EP0729723A1 - Bath tub with improved comfort - Google Patents

Abstract

The protrusion (8) extends along part at least of the edge (3), and can be formed by a rib integral with it. Alternatively it can consist of a bar following the edge outline and held clear of it by two or more feet. Part of it can curve upwards to form a hand grip. The comfort-increasing component (5) can fit over the edge of the bath or the protrusion. It may be held by a claw-shaped recess (9) formed in it, and at which suction cups are provided, bearing against the bath surface.

Description

To increase the comfort of use, it is only known for bathtubs to provide backrests and neck supports made of an elastically resilient material, which are fixed with the aid of rubber suction cups on the inner wall of the tub (US-A-1,953,798 and US-A-3,078,474) or in the form of a is formed over the bottom of the tub extending into the backrest area, which is connected to a loose foldable cushion. Here, too, was fixed in the backrest area with rubber suction cups (GB-A-937 095).

It is also known for ease of use to provide the tubs with handles that facilitate getting in and out as well as getting up in the tub from a lying position into a sitting position (FR-A-2 259 575) or on free-standing positions Troughs underneath the edge of the tub to provide a continuous bar as a towel holder.

The invention is based on the object of creating a bathtub which enables connection parts to be attached in order to increase the convenience of use.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a bathtub whose tub trough merges into a substantially horizontally oriented edge part, in the area of which a projection projecting beyond the edge part and extending over at least a partial length of the edge part is provided for fastening at least one connecting part to increase the convenience of use is. The advantage that only extends over partial lengths, for example at the foot and head end and over a part can extend the longitudinal side wall, allows the arrangement of a variety of different connecting parts. These can be positively connected to the projection, so that they are easily detachable, but also lockable. In addition to the use of headrests and / or backrests, storage tables, reading desks, lamp holders for low-voltage lamps, but also splash guards can be arranged that protrude inwards or outwards. The projection is expediently web-shaped. In particular in the case of bathtubs which are deep-drawn from plastic, it is possible that in one embodiment of the invention the web-shaped projection is integrally formed on the tub body in the region of the edge part.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the projection is formed by a rod-shaped element which essentially follows the contour of the edge of the tub in the arrangement area and is connected to the tub body by at least two support feet at a distance from the surface of the edge part. Such a "rail" not only gives special additional design options for such a trough, but also enables a reliable, in particular form-fitting, lockable connection of the connecting parts to the trough. Another advantage of this embodiment is that retrofitting is possible both in the factory on existing bathtub models and on the customer side when the bathtub is already installed.

In a preferred further embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the projection designed as a rod-shaped element follows the contour of the opening of the tub trough over part of its length and has a contour that is bent open as a handle with its other part of its length. The part that follows the contour of the opening of the tub is here correspondingly aligned horizontally and can either run above the edge part or inside the tub trough parallel to the tub edge, a preferred arrangement being provided in the region of the longitudinal side wall.

