presence of the weight of a user on the seat of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, said means including a control valve for the supply to the flush nozzle, the valve including an operating member extending resiliently therefrom to maintain a seat a predetermined distance from the bowl, the valve being operable in response to pressure applied to the seat by a user to move .the member thereby reducing the predetermined distance.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, comprising means for fitting a cannula to the outlet end of the flush nozzle.

Claims

1. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, means for pivoting said nozzle within a vertical plane between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions, means for rotating the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to said vertical plane and means for retracting the nozzle to its inoperative position, means for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste water outlet, a movable seat supported by the bowl, the flush nozzle being supported by the seat and pivotally connected thereto, said seat being movably mounted on the bowl, the mounting assembly therefor including the means for feeding the flush nozzle, said mounting assembly including pipes connecting the nozzle to the inlet means and conduits for supplying water to the nozzle being entirely contained in the seat, a recess formed in the seat which is entirely isolated from the surface which supports the seat on the bowl, and said nozzle in the inoperative position thereof being positioned within said recess so as to be fully enclosed thereby.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said mounting assembly comprising water supply conduits, two inlet valves mounted on said conduits, said conduits extending inwardly from said two inlet valves, said valves each having a passage therein communicating with the outlets from the conduits for delivering water to the nozzle, and a resilient packing washer being located on the conduits between the seat and each said respective valve.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said nozzle being pivotally supported between a fixed member formed in the seat and the outlet end of the conduit contained in the seat for supplying water to the nozzle and extending coaxially with the member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, the upper face of the flush nozzle in its inoperative position at least partially closing the recess in the seat in which it rests and being level with the surface of the seat.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, including a space between the end of the flush nozzle and the seat in the inoperative position of said nozzle affording access to the nozzle.

6. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, means for pivoting said nozzle within a vertical plane between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions, means for rotating the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to said vertical plane and means for retracting the nozzle to its inoperative position, means for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste water outlet; a movable seat supported by the bowl, said flush nozzle being located below the seat, an operating lever for said nozzle extending through the seat to be manually accessible from above the seat; said seat including a recess in its upper surface, which recess entirely contains the operating lever when the flush nozzle is in its inoperative position, and a manually operable cover for closing said recess when the lever is in the inoperative position of said nozzle.

9. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl having a rim, a lowerable seat movably supported on said bowl, a mounting assembly pivotably supporting said seat on said apparatus, said bowl rim having an extension, through passages formed in said extension, two inlet conduits vertically projecting through said passages, screw mounting means for said seat in said passages, said conduits being connected at their lower ends to sources of hot and cold water respectively, valves at the upper ends thereof for controlling flow of water therethrough, a transversely extending, horizontal pipe rotatably mounting said seat and connecting the inlet water conduits in said passages to a conduit within said pipe, a flush nozzle, said conduit, within said pipe leading to said flush nozzle, further conduits extending inwardly and coaxially from the valves into said pivotal mounting of said water closet seat, sealing washers being provided between the valves and the mounting, passages within the seat extending from said conduit within said pipe to said nozzle, said nozzle being pivotally mounted in the seat to direct water flowing therefrom in any of a plurality of directions, and a recess being provided in the seat for receiving and protecting the nozzle so as to be fully housed in said recess in the inoperative condition of the nozzle.

10. Sanitary apparatus comprising a bowl including a lowerable seat supported by said bowl, a flush nozzle mounted on the apparatus, manually operable lever means for moving said nozzle between an inoperative position and a plurality of operative positions along a vertical plane, means for manipulating said lever means from above said seat and for retracting said lever means below the upper surface of said seat and being manipulable from above said seat, means for rotating the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to said vertical plane; said nozzle being retractable to its inoperative position below the upper surface of said seat on said bowl and being housed wholly within said seat in the inoperative position of the nozzle and means being provided for connecting the nozzle with a water supply and connecting the bowl to a waste water outlet.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, said means including a control valve for the supply to the flush nozzle, the valve including an operating member extending resiliently therefrom to maintain a seat a predetermined distance from the bowl, the valVe being operable in response to pressure applied to the seat by a user to move the member thereby reducing the predetermined distance.