EP1962659B1

EP1962659B1 - Bathtub

Info

Publication number: EP1962659B1
Application number: EP06830938A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adolf Babel
Original assignee: Ido Kylpyhuone Oy
Current assignee: Ido Kylpyhuone Oy
Priority date: 2005-12-22
Filing date: 2006-12-19
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-19
Also published as: DE602006008826D1; WO2007071823A1; EP1962659A1; FI20055689A0; ATE440532T1; NO20083224L; NO330208B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bathtub (1) comprising a basin (2) provided with at least one wall portion (3,4,5,6) and a bottom (7), a rim (8) extending along the top edge of the at least one wall portion, which rim (8) has an outer edge (82) and an inner edge (83), an overflow trough (81) having a given length extending over a given part (P1) of the rim (8) and arranged within the rim (8), a first drain opening (9) in the area of the bottom (7) of the basin (2), and a second drain opening (92) in the overflow trough (81). The given part (P1) of the rim (8) along the at least one wall portion (5) has a first height, whereby the remaining part of the at least one wall portion has a height, which is higher than said first height, in order to direct any overflow of water from the basin (8) over the given first part (P1) of the rim (8) towards and into the overflow trough (81). In view of user comfort the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8) are adapted to receive a removable cover portion (100) providing a clearance between the cover portion (100) and the rim (8) for allowing an overflow of fluid from the basin (2) towards and into the overflow trough (81) when the removable cover portion (100) is in place over the overflow trough (81).

