EP1095606A2 - Paneele - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1095606A2
EP1095606A2 EP00309439A EP00309439A EP1095606A2 EP 1095606 A2 EP1095606 A2 EP 1095606A2 EP 00309439 A EP00309439 A EP 00309439A EP 00309439 A EP00309439 A EP 00309439A EP 1095606 A2 EP1095606 A2 EP 1095606A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
panel
bath
elements
cavity
spigot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00309439A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1095606A3 (de
Inventor
Thomas Edwin Sim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1095606A2 publication Critical patent/EP1095606A2/de
Publication of EP1095606A3 publication Critical patent/EP1095606A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K3/00—Baths; Douches; Appurtenances therefor
    • A47K3/16—Devices for fastening baths to floors or walls; Adjustable bath feet ; Lining panels or attachments therefor
    • A47K3/161—Bathtub aprons

Definitions

  • This invention relates to panels and, more specifically, to panels which provide a fascia or finish to an object and which may be fitted to an object, such as a comer bath, once that object has been installed in its desired location.
  • plastic panels which form the sidewalls of the bath, enclosing the actual bathtub, and providing a finished look.
  • These plastic panels are provided in a variety of colours, so as to match that of the bathtub, and are conventionally moulded from PVC or other plastics materials. These panels are fitted to the side of the bath by wedging them under a lip at the periphery of the bathtub and securing them in place with screws, or other fittings, or sealing them in place with silicone sealant.
  • comer baths are provided in a variety of sizes and may be left or right-handed. That is to say one of the two perpendicular sides may be longer than the other.
  • the third and, once installed, exposed side may describe a variety of curves.
  • the curve of the exposed side may have a constant radius of curvature, such that in plan the edges of the bath describe a quarter of a circle or it may have a radius of curvature which varies along its length.
  • each different corner bath requires an individual panel which corresponds to the particular orientation and dimensions of the tub in order that the tub may be enclosed and thereby 'finished'.
  • a consumer will often desire a panel which can be retrofitted to the bath and may not require such a panel to be made from a plastics materials.
  • a corner bath panel comprising a plurality of elements, connected by connecting means, and arranged so as to be able to describe, or at least approximate, a curve.
  • connecting means is a web or membrane and the elements may also be mutually connected by hinge means.
  • a corner bath panel comprising a plurality of elements, each of which is connected to an adjacent element by hinge means.
  • the panel may further comprise a web or membrane which is attached to each element.
  • the web or membrane may comprise a waterproof material such as PVC.
  • Each element may be elongate and may be provided with a face which, when installed, is exposed to the room
  • Each element may be formed from wood or a material derived therefrom.
  • the hinge means may comprise a mutually engaging spigot and cavity and each element may comprise a spigot and/or a cavity.
  • the spigot and/or the cavity on each element are formed on or in opposed longitudinal edges thereof respectively, the edges being preferably perpendicular to the exposed face.
  • the spigot and cavity on each element may run the entire length of their respective longitudinal edges.
  • the hinge portion may comprise a bendable longitudinal member which projects into adjacent cavities of adjacent elements
  • the longitudinal member may comprise metal or plastics.
  • the rotational motion of the elements about the hinge portions is limited by mutually abutting surfaces.
  • the surfaces may be formed on mating spigots and cavities, or on the adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent elements.
  • the rotational limitation being such that the panel can describe, or at least approximate the curve of the exposed edge, as herein described, of a corner bath.
  • each element may be lacquered or otherwise waterproofed prior to construction, and the surface of the exposed face may be veneered.
  • each element is provided with a transverse lip which, upon installation, abuts a peripheral edge of a corner bath, and additionally or alternatively, an element may be provided with an upstanding resilient member, arranged to prevent movement of an installed element.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of construction of a plastics bath panel comprising vacuum forming a molten plastics material over a mould comprising a plurality of hinged elements.
  • the plastics material is PVC.
  • the invention also provides a vacuum formed plastic panel for a corner bath comprising a plurality of flat elements and hinge portions, the hinge portions connecting adjacent flat elements and the panel being bendable so as to describe, or at least approximate, a curve of an exposed edge of a corner bath.
  • a corner bath comprising a corner bathtub 101 and a first embodiment of bath panel 1.
