EP0102270A2 - Screen for transforming a bath into a shower cabin - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Screen which can be fitted to the outer edge of a bath comprising taps and other fittings situated at a certain height above it and which is intended to prevent water splashing when the bath is used as a shower "tray", the said screen comprising at least one panel formed by a glass pane which is framed by sections, one of the frame sections having a hollow centre for serving to articulate the panel on a tube attached to the wall, the said panel can be lifted, at least slightly, along the tube, the said screen being characterized : - in that the height h of lifting up of the panel along the tube (10) is superior to the height of the taps and other fittings above the bath, and - in that the said section with a hollow centre comprises a channel (35) communicating into its hollow centre whilst the tube (12) comprises a lug (38) situated at a height above the taps and other fittings and that can move into the channel and, in that the angular positions of the channel relative to the plane of the panel in the first section, and of the lug relative to the said outer end of the bath are such that they only coincide when the panel is parallel to the edge of the bath, so that the panel can only be folded back against the wall, when the lower end of the section is higher than the top of the taps.

Description

The present invention is in the field of home conveniences and it more specifically relates to a screen or screen intended to cooperate with a bathtub to constitute a shower cubicle.

We know among the screens, or rigid panels, panels which slide along one another (US 2 766 587 MILLER), panels which are articulated on each other (FR 1 563 193 HAAS), as well as panels combining these two types of movement (FR 2 229 372 BAUS); this latter patent further describes a mechanism allowing the panels to be raised very slightly when they are moved. A disadvantage of the aforementioned folding panels lies in the fact that they cannot be folded back against the wall supporting the fitting when the latter is placed at a certain distance above the bathtub.

The object of the present invention is to propose a simple device not implementing any articulation mechanism of the panels against the wall, allowing the latter to rest in the position of use on the edge of the bathtub, and in the non-position use of being applied against the wall above the fitting even when it is at a certain height above the bathtub.

According to the present invention, a screen adaptable to the outer edge of a bathtub comprising a tap, said screen being intended to prevent splashing of water when the bathtub is used as a "shower tray"; is generally characterized in that it consists of at least one panel, called the first, and an amount intended to be fixed to the wall directly above the outside corner of the bath next to the fittings, the panel and the upright being connected by articulation means such that in the position of use, or deployed, said panel at least can rest on the outer edge of the bathtub and such that to cause the panel to assume a position of non-use in application against the wall adjacent to the valve, it is necessary that the lower edge of said panel is higher than the top of the valve.

Thanks to such means the bathtub can be used as such after retracting the panel against the wall above the fitting, or be used as a shower tray merchant after placing the panel in position above the outer edge of the bathtub; this position is a stable position since to move to another position, it is necessary to raise the panel.

Preferably a second panel is associated with the first by means allowing it to be either in extension of the first or superimposed on the latter. It is actually a question of increasing the surface of the panel without imposing on it an additional bulk when not in use. A first solution consists in hinging the second panel by means of a hinge on the first, the hinge being arranged along the side opposite the opposite of the side adjacent to the articulation amount fixed to the wall. According to a second solution, which is a preferred solution which applies well to rectangular panels, the means for associating the panels are means for sliding the second panel against the first. This second solution has the merit of enabling the panels to be produced by means of panes framed with anodized aluminum profiles for example. An advantageous embodiment of such panels will be described later.

According to a 'first embodiment {of the means of articulation of the panels on the upright, these consist of: a profile comprising a hollow core and a groove opening into said core, said profile also having a framing structure of a window pane, a cylindrical tube supported at its ends by parts for fixing to the wall, said tube having a section which just fits into that of the core of the first profile, and comprising at a certain height greater than the top of the valves a lug which can circulate in said groove.

Such articulation means are further characterized in that the angular positions of the groove relative to the plane of the panel in the first profile and of the lug relative to said outer end of the bath, are such that their coincidence n takes place only when the panel is parallel to the edge of the tub.

It follows from this arrangement of the articulation means that the folding of the panel against the wall can take place only when the lower end of the profile is higher than the top of the fittings.

According to more specific characteristics of conformation of the panels, each of these consists of a window framed by profiles which may be of three different profiles called first, second and third.

Thus, a first profile is a flattened U-shaped profile, the wings of which are folded inward, one of the wings extending by an angle, the space between the wings being intended to accommodate a corner bracket while the he space between the angle iron and the flap of the adjacent wing is intended to accommodate the edge of the glass.

