Sliding washbasin, preferably for bathrooms

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a washbasin characterised in that it is mounted on a support top designed to slide alternatively on the front of a rectilinear horizontal guide fixed to the wall of a bathroom; it being provided that the sliding washbasin is provided with a series of flexible and extendable hydraulic connections both for water delivery from the mains and discharge of waste water.

Description

[0001] The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a sliding washbasin, preferably used in bathrooms.

[0002] As it is known, the building sector has consolidated the tendency to reduce the floor space of apartments, especially in view of the high cost by square metre.

[0003] This has resulted in a larger diffusion of the so-called studio apartments or in any case apartments with a few rooms.

[0004] Such a tendency has resulted in a gradual reduction of the floor space used for the bathroom.

[0005] This has resulted in a reduction of the "usable" space and has limited the possibility of equipping such a space with typical furniture elements, such as cabinets, shelves, etc.

[0006] Such a problem also occurs with hotel rooms, which have very small bathrooms that cannot be equipped with a complete series of sanitary fittings, eventually eliminating the bidet for space reasons.

[0007] It appears evident that, in both cases, the users of similar bathrooms suffer serious inconveniences due to the difficulties encountered in storing the typical bathroom objects in the said cabinets and shelves on one side, and to the absence of an important hygienic fitting, such as the bidet on the other side.

[0008] A careful examination of the current situation has led to devising the specific sliding washbasin of the present patent application.

[0009] The specific purpose of the present invention is to devise a washbasin able to change position with respect to the installation wall according to the user's desire.

[0010] The washbasin of the invention is mounted on a bearing structure that is hung on the front of a rectilinear horizontal guide fixed to the wall.

[0011] The said washbasin, together with the bearing structure, can make alternative travels in parallel direction along the bearing guide.

[0012] This allows the washbasin to change position along the installation wall by being simply pushed by the user.

[0013] So, the user can give the washbasin of the invention the most suitable position according to his specific needs, deciding to have a larger space on one side of the room.

[0014] It must be noted that the washbasin of the invention is provided with a series of flexible hydraulic connections that ensure both water delivery from the mains and discharge of waste water.

[0015] Because of their flexibility, the hydraulic connections can perfectly follow the possible alternate travels of the washbasin without losing their functionality.

[0016] It must be noted that the washbasin of the invention can also be installed in a kitchen, although the bathroom is the favourite destination place, as mentioned earlier, also in consideration of the fact that the bathroom is normally the smallest space of the apartment.

[0017] In such a situation, the presence of the new sliding washbasin can be appreciated especially on the bathroom wall in front of which the water-closet and the bidet are mounted.

[0018] In fact, after hanging the washbasin of the invention to a guide mounted above the water-closet and the bidet, it appears evident that the position of the washbasin can be changed as desired by the user in order to use either the water closet or the bidet.

[0019] In particular, when using the water closet, the user can slide the washbasin towards the bidet, until it is positioned immediately above the bidet.

[0020] This allows sitting comfortably in the water closet, while prohibiting access to the bidet (the bidet not being necessary in that particular moment).

[0021] As soon as the user is done with the water-closet, the same user can slide the washbasin in the opposite direction, in such a way that it entirely occupies the space above the water-closet, thus freeing the access to the bidet completely.

[0022] It must be noted that the aforementioned sliding washbasin, and more precisely the bearing structure of the said washbasin, can be equipped on the sides with shelves, compartments and/or supports for detergent products, towels or toilet paper rolls that can be easily accessed by the user while sitting on the water-closet or on the bidet.

[0023] For purposes of clarity, the description of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration only and not in a limiting sense, wherein:

• figure 1 is an axonometric view of the washbasin of the invention in a possible mounting solution;
• figure 2 is the same as figure 1, except in that it illustrates the washbasin in an alternative operating position;
• figure 3 is the same as figure 2, except in that it partially eliminates the washbasin in order to show the structure of the rear operating means.

[0024] With reference to the above figures, the washbasin (1) is mounted on a bearing structure (2) designed to slide alternatively along a rectilinear horizontal guide (3) fixed to a wall of the bathroom, kitchen or any other room for domestic, commercial, industrial, etc. use.