  • the corner bathtub 101 is installed in a corner of a room such that its perpendicular sides 102, 103 abut perpendicular walls of the room and its curved side 104 is presented to the room.
  • the bath panel 1 is shown in plan view, and comprises a plurality of hinged elements 2, each of which is provided with a transverse face 21 and a longitudinal spigot 3 and longitudinal cavity 4 formed on or in opposed longitudinal edges thereof
  • the spigot 3 of one element 2 mates with the cavity 4 of an adjacent element 2.
  • the elements 2 are mutually connected by a web 5 which retains each element 2 in its mating configuration with adjacent elements 2.
  • the web 5 may be connected to each element 2 with adhesive, staples, nails, or other known connecting means, and it may be a PVC membrane or formed from other waterproof materials such as rubber, neoprene or nylon, or a non-waterproof material.
  • the elements 2 are identical and each spigot 3 tapers such that, in plan, it has a trapezoidal shape.
  • Each cavity 4 has a rectangular profile which affords each spigot 3 a degree of rotational freedom about the longitudinal axis thereof.
  • the panel 1 can describe, or at least substantially approximate, a curve as shown in Figure 2A.
  • the maximum radius of curvature of the panel 1 is constrained by the degree of rotational freedom of each element 2 about adjacent elements 2 and the length X of each element.
  • the maximum angle that can be described by adjacent elements 2 is related to the angle between one of the tapered faces 31 of the spigot 3 and a face 41 of the cavity 4.
  • the two extreme positions are shown in Figure 2B as 3' and 3", with the neutral position, that is to say that where the transverse axes A of two adjacent elements 2 are parallel, shown as 3.
  • the spigot 300 with one face 301 which, in the neutral position, is parallel and adjacent to a face 401 of the cavity 400.
  • a tapered face 302 of the spigot 300 abuts a face 402 of the cavity 400.
  • the tapered face 302 of the spigot 300 is presented toward the face 21 of its associated element 2 such that the configuration of spigot 300 and cavity 400 ensures that the panel may only form a convex curve, with respect to the face 21, rather than a concave curve.
  • Figure 3A shows a section through an element 2 of the panel 1 as it would be installed against a corner bathtub 101.
  • Each element 2 is provided with a lip 6 which abuts the peripheral rim 105 of the bathtub 101. Movement of each element 2 of the panel 1 away from the rim 106 is prevented by a resilient member 7 which is attached to the element 2 by a screw or nail 8.
  • the resilient member 7 which is constructed from a plastics material, is arcuate in cross section with the distal edge thereof pointing toward the lip 6 of the element 2.
  • the member 7 is provided with a hole or aperture 9, through which the screw or nail 8 projects to so-connect a member 7 to an element 2.
  • a curved baton 108 which describes an identical curve to that of the exposed edge 104 of the bath tub 101, is screwed to the floor of the bathroom such that its outside edge is parallel with the rim 105 of the bath 101.
  • a panel 1 of a size commensurate with the length of the edge 104 is then pushed into place, such that the base of each element 2 abuts the baton 108 and the lip 6 abuts the rim 105.
  • This operation causes the member 7 to flex, allowing location of the panel 1, and then subsequently springs back due to its resilient nature to securely locate the panel 1 against the bath tub rim 105.
  • each element 2, or every other element 2 as required may be screwed to the baton 108.
  • Each element 2 may be constructed from solid wood or a reclaimed product such as MDF or chipboard, and each is lacquered on all surfaces prior to construction to render each element 2 waterproof and to give it the required decorative finish.
  • each element 2 may be provided in a variety of textures and finishes, for example, teak, mahogany, pine or a colour to match an existing colour scheme.
  • Each particular panel 1 may be cut to the required size by sawing, with the panel 1 being installed such that the exposed edge of the element 2 which is sawed abutting one of the perpendicular walls.
  • the panel 1 provides a fascia or finish for all types of corner bath, irrespective of whether they are left or right handed and/or of the particular radii of curvature of the exposed side 104 of the bath 101.
  • the panel 1 may be attached to the rim 105 of a bath by a silicone sealant as well as, or in place of, a member 7. Once the panel lip 6 abuts the rim 105 a silicone sealant may be spread into the gap therebetween as is known in the art. This will prevent any water from passes between the rim 105 and the lip 6 and will secure the two relative to one another.
  • Each, or every other, element 2 may be provided with an individual fixing attached to its base.
  • Each fixing is provided with a serrated portion which push-fits into a corresponding portion of a fixing which is attached to the floor under the bathtub.
  • a curved baton 108 is not necessary to secure the panel 1, and the subsequent installation requires merely that the base fixings are matable and that the resilient members are in place.
