Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F19/00—Other details of constructional parts for finishing work on buildings
  • E04F19/08—Built-in cupboards; Masks of niches; Covers of holes enabling access to installations
  • E04F19/083—Covers with fixing means providing for snap locking
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K4/00—Combinations of baths, douches, sinks, wash-basins, closets, or urinals, not covered by a single other group of this subclass
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
  • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
  • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
  • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
  • E04F13/0832—Separate fastening elements without load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
  • E04F13/0853—Separate fastening elements without load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements adjustable perpendicular to the wall

Definitions

• the invention regards the sector of construction and installation of bathrooms for hotel structures, for domestic use or offices.
• the invention regards complete pre-assembled structures for bathrooms, capable of being installed rapidly and economically for a first time installation as well as a re-modernising of rooms used for bathrooms in hotels or other buildings.
• a complete bathroom many hours of work are required and the collaboration of skilled labour from various sectors, plumbing, constructional, electrical etc...
• the aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known type of pre-fabricated structures for bathroom and to propose a bathroom with an easy and rapid installation, carried out also by unskilled labour.
• a second aim is to propose a bathroom with a high quality finish that does not have delimitation of a prefabricated product by measures or quality and which can be installed in site without the necessity of the intervention of skilled labour.
• bathroom structures made of high value materials like marble and natural stones are considered.
• a third aim is to permit a savings in the cost of installation because of a better management of the costs.
• the coverings are preferably in the form of continuos panels, factory produced to measure, in marble or other suitable material.
• the prefabricated wall panels which have to be placed at the corners are preferably able to reciprocally slide in order to correct possible error of their dimensions in respect to the real dimensions of the room or of the bathroom components to be installed.
• the panels can be connected reciprocally and fixed to the wall by means of distance adjustable fixtures, which in this case may permit the easy removal of one or more panels to consent the inspection of the hydraulic or electric system of the bathroom.
• the sanitary components for example the vanity unit, bath tub, WC cistern, hydro- massage
• the tubes ready to be reciprocally connected to complete the hydraulic circuit of the bathroom to be connected then to the already existent water adduction column / waste pipes of the room and without the need of further intervention, as in the electrical system.
• Floors and ceiling can be prepared in the factory to be installed on site, but again the measures are quite flexible in order to match final requirements on site.
• the floor and ceiling structures are done "cut to size” but all parts can slide one on top of the other for final measurement requirements, vertical and horizontal walls and floors or ceilings and can be used separately one from the others as in the traditional works
• - floors are installed at first traditionally or with the "up side down” method as defined later on, and walls are installed on the finished floor, so they can slide on top when required.
• the invention refers also to a method for the fabrication, the pre-assembly and the installation of the complete bathroom as well as of the floor structure and of the ceiling structure.
• a second advantage consists in the possibility to define in the factory with accuracy the dimensions, specifications and materials of the bathroom to be assembled and then to correct in site possible errors without the intervention of skilled labour.
• the panels walls, when they are made of marble/granite or other natural stone, are slabs of large solid stone that are both structural and finishing.
• a third advantage consists in the elevated finish achieved of the coverings.
• a fourth advantage consists in the substantial lack of visible joints.
• a fifth advantage consists in the fact that no preparative mural work is needed, but only the assembly, in the room to be installed there is no work-site, which permits to have a reduced time of installation on sight and minimum disruption (of noise, dust or other), damaging to the concerned hotel structure or habitation.
• a sixth advantage consists in the possibility to assemble very regular and continuos flat surfaces, with minimum maintenance and cleaning problems.
• a seventh advantage consists in the possibility to easily and rapidly inspect the hydraulic parts of the components, which remain accessible by removing one or more of the cover panels.
• a further advantage is the "perfect" quality of all the parts which are factory made and therefore can achieve an high level of accuracy, whilst maintaining high quality of finishing. In fact no cutting/polishing(gluing or fixing of components are necessary on site.
