EP0258833B2 - Tub for cleaning the body, such as a bath tub or shower - Google Patents

Abstract

The tub has a top peripheral edge (3). In order to achieve improved utilisation of the standing surface with visually advantageous arrangements, seen in the projection of the standing surface (8) of the tub (21), the outside (7) of the edge (3) has on the front side (9) at least one set-back portion (11, 12) which deviates from a rectangle (R) surrounding the tub and extends over the entire height of the tub, due to which set-back portion the width (B1) of the tub is reduced in this region by at least 10%, preferably by at least 20%, in relation to the width of the rectangle (R). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a tub for body cleaning purposes which can be designed both as a bathtub and as a shower tray.

Such tubs usually have a head end and a foot end, a front, a back and an upper edge with outer sides, which - seen in the projection onto the installation surface of the bathtub - lie in a rectangle circumscribing the projection of the bathtub with long and narrow sides, whereby the projection lines of the outer sides of the head and foot ends lie at least partially on the narrow sides of the rectangle and extend in a straight line and at right angles to the long side of the rectangle lying on the rear side, the projection line of the outer sides of the head and foot ends on the back connecting straight line on said back of the rectangle.

From DE-U-1 815 524 a hexagonal bath is known, the plane of symmetry for obtaining a large length of the cavity lies in the diagonal of a square that circumscribes the hexagon. As a result, the square must have a relatively large side length of, for example, 110 cm. The parallel alignment of the plane of symmetry to a bathroom wall is forbidden because the inclined surfaces of the tub with the wall would include useless and difficult-to-clean acute angles and because the corners lying in the plane of symmetry mentioned would make it impossible to place other bathroom facilities next to one another. The known tub is therefore only intended and suitable for installation in a corner of the room. As a result, a space corresponding to the triangular gusset behind the tub is given away.

From DE-U-8 335 230 an octagonal bath with a circumscribing rectangle with the extraordinary size of 184 cm x 124 cm is known, which can not be placed directly against a wall with a reasonable orientation. Otherwise, dead corners would also arise here or valuable floor space would be given away. The tub is therefore only intended and suitable for free installation within appropriately large bathrooms. It cannot be structurally combined with other bathroom facilities such as shower cubicles.

From DE-A-3 224 678 a bathtub is known in which the parallel orientation of the longitudinal axis of the cavity to a wall corresponds to the usual arrangement. You can roughly think of the basic body of this tub as from one Imagine rectangle outlined. However, the front of the tub is pulled forward about half of its length in the lower area by a projection designed as a trough-shaped step into the bathing area, and the other half of the front tub edge is thickened or arranged to such an extent that the front edge of the step and the protruding part of the tub rim - seen in the projection onto the installation surface of the tub - form a straight line. This significantly increases the footprint of the tub, especially when the step is extended beyond the length of the tub and also serves as a foot washing area and step for an integrated shower cubicle. Such a tub or tub combination cannot be used in small and very small bathrooms if, for example, the distance of the wall in front of which the tub is installed from a door is smaller than the tub width, as seen in the projection onto the installation surface. Difficulties also arise when there are other items of furniture in front of the opposite wall, such as a toilet, bidet, wash basin, vanity unit or cupboard, and if there is still a passage in between.

GB-A-472 368 discloses a bathtub in which the internal volume is cuboid in shape and has the usual size for bathtubs. The front edge of the tub is considerably widened to form a seat there. Such a bathtub is neither intended for installation in particularly small rooms nor suitable for this, and one of the exemplary embodiments is even intended to be installed in the middle of the bathroom, an arrangement which requires a particularly large amount of space.

US-A-2 269 748 discloses a very similar bath with a cuboid interior, the front edge of which is also widened to form a seat. Under this seat there is a cupboard section with doors that can be opened to the outside.

Rather, the invention is based on one of the customary tubs with a rectangular plan. where the rear edge and the two side edges of the edge lie on the sides of a rectangle as seen in the projection and where there are no other projections etc. that could come into contact with the doors or that could become an obstacle in narrow passages.

The standard edges of standard bathtubs correspond to a rectangle with long sides of 160 to 180 cm in length and narrow sides of 70 to 80 cm in width. Together with an associated base element, which often consists of hard foam and can be covered with tiles or other ceramic decorative panels, such bathtubs have the shape of a cuboid with a floor plan, the dimensions of which are within the ranges mentioned. The installation of such bathtubs is all the more difficult the smaller the floor plan of the bathroom. If the distance of a door edge is smaller than the relevant width dimension of the bathtub, it is forbidden to install the bathtub near the door. However, this is precisely the reason why additional space is wasted, and the niches that are created cannot usually be filled.

