ITVI20120079U1 - PROFILE FOR BATHROOM ELEMENTS, SUCH AS SHELVES OR ACCESSORY ELEMENTS, AND ELEMENT REALIZED WITH THIS PROFILE. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the patent for industrial invention entitled "PROFILE FOR BATHROOM ELEMENTS, SUCH AS SHELVES OR ACCESSORY ELEMENTS, AND ELEMENT MADE WITH THIS PROFILE"

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is placed in the technical field of the production of bathroom elements, such as furnishing elements such as shelves or accessory elements such as towel holders, soap holders, toothbrush holders, etc.

In particular, the present invention refers to a system for making such elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

The use of elements that are applied to the walls for the finish and usability of the bathroom is known in the construction of bathrooms.

For this purpose, shelves and / or accessories of various types are applied to the walls, such as towel racks, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, toilet brush holders, etc.

There are numerous solutions of bathroom shelves and accessories on the market ready to be applied to the bathroom walls.

The materials used for their construction are the most varied and in particular chromed metal, plastic materials and wood are used.

The shelves are supplied assembled or pre-assembled with predefined measures and modules. Generally they are composed of tops in defined materials and with typically standard and catalog measurements. The user is therefore forced to choose from time to time from the catalog the solution that is closest to their needs, both in terms of measurements and in terms of the type of material used.

The procurement of bathroom elements according to the known art therefore has some drawbacks.

A first drawback lies in the difficulty of finding bathroom elements with the required sizes and more suited to the user's needs.

Another drawback lies in the difficulty of finding bathroom elements that use a material suitable for the user's needs.

A drawback, in particular, resides in the difficulty of making shelf-type bathroom elements that use the same material of which the wall on which they are applied is made, that is to say for example the ceramic material that constitutes the wall covering tiles.

The main object of the present invention is therefore that of at least partially solving these drawbacks.

It is a first aim of the present invention to make bathroom elements that respond exactly to the required measurements and more suited to the needs of the user.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make bathroom elements that meet the user's needs in terms of the material used.

It is a further purpose of the present invention to make bathroom elements such as shelves that use the same material of which the wall on which they are applied is made.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention therefore refers to a profile for bathroom elements comprising at least a portion able to define a housing area for a component.

In a preferred embodiment, this portion comprises a projecting portion.

In another preferred embodiment, this portion comprises a recessed portion.

Preferably the profile comprises fixing means for fixing the profile to a wall.

In a preferred embodiment, these fastening means comprise a seat for receiving an element integral with the wall and an element for maintaining the element in the receiving seat.

Preferably, the profile according to the invention has a longitudinal development and comprises a surface on which said portion is defined.

Advantageously, the profile is made of metal or plastic material through an extrusion process.

Conveniently, the profile comprises one or more holes for receiving connection means to a further element. In a preferred embodiment, the profile has a longitudinal development and said holes are made on the head end of the profile itself.

Preferably, the profile comprises one or more through channels which extend along the longitudinal development of the profile, said holes being constituted by extreme portions of these channels at the head ends of the profile. Advantageously, the holes can be immediately available whatever the length with which the profile is cut.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the component comprises a support surface.

Preferably the supporting surface comprises a ceramic material.

In other preferred embodiments, the component is a component of the group comprising: a soap holder, a cup holder, a toothbrush holder, a liquid soap dispenser, a toilet brush holder.

In its second aspect, the present invention relates to a frame for bathroom elements comprising a housing area for a component, said frame comprising at least two profiles connected to each other, in which each of said profiles is a profile of the type described above.

Preferably, the profiles are connected by means of coupled end elements to the ends of these profiles and the frame comprises means for connecting the end elements to the ends of the profiles.

Preferably, the connection means comprise head holes in said profiles.

Advantageously, these holes are specular and symmetrical and allow the end elements to be used at the ends of the profiles, however they are proposed during the connection. In a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises means for locking the component to the frame itself.

In another preferred embodiment, the frame comprises gasket means interposed between the component and the frame. In a further embodiment, the frame comprises means for adjusting the position of the component with respect to the frame.

Preferably, the frame comprises fixing means for fixing the frame to a wall.

In a third aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a bathroom element comprising at least one profile of the type described above.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a bathroom element comprising at least one frame of the type described above.

Preferably the bathroom element of the present invention is a shelf.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to an equipped wall of a bathroom comprising at least one bathroom element, in which said bathroom element is of the type described above.

