EP2449180B1

EP2449180B1 - Rotational sanitary unit

Info

Publication number: EP2449180B1
Application number: EP09788431.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlos Alberto Pinto Dos Santos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: PINTO DOS SANTOS, CARLOS ALBERTO
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2009-06-30
Publication date: 2013-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-30
Also published as: EP2449180B8; WO2011002322A1; EP2449180A1

Description

The current invention is in respect of a rotational sanitary unit that is inserted in a wall recess with a preferably circled arch configuration with a diameter correspondent to its structure.
It is essentially constituted with a washbasin and a sanitary vase, in order to satisfy all physiological, hygienic and cosmetic needs, these components are found disposed on opposite sides of the referred structure, having as a principal that the first need previously referred never occurs simultaneously with the last two and vice-versa.
Presently, the minimum dimensions of an area, width and depth of any sanitary installation, is defined (in the most diverse, national and international regulations and standards), in function of certain distinct parameters, susceptible of being considered, fundamentally, the type of user of the sanitary installations and the type of building in which they are inserted.
However, it is verified that they all have a common factor, in which consists the fact, that starting from the premise that each of both basins, washbasin and a sanitary vase, occupy distinct fixed places from each other.
This premise is as, determinant in the establishment of minimum dimensions to be respected, for the conception of any sanitary installation.
The fact of existing two fixed basins, separated, means that the pathway for the tubes and cables and flushing pipes starting from the ducts of the respective general network have to be double coursed in all its length or part of, splitting, inevitably, at a determined stage of its course.
In a general manner, one can consider that the pathways of the technical network present questions to be put into consideration in its conception having in sight a cost reduction for the realization of future maintenance, in which is attached the shortening of its extension, the easiness for access after installation and its reliability. The inventive efforts in the sanitary techniques domain, go, above all, in the direction of shortening the extension of the technical networks, facilitating the assembly and maintenance and to improve the reliability, the reliability that has included, in turn, the reduction in the number of the most vulnerable links of those networks, which are the connecting elements between the pathways.
As an example of this, the metallic structures that support the washbasins, the bidets and sanitary vases planned with connection pieces in the supply and flushing general network with incorporated flushing cisterns, or not, structures these, that present additional properties such as serving as guides for the realization of the walls in which they will be embedded.
Such improvements and simplifications have much more reason of being as sure as the sanitary installations and kitchens, the so called humid spaces, constitute, general rule, areas where the cost of construction is superbly high, above all where collective residential buildings are concerned, the type of building with most numerous inhabitants.
Thus, this is one of the reasons that drive the conception of family homes around a central nucleus of sanitary/kitchen installations, this nucleus, in turn, should confine from neighbouring homes, in order to avoid the multiplication of ducts.
Identical efforts go in the direction of improving the space of movement between the different basins (washbasin/sanitary vase) and its accessibility on behalf of physically disabled people as well as wheelchair users, through lateral dislocating movements or in height or even the rotation of both basins. (washbasin/sanitary vase)

Previous Technique

Some conceptions of sanitary installation components are known and are presented with a conjunctive functioning. Amongst them, the following documents are referred, FR2775995 , FR2856416 , US6076199 , JP4085422 and in particular US-A-3 458 871 .
The patent FR2775995 is in respect of a sanitary set known as a washbasin and a flushing cistern, as well as a washbasin sub-set destined for the realization of the said set. The tap (faucet) of the filling device of the reservoir of the sub-set of the flushing cistern supplies at least part of the reservoir by means of a tap (faucet) body of the sub-set of the washbasin and a water outlet device of the latter, which allows, only according to the actuation of the flushing cistern, the flow of water to the washbasin sub-set, in order to wash ones hands. The washbasin sub-set is advantageously assembled directly above the sub-set of the flushing cistern, which allows a gain of space and simplifies the hydraulic connections. As one can observe, this is a sanitary set that has nothing to do with the invention object.
The patent FR2856416 is in respect of a sanitary device, as understood: a sanitary vase on the upper part, of which a reservoir is situated, containing a flushing cistern, whose lid is substituted by a basin, command means that can be activated by pressure, not been necessary to use ones hands, specially for the emptying of the flushing cistern, supplying the tap (faucet) of the basin; with means to regulate the water flow; and which, during the emptying of the flushing cistern, the water will firstly supply the basin and then the sanitary vase, the water flow will be regulated in order to prolong the draining of the water to the basin. The invention applies specially to tiny spaces.
This patent, apart from presenting a device that simultaneously has a basin and a sanitary vase function, it does not hold the fundamental characteristics of the invention object. With effect, the device components are found on the same side and do not rotate, having for the effect, a totally distinctive concept.
The patent US6076199 is in respect of a flushing cistern lid with a cleaning device concealing an appropriate device for humid napkins as well as appropriate means for cleaning ones body parts, that substitutes the existing flushing cistern lid, not been necessary any modification or any assembly on the bathroom wall.
The lid comprises a basin including a set of taps (faucets) associated to a supply of hot water and cold water, an extensible flexible hose, of water supply, having a proper injector nozzle which will allow the person to use the water nozzle in the basin, in the sanitary vase or in a basin adjacent to the bathroom.
The flushing cistern lid with a cleaning device has a hygienic aspect and is built with a base recipient having on the lower side a basin and a proper compartment to keep an extensible flexible hose and a lid on the upper side.
It is also shown, in this case that the device is completely distinct to the sanitary unit, the invention object.
The patent JP4085422 has, as an objective, the efficient use of a small space, axially and circularly supporting, in a substantial horizontal direction one side of one section of a sanitary vase base destined to be penetrated by the water supply pipe and the sewage pipe of a sanitary vase.
A proper sectioned axial support is provided to aid the axial and rotational movement in a horizontal direction one side of the sanitary vase base, the referred sectioned support is endowed with a proper section which is rotationally mobile allowing the sanitary vase to be circularly moved by itself from the rotational section of a water supply pipe and the rotational section of a sewage pipe. The rotational sections are disposed in such a manner that the centre of rotation is positioned in the same axis.
The invention in this case, even though allowing the rotation of the sanitary vase, does not have the same objectives of this patent request.
US 3458871 discloses a wall recess with inserted therein a rotational structure that supports a water closet and a bidet, which can either be rotated to a use position or both be rotated to a storage position underneath a washbasin unit,
The referred documents with the previously known technique of the petitioner do not collide in any way with the characteristics claimed in the present patent request.

