DE9300239U1 - Shower facility - Google Patents

Description

Armin Hanser

Shower facility

Description:

The invention relates to a shower facility with a tub according to the preamble of claim 1.

Shower facilities with tubs are well known. However, such shower facilities require a relatively large amount of space, which is essentially determined by the horizontally arranged tub.

Many apartments, especially bathrooms, are quite small, so it is necessary to be as space-efficient as possible when furnishing and equipping the apartment or bathroom. Due to the space required by the shower facility, many apartments or bathrooms are quite cramped and there is hardly any necessary or desired space for further use of the room equipped with the shower facility. It is too cramped, especially for other personal hygiene, so that even drying off after a shower is not possible without problems, as the shower facility gets in the way.

Some apartments, especially one- and two-room apartments, are not equipped with shower facilities at all due to space constraints; in the best case scenario, shared shower facilities are available for several apartments.

But even in new buildings, living space must be handled carefully, as the costs of both purchasing and renting it are very high and continue to rise.

The shower facility is only used for a relatively short period of time and therefore, during the rest of the time, it only takes up space that would be available for other uses without the shower facility.

Shower facilities without tubs are also known. These shower facilities do not have the disadvantage that a tub blocks a space that is not accessible for other uses, but when showering with/in such a shower facility, at least the floor gets wet. The latter is usually provided with an opening as a waste water drain and is preferably inclined towards this opening so that the shower water can drain away. However, it takes a relatively long time for the last drops of water that no longer drain away to dry away, or at least the floor must be dried after showering. The disadvantage of these shower facilities is that either the space intended for them remains wet for a long time and therefore cannot be used optimally, or that after showering, considerable effort is required to dry at least the floor of the shower facility.

It is therefore the object of the invention to create a shower facility of the generic type which, when not in use, takes up as little space as possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

Because the tub can be easily folded away when it is not needed, the shower facility takes up only a fraction of the space of conventional shower facilities with tubs. The tub is adjusted between at least approximately horizontal operating positions and at least essentially vertical parking positions using adjustment devices, the design and arrangement options of which are determined by the purpose of the adjustment and are therefore up to the specialist.

man is well known. The design of the adjustment process is determined to a certain extent by the external conditions, such as the shape of the tub, the installation position of the shower facility and in particular the tub, as well as space and shape specifications of the installation location of the shower facility or tub, and is implemented by suitable design and arrangement of the adjustment devices. In this case, control elements such as control fittings, shower heads and holding devices for the latter must be taken into account, which could hinder the adjustment process or limit the possible parking positions. For the expert, however, it is self-evident to provide suitable adjustment devices which therefore fall within the scope of the invention.

The shower device according to the invention can not only be accommodated in the smallest of spaces when it is not needed, thus saving valuable living space, it can also be installed in places that would otherwise not be used for showers, provided there is enough space for the shower device to be folded up. Even a place near a door is not ruled out as an installation location for the shower device according to the invention if the door is blocked when it is ready for use. With just a few simple steps, the shower device can be moved out of the way and the passage through the room door is free again. Other passageways in the bathroom or in the apartment could also be used in this way.

The shower device according to the present invention therefore requires very little space when not in use, is easy to handle and economical to manufacture. It also offers the same comfort as conventional shower devices and ultimately the possibility of showering in extremely tight spaces and then creating adequate space for further personal hygiene, for example. Another advantage is that the shower device according to the invention can also be subsequently installed in apartments and in particular bathrooms.

If, as stated in claim 2, the adjustment devices with respect to the tub are designed and arranged in such a way that the tub can be adjusted to a parking position towards a wall that has the control elements that can be used together with the shower facility, this has the advantage that the tub does not obstruct an otherwise freely usable space in its parking position, but rather uses a space that is only partially usable due to the existing control elements. The tub requires as little space as possible when it is in a parking position that is at least approximately parallel to a wall, especially the one with the control elements. Since the present invention can otherwise be implemented together with any predetermined or desired design of the shower facility, a wall, for example of the bathroom, does not necessarily have to have the control elements, so that in general an adjustment of the tub against an at least essentially vertical wall plane is provided, which is preferably determined by the positions of the control elements.

Claim 3 specifies some advantageous elements of the adjustment devices, which the expert knows how to combine to design the adjustment process according to the circumstances. In particular, these are levers, rail guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls, by means of which, combined or individually, the adjustment of the tub is controlled in a suitable manner. For the adjustment, it is also advantageous if, according to a further alternative of claim 3, adjustment aids are provided that facilitate the operation of the adjustment devices. Such adjustment aids are generally known in detail and can in particular contain counterweight arrangements, lever means, spring means, hydraulic devices and/or electrical devices, all of which are suitable for making the adjustment as simple and easy as possible. In order to make the adjustment particularly convenient, the adjustment aids can also comprise, for example, a preferably electronic control unit and drive means for automatically adjusting the tub.

So that the tub does not automatically return to the operating position, especially in a parking position, it is advantageous if it can be locked in at least one of the parking positions according to claim 4. This can be achieved by providing separate locking elements or locking elements. However, locking can also be achieved by a suitable design of the adjustment device, for example if it sets an over-dead center position or stable equilibrium position in a parking position, which can be achieved for example by means of curve controls, toggle joints or spring balances.

In order to ensure that the tub does not directly touch the floor, which is usually tiled, in its operating position, which can lead to damage to the tub and/or the tiled floor, especially when using the shower facility, it is advantageously provided according to claim 5 to attach or form support elements on the underside of the tub, which are particularly elastic in at least some areas. It is also advantageous if the support elements are height-adjustable, as this enables the tub to stand securely regardless of the shape of the floor in the room and the installation of the tub.

So that the shower water can drain out of the tub during use of the shower facility, a water outlet is contained in the tub, which is preferably formed in a base part, a side wall or both. When arranging the water outlet, the structural preconditions of the location of the shower facility may need to be taken into account, since at least when it is in operation, the reliable drainage of the shower water into a fixed domestic water drain must be ensured in order to avoid flooding. According to claim 7, it is advantageous if the base part and/or the side wall are designed to slope towards the water outlet at least in some areas with respect to the operating or parking position in order to facilitate the drainage of the water in the tub. A further advantage can be achieved by providing an intermediate piece according to claim 8, with which the water outlet and the domestic water drain can be connected to drain the shower water. A

Such a fluid connection is required in any case during use of the shower facility, and can therefore be released if necessary when adjusting the tub. However, it is advantageous if, as described in a further alternative of claim 9, the intermediate piece is so flexible that it can maintain the fluid connection over the entire adjustment range of the tub. In combination with an appropriate design of the tub and arrangement of the water outlet, this can enable residual water to continue to drain away even when the tub is parked.

Above all, if the domestic water drain is positioned higher than the water outlet of the tub, the shower water cannot drain away properly. To solve this problem, which can also occur if the domestic water drain is positioned lower than the water outlet of the tub, a water pumping device is provided according to claim 9. When using a water pumping device, a water outlet is not necessarily required, since the shower water can also be pumped out using a hose that runs over the edge of the tub, for example. Such a design is helpful when the structural preconditions do not allow a water outlet to be connected to a domestic water drain, even using a water pumping device.

Preferred materials and shapes of the tub are specified in claim 10. According to this, the tub consists of a coated, in particular enamelled metal, which preferably only has the thickness of sheet metal, or a preferably reinforced plastic, and is in particular provided with an end profile.

In order to avoid slipping when showering in the wet tub, it is advantageous if, according to claim 11, the tub has a surface with an anti-slip coating at least in some areas, e.g. on the bottom of the tub in stripes, rings or other patterns or completely. Additionally or alternatively, the surface can be profiled in areas or entirely, which on the one hand provides a safer stand and on the other hand

At the same time, better drainage of water can be achieved.

