GB2387109A

GB2387109A - Support structure for a bath

Info

Publication number: GB2387109A
Application number: GB0205754A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Robert Billinge; Scott Roy Derbyshire
Original assignee: TWYFORD BATHROOMS
Current assignee: TWYFORD BATHROOMS
Priority date: 2002-03-12
Filing date: 2002-03-12
Publication date: 2003-10-08
Also published as: GB0205754D0

Abstract

A bath is provided with a support structure comprising two generally U-shaped members (2) the ends of which are pivotally mounted on the upper part of the bath so that they are movable from a collapsed position straddling said upper part in horizontal positions to a fixed erected position straddling the respective ends of the bath in vertical positions for supporting the bath on installation thereof, the members engaging the underside of the bath and being provided with feet or adjustable legs.

Description

- SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A BATH

This invention relates to baths used for washing by persons in homes, hotels, hospitals and other similar establishments.

In particular, the invention is concerned with baths of the kind 5 comprising a tub which because it is not formed or provided with feet, requires a support structure to mount it in position.

The object of the present invention is to provide a bath of this kind having a support structure which makes transportation and installation of the bath easier than is the case with conventional support 1 0 structures.

According to the invention there is provided a bath having a support structure which is movable from a collapsed position for storage and transportation of the bath to a fixed erected position for supporting the bath on installation thereof.

15 Preferably the support structure comprises two parts mounted adjacent the respective ends of the bath and pivotally mounted on the bath for movement from the collapsed position to the erected position in which they support the respective ends of the bath.

Each part preferably comprises a generally U-shaped member the 20 ends of which are pivotally mounted on the bath adjacent the upper part thereof so that in the collapsed position the members straddle the bath in generally horizontal positions and in the erected position they straddle the

respective ends of the bath in generally vertical positions.

Where the bath is of a standard form having an outwardly projecting lip around its upper part with a frame attached to the underside of this lip, the members of the support structure are conveniently attached 5 by pivotal mountings to the underside of the frame.

The support structure is preferably arranged to support the base of the bath in the erected position. Preferably the generally U-shaped members are formed with transverse parts which in this position engage the underside of the base of the bath, for example battens which are 10 conventionally attached to the underside of the base. The transverse parts of the members may be formed to provide feet or provided with adjustable legs for supporting the structure on the floor of a bathroom.

The pivotal mountings are preferably such that as the members are moved from their collapsed position to their erected position they can 15 be moved downwardly relative to the mountings to enable the members to clear the lower parts of the ends of the bath and then to be raised to bring the transverse parts of the members into contact with the underside of the base of the bath.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with 20 reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side view of a bath provided with a preferred embodiment of a support structure according to the invention, the structure being shown in its collapsed position,

FIGURE 2 is a side view corresponding to FIGURE 1 showing the support structure in a partially erected position, FIGURE 3 is a side view corresponding to FIGURE 1 showing the support structure in its fixed erected position, 5 FIGURE 4 is an underneath plan view of the bath showing the support structure in the collapsed position, FIGURE 5 is a detail showing one of the ends of one of the members of the support structure, FIGURE 6 shows side and end elevations and a plan view of one 10 of the brackets which pivotally connects each member to the bath, FIGURE 7 is a detail showing the manner in which each member is pivotally connected to the bath, FIGURE 8 is a detail showing a transverse part of one of the members of the support structure, 15 FIGURE 9 shows side and end elevations of one of the clips used with the support structure, and FIGURE 10 is a detail showing one of the adjustable legs of the support structure.

The drawings show a bath comprising a tub 1 and a support 20 structure comprising two members 2 mounted on the bath for pivoting movement from a collapsed position as shown in FIGURE 1 for storage and transportation of the bath to a fixed erected position as shown in

FIGURE 3 in order to support the bath on installation thereof.

Each member 2 is formed from a length of metal tubing bent so that it is generally of U-shape with a transverse part 2a as seen in FIGURE 4 and formed with flattened ends 2b as shown in detail in FIGURE 5, each 5 end being formed with a slot 3.

The bath tub 1 is provided with an outwardly projecting lip la, and attached to the underside of this lip is a rectangular wooden frame 4.

The members 2 are pivotally mounted on this frame by means of brackets 5 and coach bolts 6 which are of the form shown in detail in FIGURES 6 10 and 7. Each bracket is of L-shape, one limb 5a being provided with holes enabling the bracket to be secured to the underside of the frame 4 by two woodscrews. The other limb 5b is formed with a hole, the associated bolt 6 being passed through this hole and the slot 3 in the associated end of the relevant member 2 and then secured by a nut 7 with locking 15 washers 8 between the nut and the bracket and between the head of the nut and the flattened end 2b of the member.

