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(11) | EP 2 181 631 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Panel for covering bathtubs |
| (57) A panel (10) for covering bathtubs (100), or the like. The panel comprises a support
frame (11) suitable to support a plate (13) covered in turn by at least one covering
element (15). Moreover, the support frame (11) has a respective top side (11B) provided
with means (SQD, SPL) such that said support frame (11) abuts against an edge (BBD)
of the bathtub (100). Substantially vertical push means (PD, BF) act on said support
frame (11) against the edge (BBD) of the bathtub (100) so as to ensure fastening of
the panel (10) to the bathtub (100) to provide a side covering of said bathtub (100).
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[0002] Bathtubs are currently produced using various processes of which the most frequently adopted, in view of its practical nature, is thermoforming of sheets of plastic material.
[0003] In another procedure, the supporting structure of the bathtub is surrounded by a plurality of polystyrene elements. The side walls of the polystyrene pallelepiped are then covered with tiles.
[0004] Consequently, the covering of the bathtub (both as regards the colours that are used and the construction materials) doesn't always fits perfectly with the environment in which the bathtub is to be installed. Also, when the user decides to redecorate the walls of the bathroom (or change the covering of the walls), it is often necessary to consider the colour of the bathtub already present or, in some cases, the bathtub must be replaced with a new one better suited to the new colour scheme of the environment in which it is to be installed.
[0005] Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to provide a panel for covering bathtubs that is easy to install and possibly to replace, so that, where necessary, the supporting structure of the bathtub and related plumbing devices can be re-used, changing only the side covering of the bathtub.
[0006] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a panel for covering bathtubs as defined in the attached independent claims and, preferably, in any of the claims depending directly or indirectly on the aforementioned independent claims.
[0007] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate three non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:
- figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the panel according to the present invention;
- figure 2 shows a vertical section of the panel of figure 1;
- figure 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the panel according to the present invention;
- figure 4 shows a vertical section of the panel of figure 3, and also shows an enlargement of certain details of the panel; and
- figure 5 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the panel according to the present invention.
[0008] In figure 1, designated as a whole by number 10 is a first embodiment of a panel for covering bathtubs, or the like, according to the present invention.
[0009] The panel 10 comprises a support frame 11 of substantially rectangular shape which, in its turn, comprises a surround 12 projecting towards the inside of said frame 11.
[0010] As will be seen in more detail below, during use, a plate 13 is arranged so as to rest on the surround. Support frame 11 and related surround 12 are advantageously made of anodised aluminium elements welded together.
[0011] Advantageously, but not necessarily, plate 13 is made of high density polystyrene foam, preferably reinforced externally with resin and sand so that the outer surface of plate 13 is suitable for adhesion of the gluing agent of the external cover.
[0012] Plate 13 is glued to support frame 11 abutting on surround 12 by means, for example, of a film of silicone glue.
[0013] As shown in detail in figure 1, lower side 12A of surround 12 is fitted with three vertical galvanised iron brackets 14. In use, each vertical bracket 14 is subject to the action of a respective magnet (see below) which acts on this insofar as vertical bracket 14, as already indicated, is made of a ferromagnetic material (galvanised iron).
[0014] Panel 10 also comprises a covering layer 15 that, in the embodiment illustrated in figures 1, 2, consists of a mosaic of very small square tiles (for example with a side of between 3 mm and 10 mm). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that covering layer 15 may consist of other materials used singly or in combination with each other. In fact, covering layer 15 may consist of ceramic tiles, marble tiles, resin elements, wood, etc.
[0015] In turn, lower side 11A of support frame 11 is provided with a plurality of holes (FR) (four in the case in question), each of which accommodates a respective push-fit internally threaded metal bushing (BF).
[0016] Moreover, each threaded bushing (BF) is fitted in a respective housing (SD) present in the lower part of the polystyrene plate 13.
[0017] As shown in detail in figure 2, there is a respective foot (PD) for each threaded bushing (BF).
[0018] The foot (PD) comprises a hexagonal polyethylene head (TT) joined to a zinc-chromed threaded shank (GB).
[0019] In use, the threaded shank (GB) is engaged by means of screwing with the internal threaded part of a respective bushing (BF).
[0020] Furthermore, as shown in figure 1, the top side 11B of support frame 11 is provided with a vertical bracket (SQD) that serves as an abutment when fitting panel 11 on a bathtub (not shown in figures 1, 2) (see below). A front horizontal portion of top side 11B, delimited by the vertical bracket (SQD), defines a shoulder (SPL).