Bathroom furnishings with the conventional standard bathtubs therefore suffer from the considerable lack of an unsightly appearance and an insufficient use of space. The bathroom arrangements that are regularly found at trade fairs and exhibitions usually only have their practical and aesthetic effect because an excessively large exhibition area is available, which generally does not correspond to the available floor plans in modern residential buildings. One is therefore usually forced to accept unsightly and technically less than perfect "compromises".

In the past, attempts were also made to solve the space problem by means of so-called hip baths. Although these take up a smaller footprint, they necessarily shift the volume upwards, so that the unsightly appearance is further increased. For older people, who mostly have apartments with smaller bathrooms, there is also the problem of difficult entry or exit, so that seated bathtubs have in any case not become widespread.

On the other hand, tubs with the geometric relationships described at the beginning are also shower trays with an edge, with a rear wall, two side walls and a front side, the edge having an outside that determines the position of the walls and the front side and the projection lines of the outside in the area of the rear wall and at least lie in the rear area of the side walls on the corresponding sides of the rectangle (R).

A shower tray is known from US-A-1 901 151 which has no symmetry whatsoever. So that entry is possible, the lower edge is arranged correspondingly low on more than three quarters of the total circumference of the shower tray. As a result, the shower tray cannot be attached either with one side or the other to the foot or head end of a bathtub, which regularly has a much greater height. But the subject of US-A-1 901 151 a survey that serves as a pillar for the support of a hand wash basin. The entire arrangement is therefore considerably asymmetrical, and the shower tray cannot be used without the hand wash basin.

Although it is possible to accommodate a shower tray and a hand wash basin in a small space, the arrangement can only be made in the constructional combination of the two devices shown. In particular, it is not possible to arrange the hand wash basin on the other side of the shower tray, or to place the shower basin and hand wash basin at a (right) angle to one another. This object thus lacks the free combinability with regard to the arrangement. A bathtub cannot be attached to the shower tray on either side.

In the standard shower trays from which the invention is based, the outer edges generally correspond to a square with an edge length of 70 to 85 cm. Very much smaller shower trays are hardly possible anymore, because then a shower cubicle placed on the shower tray no longer provides enough space for body cleaning. Together with an associated base element, which often consists of hard foam and can be covered with tiles or other ceramic decorative panels, such shower trays have the shape of a cuboid with a floor plan whose dimensions correspond to the edge lengths mentioned.

The installation of such shower trays becomes more difficult the smaller the floor plan of the bathroom. If the distance of a door edge from the immediately adjacent corner of the bathroom is smaller than the relevant edge length of the tub, the installation of the shower tub near the door is prohibited. But this is precisely the reason why more space is wasted, and the niches that are created cannot usually be filled with other furnishings.

Bathroom furnishings with the conventional shower trays therefore suffer from the considerable lack of an unsightly appearance and an insufficient use of space. The bathroom arrangements that are regularly found at trade fairs and exhibitions usually only have their practical and aesthetic effect because an excessively large exhibition area is available, which generally does not correspond to the available floor plans in modern residential buildings. One is therefore usually forced to accept unsightly and technically less than perfect "compromises".

Frequently, therefore, the installation of a separate shower or shower tray is dispensed with and a shower is installed above the bathtub, or the installation of a bathtub is dispensed with, so that the use of medical baths becomes impossible.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a trough shape of the type described at the outset, which allows better use of the available space with optically more advantageous arrangements.

The problem is solved in the case of a bathtub by the features of claim 1.

It is essential that the geometrical shape of the bathtub meets the requirement that the projection line of the outside on the front side, at least in the area of the foot end, has an at least partially recess parallel to the rear side of the rectangle, through which the width of the Bathtub in the entire height of the tub is reduced with a corresponding reduction in the internal volume of the bathtub by at least 10% compared to the width of the rectangle in the area of the pelvis and upper body.

Such a spatial shape of the bathtub makes it possible to set it up on walls where the distance of the immediately adjacent door edge from the corner of the room is significantly smaller than the maximum width of the bathtub. It will be shown that this distance can correspond to a minimum of approximately half the maximum width of the tub. The better use of otherwise unavailable corners of the room frees up space elsewhere that can be used for the installation of further bathroom facilities, such as a shower cubicle. The associated subdivision of the front of the bathtub also makes it possible to achieve a more visually appealing design of the entire bathroom arrangement. In particular, this makes small rooms appear larger, and there is also more freedom of movement around the bathtub. Since the recess is predominantly or exclusively provided in the area of the foot end or in the area of the legs, bathing comfort is in no way reduced, since the bathtub in the area of the pelvis and upper body retains a width which is not or only slightly reduced. The reduced water volume in the leg area also results in a corresponding saving in water and heating energy.

