GB2370496A

GB2370496A - Vanity washbasin with shelf below in which cupboard unit fits.

Info

Publication number: GB2370496A
Application number: GB0129624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy D Lenighan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-12
Filing date: 2001-12-12
Publication date: 2002-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-12
Also published as: GB0129624D0; GB0030613D0; GB2370496B

Abstract

A shelf unit 12 used to hold a vanity washbasin 10 has a matching cupboard unit 32 sized to fit in to the shelf and extend outwards from the shelves so as to increase the storage space. The shelf unit has two side panels 14, 16, two cross panels 18, 20, an infill panel 18 under the basin and a back panel 24. The upper cross panel may have a cut out 18 for the basin drain pipe. The cupboard unit may have a plurality of shelves. The shelve unit may have feet and be adjustable in height.

Description

An Item of Furniture This invention relates to an item of furniture, and relates specifically but not exclusively to a base unit for a wash hand basin (or vanity bowl).

Typically, a fabricated base unit (or vanity unit) for a wash hand basin (or vanity bowl) is a shelf unit comprising side panels and a top shaped to receive the wash hand basin (or vanity bowl). The side panels are reinforced by cross panels, which provide shelving, and in the basic unit, the front is open. There may be additional cross panels or glass plates to provide additional shelving, and in some constructions there may be doors closing the front. Toiletries and cosmetic items may placed on the shelving so that they may conveniently be accessed by a person using the basin of bowl.

A wash hand basin arrangement in which the basin in supported by a shelf unit as described above is a basic unit and is relatively inexpensive, and will often be selected by house holders to save money, rather than to have a basin (usually of ceramic material) and a matching ceramic pedestal. Often however, after the shelf unit and basin are installed, the user will require upgrading of the shelf unit, to provide for example more storage space under the basin, and usually this means removing the existing unit, and the basin and fitting a new assembly of basin and shelf unit, or at least providing a new shelf unit. In any event, the installation takes time and causes inconvenience of the basin being out of commission whilst the new unit is fitted. Fitting a new unit is also expensive.

The present invention is concerned with solving or alleviating this problem, and in accordance with the invention there is provided a shelf unit and a matching extension shelf or cupboard unit which is adapted to slide into the shelf unit and be held thereto in a position in which the extension shelf unit or cupboard unit projects from the shelf unit and thereby extends the storage space afforded by the shelf unit.

When applied to the shelf unit, the extension shelf unit or cupboard unit when added to the shelf unit creates more storage space under the basin, without creating any obstruction to the feet of a user. In other words there is no loss of foot space by fitting of the extension shelf unit or cupboard unit, but there is a substantial increase of storage/shelf space, without any need to remove the existing shelf unit, and hence the extension shelf unit or cupboard unit can be fitted in minimum time with no inconvenience to the user.

A user who purchases the basic shelf unit, for cost reasons therefore has the inexpensive option of fitting an extension unit of cupboard unit at a later date at minimum inconvenience, which it terms of sanitary ware installation, is a major advantage. The sanitary ware industry has never looked at providing such an arrangement, which is in effect a modular system, designed for the benefit of users, especially users who can only afford the basic system initially, but who wish to upgrade their storage capability without having to have major expense and works in their homes.

Preferably, shelf units will be in combination with cupboard units, and the cupboard units will be of a depth greater than the shelf units to which they can be fitted, so that the cupboard unit in being fitted to a shelf unit, will be pushed into the shelf unit until it abuts the wall on which the shelf unit is mounted or abuts the back of the shelf unit, leaving the cupboard unit projecting beyond the front of the shelf unit to provide the extra storage.

The cupboard unit may be provided with doors hinged to the remainder of the cupboard unit so as to be openable at will. The shelf unit and cupboard unit may be constructed of any suitable material, such as fibreboard laminate or the like.

