EP1002909A1

EP1002909A1 - Wash-basin unit structure

Info

Publication number: EP1002909A1
Application number: EP98500252A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jose Maria Ferrer Beltran
Original assignee: Ibergesfer SL
Current assignee: Ibergesfer SL
Priority date: 1998-11-20
Filing date: 1998-11-20
Publication date: 2000-05-24

Abstract

The object of this Patent is a "Wash-basin unit structure" with various assembling options derived from combinations of deep or shallow wash-basins, straight or cut tops and supports on legs or on a unit.

Its basic functional elements are the following: the wash-basin proper, shaped as a cap with a spherical surface, which is deep or shallow depending on its depth; and the flat top, four different shapes being provided for its front edge.

The supporting legs are cylindrical and tubular, with a horizontal cross member to lean against the wall.

The tops are held to the wall by means of rear C-shaped supports with tightening keep screws.

If the top is cut, the wash-basin is supported on a central bracket fixed to the wall by means of a tubular cylindrical support.

Instead of the leg support, a three-part unit is used having two inversely symmetrical end parts with a convexly curved front, provided with a drawer at the top and a cupboard at the bottom, and joined by the central part, which has a flat front, the top being supported on each of the end parts by means of cylindrical support, which hold it spaced away from and parallel to the upper plane of the unit.

Description

1 - OBJECT

The object of the invention protected by this Patent consists of a "Wash-basin unit structure" which is preferably applied as a complete composition.

2 - PRIOR ART

There are many known structures used to form bathroom wash-basin units, distinguished from each other by the shape of the basin itself and the nature, number and arrangement of accessories of a mechanical (supports) or functional nature.
It follows from the above that any wash-basin unit structure can broadly and generally be deemed to comprise the following parts or elements:

The basin that gives it its name (wash-basin).
A horizontally arranged upper surface (top) designed to hold toiletries.
Mechanical fixing and supporting elements both for the wash-basin and the top.

The volume lying between the underside of the top and the floor may in some cases be used to complete the unit with storage means for toiletries, namely cupboards or drawers, for instance. A plan view of the top would in those cases match the shape and dimensions of the configuration of the upper plane of the unit.
This generic structure has room for manifold variations in appearance that have a bearing on the nature and shape of the structural elements, resulting in an infinite number of compositions distinguished by their conception and design, inter alia the structure protected in this Patent, which has distinctive peculiarities.

3 - DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention subject of this Patent is aimed at creating a wash-basin unit structure which stands out because of the singular design of its functional parts, which in turn conditions the originality of the solutions adopted for the mechanical parts.
The original structure being protected consists of the following elements:

A) Functional elements.

A wash-basin shaped as a cap with a spherical surface and an upward concavity, two different forms being provided that may alternately be used: one that has a lesser maximum diameter and is deeper, and another one that has a larger maximum diameter and is shallower. The former is commonly referred to as a "deep wash-basin" and the latter a "shallow wash-basin".
A flat, horizontally arranged top that is wider than it is deep, having a straight rear edge to be adapted to the face of a wall against which it is brought, side edges at a right angle to the rear edge and a front edge with one of the following alternative shapes:
- Straight and parallel to the rear edge.
- In three sectors: a straight, central setback sector and identical, convexly curved end sectors.
- The preceding two shapes (straight tops) can moreover have an incomplete circumferential recess cut centrally on the front edge (cut tops).

B) Mechanical elements.

They are all designed to support the functional elements, and consist of the following:

a) With tops of any kind.

Two cylindrical, upright tubular legs that lie on the longitudinal axis of the top, at a right angle to its plane on its underside, close to its side edges, fixed thereto by means of flathead screws, which head comes to lie flush with the surface and is engaged trough a resilient press joint. Each leg is provided with a horizontal, cylindrical tubular cross member of lesser diameter than the leg, with one of its ends inserted therein, reaching approximately up to one-third of its height whereas the other leans against the wall to compensate any front pushing the wash-basin might suffer whilst in use.
Two C-shaped supports to hold the straight, rear edge of the top against the wall face, each support being fixed thereto by means of screws through holes on their central face, and each provided with keep screws on their underside for the top to be tightened.

b) With straight tops only.