• a support panel such as aluminium honey - comb or gypsum board
• the panels are made of marble (or other natural stone) a thickness of 2 cm or less of the floor and of the side panels it is sufficient to have both structural and finishing function.
• the bathroom components can be fixed using the same material (marble) and loading all weight to the floor, avoiding any structural back-falls in the future.
• a vanity top of the bathroom can positioned on two or three vertical marble side panels. That allow fast fixing, laterally just positioning and require no fixing on site, no building material on site and no work on site, and therefore just any simple workers.
• Figure 1 shows a top exploded view of a bathroom according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows a top view of the bathroom of Figure 1 with installation completed
• Figure 3 shows the standard components of a bathroom according to the invention with the relative predisposed tubes for the installation;
• Figures 4 to 7 show a top view of the single components of Figure 3;
• Figure 8 shows schematically a top view of a bathroom structure according to the invention
• Figures 8a-8m show the installation sequence from step 1 to 22 of the wall panels and of the other components of the bathroom structure of Figure 8;
• Figure 9 shows the detail of a first embodiment according to the invention of adjustable means of fixture of the wall panels;
• Figures 9a-9b respectively show a section and a front view of a second embodiment according to the invention of adjustable means of fixture of the wall panels;
• Figures 10, 10a and 10b respectively show a section view, a detail of the same section view and a top view of a floor structure according to the invention;
• Figure 10c shows a further embodiment of a floor structure according to the invention.
• Figures 10d and 10e shows a still further embodiment of a floor structure according to the invention.
• Figure 11 schematically show the reciprocal position of wall panels installed according to the method of the invention
• Figure 12 shows a prefabricated wall structure provided with telescopic bars "T" according to the invention
• Figure 13 shows a ceiling structure according to the invention
• Figures 14a and 14b show pre-assembled walls of Figure 12, respectively before and after installation.
• Figure 15 shows a W.C cistern unit according to the invention, with covering panels removable for inspection;
• Figure 16 schematically shows wall panels of the invention with having connection means. Detailed description
• a pre-assembled bathroom includes: a multiplicity of panels of covering to measure, among which wall panels 1 , floor panels 2 and, in the event that a ceiling be required (for example, in the bathrooms of a hotel structure) ceiling panels 3; and a multiplicity of accessories among which a vanity unit 4, a bath tub 5 with a complex of water taps 6, a cistern for WC 7.
• the covering wall panels may be reciprocally connected in a traditional way or using connection plates 9 in such a way that the plates enter and are hidden behind the adjacent panel.
• connection plates 9 Advantageously the plates 9 of adjacent panels are in alternate position so as not to interfere with each other.
• the plates integral with a panel are fixed to the wall with normal screws, while the plates 9 of the adjacent panel may be inserted between the panel and wall and so remain blocked.
• the plates of one of two adjacent panels can be "L" shaped in such a way that the plates 9 of the second panel are inserted and are hidden between the side surfaces of the first and the wall.
• Figure 11 it is schematically shown the reciprocal position of corner panels and their position after adjustment (illustrated in dotted lines) which can be needed due to a possible difference from the measured dimensions and the true dimensions of the room to be installed or of a component to be inserted .
• the panels o Figure 11 are adjustable as they can slide one in to the other.
• the panels though produced in measures as in drawings, can slide one next to the other creating in such a way smaller and smaller room.
• panel R11 it is possible, thanks to the invention, to displace panel R11 so that the latter is translated of the needed distance along the wall panel R12 in the direction of the arrows.
• the complex made of panels R11 and R12 could also be rigidly displaced so that R12 slides behind R13.
• the invention permits an unskilled user to completely install with high accuracy the bathroom components and panels without the need of cutting or other difficult operations.
• the panels 2 may be provided with self-bearing adjustable supports.
• the supports are formed by plates 28 supplied with screws for regulation 29 agents on the floor 50 pre-existent, to be adjusted according to the required level of the support of the panels 2.
• the floor panels 2 of the invention may be provided with self-bearing adjustable supports.
• the supports are formed by plates 280 which can rotate on the horizontal plane being pivotally fixed to the floor 50 by a vertical pin 200.
• Plates 280 are supplied with supporting disks 201 integral with screws for regulation 290 and acting between the floor panels 2 and the pre-existent floor 50, to be adjusted according to the required level of the support of the panels 2.
