GB2352394A

GB2352394A - Method and apparatus for panelling a bath

Info

Publication number: GB2352394A
Application number: GB0012987A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Gartland
Original assignee: Rivdal Developments Ltd
Current assignee: Rivdal Developments Ltd
Priority date: 1999-05-31
Filing date: 2000-05-26
Publication date: 2001-01-31
Also published as: IES990449A2; GB0012987D0; IE20000404A1

Abstract

A kit of parts for panelling a bath comprises a side panel (18) and an end panel supported on side and end kicker plates (20,21), respectively. Right angle brackets (24) initially secured to the kicker plates (20,21) are then secured to the floor. Connecting plates (28) initially secured to the side and end panels (18,19) are then secured to the kicker plates (20,21) after the kicker plates (20,21) have been secured to the floor for securing the panels (18,19) to the kicker plates (20,21). Before securing the side and end panels (18,19) to the kicker plates (20,21) the side and end panels (18,19) are engaged in grooves (33) behind a lip (16) of the bath (1). First and second right angle strips (37,38) conceal corner joints (31,36) of the kicker plates (20,21) and the panels (18,19), respectively. The panels (18,19) and kicker plates (20,21) may be of any suitable material, for example, medium density fibre board and may be laminated with a wood veneer finish or a simulated wood veneer finish. The first and second right angle strips (37,38) typically are of aluminium laminated with a wood or simulated wood veneer.

Description

2352394 "A method for panelling a bath" The present invention relates to a

method for panelling a bath and to a bath panelled according to the method. The invention also relates to a kit of parts for panelling the 5 bath.

Baths, of the type provided in bathrooms for facilitating bathing, in general, are of cast iron or plastics material. Such baths comprise a base which typically, is curved or rounded in transverse cross-section with upwardly outwardly extending side and io end walls which terminate in an outwardly extending rim. Typically, a lip extends downwardly from the peripheral edge of the rim. Such baths, in general, are provided with one or two floor engaging stands which carry adjustably mounted floor engaging pads for engaging the floor, and which facilitate adjustment of the level of the bath. Alternatively, ground engaging feet may be secured to and extend from the bath, and typically, the feet terminate in adjustably mounted floor engaging pads for likewise facilitating adjustment of the level of the bath. The sides and ends of such baths, tend to be relatively unsightly, and in general, exposed sides and/or ends of such baths tend to be panelled. Preformed panels of plastics material for panelling the sides and ends of baths are available, however, such panels tend to be relatively difficult to fit, and in general, are of one size, and thus, do not accommodate variations in the height of the rim of the bath from the floor, or indeed, a bath which is not accurately levelled. Additionally, such panels require a framework to be constructed around the bath to receive and to support the panels. The only feasible alternative to such preformed panels of plastics material is to construct panelling in situ around the bath. This, in general, requires the construction of a relatively robust 2 framework of timber batons to which panelling, such as, for example, plywood, chipboard, MDF board or the like may be secured. Such panelling, in general, requires the services of a skilled tradesman, and thus, is relatively expensive, and can be quite time consuming in construction. 5 There is therefore a need for a method for panelling a bath which overcomes these problems. There is also a need for a bath panelled according to the method, as well as a kit of parts for panelling the bath.

lo The present invention is directed towards providing such a method, a panelled bath and a kit of parts.

According to the invention there is provided a method for panelling an area of a bath between a rim of the bath and a floor on which the bath stands, the method comprising the steps of securing an elongated kicker plate to the floor so that the kicker plate extends substantially parallel to the rim of the bath, and securing a panel to the kicker plate such that the panel partly overlaps the kicker plate and extends upwardly from the kicker plate to the rim of the bath.

In one embodiment of the invention the panel engages behind a downwardly extending lip from the rim of the bath.

In another embodiment of the invention the panel is tapered towards its top edge for facilitating engagement behind the downwardly extending lip from the rim.

3 Preferably, the panel overlaps an outer major surface of the kicker plate adjacent a top thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the kicker plate is secured to the floor by a first securing means, and preferably, the first securing means comprises at least one right angle bracket, and advantageously, one limb of each angle bracket is first secured to the kicker plate, and the other limb of each angle bracket is then secured to the floor.

io In a further embodiment of the invention a second securing means is provided for securing the panel to the kicker plate, and advantageously, the second securing means secures the panel to the kicker plate in overlapping relationship. Ideally, the second securing means comprises a connecting plate, and ideally, a flat connecting plate. In one embodiment of the invention the connecting plate is initially secured to the panel, and preferably, a portion of the connecting plate extends downwardly from the panel for facilitating securing of the connecting plate subsequently to the kicker plate. Preferably, the second securing means is secured to the abutting overlapping surfaces of the panel and the kicker plate.