Preferably, the wall comprises a covering material and the bathroom element consists of a shelf, in which the shelf comprises a support surface comprising a material of the same type as the wall covering material.

In a preferred embodiment, the bathroom element is a shelf, in which said shelf comprises a support surface comprising a ceramic material.

Preferably, the wall comprises a covering made of ceramic material, in which the ceramic material of the support surface of the shelf is the same ceramic material as the covering of the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further advantages, objectives and characteristics as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified below by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the attached drawing tables; in the drawings, characteristics and / or corresponding or equivalent component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular, in the figures:

Figure 1 represents an axonometric view of a bathroom element applied to a wall and made by means of a profile according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 1A represents an enlarged detail of figure 1;

figure 2 represents the section view along the section plane II-II of figure 1;

figure 3 represents an axonometric view of a profile according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 4 represents a plan view of a detail of figure 1A;

figure 5 represents a side view of the detail of figure 4;

- figure 6 shows a detail of the sectional view along the section plane II-II of figure 1 in a pre-assembly configuration of the bathroom element to the wall; - figure 7 shows a detail of the sectional view along the section II-II plane of figure 1 in the configuration of assembly of the bathroom element to the wall;

figure 8 represents a variant embodiment of the detail of figure 4;

figure 9 represents a side view of the detail of figure 8;

- Figures 10 to 17 represent possible embodiments of Figure 2;

- Figures 18 and 19 represent, in axonometric view, constructional variants of the bathroom element according to the present invention;

- Figures 20 to 22 represent sectional views of possible variants of the bathroom element according to the present invention;

- Figures 23 to 28 represent, in an axonometric view, further constructional variants of the bathroom element according to the present invention;

- Figures 29 to 31 represent sectional views of possible further embodiments of the bathroom element according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS PRESENT

INVENTION.

Although the present invention is described below with reference to its embodiments represented in the drawing tables, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented clarify some aspects of the present invention, the purpose of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous in systems for producing shelves or the like to be applied to the walls of a bathroom. However, it should be pointed out that the present invention is not limited to the realization of shelves. On the contrary, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases in which the application of a bathroom element to a wall is required to create an equipped part in general, including the use of shelves but also of accessories of different types. , as will be highlighted later in the description.

Figure 1 shows a shelf 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a wall P, preferably a part of a bathroom.

The wall P with the shelf 1 applied, and more generally a wall P with a bathroom element according to the present invention, as will also be seen later in the description, represents a so-called equipped wall P. In the system shown in the figure, and consisting of the bracket 1, according to the present invention, first of all, according to the present invention, a first profile 2a with a preferably longitudinal development adapted to be fixed to the wall P. A second profile 2b with a preferably longitudinal development arranged substantially parallel to the first profile 2a.

At the ends 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b of these profiles 2a, 2b are assembled respective head elements 5, 6, only the right one 5 visible in figure 1 and in the detail of figure 1A, and connected to the ends of the profiles 2a, 2b by means of suitable connection means 7.

A support surface 40 completes the realization of the shelf 1.

The first and second profiles 2a and 2b are substantially specularly identical to each other, the first profile 2a being able to receive fixing means 8 to the wall P.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means of the first profile 2a to the wall P could consist of an adhesive substance. In this case, the first and second profiles could be exactly the same.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the fixing means 8 to the wall P comprise at least one element 9 projecting from the wall P and a seat 10 made in the first profile 2a, as can be seen in Figure 6. A dowel 11 is preferably associated with the seat 10 which is screws into a threaded hole 12.

The projecting element 9 can be, for example, the end of a cylinder suitably fixed to the wall P. To fix the first profile 2a to the wall P, the projecting element 9 is received inside the seat 10 and locked there. by screwing the grain 11, as can be seen in figure 7.

In this embodiment, therefore, the first profile 2a differs from the second profile 2b due to the presence of the seat 10 and the threaded hole 12.

Advantageously, the elements 9 projecting from the part P and the respective seats 10 in the first profile 2a are in a number suitable to guarantee the tightness of the profile 2a and of the bracket 1 as a whole, obviously in a number greater than two.

In variant embodiments, however, the means for fixing the first profile to the wall may be made in any other way within the reach of the skilled in the art. Since the first profile 2a and the second profile 2b are specularly identical, only the term profile will be used for the sake of simplicity in the description. It is clear that what is described applies to both profiles. The elements that refer to the first profile will be marked by the letter "a" postposed in the numbering and the equivalent elements of the second profile will be marked by the letter "b" instead.

