WO2002035031A1

WO2002035031A1 - Prefabricated cistern

Info

Publication number: WO2002035031A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001793
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Shil Kim
Original assignee: Kim Sung Shil
Priority date: 2000-10-23
Filing date: 2001-10-23
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU2002211045A1; JP2002209780A; KR200216926Y1

Abstract

A prefabricated water container is provided. The water container includes a fixed plate which is fixedly attached to a wall; a movable plate which corresponds to the fixed plate and is installed to face the fixed plate; collapsible side plates which are connected to the sides of the fixed plate and the movable plate and are bent several times to be extended and folded like an accordion; a collapsible bottom plate which is installed at the bottom of a space defined by the fixed plate, the movable plate and the collapsible side plates, telescopic bars which pass through the upper portions of the collapsible side plates in a straight line and are connected to the fixed plate at one end and the movable plate at the other end, the telescopic bars for supporting the collapsible side plates so that they do not sway when the collapsible side plates are folded and extended; and overlapping cover plates for covering the upper portion of the telescopic bars, the overlapping cover plates being collapsed or extended when the collapsible side plates are collapsed or extended and for fixing the collapsible side plates that are extended or collapsed to a desired length. Accordingly, when the prefabricated water container is not being used, it can be collapsed so that it occupies less space.

Description

PREFABRICATED CISTERN

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a prefabricated water container, and more particularly, to a prefabricated water container that is simple, light and easy to install by attaching it to and detaching it from a wall using screws or the like, whose size can be minimized when it is not being used, thereby making more efficient used of space, and that has a space for containing water whose size can be easily adjusted, thereby economizing water consumption.

Background Art

In general, most existing water containers or bathtubs are built-in types that are fixedly installed in buildings, and thus take up space even while they are not being used. Further, it takes much time and effort to modify or repair a water container, and water can permeate into cracks of a building when the water container leaks, thus resulting in a bad smell or structural damage to the building.

To improve these problems, a water container that is collapsible and easy to install has been suggested. However, while this water container makes very efficient use of space, it is not in fact easy to install nor to collapse, and further, it is not sturdy in comparison with existing built-in type water container.

Disclosure of the Invention

To solve these problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated water container that is simple, light and easy to install by attaching it to and detaching it from a wall using screws or the like, whose size can be minimized when it is not being used, thereby making more efficient use of space, and that has a space for containing water whose size is easily adjusted, thereby saving water.

To accomplish the above object, there is provided a prefabricated water container whose length can be adjusted to change the size of a space in which water is stored, the water container, including a fixed plate which is fixedly attached to a wall; a movable plate which corresponds to the fixed plate and is installed to face the fixed plate; collapsible side plates which are connected to the sides of the fixed plate and the movable plate and are bent several times to be extended and folded like an accordion; a collapsible bottom plate which is installed at the bottom of a space defined by the fixed plate, the movable plate and the collapsible side plates, the collapsible bottom plate is connected to the fixed plate, the movable plate and the collapsible side plates, and is collapsible when the collapsible side plates are folded; telescopic bars which pass through the upper portions of the collapsible side plates in a straight line and are connected to the fixed plate at one end and the movable plate at the other end, the telescopic bars for supporting the collapsible side plates so that they do not sway when the collapsible side plates are folded and extended; and overlapping cover plates for covering the upper portion of the telescopic bars, the overlapping cover plates being collapsed or extended when the collapsible side plates are collapsed or extended and for fixing the collapsible side plates that are extended or collapsed to a desired length.

Preferably, a handle by which a user pulls and pushes the movable plate and a pocket in which articles such as soap is stored, are formed at the outer side of the movable plate, and an inlet for supplying water to the water container and a drain-outlet for discharging water from the water container are formed to pass through the lower portion of the movable plate. Preferably, a pump for pumping water into the water container, circulating water within the water container and jetting water into the water container under predetermined pressure, is installed at the lower portion of the inner side of the movable plate.

Preferably, each of the overlapping cover plates comprise a plurality of unit cover plates that overlap and are linked to one another to not be separated from one another, a plurality of holes being formed on the unit cover plates at predetermined intervals into which holes positional fixing pins are inserted to fix the collapsible side plates that are extended or folded to a desired length. Preferably, a plurality of gemstone plates are attached to outer sections of the collapsible side plates.