It is also advantageous if the shower device according to claim 12 contains a door device that can be adjusted between operating positions and parking positions by means of adjustment mechanisms. An operating position is present when the door device extends along one of the side walls of the tub in an operating position, so that the tub can be entered through the door device. This means that the door device can then close off a space above the tub, determined by the operating position of the tub, from the rest of the room. This means that the shower device can be used together with a wall adjoining the tub or with two or three walls surrounding the tub to form a closed shower cubicle. If this cubicle is completely assembled, i.e. the door device is in an operating position and closed, this prevents splash water from getting into the rest of the room when showering. If the shower facility is not required, the door device is adjusted to a parking position in which the tub can be freely accessed in its operating position and can be adjusted between operating positions and parking positions. This means that the door device is moved, swiveled or tilted from its exposed position, which limits the space above the tub, to a position in which it, together with an adjacent wall or surrounding walls, only encloses a fraction of the space determined by the space above the tub in an operating position. To do this, the door device is adjusted to an adjacent wall or one of the surrounding walls. The parking positions are therefore as close to a wall as possible when the shower facility is installed. However, it is not necessary for the tub to only be adjustable in one of the door device's parking positions. For reasons of space, for reasons of the adjustment mechanisms, for cleaning reasons and for maintenance, assembly or repair reasons, it may be desirable or necessary to be able to adjust the tub from an operating position to a parking position and to leave the door device in an operating position.

Claim 13 specifies some possible components of the adjustment mechanisms, namely levers, rail guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls. The design, selection and combination of these components depends on the structural conditions of the bathroom and the rest of the shower facility, and it is no problem for the expert to create suitable adjustment mechanisms from them. It is also advantageous if the adjustment mechanisms are coupled to the adjustment devices of the tub in such a way that adjusting the door device automatically also causes the tub to be adjusted and/or vice versa. This means that it is sufficient, for example, to adjust the door device from an operating position to a parking position, so that at the same time or inevitably the tub is adjusted from an operating position to a parking position. The adjustment mechanisms can advantageously contain adjustment aids that make adjusting the door device and/or tub easier. Such adjustment aids are generally known in detail and can in particular include counterweight arrangements, lever means, spring means, hydraulic devices and/or electrical devices, all of which are suitable for making adjustment as simple and easy as possible. In order to make adjustment particularly convenient, the adjustment aids can also include, for example, a preferably electronic control unit and drive means for automatically adjusting the door device and/or tub.

The door device can, for example, be curtain-like, but according to claim 14 it is advantageous if the door device is at least substantially stable. This means that the door device has plate- or strip-shaped components which, due to the type of their connection or interaction, only allow predetermined deformations or transformations. In particular, the door device should be at least substantially rigid against deformations around horizontal axes. Such deformations in particular can lead to the door device becoming sagging in areas or entirely.

is at such a distance from the tub that water can escape from the shower facility. In order to make the space above the tub easily accessible by means of the door device on the one hand and to keep it tightly closed on the other, it is preferably provided that the door device contains a sliding, folding and/or pivoting door system. Such door systems are also economical to produce and easy to operate. The stability of the door device can be further improved by having a door frame, which the adjustment mechanisms then preferably engage.

In order to prevent the door device from automatically moving from a parking position to an operating position or vice versa, it is advantageously provided according to claim 15 that the door device can be locked at least in a parking and/or operating position. As with the locking of the tub, snap or locking devices can be used here just as well as over-center positions or elastic elements that pre-tension the door device into the position(s). It is particularly economical if the locking mechanisms of the tub and the door device are coupled, which also means that, for example, the tub locked in its parking position itself locks or blocks the door device in its parking position, or the (locked) door device in its operating position automatically locks or blocks the tub in its operating position.

A further advantage of the shower device according to the invention is achieved in that, according to claim 16, the door device has a lower edge located above or inside the tub in an operating position, at least in an operating position. This ensures that splash water on the inside of the door device always automatically reaches the inside of the tub when it runs down. With this arrangement, it is then necessary that either the door device is first adjusted to a parking position before the tub can be adjusted to a parking position, or that adjusting the door device first involves lifting it from the operating position

so that the tub can be adjusted to a parking position. It is also advantageous if at least one parking position of the door device is at least approximately parallel and preferably adjacent to a parking position of the tub. This makes it possible to store the door device and the tub in a very space-saving manner when they are not needed.

A further advantageous embodiment of the present invention is described in claim 17, according to which the door device contains, in particular in its upper region, a receiving space such that, in a parking position of the door device, operating elements that can be used together with the shower device can be accommodated therein. As a result, the parking position of the door device can be very close to or even right on the wall that has the operating elements, since the fittings, shower head and possibly its (adjustable) holders contained in the latter can protrude into the receiving space. In particular, the receiving space is formed in the upper region of the door system.

The accommodation space for the control elements has the further advantage that, when the door device is in the operating position, it is possible to store personal care products and utensils for use when showering in the accommodation space. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the accommodation space according to claim 18 has compartment elements that enable the personal care products and utensils to be stored in an orderly manner, whereby it is also advantageous if the compartment elements can be adapted in terms of dimensions and arrangement to the position of the control elements, so that exactly the space required for the latter remains free and the compartment elements can also be used to store personal care products and utensils. Adjustable compartment elements can also be adapted to the personal care products and utensils that are to be placed or stored in them. Finally, a door to the accommodation space that can be opened separately makes it possible to reach the items stored in it without setting up or using the shower facility. The accommodation space can therefore also be used as a cupboard

, saving even more space in the bathroom or apartment.

A further advantage is described in claim 19, according to which at least one side element is provided with adjustment devices, by means of which each side element can be adjusted between operating positions, in which all existing side elements of one side extend, starting from the door device, along a side wall of the tub in an operating position, and parking positions, in which they extend at most over a fraction of the side wall of the tub and allow the tub to be adjusted between operating positions and parking positions. Such side elements make it possible to complete the shower device to form a shower cubicle if only one or two walls are available to which the shower device can be attached. The side elements then establish the connection between the walls and the door device, so that no splash water can escape to the outside when showering. When the shower device is in the operating state, the one or all of the side elements on one side of the tub cover the corresponding side of the tub over at least substantially its entire length. In its operating position, each side element is aligned parallel to the edge of the tub.

According to claim 20, it is advantageous if the side elements are at least substantially stable. This means that the side elements are plate- or strip-shaped and, due to the type of their connection or interaction, only allow predetermined deformations or redesigns. In particular, the side elements should be at least substantially rigid against deformations around horizontal axes. Such deformations in particular can lead to the side elements being at such a distance from the tub in some areas or in their entirety that water can escape from the shower device. It is also advantageous if at least one side element can be locked at least in a parking and/or operating position, with the locking mechanisms of the tub and/or the door device preferably being linked to the locking mechanism of at least one

of a side element. A locking, blocking or locking can be achieved, for example, as already described above with regard to the tub and the door device, whereby, for example, the side elements in their parking position are held by the door device in its parking position and this in turn by the tub in its parking position, so that only the latter has to be locked. In a similar way, the side elements in their operating position can hold the door device in its operating position and this in turn can hold the tub locked in its operating position, so that only the side elements have to be locked or engaged.

According to claim 21, the adjustment devices contain rail, lever guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls, in order to be able to create suitable adjustment processes in an advantageous manner. It is preferred if the adjustment devices are coupled to the adjustment devices of the tub and/or the adjustment mechanisms of the door device in such a way that adjusting the side elements automatically also causes an adjustment of the tub and/or door device and/or vice versa. This means that, for example, it is sufficient to adjust either the tub or the door device or the side elements in order to tidy up the entire shower facility. The adjustment aids already described for the tub and door device can of course also be included in the adjustment devices of the side elements.

With regard to the adjustment aids, it is advantageous if they are combined and support both adjustment devices and adjustment mechanisms as well as adjustment devices, so that the operation of the shower facility for setting up or putting away is made easier. It is already helpful if the weights of the individual components of the shower facility are distributed appropriately so that they neutralize each other as much as possible and desirable when adjusting, and if adjustment devices, adjustment mechanisms and adjustment devices are designed and arranged in such a way that they support each other and do not hinder each other.

