EP1689342A1

EP1689342A1 - Foldable sauna

Info

Publication number: EP1689342A1
Application number: EP04786976A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Günther Höge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2004-09-22
Publication date: 2006-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-22
Also published as: TW200518736A; AU2004294679A1; CN1953727A; US20070169258A1; WO2005053596A1; EP1689342B1; ATE375138T1; CA2549221A1; DE502004005231D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a foldable sauna ( 1 ) comprising a sectional floor surface, two lateral walls each of which is provided with two rigid lateral wall elements ( 3 a, 3 b, 3 c) collapsibly connected to each other, a rear wall comprising at least two flexible sequences each of which consists of at least two solid rear wall elements, wherein said sequence elements are superposed in the unfolded state thereof: The inventive sauna also comprises a flexible covering ( 13 ) which, when the sauna is unfolded, extends between said lateral walls and covers at least partially the internal space thereof. The rear wall and possibly the floor space consist of at least two solid floors ( 2 a, 2 b, 2 c) or rear wall ( 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d; 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d) elements, respectively which are collapsibly connected to each other. When folded, said sauna is generally embodied in the form a suitcase. The foldable floor, rear wall and lateral walls of the sauna make it possible to easily carry sad sauna in the folded state thereof and to easily mount it y one person.

Description

Foldable sauna

The invention relates to a foldable sauna according to the preamble of claim 1.

In many areas of application, there is a need to utilize the advantageous effects of a sauna without the fixed installation of a conventional sauna. For this purpose, home saunas are used, which can be set up under the conditions of a normal living space and are mostly heated with radiant heaters in the far infrared range. The sauna is designed for use by just one person and designed to be dismantled. In addition to conventional tent-like designs with an internal pole skeleton, there are also foldable variants that have at least one rigid component and that are easier to handle than the tent type.

For example, a folding sauna is known from JP 11028240, which includes a rear wall and side folding walls and a front wall u. When installing the folding sauna, the rear wall is held vertically and at the same time the front wall is moved away from the rear wall. The two side folding walls are unfolded with the vertical folding lines and the wall elements arranged between them, which requires the folding walls to move over the floor. The back wall has the width and the height of the folding sauna and is therefore a comparatively bulky part that is difficult to carry and store. At least two people are required for installation, one person holding the rear wall and the other person pulling the front wall away from the rear wall. JP 11253521, JP 7213578, JP 10043268 and US 6,055,684 describe sauna cabins with a box-shaped back part. A folding wall connects to the two side wall surfaces of the box-shaped back part. These folding walls comprise wall elements which are connected to one another via vertical folding lines. The box-shaped back section has the width and the height of the folding sauna, as well as the depth of its side wall surfaces. This results in a bulky part that is difficult to carry and store. When setting up, there is a risk that the box-shaped back part placed on the lower side surface is not sufficiently secure before the folding walls are unfolded and can tip over if it is not touched, so that again two people are required for safe handling. The folding sauna according to JP 7213578 comprises a frame with a floor surface, the frame being pivotally connected to the box-shaped back part. After the folding walls have been unfolded, the floor surface is pivoted from the vertical position in the back part into a horizontal position on the floor. The large back part with the folding walls, the swivel-mounted bottom surface and a seat surface arranged between these parts can only be carried by two people when folded due to the large external dimensions.

The solutions of the prior art therefore require at least difficult handling when setting up, in which two people are required for safe deployment.

It also takes place through the horizontal Unfolding movement a grinding of the side parts against the floor.

If various components are integrated in the back part, e.g. Power supply and electronics, this will be even more difficult to set up or move.

Due to the horizontal unfolding, the bottom of the sauna is made of flexible or foldable material or parts. This results in a lot of buckling, deformation or hinge zones, which are inherently susceptible to the tightness.

In addition, the base area of the sauna is only clearly recognizable after it has been unfolded, so that placing it before setting up the sauna can result in incorrect estimates of the space required.