[0021] Figures 3 and 4 refer to a second embodiment in which the corners (ANG1), (ANG2), (ANG3), of frame 11, of the 13, and of covering layer 15 respectively, are rounded.
[0022] In particular, figure 4 shows a panel 10 fitted on the side of a bathtub 100 of which only one edge (BBD) is visible. An enlargement of certain details of panel 10 is also shown in figure 4.
[0023] In use, the lower portion of said edge (BBD) rests on the shoulder (SPL), while the vertical bracket (SQD) is pressed against the inner surface of said edge (BBD). In this way, outer surface (SP1) of the covering layer 15 is perfectly flush with the outer surface (SP2) of edge (BBD), guaranteeing the necessary aesthetic continuity of edge (BBD)/panel 10 assembly.
[0024] As also shown in figure 4, panel 10 is maintained in an erect position by the combined action of a plurality of elastic means (MML) and of a plurality of magnets (MMT).
[0025] To fit the panel 10 to the edge (BBD) of the bathtub 100, the following procedure is adopted:
- (a) each shank (GB) of the foot (PD) is screwed fully into the relative threaded bushing (BF);
- (b) panel 10 is inserted from the side so that the edge (BBD) is in contact with the shoulder (SPL);
- (c) at the same time, the elastic means (MML) push on the upper parts of panel 10 while the magnets (MMT) hold the lower portion of said panel 10 in position; and
- (d) once panel 10 has been correctly positioned, the feet (PD) are unscrewed; this action has the effect of blocking panel 10 through contact of the shoulder (SPL) against the lower portion of the edge (BBD); the elastic means (MML) push the upper part of panel 10 horizontally so that the bracket (SQD) adheres against the inner surface of the edge (BBD), while the magnets (MMT) contribute to maintaining the lower part of panel 10 in position.
[0026] The fact of having a certain number of feet (PD) that are raised independently of each other offers the advantage of correct assembly of panel 10 also in the case of any flaws in the floor (GRN), thereby obtaining excellent adherence of the shoulder (SPL) to the edge (BBD).
[0027] During tightening/unscrewing of the feet (PD) in/from the threaded bushings (BF), a suitably-shaped wrench (not shown) may be used, inserted by an installer on the hexagonal head (TT) of said feet (PD).
[0028] To disassemble and remove panel 10 from bathtub 100, the operations described in the previous points (a)-(d) must be performed in reverse.
[0029] In fact, to disassemble panel 10 from the rest of bathtub 100, it is sufficient to tighten the feet (PD) in the threaded bushings (BF) and disengage the shoulder (SPL) and the bracket (SQD) from the edge (BBD) of bathtub 100.
[0030] A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in figure 5, in which the corresponding elements are identified by the same numbers and codes as in figures 1-4; the covering layer is not present in this embodiment.
[0031] In this third embodiment, the possibility of also applying the principles of the present invention with a panel 10 that is curvilinear instead of planar is illustrated. Also in this case, a corner of panel 11 may be rounded (as seen in the second embodiment described with reference to figures 2, 3).
1. Panel (10) for covering bathtubs (100) or the like; said panel (10) characterized in that it comprises a support frame (11) suitable to support a plate (13) covered in turn
by at least one covering element (15).
2. Panel (10), according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support frame (11) has a respective top side (11B) provided with means (SQD,
SPL) such as to be suitable to abut against an edge (BBD) of the bathtub (100).
3. Panel (10), according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it has substantially vertical push means (PD, BF) acting on said support frame (11)
against the edge (BBD) of the bathtub (100) so as to ensure the fastening of the panel
(11) to the edge (BBD) to provide a side covering of the bathtub (100).
4. Panel (10), according to Claim 3, characterized in that said substantially vertical push means (PD, BF) are positioned at a lower side (11A)
of said support frame (11).
5. Panel (10), according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a vertical bracket (SQD) and a shoulder (SPL) are joined to the top side (11B) of
said support frame (11).
6. Panel (10), according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it has elastic means (MML) pushing said panel (10) against the inner surface of the
edge (BBD) of the bathtub (100).
7. Panel (10), according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it has rounded corners (ANG1), (ANG2), (ANG3) respectively of the frame (11), the
plate (13) and the covering layer (15).
8. Panel (10) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the frame (11), the plate (13) and the covering layer (15) are curvilinear instead
of planar.
9. Bathtub (100) characterized in that it comprises at least one panel (10) according to any of the preceding Claims.