EP2835081B1 - Sanitary device and installation method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary device and its installation, particularly for the rehabilitation of a sanitary facility or the replacement of a bath by a shower, in a cavity of a living room delimited by at least one wall. The invention also relates to the installation method.

The invention will be more particularly described with respect to this application, without being limited thereto. In particular, the device could be a bathtub, especially on the door. Moreover, the device is not exclusive to a rehabilitation but may be intended for the establishment of a new sanitary installation.

There are today known sanitary installation systems, to replace a bath with a shower: so-called monobloc systems and so-called modular.

A monobloc shower system has a single module that acts as a wall and also a tray tray.

Such monobloc systems by their manufacturing principle have a perfect seal.

However, monoblock systems have some disadvantages.

Indeed, these systems are heavy for the installer, very bulky and impose appropriate access routes in dimensions to the bathroom / bath of the house, particularly very wide, which is rarely the case in old homes.

In addition, unsightly cuts are sometimes necessary to overcome the problems of squareness with the walls.

In addition, once the system is installed, it is impossible to access the water inlets and evacuations without dismantling the entire installation or the monoblock could be damaged.

Modular shower systems are generally composed of a tray and various blocks or modules, usually three, shaped caissons able to delimit the shower area. Each box has a general parallelepipedal shape open on one of its two main faces, and thus comprises a bottom and a peripheral wall along the perimeter. The outer face of the bottom forms the wall of the shower, while the peripheral wall of the box is supported by its edge against the wall. The interior of the box facing the wall is a technical vacuum allowing the passage of piping.

The main defect of modular systems lies in sealing problems between the modules as well as problems of aesthetics and level between the different modules.

In addition, in case of leakage, these box modules require disassembling one or more of them to access the technical vacuum, the risk of damaging them.

A sanitary device having three U-shaped walls and a base is described in US 4,987,619 .

The invention therefore aims to solve the above drawbacks, that is to say to propose a device and a sanitary installation allowing easy and quick access to the technical vacuum, and without damaging the installation, having a small footprint, and achieving an optimal seal.

According to the invention, the applicant solves the aforementioned drawbacks by a sanitary device such as a shower, according to claim 1.

Thus, such a device is compact and allows easy and quick access to the technical vacuum and therefore to all water inflows and valves. It suffices to disassemble only the covering element.

In the remainder of the description of the term "height", the qualifiers "superior", "lower", "high" and "low" of an element of the device are used as part of a normal installation of the device. that is to say relating to a vertical concept with respect to a flat horizontal floor on which the receiving tray of said device according to the invention would be placed.

In the remainder of the description, the terms "internal" and "external" relating to the faces of the device are understood, respectively the faces intended to face the walls and not being visible, and the faces intended to be opposite. the external environment facing the user.

The strip forming the vertical wall of the device has no upper return toward the wall in the manner of a box of the prior art.

Advantageously, the vertical strip is monobloc. Because the wall is in the form of a single vertical strip, this limits the sealing problems that can occur in the modular systems of the state. art. The band has a perimeter corresponding to the perimeter of the cavity facing the walls.

According to one characteristic, the vertical strip comprises at least one bottom wall and two side walls, as well as two facade returns (of opposite directions), the returns being able to bear against the vertical edges of said cavity (the walls).

Thus, the vertical strip is able to create a technical vacuum having the shape of a "U".

The distance defining said technical gap between the wall (s) and said strip is for example between 5 and 30 cm.

Preferably, said strip is provided along its lower edge, a transverse flange, adapted to be fixed to said embedding base, in particular by clipping, riveting, screwing or gluing, or by a combination thereof.

Advantageously, silicone can be applied to ensure the tightness of the joint tray / strip.

According to another characteristic, the covering element is intended to be held against the walls of the cavity and cooperates with the upper part of the strip around its periphery, in particular the covering element cooperating with the upper part of the strip by abutment, or overlap by covering the upper edge of said strip and its outer face.

Thus, the covering element may advantageously be placed only without requiring specific fastening or assembly means between the strip and said covering element.

If the covering element can only be placed on the strip, alternatively, it can cooperate by interlocking with the strip (for example via clipping means), regardless of whether the covering element overlaps the strip or is coplanar with its external face.

The covering element thus comprises a surface corresponding to the section of the technical void to be covered and a vertical return (substantially perpendicular to this surface) and extending towards the receiver in the mounted position of said covering element.