An object of the invention is to provide a sauna that allows easier handling compared to the prior art. In particular, it should be possible to position it in a room after which it is no longer necessary to change the orientation, used standing area or position of the sauna.

Another task is the integration of components or peripheral devices in the sauna without any handling disadvantages, e.g. by unfavorable weight distributions.

Another task is the improved sealing of the floor area or the base area of the sauna, for example against: condensation. According to the invention, these tasks are achieved by

Realization of the features of claim 1 and the

Features of the subclaims solved or the solutions developed.

The present invention relates to a folding sauna in which the unfolding takes place essentially vertically from a base plate, the folding sauna being easily transportable when folded, e.g. through design in the form of a suitcase.

The folding sauna is designed so that it can be brought together in a suitcase-shaped condition. So that such a case, e.g. on a handle arranged at the top, can be carried comfortably, it should have a height that is less than 70 cm, but preferably less than 60 cm, in particular less than 55 cm. However, because the bottom surface of a folding sauna now has a length and a width of at least 70 cm, preferably essentially 80 cm, it can be made foldable to enable a desired case shape. Due to the larger rear wall compared to the floor area, this rear wall should also be designed to be foldable. With a foldable bottom and foldable rear wall, as well as foldable side walls, it can be realized according to the invention that the folded sauna is easy to carry and store when folded.

Training according to a special embodiment can ensure that the folding sauna can be set up by one person without difficulty. This is possible, for example, if the fold lines between the wall elements of the side walls in the unfolded state of the folding sauna run essentially horizontally. Through such a course of the folding or folding zones, the side walls are flexibly or deformably connected to the bottom surface via folding lines. When they are set up, they are not unfolded away from the rear wall, as in the solutions according to the prior art, but can be unfolded safely and comfortably by one person from the floor surface, which is stable and positioned precisely on the floor. A further advantage of unfolding from a floor surface is that the floor surface can be made cheaply from one piece or with a maximum of one folding line for collecting water, so that no water gets onto the building floor when the folding sauna is used.

Embodiments in which the bottom surface and the rear wall each comprise at least three fixed elements, which are connected to one another via folding connections, can be constructed in such a way that two fixed bottom elements form outer surfaces, namely two large side surfaces, in the case-folded state. After opening these outer surfaces or the two large side surfaces with the wall elements of the side and rear walls arranged thereon, the elements of the rear wall can be folded away, for example, so that the elements of the side walls are exposed. After unfolding a side wall, the adjoining element of the rear wall can be brought into a corner connection with the side wall from the folded-away position, so that a side wall and an element of the rear wall form a stable corner area. Then the other side wall with the adjoining element of the rear wall becomes a second stable corner element built. The back wall can be finished with a middle element of the back wall. The fixed elements that are connected to each other during assembly, such as for example the corner connections, can be fixed by means of generally known connections, such as click or snap-in systems. It goes without saying that connections using buckles or Velcro are also possible.

When the folding sauna is unfolded, a flexible cover extends between the side walls and at least partially covers the interior of the folding sauna. So that the flexible cover achieves an insulation effect, it can be formed in several layers, for example with two sheath layers and an insulation layer arranged between them. However, this cover can also consist of a plurality or a plurality of rigid components, e.g. be designed in the form of a blind or a sectional gate. In order to allow access to the interior, an entry device that is easy to open and close is created in the cover or when it is connected to a side wall. The entry device is provided, for example, by a zipper, which is arranged in the flexible cover and extends between the side walls from a region near the floor against the rear wall. In the vicinity of the rear wall, in particular at the upper end of the entry device, a neck opening is provided in the flexible cover, so that only one person after entering the folding sauna and closing the entry device

Head over the flexible cover. So that this person can also operate operating elements and, if necessary, have drinks, there is at least one lockable arm passage opening provided in the flexible cover. A cover for the neck opening may be provided so that the folding sauna can be preheated before a person enters. This opening cover can be arranged as a tab on the flexible cover or as a pivotable fixed element on the rear wall.