It is particularly advantageous if the outside of the edge forms a polygon, of which in the area of the recess at the foot end a central edge parallel to the long sides of the Rectangle runs, and if this edge is connected towards the head end by a front, oblique edge with the front long side of the rectangle and if the same central edge towards the narrow end of the rectangle lying at the foot end is connected with this through a rear, also oblique running edge is connected. Such a spatial shape is shown in the top view in FIG. 1, to which express reference is made here. However, the figure also represents a mirror-symmetrical top view of the bathtub.

If the hinge axis of the door is arranged in the area of the extension of the central edge running parallel to the long sides of the rectangle, the door can be pivoted completely into the area of the recess, provided that the length L of the recess corresponds to the width of the door leaf if the distance between the Hinge axis and the corner of the room is even smaller, the sloping edge that leads to the narrow side of the rectangle at the foot end allows at least a very extensive opening of the door leaf.

An advantageous further development of the subject matter of the invention is characterized in that the outside of the rim, as seen in the proliferation on the installation surface of the tub, on the front in the area of the head end deviates from the rectangle (R) that outlines the tub, at least partially parallel to the long sides has a running recess, by means of which the width of the trough in the region of the head end is reduced by at least 10%, preferably by at least 20%, compared to the width of the rectangle (R). Although there is generally no door at the point of the recess at the head end (bathrooms are rarely set up for passage), better accessibility can be achieved here, which is particularly advantageous if there are further bathroom fittings and / or there is a window. Above all, however, a shower tray can be connected directly in a very advantageous manner, which will be discussed in more detail below.

Such a bathtub is characterized in a particularly advantageous manner by a base element with vertical outer surfaces. which are essentially congruent in the projection with the outer edge of the tub rim.

The object is achieved in the shower tray specified at the outset according to the invention by the features in the characterizing part of claim 17.

It is essential that the shower tray with its two front, side recesses is mirror-symmetrical to an axis of symmetry or plane of symmetry, in such a way that the side walls have the same height as the bathtub according to claim 1 and that the front wall has a section which is lowered step-wise with respect to the side walls.

These features create a possibility of adding a bathtub, and it can be seen that bathtub and shower tray are based on the same inventive concept and belong to one and the same model series.

The spatial shape of the shower tray according to the invention also enables it to be set up on walls in which the distance of the immediately adjacent door edge from the corner of the room is significantly smaller than the maximum width of the tray in the middle. The general concept of the rectangle also includes the more specific concept of the square. The better use of otherwise unavailable corners of the room frees up space elsewhere that can be used for the installation of further bathroom facilities, such as a bathtub.

The associated subdivision of the front of the shower tray also allows a more visually appealing design of the entire bathroom arrangement. In particular, this makes small rooms appear larger, and there is also more freedom of movement in the area surrounding the shower tray or shower cubicle. Since the recesses are provided only in the area of the side walls, the shower comfort is in no way reduced, since the shower tray in the front area - roughly speaking - approximates the circular shape, so that the required freedom of movement is also given with an attached shower cubicle.

It is essential that the outside of the edge seen in the projection onto the footprint forms a polygon, of which a rear edge runs parallel to the front of the rectangle (R) in the area of the recesses, and if these edges on the one hand into the two lateral sides of the rectangle (R) open and on the other hand are each connected to the front side of the rectangle (R) by a front, obliquely pointing edge.

The terms "front", "side walls" and "rear wall" refer to the line of sight that a viewer has when he is directly in front of the front of the shower tray, which can also be referred to as the "entry side".

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the shower tray is characterized in that the polygon has eight corners, four corners of which are at the corner points of a second smaller one Rectangle, which has the two rear corners in common with the first rectangle, that two further corners lie on a straight line that connects the front corners of the second rectangle to one another, that two further corners are in turn in the front edge of the rectangle. Such a spatial shape is shown in the top view in FIG. 5, to which express reference is made here.

It is clear from a consideration of FIG. 5 that a door which is either left or right can be pivoted at least partially into the immediately adjacent recess if, for example, the hinge axis of the door lies in area T.

It is in the course of an again advantageous embodiment of the shower tray if the side walls and the rear wall of the shower tray have a greater height than the front wall thereof.

This creates an entry opening in the area of the front wall, while the side walls have a height that corresponds to the standard height of a bathtub. If their directly adjacent end face corresponds in size to the size of the side wall, the shower tray can be combined optically and / or structurally with the bathtub in such a way that they form a unit, a so-called block, which is visually loosened by the polygonal structure.

Such a shower tray is characterized in a particularly advantageous manner by a base element with vertical outer surfaces which are essentially congruent in the projection with the outer edge of the tub edge.

A shower tray of the form described above is characterized in a particularly advantageous manner by a cabin structure in transparent or translucent elements, of which two side elements are arranged above the side walls and two front elements serving as doors above the front wall of the shower tray, the projections of the elements lie on the installation area of the shower tray within the projection of the edge.