In the variant embodiment for which the covering element overlaps the strip via a return, said return of the covering element makes it possible to cover the upper end of the wall of the strip. It cooperates with the upper part of the strip by slightly covering (of the order of eg 25 mm) the outer face of said strip (face opposite the wall).

Such cooperation does not advantageously require specific sealing means between the covering element and the strip since the upper edge of the strip is covered.

Nevertheless, to prevent a user from inadvertently lifting the covering element, a bonding can be achieved by applying silicone between the inside of the return (wall side) of the covering element and the upper part of the covered strip. . This silicone makes also joint office. To remove the cover member, simply introduce a blade such as cutter at the gap of the strip and the edge of the cover member to cut the silicone.

Advantageously, said cover member is adapted to receive plumbing elements, more particularly valves, and more particularly comprises at least one orifice for the valve elements.

Preferably, said covering element is such that its outer peripheral edge is not situated in the same plane as its inner peripheral edge, so as to have, once installed, a slope intended for the evacuation of water towards the strip (towards the center of said cavity, and flow into the tray tray along the walls of the strip). This slope is for example of the order of 2%.

Advantageously said cover member is manufactured by injection molding providing a flawless finish.

According to another characteristic, said covering element, said strip and preferably the base, are made of plastic or water-repellent wood, preferably of composite material, and of a material capable of being cut, for example, from glass fibers and resin, such as reinforced acrylic.

In addition, said strip and said base may be reinforced (their face on the wall side) with water-repellent wood panels with a thickness for example of the order of 20 mm.

The device according to the invention may also comprise a seating means for the user. Said seating means may be integral (of the outer face) of said strip, or be removable.

Thus, the user is able to sit safely when using the device.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a sanitary installation comprising the above sanitary device of the invention, this installation being characterized in that it further comprises means for holding or fixing the covering element. on the walls and / or on the upper peripheral edge of the headband.

Said fixing means or maintenance of the covering element may be for example cleats previously attached to (x) wall (s) of said cavity, by means known to those skilled in the art.

Thus, the covering element once installed is supported by said fastening means at its outer peripheral edge.

Silicone-type bonding means are preferably applied to said fastening means (cleats) and to which the covering element is attached, the lower face of the covering element thus being fixed by gluing on the cleats. to avoid inadvertently removing said cover member. Similarly, silicone-type bonding means may be applied to the upper peripheral edge of the strip (the edge of the strip), on which is applied the lower face of the covering element. Thus, the silicone makes it possible to ensure the fixation, the stability and the tightness of the device thus avoiding the use of screws or clips to hold in place said covering element.

The invention relates to a device used for the rehabilitation of a sanitary installation, in particular the device is a shower and is used to replace a bathtub.

1. a. La mise en place de ladite base encastrable dans ladite cavité, et raccordement du moyen d'évacuation ;
2. b. La mise en place de ladite paroi verticale (en particulier sous la forme d'un bandeau monobloc) de manière à créer un vide technique entre ladite paroi et le ou les mur(s) de ladite cavité ;
3. c. La fixation de ladite paroi au sol ou de préférence à ladite base à l'aide de moyens de fixation (de type connu de l'homme du métier tel que par clipsage, rivetage, vissage ou collage, ou par une combinaison de ceux-ci) ;
   caractérisé en ce que le procédé comporte en outre les étapes de
4. d. mise en place et fixation moyens de maintien ou de fixation du type tasseaux de bois, au(x) mur(s) de ladite cavité, aptes à supporter ledit élément de recouvrement plan ;
5. e. mise en place d'éléments de robinetterie sur ledit élément de recouvrement plan, et leurs raccordements à des arrivées d'eau ;
6. f. mise en place dudit élément de recouvrement plan sur les moyens de fixation et sur le chant supérieur du bandeau afin de recouvrir le vide technique.

Finally, the present application relates to a method of setting up a sanitary installation according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

1. at. Placing said flush base in said cavity, and connecting the evacuation means;
2. b. Placing said vertical wall (in particular in the form of a one-piece strip) so as to create a technical gap between said wall and the wall (s) of said cavity;
3. vs. Fixing said wall to the ground or preferably to said base by means of fixing means (of a type known to those skilled in the art such as clipping, riveting, screwing or gluing, or by a combination thereof );
   characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of
4. d. placing and fixing means for holding or fixing the type of wooden battens, to the wall (s) of said cavity, able to support said flat covering element;
5. e. placing valves on said flat cover member and their connections to water inlets;
6. f. placing said flat cover element on the fastening means and on the upper edge of the strip to cover the technical void.

