WO2006136531A1

WO2006136531A1 - Support, particularly for a sanitary fixture

Info

Publication number: WO2006136531A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/063247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianluca Biotto; Massimo Biotto; Alberto Bivi; Paolo Di Monte; Rossana Mansutti
Original assignee: Wacosmart Srl
Priority date: 2005-06-22
Filing date: 2006-06-15
Publication date: 2006-12-28
Also published as: CN101237805A; US20090049589A1; EP1893071A1; ITTV20050091A1

Abstract

A support (1), particularly for a sanitary fixture (2) comprising a sitting portion (3), which is constituted by an open and stackable box-shaped body (9), which can be arranged detachably so as to straddle only the lateral regions of the sitting portion (3).

Description

SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY FOR A SANITARY FIXTURE Technical Field

The present invention relates to a support, particularly for a sanitary fixture. Background Art

Currently it is known to use sanitary fixtures comprising a sitting portion to which a ring is usually pivoted, a cover being in turn pivoted to such ring.

In order to ensure hygiene for every user, these sitting portions, rings and covers must be subjected to frequent cleaning, preferably after each use, but this suffers the drawback of being very expensive, since it requires the use of specifically assigned labor, and further increases the wait between one use of the sitting portion and the next.

Manual cleaning of the sitting portion and/or of the ring performed between one use and the next, moreover, is unable to provide users with the assurance of cleanness of such sitting portion or ring, since a user can only check summarily whether the sitting portion and/or the ring have actually been cleaned accurately.

As a partial solution to this drawback, automatic devices for washing the sitting portion or, if provided, the ring pivoted thereto are known which automatically cleanse, after each use, the surface of the sitting portion and/or ring; these known types of device, however, are very complex and expensive and are further often subjected to malfunctions which compromise their reliability. Single-use removable covering devices are also known which are approximately shaped like a ring or towel, are typically made of paper or of a thin sheet of plastic material, and are arranged on the sitting portion or, if provided, on the ring pivoted thereto, in order to constitute a supporting base for the user, so that the user does not have to make direct contact with the sitting portion or, if provided, with the ring. These known types of covering device are fixed detachably to the sitting portion or ring, for example by means of adhesive tape.

The main drawback of these known types of covering device is that their application to the sitting portion or ring is rather awkward, forcing the user to handle the sitting portion and/or ring, which may be dirty and/or wet.

Another drawback of these known types of covering device is that since they are typically very thin, under the weight of the user they tend to move from their position, with the consequent risk of not protecting the user from contact with the sitting portion or with the ring. Another drawback of known types is that if a user does not remove the covering device after using the sitting portion, the next user must remove it, and this operation may be scarcely hygienic. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art, by providing a support which allows a plurality of users to use in succession a same sanitary fixture, giving them assurance of perfect hygiene.

Within this aim, an object is to provide a support which ensures that hygiene is maintained without requiring cleaning interventions between the various uses of the sitting portion.

Another object is to provide a support which can be used easily and does not force users to handle any component of the sanitary fixture.

Another object of the invention is to be able to give the various users the assurance of using the sanitary fixture in conditions of absolute hygiene. A further object is to provide a support which is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a support, particularly for a sanitary fixture comprising a sitting portion, characterized in that it is constituted by an open and stackable box-shaped body, which can be arranged detachably so as to straddle only the lateral regions of the sitting portion.

Advantageously, means for temporary connection to such sitting portion and/or means for mutually engaging two of such supports in the stacked condition are provided. Conveniently, such lateral regions are constituted by two arms which are arranged approximately parallel to each other. Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sitting portion and of two supports, one of which is raised with respect to the sitting portion;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of a plurality of supports according to the invention in the stacked condition;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the invention;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view of a support in the step which precedes coupling to an arm which constitutes the sitting portion of the sanitary fixture; Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 4, of a support associated with the arm;

Figure 6 is a view, similar to Figure 5, of another solution for a support, illustrating means for connection to the sitting portion;

Figure 7 is a side view of a detail of the support of Figure 5 before its application to the arm;

Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 7, of the support applied to the arm;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of two supports stacked together;

Figure 10 is a partially sectional perspective view of three supports stacked together and associated with an arm of a sanitary fixture; Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a support.