Ideally, a pair of kicker plates and a pair of corresponding panels are provided for panelling a side and an end of the bath, and preferably, the panels engage each other to define an angle joint. Advantageously, the kicker plates engage each other to define an angle joint. Preferably, a first elongated angle strip is provided for securing to the outer surface of the angle joint formed by the adjacent kicker plates for concealing the angle joint. Preferably, a second elongated angle strip is provided 4 for securing to the outer surface of the angle joint formed by the adjacent panels for concealing the angle joint.

Preferably, the first and second angle strips are secured to the respective kicker plates and panels after the angle joints of the respective adjacent kicker plates and panels have been formed. Ideally, each angle strip is a right angle strip.

In a further embodiment of the invention each panel is tapered towards at least one end edge for forming the angle joint of adjacent panels, and preferably, each panel tapers towards its respective end edges.

Further, the invention provides a kit of parts for carrying out the method according to the invention, the kit of parts comprising at least one panel and at least one kicker plate, and a first securing means for securing each kicker plate to the floor, and a second securing means for securing each panel to the corresponding kicker plate. Ideally, the kit of parts comprises a pair of the panels and a pair of the corresponding kicker plates, the panels of the pair of panels being adapted for joining together to form an angle joint, and the kicker plates of the pair of kicker plates being adapted for joining together to form an angle joint. Preferably, first and second angle strips are provided for concealing the angle joints defined by the adjacent kicker plates and the adjacent panels, respectively.

Additionally, the invention provides a bath standing on a floor and panelled using the method according to the invention.

The invention also provides a bath standing on a floor and panelled using the kit of parts according to the invention.

Further the invention provides a bath standing on a floor and panelled using the method according to the invention and the kit of parts according to the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bath panelled according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of the bath of Fig.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of the panelling of the bath of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional plan view of a portion of the panelling of the bath of Fig. 1 on the line IV - IV of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional end elevational view of a portion of the bath of Fig. 1 illustrating assembly of the panelling, Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the panelling in a different stage of 6 assembly, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the bath of Fig. 1 illustrating the panelling in a still further stage of assembly, Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a portion of the panelling being assembled, Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but from the other side illustrating the panelling being assembled, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the panelling of Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another detail of the panelling of Fig. 1, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a still further detail of the panelling of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a bath according to the invention, which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 panelled by panelling 3 assembled from a kit of parts also according to the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the bath is of plastics material and is indicated generally by the reference numeral 2. A pair of floor engaging stands 5 support the bath 2 at respective opposite ends on a floor 4. Only one of the stands 5 is illustrated. Each stand 5 comprises a cross member 6 and a pair of floor engaging pads 7 which are adjustably carried on the cross member 6 by threaded rods 8 for facilitating adjustment of the level of the bath 2. Clamping nuts 9 secure the threaded rods 8 to 7 the cross member 6 at the appropriate heights. The bath 2 comprises a base 10 which rests on the cross members 6, and side and end walls 11 and 12, respectively, extend upwardly outwardly from the base 10. A rim 15 extends outwardly from the side and end walls 11 and 12, respectively, and terminates in a 5 downwardly extending lip 16 which extends around the bath 2.

Turning now to the panelling 3 according to the invention, the panelling comprises a side panel 18 and an end panel 19 which are respectively supported on side and end kicker plates 20 and 21, respectively. In this embodiment of the invention the io side and end panels 18 and 19 and the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 are of medium density fibre board laminated with a paper veneer which provides a simulated wood finish. Each kicker plate 20 and 21 is secured initially to the floor 4 by spaced apart first securing means, namely, right angle brackets 24. Initially, each right angle bracket 24 is secured to the corresponding kicker plate 20 or 21 by a pair of screws 25. The side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 are then arranged on the floor 4 to extend parallel to the side and end rims 15, respectively, of the bath 2, and the right angle brackets 24 are then secured to the floor 4 by screws 26. Adjacent ends 27 of the kicker plates 20 and 21 are arranged to form a right angle joint 31 with one end 27 overlapping the other as can most clearly be seen in Fig. 4. 20 Second securing means provided by connecting plates 28 are provided for securing the side and end panels 18 and 19 to the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21, respectively. The connecting plates 28 are surface mounted on and secured to the panels 18 and 19 by screws 30, and then the panels 18 and 19 are offered up to the 25 rim 15 of the bath 2 so that a top edge 32 of the respective panels 18 and 19 engage 8 in a corresponding grooves 33 which are formed behind the lip 16 adjacent the sides and ends of the bath 2 where the panels 18 and 19 are to engage the rim 15.