For a bathtub whose tub trough merges into a substantially horizontally oriented edge part, in particular for a bathtub which has a projection which extends over at least a partial length of the edge part in accordance with the features specified above, at least one with is according to a special, independent embodiment of the invention the tub edge and / or a connection part which can be connected to a projection on the tub edge and which extends over the tub edge and / or the projection is provided to increase the convenience of use. Such a connecting part, which positively engages over the tub rim and / or the projection, is securely fixed to the tub rim, but is nevertheless displaceable. This is useful, for example, for side shelves, which can be positioned on the outside as well as on the inside of the tub, since this allows the user to move the shelf to the position most convenient for him, even if objects have already been placed on the shelf are or a lamp is connected to the connector. Such handling is not possible with a connector that is attached to the tub via rubber suction cups. Another advantage is that the connection parts can be easily removed by lifting due to their positive connection, so that the underlying tub surface but also the connection part itself is easy to clean.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that the connection part is provided with a claw-like recess on its side facing the tub rim for fastening is. This configuration is particularly expedient if the bathtub is provided with at least one projection designed as a “railing”.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the connection part is provided with locking means, in particular in the area of a claw-like recess. The locking means can be formed by locking pins or the locking elements, which yieldingly narrow a part of the claw-like recess. For example, in the case of a connection part made of a foamed plastic with a dense outer skin, the locking means can be formed by at least one molded nose protruding into the claw opening, which deforms slightly when pushed onto a "rail" and then engages behind the rail rod in a form-fitting manner. An additional locking of the connecting part can also be provided by at least one suction cup which can be placed on the tub surface. Depending on the design of the connecting part, the suction cup can be placed on the inner wall of the tub, on the surface of the tub rim or else on the tub outer surface assigned to a longitudinal side wall or the tiling of the associated building wall.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the connecting part extends from its end which can be connected to the projection and extends over the upper edge and / or the tub trough and / or the free outer tub rim and is supported thereon. This results in an increased stability of the connecting part.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that the connection part is provided with fastening means for attaching additional and / or accessory parts. Here, the connecting part can have a basic shape form, which can serve as a neck support, for example. Additional parts can then be attached to such a basic shape. For example, it is possible to provide an additional neck pillow that can be positioned in the tub for the user according to his own needs and / or the size of the upper body. So it is also possible to arrange appropriate additional parts for securing children on such a connection part. As a further additional and / or accessory parts, a detachable or adjustable fastening of a storage table or a lamp is conceivable.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in particular a bathtub with “railing”, a connection part in the form of a splash guard is provided which can be detachably connected to the tub rim. This offers the advantage that the splash guard can be connected directly to the tub, regardless of the building walls. This also gives the possibility of attaching such a splash guard to bathtubs that either protrude with their majority out of the corner into the room or that stand freely in the room.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the connection part designed as a spray protection device has a carrier part and a spray protection surface connected to it. With such a construction, it is possible to form the region of the connecting part which can be connected to the tub edge and / or the projection or the "railing" in the form of one or two relatively small connecting elements, with which a likewise easily formed, for example, a tubular frame to be formed carrier part that holds the splash guard surface. The splash guard can either be made of a stiff, smooth material or, in a preferred form, of one flexible material, for example a film material or a dense fabric material. The use of such flexible materials makes it possible to remove the splash protection surface from the carrier part and to clean it regularly, for example in the washing machine. Another advantage of such flexible materials is that they can be replaced from time to time, in which case it is possible for the user to change the visual impression in a bathroom by purchasing differently colored and / or differently patterned splash protection surfaces.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the carrier part can be at least partially folded. This makes it possible to fold the spray protection device as a whole and store it in a cupboard or storage room if such a device is rarely used. Otherwise, the splash guard according to the invention, regardless of whether it is designed as a rigid system or as a collapsible system, can be hung on a building wall after removal from the tub edge, so that there is a small space requirement.

Fig. 1

im Querschnitt einen Badewannenrand mit aufgesetztem Anschlußteil,

Fig. 2

im Querschnitt einen Badewannenrand mit angeformtem Vorsprung und aufgesetztem Anschlußteil,

Fig. 3

im Querschnitt einen Badewannenrand mit "Reling" und aufgesetztem Anschlußteil,

Fig. 4

unterschiedliche Ausbildungsvarianten für ein Anschlußteil,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer Badewanne mit aufgesetztem, als Spritzschutz ausgebildeten Anschlußteil,

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch den Rand der Wanne gem. Fig. 5 mit einer Seitenansicht eines aufgesetzten Spritzschutzes,

Fig. 7

einen zugleich als Handgriff geformten Vorsprung zur Befestigung eines Anschlußteils,

Fig. 8

eine andere Ausführungsform für die Anordnung gem. Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Badewanne mit "Reling" zur Befestigung wenigstens eines Anschlußteiles,

In Fig. 1 ist ein Querschnitt durch den raumseitigen freien Rand 1 eines Wannentroges 2 dargestellt, der in einen im wesentlichen horizontal ausgerichteten Randteil übergeht. Auf der Wannenaußenseite schließt sich an den Randteil 3 eine bis zum Boden reichende Verkleidung 4 an.The invention is explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in cross-section a bathtub edge with attached connector,

Fig. 2

in cross-section a bathtub rim with a molded projection and attached connector,

Fig. 3

in cross section a bathtub rim with "railing" and attached connector,

Fig. 4

different training variants for a connecting part,

Fig. 5

2 shows a side view of a bathtub with an attached connection part designed as a splash guard,

Fig. 6

a cross section through the edge of the tub acc. 5 with a side view of an attached splash guard,

Fig. 7

a projection shaped at the same time as a handle for fastening a connecting part,

Fig. 8

another embodiment for the arrangement acc. Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

1 shows a perspective view of a bathtub with “railing” for fastening at least one connecting part,

In Fig. 1 a cross section through the room-side free edge 1 of a tub trough 2 is shown, which merges into a substantially horizontally oriented edge part. On the outside of the tub, a cladding 4 extends to the edge part 3 and extends to the floor.

To increase the comfort of use, a connection part 5 is provided which can be connected to the tub rim 3 and which is designed, for example, as a neck support and which has a claw-like shape at its end 6 protruding from the tub is formed and overlaps the tub rim. However, the connecting part 5 can also be shaped differently and, as will be explained in more detail below, can be provided with fastening means for attaching additional and / or accessory parts, for example a bookend and / or a small storage area and / or a reading lamp. Corresponding fastening means for a low-voltage reading lamp can be provided in particular on a connecting part designed as a neck support.