The invention also relates to a method of setting up a device as previously described, in a cavity delimited by walls, characterized in that before introduction, the tray, the vertical strip and the element cover are cut to fit the exact dimensions of the cavity where the device is to be housed.

Thus the sanitary device of the invention is installed very quickly, easily and is compact before installation.

In addition, the device of the invention allows easy and fast access to the technical vacuum, without damaging the installation. Indeed, the disassembly of the cover element, which can be easily done by previously cutting the silicone seal at the interface covering element / strip, then leaves room for technical vacuum sufficient for intervention.

• La figure 1 représente une vue en coupe et de côté d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention dans un plan transversal à la paroi de fond du dispositif ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif selon l'invention, certains éléments étant vus en transparence pour une meilleure compréhension ;

The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are only illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which:

• The figure 1 is a sectional and side view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention in a plane transverse to the bottom wall of the device;
• The figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device according to the invention, some elements being seen in transparency for a better understanding;

The figure 1 illustrates a sanitary device 1 of the invention installed in a bathroom. The device is the dimensions of the cavity intended to accommodate it.

In particular, with regard to the figure 2 , the device, an embodiment of which is given here by way of example, comprises a receiving tray 2, a peripheral vertical wall 3 of the receiving tray on at least three sides, and a covering element 4 overlapping in this embodiment the vertical wall 3.

The tray 2 is dimensioned so as to be built into the cavity to accommodate it. The dimensions are for example between 90 cm and 220 cm in length, and between 65 cm and 110 cm deep.

To this end, said tray 2 can be cut or be directly made to measure, in order to adapt to the cavity which is preferably defined by three walls forming a "U" shape.

The tray 2 includes an upper face 5 of use, intended to be facing the external environment.

This upper face 5 has a water evacuation means 6, preferably located at its center.

Advantageously, the upper face 5 has in a known manner a slight slope towards said evacuation means 6, such that of the order of at least 1%.

Advantageously, the receiving tray 2 is provided at its lower opposite surface 5A, that facing the ground, a plurality of feet 7 adjustable in height between 0 and 20 cm, to ensure the horizontality of said upper face 5.

The vertical wall 3 of the device is in the form advantageously of a single strip. The vertical wall is thus monobloc and has a perimeter equivalent to that of the cavity facing the walls.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 , the vertical strip 3 comprises a bottom wall 8, two side walls 9 and 9 'and two facing returns 10 and 10'.

In addition, said strip is provided all along or in part with its peripheral lower edge 11, with a transverse flange 12. This flange extends in a horizontal plane, thus transverse to the wall, and from the internal face of said wall.

The transverse flange 12 makes it possible to fix the strip on the floor or preferably to the tray 2, and to define a space or technical space 13 between the walls of the cavity and the strip.

The distance between the strip 2 and the walls is for example between 1 and 60 cm. A preferred example of space is as follows: between 5 and 20 cm for the space separating the bottom wall 8 from the facing wall, and between 5 and 30 cm for the space separating the side walls 9 and 9 'from the walls respective.

The transverse flange 12 of the strip is placed and fixed on the upper face 5 of the tray 2 for example by self-piercing screws 14 and preferably also glue or by any means known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, sealing means of the silicone seal type are affixed to the join tray / strip to ensure a perfect seal.

The height of the headband, in particular for the replacement of a sanitary installation, will be adapted to hide the portions of wall devoid of faience. For example, the height of the headband will be of the order of 70 cm.

In addition, in one embodiment presented on the figure 2 , a seating means 15 can be installed in the device 1.

Advantageously, the seating means 15 is associated with the outer face of one of the side walls 9 or 9 'of said strip 3. Preferably, the seating means will be able to support a weight of a person of 150 kg .

The seating means 15 is integral with the wall forming a unitary assembly and obtained during manufacture.

Alternatively, the seating means 15 is attached, and may even be subsequently to the use of the device. Fixing the seat means 15 can be achieved using screws and glue to a height between 39 and 55 cm from the upper face 5 of the tray 2, the fixing being facilitated by the presence of the technical void 13.