Screws 34 through the connecting plate 28 then secure the panels 18 and 19 to the corresponding kicker plates 20 and 21, respectively, with the top edges 32 of the panels 18 and 19 engaged in the grooves 33. The side and end panels 18 and 19 are secured so that adjacent ends 35 of the panels 18 and 19.form a right angle joint 36 and the end 35 of the side. panel 18 overlaps the adjacent end 35 of the end panel 19.

lo First and second right angle strips 37 and 38 are provided for concealing the corner joints 31 and 36 at the ends 27 and 35 of the kicker plates 20 and 21 and the panels 18 and 19, respectively. The angle strips 37 and 38 are of aluminium and are laminated with paper veneer which simulates a wood finish similar to that of the panels 18 and 19. The angle strips 37 and 38 are provided with a self adhesive coating on their respective inner faces for bonding to the ends 27 and 35 of the kicker plates 20 and 21 and the panels 18 and 19, respectively. In this embodiment of the invention the wood grain of the side and end panels 18 and 19 and the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 extend substantially horizontally, while the wood grain on the angle strips 37 and 38 extend substantially vertically for simulating comer batons. By surface mounting the connecting plates 28 the side and end panels 18 and 19 and the corresponding kicker plates 20 and 21, gaps 29 are formed between the overlapping portions of the respective panels 18 and 19 and their corresponding kicker plates 20 and 21 for accommodating the first angle strip 37 between the overlaps.

9 The side and end panels 18 and 19 taper towards their respective top edges 32 and end edges 35 and 39, adjacent the respective top edges 32 and end edges 35 and 39. The tapering of the top edges 32 facilitates engagement of the side and end panels 18 and 19 with the rim 15 of the bath 2 so that the lip 16 extends over and downwardly over the panels 18 and 19 for facilitating water run-off on the outer surface of the panels 18 and 19. In other words, there is no danger of ingress of water into the panels adjacent the top edges 32 which would cause deterioration of the panels 18 and 19. The tapering of the end edges 35 provides an aesthetic finish, and also permits the second angle strips 38 to be secured to the joints 36 of the lo panels 18 and 19 so that the second angle strip 38 extends upwardly under the rim with the lip 16 overhanging the second angle strip 38.

Panelling features 40 are also formed in the respective side and end panels 18 and 19 during lamination of the paper veneer to the side and end panels 18 and 19.

In use, the side and end panels 18 and 19 may be supplied with the connecting plates 28 connected thereto or otherwise, and the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 may be supplied with the right angle brackets 24 secured thereto or otherwise.

Assuming the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 are supplied with the right angle brackets 24 secured thereto, to panel the bath 2 with the panelling 3 the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21, with the brackets 24 facing inwardly, are first arranged on the floor in the appropriate position relative to the rim 15 and the lip 16 of the bath 2 and running parallel to the rim 15 and lip 16, see Fig. 5. The right angle brackets 24 are then secured by the screws 26 to the floor 4. Otherwise, the right angle brackets 24 are secured to the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 prior to the side and end kicker plates 20 and 21 being arranged on the floor. Assuming the side and end panels 18 and 19 are provided with the connecting plates 28 secured thereto, the side and end panels 18 and 19 are offered up to the bath 2 so that the top edges 32 engage in the corresponding grooves 33 of the rim 15, and the side and end panels 18 and 19 are then secured to the corresponding kicker plates 20 and 21 by the screws 34 through the connecting plates 28. The first and second angle strips 37 and 38 are then secured to the corner joints 31 and 36 at the ends 27 and 35 of the kicker plates 20 and 21 and the panels 18 and 19, respectively. Alternatively, the first angle strip 37 may be secured to the kicker plates 20 and 21 before the side and end io panels 18 and 19 are secured to the kicker plates 20 and 21.