The elements in question can be produced by bending corresponding glass or plastic plates at an angle. They are used in a particularly preferred manner frameless, which both improves cleanliness and promotes the visual appearance.

The expression "polygon" in all cases includes a more or less strong rounding of the outer edge of the edge at the "corners". Largely flat surfaces of the base element between the "corners", however, favor cladding with tiles or other ceramic decorative panels, such as marble, as well as non-ceramic decorative panels. When using tiles, the edge length is expediently standardized Edge lengths of tiles matched. It is also possible to cover the edge of the tub with cutouts from marble slabs, which gives it a particularly attractive appearance.

Sheet steel or a corresponding cast material can be used as the material for the tubs. Acrylic glass can also be used to manufacture such tubs. However, because of the somewhat more complicated spatial shape of such tubs, polyester resin with and without glass fiber reinforcement is preferably used.

Further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the remaining subclaims.

An embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Badewanne,

Figur 2

eine teilweise Vorderansicht und einen teilweisen Schnitt durch den Gegenstand von Figur 1 entlang der Symmetrielinie S in Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie III-III in Figur 1,

Figur 4

einen Vertikalschnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV durch den Gegenstand von Figur 1,

Figur 5

eine Draufsicht auf eine Duschwanne,

Figur 6

eine Vorderansicht des Gegenstandes nach Figur 5,

Figur 7

eine Seitenansicht des Gegenstands nach den Figuren 5 und 6,

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Duschwanne mit Kabinenaufbau in der Zusammenstellung mit einer angepaßten Badewanne und weiteren sanitären Einrichtungsteilen,

Figur 9

eine Draufsicht von oben auf eine Wandbefestigung des Kabinenaufbaus,

Figur 10

einen Vertikalschnitt durch das untere Ende des seitlichen Elementes 127 und des Teilabschnitts 107 des Randes der Duschwanne, und

Figur 11

eine teilweise Draufsicht von oben und einen teilweisen Horizontalschnitt im Bereich eines Scharniers 130 in Figur 8.

Show it:

Figure 1

a top view of a bathtub,

Figure 2

2 shows a partial front view and a partial section through the object of FIG. 1 along the line of symmetry S in FIG. 1,

Figure 3

2 shows a vertical section along the line III-III in FIG. 1,

Figure 4

2 shows a vertical section along the line IV-IV through the object from FIG. 1,

Figure 5

a top view of a shower tray,

Figure 6

5 shows a front view of the object according to FIG. 5,

Figure 7

3 shows a side view of the object according to FIGS. 5 and 6,

Figure 8

2 shows a perspective view of a shower tray according to the invention with a cabin structure in the combination with an adapted bathtub and further sanitary fittings,

Figure 9

a plan view from above of a wall fastening of the cabin structure,

Figure 10

a vertical section through the lower end of the side member 127 and the portion 107 of the edge of the shower tray, and

Figure 11

FIG. 8 shows a partial top view from above and a partial horizontal section in the area of a hinge 130 in FIG. 8.

The bathtub according to FIG. 1 has a head end 1 and a foot end 2, an upper circumferential edge 3 that can be placed on a base element, and also a bottom 5 provided with a drain opening 4, the edge 3 and the Bottom 4 are connected to one another by side walls 6, the generatrices of which extend at a more or less acute angle to the vertical, as can also be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4.

The edge 3 has an all-round outer side 7, which represents a polygon in the projection onto the installation surface 8. The outside 7 is outlined by a rectangle R, which coincides with the outside 7, with the exception of the recesses explained in more detail below.

The tub has a front 9 and a back 10, which usually abuts a wall. In the area of the foot end 2, the tub has a recess 11 opposite the rectangle R, which is delimited by the edges 12, 13 and 14, which are polygonal in themselves Form a line.

Due to the recess 11, the width B _{1 of} the tub in the area of the foot end 2 is reduced to approximately 55 to 60 cm. The length L of the recess 11 is approximately 50 to 55 cm with a total bath tub length of approximately 165 cm.

It can be seen that in the area of the recess 11 at the foot end 2 the central edge 13 runs parallel to the long sides of the rectangle R. This edge is connected in the direction of the head end 1 by the front, inclined edge 14 with the front long side of the rectangle R. Furthermore, the same central edge 13 is connected in the direction of the narrow side of the rectangle R lying at the foot end 2 to the latter by the rear edge 12, which also runs obliquely. In the illustrated embodiment, the oblique edges 12 and 14 are oriented at an angle of 45 degrees to the long sides of the rectangle R.

It can also be seen that the axis of symmetry S of the trough base 5 extends at an angle of 5 degrees to the long sides of the rectangle R.