Again, the second profile is a W-shaped profile formed by a profile of the first type, one of the sides of which is extended by an angle large enough to accommodate a profile of the first type, the edge of the angle of the first profile having a small flap facing the inside of the large angle iron and intended to serve as a slide at the outside edge of the angle iron of the profile of the first type housed in the large angle iron.

Finally, the third profile is formed of a profile of the second type attached to a profile comprising a hollow core and at least one notch opening into said core.

The profiles described above are used in the following manner: the window of the first panel is framed by a profile of the third type along one of its vertical sides, by profiles of the second type along its upper and lower sides, and by a profile of the first type along its other vertical side, while the glass of the second panel is framed by profiles of the first type along its four sides.

It follows from this constitution of the panels using the profiles that the profiles of the second type of the first panel can serve as upper and lower runners to the second panel and that the first panel can be hinged to the upright via the cylindrical tube.

According to a second embodiment of the means of articulation of the first panel on the wall, these consist of four sections of a hollow-core section having a planar external fixing face: two sections are fixed on a second type section. forming a vertical edge of the first panel, the other two sections being fixed, with an intermediate joint, on the wall; a cylindrical tube passes through the cores of the four sections and is secured, for example, sections fixed to the wall. Preferably one of the ends of the sections is cut at an angle so as to create a stable position of the panels vertically above the edge of the bathtub.

• - la fig.1 est une perspective d'une baignoire équipée d'un écran de l'invention en position d'utilisation,
• - la fig.2 est une représentation analogue partielle de la même, l'écran étant replié,
• - la fig.3 est une illustration partielle à plus grande échelle de l'articulation du dispositif des figures précédents,
• - la fig.4 est une coupe à plus grande échelle suivant A de la figure 1,
• - la fig.5 est une coupe analogue suivant B,
• - la fig.6 une coupe analogue sui_- vant C,
• - la fig.7 illustre l'utilisation d'une cornière dans le raccordement d'angle des panneaux, et
• - la fig.8 est une coupe des moyens de fixation au mur_/de l'articulation.
• - la fig.9 est une illustration d'un second mode d'articulation des panneaux sur le mur,
• - les fig.10 et 11 sont illustratives respectivement en élévation et en coupe d'un profilé utilisé pour l'articulation de la figure précédente, et
• - la fig.12 est une perspective partielle d'un joint applicable notamment au dispositif de la fig.9..

The present invention will be better understood and details on reading will appear in the more detailed description which will be made of a preferred embodiment, and details on reading will appear in relation to the figures of the appended plates in which:

• - Fig.1 is a perspective of a bathtub equipped with a screen of the invention in the use position,
• - Fig.2 is a partial analog representation of the same, the screen being folded,
• - Fig.3 is a partial illustration on a larger scale of the articulation of the device of the previous figures,
• FIG. 4 is a section on a larger scale along A of FIG. 1,
• - fig.5 is a similar section along B,
• - fig.6 sui section similar _- efore C,
• - Fig.7 illustrates the use of an angle iron in the corner connection of the panels, and
• - Fig.8 is a section of the wall attachment means _/ the joint.
• - Fig. 9 is an illustration of a second mode of articulation of the panels on the wall,
• FIGS. 10 and 11 are respectively illustrative in elevation and in section of a profile used for the articulation of the previous figure, and
• - Fig.12 is a partial perspective of a seal applicable in particular to the device of Fig.9 ..

In fig.l a bathtub 1 is arranged in a bathroom corner, its outer edge 2 is surmounted by a device of the invention essentially constituted by a first panel 3 and by a second panel 4 which can slide against the first ; in fig.l the panels are shown in the deployed position or in use.

On fig.2 the panels of the previous figure were retracted on the one hand - sliding the second against the first, on the other hand raised and ra-. beaten against the wall, above the tap 5 of the bathtub; these latter operations are authorized by special means of articulation of the panel on the wall by means of an upright.