While the panels and kicker plates have been described as being of IVIDF board, the panels and kicker plates may be of any other suitable material, and needless to say, may be laminated with any other suitable material, whether to simulate a wood finish or otherwise.

While the invention has been described for panelling one side and one end of a bath, it will be appreciated that the kit and method may be used for panelling two sides and one end of a bath, and in certain cases, the kit and method may be used for panelling the entire bath, namely, the two sides and two ends of the bath. It is also envisaged that in certain cases the kit and method according to the invention may be provided for panelling one single side, or one single end of the bath. In which case, the first and second angle strips would not be required.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for panelling an area of a bath between a rim of the

bath and a floor on which the bath stands, the method comprising the steps of securing an elongated kicker plate to the floor so that the kicker plate extends substantially parallel to the rim of the bath, and securing a panel to the kicker plate such that the panel partly overlaps the kicker plate and extends upwardly from the kicker plate to the rim of the bath.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the panel engages behind a io downwardly extending lip from the rim of the bath.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the panel is tapered towards its top edge for facilitating engagement behind the downwardly extending lip from the rim.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the panel overlaps an outer major surface of the kicker plate adjacent a top thereof.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the kicker plate is secured to the floor by a first securing means. 20
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5 in which the first securing means comprises at least one right angle bracket.
7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 in which one limb of each angle bracket is 12 first secured to the kicker plate, and the other limb of each angle bracket is then secured to the floor.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which a second securing 5 means is provided for securing the panel to the kicker plate.
9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 in which the second securing means secures the panel to the kicker plate in overlapping relationship.
10. A method as claimed in Claim 8 or 9 in which the second securing means comprises a connecting plate.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 in which the connecting plate is a flat connecting plate.
12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the connecting plate is initially secured to the panel.
13. A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12 in which a portion of the connecting plate extends downwardly from the panel for facilitating securing of the connecting plate subsequently to the kicker plate.
14. A method as claimed in any of Claims 8 to 13 in which the second securing means is secured to the abutting overlapping surfaces of the panel and the kicker plate.

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15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which a pair of kicker plates and a pair of corresponding panels are provided for panelling a side and an end of the bath.
16. A method as claimed in Claim 15 in which the panels engage each other to form an angle joint.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 15 or 16 in which the kicker plates engage lo each other to define an angle joint.
18. A method as claimed in Claim 17 in which a first elongated angle strip is provided for securing to the outer surface of the angle joint formed by the adjacent kicker plates for concealing the angle joint.
19. A method as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 18 in which a second elongated angle strip is provided for securing to the outer surface of the angle joint formed by the adjacent panels for concealing the angle joint.
20. A method as claimed in Claim 18 or 19 in which the respective first and second angle strips are secured to the respective kicker plates and panels after the angle joints of the respective adjacent kicker plates and panels have been formed.
21. A method as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 20 in which each angle stdp, is a 25 right angle strip.

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22. A method as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 21 in which each panel is tapered towards at least one end edge for forming the angle joint of adjacent panels.
23. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which each panel tapers towards its respective end edges.
24. A method for panelling an area of a bath between a rim of the bath and a floor on which the bath stands, the method being substantially as described herein io with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
25. A kit of parts for carrying out the method as claimed in any preceding claim, the kit of parts comprising at least one panel and at least one kicker plate, and a first securing means for securing each kicker plate to the floor, and a second securing means for securing each panel to the corresponding kicker plate.
26. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 25 in which the kit of parts comprises a pair of the panels and a pair of the corresponding kicker plates, the panels of the pair of panels being adapted for joining together to form an angle joint, and the kicker plates 20 of the pair of kicker plates being adapted for joining together to form an angle joint.
27. A kit of parts as claimed in Claim 26 in which first and second angle strips are provided for concealing the angle joints defined by the adjacent kicker plates and the adjacent panels, respectively. 25
28. A kit of parts for panelling an area of a bath between a rim of the bath and a floor on which the bath stands, the kit of parts being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
29. A bath standing on a floor and panelled using the method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 24.
30. A bath standing on a floor and panelled using the kit of parts as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 28.
31. A bath as claimed in Claim 30 in which the bath is panelled using the method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 24.