Furthermore, the outside 7 of the edge, as seen in the projection onto the installation surface 8 of the tub, is provided on the front 9 in the region of the head end 1 with a recess 15 which deviates from the rectangle R and is delimited by the edges 16 and 17. This recess also reduces the width B _{2 of} the tub in the region of the head end 1 to a dimension of 55 to 60 cm. In the illustrated embodiment, the width dimensions B ₁ and B _{2 are} largely identical. However, this is by no means a mandatory requirement.

It can be seen that the outer side 7 of the edge 3 forms a polygon, of which in the area of the recess 15 at the head end 1 a rear edge 16 runs parallel to the long sides of the rectangle R and that the edge 16 in the direction of the foot end 2 is connected to the front long side of the rectangle R by the front, oblique edge 17.

From Figure 2 it is also apparent that the edge 3 in the area between the recesses 11 and 15 has a lowered edge portion 3a. This measure serves to facilitate getting in and out of the tub.

It can further be seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 that the side wall lying on the front side has an armrest 18 in the area between the recesses 11 and 15. As a result, the slight displacement of the tub base 5 from the front 9 to the rear 10 is taken into account, and the volume of the tub cavity is used ergonomically in an ideal manner. Furthermore, a handle 19 is arranged on the edge 3, which has the shape of an upside-down "U", one leg 19a of which is attached to the edge 3 and the other leg 19b of which is fastened to the armrest 18. This is possible because the two legs 19a and 19b have different lengths.

It can also be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4 that the bathtub rests on or in a base element 20 with vertical outer surfaces 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, which in the projection is with the outside 7 the tub rim 3 are substantially congruent. The base element is not only used to install the actual tub and to attach the cladding described above, as well as for thermal insulation, but it is also an important aid when transporting the composite consisting of tub and base element.

The projection of all edges, sides, planes, surfaces and points as projection lines or points in a horizontal plane, which is identical to the "footprint" and into which, is of essential importance for the description of the geometric connections with regard to the spatial form the reference rectangle (R) is placed for comparison purposes. In this way, the spatial shape of the tubs is condensed into a two-dimensional structure, which is meaningful with regard to the most protruding surface elements of the outer surface of the tubs. So it does not matter for the movement of doors and the accessibility of floor surfaces whether the tubs in have an undercut in the immediate vicinity of the floor, which you can step into with your toes, for example, but it does matter whether the outside of the tub has a projection above the floor, such as the step or the adjacent outer wall part of the tub combination according to the DE A-3 224 678, in which protruding parts lead to projection lines that outline the outline or enlarge the floor plan of the tub. This line of detection (s) then clearly shows the stop for a door or the limit of the floor's accessibility. The line of all projection lines of the outer edges or outer sides of the upper tub edge of a conventional rectangular tub, which is circumscribed by a cuboid, on the installation surface is a rectangle, and this rectangle (R) is then the so-called reference rectangle. So it depends on the maximum dimensions of the tub over its entire height.

The shower tray according to FIGS. 5 to 7 has two side walls 101 and 102, a rear wall 103, a front wall 104 which has the polygonal course which will be explained in more detail below, furthermore a bottom 106 provided with a drain opening 105 and an upper, circumferential, from which Sub-sections 107 and 107a existing edge, the sub-section 107 in an upper level and the sub-section 107a lowered to form an entry opening.

The edge has an all-round outer edge 109, which, seen in the projection onto the installation surface 110 of the shower tray, represents a polygon (FIG. 5). The outer edge 109 is outlined by a rectangle (R) which coincides with the outer edge 109, with the exception of the recesses which are explained in more detail below.

The shower tray 122 has in the region of the side walls 101 and 102 in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement two recesses 111 and 112 which differ from the rectangle R and which (again seen in the projection) are delimited by edges 111a / 111b and 112a / 112b relative to the tray. These recesses reduce the width B of the trough in the specific case by approximately 25% compared to the width of the rectangle R (dimension B + T).

It can be seen that the respective rear edge 111a and 112a of each recess 111 and 112 runs parallel to the front edge of the rectangle R, and that the edges 111a and 112a on the one hand open into the two side edges of the rectangle R and on the other hand through the front , oblique edges 111b and 112b are connected to the front of the rectangle R (Figure 5).

The length L of the edges 111a and 111b is approximately 16% of the length of the front of the rectangle R in the specific case. The recesses 111 and 112 reduce the width B of the shower tray in the region of the side walls to approximately 55 to 60 cm.

The illustrated embodiment can be described in a simple manner so that the polygon has eight corners, four of which are corners 113, 114, 119 and 120 lie at the corner points of a second smaller rectangle which has the two rear corners 113 and 120 in common with the first rectangle R. Two further corners 115 and 118 lie on a straight line which connects the front corners 114 and 119 of the second (smaller) rectangle to one another. The polygon in turn forms two further corners 116 and 117, which lie in the front edge of the rectangle R. The position of two corners in each case is mirror-symmetrical with respect to the shorter axis of symmetry “S” of the rectangle R that runs perpendicular to the rear wall 103.

