AU2006202702B2

AU2006202702B2 - Vanity unit

Info

Publication number: AU2006202702B2
Application number: AU2006202702A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sandro Iuliano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-23
Filing date: 2006-06-23
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-23
Also published as: AU2006202702A1

Abstract

5 A vanity unit construction that provides for increased shelf space and increased cupboard or drawer space. The unit includes an upper shelf in which a basin is recessed and a base having a lower shelf which extends forwards of the top shelf. Both the upper shelf and the lower shelf provide surfaces for storing items. The basin extends substantially between the upper shelf and the lower shelf, leaving more 10 room in the base for use as cupboard or drawer space. 13-/ Figure 1 12 10 Figure 3

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: Sandro Iuliano Actual Inventor: Sandro Iuliano Address for Service: C/- MADDERNS, 1st Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: VANITY UNIT Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2005903304 dated 23 June 2005 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

Technical Field This invention relates to bathroom furniture, and in particular, to vanity units. Background to the Invention 5 Many modern bathrooms include a vanity unit, that is, a base supporting a basin, and often incorporating a mirror set behind the basin. The base may itself contain cupboards and/or drawers for storing bathroom products. The top surface of the base may also provide shelf space. 10 The basin is sunk into the base so that the basin lies within the base with only a small upper lip protruding above the surface of the base. In an attempt to gain floor space in a bathroom, a basin design known as "semi recessed" has been used whereby the basin is partially recessed into the base, with 15 the front edge of the basin extending forward and beyond the front edge of the base. This allows a full basin but with a smaller base, occupying less space in the bathroom. This of course results in less cupboard and/or drawer space, as well as a reduced 20 shelf surface on top of the base. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vanity unit including: 25 a basin; a base having a top surface defining a lower shelf having a front edge; and an upper shelf having a front edge, disposed above the lower shelf; wherein the basin is recessed within the upper shelf and is disposed substantially between the lower shelf and the upper shelf, and wherein the front edge of the lower shelf 30 extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf. Preferably, the base includes one or more drawers. 2 Preferably, the base includes one or more cupboards. Optionally, the basin is semi-recessed within the upper shelf. 5 Preferably, a lower edge of the base is itself recessed to accommodate feet of a user. Optionally, a portion of the base below the basin is recessed to facilitate access to the basin by the user. 10 Optionally, the vanity unit may include two or more basins. Optionally, the vanity unit may be disposed in a corner of a bathroom. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unit for 15 forming a vanity unit, the unit including: a base having a top surface defining a lower shelf having a front edge; and an upper shelf having a front edge, disposed above the lower shelf and having a basin space for receiving a basin; wherein, 20 when in place, the basin is recessed within the upper shelf and is disposed substantially between the lower shelf and the upper shelf, and wherein the front edge of the lower shelf extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf. Preferably, the base includes one or more drawers. 25 Preferably, the base includes one or more cupboards. Optionally, the basin, when in place, is semi-recessed within the upper shelf. 30 Preferably, a lower edge of the base is itself recessed to accommodate feet of a user. 3 Optionally, a portion of the base below the basin space is recessed to facilitate access to the basin by the user. Optionally, the vanity unit may include two or more basin spaces. 5 Optionally, the vanity unit may be disposed in a corner of a bathroom. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vanity unit portion for constructing a vanity unit, the vanity unit portion including: 10 a shelf having a front edge and a basin recessed therein and extending below the shelf; and supports for the shelf to support the shelf such that when the vanity unit portion is placed on a base having a surface with a front edge, the front edge of the surface extends forwards of the front edge of the shelf. 15 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vanity unit portion for constructing a vanity unit, the vanity unit portion including: an upper shelf having a front edge; a lower shelf having a front edge; and 20 a basin recessed within the upper shelf and disposed substantially between the upper shelf and the lower shelf; wherein the front edge of the lower shelf extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf. 25 Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a vanity unit according to a first form of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the vanity unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section view through the unit of Figure 1; 30 Figure 4 is a front elevation view of a vanity unit according to a second form of the present invention; Figure 5 is plan view of the vanity unit of Figure 4; 4 Figure 6 is a section view through the unit of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a front elevation view of a vanity unit according to a third form of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a plan view of the vanity unit of Figure 7. 5 Figure 9 is a front view of an alternative form of the vanity unit of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a plan view of the vanity unit of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a side view of the vanity unit of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the vanity unit of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a vanity unit portion; and 10 Figure 14 is a perspective view of another form of a vanity unit portion. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment A vanity unit 10 is shown generally in Figure 1, with basin recessed within top shelf 12. Basin 11 is disposed above base 13, providing an unobstructed space within base 15 13 to allow for cupboards and/or drawers 16. This arrangement provides for a relatively large amount of shelf space, as provided by upper shelf 12 and lower shelf 14. Lower shelf 14 extends forward of upper shelf 12 to provide even more space. The space between upper shelf 12 and lower shelf 14 may, in one form of the invention, also incorporate drawers 18. As can be seen from Figure 2, basin 11 in this case is a semi-recessed basin. It will of 25 course be understood that the invention may be applicable to any type of basin, including a fully-recessed or 'drop-in' basin. A central portion 15 of base 13, underneath basin 11 may be recessed as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. This allows a user of the basin to get closer to the basin, 0 facilitating its use. Of course this arrangement is only optional and the base may in another form, have no recess. 5 As an additional feature, the lower edge 17 of base 13 may be recessed to accommodate a user's feet, thereby further facilitating access to the basin. In use, upper shelf 12 may provide space to store or place bathroom items such as 5 toothbrushes and toothpaste. Likewise, lower shelf 14 may also provide space to place items on, or to allow children to sit on to facilitate use of the basin. Upper shelf 12 may also provide a base to support further bathroom furniture such as a medicine cabinet, more cupboard space or a mirror. 10 In some designs, drawers 18 may be replaced by a space, thereby providing even more shelf space for lower shelf 14. In Figures 4 to 6, like features of which are labelled accordingly, there is shown an 15 alternative design of the vanity unit according to the invention. In this alternative, the vanity unit has two basins 11 and 11'. Base 13 may be formed so as to provide a wider recessed section 15 to facilitate access to the basins 11, 11'. Again, according to one aspect of the design, there is provided an enhanced shelf 20 space with upper and lower shelves 12, 14, and a base allowing full use of its space to accommodate drawers 16 or cupboard space. Recessed section 17 may also be provided to accommodate users' feet. 25 Figures 7 and 8 show a further alternative of the design according to the present invention, where again, like features are labelled accordingly. In this alternative, the vanity unit 10 is formed so as to be able to be placed in a corner of a bathroom. Again, the design of the present invention provides enhanced shelf space while maximising drawer and cupboard space in base 13. 30 6 In another form of the invention, there could also be provided a unit as described above without the basin incorporated therein. The unit could be constructed and sold separately from the basin, and the two could then be post-assembled. 5 In yet a further form, the basin 11 could be formed integrally with the top shelf 12 via for example, a molding or pressing process as would be well known to the person skilled in the art. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 9 to 11, where like elements are labelled accordingly. 10 Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of Figures 9 to 11. As illustrated in Figure 13, a vanity unit portion 20 may be constructed separately, either as a unitary piece or an assembled piece. Portion 20 contains the shelf 12 and basin 11, again either as a separate element secured thereto or as an integral element. 15 Shelf 12 also has supports 21 and 22(not shown in this view). This shelf portion can then be placed on a base portion (not shown) which has a front edge extending forward of the front edge of the shelf 12 which will then provide the lower shelf and the remainder of the vanity unit as shown in Figure 12. 20 In yet a further form, the vanity unit portion could be made including the lower shelf 14, again either as an integral piece or assembled in this form. This vanity portion can then be placed on a base (not shown), which itself does not need a top surface, as this would be provided by the lower shelf 14 of the vanity unit portion in this arrangement. Of course the base unit could still have a top surface, with the lower 25 shelf 14 sitting on top of this. It will be understood that the above is intended to describe a particular embodiment of the present invention and is not to be interpreted as being limited to these exact features herein described. It will be appreciated that many variations and 30 modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, any type of basin may be used, and the degree of recess into the top shelf may vary. 7 Furthermore, any type of suitable material may be used as would be understood by the person skilled in the art, including wood, marble, granite, plastic or any other suitable natural or synthetic material, and/or any combination thereof. 8