The design according to claim 22 ensures in a simple manner that splash water from the side elements runs directly into the interior of the tub, since the side elements, at least in one operating position, have a lower edge located above or inside the tub in an operating position. Furthermore, very space-saving storage of the shower facility is achieved if the side elements are arranged in at least one parking position at least approximately parallel to a parking position of the tub, with the parking position of the door device also ideally being parallel to this. The stored shower cubicle requires the least space if the side elements are arranged in at least one parking position adjacent to a parking position of the tub and in particular also to a parking position of the door device.

The arrangement and design of the door device according to claim 16 and the side elements according to claim 22 with regard to their lower edges is not mandatory. If the door device and/or side elements are located outside the tub, these components of the shower device can also extend below the upper edge of the tub, for example to the floor. In this case, however, it is best if sealing elements are provided between the tub and the surrounding components, the door device or side elements, which prevent splash water from running off to the outside of the tub and are so flexible that the adjustment of the entire shower device is not hindered.

In order to ensure that the shower cubicle can be stored in the most space-saving way possible, it is also advantageous according to claim 23 if the side elements are arranged in at least one parking position in such a way that they leave control elements that can be used together with the shower facility uncovered. This means in particular that the side elements can be adjusted against the same wall that also has the control elements, but in a parking position they come to lie to the left and/or right of the latter.

If there is enough space in the bathroom or in the apartment, it can be useful if at least one side element is at least partially formed by the door device, as described in claim 24. This design can also be useful, however, by using certain designs of the door device and side elements, such as, for example, if the door device and side elements are formed by the same slats of a roller shutter-like sliding door system, which can then also have upper rails that can be pushed together for complete adjustment, which can possibly be additionally held by spoke-like supports.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention according to claim 25 for mounting the shower device on a single wall (as opposed to a corner with two walls), it is provided that at least two side elements that can be folded against each other about a vertical axis form a side wall part that is connected to the door device so that it can be folded about a vertical axis on one side and can be connected to the wall so that it can be folded about a vertical axis on the other side, so that when the door device is adjusted from an operating position to a parking position towards the wall, the side wall part is folded together. In this case, the side elements are simultaneously used as adjustment mechanisms for the door device, which is particularly simple and economical to manufacture and easy to operate. This solution is of course also possible if a side wall part is only formed on one side of the door device. In addition, other mechanisms can be provided instead of or in addition to the folding mechanisms. This leads to the general design of combined adjustment mechanisms of the door device and adjustment devices of the side elements according to claim 2 6, wherein according to claim 27 side elements can generally be arranged on both sides of the door device.

If suitable structural measures are available in the apartment or room for the installation of the shower facility,

If the walls are not possible or not desired, the shower facility can be designed directly as a shower cubicle according to the advantageous embodiments of claims 28 and 29. At least one rear wall element is provided which is provided with operating elements and/or devices for receiving and/or allowing the operating elements to pass through and which, together with the tub, the door device and the side elements on both sides, forms a closed shower cubicle which can be folded together in a space-saving manner just as the previous versions and, apart from the necessary water inlets and outlets, can be used completely universally. It is advantageous if the rear wall element is also provided with operating elements. This shower cubicle takes up the least space if the parking positions, positions and locations of the side elements, door device and tub are adjacent in this order and at least essentially parallel to the rear wall element and the operating elements are not covered by the side elements and, if necessary, extend into the receiving space in the door device. In order to ensure that this shower facility is stable, fastening devices for the shower cubicle on a wall and/or ceiling and/or floor of a room are provided according to claim 30. The fastening devices can preferably be operated without the need for tools. Such fastening devices can, for example, be telescopic rods pre-tensioned in the longitudinal direction, which are attached to the shower cubicle and can be clamped between the floor and ceiling of a room without the use of tools. But suction elements are also possible. This means that the shower cubicle can be installed quickly and easily, particularly in mobile homes and trailers or construction sheds and trailers.

In order to prevent splash water from running out of the shower facility, the design according to claim 31 has sealing elements which, during operation of the shower facility, seal its individual components against each other and against the surrounding walls of a room.

According to claim 32, each or alternatively the tub, the door device, its door system, its separate door and the side elements have handles for adjusting or operating individual or several of these components. It is preferred that common handles are provided for operating several components of the shower device and in particular a single handle is provided for adjusting the tub, the door device and the side elements.

The invention can be implemented with differently shaped tubs, as stated in claim 33. It is at the discretion of the expert to select the shape and function of any existing door device, side elements and/or rear wall element so that perfect adjustment is possible.

Claim 34 specifies preferred materials and dimensions of the door device and/or side elements. In addition, these components of the shower facility can also consist of sheet metal, wood or a fabric covering, in particular the latter with a stable frame, or of combinations of these materials.

The shower device according to claim 35 comprises a shower cubicle which contains water treatment devices, in particular hot water treatment devices and/or waste water treatment devices. Preferably, the water treatment devices and waste water treatment devices are closed via shower fittings contained in the control elements and the water outlet to form a circuit which is in particular completely built into the shower device. This means that the shower cubicle can be set up and operated independently of sanitary connections, e.g. in mobile homes and trailers, construction huts and trailers, but also in residential units in which no corresponding connections are provided. But the water treatment devices, in particular hot water treatment devices or waste water treatment devices alone also bring advantages, since, for example, a cold water connection is sufficient for the shower cubicle and can then be connected to the hot water treatment device.

facility that can heat the shower water, or wastewater treatment facilities that retain environmentally harmful substances for separate disposal.

According to claim 36, operating elements are provided which contain fittings and/or a shower head which are permanently or detachably connected to the shower facility and possibly have flexible connections in order to be able to be connected to a water pipe. The fittings can, for example, be permanently installed on one of the walls of the shower facility and have a connecting hose by means of which they can be connected to a water supply line. The shower head can contain a holder which can be attached to a wall part of the shower facility. This has the advantage that the shower facility can be used relatively independently of other structural conditions.

If necessary, it can also be planned that the side elements are fully or partially placed in the walls surrounding the shower facility when installed, so that they no longer take up much space in the room. The same applies to the door mechanism and the tub. For this, it is only necessary to create corresponding recesses in the walls, which is particularly easy in new buildings, since in this case it can be taken into account right from the planning stage.

According to the invention, a shower facility was created which, when not needed for showering, requires a fraction of the space it needs during showering. The shower facility makes it possible to shower even in extremely tight spaces and to create adequate space for further personal hygiene afterwards. The further possibility of installation, particularly in old buildings, and wall installation, is particularly taken into account.

Below, some features of preferred versions are summarized separately:

According to preferred embodiments of the invention based on the shower cubicle, a shower facility was created in particular, in which comfort - stable side walls, adjustable shower, solid tub, etc. - does not have to be dispensed with.

In the preferred versions, the four elements,
Fastening devices or their supports, the adjustable, preferably foldable tub, the adjustment devices,
-mechanisms and devices preferably as hinges and the door device, side elements and rear wall elements are arranged in such a way that stability, hygiene and easy assembly are guaranteed. The decisive factor for this arrangement is the tightness of the shower facility and keeping the area dry during use and the drainage of the water when the shower is folded up.

Due to the dimensional relationships of the side elements to each other
There is enough space for the shower head and the fitting when folded. For the same reason, the front wall with the
Entrance door in the upper area pulled out to the front, which
can also be used as a storage space inside.
When mounted on the wall (without rear wall elements), an additional rubber strip directs the water into the tub. The supports of the fastening devices are screwed to the top either with the wall or ceiling and possibly with the wall or floor below. The rear wall is then firmly mounted to them, to which the side elements with the door device are mounted and preferably held and folded by hinges. The walls in the form of the side elements, door device and rear wall elements overlap the inside of the shower tray, which ensures a safe
Tightness is ensured. The drain runs through a flexible hose to allow the tub to be folded up.