The flexible cover can be firmly connected to the upper edges of the side walls and, after the side walls have been folded together, placed on them and then covered by the elements of the rear wall. So that the flexible cover does not make it difficult to set up and fold the folding sauna walls, it is advisable not to connect them firmly to the side walls. The flexible cover can be folded up separately or rolled up and then placed in a receiving area of the case-shaped folded sauna.

The connection between the flexible cover and the walls of the folding sauna should be easy to achieve and ensure the necessary tightness. For this purpose, the side edges of the flexible cover interact, at least in the unrolled state, with holding devices on the two side walls. The holding devices can include zippers and Velcro, snap and plug connections. Given all, however, the holding devices are designed as guides, so that the flexible cover can be pulled over the area to be covered on both side edges. Such guides are particularly advantageous when the flexible cover is wound around a rod-shaped element, preferably with a eder-shaped return device. The rod-shaped element can be inserted into a holder on both side walls when the folding sauna is set up. If the bottom of the folding sauna is made in one piece and without a fold line, this element can be integrated on the front side of the opening opening on the bottom. After the lateral edges of the flexible cover have been inserted into the guides, the cover is pulled to the rear wall and brought into tight contact with it. When folded, the flexible cover can be separated from the rear wall and wound onto the rod-shaped element, and can be removed from the holders. If the flexible cover can be rolled up using a spring, a person can comfortably take a seat in the sauna and grasp the cover on the floor and pull it out towards the head. Such guidance of the cover is not possible, for example, in solutions of the prior art with a fold out from a back part, since in such a configuration the cover would have to be pulled over the head.

Can on the fixed wall elements of the side walls

Mounts for beverage containers and for operating and / or display devices can be arranged. Due to the connections between the fixed wall elements of all walls, all wall elements are so stable that glasses can be placed in a holder attached to a wall element without the risk of tipping or falling out. The material of the solid wall and floor elements includes, for example, carbon. But it can also be hard Plastic or wood can be used to make the solid elements. If necessary, heating elements and operating and / or display devices are arranged directly on the fixed wall elements or integrated into them. The operating and / or display devices are connected to a control device, which in turn is connected to the heating elements, a feed connection and optionally at least one sensor, in particular a temperature sensor. The connecting lines are held approximately in or on the fixed elements. For electrical supply, for example, a connection with an automatic cable feed is provided, the cable feed being arranged on a fixed element. The control device and possibly other components, such as the cable feed, can be arranged in or on a floor element, for example, so that they can also be accessed for checks or repairs when the folding sauna is folded. The accommodation of the supply and switching devices required for the folding sauna in a floor element requires the advantages of good placement and an integrated, protected, in particular sealable, accommodation of the components.

When designing the appearance of the folded sauna, there are many possibilities through this technical configuration according to the invention. For example, the impression of a racing car cockpit can be achieved. For this purpose, the holder for drinks and / or the operating device may be designed in the form of an outside mirror. The character of the race can be enhanced by a color combination common to racing cars, for example red / black. In addition, the sauna users are recommended to wear a helmet, for example, a bracket for the helmet is provided on a wall element. This helmet can also have the functionality of a cover that can be used for preheating. If necessary, a tank cap is provided on a wall element, which can be opened in particular via a button mechanism.

For easy portability or for stowing the folding sauna, its compactness is particularly important

Meaning by building as collapsible

Sauna is effected. This is achieved according to the invention, for example, by folding the

Condition in the components of a multi-part floor element the two side walls from several

Sidewall elements, possibly made of large and small

Sidewall elements. The rear wall elements are on the still folded before installation

Side wall elements. Swivel connections allow the elements to be set up. The folding makes it easy to unfold without changing location.