Claims

1. A vanity unit including: 5 a basin; a base having a top surface defining a lower shelf having a front edge; and an upper shelf having a front edge, disposed above the lower shelf; wherein the basin is recessed within the upper shelf and is disposed substantially between the lower shelf and the upper shelf, and wherein the front edge of the lower shelf 10 extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf.

2. A vanity unit according to claim 1 wherein the base includes one or more drawers.

3. A vanity unit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the base includes one or more 15 cupboards.

4. A vanity unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the basin is semi recessed within the upper shelf. 20

5. A vanity unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein a lower edge of the base is itself recessed to accommodate feet of a user.

6. A vanity unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a portion of the base below the basin is recessed to facilitate access to the basin by the user. 25

7. A vanity unit according to claim any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the vanity unit includes two or more basins.

8. A vanity unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the vanity is 30 configured so as to be disposed in a corner of a bathroom.

9. A unit for forming a vanity unit, the unit including: 9 a base having a top surface defining a lower shelf having a front edge; and an upper shelf having a front edge, disposed above the lower shelf and having a basin space for receiving a basin; wherein, 5 when in place, the basin is recessed within the upper shelf and is disposed substantially between the lower shelf and the upper shelf, and wherein the front edge of the lower shelf extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf.

10. A unit according to claim 9 wherein the base includes one or more drawers. 10

11. A unit according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the base includes one or more cupboards.

12. A unit according to any one of claim 9 to 11 wherein the basin, when in place, is 15 semi-recessed within the upper shelf.

13. A unit according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein a lower edge of the base is itself recessed to accommodate feet of a user. 20

14. A unit according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein a portion of the base below the basin space is recessed to facilitate access to the basin by the user.

15. A unit according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the vanity unit includes two or more basin spaces. 25

16. A unit according to any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein the unit is configured so as to be disposed in a corner of a bathroom.

17. A vanity unit portion for constructing a vanity unit, the vanity unit portion 30 including: a shelf having a front edge and a basin recessed therein and extending below the shelf; and 10 supports for the shelf to support the shelf such that when the vanity unit portion is placed on a base having a surface with a front edge, the front edge of the surface extends forwards of the front edge of the shelf. 5

18. A vanity unit portion for constructing a vanity unit, the vanity unit portion including: an upper shelf having a front edge; a lower shelf having a front edge; and a basin recessed within the upper shelf and disposed substantially between 10 the upper shelf and the lower shelf; wherein the front edge of the lower shelf extends forwards of the front edge of the upper shelf.

19. A vanity unit substantially as hereindescribed with reference to any of the 15 accompanying drawings. Dated this 23rd day of June, 2006.

20 Sandro Iuliano By his Patent Attorneys MADDERNS 11