Sumnary of the invention

This sanitary unit patent request is constituted with a washbasin that is situated on one of the sides and a sanitary vase which is situated on the opposite side. Presenting the user according to the side and angle with the most convenient access in order to satisfy ones physiological, hygienic and cosmetic needs, having as a principal that the first never occurs simultaneously with the last two and vice-versa, on the other hand, contrary to what is claimed in the patents of the previous technique, inserted in a recess in a circular arch of a wall of a sanitary installation.
Following, are the advantages of the sanitary unit, the invention object:

Reduction of the technical pathways of the piping and supply cables and flushing channels between the washbasin and sanitary vase and the respective general network or its ducts;
Elimination of the technical pathways built into the walls;
Immediate accessibility to parts of the technical pathways between basins and general networks or its ducts;
Immediate accessibility to the ducts of the general network;
Renouncement of one of the access spaces to both basins;
Versatility in the lateral (side) approach to the sanitary vase basin by wheelchair users (according to the desired angle);
Compatibility in the common use of the sanitary installations by the physically disabled and non-disabled, without constraints by both parts;
Take advantage of the water that originates from the washbasin for the cleaning of the sanitary vase;
The conception of the invention presupposes that any sanitary unit structure remains installed in a wall "recess" in a circular sector form, wall which, preferentially, will be constituted by two pre-fabricated elements, one inferior for the accompaniment of the parameter "visibly shown" the other, that is sub-posed, prepared to contain a mirrored cabinet with a plant expression determined by two parallel secants to the circle.
The conception of the invention foresees that the height space that results from the difference between these pre-fabricated elements, sub-posed, and the ceiling of the sanitary installation, be used as a space with immediate access to the connections equally immediate, between the sanitary unit and the ducts of the general network.
The conception of the invention allows an installation in open spaces and is not conditioned by the existence of wall recesses or walls.

Taking into consideration the difference between a circular sector equal to a semi-circle and half of a square circumscribed therein, one observes from this, that two equal areas result.
Either of these two areas (or both) can be used as a "technical service duct" as from which (or from both) the extension of the distance of the connections to the sanitary unit is merely "slightly" superior to the radius size that defines the "recess" of the circle and inferior to half the diagonal size of the circumscribed square. To this "technical service duct" (or both) one can immediately establish identical technical connections, to one or two dependencies, as such "wet", independently whether they are all (two or three) situated at different levels or not.
On the other hand, one can observe that, from the arch radius size of the recess, four equal areas result, defined by the orthogonal axis and its parallels tangent to the circle.
A size of 600 mm or approximate is to be considered for the radius of the sanitary unit, one can observe that this dimension is very convenient to receive benches from wet areas (for example, kitchens), any other benches, or closets/wardrobes or, as enlargement spaces for technical service ducts.
Considering the hypothesis of both referred places being used as technical service ducts, the connection between them can be established by the space that results from the plant configuration of the closets that top the sanitary unit.

Brief description of the drawings

The following description is based in the attached drawings, which, without any limitative character, they represent:

Figure 1, an plan view and a cross section view of the sanitary unit, the invention object;
Figure 2, a lateral (side) and a cross section view of the set represented in figure 1;
Figure 3, a perspective view of the sanitary unit with the washbasin in a functional position;
Figure 4, a perspective view of the sanitary unit in another functional position.