[0025] In particular, the bearing structure (2) uses a horizontal top (20) as main element, which protrudes from the horizontal guide (3) and is provided, on the back border, with means designed to be coupled with the guide to favour the alternate rectilinear travels with respect to the latter.

[0026] According to the embodiment illustrated in the enclosed figures, the horizontal top (20) is associated, starting from the front border, with a long panel (21) that extends almost to the ground - which can be considered as a support leg - and incorporates one or more wheels (21 a) in lower position, with axis of rotation in orthogonal position to the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear guide (3).

[0027] It appears evident that the presence of the support leg (21) is designed to give a better stability to the entire bearing structure (2) and to the washbasin (1) and that the wheels (21 a) are designed to favour the alternate travels of the bearing structure with respect to the rectilinear guide (3).

[0028] A further accessory of the said bearing structure (2) consists in a board (22) that protrudes upwards from the back border of the horizontal top (20).

[0029] The function of the back board (22) is not only to finish and hide the space behind the washbasin (1), but also to support the faucets mounted at a higher height than the washbasin (1).

[0030] As mentioned, the hydraulic connections of the washbasin (1) - both the ones for delivery of "clean" water and the ones for discharge of waste water - consist in a series of flexible pipes that are contained inside a typical flexible sheath (4), preferably mounted above the guide (3), immediately behind the position in which the guide (3) is coupled with the sliding means mounted on the horizontal top (20).

[0031] In particular, the flexible hydraulic connections are inserted in the mains pipes drawn in the same wall that supports the guide (3) at one end (A) of the guide (3).

[0032] They are provided with such a length that they can be advantageously used by the washbasin (1) also when the washbasin (1) slides towards the opposite end of the guide (3), as illustrated in figure 2.

[0033] It must be noted that the flexible sheath (4) that contains the latter hydraulic connections is of the type normally designed to contain the large electrical cables used to power machine tools provided with sliding operating units.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates the position of the said sheath (4) when the washbasin (1) is brought close to the opposite end of the room with respect to the place where the hydraulic connections are installed on the wall.

[0035] The sheath (4) maintains a perfectly extended position above the rectilinear guide (3) for most of its length, and only the free end (4a) is shortly curved upwards, in view of the fact that the corresponding ends of the hydraulic connections contained inside it are inserted in the washbasin above (not shown in figure 2).

[0036] On the contrary, when the washbasin (1) is brought in the opposite position, the flexible sheath will have a C-shaped profile that comprises two overlapped sections basically provided with the same length (of which only the lower section directly rests on the guide (3)), which are joined by means of a short curved section; such a condition is illustrated in figure 1.

Claims

1. Washbasin characterised in that it is provided with means to hang and slide it alternatively on the front of a rectilinear horizontal guide (3) fixed on a vertical wall, as well as with a series of flexible extensible hydraulic connections.

2. Washbasin as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the means that ensures cooperation with the rectilinear guide (3) consists in a horizontal top (20) that protrudes with respect to the guide (3) and is provided with lower means designed to be coupled and slide inside the rectilinear guide (3).

3. Washbasin as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the horizontal top (20) is associated, starting from the front border, with a vertical panel (21) with suitable length to reach the ground and also provided with one or more wheels (21 a) in lower position, with axis of rotation in orthogonal position to the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear guide (3).

4. Washbasin as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the horizontal top (20) is associated, starting from the back border, with a vertical board (22) designed to be arranged behind the sais washbasin (1).

5. Washbasin as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the board (22) is designed to support the faucets installed above the washbasin (1).

6. Washbasin as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the flexible e extendible hydraulic connections are inserted in mains pipes drawn in the wall used to support the guide (3) at one end (A) of the guide (3).

7. Washbasin as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the flexible extensible hydraulic connections are housed inside a flexible sheath (4) that rests on the upper side of the rectilinear guide (3).

8. Washbasin as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the front panel (21) frontally incorporates one or more towel holders and/or one toilet paper roll holder.

Drawing