The last element of the device 1 is the covering element 4 which is adapted to fit or follow respectively, preferably cover, on its inner periphery 16, the upper edge 17 of said strip, and on its outer periphery 18, the periphery of the walls. of the cavity.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover member 4 has at least on its inner periphery 16 a return 16A, of the order for example of 25 mm, capable of covering the upper edge 17 of said strip 3 as visible on the figure 1 , and in particular the edge 17A of the edge 17 of said strip and the outer face 3A of said strip.

So once installed, as shown in figure 1 , the covering element 4 covers the entire technical space 13.

The covering element has the general shape of a plate, and here according to a profile in the shape of "U". It has an equivalent perimeter around the technical void 13 and the strip and its width corresponds to the separation distance of the strip and the wall. It has a thickness of the order of 5 mm.

Furthermore, the covering element 4 comprises a slight slope, for example 2%, of its outer edge 18 towards its inner edge 16 towards said evacuation means 6.

In addition, the covering element 4 is able to accommodate valves 19 through a housing located on its surface.

The device, mainly the covering element 4, is intended to be installed by fastening or holding means 20 of the cleat type.

The method of setting up the sanitary installation (fixing means and device) is now described.

• Une première étape d'installation du bac qui comprend l'encastrement dans la cavité de la salle de bain du bac receveur 2 ; raccordement du moyen d'évacuation 6 à l'évacuation de la salle de bain ; la mise à niveau de la face supérieure 5 dudit bac par le réglage de la hauteur des pieds 7.
• Une deuxième étape correspondant à l'installation du bandeau qui comprend : l'apposition dudit bandeau sur la face supérieure 5 dudit bac receveur 2 par l'intermédiaire de son rebord transversal 12 afin de créer un vide technique 13, de préférence le bandeau est placé de manière à obtenir un vide technique dont la distance entre le mur et la paroi du fond 8 du bandeau est comprise entre 20 cm et de 30 cm entre le mur et les parois latérales 9 et 9' ; la fixation dudit bandeau sur la face supérieure 5, cette fixation peut se faire par tous les moyens connus de l'homme du métier, de préférence il est préférable de boulonner à l'aide d'élément de visserie inoxydable et de coller avec de la colle polymère afin de s'assurer de l'étanchéité. En outre un joint silicone peut être appliqué sur toute la jonction formée par le bandeau et le bac 2.
• Une troisième étape correspondant à l'installation de l'élément de recouvrement 4 qui comprend : la fixation préalable de moyen de fixation 20 sur au moins une partie de chaque mur de la concavité à la même hauteur que le bord supérieur 17 dudit bandeau ; l'apposition de l'élément de recouvrement préalablement muni des éléments de robinetterie 19 raccordés aux arrivées d'eau sur les moyens de fixation ou maintien 20 et le bord supérieur 17 dudit bandeau afin de recouvrir l'intégralité du vide technique 13 ; la mise en place d'un joint de silicone sur le pourtour dudit élément de recouvrement 4 assurant sa stabilité et son étanchéité.

The method comprises:

• A first step of installation of the tray which includes the installation in the cavity of the bathroom of the tray 2; connection of the evacuation means 6 to the evacuation of the bathroom; leveling the upper face 5 of said tray by adjusting the height of the feet 7.
• A second step corresponding to the installation of the strip which comprises: affixing said strip on the upper face 5 of said tray 2 by means of its transverse flange 12 to create a technical vacuum 13, preferably the strip is placed so as to obtain a technical gap whose distance between the wall and the bottom wall 8 of the strip is between 20 cm and 30 cm between the wall and the side walls 9 and 9 '; the fixing of said strip on the upper face 5, this fixing can be done by any means known to those skilled in the art, preferably it is preferable to bolt with stainless steel fastener element and stick with the Polymer glue to ensure tightness. In addition, a silicone seal may be applied over the entire junction formed by the strip and the tray 2.
• A third step corresponding to the installation of the covering element 4 which comprises: the prior fixation of fixing means 20 on at least a part of each wall of the concavity at the same height as the upper edge 17 of said strip; affixing the cover element previously provided with the fittings 19 connected to the water inlets on the fastening or holding means 20 and the upper edge 17 of said strip in order to cover the entire technical void 13; placing a silicone seal around the perimeter of said cover member 4 ensuring its stability and sealing.