Such articulation means are illustrated, according to a first embodiment in FIG. 3. These articulation means comprise a hollow-core profile 7 which also participates in the framing of a glass 8, either in glass or preferably in translucent plastic, an upright 9 comprising at its ends fixing parts 10 and 11 respectively upper and lower, and a cylindrical tube 12 supported at its ends by the articulation parts, the tube 12 passing through the hollow core of the profile 7 of which it constitutes the hinge axis: the structure of the profile 7 will described later in detail; we note however in the figure that the profile has been deployed from its hollow core structure, at its ends, the lower draft forming a small recess for the housing of the fixing piece 11 while the upper draft is of such a height that it allows the elevation of the panel along a tube 10 over a distance h greater than the height of the fitting above the edge of the bathtub.

It will be noted that the two panels are preferably completely framed by profiles whose profile falls under the invention, profiles which will be described in more detail in relation to the following figures with reference to the section lines A, B, C of the fig.l.

In Fig.6 a first profile has a profile, or cross section, in a flattened U whose wings 14 and 15 are folded in 16 and 17 inwardly, the wing 14 being extended by an angle 18; the rectangular space between the wings and the back 19 of the profile is intended to accommodate a corner bracket 21; the space between the angle 18 and the flap 16 is intended to accommodate the edge of a window 22. Profiles comprising the above-described profile called first type completely surround the second panel 4. According to the known method, the ends of these profiles are cut in a miter and are kept assembled, either by gluing or by screwing by means of a one-piece angle angle housed as said above inside of them (fig. 7). The following section A of fig.1 shows the profile of the first profile.

In fig.5 a second profile, with a W-shaped profile, consists of two parts, namely a part 24 located on the right in the figure and a part 25 located on the left; part 24 is a profile similar to that of FIG. 6 except that the angle iron 18 ′ is extended by a small flap 26 facing the left part; part 24 is used to accommodate a window 27 and a square such as 28. Part 25 is used to house and slide a profile 29 of the first type identical to that of the previous figure; we note that the edge 30 of the angle of the profile 29 takes a sliding support on the flap 26; Fig.5 is a section along B of Fig.l corresponding to the upper edge of the panel 3; a similar arrangement is found in the opposite lower edge.

On fig.4, corresponding to section C of fig.l a section 7 is formed of a part 32 similar to that of fig.5 and of the same width L and of a part 33 comprising a hollow core in which is housed a cylindrical tube 12 and two notches 34 and 35.

The conformation of the part 32 of the profile 7 in profile of the second type allows on the one hand the connection to the profile of fig.5 and on the other hand allows to accommodate as shown in dotted lines, by sliding a profile 36 of the frame second panel. Notches 34 and 35 are intended on the one hand to save material, on the other hand. in accommodating a lug 38 integral with the tube 12; the function of the lug 38 and of its angular position on the tube 12 relative to the wall 39 with which the tube is integral is well understood on the simultaneous examination of FIG. 3: when the panel 3, after having been lifted at above the lug 38 is folded down (arrow 41) against the wall 9 ,. the notch 35 has taken the place occupied by the groove 34 (FIG. 4) and the lug 35 is located below a solid part of the part 32 of the profile 7; the latter is thus wedged at a height h above the valve.

In fig.9 there is also a profile 42 whose ends 43 and 44 are shaped as ribs to receive lip seals 45 and 46 dont_le profil is comma-shaped; the seals 45 and 46 are made of an elastic material so that they can be deformed (dotted lines 46 ') when the panel is rotated.

The profile 42 is pressed against the wall 39 in a leaktight manner using a double-sided adhesive seal 47, by means of fixing pieces 50 supporting the tube 12 at its ends.

In fig.8 is shown how a fixing piece 50 is made integral with the tube 12 by a screw 51 which passes through (fig.4) the profile 42 to be screwed; thus the profile 42 and the tube 12 constitute a fixed amount relative to the wall, amount on which articulate and slide the panels.

In fig.9 a panel 53 similar to panel 3 in fig.l is articulated on a wall 54, above the outer edge 55 of the bathtub by means of two sections 56 and 57 of a hollow core profile screwed on the vertical side 58 for framing the panel 3; the hollow core of the sections 56 and 57 allows the passage of a cylindrical tube 59 made integral with the wall, at its ends by fastening pieces 60 and 61 themselves made up of sections of the same profile as sections 56 and 57.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, a section of hollow-core profile is remarkable by one of its ends 62 cut at an angle and by a flat outer face 63 comprising a pair of median bores such as 64 and a pair of bores lateral such as 65; the central bores located opposite openings 66 intended for the passage of a tool, are used for fixing to the wall by means of a screw, (case of the fastening parts 60 and 61) while the lateral bores 65 are used for the fixing by screwing on a profile called. second type as shown in fig.5 (sections 56 and 57).