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub comprising a basin provided with at least one wall portion and a bottom, a rim extending along the top edge of the at least one wall portion, which rim has an outer edge and an inner edge, an overflow through having a given length extending over a given part of the rim and arranged within the rim, a first drain opening in the area of the bottom of the basin, and a second drain opening in the overflow trough, according to the preamble of claim 1.
Similar bathtubs are previously known from e.g. DE 38 05 739 , AU 640804 , GB 1,173,483 , BE 1 006 051 , US 6,360,380 , EP 1 540 092 and JP 10 033401 .
The known bathtubs are provided with overflow troughs encircling the whole bathtub, except for the bathtub disclosed in GB 1,173,483 and JP 10 033401 . A rim that completely encircles the bathtub requires that the bathtub is provided with very exact height adjustment devices so that the bathtub may be accurately levelled to provide a uniform overflow over all parts of the rim. The overflow trough of the bathtub disclosed in the GB publication only extends over one side of the bathtub, however, the bathtub is surrounded by high edges on all sides, which make entry and exit difficult. Furthermore, construction and installation of the previously known bathtubs is complex and demanding, and consequently very expensive. The bathtub disclosed in the BE also discloses a cover frame encircling the whole bathtub. The bathtub disclosed in the JP publication has no overflow through, only a lower section of the edge on one side in order to facilitate entry and exit.
The bathtubs disclosed in US 6,360,380 and EP 1 540 092 are designed as whirlpool bathtubs provided with the intricate mechanisms necessary for this purpose which further complicates installation.
An object of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of the previously known arrangements and to provide a simple and comfortable bathtub ensuring safety and easy access for users. This object is attained by a bathtub according to claim 1.
The basic idea of the present invention is to allow for fully utilising a certain height of the basin, i.e. soaking depth, of the bathtub, while maintaining a controlled and directed overflow that does not cause damages to the surroundings, i.e. water overflow into a sanitary space or other location of the bathtub with subsequent damages, e.g. difficultly detectable leakages into surrounding constructions, and simultaneously providing low entrance height into the bathtub. This is achieved by giving the given part of the rim along the at least one wall portion a first height and giving the remaining part of the at least one wall portion a height, which is higher than said first height, in order to direct any overflow of water from the basin over the given first part of the rim towards and into the overflow trough. In order to provide for an arrangement that facilitates easy entry and exit, the outer edge and the inner edge of the rim are adapted to receive a removable cover portion providing a clearance between the cover portion and the rim for allowing an overflow of fluid from the basin towards and into the overflow trough when the removable cover portion is in place over the overflow trough.
This provides the advantage that the basin of the bathtub may be filled with water up to the height of the rim of the given part of the wall portion, whereby the remaining part of the wall portion is higher so that any overflow is directed over said given part into the overflow trough, from where it safely may be directed to a drain system or the like. Although the bathtub is not exactly levelled when installed, the higher wall portions of the remaining part of the rim, i.e. the part without the overflow trough, ensure that any overflow of water does not run in an uncontrolled manner over the sides of the bathtub, e.g. onto the floor of the bathroom, but into to the overflow trough. In addition, a user may conveniently enter the bathtub over the wall portion having the lower height.
By means of the removable cover portion the overflow trough and the edges of the rim may be covered from sight. Also, which is more important, the removable cover portion facilitates entry into the bathtub, as a user does not have to be subjected to the uncomfortable form of the trough. Such a removable cover portion also provides for easy cleaning of the overflow trough and the drain arrangements connected thereto.
The removable cover portion preferably has an overall length which covers the given length of the overflow trough as well as a width which covers both the actual overflow trough as well as the outer edge and the inner edge of the rim, whereby that the removable cover portion is provided with means for supporting the removable cover portion on the outer edge and the inner edge of the rim. This also ensures that the overflow trough may be completely covered and that the removable cover portion is easy put in place. The supporting means secure the desired overflow by providing an adequate clearance between the removable cover portion and the rim. Further, they stabilize the positioning of the removable cover portion.
The removable cover portion advantageously comprises at least two parts. In this way one of the cover parts may be removed while the other part remains in place over the overflow trough. This may be beneficial for persons having impaired movement, balance or motion co-ordination. Such users can e.g. sit down on the remaining cover portion and slide over into the bathtub, while still having a good grip of the rim with the exposed overflow trough, due to its geometry. Clearly, it is possible to provide the removable cover portion in more than two parts, depending e.g. on the intended use or the configuration of the bathtub.
The means for supporting the removable cover portion are advantageously in the form of feet arranged to rest on the outer edge and the inner edge of the rim. This stabilises the position of the removable cover portion and secures the overflow between the cover portion and the rim. The means for supporting the removable cover portion are advantageously designed so that the removable cover portion does not tilt over the outer edge or the inner edge of the rim, so that the removable cover portion forms a stabile support for a user, especially when the user is moving in or out of the bathtub.
The first drain opening in the area of the bottom of the basin of the bathtub is connected to a first drain conduit. The second drain opening of the overflow trough is connected to a second drain conduit, which advantageously is connected to the first drain conduit of the first drain opening in the bathtub. This provides a simple and effective draining arrangement.
In a bathtub with a commonly rectangular geometry, the overflow trough is advantageously formed within the rim of the basin, which is provided with end walls and side walls. The overflow trough has a given length extending over a given part of the rim along one of the side walls of the basin, whereby the given part of the rim along said one side wall has a first height which is lower than a height of the opposite side wall of the basin and a height of the two end walls of the basin.
If the bathtub e.g. is round or oval in shape, the overflow trough may be limited to a part of the circular or rounded wall portion, the so-called "at least one wall portion". The basic idea is to provide a bathtub with a certain height, whereby the given part of the wall portion, which includes the overflow trough, is limited in length, has a lower height than the rest of the bathtub wall portion(s) and also serves as the entry side of the bathtub. This lower height corresponds to the inner height, i.e. the soaking depth of the bathtub.
For manufacturing and installation purposes the basin of the bathtub and the rim encircling the basin, provided with the overflow trough, are advantageously formed in one piece.
In the following the present invention shall be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the bathtub according to the present invention,
Fig. 2 shows the bathtub in cross-section along section A-B in Fig. 4,
Fig. 3 shows the bathtub in cross section along section C-D in Fig. 4,
Fig. 4 shows the bathtub from above, and
Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the overflow trough.