The bath is stored and transported, and supplied to an installer, with the members 2 in their collapsed horizontal position and straddling the respective ends of the bath 1 as shown in FIGURE 1. As shown in 20 detail in FIGURE 8 each member 2 has fitted to its transverse part 2a two spring clips 11. Each clip is of the form shown in FIGURE 9 and comprises a strip of spring steel bent to form a circular part 11a which embraces the transverse part of the relevant member, and two parallel end

portions 1 1 b formed with holes 12. With the members 2 in the collapsed position the end portions of the clips 11 of the two members 2 are secured by wood screws passing through the holes 12 to the frame 4 so that the members are held in the collapsed position. The nuts 7 are also 5 tightened.

On installation of the bath the clips 11 are detached from the frame 4 and the nuts 7 are loosened to enable each member 1 to be swung from its collapsed position to its erected vertical position, the slots 3 in the member permitting movement of the member downwardly 10 relative to its brackets 5 to enable it to clear the adjacent lower corner of the bath tub as it is moved to the erected position as shown in FIGURE 2, and then upwardly to bring the transverse part 2a of the member into contact with two longitudinal wooden battens 9 attached to a baseboard 10 fixed to the underside of the base of the bath as shown in FIGURE 3.

15 The transverse part 2a of each of members 2 is formed with two outwardly curved portions 2c. These portions are each formed with a hole fitted with an internally screw threaded insert which receives a screwthreaded stem 1 3a of an adjustable leg 13, the stem carrying a foot 13b (FIGURE 10). The legs 13 are vertically adjustable by turning their 20 stem to enable the bath to be mounted in the correct position even if the floor is uneven or not level, each stem being provided with a locknut 14 for locking the leg in the adjusted position.

The limb 5b of the bracket 5 is formed with two spaced

lo. projecting ribs 5c arranged to hold the associated member in the erected position by engaging opposite side edges of the adjacent flattened end 2a of the member when the nut 7 is tightened on installation of the bath.

Also, if desired the clips 11 can be used to secure the transverse parts of 5 the members to the battens 9.

In an alternative arrangement the legs 13 may be omitted and the curved portions 2c of the members may act as feet.

The support structure provided by the invention has the advantages that the bath can be supplied with all the components of the 10 structure in place and there is no need for any components to be supplied loose with the result that they can be misplaced. The members of the structure when in the collapsed position provide a rigid base on which the bath can be stood, and the projecting feet 2c reduce the risk of damage to the lip of the bath.

15 The hinged members permit rapid and easy installation of the bath and reduce post-installation problems.

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Claims

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À d'..: #. #' CLAIMS

1. A bath having a support structure which is movable from a collapsed position for storage and transportation of the bath to a fixed erected position for supporting the bath on installation thereof.

5 2. A bath as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support structure

comprises two parts disposed adjacent the respective ends of the bath and pivotally mounted on the bath for movement from the collapsed position to the erected position in which they support the respective ends of the bath.

10 3. A bath as claimed in Claim 2 wherein each part OT Illt, support structure comprises a generally U-shaped member the ends of which are pivotally mounted on the bath adjacent the upper part thereof so that in the collapsed position the members straddle the bath in generally horizontal positions and in the erected position they straddle the 15 respective ends of the bath in generally vertical positions.

4. A bath as claimed in Claim 3 which has an outwardly projecting lip around its upper part with a frame attached to the underside of this lip, wherein the members of the support structure are attached by pivotal mountings to the underside of the frame.

20 5. A bath as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support structure is arranged to support the base of the bath in the erected position.

r r À c r 6. A bath as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 and Claim 5 wherein the generally U-shaped members are formed with transverse parts which in the erected position engage the underside of the base of the bath.

A bath as claimed in Claim 6 wherein in the erected position 5 the transverse parts of the generally U-shaped members engage battens which are attached to the underside of the base of the bath.

8. A bath as claimed in Claim 3,4,6 or 7 wherein the transverse parts of the generally U-shaped members are formed to provide feet or are provided with adjustable legs for supporting the structure on the floor of a 1 0 bathroom.

9. A bath as claimed in Claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the pivotal mountings are such that as the members are moved from their collapsed position to their erected position they can be moved downwardly relative to the bath to enable the members to clear the lower parts of the ends of 15 the bath and then to be raised to bring the transverse parts of the members into contact with the underside of the base of the bath.

10. A bath as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the pivotal mountings comprise slots formed in the ends of the members and bolts extending through the slots and attached to brackets mounted on the bath.

20 11. A bath having a support structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.