In fig.12 an L-shaped section 28 of an elastic material comprises a lip 69 and a double-sided adhesive seal 70; such a profile is intended to be interposed between the wall 54 and the fixing parts 60 and 61, its lip 69 rising along the framing edge 58 of the panel 53 and bearing on it when it is in position d 'use.

Although particular embodiments have been described and shown of a screen intended for the arrangement of a bathtub in a shower cubicle, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these forms but that its scope extends to the characteristics, taken separately or in combination, set out above.

Claims (8)

₁ .- Screen adaptable to the outside edge of a bathtub comprising a tap intended to avoid splashing water when the bathtub is used as a "shower tray", characterized: in that it consists of at least one panel (3), said first, and an upright (9) intended to be fixed to the wall directly above the outside corner of the bath next to the tap (5), the panel and the upright being connected by articulation means ( ₁ 0,11,12) such that in the position of use, or deployed said panel at least can rest on the outer edge (2) of the bathtub and such that to make the panel assume a position of non-use in application against the wall adjacent to the tap, it is necessary for the lower edge of said panel to be higher than the top of the tap; 2. A screen according to claim 1, characterized: in that a second panel (4) is associated with the first by means allowing it to be either an extension of the first or superimposed on the latter; 3. A screen according to claim 2, characterized: in that said panels (3,4) being rectangular, said means for associating the panels are means for sliding the second against the first; 4. A screen according to claim 1, characterized: in that the means of articulation. of the panel on the upright consist of: a profile (7) comprising a hollow core and a groove ( ₃₄ ) opening into said core, said profile further having a frame structure for a window, - A cylindrical tube (12) supported at its ends by fixing pieces (10,11) to the wall, said tube having a section just fitting that of the core of the first profile, and comprising at a certain higher height at the top of the tap a lug (38) which can circulate in said groove (34), and in that the angular positions of the groove relative to the plane of the panel in the first profile, and of the lug relative to said outer end of the bathtub, are such that their coincidence takes place only when the panel is parallel at the edge of the bathtub, where it follows that the folding of the panel against the wall can take place only when the lower end of the profile is higher than the top of the valve; 5. A screen according to claim 3, characterized: in that each panel consists of a window (22) framed by profiles which may be of three different profiles called first, second and third, in that the first profile (fig. 6) is a flattened U-shaped profile whose wings (14,15) are folded inwards, one (14) of the wings extending by an angle (18), l the space between the wings being intended to house an angle bracket (21) while the space included between the angle iron and the flap of the adjacent wing is intended to house the edge of the window (22), in that the second profile (fig..5) is a W-shaped profile formed by a profile (24) of the first type, one of the sides of which is extended by an angle (25) large enough to accommodate a profile-of first type, the edge of the angle of the first profile having a small flap facing the inside of the large angle and intended to serve as a slide at the outer edge of the angle of the profile of the first type housed in the large angle, in that the third profile (fig. 6) is formed of a profile of the second type joined to a profile comprising a hollow core and at least one notch (34,35) opening into said core; 6. A screen according to claims 4 and 5, characterized: in that the first panel (3) is framed by a profile of the third type along one of its vertical sides, by profiles. of the second type along its upper and lower sides, and by a profile of the first type along its other vertical side, in that the second panel (4) is framed by profiles of the first type along its four sides, where it follows that the profiles of the second type of the first panel. and that the first panel can be articulated on the upright via the cylindrical tube .; 7. A screen according to claim 1, characterized: in that the means of articulation of the first panel on the wall consist of four sections of a profile (fig. 10.11) with a hollow core comprising a flat outer face (63) for fixing, two of said sections (56 , 57) being fixed on a profile (58) said to be of the second type forming a vertical edge of said first panel, the other two sections (61,60) being fixed, with an intermediate joint (68), on the wall, a cylindrical tube (59) passing through the hollow cores of the four sections and being integral with said sections fixed to the wall; 8. A screen according to claim 7, characterized: in that one of the ends of said sections is cut in; bias so as to create a stable position of the panels perpendicular to the edge of the bowl.

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