In the figures an embodiment of the bathtub according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 1. The bathtub 1 comprises a basin 2 with at least one wall portion 3,4,5,6, in this embodiment two end walls 3,4 and two side walls 5,6, as well as a bottom 7 and a rim 8 encircling the basin 2 around and along the top edges of the side walls and the end walls. The area of the bottom 7 of the basin 2 is provided with a first drain opening 9 in fluid communication with a first drain conduit 91 (Fig. 3). The bathtub 1 is also provided with appropriate fittings 30 in connection with one of the side walls 6. Such fittings may naturally be provided separately of the bathtub, e.g. fastened to a wall close to the bathtub. Further, the bathtub 1 comprises an overflow arrangement in the form of an overflow trough 81 in flow connection with, i.e. within the rim 8 of the basin 2.
The basin 2 and the encircling rim 8 are preferably formed in one piece, whereby the overflow trough 81 is located within the rim 8 of the basin 2. The overflow trough 81 is formed between the outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim and has an outer side wall 84, a bottom 85 and an inner side wall 86. The outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim 8 advantageously provide surfaces which are adapted to support a removable cover portion 100 (discussed more in detail below) in a stabile manner and so that it covers the length of the overflow trough as well as the width of the actual overflow trough 81 as well as the outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim 8.
The overflow trough 81 has a given length L1 and extends over a given part P1 of the rim 8 along the at least one wall portion, i.e. in this case along one of the wall portions, in this embodiment one of the side walls 5, opposite the side wall 6 in connection to which the fittings 30 are arranged. The wall portion, i.e. side wall 5 with the overflow trough 81 has a given first height H1 which is lower than a height H2 of the opposite side wall 6 of the basin 2 and a height H3 of the two end walls 3,4 of the basin 2.
The geometry of the bathtub may be different than the rectangular form shown in the figures, i.e. it may be e.g. hexagonal, oval, round, etc., whereby the definition at least one wall portion in the ensuing claims is to be understood as also defining a continuous wall portion, such as in an oval or round geometry. On the other hand, a basin with corners, such as a rectangular or hexagonal geometry, is to be understood to have several wall portions, e.g. side wall portions and end wall portions, as e.g. in the embodiment shown in the figures.
The given height H1 is on one hand chosen in order to provide a certain soaking depth and to direct the overflow over a specific part of the rim for safety reasons as mentioned above and on the other hand in order to facilitate entry of the user into the basin 2 of the bathtub 1. If the bathtub has e.g. a circular or round geometry, the at least one wall portion comprises more or less a continuous wall portion. In this case, only a given part P1 of the rim along said wall portion, which comprises the overflow trough 81, has a lower given height, whereby the height of the remaining part of the wall portion is higher, so that the overflow is directed over the wall portion having the lower height into the overflow trough. Normally, there is no overflow past the overflow trough, whereby it may be ensured that all overflow may be safely directed into a drain.
As shown in Fig. 3, the given first height H1 also determines a maximum soaking depth D for the user of the bathtub 1. The height H2 of the opposite side wall 6 and the height H3 (Fig. 2) of the end walls 3, 4 of the basin 2 would normally be equal in a bathtub 1 with a rectangular configuration as shown in the illustrated embodiment.
The overflow trough 81 within the rim 8 of the basin 2 is covered by a removable cover portion 100 with a given length L2, which extends over and covers the length L1 of the overflow trough 81. The removable cover portion is easy to remove or to slide aside (kindly see below), whereby also cleaning of both the overflow trough 81 as well as the second drain opening 92 and second drain conduit 93 is facilitated. The removable cover portion has a width W, which covers the actual overflow trough 81 as well as the outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim 8. This secures a comfortable and stabile surface for a user to sit on or take support. It also provides a visually more pleasant arrangement as it entirely covers the rim including the overflow trough.
The removable cover portion 100 is advantageously in two parts, a first part 101 and a second part 102. In this way one of the parts, e.g. the second part 102, may be removed or slid aside in order for the user to get a better grip of the rim 8 of the bathtub 1 for supporting the user's entry into the bathtub 1. The outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim 8 provide surfaces, which are more pleasant for the user to grasp. At the same time the user may slide over the first part 101 still in place and covering part of the overflow trough 81, without having the discomfort of the form overflow trough 81 and the surrounding outer edge 82 and inner edge 83 of the rim 8. This would especially be beneficial for persons having impaired movement, balance or motion co-ordination. The length of the first part 101 and the second part 102 of the cover portion 100 are advantageously equal, e.g. in view of manufacturing and supply purposes (Fig. 1).
The removable cover portion may as well be in one part, or several parts, depending e.g. on the intended need and use as well as on the configuration of the bathtub.
Fig. 3 shows a cross- section of the bathtub 1, with the overflow trough 81 along one of the side walls 5 and within the rim 8 of the basin 2 of the bathtub 1. The overflow trough 81 is provided with a second drain opening 92 leading to a second drain conduit 93, which connects to the first drain conduit 91 of the first drain opening 9 in the area of the bottom 7 of the basin 2 of the bathtub 1. In the embodiment shown, the second drain opening 92 is located at the middle of the side wall 5 with the overflow trough 81 (Fig. 1, Fig. 4).
Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the side wall 5 of the basin 2 with the overflow trough 81 within the rim 8 of the basin 2. The removable cover portion 100 (or correspondingly the first part 101 and the second part 102 of the removable cover portion 100) is positioned over the overflow trough 81 and is provided by means for supporting the removable cover portion 100 on the rim 8 of the basin 2. In this embodiment the means are in the form of feet 103, e.g. of rubber or similar material, arranged to rest on the outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 of the rim 8. The outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 are adapted to receive the removable cover portion 100, or the first part 101 and the second part 102 of the same in a stable manner. In practice this means that the outer edge 82 and the inner edge 83 are adapted to receive said feet 103 in this manner.
For further stabilising the removable cover portion and for providing a good grip, the feet 103 may be formed so that they also engage with the outer side wall 84 and the inner side wall 86 of the overflow trough 81. This is an additional measure to secure the positioning of the removable cover portion so that it does not tilt over the edges of the rim when a user is moving in or out of the bathtub.
The feet 103 provide a clearance C between the rim 8, or in fact the inner edge 83 of the rim 8, and the removable cover portion 100 in a manner allowing overflow of fluid from the basin 2 of the bathtub 1 into the overflow trough 81. In this case it is also advantageous that the inner edge 83 of the rim 8 is somewhat lower than the outer edge 82 of the rim 8, as indicated in Fig. 5.
The drawings and description relating thereto are only intended for clarification of the basic idea of the invention. The invention may vary in detail within the scope of the ensuing claims.