While according to the embodiment. Fig. 1 also the outer surface of the tub must be accessible, in Fig. 2 an embodiment is shown in cross section, which can be connected at least partially directly to a building wall 7. In this case, a web-shaped projection 8 is molded into the edge part 3 of the tub rim 1, which can be readily formed, for example, in the case of bathtubs which are formed from a plastic. The connecting part 5 is in turn provided at its upper end overlapping the tub edge with a claw-like recess 9 adapted to the cross-sectional contour of the projection 8, the upper part 10 being shaped overall so that it can also be attached to a backrest end adjoining the building wall 7.

The front 11 forming the neck contact surface can in this case be provided with a downwardly extending groove or recess 12 into which an additional neck cushion 13 can be inserted and / or releasably inserted via a corresponding clamping element 14. This gives the user the option of variably adjusting the neck support according to his height or his lying position in the tub. Other additional and / or accessory parts can also be connected to the connecting part 5 via the groove 12, for example securing means for small children or the like.

In the case of a connection part 5 designed as a neck support, it is also expedient if additional fastening means, for example an insertion opening 15 in the upper part 10, are provided, into which a low-voltage lamp 16 can be inserted, so that optimum reading results for a reading user.

In Fig. 3 is again shown in a cross section of the edge region 1 of a bathtub, in which a rod-shaped element 18 which essentially follows the contour of the edge 17 of the tub trough is arranged on the approximately horizontally running edge part 3 instead of a molded-in projection and has at least two Support feet 19 is connected to the tub body at a distance from the surface 20 of the edge part 3. Such rod-shaped elements 18 can already be connected to the tub in the factory via the feet 19. However, it is also possible to retrofit such rod-shaped elements at least in partial areas of an already installed bathtub. In this embodiment too, the upper part 10 of the connecting part 5 is provided with a claw-like recess 9 which engages over the rod-shaped element 18.

As can be seen from the cross-sectional representation, the claw-shaped recess 9 can be formed in such a way that the free opening 21 is narrower than the largest diameter of the rod-shaped element 18, so that when the connection part 5 is made from an elastic material, the connection part 5 is placed on the rod-shaped one Element can be "clipped on" and thus securely fixed to the tub edge. As the representation acc. Fig. 3 reveals, can be used in the formation of the projection 8 by a kind of "rail" forming rod-shaped element 18, the connecting part 5 both in the area of the free tub edge and in the area of a tub edge adjacent to a building wall 7.

Especially for the application acc. Fig. 3 it is useful if the connection element is made of a foamed plastic, the outer surface of which is closed without pores.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is expedient if the connecting element 5 is shaped in the region of its side facing the edge part 3 in such a way that it can be connected to the projection 8 extending into the tub trough, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 it is shown that an arrangement is also possible in which the lower part of the connecting element 5 extends down over the exposed outer tub edge. This makes it possible to leave a storage table 22 connected to the connecting part 5 on the outside of the tub. At the same time, there is also the possibility of connecting a bookend 23 to the connecting part 5 with the side facing the tub trough. Here, too, it is possible to arrange a lamp 16 in order to illuminate a book lying directly on the bookend 23 for the user without glare.

5 shows a side view of a bathtub which has a projection 8 in the form of a “railing”, onto which two connecting parts designed as spray protection devices 24.1 and 24.2 are attached. The spray protection device 24 here has a claw-like foot part 25, which in turn has a claw-like recess which engages around the rod-shaped element 18 in a form-fitting manner. A carrier part 26 is connected to this foot part 25, which is expediently composed of a plurality of rod-shaped elements. A splash protection surface 27 made of a flexible material, for example a film or a dense fabric, is connected to this carrier part.

The carrier part 26 can have a main carrier 28, to which a cross member 29.1 and 29.2 is connected at the top and bottom. The two crossbeams 29.1 and 29.2 can be divided and connected to the main beam 28 by means of joints 30 which lock in one direction, so that the crossbeams 29.1 and 29.2 can be folded up in the direction of the arrows 31 and the spray protection device can be easily stored.

However, the support part 26 can also be rigid, so that the entire splash guard can be accepted by the "railing" after use and can be hung, for example, on a corresponding hook on the wall.

A spray protection device 24 is shown in a side view in FIG. 6. As can be seen from the side view, the claw-like recess 9 of the foot part is dimensioned such that it stands with its two lower surfaces 32 on the surface 20 of the edge part 3, so that the spray protection device is held against tipping.