The walls should be made of light, preferably translucent plastic and should not be thicker than 7 mm. With appropriate hinges, glass walls are also conceivable. The floor

The tub is made of enamelled sheet metal and has side walls only with sheet metal thickness, which are provided with an end profile.

Two simple, quick steps allow you to use the shower facility. First, you fold the base pan forward using the color-coded handles and then you pull the shower cubicle forward using the handles, which are also color-coded. Hinges provide the guidance.

However, the present invention in its various embodiments can be used advantageously not only in apartments in houses. Other living spaces, for example in mobile homes and caravans, where there is little space available, can also be equipped with the shower device according to the invention in order to be able to use the limited space as universally as possible and in particular not to have to do without showering or to have to rely on facilities at a campsite, for example, to shower.

Furthermore, the side elements can be made of pre-folded plastic material. The side elements should be able to be locked in the operating position with sufficient stability and, if necessary, have additional guides and brackets, e.g. in or on the tub. In particular, 90° lockable hinges can be used between the side elements and the door device.

The door device preferably contains a three-sided frame that includes two side frames and a connecting part at the top or bottom. However, a four-sided frame that completely surrounds the door system is also possible. The frame can also be only one- or two-sided, or can be omitted entirely as a separate part.

The door device, side elements and the rear wall element either extend below the edge of the tub and at most to the floor, whereby these components can be arranged inside or outside the tub sides, or they may extend

ly right up to the top of the side walls of the tub. It is important that there is sufficient sealing between these components, if they are present, and the tub.

A hot water preparation system in or on the shower facility can, for example, contain a continuous flow heater. This can be housed together with or separately from a wastewater treatment system in a base of the shower facility, e.g. behind the tub or under the tub. The wastewater treatment system ensures that it can operate independently of water supply and drainage, at least for a limited time, thanks to a closed water circuit.

The operating devices include shower fittings and a shower head. The shower fittings can be located outside the shower facility and can be operated from the outside. The shower head can, for example, be mounted on the ceiling of the room above the shower facility or be attached to a side element, the rear wall element or the door device. This means that it can be removed to fold or generally adjust the shower facility into the parking position and would then not hinder adjustment.

Fittings and possibly a shower head could also be permanently connected to a side element, the rear wall element or the door device and connected to a faucet via an at least partially flexible line, such as a hose, to operate the shower facility. Parts of the line can be permanently integrated into the shower facility.

Since the shower facility can be used advantageously in many places, especially as a complete cabin, the fastening material of the shower facility should be designed in such a way that it can be set up without the use of tools. It is important that the shower facility is secure both when parked and when in operation.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using embodiments with reference to the drawing; in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the shower facility/

Fig. 2 a side view of a parking state of the

Shower facility from Fig. 1 with minor modifications;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the shower device from Fig. 2 in an operating state;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the shower facility from Fig. 2 with a tub in the operating position and door device and side elements in the parking position;

Fig. 5 is a plan view according to Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view according to Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the tub along the line II in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the shower facility or a tub of the shower facility;

Fig. 9 a plan view of yet another embodiment of the shower facility or a tub of the shower facility;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the tub along the line II-II in Fig. 9;

22
Fig. lla-d another embodiment of the shower facility;

Fig. 12a-c schematic plan views of another embodiment of the shower device in different adjustment states; and

Fig. 13a-e schematic plan views of yet another

Execution of the shower facility in various adjustment positions.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the shower device 1, which is designed as a shower cubicle 11. However, if a rear wall, which is located at the back and therefore not visible in the illustration, were omitted, which will be described in more detail in connection with Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the shower device 1 could also be mounted directly on a wall E, which is preferably tiled.

The shower cubicle 11 in Fig. 1 is equipped with a tub 2 which stands on the floor D of a room by means of support elements 22. The support elements 22 are simple rubber pieces which dampen loads when using the shower facility 1 and prevent damage to both the tub 2 and the floor D. The tub 2 is arranged in an operating position A, i.e. it is essentially horizontally aligned and can be used in this position.

The tub 2 is provided with adjustment devices 21, which are designed as rotary or swivel bearings, which are attached to fastening devices 6 of the shower device 1. The tub 2 can be swiveled by means of the rotary bearings from its operating position A into at least one parking position B, which is shown for example in Fig. 2. The fastening devices 6 contain holding elements to be attached to the wall, ceiling or floor, for example by means of screws, and supports connecting them.

To drain the shower water, the tub 2 is also provided with a water outlet 25, which in the version shown in Fig. 1 contains a pipe section located outside the tub 2 for connecting a line. Finally, the tub 2 has a handle 9a, which is designed as a bow-shaped grip and serves to grip and operate the tub for adjusting it between operating and parking positions A or B.

A door device 3 is connected to the fastening devices β via adjustment mechanisms 31. The detailed design of such connections will be described later in connection with other embodiments of the shower device.

The door device 3 has a folding door system 33 for entering the tub. This contains a normal folding or pivoting door and a door frame 35, which consists of two vertical bars and an upper horizontal bar and is made in one piece from plastic. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the door is hinged to the right vertical bar of the frame, the horizontal bar serves to reinforce and stabilize the door device 3, in particular so that it can be easily adjusted between operating and parking positions without becoming jammed. The door frame 35 of the door device 3 could also have a lower horizontal bar, but this is not provided in the design shown.

To help prevent jamming during adjustment, guides and compensation controls that are not visible in the illustration can also be provided. The door device 3 is also provided with two handles 9b on the vertical bars of its door frame 35, which are designed as handle bars and serve to enable the door device 3 to be moved back and forth as evenly as possible between operating and parking positions. A handle 9c in the form of a doorknob is provided for opening the folding door system 33, i.e. its swing door. In order to be able to operate the swing door from inside the shower facility 1, it is advantageous to have a

A handle is also attached. To prevent water from splashing out, the swing door is held in its closed position, for example, with a magnetic lock or a mechanical catch or in another suitable way.

A receiving space in the swing door, which is not visible from the perspective shown here, is provided with a door 39 that can be opened separately, so that the receiving space, which, as will be explained later, serves to accommodate control elements of the shower when the shower facility 1 is parked, can also be used as a cupboard in which a wide variety of objects, preferably those that are needed for showering but also for other personal hygiene, can be stored. Due to the cupboard function of the receiving space, the objects stored therein are available both when showering inside the shower facility 1 or shower cubicle 11 and from outside in any state of the shower facility 1. The separate door 39 of the receiving space can be operated by means of a handle 9d, which is designed as a locking rotary knob, and is attached to the swing or folding door of the folding door system 33 with hinges shown on the right in the illustration.

The door device 3 has a lower edge that sits on top of an edge of the tub 2. So that splash water running down the inside of the door device 3 cannot run out between the door device 3 and the tub 2, a sealing element 8 in the form of a rubber seal is provided there.

In Figs. 2 and 3, side views of another embodiment of the shower device 1 are shown, which is partially modified compared to the embodiment of Fig. 1, namely in Fig. 2 in the parked state and in Fig. 3 in the operating state.

This shower device 1 is also designed as a shower cubicle 11, which is attached to the wall E and the floor D by means of fastening devices. The shower cubicle 11 has a rear wall plane C, which is formed by a rear wall element 5.

as can be better seen in connection with Fig. 4 and 5.

A tray 2 is pivotably attached to the fastening devices 6 by means of adjustment devices designed as pivot bearings (not visible). The tray 2 can thus be adjusted, i.e. pivoted in this case, between vertical parking positions B (Fig. 2) and horizontal operating positions A (Fig. 3), by operating the bow handle of the handle 9a.