An upright, cylindrical tubular support, one of its upper ends supporting the wash-basin trough the centre of its outer face (drain) and its lower end being supported on the top.

c) With cut tops on legs only.

A central bracket supporting the wash-basin beneath the top, where the top has the incomplete circumferential recess. Its horizontal leg is provided with a circular end bore to allow the drain through; and the upright leg, lying against the wall, has three holes (two at the top and one at the bottom) to allow the fixing screws through and a central bore slotted lengthways, designed to allow the trap through to the outside.
An upright cylindrical tubular support, one of its ends supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its opposite end being supported on the horizontal leg of the bracket.

d) With straight or cut tops having convexly curved front end edges only.

A three-part unit with inversely symmetrical end parts, each having a drawer at the top and a cupboard at the bottom, and joined by the central part, which has a slightly lower upper plane than that of the end parts. The unit is adapted through its rear plane to the face of a wall, its side planes lying at a right angle to the rear plane, whereas the front is convexly curved at the two end parts and has a vertical plane in the central part.
An upright tubular cylindrical support, one of its ends supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its opposite end being supported on the upper face of the central part of the unit, two different heights being provided for: a short support for a deep wash-basin and a long support for a shallow wash-basin.
Two identical cylindrical supports, one of their ends supporting the top and their opposite ends being supported on the centre of each the two end parts of the unit, holding the top spaced away from and parallel to the upper plane of the unit. The top is fixed to the upper ends of these side spacing supports by means of flathead screws, which head comes to lie flush with the surface of the top and is engaged through a resilient press joint.

C) Aesthetic elements.

These are designed to cover, as decorative caps, such features of the mechanical or functional elements as might be detrimental to the appearance of the unit as a whole, and consist of:

a) With tops on legs only.

A cylindrical drain cap with a longitudinal opening to house and allow the trap through, the trap being held fast at a peripheral shoulder of a resilient material annular part (clip) joined to the outer bottom part of the wash-basin.

b) With cut tops on legs only.

A bracket cap to cover the vertical leg of the bracket, shaped and dimensioned to suit those of said leg, provided with a central hole to allow the trap through to the outside, and provided on its underside with three clamp-like open cylindrical projections arranged in a triangle, which tightly accommodate the relevant barely projecting trunco-conical studs provided on the upright leg of the bracket.

4 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide a fuller description of the invention and assist the understanding of its formal, structural and functional characteristics, attached are drawings schematically showing different features of a preferred embodiment of the wash-basin unit structure constituting the object of this Patent.
In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial sectional elevation of one of the embodiments with a shallow wash-basin and a straight top and Figure 2 is one with a deep wash-basin and a cut top.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a supporting leg and Figure 4 is a plan view thereof
Figure 5 is a side sectional elevation of a rear support; Figure 6 is a front elevation thereof and Figure 7 a lower plan thereof.
Figure 8 is a side sectional elevation of the supporting bracket; Figure 9 is a front elevation thereof Figure 10 is a plan view; and Figure 11 is a perspective thereof
Figure 12 shows a diametrical sectional elevation of a tubular cylindrical support for a deep wash-basin (short support); and Figure 13 is a plan view thereof
Figure 14 shows a diametrical sectional elevation of a tubular cylindrical support for a shallow wash-basin (long support); and Figure 15 is a plan view thereof
Figure 16 shows a diametrical sectional elevation of one of the two cylindrical supports of the top, acting as spacers or separators between the top and the upper surface of the unit; and Figure 17 is a plan view thereof
Figure 18 is an elevation of the drain cap; Figure 19 is a longitudinal half-section thereof Figure 20 is a plan view of the annular fixing part; and Figure 21 is a diametrical section thereof.
Figure 22 is a front elevation of a bracket cap; Figure 23 is a longitudinal section thereof; Figure 24 is a rear elevation; Figure 25 is a section of the latter elevation; Figure 26 is a front perspective; and Figure 27 is a rear perspective.