FIG. 5 also shows that, in the specific case, the oblique front edges 111b and 112b starting from the rear edges 111a and 112a run at an angle of 45 degrees to the front side of the rectangle R.

It can be seen in particular from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the side walls 101 and 102 and the rear wall 103 have a noticeably greater height than the front wall 104. As a result, a step is formed between the sections 107 and 107a of the edge, which step is divided into two vertical sections 107b of the edge. The subsections 107b simultaneously represent the vertical boundary walls of the entry opening 108 (FIG. 6).

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 6, the shower tray has a base element 121 with a total of eight vertical outer surfaces, which coincide with the outer edges 109 in the projection according to FIG. As a result, only the outer surfaces 121a to 121f and 121g visible from the front are shown in FIG. 6; Figure 7 also shows the outer surfaces 121f and 121g. The outer surface 121g generally runs parallel to the bathroom wall in front of which it is placed. The base element is not only used to install the actual shower tray and to attach the cladding described above, as well as for thermal insulation, but it is also an important aid when transporting the composite consisting of the tray and base element. FIG. 7 also shows the measure of the height difference H between the sections 107 and 107a of the edge. Figure 7 is to be evaluated to scale.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the bathtub 21 in a corner of a bathroom with a door 22. The dimension M between the hinge axis of the door and the corner of the room is even significantly smaller than the width B ₁ in the area of the recess 11. Nevertheless, the door can be open by a sufficient angle without wasting space between the bathtub 21 and the corner of the room 23. To the opposite The end of the bathtub 21 is followed by a shower tray 122, which has a transparent or translucent cabin structure 123. The contact surfaces of shower tray 122 and bathtub 121 are congruent, so that optically the picture of a unit of bathtub and shower tray results. It has been found that optimal use of space is possible when using the bathtub according to the invention. Compared to the recess 15, which continues in the area of the shower tray 122, a toilet or bidet can be attached, for example, without a too narrow aisle being formed in between. It is a series arrangement of a common installation wall, wherein a side wall 101 or 102 of the shower tray 122 directly and flush abuts an equally large head or foot end of the bathtub and the trays 21 and 122 are connected to one another in a sealed manner at the joint ST . This has the significant advantage that no water or dirt can penetrate into the joint between the shower tray and bathtub. While in the illustrated case the shower tray is attached to the head end of the bathtub, there is naturally also the possibility of attaching the shower tray to the foot end of the bathtub. This naturally results in a space in the form of a triangular prism in the area of the bathtub, which can be filled by a piece of furniture of complementary dimensions.

In any case, there is an optical picture of a unit consisting of a bathtub and shower tray. It turns out that optimal use of space is possible when using the shower tray.

According to FIG. 8, the cabin structure 123 consists of transparent elements 126, 127, 128 and 129, two of which are lateral elements 126 and 127 above the side walls 101 and 102, and two front elements 128 and 129 serving as a door are arranged above the front wall 104 of the shower tray 122 are. The projections of the elements 126 to 129 on the installation surface 10 of the shower tray lie within the projection of the edge 107 and 107a.

It can also be seen that the two lateral elements 126 and 127 are mirror-symmetrically L-shaped and the front elements 128 and 129 are designed in accordance with the polygon shape of the front wall 104 of the shower tray 122. Hinges 130 are located at the joints of the front and side elements. One of these hinges 130 is explained in more detail in FIG. The hinges serve to pivot out the front elements 128 and 129, which are designed in horizontal section as two-leg angle elements, the legs of which enclose an angle of 135 degrees. The difference in height between the sections 107 and 107a of the edge of the shower tray 122 means that the front elements 128 and 129 have a height which is approximately "H" larger in FIG. 7 than the lateral elements 126 and 127. The upper edges of all the elements however, are on a common level.

The lateral element 127 shown in FIG. 9 is fastened to a wall 132 of the bathroom by means of an angle piece 131. The angle piece 131 has a simple leg 131a and a double leg 131b, between the plane-parallel halves of which the lateral cabin element 127 is inserted. Between the vertical rear edge of the element 127 and the wall 132 there is an elastomeric sealing strip 133. The spatial definition is carried out by screw connections known per se, the screw axes being symbolized by the dash-dotted lines.

FIG. 10 shows that a lip seal 134 is arranged between the lateral element 127 and the partial section of the edge of the shower tray, which prevents the splashing water that occurs during showering from escaping to the outside. It is understood that such lip seals 134 are arranged between all the elements 126 to 129 and the subsections 107 and 107a of the edge.

FIG. 11 also shows the following: The lateral element 127 and the front element 129 (door) of the cabin structure 123 are connected to one another in the region of the vertical section 107b of the edge by a series of hinges 130, the axes of which are perpendicular.