In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments. Moreover, it is to be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a support particularly for a sanitary fixture 2 composed of a sitting portion 3.

The sitting portion 3 is constituted by a bowl 4, which is hollow and open at the top and the bottom of which can be connected to appropriate pipes and siphons which lead to the sewage system of a building. Two arms 5a and 5b are provided on the preferably flat upper perimetric rim of the bowl 4, advantageously in its lateral regions, are approximately mutually parallel and advantageously have a transverse cross-section shaped approximately like an isosceles trapezoid.

Each one of the arms 5a and 5b is delimited at the rear by a recess, designated by the reference numerals 6a and 6b, which affects the upper perimetric rim of the bowl 4, so as to form, for each arm 5a and 5b, two ends

7a and 7b, which are advantageously flat and have the chosen configuration.

Preferably, each arm 5a and 5b is provided with an upper surface 8 which has a rectangular plan shape. The support 1 is constituted by an open and stackable box-shaped body 9, which can be arranged detachably so as to straddle the lateral regions of the sitting portion 3 which form the arms 5a and 5b.

Advantageously, the box-shaped body 9 has, in a transverse cross- section, a shape which is approximately complementary with respect to such arms and is therefore shaped approximately like an inverted letter U, so as to form a base 10, which is shaped substantially complementarity with respect to the upper surface 8 of the arms and from the longitudinal sides of which two first walls 11a and l ib protrude approximately at right angles thereto, the walls preferably diverging slightly away from the base 10 in order to be arranged approximately parallel, during use, on the lateral surfaces of the arms 5a and 5b.

Two second walls 12a and 12b protrude from the transverse sides of the base 10 of each one of the arms 5a and 5b and are shaped approximately complementarily with respect to the two ends 7a and 7b of each arm, so as to prevent axial movement of the box-shaped body 9 once it has been arranged so as to straddle a single arm.

The second walls 12a and 12b further prevent mutual translational motions in a longitudinal direction of the supports 1 when the supports are stacked together. Advantageously but not necessarily, a longitudinal protrusion, designated by the reference numerals 13a and 13b, protrudes from the free end of each first wall 11a and 1 Ib, approximately parallel to the base 10 and toward the outside of the box-shaped body 9.

Advantageously, a plurality of advantageously longitudinal ribs 14 protrude from the surface of the base 10 which is directed toward the inside of the box-shaped body 9 and are adapted to increase the compressive strength of the base 10 and to avoid, during use, the adhesion by suction of the base 10 to the upper surface 8 of each arm with which the base is associated; the ribs 14 further prevent mutual adhesion by suction between the bases 10 of the various box-shaped bodies 9 when they are stacked together.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the outer surface of the box- shaped body 9 can be covered partially or completely by a layer 30 of covering material, made for example of paper or plastics, which is adapted to increase the sitting comfort of the user. Advantageously, means for the temporary connection of the support to such sitting portion and/or means for mutually engaging two of the supports 1 in the stacked condition are provided.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, in a first constructive variation the means for temporary connection to such sitting portion are constituted advantageously by at least one pair of holes 15a and 15b, which are formed in the first walls 11a and l ib, advantageously but not necessarily in a position which is adjacent to the longitudinal protrusions 13a and 13b.

Complementarily shaped pins 16a and 16b can be accommodated respectively in the holes 15a and 15b, protrude from the lateral surfaces of the arms 5a and 5b, and are arranged at a distance which is equal to the distance between the holes 15a and 15b.

The pins 16a and 16b can be inserted, during use, respectively in the holes 15a and 15b of the box-shaped body 9, thus rigidly coupling the box- shaped body to the respective arm.

With reference to Figures 6 to 11, in a second constructive variation the means for temporary connection to the sitting portion and the means for mutually engaging two of the supports 101 in the stacked condition are constituted advantageously by at least one pair of slots 117a and 117b, which have an elongated and preferably rectangular plan shape and are formed in the first walls I l ia and 111b of the box-shaped body 109 approximately at right angles and starting from their free ends, at a chosen mutual distance.