Preferably, an elastic mat is spread out on the collapsible bottom plate to flatten a folded part of the collapsible bottom plate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extended prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a folded prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inner structure of a prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Best mode for carrying out the Invention FIGS. 1 through 3 show the inner and outer structures of a prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In detail, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extended prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a folded prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inner structure of a prefabricated water container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the prefabricated water container includes a fixed plate 10; a movable plate 20 corresponding to the fixed plate 10; two collapsible side plates 30 that are positioned at the sides of the prefabricated water container, connecting the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 20; a collapsible bottom plate 40 that is positioned at the bottom of the water container; telescopic bars 50 that support the collapsible side plates 30 so that they do not sway when being folded or extended; and overlapping cover plates 60.

The prefabricated water container according to the present invention can be extended and folded to adjust the size of a space for containing water. The elements of the prefabricated water container will now be described in detail. The fixed plate 10 is fixedly installed on a wall via connecting units such as screws. The movable plate 20 corresponds to the fixed plate 10, being installed to face the fixed plate 10. The collapsible side plates 30 are bent several times to be compressible like an accordion, being connected with the sides of the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 20. The collapsible bottom plate 40 is positioned at the bottom of the space defined by the fixed plate 10, the movable plate 20 and the collapsible side plates 30, being united with the fixed plate 10, the movable plate 20 and the collapsible side plates 30. The collapsible bottom plate 40 is also bent several times to be collapsible when the collapsible side plates 30 are folded. The telescopic bars 50 are installed to pass through the upper portions of the collapsible side plates 30 in a straight line with their ends being fixed to the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 20. Thus, the collapsible side plates 30 do not sway when they are folded or extended. The overlapping cover plates 60 are installed to cover the top of the telescopic bars 50, and are extended or folded when the collapsible side plates 30 are extended or folded. Due to the overlapping cover plates 60, it is possible to fix the collapsible side plates 30 at a desired length. At the outer side of the movable plate 20 are formed a handle 21 which is pulled to draw the movable plate 20, and a pocket 22 in which articles such as soap are stored. Also, an inlet 23 through which water is supplied into the water container and a drain-outlet 24 through which water is discharged to the outside, are formed to pass through the lower portion the movable plate 20. The inlet 23 may be connected with a faucet via a rubber hose (not shown).

Also, a pump 25 is installed at lower portion of the inner side of the movable plate 20. With the pump 25, water that enters via the inlet 23 or is already contained in the water container is jetted from a discharging pipe 26 under predetermined pressure and thus water in the water container is forced to circulate. Therefore, it is possible to rapidly supply water to the water container, and further, massage the body of a user by connecting the discharging pipe 26 with a rubber hose (not shown) and jetting water onto the uses' body from the rubber hose.

Preferably, the collapsible side plates 30 are formed of synthetic resin (PVC) or waterproof fabric. Otherwise, stainless steel or aluminum plate may be used for the collapsible side plates 30, which will enhance the strength of the collapsible side plates 30.

Each folding cover plate 60 includes a plurality of unit cover plates 61 of predetermined length. The unit cover plates 61 overlap each other lengthwise and their overlapping ends are fastened together when the collapsible side plates 30 are collapsed. A plurality of holes 62 are formed on the unit cover plates 61 at predetermined intervals, and positional fixing pins 63 are inserted into the holes 62. Therefore, the collapsible side plates 30 can be extended or folded, and fixed at a desired length. Also, a plurality of gemstone plates 31 which have the same size as the sections making up the crinkled part of the collapsible side plates 30 may be attached to the sections of the collapsible side plates 30 to make the collapsible side plates 30 attractive looking and sturdier. Preferably, an elastic mat 70 is spread out on the collapsible bottom plate 40 to flatten its crinkled sections for the convenience of a user. The material of the mat 70 may be sponge, polyurethane or flexible synthetic resin. When the mat 70 is spread out, the discharging pipe 26 must be exposed. The uses and operational principles of a prefabricated water container having the above structure according to the present invention will now be explained referring to FIGS. 1 through 3.