Claims

Bathtub comprising a basin (2) provided with at least one wall portion (3,4,5,6) and a bottom (7), a rim (8) extending along the top edge of the at least one wall portion, which rim (8) has an outer edge (82) and an inner edge (83), an overflow trough (81) having a given length (L1) extending over a given part (P1) of the rim (8) and arranged within the rim (8), a first drain opening (9) in the area of the bottom (7) of the basin (2), and a second drain opening (92) in the overflow trough (81), characterised in that the given part (P1) of the rim (8) along the at least one wall portion (5) has a first height (H1), that the remaining part of the at least one wall portion has a height (H2, H3), which is higher than said first height (H1), in order to direct any overflow of water from the basin (8) over the given first part (P1) of the rim (8) towards and into the overflow trough (81), that the bathtub (1) further comprises a removable cover portion (100), and in that the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8) are adapted to receive the removable cover portion (100) providing a clearance (C) between the cover portion (100) and the rim (8) for allowing an overflow of fluid from the basin (2) towards and into the overflow trough (81) when the removable cover portion (100) is in place over the overflow trough (81).
Bathtub according to claim 1, characterised in that the removable cover portion (100) has an overall length (L2) which covers the given length (L1) of the overflow trough (81), and in that the removable cover portion (100) is provided with means for supporting the removable cover portion (100) on the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8).
Bathtub according to claim 1, characterised in that the removable cover portion (100) has a width (W), which extends over the overflow trough (81) and the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8).
Bathtub according to claim 1, characterised in that the removable cover portion (100) comprises at least two parts, a first part (101) and a second part (102), that the first part (101) and the second part (102) are of generally the same length, and in that the first part (101) and the second part (102) are provided with means for supporting the first part (101) and the second part (102) on the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8).
Bathtub according to claim 2, characterised in that the means for supporting the removable cover portion (100; 101, 102) are in the form of feet (103) arranged to rest on the outer edge (82) and the inner edge (83) of the rim (8).
Bathtub according to claim 5, characterised in that the means for supporting the removable cover portion (100; 101, 102) are arranged to secure that the removable cover portion (100; 101, 102) is stabile and does not tilt over the outer edge (82) or the inner edge (83) of the rim (8) so that the removable cover portion (100; 101, 102) forms a stabile support for a user.
Bathtub according to claim 1, characterised in that the first drain opening (9) in the area of the bottom (7) of the basin (2) of the bathtub (1) is connected to a first drain conduit (91).
Bathtub according to claim 1, characterised in that the second drain opening (92) in the overflow trough (81) is connected to a second drain conduit (93).
Bathtub according to claim 7 and 8, characterised in that the second drain conduit (93) is connected to the first drain conduit (91).