Advantageously, two tabs 118a and 118b protrude from the mutually facing longitudinal perimetric edges of the slots 117a and 117b, at a region thereof which lies proximate to the longitudinal protrusions 113a and 113b and toward the inside thereof; such tabs are elastically deformable and preferably approximately triangular and are arranged so as to approximately face each other. The minimum distance between the two tabs is shorter than the diameter of the pins 116a and 116b which protrude from the lateral surfaces of each arm 105.

The slots 117a and 117b are adapted to accommodate, in the region between the tabs and their closed end, the pins 116a and 116b which protrude from each arm 105, while the tabs 118a and 118b are both sufficiently deformable to allow the previous arrangement of the pins and sufficiently rigid to avoid the accidental lifting of the box-shaped body arranged at the top of the stack.

With a plurality of supports stacked together, the pins 116a and 116b enter the slots 117a and 117b of a plurality of mutually stacked supports 101, thus rigidly coupling them to each other and to the arm 105.

With reference to Figure 9, the means for mutually engaging two of the supports 101 in the stacked condition further comprise at least one pair of wings 119, which are obtained for example by means of a notch provided at the first walls I l ia and 111b of the box-shaped body 109 proximate to the edge for connection to the base 110.

Advantageously, the wings 119 are approximately rectangular and are connected to the respective first wall at their upper end, and can thus be folded, with their lower end, toward the outside of the box-shaped body 109; when two box-shaped bodies are stacked, the wings 119 of one box- shaped body are arranged above the corresponding wings of the second box- shaped body, allowing to achieve mutual interconnection or engagement.

With reference to Figure 11, the means for mutually engaging two box-shaped bodies 109 in the stacked condition can also comprise a plurality of pleats 120, provided on the first walls I l ia and 111b, which form an alternation of teeth and grooves, which are adapted, by means of their engagement respectively with the grooves and teeth of an additional overlying or underlying box-shaped body, to keep them mutually coupled in the stacked position during use. Operation is therefore as follows: with reference to Figure 1, two box- shaped bodies 9 which constitute the supports 1 can be associated with the arms of a sitting portion 3 of a sanitary fixture 2, thus remaining stably positioned on the respective arms also by way of the presence of the means for temporary connection to the sitting portion 3. The user can therefore employ the sitting portion 2, in conditions of perfect hygiene, by sitting on the two box-shaped bodies 9.

Once the use of the sitting portion has ended, the user can remove the supports 1, for example in order to throw them into the trash, or alternatively can leave them applied to the arms. In this second case, the next user can arrange a second pair of box- shaped bodies 9 so as to cover the first box-shaped bodies, without having to touch the first ones; the second box-shaped bodies 9 therefore remain stably associated with the first ones by means of the action of the mutual engagement means. Once the use of the sitting portion has ended, the user can remove the supports 1 and 9, which are firmly stacked, for example to throw them into the trash, or alternatively can leave them applied to the arms.

A plurality of users can therefore use the sitting portion 2 in succession in complete hygiene by stacking together a plurality of box- shaped bodies 9.

It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a support particularly for a sanitary fixture composed of a sitting portion having been provided which by providing a new and clean supporting base for each different user allows a plurality of users to use in succession the sitting portion in conditions of maximum hygiene, without requiring cleaning between one use and the next.

Further, even if a user does not remove the supports from the sitting portion after use, the next user is not forced to handle such used supports, since it is sufficient to arrange new and clean supports over the ones that have already been used. Further, by way of the possibility to stack together a plurality of supports according to the invention, it is possible to reduce the space required for their storage, such supports being therefore adapted to be used also in small spaces. Moreover, the production costs of the support according to the invention remain low, since it is manufactured only with components which are easy to produce and/or assemble.

The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. The materials used, as well as the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to specific requirements.

The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.

The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2005A000091 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A support, particularly for a sanitary fixture comprising a sitting portion, characterized in that it is constituted by an open and stackable box- shaped body, which can be arranged detachably so as to straddle only the lateral regions of said sitting portion.

2. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for temporary connection to said sitting portion and/or means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition.

3. The support according to claim 1, characterized in that said lateral regions are constituted by two arms which are approximately parallel to each other.

4. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, particularly for a sanitary fixture which comprises a sitting portion constituted by a bowl, characterized in that two arms are provided in said lateral regions on the upper perimetric rim of said bowl, which is preferably flat, said arms being arranged approximately parallel to each other and advantageously having an approximately isosceles-trapezoid transverse cross-section.

5. The support according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that each one of said arms is delimited at the rear by a recess so as to form, for each arm, two ends which are advantageously flat and have the chosen shape, each one of said arms having an upper surface which has a rectangular plan shape.

6. The support according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that said box-shaped body, which is open in a lower region and stackable, can be arranged detachably so as to straddle said lateral regions of said sitting portion which form said arms, said box-shaped body having, in a transverse cross-section, a shape which is approximately complementary with respect to said arms and is therefore approximately shaped like an inverted letter U, so as to form a base which is substantially shaped complementarily with respect to said upper surface of said arms, two first walls protruding from its longitudinal sides approximately at right angles thereto and preferably diverging slightly in the direction away from said base in order to be arranged approximately parallel, during use, on the lateral surfaces of said arms.

7. The support according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that two second walls protrude from the transverse sides of said base of each one of said arms and are shaped approximately complementarily with respect to said two ends of each one of said arms, so as to prevent axial movement of said box-shaped body once it has been arranged so as to straddle one of said arms or once two or more of said box-shaped bodies have been stacked.

8. The support according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that a longitudinal protrusion protrudes from the free end of each one of said first walls, approximately parallel to said base and toward the outside of said box-shaped body.

9. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of advantageously longitudinal ribs protrude from the surface of said base which is directed toward the inside of said box-shaped body and are adapted to increase the compressive strength of said base and to avoid, during use, the adhesion by suction of said base to said upper surface of one of said arms with which said base is associated, or to an underlying box-shaped body in the stacked condition.

10. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer surface of said box-shaped body is covered partially or completely by a layer of covering material, which is preferably made of paper or plastics and is adapted to increase the sitting comfort of the user.

11. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for the temporary connection of said support to said sitting portion and said means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition are constituted by at least two holes, which are formed in said first walls advantageously adjacent to said longitudinal protrusions, said holes being able to accommodate respectively complementarily shaped pins which protrude from said lateral surfaces of said arms and are arranged at a distance equal to the distance between said holes.

12. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for the temporary connection of said support to said sitting portion and said means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition are constituted by at least one pair of slots, which have an elongated and preferably approximately rectangular plan shape and are formed in said first walls of said box-shaped body approximately at right angles to, and starting from, the free ends thereof, at a chosen mutual distance.

13. The support according to claims 1 and 12, characterized in that two elastically deformable tabs protrude from the mutually facing longitudinal perimetric edges of said slots, at an approximately central region thereof and toward their inside, said tabs being preferably approximately triangular and being arranged so as to approximately face each other, the minimum distance between said two tabs being shorter than the diameter of said pins which protrude from the lateral surfaces of each one of said arms, said slots being adapted to accommodate, in the region between said tabs and their closed end, said pins which protrude from each one of said arms, while said tabs are both sufficiently deformable to allow the previous arrangement of said pins and sufficiently rigid to avoid accidental lifting of the box-shaped body arranged at the top of the stack.

14. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for temporary connection of said support to said sitting portion and said means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition comprise at least one pair of wings, which are obtained preferably by way of a notch provided at said first walls of said box-shaped body proximate to the end for connection to said base, said wings advantageously being approximately rectangular and being connected to the respective first wall at their upper end, thus being able to fold, with their lower end, toward the outside of said box-shaped body.

15. The support according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for temporary connection of said support to said sitting portion and said means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition comprise a plurality of pleats, provided on said first walls, which form an alternation of teeth and grooves, which are adapted, by way of their engagement respectively with the grooves and teeth of an additional overlying or underlying box-shaped body, to keep said box-shaped bodies mutually mated in the stacked position during use.

16. A support particularly for a sanitary fixture which comprises a sitting portion, characterized in that it is constituted by an open and stackable box-shaped body, which can be arranged detachably so as to straddle only the lateral regions of said sitting portion which are constituted by two arms which are approximately parallel to each other, and in that it comprises means for temporary connection to said sitting portion and/or means for mutually engaging two of said supports in the stacked condition.