Each hinge 130 consists of a fixed hinge part 130a connected to the side element 127 and a movable hinge part 130b connected to the front element 129. As a result, the front element 129 (door) can be pivoted or opened by a pivoting angle of 90 degrees. This swivel angle is indicated by the circular arc 135.

FIG. 11 also shows that a sealing strip 136 is arranged between the vertical edge of the side element 127 and the adjacent vertical edge of the front element 129.

The construction according to FIGS. 9 and 11 can of course also be found in a mirror-symmetrical arrangement on the opposite side of the cabin structure 123, as can be easily seen from FIG.

Claims (30)

1. Tub for cleaning the body, arranged as a bath tub (21) with a head end (1) and a foot end (2), with a front (9), a back (10) and an upper edge (3) with outsides (7) which, seen in the projection onto the installation surface (8) of the bath tub, lies within a rectangle (R), which circumscribes the projection of the bath tub and corresponds with the dimensions of a standard bath tub with a length of the longitudinal sides between 160 and 180 cm and a width of the narrow sides between 70 and 80 cm, and the projection lines of the outsides (7) of the head and foot end lies at least partially on the narrow sides of the rectangle (R) and extend in a straight line and at right angles up to the longitudinal side of the rectangle located on the rear (10), and the projection line of the straight line which connects the outsides (7) of the head end and the foot end with the back (10) is positioned on said back (10) of the rectangle, and whereby the geometrical form of the bath tub satisfies the requirement that the line of projection of the outside (7) and the front (9) comprises, at least in the area of the foot end (2) and with respect to the mentioned rectangle (R), a recess 11 which extends at least partially essentially parallel to the rear side of the rectangle, by which the breadth (B₁) of the bath tub (21) in the entire height of the tub is reduced by at least 10% relative to the breadth of the rectangle in the area of tub and body, and the length (L) of the recess (11) in the region of the foot end (2) is at least 20% of the length of the rectangle (R), and that this recess (11) extends with respective reduction of the inside volume of the bath tub exclusively in the leg area of the bath tub and that it has in its pelvis and upper body area a width which is not or only insignificantly reduced.
2. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the breadth (B₁) of the tub (21) reduced in the area of the foot and (2) by at least 20% relative to the breadth of the rectangle (R).
3. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the length (L) of the recess (11) in the area of the foot end (2) being at least 30% of the length of the rectangle (R).
4. Bath tub according to Claims 1 to 3, with the outside (7) of the edge (3) forming a polygon a middle edge (13) of which extends in the area of the recess (11) at the foot end (2) parallel to the long sides of the rectangle (R), that this edge (13) is connected in the direction of the head end (1) by a frontal, transversely extending edge (14) to the frontal long side of the rectangle (R), and that the same middle edge (13) is connected in the direction of the narrow side positioned at the foot end (2) of the rectangle (R) with same by a rear, also transversely extending edge (12).
5. Bath tub according to Claim 4, with the transversely extending edges (12, 14) originating from the middle edge (13) set at an angle of 30° to 60° relative to the long sides of the rectangle (R).
6. Bath tub according to Claim 5, with the transversely extending edges (12, 14) set at an angle of 45° relative to the long sides of the rectangle (R).
7. Bath tub according to Claim 1 with the axis symmetry (S) of the tub bottom (5) extending at an angle of between 2° and 10° relative to the long sides of the rectangle (R).
8. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the outside (7) of the edge, as seen in the projection to the installation surface (8) of the tub (21), comprising at the front (9) in the area of the head end (1) a recess (15) which deviates from the rectangle (R), which circumscribes the tub (21), at least in parts parallel to the long sides, by which recess the breadth (B₂) of the tub (21) in the area of the head end (1) is reduced by at least 10% relative to the breadth of the rectangle (R).
9. Bath tub according to Claim 8, with the breadth (B₂) of the tub (21) reduced in the area of the head end (1) by at least 20% relative to the breadth of the rectangle (R).
10. Bath tub according to Claim 8, with the outside (7) of the edge (3) forming a polygon of which in the area of the recess (15) at the head end (1) a rear edge (16) extends parallel to the long sides of the rectangle (R), and that this edge (16) is connected in the direction of the foot end (2) by a frontal, transversely extending edge (17) to the frontal longitudinal side of the rectangle (R).
11. Bath tub according to Claim 9, with the length of the outside edges of head end (1) and foot end (2), starting from the rear long side of the rectangle (R), being equal.
12. Bath tub according to Claims 1 and 8, with the edge (3) comprising a lowered edge section (3a) in the area between the recesses (11, 15).
13. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the inside comprising an arm rest (18) at the front (9) and in the area between the recesses (11, 15).
14. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the breadth of the rectangle (R), which in the projection of the installation surface (8) circumscribes the tub (21), being maximum 100 cm, preferably maximum 80 cm.