To drain the shower water, the tub 2 is provided with a water outlet 25, the inlet opening of which is located inside the tub, both in its base and in its side wall 24a, so that in operating and parking positions A and B, respectively, the water contained in the tub 2 drains away. The water outlet 25 is connected to a service water drain via an intermediate piece 82, which consists of a flexible hose.

81. The hose used here is essentially only flexible in order to ensure the fluid connection between the water outlet 25 and the service water drain 81 in all positions of the tub. However, it is not necessary for the intermediate piece

82 is flexible over its entire length. It is only important that sufficient compensating movements of the intermediate piece 82 are possible, which can also be achieved by explicit joints, whereby changes in the length of the intermediate piece 82 can also be made possible by suitable design of the latter.

The tub 2 also contains support elements 22, which in this version also allow height adjustment in order to compensate for unevenness of the floor D and installation requirements of the shower facility 1. For this purpose, the support elements 22 have support plates that can be screwed back and forth into the tub floor using threaded rods and that are provided with rubber plates on their underside. Each support plate can be adjusted by screwing in or unscrewing the threaded pins so that the tub 2 can assume a desired horizontal position and is securely supported on the floor D.

The shower device 1 further comprises side elements 4, the lower edges 42 of which are located inside the tub 2, so that splash water running down the inside of the side elements 4 automatically enters the tub 2.

The side elements 4 are shown in Fig. 2 in a parking position &bgr;

and shown in an operating position α in Fig. 3. The adjustment between these two positions is accomplished by pairs of hinges that form the adjustment devices 41. A pair of hinges is provided between two side elements 4 forming a side wall part 43, whereby a vertical axis 44 is determined around which the two side elements 4 can move towards each other. In order to simultaneously enable the side elements 4 to be folded towards the wall plane C, which is defined by the controls of the shower or the rear wall elements 5 of the shower cubicle 11, as can be seen better in Figs. 4 and 5, a further pair of hinges is provided as an adjustment device 41 between the rear side element 4 in Figs. 2 to 5 and the wall plane C. A vertical axis 46 is determined by this further pair of hinges.

By means of a third pair of hinges of the same side wall part 43, which defines a vertical axis 45, this is connected to a door device 3. The hinges of each pair are arranged at a distance in the direction of the axes 44, 45 and 46 and, as adjustment devices 41 of the side elements 4, enable them to fold together or unfold like an accordion when they are adjusted.

The door device 3, whose lower edge 36 lies inside the tub 2 in order to safely drain away splash water, is shown in Fig. 2 in a parking position b and in Fig. 3 in an operating position a. The adjustment mechanisms 31 of the door device 3 comprise the hinge pairs of the adjustment devices 41 of the side elements 4 as well as the side elements 4 themselves. The door device 3 also has the already described in connection with Fig.

1 described in more detail. Furthermore, bow handles are attached to the door device 3 as handles 9b (only one is visible) for adjusting the door device 3. A handle 9c in the form of a doorknob is used to open and close a door contained in the door device.

The shower facility 1 is adjusted as follows:

The starting point is the parking state in Fig. 2, in which the tub 2 assumes a parking position B, the door device 3 a parking position β and the side elements 4 a parking position b. It can be clearly seen that all parts are approximately parallel and as close to each other as possible, so that very little space is taken up. The door device 3 and the side walls 4 are automatically aligned vertically and the tub 2 also assumes a substantially vertical position.

The tub 2 is grabbed by the handle 9a and pivoted downwards into a horizontal operating position A until the support elements 22 are on the floor D. The door device 3 and the side elements 4 are then adjusted by pulling the handles 9b (see Fig. 1) forwards, to the right in Figs. 2 and 3. The adjustment mechanisms 31, consisting of the adjustment devices 41 and the side elements 4, force the door device 3 into its operating position a. The side elements 4 also automatically reach their operating position a by being connected by means of the hinge pairs, i.e. the adjustment devices 31. In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanisms 31 of the door device 3 and the adjustment devices 41 of the side elements 4 are thus coupled or even partially identical.

The shower facility 1 is now converted into a shower cubicle 11 and can be used for showering, whereby the necessary operating elements, such as fittings, shower head and, if applicable, (adjustable) brackets for the latter are mounted inside the shower cubicle 11 and, when parked, can be placed in the holders.

The hinges of the adjustment mechanisms 31 or adjustment devices 41 are provided with locking elements (not visible) so that they are locked in the operating state. The extended position of the side elements 4 and the door device 3, which all extend downwards into the tub 2, prevents the latter from pivoting upwards.

The shower cubicle 11 is entered through a door of the door device 3. The shower water is led through the water outlet 25 via the flexible intermediate piece 82 into the service water drain 81. If necessary, a pump can be provided as a water pumping device if the shower water does not flow out of the tub or does not flow out sufficiently.

After showering, the shower cubicle 11 is left and the door device 3 is first moved towards the wall E or the wall plane C using the handles 9b. At the same time, the side elements 4 are folded together until they finally assume their parking position β and the door device is also in its parking position b. The tub 2 is now swung back using the handle 9a from the horizontal position into the essentially vertical parking position B, in which it is held by locking elements (not visible). Since the tub is locked in its parking position B and covers the door device 3 and side elements 4 at the front, the latter are also all secured against unintentional adjustment.

The operating and parking states of the individual parts of the shower device 1 can also be clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 5, with reference to the previous description in connection with Figs. 2 and 3 with regard to the same parts.

In addition, the operating elements 71 can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, which are attached to a rear wall element 5, which thus defines a vertical wall plane C. The operating elements 71 contain rotary controls for hot and cold water, i.e.

i.e. a mixer tap, a shower or shower head and a holder for the latter, which allows the height of the shower head to be adjusted.

In particular, however, it can be seen from Fig. 4 that the dimensioning of the side elements 4 in their parked position β creates a free space for the operating elements 71. The side elements 4 of the left and right side wall parts 43 in their folded-up positions thus leave a space between them that is required for the operating elements 71 ; a separate space for the operating elements in a parked state of the shower device 1 can be achieved by a suitable combination of adapted adjustment means and components of the shower device. However, the version shown here is particularly easy to achieve.

Furthermore, Fig. 4 in particular shows the four side walls 24a, b, c and d as well as the base part 23 and the inner surface 26 of the tub 2. The accordion-like folding of the side elements 4 in their parking position β can be seen particularly well in this illustration. The pivot bearings of the adjustment devices 21 of the tub 2 are also shown. Finally, it can be seen how the operating elements 71 protrude into the receiving space 37 of the door device 3 in its parking position b.

In Fig. 5, adaptable compartment elements 38 are shown as examples in the receiving space 37. The water outlet 25 can be seen in the figure in the top left corner. Finally, the pivoting or folding door of the folding door system 33 is shown, whereby the door can be opened into the interior of the shower cubicle 11.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the shower facility 1 from Fig. 4. In addition to the same parts as there, the door frame 35 of the door device 3 can also be seen here. This door frame 35 consists of vertical strips arranged on both sides of the door itself and a cross bar underneath. Furthermore, it can be clearly seen in this figure that both the

lower edge 36 of the door device 3 and the lower edges 42 of the side elements 4 extend into the tub 2 so that good splash water drainage from these parts into the tub 2 is ensured. The lower edge 36 of the door device 3 and the lower edges 42 of the side elements 4 could also be located outside the tub 2, which would however require seals between these parts.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section through a tub 2 along line II in Fig. 4. The side walls 24b, c and d and the base part 23 can be seen. As can be seen on the side walls 24c and d, for example, the side walls end at the top in a finishing profile 28. The inner surface 26 of the tub 2 slopes slightly from right to left and is provided with a profile 27; on the left edge of the inner surface 26 of the tub 2 there is a channel which slopes downwards from back to front, i.e. out of the plane of the image, and is also inclined diagonally to the left. As a result, in the operating position A of the tub 2 the water is initially guided over the sloping surface 26 of the base part 23 into the channel, where it flows forwards. There the water finally reaches the side wall 24a, which contains the water outlet 25. This ensures good water drainage in the operating position A of the tub 2. To illustrate the effect of the design of the base part 23 of the tub 2 in its parking position B, the sheet with Fig. 7 only needs to be rotated 90° anti-clockwise. The remaining water now flows or drips over the surface 26 of the base part 23 and over the side walls 24b and 24a (not visible) down into the channel, the lower side of which now runs forward, ie out of the image plane, towards the water outlet 25. This ensures that even in the parking position B of the tub 2, remaining water runs through the water outlet 25, possibly via an intermediate piece 82, into a service water drain 81.