• panels 2 are placed on a number of disks 201 preferably aligned in correspondence of the sides of adjacent panels so that each disk supports both the adjacent panels 2 in order to guarantee an uniform height of the panels above floor 50.
• Possible positioning errors of disks 201 can be corrected by a rotation of plates 280 around the pin 200.
• the adjustable support for the panels 2 can consist of simple bolt 110 and nuts 111 that are positioned at the extreme of the marble - granite floor slab 2 and allow adjustment when a second slab should be installed.
• a method to install a floor structure comprises the following steps: a) fixing to floor 50 a plurality of adjustable supports preferably aligned along lines corresponding to the side of floor panels 2 to be posed; b) installation of a first panel 2; c) adjusting the level of the first panel acting on the regulating means of the supports of the panels; d) adjusting if needed the position of one or more supports; e) placing, possibly on the side aligned supports, floor panels adjacent to the already installed panel; f) pouring anti-retractable liquid cement into the gap between panels 2 and surfaces 50 underneath, in such as way as to prefect the regularity of the support.
• the mortar/cement may, for example, be poured from the side of the last panel posed 2 near to the room wall, or in large areas, be pumped.
• the present structure and method allow to reach high quality avoiding breakage risks of the panels thanks to the substantially complete support guaranteed by the cement poured under the marble panels.
• a further advantage is that large marble panels can be installed obtaining even surfaces and avoiding the need of final polishing on site as in the traditional method.
• a still further advantage is that marble panels of any size can be installed by unskilled labour.
• a still further advantage is that the structure floor is structurally sound so that one can walk on the panels immediately after the installation also before being cemented from below. It is evident that the described floor structure and installation method have been described with reference to a bathroom, but the same solution can be applied to any floor structure, for example of floor structure of airports, hotel halls and the like.
• the installation can be carried out by installing the panels 3, complete with eventual electrical works, on the side panels 1.
• the dimensions of the panels 1-3 are already predisposed according to the measurements of the room and to the configuration of installation and therefore consent to complete the covering in a short time and with an elevated level of finish.
• Ceiling panels 3 are pre-assembled with large sheets of traditional gypsum board or aluminium honey-comb both already structurally self supporting and include any lighting system and paint.
• gypsum board In case of gypsum board, the number of sheets which are needed to cover the ceiling will be prepared in the factory, with steel studs 33 (that are used for partition gypsum walls inside supporting structures) or aluminium profiles, glued and mechanically fixed along the ceiling panels to keep them flat. The ends of studs 33 can then be placed on the wall panels 1 so that the panels 3 are self supporting instead of being hanged from the ceiling, as in the traditional decorative - low ceiling also called "hanged ceiling".
• the installation of the panels 1 to the wall 40 is completed by means of adjustable fixtures which permit the rapid installation and the removal of the panels to allow possible inspection after the assembly of the bathroom.
• these means consist in a first drilled plate 20 which may be fixed on the back of a panel 1 using common screw means 23.
• a drilled round 21 is foreseen, partially superimposed to the plate 20 in such a way as to leave between the panel 1 and round 21 a gap 22 in which a washer 26 internally threaded may be placed and may turn freely.
• a screw 24 may engage itself in the washer 26 and be activated by a screwdriver 25 passing through the corresponding hole 11 made in the panel 1.
• the diameter of the hole 11 may be extremely limited (even 5-6 mm or less) in such a way as not to have a relevant aesthetic impact on the external side of the panel 1 that can be fixed later on.
• the means of fixture include also a second plate 30 which may be fixed to the wall 40 using common screws 32 in correspondence to the plate 20.
• the plate 30 consists in the centre of a threaded bolt 31 suitable to receive the screw 24.
• the screw 11 is inserted for pre-determined length through the washer 26 and then inserted into the bolt 31.
• the washer 26 turns in the gap 22 and is drawn to the wall 40 dragging the panel 1 the position of which in this way may be easily regulated.
• a hole 41 may be made in the wall 40 in such a way as to leave room for the progress of the screw 24.
• first plate 20' can be fixed (for example by glue or screw means) to the back face of a wall panel 1 sticking out the lateral side of the panel.
• a second plate 30' is also provided which can be fixed to a room wall 40 by common screws 32'.
• the central portion of plate 30' has a concave shape emerging from the wall 40 and which presents a transversal slot 24'.
• Plate 20' presents passing holes 11' and a transversal slot 56 having a countersunk hole. Holes 11' respectively face in the use the screws 32' of the second plate.