The carrier part 26 is connected to the foot part 25 in such a way that the splash guard surface 27 faces the inside of the tub, so that the water running down the splash guard surface 27 can drip directly into the tub trough 2.

7 and 8 show in perspective two modified embodiments of a projection formed from a rod-shaped element 18. In both embodiments, the rod-shaped element follows only with a partial length 18.1 of the inner edge 17 of the edge part 3 that defines the contour of the opening of the tub trough. With its other end 18.2, the rod-shaped element is then provided with a contour that is bent open as a handle. As Fig. 7 shows, can be attached to the part length 18.1, as described above, a connector 5.

While according to the design. 7, the partial length 18.1 extends above the surface 20 of the edge part 3 and the partial length 18.2 forming the grip area extends within the tub trough, in the embodiment according to FIG. Fig. 8 reversed the arrangement. Here, the part length 18.2 forming the handle lies above the surface 20 of the edge part 3, while the part length 18.1 provided for fastening connecting parts 5 follows the edge contour 17 somewhat below the edge surface 20 within the tub trough.

FIG. 9 shows a bathtub in a perspective view, in which the projection 8 is formed by a plurality of rod-shaped elements which essentially follow the contour of the edge 17 of the tub, and are fastened via support feet at a distance from the surface 20 of the wall part 3. The trough can be designed as a "double-seater" so that a connection part 5 designed as a neck support can be attached to both ends. When using the indicated shower head 33, one or more splash protection devices 24 can be plugged onto the part 18.3 running on the room side and parallel to the longitudinal wall, so that a vertical side edge of the splash protection directly adjoins the building wall. The rod-shaped element 18.3 is here at its end facing away from the building wall as a handle 18.2 in accordance with the illustration in accordance with. Fig. 7 molded.

In embodiments for the connecting part 5, in which the shape of the projection 8 does not allow a locking undercut in the area of the claw-shaped recess 9, as was shown and described with reference to FIG. 3, it is expedient if Additional securing of the connection part 5 is provided with the connection part 5 on a suction cup 34 resting on the inside of the wall or on the surface 20 of the edge part 3. This is shown as an example in FIG. 2. Since the weight and the other loads due to the use of the positive connection between the web-shaped projection 8 and the corresponding claw-shaped recess 9 are received in the connecting part 5, the suction cup 34 has only the task of securing the connecting part 5 against upward forces, so that it can be made correspondingly smaller.

Claims (18)

Bathtub, the tub trough (2) of which merges into a substantially horizontally oriented edge part (3), in the area of which a projection (8) projecting beyond the edge part (3) and extending over at least a partial length of the edge part for fastening at least one connecting part (5 ) is provided to increase user comfort. Bathtub according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (8) is web-shaped. Bathtub according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the web-shaped projection (8) is integrally formed on the tub body in the region of the edge part (3). Bath tub according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the projection (8) is formed by a rod-shaped element (18) which essentially follows the contour of the edge (17) of the tub trough (2) in the arrangement area and which has at least two support feet (19) is connected to the tub body at a distance from the surface (20) of the edge part (3). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the projection (8) designed as a rod-shaped element (18) is formed over a part (18.1) of its length following the contour of the opening of the tub (2) and in its other part (18.2) of its length has a contour bent up as a handle. Bathtub, the tub trough merges into a substantially horizontally oriented edge part, in particular bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one with the tub edge (1) and / or with the projection (8) on the tub edge (1) connectable connecting part (5) is provided to increase the comfort of use, which overlaps the tub edge (1) and / or the projection (8). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting part (5) is provided on its side facing the tub rim (1) for attachment with a claw-like recess (9). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting part (5) is provided with locking means, in particular in the area of the claw-like recess (9). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking means is formed by at least one of the suction cups (34) which can be placed on the tub surface. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking means on the connecting part (5) is formed by at least one locking element which can be brought into locking action with the projection (8) or the rod-shaped element (18). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connecting part (5) extends from its end (10) which can be connected to the projection (8) over the upper edge (17) of the tub trough and / or the free outer tub edge and leans on it. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the connecting part (5) is designed as a neck support. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the connecting part (5) is provided with fastening means (12, 15) for attaching additional and / or accessory parts (13, 16, 22, 23). Bathtub, in particular bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or 6 to 13, characterized by a connection part in the form of a spray protection device (24) which can be detachably connected to the tub rim. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the connection part designed as a spray protection device (24) is formed by a carrier part (26) and an associated spray protection surface (27). Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the splash protection surface (27) consists of a rigid plate material. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the splash protection surface (27) consists of a flexible material. Bathtub according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the carrier part (26) is at least partially collapsible.

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