  • the panel 1 is then simply pushed into place such that the lip 6 abuts the rim 105 and the fixings mate.
  • the panel 1 may then be further secured by a silicone sealant.
  • FIGs 4A to 4D show various other embodiments of hinges which may be used to join the elements 2.
  • the hinge portions between adjacent elements 2' are formed by rounded portions 35 and 36 which respectively engage rounded cavities 37, 38.
  • the backing web is not necessary as the elements 2' are secured together by the action of the rounded portions 35, 36 and cavities 37, 38.
  • Figure 4B details a hinge assembly similar to that described with reference to Figure 2A and 2B with the exception that the spigot 30 is triangular in cross section.
  • Figure 4C shows a different approach is detailed in Figure 4C wherein the spigot 43 of an element 20 is contained within the cavity 44 of an adjacent element 20'.
  • the maximum angular limit between the transverse axes of adjacent elements 20, 20' is reached when surfaces 46 and 47 abut. Due to the nature of the connection between adjacent elements 20, 20' the backing web may also be dispensed with in this embodiment.
  • Figure 4D shows a similar construction to that of Figure 4C, except the spigot 43' is not wholly contained within the cavity 44'.
  • the angular limit is again provided by the abutment of surfaces 46' and 47', although a backing web is a necessary provision in this embodiment.
  • Figure 5A shows a plan of a PVC panel 10 which has been vacuum-formed from a panel 1.
  • the panel 10 comprises flat elements 26 and hinge portions 40.
  • Figure 5B shows the panel 10 with integral hinge portions 40 and
  • Figures 5C and 5D show respectively views along section A-A' and B-B' of Figure 5A.
  • a panel 1 has PVC, or another suitable plastics material, vacuum formed over it as is well known in the art.
  • the spigot 3 and socket 4 portions of the panel 1 correspond to the hinge portion 40 and the surface of each element 2 corresponds to the elements 26.
  • the PVC is thinned in the region of the hinge portion 40, with respect to that of the elements 26, such that it is bendable, whilst still maintaining the rigidity of the element 26.
  • This provides a plastics bath panel which is cheap to produce and which can be fitted to any size comer bath whether or not it is left or right-handed and irrespective of the radius of curvature of the exposed edge 104. Furthermore, it is easy to pack and store, it may be installed easily using similar fixings to those used to install the wood version or using conventional silicone sealant.
  • FIG. 6A, 6B and 6C a further plastics bath panel 70 is shown.
  • This panel 70 is provided with convex elements 260 interconnected by hinge portions 460.
  • the panel 70 may be vacuum formed from PVC, as is well known, over a mould comprising a plurality of convex hinged elements, or over a unitary mould comprising a series of convex portions.
  • the plastics material comprising the hinged portions 460 is thinned during the vacuum forming process, with respect to that comprising the elements 260, such that the panel 70 is bendable and may form a convex shape which describes, or at least approximates the curve of a corner bath.
  • FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of bath panel, generally indicated at 200, comprising a plurality of elements 201.
  • Each element 201 is provided with a longitudinal cavity 204 in each of its opposed sides 206.
  • Adjacent elements 201 are connected by a longitudinal bridging piece or hinge 203 which projects into, and is secured in, adjacent cavities 204.
  • the hinges 203 may be fabricated from, for example, polished metal or rigid plastics materials, and they are of such a thickness that they are bendable. Each hinge 203 may be wedged into the cavities 204 or may be held in place by an adhesive.
  • the panel 200 may also comprise a membrane 205 similar to that shown in Figure 2A, although it may be dispensed with if the hinges 203 are securely located within the cavities 204.
  • the elements 201 may be constructed from solid wood, or another suitable material, and as such will provide a high quality finish.
  • the hinges 203 in this embodiment afford the panel 201 means to accurately describe the required curve as the rotational limitation afforded to the panel 200 is limited solely by the breaking point of the material and the size of the individual element 203.
  • Figure 8 shows a panel 250, of a similar design to that exemplified above, comprising individual elements 251, provided with cavities 254 in opposed longitudinal edges 256 and joined by longitudinal hinge pieces 253.
  • the major difference being that the face 257 of each element which is contoured according to a desired shape.
  • a variety of different finishes in various materials and shapes are provided to suit any particular taste or desire.
  • any contoured face such as that shown in Figure 8, may be used in the construction of the elements described with reference to Figure 2A, 2B, 2C and 3A.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Residential Or Office Buildings (AREA)
EP00309439A 1999-10-27 2000-10-26 Paneele Withdrawn EP1095606A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9925370A GB2356806B (en) 1999-10-27 1999-10-27 Bath panel
GB9925370 1999-10-27