Specifically, the shelf unit, considered in the position supporting the basin, comprises two similar, vertical, parallel side panels, a lower, horizontal cross shelf panel located so as not to interfere with a user's feet, an upper, horizontal cross panel under the basin, a front, vertical infill panel having its lower edge coincident with the plane of the upper cross panel and its upper edge shape to fit neatly to the underside of the basin, and a vertical back panel extending from the upper to the lower cross panel. The upper and lower cross panels are of the same width as the vertical side panels. The upper cross panel will usually have a central cut away portion to accommodate the basin drain pipe.

The cupboard unit is of a shape corresponding to the open front of the shelf unit so that it can fit, by sliding, into the open front of the shelf unit defined by the side panels and the upper and lower cross panel, but in accordance with the preferred form of the invention, is of greater depth than the side panels, so that when it is in position abutting the rear panel, it will project beyond the side panels, providing increased storage space. The cupboard may be fixed by any suitable means to complete the installation. The cupboard may have an internal shelf, or internal shelves.

The shelf unit can be constructed so that the sides extend to the floor, which provides that the shelf unit locates at a fixed height, or it may be constructed so that it is height adjustable. The adjustment can be achieved by providing that the sides do not extend to the floor, and/or that the unit has adjustable (and decorative feet). By this means the user has the opportunity to fix the height to suit. To enhance the adaptability of the system, there may be offered for the shelf unit, instead of the cupboard, a glass shelf, and/or doors for the shelf unit.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein; Fig. l is an exploded perspective view of a shelf unit and basin assembly forming part of the present invention ; Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing a cupboard unit to be fitted to the assembly to enhance its use; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the cupboard unit in the installed position; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing how the shelf unit can, instead of having a cupboard, be provided with doors; and Figs. 5 and 6 show basin and shelf unit of differing heights Referring to the drawings, Fig 1 comprises a pair of side panels 14 and 16 which are identical, and are arranged in parallel disposition.

The panels 14 and 16 are connected by horizontal cross panels 18 and 20 with the upper panel 18 of the same width as the panels 14 and 16, and having a drain pipe cut away 22 for receiving the drain pipe of the wash hand base 10. The lower panel 20 is of the same width as the panels 14 and 16, and is disposed slightly above the bottom edges of the panels 14 and 16 as shown, in order to provide foot space for the user of the wash base 10.

The shelf unit 12 may be provided with a back panel 24 to complete the unit. In some cases the back panel, and the unit as shown in dotted lines may be provided with additional shelving 26, in this case in the form of a glass panel of the generally semi-circular configuration as shown so that a curved portion of the shelf 26 projects forwardly of the edges of the panels 14 and 16.

The shelf unit 12 in this example is provided with a filler panel 28 which extends from the upper cross panel 18 to the underside of the base 10, and is curved as shown at 30 in order to conform to the shape of the basin to improve the appearance of the unit 12 when combined with the basin 10. It will be understood that the basin 10 is positioned on top of the shelf unit 12 and is positioned thereon by lowering as indicated by arrow 32 in Fig. 1.

The front of the shelf unit 12 therefore presents an open rectangular space and many first time buyers find it convenient to purchase simply a basic shelf unit with a basin for cost reasons. In due course however users often find that they could use more space under the basin 10, and heretofore it has been necessary to remove the basin and shelf unit 12, and fit a new larger unit.

The present invention however proceeds to overcome this problem and provides users who wish to use the shelf units of a more convenient and economical solution.

The solution can be ascertained in this example from considering Fig. 2. This figure shows the same shelf unit 12 and basin 10 in the same configurations as shown in Fig. 1, but additionally also illustrates a cupboard unit 32 which comprises sides 34,36, a base 38 and top 40. These are panels of the same width, and are arranged in rectangular configuration so as to be capable of sliding as indicated by arrow 42 in Fig. 2 into the open rectangular area 44 of the shelf unit 12. In this example the cupboard unit 32 was opened at the rear 46, whilst at the front it is provided with hinged doors 48 and 50 which can be opened at will to gain access to the cupboard unit. Additionally, in this example, the cupboard unit has an intermediate shelf 52.