Profile 27 provides a certain level of stability for people taking a shower. In addition, water drainage can be improved by using profile 27. For safety reasons,

An anti-slip coating can be applied to the inner surface 26 of the tub 2, either natively or in addition to the profile 27, at least in some areas.

Fig. 8 shows a top view of a version of the tub 2 with a modified detail. This tub 2 also ends at the top in a finishing profile 28 and has a surface 26 of the base part 23 that slopes from right to left in the drawing. The surface 26 contains nub lines as profile 27. The course of the channel, which, as in the version according to Fig. 7, is contained on the left in the tub 2, can be seen particularly well here. The slopes in the channel on the one hand from the back top to the front bottom (viewed from top to bottom in the illustration) and from the back left to the front right towards the water outlet 25 in the side wall 24a, ensure that the shower or residual water drains off well in every position of the tub 2. In the embodiment shown, sealing elements 8 are also attached around the entire end profile 28 of the tub, which consist of rubber lips or hollow rubber profiles and serve to seal the tub 2 against the surrounding walls E and door device 3 and possibly side and rear wall elements 4 and 5. As an adjustment device 21 of the tub 2, a hinge band is attached along the side wall 24d, which enables the tub 2 to be pivoted.

Another embodiment of the tub 2 is shown in Fig. 9. Here, the water outlet 25 is arranged in the middle of the bottom part 23 of the tub 2 and the surface 26 slopes down from the side walls 24a - d to the middle of the tub 2 onto the water outlet 25, which is covered with a grid. As in the previously described embodiments, the surface of this tub also has a profile 27 made up of rows of studs. However, on this tub 2, a sealing element 8 is only provided along the side wall 24d on the end profile 28 in order to achieve sealing against a wall E. This tub 2 is to be used with side elements 4 along the side walls 24a and b and a door device 3 along the side wall 24c, which are either themselves provided with rubber seals on their lower edges

or 36 or whose lower edges 42 or 36 extend into the interior of the tub 2 below the upper edge thereof, in order to prevent splash water from escaping.

Fig. 10 shows a cross-section through the tub 2 along line II-II in Fig. 9, which clearly shows the course of the surface 26 of the base part 23 of the tub 2. The illustration also shows how the water outlet 25 is connected to a domestic water drain 81 in the floor of the room via an intermediate piece 82, which is designed as a simple rubber border. The design according to Figs. 9 and 10 can be used to use a domestic water drain 81 already present in the floor of a bathroom or other room. Since in this case the domestic water drain 81 is always below the water outlet 25 of the tub, the water always flows away well when the tub 2 is in operation, and the intermediate piece 82 could even be dispensed with, although this ensures a targeted water supply to the domestic water drain 81. However, this design of the shower facility 1 does not allow residual water to drain away in the parking positions of the tub 2.

The shower device 1 shown in Fig. 9 and 10 is also provided with cam controls as adjustment devices for the tub 2. It is provided that the tub 2 is first pulled forwards (downwards in Fig. 9) from its operating position, with the two left and right pins being guided in a stationary rail. The front pins (the lower ones in Fig. 9) then reach a curved path, which they follow upwards and backwards (analogously to Fig. 9 out of the image plane) and then upwards) until the tub 2 is in a vertical parking position (analogously to Fig. 9 out of the image plane). The two inward-facing pins serve to couple the adjustment devices 21 to adjustment mechanisms 31 and/or adjustment devices 41 of the door device 3 or side elements 4.

A triangular tub 2 is shown in Fig. 11a - d, which can be used to make use of a corner of a room,

which, however, can be used for other purposes when the shower facility 1 is parked. The tub 2 has a water outlet 25 and an end profile 28 provided with sealing elements 8 all around. The sealing elements 8 consist of sufficiently strong rubber lips.

The tub 2 is shown in Fig. 11a in its operating position A and is pivotably attached to the wall E by means of the adjustment devices 21 in the form of two hinges. A door device 3 in its operating position a with a door frame 35 is arranged above the front side wall. The door device 3 also contains a sliding door system 32 and consists essentially of transparent plastic panels and aluminum rails. The door frame 35 or the sliding door system 32 are equipped with sealing elements 8 at the bottom towards the tub 2 and on the corresponding outer sides towards the walls E. The door of the sliding door system 32 is also suitably sealed. A doorknob is provided as a handle 9c to operate the door. The door device 3 is also adjustable on the handle 9c, which can also serve as a towel holder outside the shower facility 1. To adjust the tub 2, a bow handle or a recessed grip is mounted as a handle 9a in the corner of the tub 2 opposite the adjustment devices.

The shower device is shown in Fig. 11a in the operating state and the adjustment to the parking state will now be described. To do this, first the door of the sliding door system 32 is moved according to the arrow σ. (Fig. lib) and the door frame 35 is pivoted according to the arrow v. (Fig. lic), so that the width of the door device 3 is reduced to the width of the wall E, to which the tub 2 is pivotably attached. Room corners are usually right angles, so that the side of the tub triangle that is closed off by the door device 3 in the operating state is the hypotenuse of the same, which is always longer than the two legs formed by the walls E. This difference in length is cleverly compensated for by the ability of the sliding door system 32 to change the length.

After the door device 3 has been swung completely against the wall E, the tub 2 is grasped by the handle 9a and swung against the wall E in accordance with the arrow z (Fig. 11d), the hinges containing springs which assist the upward swinging of the tub 2 and thus represent adjustment aids. The pivot axis of the hinges of the adjustment devices 21 is as far away from the wall E as the thickness of the door device 3. This allows the tub 2 to be adjusted to an exactly vertical parking position. To ensure that the tub 2 securely maintains this parking position, a locking device (not visible) is attached to the wall E, which locks the tub 2 in the parking position. Since the control elements (not visible) in this design are not covered by parts of the shower facility 1 when parked, they can also be used without the shower facility 1, for example when washing your hair at a normal wash basin, if the fittings of the control elements can be reached from this and a hose from the shower head also reaches the wash basin. The tub 2 can therefore be pivoted in this way without being hindered by the control elements 71, since its side wall running parallel to the wall with the control elements has a shorter length than the distance from the pivot axis to the control elements 71.

To adjust the shower facility from the parking position to an operating position, the individual components of the shower facility 1 must be adjusted in the opposite direction of movement as described above according to the arrows z., y. and &kgr; after releasing the locking devices.

The design according to Fig. 12a - c is also a shower facility 1 for installation in a corner of a room, but with a rectangular or square tub 2.

Starting from an operating state of the shower facility in Fig. 12a, a wall in an operating position A has

ne 2 has a water outlet 25 and an end profile 28, which is provided with sealing elements 8 towards the walls E, with operating elements 71 being attached to one wall E. Along a side wall of the tub 2 (the lower one in Fig. 12a), a door device 3 with a swing door system 34 and a door frame 35 firmly attached to a wall E is arranged in the operating position a above the tub edge and is sealed against it by a sealing element (not visible). The swing door system has the advantage that the associated door can be swung in both directions to open it. In addition, the door is mounted in such a way that springs in it ensure that the door is in an over-center position in the closed position, i.e. pre-tensioned in the closed position against any direction of movement. The door has a V-profile rubber strip on its free side as a sealing element 8. As a counterpart to this, a rubber lip which engages in the V-profile when the door is closed is also provided on the door frame 35 as a sealing element 8, so that the closed door is well sealed.