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1095606A2 true EP1095606A2 (de) 2001-05-02
EP1095606A3 EP1095606A3 (de) 2003-01-29

Family

ID=10863438

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00309439A Withdrawn EP1095606A3 (de) 1999-10-27 2000-10-26 Paneele

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EP (1) EP1095606A3 (de)
GB (1) GB2356806B (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2713467A1 (fr) * 1993-12-15 1995-06-16 Borstcher Georges Dispositif de montage perfectionné de pare-douche repliable de type paravent.
DE19546864A1 (de) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-19 Kaldewei Franz Gmbh & Co Schürzeneinheit für die seitliche Verkleidung einer Bade- oder Duschwanne
BE1010058A6 (nl) * 1996-03-11 1997-12-02 Andries Ralph Universele rand- en aflegrandonderbouw voor bad- en douchekuipen met gebogen omtrekvormen.
DE29905123U1 (de) * 1999-03-22 1999-07-22 Franz Kaldewei GmbH & Co, 59229 Ahlen Plattenförmiges Element
WO1999035948A1 (de) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-22 Franz Kaldewei Gmbh & Co. Verkleidungssystem für eine wanne, vorzugsweise badewanne

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5799345A (en) * 1996-06-10 1998-09-01 Softub, Inc. Spa apparatus with multiple sections

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2713467A1 (fr) * 1993-12-15 1995-06-16 Borstcher Georges Dispositif de montage perfectionné de pare-douche repliable de type paravent.
DE19546864A1 (de) * 1995-12-15 1997-06-19 Kaldewei Franz Gmbh & Co Schürzeneinheit für die seitliche Verkleidung einer Bade- oder Duschwanne
BE1010058A6 (nl) * 1996-03-11 1997-12-02 Andries Ralph Universele rand- en aflegrandonderbouw voor bad- en douchekuipen met gebogen omtrekvormen.
WO1999035948A1 (de) * 1998-01-14 1999-07-22 Franz Kaldewei Gmbh & Co. Verkleidungssystem für eine wanne, vorzugsweise badewanne
DE29905123U1 (de) * 1999-03-22 1999-07-22 Franz Kaldewei GmbH & Co, 59229 Ahlen Plattenförmiges Element

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1095606A3 (de) 2003-01-29
GB2356806B (en) 2003-10-15
GB9925370D0 (en) 1999-12-29
GB2356806A (en) 2001-06-06

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