5 - DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

In order to clearly show the nature and scope of the use to which the bathroom unit structure subject of the invention may conveniently be put, its composition and assemblage will now be described with reference to the drawings, that show a preferred embodiment of said object for informative purposes and should therefore be construed in the broadest sense, without restricting the application and contents of the invention.
The structure comprises the following functional parts:

A wash-basin shaped as a cap with a spherical surface and an upward concavity, two different forms being provided that may alternately be used: one (1) that has a lesser maximum diameter and is deeper (deep), and another one (2) that has a larger maximum diameter and is shallower (shallow).
A flat, horizontally arranged top that is wider than it is deep, having a straight rear edge, side edges at a right angle thereto and a front edge with one of the following four alternative shapes: straight (3) and parallel to the rear edge; or else with a straight, central setback sector (4) and identical, convexly curved end sectors, or either of the preceding two (straight tops) with an incomplete circumferential recess cut centrally (cut tops) respectively (5) and (6).

In order to support the functional parts, the following mechanical elements are provided:

a) With tops of any kind:

Two cylindrical, upright tubular legs (7) that lie on the longitudinal axis of the top, at a fight angle to its plane on its underside, close to its side edges, fixed thereto by means of flathead screws (8), which head comes to lie flush with the surface of the top and is engaged through a resilient press joint, each leg being provided with a horizontal, cylindrical tubular cross member (9) of lesser diameter than the leg, with one of its ends inserted therein, whereas the other leans against the wall to brace the unit as a whole.
Two C-shaped supports (10) to hold the straight, rear edge of the top against the wall, each support being fixed thereto by means of screws through holes (11) on their central face, and each provided with keep screws housed in projections (12) on their underside for the top to be tightened.

b) With straight tops only:

An upright, cylindrical tubular support (13), its upper end supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its lower end being supported on the top.

c) With cut tops on legs only:

A central bracket (14) supporting the wash-basin beneath the top, where the top has the incomplete circumferential recess, its horizontal leg being provided with a circular end bore (15) to allow the drain through; and the upright leg, lying against the wall, has three holes (16) (two at the top and one at the bottom) to allow the fixing screws through and a central bore slotted lengthways (17), designed to allow the trap through to the outside.
An upright cylindrical tubular support (18), one of its ends supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its opposite end being supported on the horizontal leg of the bracket (14).

d) With straight or cut tops having convexly curved front end edges only:

A three-part unit with inversely symmetrical end parts (19), each having a drawer at the top and a cupboard at the bottom, and joined by the central part (20), which has a slightly lower upper plane than that of the end parts. The unit is adapted through its rear plane to the face of a wall, its side planes lying at a right angle to the rear plane, whereas the front is convexly curved at the two end parts and has a vertical plane in the central part.
An upright tubular cylindrical support, one of its ends supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its opposite end being supported on the upper face of the central part (20) of the unit, two different heights being provided for: a short support (21) for a deep wash-basin and a long support (22) for a shallow wash-basin.
Two identical cylindrical supports (23), one of their ends supporting the top and their opposite ends being supported on the centre of each the two end parts (19) of the unit, holding the top spaced away from and parallel to the upper plane of the unit, the top being fixed to the upper ends of these side spacing supports by means of flathead screws (24), which head comes to lie flush with the surface of the top and is engaged through a resilient press joint.

In order to improve the appearance of the unit as a whole, the following elements are provided:

a) With tops on legs only:

A cylindrical drain cap (25) with a longitudinal opening (26) to house and allow the trap through, the trap being held fast at a peripheral shoulder (27) of a resilient material annular part (28) joined to the outer bottom part of the wash-basin.

b) With cut tops on legs only.

A bracket cap (29) to cover the vertical leg of the bracket, shaped and dimensioned to suit those of said leg, provided with a central hole (30) to allow the trap through to the outside, and provided on its underside with three clamp-like open cylindrical projections (31) arranged in a triangle, which tightly accommodate the relevant barely projecting trunco-conical studs (32) provided on the upright leg of the bracket.