Detailed description of the invention

As one can observe, the sanitary unit generally marked with reference 1, is constituted with one washbasin 2 and one sanitary vase 3. The referred washbasin 2 is situated on one of the sides and the referred sanitary vase 3 on the opposite side, presenting the user, according to the side and angle with the most convenient access in order to satisfy ones physiological, hygienic and cosmetic needs having as a principal that the first never occurs simultaneously with the last two and vice-versa, and because it is inserted in a semi-circled recess of a wall of a sanitary installation, this recess presents a diameter correspondent to the diameter of the referred structure 1, of which it rotates around a central vertical axis in order to present the user with either the washbasin 2 or the sanitary vase 3, the movement been a revolving to-and-fro of the structure, either manually or with the aid of motorized means and processing itself in an angle not superior to 360°, preferentially from 0° to 130° or in particular cases from 0° to 210°. The structure 1, in its rotational movement, occupies a space of a cylinder trunk whose dimensions can be arbitrary determined. In other parts of this volumetric space, any other necessary mechanisms can be installed to motorize the movements of the structure, as well as flushing cisterns.
The whole structure 1 sits on a base provided with a circular bearing 6, fixed to the floor 7 of the sanitary installation. According to what is gathered from the figures and previously referred, the structure can rotate on a central axis. Such a fact is possible due to the bearing 6 being fixed to the floor and the pipes and flexible cables 11 that are disposed around the sewage pipe 9. The referred rotation can be activated by manual or motorized action (motor not represented).
Between the sanitary vase 3 and the washbasin 2, a water tank 8 is disposed for the flushing cistern of the sanitary vase. According to the realization of the model represented in the drawings, advantage is taken of the residual waters that originate from the washbasin 2, which flow directly into the water tank 8 of the flushing cistern of the sanitary vase 3. The drainage of the waters and sewage are processed through the centre of the referred base 5.
The supply of the hot and cold water, and the energy, and the exhaustion of the odours of the sanitary vase are processed through the referred base 5, between the exterior wall of the sewage pipe 9 and the interior wall 10 of the bearing ring, this hot and cold water supply is extended through flexible tubes and cables 11 until the fixed terminals of the structure 1.
The sanitary unit, the invention object, if used in sanitary installations appropriate for the physical disabled, can contain arm (rests) supports 12 articulated to the structure 1.
Thus, the sanitary vase is provided with side arm (rests) supports 12 that articulate on side brims 13 of the sanitary vase body 3. As a matter of fact, the whole structure 1 can be conceived in order to correspond to the dimensional parameters required for wheelchair users, e.g. freedom of movement of the knees and feet, distance between the back side of the sanitary vase and the wall, height of both basins (washbasin and sanitary vase) etc.
The distance between the back side of the sanitary vase and the wall (900 mm) makes no sense, seeing that, with the sanitary vase at an angle of 60° or 120°, one of the rear wheels of the wheelchair passes under the washbasin bench, sufficiently enough so that the 900 mm free space remain assured.
The space above the structure 1 can be filled with a mirrored cabinet 15. The bottom of this cabinet can be secant to the circle in which it is inserted, allowing in the left over space, intercommunication between the two quadrants and subsequently an interlink with these networks.
The spaces that result from the difference between the semi-circle and the circumscribed square in the semi-circular recess 4 can be used for technical service ducts 14, to where previously referred technical connections can be established.

Claims

A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, the said unit being constituted by one structure (1) that essentially supports a washbasin (2) and a sanitary vase (3), wherein the location of the said washbasin (2) on one side and the said sanitary vase (3) on the opposite side, presents the user, according to the side and angle, with the most convenient access in order to satisfy his physiological, hygienic and cosmetic needs, having as a principal that the washbasin (2) never occurs simultaneously with the sanitary vase (3) and vice versa, and wherein the said recess is preferentially circle arch-shaped of a wall, this recess having a diameter correspondent to the diameter of the said structure, which rotates around a central vertical axis in order to present the user with either the washbasin or the sanitary vase, the movement being a revolving to-and-fro of the structure, either manually or with the aid of motorized means and occurring in an angle no greater than 360°, preferentially from 0° to 180° or in particular cases from 0° to 210°.
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to the previous claim, characterized in that, the whole structure 1 sits on a base provided with a
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to the previous claim, characterized in that it contains at least one water tank (8) for the sanitary vase flushing cistern.
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to the previous claim, characterized in that it takes advantage of the residual waters originating from the washbasin (2).
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to the previous claim, characterized by the flushing of water and sewage through the centre of the said base (5).
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to claim 1, characterized by the supply of hot and cold water and energy, and in that the extraction of the odours from the sanitary vase is carried out through the said base (5), between the exterior wall of the sewage pipe (9) and the interior wall (10) of the bearing ring, this hot and cold water supply being extended through flexible tubes and cables (11) until the fixed terminals of the structure.
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to claim 1, characterized by in that, if used in appropriate sanitary installations for the physically disabled, it contains arm rests supports (12) articulated with the structure (1).
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to claim 1, characterized in that, the sanitary vase is provided with side arm rests supports (12) that articulate on side brims (13) of the sanitary vase (3).
A wall recess with inserted therein a rotational sanitary unit, according to claim 1, characterized in that, the spaces that result from the difference between the semi-circle and the circumscribed square can be used for technical service ducts (14), to where previously the said technical connections can be established.