A possible embodiment of the foldable sauna according to the invention is shown schematically below with reference to drawings and is described in more detail purely by way of example. Show in detail

Fig.l is a perspective view of a folding sauna according to the invention;

2a-b representations of the folding sauna in a frontal and side view; 3 shows a perspective view of the folding sauna in rear view;

4 shows a representation of the folding sauna in plan view;

Fig.5a-c representations of the folded sauna case folded;

6a-f a continuous representation of the unfolding process for erecting a first exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna according to the invention;

7a-b representations of the use of the first exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna in the operating state;

8a-c a continuous representation of the unfolding process for erecting a second exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna according to the invention; and

9 shows an illustration of the first step of the unfolding process for erecting a third exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a folding sauna 1 according to the invention in the fully assembled state before use. The following

Design features are fundamentally common to the various exemplary embodiments of the folding sauna according to the invention shown in the further figures. The The bottom of the folding sauna is formed by a first floor element 2a and a second floor element 2b, which are movably mounted on a narrow third floor element 2c as a connecting piece. In order to provide a watertight floor surface, the swivel connections between the floor elements to one another and in each case the first side wall elements 3a and the first rear wall elements 5a and, if appropriate, the first central element 4a include tight connection elements, for example in the form of flexible layer material, the tight connection elements in particular also directly can take over the hinge function.

The two side walls each have foldable first side wall elements 3a, second side wall elements 3b and third side wall elements 3c. The back wall is formed by two back wall combinations of back wall elements, each with a first back wall element 5a, a second back wall element 5b, a third back wall element 5c and a fourth back wall element 5d. The two combinations are connected via a multi-part middle piece to a first middle element 4a, a second middle element 4b, a third middle element 4c and a fourth middle element 4d, wherein the fourth middle element 4d can optionally cover the neck opening when the folding sauna is set up. The elements of the rear wall, center piece and side walls are designed to be movable relative to one another, for example, by swivel connections. Their fixation or fixing can be effected by means of generally known devices, such as, for example, snap-in holders. According to the invention, stretchable connecting elements, such as a Elastic cable pull are used, which can be pulled apart for installation and can snap under load after positioning the wall elements. It is then unfolded by pulling the elements apart and then snapping them into place. In this context, the terms pivotable or foldable are to be understood in the sense of placing them in a folded state and denote the possibility of elements moving against one another.

Infrared emitters 6a and 6b are arranged on the inside of the rear wall and on both side surfaces.

The folding sauna 1 is closed by a cover that can be unrolled from a box 8 as the receiving area, the box being stowable in the upper part 7 of the case accessible by a flap 7b for transport purposes. A handle 7a is attached to the upper case 7. Alternatively or additionally, the box 8 can also be pulled out of the upper case 7 without a flap 7b if a suitable opening 7c is present. A user of the folding sauna 1 can take a seat on a seat 9 which is height-adjustable via a sleeve 9a and a divided and foldable rail 10. The rail 10 is fastened to the first middle element 4a and second middle element 4b. A control and monitoring element 11 is used to control and control the folding sauna 1.

2a-b show the folding sauna in a frontal and side view, whereas FIG. 3 shows a perspective view in rear view and FIG. 4 shows a top view. 5a-c shows representations of the folding sauna 1 folded in the form of a case. For the transport and storage of the folding sauna 1, it can be folded in the form of a case. 5a shows this state from a view obliquely from above. The first floor element 2a and the second floor element 2b form the sides of the case, while the case is closed at the top by the case upper part 7 with the flap 7b and the handle 7a. 5b shows the case with a view of the second floor element 2b, which forms one of the two outer surfaces of the case. The end face of the case is shown in Fig. 5c. To protect the floor elements and for better positioning, the case can have knobs or buffer elements 12 which ensure an exact floor support and which can be made of rubber or plastic, for example.

The unfolding and preparation for commissioning a first embodiment of the folding sauna 1 according to the invention is explained in a continuous representation in FIGS. 6a-f.

As shown in FIG. 6 a, at the beginning of the unfolding and erecting process, the box sauna 1, which is folded up in a box, is placed on the outside of the first floor element 2 a, so that the flap 7 b and the outside of the second floor element 2 b point upward. From this position, the state shown in Fig. 6b is assumed by opening the case. In the case halves formed by the two base elements 2a and 2b there are in each case a side surface and a rear wall combination. On the third floor element 2c, the seat 9 and the folded middle piece with the rail 10 can be seen. Through the Open flap 7b can be seen in the upper part of the case 8, which receives the flexible cover. The box 8 is removed from the upper part of the case or swung out and attached to the front of the first and second base elements 2a and 2b, so that the cover can be used to close the folding sauna.