It should be noted that for what has been said, the profiles are identical or substantially identical to each other. This makes it possible to obtain an economic advantage in the production phase of the profiles, since only one mold or die can be provided for their production. Furthermore, this determines the additional advantage of being able to manage only one item in terms of tangible fixed assets.

The profile 2a, 2b comprises a projecting portion 20a, 20b able to define a support surface 2 la, 21b for the support surface 40, as can be seen in figures 2 and 3. In particular, the support surface 2 la, 21b it is defined by a substantially horizontal edge on which an edge portion of the support surface 40 is arranged in abutment. The support surface 21a, 21b is made at a predetermined distance S from the upper edge 22a, 22b of the profile 2a, 2b. Said distance S advantageously corresponds to the thickness S of the support surface 40. In the embodiment illustrated here, the projecting portion 20a, 20b also defines a second support surface 23a, 23b which can become a support for a support surface 40 'if the two profiles 2a, 2b are assembled by rotating them through 180 °, as indicated in figure 10. The second supporting surface 23a, 23b is made at a predetermined distance S 'from the lower edge 24a, 24b of the profile 2a, 2b. This distance S 'will advantageously correspond to the thickness S' of a different support surface 40 'having a greater thickness than in the previous case. With the same profile 2a, 2b it is therefore possible to install support surfaces 40, 40 'of different thickness S, S'.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the projecting portion 20a, 20b substantially has a rectangular section shape.

It is evident that in variant embodiments the shape of this projecting portion may take different shapes and in any case sufficient to define a support surface for the support surface.

As regards the head elements 5, 6, as shown in figure 4, they comprise a profiled element of suitable extension D which in fact also defines the width L of the support surface 40 which is used each time, as can be seen better in the detail of figure 1A. The head elements 5, 6 are connected to the ends of the profiles 3a, 3b and 4a, 4b, as mentioned above, by connection means 7. In the embodiment illustrated here, the connection means 7 comprise two pairs of screws 3 la, 3 1 b suitable to be inserted in corresponding pairs of holes 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b of the head elements 5, 6 and to engage in as many pairs of holes 27a, 28a made at the head respectively in the first and second profile 2a, 2b .

Advantageously, the holes 27a, 28a made in the first and second profiles 2a, 2b are specular and symmetrical, allowing to use the head elements 5, 6 at the ends of the profiles 2a, 2b however they are proposed during the connection.

In variant embodiments, these connection means can be made in any other way within the reach of the person skilled in the art.

In this regard and with reference to Figures 8 and 9, a possible variant embodiment of these connection means is illustrated which envisages the use of peduncles 131 projecting from one face of the head element 115 and adapted to be inserted, preferably by snap or by interference, in the respective head holes 27a made in the first and second profiles 2a, 2b.

In this case, advantageously, the head element 115 externally has a perfectly smooth surface resulting overall more aesthetically pleasing, as visible in figure 8.

As regards the production of the profiles 2a, 2b and of the head elements 5, 6, they are preferably made of metal, metal alloy or plastic material and even more preferably by means of an extrusion process. The head elements 5, 6 are also preferably made of metal, metal alloy or plastic material and preferably by means of an extrusion process or more simply by molding.

In particular, each of the profiles 2a, 2b can be obtained by cutting to size the same profiled element obtained by extrusion. For this purpose and as can be seen in Figure 3, the head holes 27a, 28a at the ends of the profile 2a, 3a will constitute the ends of respective cylindrical channels 51a, 52a which can be easily obtained by means of the said extrusion process.

In this way, advantageously, the head holes 27a, 28a can be immediately available whatever the length with which the extruded profile 2a, 2b is cut.

From what has been described above it can be seen that the set consisting of the two profiles 2a, 2b and the head elements 5, 6 substantially constitutes a support frame 50 suitable for receiving the support surface 40.

Advantageously, the construction of this frame 50 by the installer will be carried out easily through the use of a profiled element brought on site and cut to size therein to create the two profiles 2a, 2b according to the needs of the end user.

It will then be sufficient to adapt the first profile 2a with the said seats 10, if provided, for connection to the wall P. Similarly, the head elements 5, 6 can be cut to size and on site at the time of installation. For what has been said, advantageously, the use of profiles according to the present invention makes it possible to create on-site shelves that correspond exactly to the measurements required by the user.