In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, the panels 34 to 40 are of a greater width than the width of the panels of the shelf unit and so when the cupboard is slid into the shelf unit as indicated by arrow 42, and the rear of the cupboard unit purports the rear 24 of the shelf unit, the cupboard unit in fact projects forwardly, as shown in Fig. 3 of the shelf unit thereby creating greater space for the accommodation of toiletries and the like. In a neat and effective way, the shelf unit 12 has been converted into a larger volume cupboard unit, and as the cupboard unit sits on the lower panel 44 of the shelf unit, there is still foot room 52 as indicated in Fig. 3 and the user will not be inconvenienced by the provision of the cupboard unit, but rather the entire assembly will be enhanced.

Fig. 3 also shows in dotted lines by reference 52 how the basin will in use be positioned on the shelf unit, and it is also to be noted in Fig. 2 that the top 40 of the cupboard unit is provided with cut-out 56 for the basin drain pipe.

Instead of inserting a cupboard unit, an extension shelf unit may be inserted into the shelf unit 12 to provided added storage space in a convenient and effective manner.

Fig. 4 shows that the shelf unit 12 in an alternative arrangement can simply be provided with a pair of doors 60 and 62 but these doors and the added shelf 26 shown in Fig 1 are simply an indication of how modular the system can be, the inventive aspect being the increase in the storage space of the basic shelf unit.

As a final point to be made, Figs. 5 and 6 show that the shelf units 12 can be adapted for basins which in use are supported at different heights. It is the view of the inventor that the conventional basin height shown in Fig. 5 is indeed too low for normal convenience use, and basins should more preferably be supported at the height shown in Fig. 6 and the basin is supported at such a height, it is more convenient for use as less bending for the user is required.

The shelf unit uncovered and doors are constructed of conventional materials used for these units such as laminated fibreboard or the like, and any suitable decorated finish may be adopted.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A shelf unit and a matching extension shelf or cupboard unit which is adapted to slide into the shelf unit and be held thereto in a position in which the extension shelf unit or cupboard unit projects from the shelf unit and thereby extends the storage space afforded by the shelf unit.
2. A shelf unit according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of shelf units are in combination with cupboard units, and the cupboard units will be of a depth greater than the shelf units to which they can be fitted, so that the cupboard unit in being fitted to a shelf unit will be pushed into the shelf unit until it abuts the wall on which the shelf unit is mounted or abuts the back of the shelf unit, leaving the cupboard unit projecting beyond the front of the shelf unit to provide the extra storage.
3. A shelf unit according to claim 2 wherein the cupboard unit may be provided with doors hinged to the remainder of the cupboard unit so as to be openable at will.
4. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim wherein the shelf unit, considered in the position supporting the basin, comprises two similar, vertical, parallel side panels, a lower, horizontal cross shelf panel located so as not to interfere with a user's feet, an upper, horizontal cross panel under the basin, a front, vertical infill panel having its lower edge coincident with the plane of the upper cross panel and its upper edge shape to fit neatly to the underside of the basin, and a vertical back panel extending from the upper to the lower cross panel.
5. A shelf unit according to claim 4 wherein the upper and lower cross panels are of the same width as the vertical side panels.
6. A shelf unit according to claim 5 wherein the upper cross panel have a central cut away portion to accommodate the basin drain pipe.
7. A shelf unit according to claim 2 and any claim dependent thereon wherein the cupboard unit is of a shape corresponding to the open front of the shelf unit so that it can fit, by sliding, into the open front of the shelf unit defined by the side panels and the upper and lower cross panel, but in accordance with the preferred form of the invention, is of greater depth than the side panels, so that when it is in position abutting the rear panel, it will project beyond the side panels, providing increased storage space.
8. A shelf unit according to claim 7 wherein the cupboard is fixed by any suitable means to complete the installation.
9. A shelf unit according to claim 8 wherein the cupboard unit has one or more internal shelves.
10. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim wherein the shelf unit is constructed so that the sides extend to the floor, which provides that the shelf unit locates at a fixed height, or it may be constructed so that it is height adjustable.
11. A shelf unit according to any preceding claim wherein the adjustment can be achieved by providing that the sides do not extend to the floor, and/or that the unit has adjustable (and decorative feet).