In Fig. 6c the erection of the rear wall is shown, the first and second rear wall elements 5a and 5b forming the actual rear wall, whereas the third and fourth rear wall elements 5c and 5d also provide an upward cover and, through their design, an opening for the head of the user define. All rear wall elements 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are connected to one another and can be folded horizontally against one another. The back wall elements 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d form a sequence. In a similar manner, the middle piece, which also creates a sequence, is used to create the connection between the rear wall combinations. In this unfolded state, the seat 9 is still set vertically with its seat. The uppermost third side wall elements 3c of the folded side walls can be seen in the first and second floor elements.

These side walls are unfolded upwards as shown in FIG. 6d, so that after the attachment of the box 8 already mentioned and the rotation of the seat 9, the situation shown in FIG. 6e results. To generate the sauna effect, the interior is heated by the infrared radiators 6a and 6b arranged on the inside on the rear wall and on the side surfaces. The state of the sauna during operation is shown in Fig. 6f. The front is closed by the flexible cover 13 located in the box 8. The operation of the sauna is monitored and controlled by the control and monitoring element 11 which can be attached on the left or right.

7a-b show representations of the use of the folding sauna in the operating state with a user. To use the sauna, a user sits on the seat and bends forward to the box 8 from which he pulls the cover 13 located therein up until it completely covers the front of the sauna. In this case, simple and comfortable handling is effected by a spring-shaped return device and in particular a snap-in device, so that unrolled covering material is rolled up after the snap-in device has been disengaged.

So that the flexible cover 13 achieves an insulation effect, it can be formed in several layers, for example with two sheath layers and an insulation layer arranged between them. In order to allow access to the interior, a zipper can be arranged in the cover 13, which zips between the side walls from a region near the floor

Extends rear wall. Depending on the design, a neck opening is provided in the vicinity of the rear wall in the flexible cover 13, so that after entering the folding sauna and closing the zipper, only one person's head protrudes above the flexible cover 13, or the cover 13 also closes a straight edge, so that the recess for the head in the other components of the rear wall or the center piece must be introduced. So that the user can also operate the control and monitoring element 11 and, if necessary, drink drinks, at least one lockable arm passage opening can be realized in the flexible cover or the side walls. So that the folding sauna can be preheated before a person enters, the fourth middle element is optionally placed over the neck opening.

Mounts for beverage containers as well as for further operating and / or display devices, such as e.g. for game consoles, are not shown.

8a-c shows a continuous representation of the unfolding process for erecting a second exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna according to the invention.

8a shows the first step for raising the rear wall. The folding sauna is opened and placed so that the first floor element 2a 'and the second floor element 2b' point upwards. The folded side surfaces each lie in the case halves formed by the two base elements 2a 'and 2b'. The rear wall elements are fastened to the third base element 2c 'by means of a central piece. The multi-part middle piece has a first middle element 4a ', not visible in FIG. 8a, a second middle element 4b', a third middle element 4c 'and possibly one or more further middle elements. In this second exemplary embodiment, two first rear wall elements 5a 'arranged at the bottom are pivotably connected to the first central element 4a', the pivot axis running vertically, so that the first Rear wall elements 5a 'are pivoted outwards or backwards from the inside of the case.

A further unfolding step of the second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 8b. The second rear wall elements 5b 'are pivotally connected to the second central element 4b'. After the second middle element 4b 'has been erected or unfolded, the second rear wall elements 5b' are pivoted backwards or outwards, so that the state shown in FIG. 8c finally results. A seat 9 'is arranged on the second middle element 4b' and is rotatable for folding in the longitudinal direction of the second middle element 4b '. The third rear wall elements 5c 'and the fourth rear wall elements 5d' are pivotally connected to one another and to the second rear wall elements 5b ', so that they can be unfolded upwards to complete the folding sauna. Subsequently, the first side wall elements 3a, second side wall elements 3b and third side wall elements 3c are unfolded upward from the two bottom elements of the case.