In the prefabricated water container shown in FIG. 2, the positional fixing pins 63 are removed from the overlapping cover plates 60 when the water container is out of use. Then, the handle 21 is pushed to move the movable plate 20 toward a wall to which the water container is attached until the collapsible side plates 30 and the collapsible bottom plate 40 are completely folded. Next, when the unit cover plates 61 overlap one another, the positional fixing pins 63 are inserted into the overlapping holes 62 to fix the folded water container. At this time, both ends of each of the overlapping cover plates 60 are connected with the sides of the fixed plate 10 and the movable plate 20, and the overlapping cover plates 60 are fixed by the positional fixing pins 63 while most parts of the unit cover plates 61 overlap one another. Accordingly, the length of the water container can be minimized, and thus, the space not occupied by the water container can be used for other purposes.

Meanwhile, if a user desires to use the water container, the positional fixing pins 63 are removed from the overlapping cover plates 60, and then, the handle 21 is pulled to draw the movable plate 20 toward the user until the collapsible side plates 30 and the collapsible bottom plate 40 are extended to a desired length. Then, the positional fixing pins 63 are inserted into the overlapped holes 62 of the unit cover plates 61 so as to fix the length of the extended water container. The length of the water container is fixed by the positional fixing pins 63 while both ends of the unit cover plates 61 are overlapping, and thus, the user extends the length of the water container to the maximum or a desired length.

As described above, when the collapsible side plates 30 are extended or collapsed, the telescopic bars 50 are also extended or retracted together with the overlapping cover plates 60. Also, the collapsible side plates 30 do not sway when they are extended or collapsed because they are supported by the telescopic bars 50.

Industrial Applicability

A prefabricated water container according to the present invention is light, has a simple structure and is easy to install by attaching it to and detaching it from a wall using fasteners such as screws. Also, when the prefabricated water container is not being used, it can be collapsed so that it occupies less space, and further, the size of a space for containing water can be easily adjusted, thus economizing water consumption.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A prefabricated water container whose length can be adjusted to change the size of a space in which water is stored, the water container comprising: a fixed plate which is fixedly attached to a wall; a movable plate which corresponds to the fixed plate and is installed to face the fixed plate; collapsible side plates which are connected to the sides of the fixed plate and the movable plate and are bent several times to be extended and folded like an accordion; a collapsible bottom plate which is installed at the bottom of a space defined by the fixed plate, the movable plate and the collapsible side plates, the collapsible bottom plate is connected to the fixed plate, the movable plate and the collapsible side plates, and is collapsible when the collapsible side plates are folded; telescopic bars which pass through the upper portions of the collapsible side plates in a straight line and are connected to the fixed plate at one end and the movable plate at the other end, the telescopic bars for supporting the collapsible side plates so that they do not sway when the collapsible side plates are folded and extended; and overlapping cover plates for covering the upper portion of the telescopic bars, the overlapping cover plates being collapsed or extended when the collapsible side plates are collapsed or extended and for fixing the collapsible side plates that are extended or collapsed to a desired length.

2. The prefabricated water container of claim 1 , wherein a handle by which a user pulls and pushes the movable plate and a pocket in which articles such as soap is stored, are formed at the outer side of the movable plate, and wherein an inlet for supplying water to the water container and a drain-outlet for discharging water from the water container are formed to pass through the lower portion of the movable plate.

3. The prefabricated water container of claim 1 , wherein a pump for pumping water into the water container, circulating water within the water container and jetting water into the water container under predetermined pressure, is installed at the lower portion of the inner side of the movable plate.

4. The water container of claim 1 , wherein each of the overlapping cover plates comprise a plurality of unit cover plates that overlap and are linked to one another to not be separated from one another, a plurality of holes being formed on the unit cover plates at predetermined intervals into which holes positional fixing pins are inserted to fix the collapsible side plates that are extended or folded to a desired length.

5. The water container of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of gemstone plates are attached to outer sections of the collapsible side plates.

6. The water container of claim 1 , wherein an elastic mat is spread out on the collapsible bottom plate to flatten a folded part of the collapsible bottom plate.