15. Bath tub according to Claim 1, with the length of the rectangle (R), which in the projection of the installation surface circumscribes the tub (21), being maximum 180 cm, preferably maximum 160 cm.
16. Bath tub according to at least one of Claims 1 to 15, with a socket element (20) with vertical outside surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) which, seen in the projection, are substantially congruent with the outside (7) of the tub edge (3).
17. Tub for cleaning the body, arranged as a shower basin (122), comprising an edge (with sections 107, 107a), a rear wall (103), two side walls (101, 102) and a front (104), whereby the edge comprises outsides (109) which determine the position of the walls (101, 102, 103) and of the front (104), and the lines of projection of the outsides (109) lie on the installation surface of the shower basin in the area of the rear wall (103) as well as at least in the rear area of the side walls (101, 102) on the respective sides of a rectangle (R) which circumscribes the shower basin; furthermore the front outside (109) of the edge (107, 107a), as seen in the projection of said installation surface (110), comprises two recesses (111, 112) which deviate from said rectangle (R) and by which the breadth (B) of basin (122) is reduced in the area of the side walls (101, 102) by at least 10% relative to the breadth of the rectangle (R), and whereby the shower basin is mirror-symmetrically arranged relative to an axis of symmetry "S" in such a manner that the side walls (101, 102) are of the same height as the bath tub according to Claim 1, and the front wall (104) comprises a section with a step-shaped drop (107a) relative to the side walls (101, 102), and finally the outside (109) of the edge (107, 107a), as seen in the projection of the installation surface (110), forms a polygon from where in the area of the recesses (111, 112) a respective rear edge (111a, 112a) extends parallel to the front side of the rectangle (R), and that these edges (111a, 112a) on the one side terminate in both lateral sides of the rectangle (R) and on the other side are connected by a respective frontal, transversely extending edge (111b, 112b) to the front side of the rectangle (R).
18. Shower basin according to Claim 17, with the breadth (B) of the basin (122) in the area of the side walls (101, 102) reduced by at least 20% relative to the breadth of the rectangle (R).
19. Shower basin according to Claim 18, with the length (L) of each recess being at least 10% of the length of the rectangle (R).
20. Shower basin according to Claim 17, comprising a polygon of eight corners, four of which (113, 114, 119, 120) are located at the corner points of a second smaller rectangle which shares the two rear corners (113, 120) with the first rectangle (R), with two further corners (115, 118) positioned on a straight line which connects the front corners (114, 119) of the second rectangle, and with again two further corners (116, 117) located in the front edge of the rectangle (R).
21. Shower basin according to Claim 17 with the edges (111b, 112b), which originate at the rear edges (111a, 112a) and extend transversely, are set at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the front of the rectangle (R).
22. Shower basin according to Claim 21, with the transversely extending edges (111b, 112b) set at an angle of 45° relative to the front of the rectangle (R).
23. Shower basin according to at least one of Claims 17 to 22, with a socket element (121) with vertical outer surfaces (121a, 121b,121c, 121d, 121e, 121f, 121g) which are in the projection substantially congruent with the outside (109) of the basin edge.
24. Shower basin according to at least one of Claims 17 to 23, with a cabin structure (123) of transparent or translucent elements (126, 127, 128, 129), of which two lateral elements (126, 127) are arranged above the lateral walls (101, 102), and two front elements (128, 129) are arranged above the front (104) of the shower basin (112) to serve as doors, in which respect the projection of the elements on the installation surface (110) of the shower basin lies within the projection of the edge (107, 107a).
25. Shower basin according to Claim 24, with the lateral elements (126, 127) arranged mirror-symmetrically and L-shaped, and with the front elements (128, 129) arranged to correspond with the polygonal shape of the front (104) of the shower basin (122), and with hinges (130) for swinging the front elements (128, 129) out arranged at the butt joints of the front and rear elements.
26. Shower basin according to Claim 24, with sealing ledges (136) arranged between the vertical edges of the lateral elements (126, 127) and the adjacent vertical edges of the front elements (128, 129).
27. Shower basin according to Claim 24, with the front elements (128, 129), in the horizontal section, arranged as two-sided angular elements at an angle of 135°.
28. Shower basin according to Claim 24, with the front elements (128, 129) being of greater height than the lateral elements (126, 127).
29. Shower basin according to Claim 24, with lip seals (134) arranged between the elements (126, 127, 128, 129) and the edge (107, 107a).
30. Bath tub (21) according to Claim 1 and shower basin (122) according to Claim 17, installed in a row in front of a common installation wall so that one side wall (101 or 102 respectively) of the shower basin (122) is directly adjacent to, and flush with a same size head end (1) or foot end (2) respectively of the bath tub.

Images