• a regulating screw 31' can be inserted through the slot 56 of the plate 20' and through the slot 24' of the second plate 30' to engage a regulating bolt 31' made integral to plate 30' by locking nut 54. By rotating bolt 31' it is thus possible to adjust the distance between the first and second plates 20', 30'. Further locking nut 57 and 58 can also be provided in order to keep the desired distance between the plates.
• a wall panel 1 is provided with one or more plate 20'.
• that second panel is provided with one or more lateral plates 9 capable of being inserted between the hidden face of the first panel and the wall 40.
• Figures 8a-8d show the installation of lateral panels 1 identified with progressive reference number R01-R16.
• Figure 8 shows a bathroom completely covered by lateral panels 1 marked with correspondent progressive reference numbers R01-R16.
• the fixtures means are completely hidden from sight and at the same time panels 1 are easy to be remove for inspection or to be substituted.
• the accessories of a bathroom according to the invention are made up of traditional components, pre-assembled with the tubes and the hydraulic parts to be connected reciprocally.
• the wash basin 4 is provided with tubes 41 with terminal joints 42 corresponding to the hot and cold water circuit and to the waste conduct.
• the bath tub 5 with the water tap complex for shower 6 and the cistern 7 of the WC are provided with corresponding tubes 51 , 61 , and 71 and terminal joints 52, 62 and 72.
• the tubes 61 of the complex 6 are connected to the hot and cold water columns 100 existent in the room and, by the joints 62, to the corresponding joints 72 and 52 of the cistern 7 and the bath tub 5.
• the tubes 51 of the bath tub 5 are connected to the corresponding tubes 41 of the wash basin 4 and to the waste conduct 101 and the tubes 71 of the cistern 7 are connected to a WC (not shown in the Figure) of the known type.
• a WC not shown in the Figure
• the tubes of all of the components 4-7 are easily inspected.
• the W.C unit 7 and of the water tap complex 6 this is possible by simply removing one or more cover panels 53, 63 suitably predisposed.
• the operator proceeds as described assembling the panels 1-3 already made to measure.
• the assembly may be carried out on a previous covering as well as directly to the wall, after which the components 4-7 are connected to the hydraulic circuit already existent in the room and connected reciprocally without the need of any structural intervention or particular competence.
• pre- assembled bathroom walls 300 can be provided when the distance from an existing wall has to be created.
• a metal structure 301 is prepared behind panels 1 , possibly provided with telescopic bars "T" to adjust the distance.
• Figures 14a, 14b When there is no wall (Figures 14a, 14b) complete position of wall can be prepared in the factory including a structural self supporting metal frame , gypsum board (generally two layers) already pre-painted, to the room side, insulation (such as rock wool, or glass wool ) the finishing cover such as marble slabs or any kind of tiles (to the bathroom side) and all plumbing /electrical piping, all completely installed.
• gypsum board generally two layers
• insulation such as rock wool, or glass wool
• the finishing cover such as marble slabs or any kind of tiles (to the bathroom side) and all plumbing /electrical piping, all completely installed.
• This wall or section of walls can be adjusted in position and then mechanically connected between themselves, creating a complete bathroom.
• One or more of the walls will possibly include a prefixed door and door frame.
• the covering panels are made up slabs of marble, but it is understood that the material used may be of various suitable types including panels of ceramic tiles, wood, synthetic material, glass and other, pre- assembled and then installed on site.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Residential Or Office Buildings (AREA)
• Bathtubs, Showers, And Their Attachments (AREA)
• Floor Finish (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)
• Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)

Priority Applications (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8175318

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (13)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (3)

Citations (9)

• 2001
  • 2001-05-07 CN CN01809071A patent/CN1427688A/zh active Pending
  • 2001-05-07 CA CA002408039A patent/CA2408039A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-05-07 MX MXPA02010835A patent/MXPA02010835A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-05-07 AU AU2001263905A patent/AU2001263905A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-05-07 CZ CZ20023645A patent/CZ20023645A3/cs unknown
  • 2001-05-07 PL PL01357244A patent/PL357244A1/xx not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-05-07 WO PCT/EP2001/005125 patent/WO2001084999A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-05-07 EP EP01938182A patent/EP1280445A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-05-07 IL IL15262101A patent/IL152621A0/xx unknown
  • 2001-05-07 JP JP2001581664A patent/JP2004512444A/ja active Pending
  • 2001-05-07 HU HU0302047A patent/HUP0302047A2/hu unknown
  • 2001-05-07 BR BR0110560-4A patent/BR0110560A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2002
  • 2002-12-02 ZA ZA200209758A patent/ZA200209758B/en unknown

Patent Citations (9)

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