EP2003926A1

EP2003926A1 - Acoustic device for sanitary fittings

Info

Publication number: EP2003926A1
Application number: EP07425374A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro Guzzini
Original assignee: Teuco Guzzini SpA
Current assignee: Teuco Guzzini SpA
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2007-06-15
Publication date: 2008-12-17

Abstract

The acoustic device for sanitary fittings includes a container (4) which is attached to a wall (3) of a sanitary fitting (1) and a transducer (14) which is inserted within the container (4). The main feature of the invention consists in that it includes a bayonet connection (19) between the transducer (14) and the container (4).

Description

The present invention relates to an acoustic device for sanitary fittings.
The present invention also relates to a sanitary fitting provided with the above mentioned acoustic device.
As it is known, sanitary fittings are more and more frequently provided with acoustic devices adapted to diffuse music so that the user is embraced by such music. Indeed, according to a series of studies, music promotes the relaxation of muscles and substantially give the user a sense of well-being. The acoustic devices currently employed for sanitary fittings comprise a normally cylindrical container, within which a transducer is housed. The container is attached on the outer face of the wall delimiting and defining the sanitary fitting.
The above mentioned acoustic devices display a plurality of drawbacks.
Furthermore, in case of maintenance or replacement of the transducer, each time the container must be detached from the sanitary fitting, the maintenance operations must be carried out and then the container must be attached to the above mentioned wall of the sanitary fitting.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an acoustic device that does not display the above mentioned drawbacks, and specifically provides for a simple, effective and rapid system for the extraction of the transducer from the container without there being the need to detach the container from the sanitary fitting.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sanitary fitting provided with the above mentioned acoustic device.
According to the present invention there is provided an acoustic device for sanitary fittings of the type including a container attached to a wall of a sanitary fitting and a transducer inserted within said container, characterized in that it includes a bayonet connection between said transducer and said container.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary fitting (in this case, a bathtub) provided with a plurality of acoustic devices obtained according to the dictates of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a section view of an acoustic device obtained according to the dictates of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the device in figure 2; and
Figure 4 is an exploded view with parts of the device in figure 2 being removed.

With reference to figure 1, numeral 1 shows, as a whole, a sanitary fitting provided with a plurality of acoustic devices 2 applied on the outer surface of a wall 3 delimiting and defining with its own inner surface the sanitary fitting 1 itself, in this case a bathtub. The devices 2 are adapted to diffuse music and are arranged so as to embrace with such music the user bathing in the water in order to give him/her a sense of well-being.
With reference to figures 2, 3, and 4, the device 2 includes a container 4 defined by an internally hollow cylindrical body 5 and a plate which partially closes a longitudinal end of the body 5. The plate 6 displays a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the body 5 so as to define, complanarly thereto, an annular flange 7.
In use, the outer surface of the plate 6 is attached to the above mentioned outer surface of the wall 3, for instance, by means of an adhesive or by means of a biadhesive layer 8 as shown in figure 4. The broad surface extension of the plate 6 allows a more effective attachment thereof to the wall 3.
With reference to figures 2 and 4, a through hole 11 is provided in the central part of the plate 6.
At the delimited circumference defining the through hole 11 the biadhesive layer 8 displays a through hole 12 having substantially the same diameter as said circumference (figure 4).
With reference to figures 2 and 3, a transducer 14 is housed within the body 5, the transducer 14 displaying an outer housing defined by an internally hollow cylindrical body 15 (i.e. substantially cup-shaped), and by a plate 16 which closes a longitudinal end of the body 15 itself.
In use, once the container 4 is attached on the wall 3, the transducer 14 is inserted in the body 5 so that the plate 16 acts as a lid for the body 5 itself. A bayonet connection 19 (figure 2) is provided between the body 15 of the transducer 14 and the body 5 of the container 4, the bayonet connection 19 being defined by a curved slot 17 obtained on the body 15 and by a protrusion 18 (figure 3) obtained on the inner surface of the body 5 and adapted to engage the slot 17. For the type of bayonet connection 19 which has just been described, the transducer 14 must be rotated during the insertion of the transducer 14 itself in the body 5. A wavy appendix 21 forming the grip of the transducer 14 is provided to make such an insertion in the body 5 easier and more rapid. It should be noted that the bayonet connection 19 is configured so that there is a direct contact between a front surface 16a of the transducer and the wall 3 of the sanitary fitting 1 so as to optimally transmit the sound waves generated by the transducer 14 and the wall 3 itself.
Furthermore, with reference to figures 2 and 3, a first segment, at which an annular groove 22 is defined, and a second segment, at which the slot 17 is provided, are defined from the peripheral edge of the plate 16 on the outer face of the body 15. An annular seal gasket 23 is housed in the annular groove 22 (figure 2). The transducer 14 is connected by means of an electric wire 24 to an electronic control unit (not shown); the wire 24 extending out from the above said housing through the plate 16.
From the disclosure set forth above, the advantages obtained by the implementation of the present invention result being many and apparent.
Specifically, an acoustic device has been developed displaying a simple and rapid assembly on the sanitary fitting 1. Indeed, at first the container 4 is attached to the wall 3, and then the transducer 14 is introduced in the body 5 according to the above mentioned modes. Such a type of assembly also allow a simple and rapid disconnection of the transducer 14 from the body 5 for possible maintenance or replacement operations. Finally, the bayonet connection 19 defined between the transducer 14 and the body 5 ensures an effective locking thus preventing an undesired extraction of the transducer 14 due to the vibrations being generated within the container 4.

Claims

An acoustic device (2) for sanitary fittings (1) of the type including a container (4) attached to a wall (3) of a sanitary fitting (1) and a transducer (14) inserted within said container (4), characterized in that it includes a bayonet connection (19) by means of which said transducer (14) is attached to said container (4).
An acoustic device (2), according to claim 1, characterized in that said bayonet connection (19) includes a curved slot (17) obtained on a housing (15) of said transducer (14) and a protrusion (18) obtained in a cylindrical body (5) of said container (4) consisting of a housing seat of said transducer (14); said protrusion (18) being adapted during insertion of said transducer (14) into said body (15) to engage said slot (17).
An acoustic device (2), according to claim 2, characterized in that said container (4) includes said cylindrical body (5) which is internally hollow and a first plate (6) closing a longitudinal end of said body (5); said first plate (6) being attached to said wall (3) of said sanitary fitting (1).
An acoustic device (2), according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a biadhesive layer (8) between said first plate (6) and said wall (3) of said sanitary fitting (1).
An acoustic device (2), according to at least one of claims 3, 4, characterized in that said first plate (6) displays a through hole (11) in a central area thereof.
An acoustic device (2), according to at least one of claims from 2 to 5, characterized in that an annular seal gasket (23) is installed between said housing (15) and said body (5).
An acoustic device (2), according to claim 6, characterized in that an annular groove (22), seat of said annular seal gasket (23), is obtained on said housing (15).
An acoustic device (2), according to at least one of claims from 2 to 7, characterized in that said housing (15) is closed by a second plate (16) that closes at the same time said body (5) on the opposite side to said first plate (6).
An acoustic device (2), according to claim 8 characterized in that an appendix (21) forming a grip of said transducer (14) is defined on the outer face of said second plate (16).
A sanitary fitting including a wall (3) delimiting it, characterized in that it includes at least an acoustic device (2) according to any of claims from 1 to 9 installed on said wall (3).