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of the first step of the unfolding process for erecting a third exemplary embodiment of the folding sauna according to the invention. The first rear wall elements 5a ″ are on the first

Base element 2a ″ and the second base element 2b ″ are pivotally attached, the axes of development extending horizontally. The second rear wall elements 5b ″ are articulated on the second central element 4b ″, the third rear wall elements 5c ″ and the fourth

Rear wall elements 5d '' are pivotally connected to one another and to the second rear wall elements 5b ''. The further unfolding process is similar to the embodiments shown in the previous figures.

The exemplary embodiments shown are only examples of possible variants of the foldable sauna according to the invention and are therefore not to be understood as conclusive and restrictive. In addition, the person skilled in the art can derive further division of the components suitable for a folding sauna according to the invention, e.g. by forming the base element from five or more pieces, by other geometric shapes of the side parts or by another arrangement of fold lines.

Claims

claims

1 . Folding sauna (1) with • a floor area, • two side walls with at least two fixed side wall elements (3a, 3b, 3c), the latter being foldably connected to each other, • a rear wall and • a flexible cover (13), which in the aged state of the folding sauna (1) extends between the side walls and at least partially covers the interior of the folding sauna (1), characterized in that the rear wall comprises at least two sequences each consisting of at least two fixed rear wall elements (5a-5d; 5a ' ~ 5d '; 5a' '-5d' '), the fixed rear wall elements (5a-5d; 5a' -5d '; 5a' '-5d' ') of a sequence being arranged one above the other in the unfolded state.

2. Folding sauna (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor surface has at least two fixed floor elements (2a, 2b, 2a ', 2b', 2a '', 2b ''), preferably three fixed floor elements (2a, 2b, 2c , 2a ', 2b', 2c ', 2a' ', 2b' '), which are foldably connected to each other.

3. Folding sauna (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the bottom elements (2a, 2b, 2c, 2a ', 2b', 2c ', 2a' ', 2b' ') define the outer surfaces of a box-shaped container in the folded state ,

4. folding sauna (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, - - characterized in that the fold lines between the side wall elements (3a, 3b, 3c) run essentially horizontally in the unfolded state of the folding sauna.

5. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folded sauna (1) folded state has only one dimension in one direction, which corresponds essentially to the length or width of the floor surface, and in the other two directions that are significantly less than the length or width of the floor area.

6. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls and the bottom surface each have at least three fixed elements (3a-3c, -2a-2c, 2a '-2c', 2a '' -2c '') include, which are connected to each other via folding connections.

7. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wall elements (5a-5d, 5a '-5d', 5a '' -5d ''), in particular within a sequence, are connected to one another via folded connections.

8. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one back wall element (5a, 5a ', 5a' ') of a sequence, in particular one back wall element (5a, 5a', 5a '') of each sequence, with the bottom surface is connected via a folding connection.

Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible cover (13) can be wound around a rod-shaped element, preferably with a spring-shaped return device which can be inserted into a holder, and the lateral edges of the flexible cover (13 ) cooperates covering at least in the unrolled state with holding devices.

10. Folding sauna (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding devices are designed as guides in which the lateral edges of the flexible cover (13) are guided when the flexible cover (13) is rolled out and rolled up.

11. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on fixed elements (5a-5d, 5a '-5d', 5a '' -5d ''; 4a-4d, 4a'- 4d ', 4a' '-4d' ') of the rear wall or, if applicable, the floor, chair elements of a seat (9) are fastened in a foldable, rotatable or pivotable manner.

12. Folding sauna (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover element (4d, 4d ', 4d' ') is arranged on the rear wall for covering an opening in the flexible cover (13), which in a cover layer and can be brought into a release position.

13. folding sauna (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receiving area (8) for receiving the flexible cover (13) is formed, which is integrated in the case-like folded state of the folding sauna (1) in the case-like shape.