On the pivot axis side, the door device is connected by means of side elements 4 in their operating position α to the wall E, which has the operating elements 71. The side elements 4 consist of a strip-shaped hollow profile that is open on one side and can be moved like a roller shutter into a parking position β, whereby the individual side elements 4 slide into each other on the open sides, so that the pushed together side elements 4 (upwards as indicated by arrow e_ in Fig. 12a) only take up a fraction of the length of the pulled apart side elements 4 in the operating position. The side elements 4 pushed together on the handle 9e are automatically guided into a rail section running parallel to the wall E (with the operating elements 71) when adjusted. The adjustment devices 41 of the side elements 4 thus consist of a rail guide for the side elements 4 and the side elements themselves.

The side element 4 closest to the pivot axis of the door device 3 has a bent shape and ensures that the pivot axis of the door device 3 and thus the door device itself, when the side elements 4 are in the parking position β, maintains a certain distance from the wall E with the operating elements 71 when the door of the door device 3 is adjusted about its own pivot axis towards this wall E until the door or door device 3 assumes a parking position b that is largely parallel to this wall E. Due to the preload in the pivot bearing of the door device 3, this must be locked in the parking position.

Since the state shown in Fig. 12b has now been set, the tub 2 is next pulled forwards (downwards in Fig. 12b) along arrow L until the rear edge (the upper edge in Fig. 12b) of the tub 2 is no longer or barely covered by the door device 3 in its parking position b. The tub 2 can now be pivoted upwards and backwards (out of the image plane and upwards in Fig. 12b) according to arrow g until it assumes a parking position B that is essentially vertical and parallel to the wall E with the operating elements 71. Finally, the lock of the door device 3 is released and attached to the tub 2 so that the situation shown in Fig. 12c is securely set. In this illustration, the floor D of the room with the service water drain 81 can also be seen, with which the water outlet 25 in the middle of the tub 2 was in fluid communication in its operating position via the intermediate piece 82 in the form of a simple rubber ring with a hollow profile. The adjustment devices 21 of the tub 2 comprise a cam control similar to that of the tub 2 shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13a - e show another shower device 1, which is also adapted for corner installation. The tub 2 has a triangular shape with a curved hypotenuse and has a water outlet 25 in the middle. In the operating position A, the tub 2 is fitted into a corner made of walls E. A door device 3 is above the curved hypotenuse side of the tub 2.

which simultaneously takes on the function of the side elements. The door device 3 is designed as a sliding door system 32 and contains roller shutter elements which are constructed like the side elements of the design according to Fig. 12a - c and additionally run in a collapsible rail.

Starting from the operating position a in Fig. 13a, the sliding door system 32 is pushed to the left and back (top left in Fig. 13a) according to the arrow m on the handle 9c/e until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 13b. From there, it is pivoted about a pivot axis by means of hinges on the corresponding wall E according to arrow η against this wall, where the door device 3 engages in the parking position b (Fig. 13c). The tub 2 is now pulled forwards from its operating position A according to arrow γ (downwards in Fig. 13c) and then pivoted upwards and backwards according to arrow £> (upwards out of the image plane in Fig. 13d) until it assumes a vertical parking position B parallel to the wall E, in which it is locked (Fig. 13e). The adjustment devices 21 thus contain a curve control. The tub 2 is provided with an intermediate piece 82 for fluid connection of the water outlet 25 with the domestic water drain 81 in the floor of the room as well as with support elements 22 in the form of plastic blocks, as can be seen in Fig. 13e.

In the above description of the embodiments, only essential details were discussed and, in particular, things that are obvious to the person skilled in the art were occasionally omitted. For example, it was not always described in detail where seals were attached or how mechanical parts were designed. However, it is not difficult and does not require any inventive action to provide suitable seals between moving parts or to select, combine and arrange common and simple mechanical means known to the person skilled in the art, so that the invention described here is not limited by this.

Seals in the form of sealing lips or hollow profiles can be arranged, for example, between the side elements 4 of the designs according to Figs. 1 to 6, but also between the door device 3 and the adjoining side element 4 or at any other location where a sealing problem is to be eliminated. The sealing lips or hollow profiles can be glued, screwed, clamped or vulcanized onto the corresponding edges.

For example, the adjustment devices of the tub can also be designed at least partially integrally with the tub and preferably as hinges or thin material points. Other rotary or pivot bearings can also be designed as thin material points, for example: For example, the pivot axis 44 of the embodiments according to Figs. 1 to 6 can be designed integrally with the two side elements 4, namely as a strip of material that is more elastic than the side elements. Water pumping devices can be arranged directly on or under the tub or in separate housings. For example, a preferably electronic control unit and in particular hydraulic or electric drive means can be provided for automatically adjusting the tub, side elements and/or door device. A switching device is then to be provided for the control unit and/or the drive means, which preferably has several switches and simultaneously switches any existing water pumping devices. For the latter in particular, it is advantageous if, in addition to or instead of a manual switch, a sensor switch is provided that is connected to the water tap, or is combined as a pressure sensor with the bottom of the tub or as a moisture sensor with the water outlet. A combined switching device for the control unit and/or the drive means and/or the water pumping devices could, for example, start a pump by folding up the tub, which runs for ζ. β. 5 minutes using a timer and is then switched off in order to ensure that residual water is removed as effectively as possible even when the tub is parked.

Guide rails or similar for the side elements or for the door device can also be installed or formed integrally in the tub. The tub can be provided with corresponding devices on its outside with locking or latching parts. In particular, compensation or support mechanisms can be provided to ensure that the door device and/or the side elements do not tilt when adjusted. The individual components of the shower device can be held in their individual states by springs or generally by elastic members or can be pre-tensioned.

1 Be zucrs character list

1 shower facility 11 shower cubicle

2 tub

21 Adjustment devices

22 support elements

23 Base part 24a, b, c, d Side wall 25 Water outlet

2 6 Surface of the tub

27 Profile of the tub surface

28 End profile

3 Door device

31 adjustment mechanisms

32 Sliding door system

33 Folding door system

34 Swing door system

35 door frames

36 lower edge of the door device

37 Recording room

38 customizable compartment elements

39 Door of the recording room

4 page elements

41 adjustment devices

42 bottom edge of the page elements

43 Side wall part

44 vertical axis between side elements

45 vertical axis of S-elem. to door device.

46 vertical axis from S-elem. to wall

5 Rear wall element

6 Fastening devices 71 Control elements

8 Sealing elements

81 Domestic water discharge

82 Intermediate piece 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e Handle

A horizontal operating positions tub

B vertical parking tray

C vertical wall plane

D Floor

E Wall

a Operating positions of the door device

b Parking positions of the door device

&agr; Operating positions of the side elements

&bgr; Parking positions of the side elements

Claims (36)