Preferably, said fixing or holding means 20 are wooden battens fixed over the entire length of the wall (s) of the cavity.

An intermediate step can be carried out for fixing a seating means 15 before placing the covering element 4.

Preferably, the seating means 15 is fixed on a side wall 9 or 9 'of said strip 3 at a height ranging from 39 cm to 55 cm depending on the morphology of the user. Said side wall 9 or 9 'has been previously reinforced at this point ( figure 1 ), for example using water-repellent wooden panels 21 preferably with a thickness of the order of 20 mm.

In addition, a pre-installation measurement step can be performed to achieve the various elements 2, 3 and 4 of the device to measure. However, despite the measurement, these three elements can be cut, to allow a better adjustment during installation.

• Pour ledit bac receveur 2 et ledit bandeau, en fibre de verre et recouverts sur leur face externe d'une résine de finition du type « gel-coat » (terme anglais connu de l'homme du métier), et pouvant être renforcé, par exemple avec des panneaux de bois hydrofuge d'une épaisseur de 20 mm, puis
• Pour l'élément de recouvrement 4, en matière plastique tel qu'en acrylique, et fabriqué par injection afin d'obtenir une finition irréprochable sur ses deux faces.

The elements of said device 1 are manufactured by way of example:

• For said receiving tray 2 and said strip, fiberglass and covered on their outer surface with a gel-coat type finish resin (English term known to those skilled in the art), and which can be reinforced, by example with water-repellent wood panels with a thickness of 20 mm, then
• For the covering element 4, made of plastic material such as acrylic, and manufactured by injection in order to obtain an irreproachable finish on both sides.

Claims (11)

1. A bathroom device (1) designed to be installed in a recess defined by one or more walls, comprising:

   - a base (2) that can be embedded horizontally in said recess and suitable for forming a water tray,

   - at least one wall (3),

   - wherein said wall (3) takes the form of a band designed to be placed vertically and comprising at least one back wall (8) and two side walls (9, 9') and two front returns (10, 10'), wherein the band has an upper edge (17),

   characterized in that it comprises:

   - a flat covering component (4) made up of a U-shaped plate, designed to be placed horizontally, which cooperates with the vertical band and has an inner perimeter (16) suitable for conforming to the shape or following the perimeter of the upper edge (17) of the vertical band.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical band is made of a single piece.
3. A device according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the horizontal covering component (4) cooperates with the upper part (17) of the band by abutment, or by overlapping, by covering the edge (17A) of said band and its outer face.
4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said band has, on its lower edge (11), a transverse lip (12) suitable to be fixed to said embedded base (2), particularly by clipping, riveting, screwing or gluing, or a combination of these methods (14).
5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering component (4) is suitable for receiving plumbing components (19), particularly taps and fittings.
6. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering component (4) is such that its outer peripheral edge (18) is not located on the same plane as its inner peripheral edge (16) so as to create a slope designed to let water flow towards the vertical band once it is installed.
7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering component (4), said band and preferably the base (2) are in plastic or water-repellent wood, preferably in composite material, and in material suitable for cutting.
8. Use of a device according to any of the preceding claims, for refurbishing or replacing a bathroom device, particularly wherein the device is a shower as a replacement for a bathroom device of the bathtub type.
9. A bathroom installation comprising the device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means to fasten or hold (20) the covering component (4) on the walls and/or the upper peripheral edge (17) of the band.
10. A method for putting in place a bathroom installation according to claim 9, comprising the following steps:

    a. Putting in place said base (2) to be embedded in a recess demarcated by walls, and connecting the draining means (6);

    b. Putting in place said vertical wall (3) in the form of a band so as to create a service space (13) between said wall and the wall or walls of said recess;

    c. Fastening said wall to the floor or preferably to said base with the help of fastening means (14), characterized in that it further comprises the steps of

    d. Putting in place and fastening holding or fastening means (20), preferably wooden battens on the wall or walls of said recess, suitable for supporting said flat covering component (4);

    e. Putting in place taps and fittings (19) on said flat covering component (4) and connecting them to water inlets;

    f. Putting in place said flat covering component (4) on the holding and fastening means (20) and the band in order to cover the service space (13).
11. A method for putting in place a device according to any of claims 1 to 8 in a recess demarcated by walls, characterized in that before putting in place, the tray, the vertical band and the covering component are cut to fit the exact dimensions of the recess in which the device is to be fitted.

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