Claims

A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, which preferably applies to its full composition, essentially characterised in that its constituent functional elements are a wash-basin and a flat top; the wash-basin consisting of a cap with a spherical surface and an upward concavity, two different forms being provided that may alternately be used: one (1) that has a lesser maximum diameter and is deeper (deep), and another one (2) that has a larger maximum diameter and is shallower (shallow), the flat, horizontally arranged top being wider than it is deep, having a straight rear edge, side edges at a right angle thereto and a front edge (3) parallel to the rear edge, or else with a straight, central setback sector (4) and identical, convexly curved end sectors, or either of the preceding two (straight tops) with an incomplete circumferential recess cut centrally (cut tops) respectively (5) and (6).
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claim 1, characterised in that in order to support the functional parts, for any kind of top, the functional elements are two cylindrical, upright tubular legs (7) and two C-shaped supports (10); the tubular legs (7) lying on the longitudinal axis of the top, at a right angle to its plane on its underside, close to its side edges, fixed thereto by means of flathead screws (8), which head comes to lie flush with the surface of the top and is engaged through a resilient press joint, each leg being provided with a horizontal, cylindrical tubular cross member (9) of lesser diameter than the leg, with one of its ends inserted therein, whereas the other leans against the wall to brace the unit as a whole; the C-shaped supports (10) being designed to hold the straight, rear edge of the top against the wall, each support being fixed thereto by means of screws through holes (11) on their central face, and each provided with keep screws housed in projections (12) on their underside for the top to be tightened.
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claim 1, characterised in that in order to support the functional parts, for straight tops only, it is provided as a functional element with an upright, cylindrical tubular support (13), its upper end supporting the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain) and its lower end being supported on the top.
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claim 1, characterised in that in order to support the functional parts, for cut tops on legs only, it is provided as functional elements with a central bracket (14) and an upright cylindrical tubular support (18); the central bracket (14) being a support for the wash-basin beneath the top, where the top has the incomplete circumferential recess, its horizontal leg being provided with a circular end bore (15) to allow the drain through; and the upright leg, lying against the wall, has three holes (16), two at the top and one at the bottom, to allow the fixing screws through and a central bore slotted lengthways (17), designed to allow the trap through to the outside; the upright cylindrical tubular support (18) being so arranged that one of its ends supports the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain), whereas its opposite end is supported on the horizontal leg of the bracket (14).
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claim 1, characterised in that in order to support the functional parts, for straight or cut tops having convexly curved front end edges only, it is provided as functional elements with a three-part unit, an upright tubular cylindrical support and two identical cylindrical supports (23); the three-part unit being constituted with inversely symmetrical end parts (19), each having a drawer at the top and a cupboard at the bottom, and joined by the central part (20), which has a slightly lower upper plane than that of the end parts, the unit being adapted through its rear plane to the face of a wall, its side planes lying at a right angle to the rear plane, whereas the front is convexly curved at the two end parts and has a vertical plane in the central part; the upright tubular cylindrical support being so arranged that one of its ends supports the wash-basin through the centre of its outer face (drain), whereas its opposite end is supported on the upper face of the central part (20) of the unit, two different heights being provided for, namely for a short support (21) for a deep wash-basin and a long support (22) for a shallow wash-basin; the two identical cylindrical supports (23) being so arranged that one of their ends supports the top, whereas their opposite ends are supported on the centre of each the two end parts (19) of the unit, holding the top spaced away from and parallel to the upper plane of the unit, the top being fixed to the upper ends of these side spacing supports by means of flathead screws (24), which head comes to lie flush with the surface of the top and is engaged through a resilient press joint.
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claim 1, characterised in that in order to improve the appearance of the unit as a whole, for tops on legs only, a cylindrical drain cap (25) is provided with a longitudinal opening (26) to house and allow the trap through, the trap being held fast at a peripheral shoulder (27) of a resilient material annular part (28) joined to the outer bottom part of the wash-basin.
A WASH-BASIN UNIT STRUCTURE, as in claims 1 and 4, characterised in that in order to improve the appearance of the unit as a whole, for cut tops on legs only, a bracket cap (29) is provided to cover the vertical leg of the bracket, shaped and dimensioned to suit those of said leg, provided with a central hole (30) to allow the trap through to the outside, and provided on its underside with three clamp-like open cylindrical projections (31) arranged in a triangle, which tightly accommodate the relevant barely projecting trunco-conical studs (32) provided on the upright leg of the bracket