Armin Hanser shower facility protection claims: 1. Shower facility with a tub,
characterized, that adjustment devices (21) are provided by means of which the tub (2) can be adjusted between at least approximately horizontal operating positions (A) and at least substantially vertical parking positions (B). 2. Shower device according to claim 1,
characterized, that the adjustment devices (21) are designed and arranged such that the tub (2) in a parking position (B) lies at least approximately parallel to an at least substantially vertical wall plane (C) which is determined by operating elements (71) that can be used together with the shower device (1). 3. Shower device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment devices (21) comprise levers, rail guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls, and that the adjustment devices (21) preferably contain adjustment aids that facilitate operation. 4. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tub (2) can be locked in at least one parking position (B). 5. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough (2) is provided with support elements (22) on its underside, that the support elements (22) are preferably designed to be elastic at least in some areas, and that the support elements (22) are in particular height-adjustable. 6. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tub (2) has a water outlet (25) in a base part (23) and/or a side wall (24a, b, c, d), which can be brought into fluid connection with a service water drain (81) for the shower device (1) at least in operating positions (A) of the tub (2). 7. Shower device according to claim 6,
characterized, that the base part (23) and/or the side wall (24a, b, c, d) are designed to slope downwards towards the water outlet (25) at least in some areas with respect to the operating position (A) or parking position (B). 8. Shower device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that an intermediate piece (82) is provided with which the water outlet (25) and the service water drain (81) can be connected to form a fluid connection, and that the intermediate piece (82) is particularly flexible so that it can maintain the fluid connection over the entire adjustment range of the tub (2). 9. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water pumping device is provided, which is optionally connected to the water outlet (25). 10. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tub (2) consists of a coated, in particular enamelled metal, which preferably only has the thickness of sheet metal, or a preferably reinforced plastic and is in particular provided with an end profile (28). 11. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tub (2) has at least partially a surface (26) with an anti-slip coating and/or a profile (27) has. 12. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a door device (3) with adjustment mechanisms (31) is included, by means of which it can be adjusted between operating positions (a), in which it extends in an operating position (A) of the tub (2) along one of its side walls (24a, b, c, d) so that the tub (2) can be walked on through the door device (3), and parking positions (b), in which the tub (2) can be walked on freely in its operating position (A) and can be adjusted between operating positions (A) and parking positions (B). 13. Shower device according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjustment mechanisms (31) comprise levers, rail guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls, that the adjustment mechanisms (31) are coupled in particular to the adjustment devices (21) of the tub (2) in such a way that an adjustment of the door device (3) automatically also causes an adjustment of the tub (2) and/or vice versa, and that the adjustment mechanisms (31) preferably contain adjustment aids that facilitate operation. 14. Shower device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the door device (3) is at least substantially stable and preferably contains a sliding (32), folding (33) and/or pivoting door system (34), and that the door device (3) preferably has a door frame (35) on which the adjustment mechanisms (31) engage. 15. Shower device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that that the door device (3) can be locked at least in a parking (b) and/or operating position (a), and that preferably locking mechanisms of the tub (2) and the door device (3) are coupled. 16. Shower device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that that the door device (3) has, at least in one operating position (a), a lower edge (36) located above or within the tub (2) in an operating position (A), and that the door device (3) is arranged, in particular in at least one parking position (b), at least approximately parallel and preferably adjacent to a parking position (B) of the tub (2). 17. Shower device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that that the door device (3), in particular in its upper region, contains a receiving space (37) such that in a parking position (b) of the door device (3) together with the shower device (1) usable operating elements (71) can be accommodated therein, and that the receiving space (37) for the operating elements (71) in the parking position (b) of the door device (3) is preferably formed in the upper region of the door system (32; 33; 34). 18. Shower device according to claim 17,
characterized, that the receiving space (37) for the operating elements (71) has compartment elements (38), that the compartment elements (38) of the receiving space (37) are preferably designed such that their dimensions and arrangement can be adapted to the position of operating elements (71), and that the receiving space (37) contains in particular a door (39) which can be opened separately, at least when the door device (3) is in a parking position (b), independently of its adjustment mechanisms. 19. Shower device according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that that at least one side element (4) is provided with adjustment devices (41) by means of which the side elements (4) can be adjusted between operating positions (α), in which they extend, starting from the door device, lengthwise over a side wall (24a, b, c, d) of the tub (2) in an operating position (A), and parking positions (ß), in which they extend at most over a fraction of the side wall (24a, b, c, d) of the tub (2) and allow adjustment of the tub (2) between operating positions (A) and parking positions (B). 20. Shower device according to claim 19,
characterized, that the side elements (4) are at least substantially stable, that in particular at least one side element (4) can be locked at least in a parking (ß) and/or operating position (α), and that preferably locking mechanisms of the tub (2) and/or the door device (3) are coupled to the locking mechanism of at least one side element (4). 21. Shower device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that that the adjustment devices (41) comprise levers, rail guides, pivot bearings and/or curve controls, that the adjustment devices (41) are coupled in particular to the adjustment devices (21) of the tub (2) and/or the adjustment mechanisms (31) of the door device (3) in such a way that an adjustment of the side elements (4) automatically also causes an adjustment of the tub (2) and/or door device (3) and/or vice versa, and that the adjustment devices (41) preferably contain adjustment aids that facilitate operation. 22. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that that the side elements (4) have, at least in one operating position (α), a lower edge (42) located above or within the trough (2) in an operating position (A),
that the side elements (4) are arranged at least approximately parallel to a parking position (B) of the tub (2), in particular in at least one parking position (ß), and that the side elements (4) are preferably arranged in at least one parking position (ß) adjacent to a parking position (B) of the tub (2). 23. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that that the side elements (4) are arranged in at least one parking position (ß) such that they leave operating elements (71) that can be used together with the shower device (1) uncovered. 24. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that that at least one side element (4) is at least partially formed by the door device (3). 25. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that that at least two side elements (4) which can be folded against each other about a vertical axis (44) form a side wall part (43) which is connected to the door device (3) on one side so that it can be folded about a vertical axis (45) and can be connected to a wall (C; 5) on the other side so that it can be folded about a vertical axis (46), so that when the door device (3) is adjusted from an operating position (a) to a parking position (b) towards the wall (C; 5), the side wall part (43) is folded together. 26. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 25, characterized in that that the adjustment mechanisms (31) of the door device (3) and the adjustment devices (41) of the side elements (4) are combined. 27. Shower device according to one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that that side elements (4) are arranged on both sides of the door device (3). 28. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one rear wall element (5) is provided which is equipped with operating elements (71) and/or devices for receiving and/or allowing the passage of operating elements (71). 29. Shower device according to claims 27 and 28, characterized in that that the rear wall element (5) with the tub (2), the door device (3) and the side elements on both sides (4) form a shower cubicle (11), that the rear wall element (5) is provided with operating elements (71), and that the parking positions (α), positions (a) and positions (A) of side elements (4), door device (3) and tub (2) in this order are adjacent and at least substantially parallel to the rear wall element (5) and the operating elements (71) are uncovered by the side elements (4) and possibly extend into the receiving space (37) in the door device (3). 30. Shower device according to claim 29,
characterized, that fastening devices (6) are provided for fastening the shower cubicle (11) to a wall (E) and/or ceiling and/or floor (D) of a room, and that the fastening devices (6) can be operated in particular independently of tools. 31. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that sealing elements (8) are provided which, during operation of the shower device (1), seal its individual components (2; 3; 4; 5) against each other and against surrounding walls (E) of a room. 32. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that handles (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e) for adjusting the tub (2) or door device (3), for opening the door system (32; 33; 34) or the door (39) and for adjusting the side elements (4) are provided on the tub (2) and/or optionally on the door device (3), its door system (32; 33; 34) and/or its separate door (39) for the receiving space (37) and/or optionally on side elements (4), that common handles are preferably provided for the operation of several components (2, 3, 32, 33, 34, 39, 4) of the shower device (1), and that in particular a single handle is provided for adjusting the tub (2), the door device (3) and the side elements (4). 33. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tub (2) has a triangular, square, polygonal, circular or oval basic shape and that any existing door device (3), side elements (4) and/or rear wall element (5) are adapted in form and function to this basic shape. 34. Shower device according to one or more of claims 12 to 33, characterized, that the door device (3) and/or side elements (4) are made of lightweight plastic or glass, that the door device (3) and/or side elements (4) are made in particular of translucent plastic, and that the plastic of the door device (3) and/or side elements (4) preferably has a thickness of up to and including 7 mm. 35. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shower device (1) comprises water treatment devices, in particular hot water treatment devices and/or waste water treatment devices, and that preferably the water treatment devices and waste water treatment devices form a closed circuit via shower fittings contained in operating elements (71) and a water outlet (25). 36. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that operating elements (71) are provided which contain fittings and/or a shower head which are permanently or detachably connected to the shower device (1) and optionally have flexible connections in order to be able to be connected to a water pipe.