In addition, the use of extruded profiles allows to reduce the costs of making the profiles and therefore the shelf.

Also with regard to the support surface 40 it is possible to define on site and according to the user's needs both the dimensions and the material of which it is made.

The supporting surface 40 can in fact be made of any material and easily assembled by positioning it on the previously made frame 50.

It is possible to use, for example, materials typically used in the realization of shelves, such as wooden materials coated or not, artificial woods, ceramic materials, glass sheets, plastic materials, etc.

In a particular and preferred embodiment, on the frame 50 there is a support surface 40 made of ceramic material corresponding to the material used for the covering of the wall P. For example, the support surface 40 can be made by cutting to size a or more tiles of the type used in the realization of the wall P.

Advantageously, the shelf 1 will have a support surface 40 of the same material of which the wall P is made, giving a pleasant sense of continuity between the coated wall P and the shelf 1.

As regards the supporting surface 40, it can simply be rested on the frame 50, and in particular on the projecting portions 20a, 20b of the profiles 2a, 2b. In variant embodiments, however, it is possible to provide means for locking the support surface 40 to the frame 50, such as for example screws, adhesive substances, etc. In other construction variants, it will also be possible to provide for the use of any gasket elements 160 interposed between the support surface 40 and the frame 50 itself, as illustrated in the variant embodiment of figure 10 A.

In the variant embodiment of figure 11 a different way of applying the support surface 140 to the frame 50 is shown. In this case the support surface 140 has recessed seats 141, 142 suitable for allowing sliding insertion in the projecting portions 20a, 20b of the two profiles 2a, 2b (which can advantageously still be of the same type described above).

The recessed seats 141, 142 therefore allow the sliding of the support surface 140 and, advantageously, a concealment of any cutting defects, in particular when ceramic materials are used.

Furthermore, this solution allows a stable and irremovable fixing of the support surface 140. The possible removal of the support surface 140 can be carried out by previously disassembling, at least partially, the frame 50. Figures 12 and 13 show a variant embodiment of the profiles 202 comprising a projecting portion 220a and two adjacent seats 221, 222 of different extension designed to receive respective support surfaces 40, 40 'with different thicknesses depending on the orientation with which the two profiles 202 are assembled, as can be seen from the comparison of the two figures 12, 13

In the variant embodiment of Figure 14, the profile 302 has a substantially L-shape, the short side of which represents the projecting portion 320a supporting the support surface 40

The variant of construction shown in Figures 15 and 16 differs from the variant in Figure 14 in that it provides for the use of fastening elements 331 of the support surface 40 to the profiles 302. Preferably, these fastening elements are constituted by screws 331 which engage on the face lower part of the support surface 40, as shown in the assembled configuration of figure 16.

The variant embodiment shown in Figure 17 differs from the variant in Figure 14 in that it provides for the use of adjustment elements 335 to adjust the position of the support plane 40 with respect to the profiles 302. Preferably, these adjustment elements comprise screws 337 with flat upper head able to push on the lower face of the support surface 40.

Figure 18 shows a bathroom element 401 made in accordance with the present invention. This bathroom element differs from the shelf described above in that it provides for the use of two support surfaces 440, 441 having different shapes, for example one of the shapes shown in the sections of figures 20, 21 or 22. Preferably one 441 of the two supporting surfaces 440, 441 represents a soap dish (which can be, for example, a sectional shape of the type shown in figure 22).

The bathroom element 501 of figure 19 differs from that of figure 18 in that it does not have one of the two support surfaces and in that the second profile 2b in this case advantageously constitutes a towel holder element. The bathroom element 601 of figure 23 differs from that of figure 18 in that it has a cup holder element 442 in addition to the two support surfaces 440, 441.

In the bathroom element 701 in figure 24 there is a support surface 440, a glass holder element 443 and a towel holder element, consisting of the second profile 2b. In the embodiment variants shown in Figures 25 to 28, further possible applications of the present invention are shown by way of example in which the profiles 2a, 2b are associated, in addition to supporting surfaces 440, 441 or other elements 442, 443 as previously described, also typical bathroom furniture elements, such as cabinets 446 or modular box structures 447.

In the embodiment variants shown in Figures 29 to 31 further possible applications of the present invention are illustrated in which different components are associated with the frame according to the present invention, respectively, a toothbrush holder 450, a liquid soap dispenser 451 and a toilet brush holder 452 .

Advantageously, from what has been illustrated and described above, it is evident how it is possible to realize different combinations to suitably equip a wall P by making a frame on site using the profiles according to the present invention, thus fully responding to the needs and requirements of the 'user.

In the embodiments illustrated above, the projecting portion which characterizes each profile advantageously extends along the entire length of the profile itself. This derives, in particular and advantageously, from the preferred method of producing the profile by extrusion.

However, in different embodiments, it is possible to provide several projecting portions with a smaller extension, preferably uniformly distributed along the profile itself.

It has therefore been shown that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the intended purposes. In particular, it allows the on-site construction of bathroom elements that meet the needs of the user, in particular as regards the realization of the length to measure.

While the present has been described with reference to the particular embodiments depicted in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments depicted and described; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiments described fall within the scope of the present invention, the purpose defined by the claims.

Claims (24)

CLAIMS 1. Profile (2a, 2b) for bathroom elements (1; 401; 501; 601; 701), characterized in that it comprises at least one portion (20a, 20b; 220a, 220b, 320a, 320b) designed to define a housing area for a component (40; 40 '; 140; 440; 441; 442; 443; 446; 447; 450; 451; 452). 2. Profile (2a, 2b) according to claim 1), characterized in that said portion (20a, 20b; 220a, 220b, 320a, 320b) comprises a projecting portion or a re-entering portion. 3. Profile (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fixing means (8) for fixing said profile (2a, 2b) to a wall (P). 4. Profile (2a, 2b) according to claim 3, characterized in that said fixing means (8) comprise a seat (10) for receiving an element (9) integral with said wall (P) and a holding element (11) of said element (9) in said receiving seat (10). 5. Profile (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a longitudinal extension and comprises a surface on which said portion (20a, 20b; 220a, 220b, 320a, 320b) is defined. 6. Profile (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of metal or plastic material through an extrusion process. 7. Profile (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more holes (27a, 28a) for receiving connection means (7) to a further element (5, 6). 8. Profile (2a, 2b) according to claim 7, characterized in that it has a longitudinal extension and in that said holes (27a, 28a) are made on the head ends of said profile (2a, 2b). 9. Profile (2a, 2b) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises one or more through channels (5a, 52a) which extend along said longitudinal development of said profile (2a, 2b), said holes (27a, 28a) being constituted by extreme portions of said channels (5a, 52a) in correspondence with some extreme ends of the profile (2a, 2b). 10. Profile (2a, 2b) according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that said component includes a support surface (40; 40 '; 140). 1 1. Profile (2a, 2b) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said support surface (40; 40 '; 140) comprises a ceramic material. 12. Frame (50) for bathroom elements (1; 401; 501; 601; 701), characterized in that it comprises a housing area for a component (40; 40 '; 140; 440; 441; 442; 443; 446; 447; 450; 451; 452), said frame comprising at least two profiles (2a , 2b) connected to each other, in which each of said profiles (2a, 2b) is made according to any one of the preceding claims. Frame (50) according to claim 12, characterized in that said profiles (2a, 2b) are connected by means of elements (5, 6) end coupled to the ends (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) of said profiles (2a , 2b) and by the fact that it comprises connecting means (7) of said head elements (5, 6) to said ends (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) of said profiles (2a, 2b). Frame (50) according to claim 13, characterized in that said connection means (7) comprise holes (27a, 28a) made at the end in said profiles (2a, 2b). Frame (50) according to claim 14, characterized in that said holes (27a, 28a) are specular and symmetrical. Frame (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it comprises locking means (331) for said component (40). Frame (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that it comprises gasket means (160) interposed between said component (40) and said frame (50). Frame (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that it comprises means (335) for adjusting the position of said component (40) with respect to said frame (50). Frame (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that it comprises fixing means (8) for fixing said frame (50) to a wall (P). 20. Bathroom element (1; 401; 501; 601; 701), characterized in that it comprises at least one profile (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 21. Bathroom element (1; 401; 501; 601; 701), characterized in that it comprises at least one frame (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 19. Bathroom element (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that it consists of a shelf. 23. Equipped wall (P) of a bathroom comprising at least one bathroom element (1; 401; 501; 601; 701), characterized in that said bathroom element (1; 401; 501; 601; 701) is made according to any one of claims 20 to 22. Wall (P) according to claim 23, characterized in that said wall comprises a covering material and said bathroom element (1) is a shelf, said shelf (1) comprising a supporting surface (40; 40 '; 140) comprising a material of the same type as said coating material.