Closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin (2), having an entry region (3) which may be closed in a water-tight manner using a door (4) which optionally extends at least to standing height and which may be locked using a locking device (8), and having a discharge drain (9) having a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the locked state of the locking device (8). To provide the greatest possible safety while essentially completely avoiding electrical or electronic components, and which prevents bath water from escaping via the entry region (3) of the basin (2) when the door (4) is open or unlocked, and which allows the door (4) to be opened when the basin (2) is filled above the height of the entry region (3), a mechanical transfer arrangement (11) is provided for connecting a locking device (8) which operates in a strictly mechanical fashion to the closing mechanism, using a control system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin, having an entry region which may be closed in a water-tight manner using a door which optionally extends at least to standing height and which may be locked using a locking device, and having a discharge drain having a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the locked state of the locking device.

2. The Prior Art

Bathtubs and/or shower systems of conventional design, having a shower basin with a fairly low, floor-level, or almost floor-level edge, do not allow bathing with immersion up to the shoulders while sitting in the shower basin, due to the fact that the possible water level is too low. On the other hand, although a bathtub having a splash guard in the form of a shower curtain or a shower attachment made of sheet glass allows showering and bathing, entering at floor level or almost floor level, as in a shower basin, is not possible, since it is necessary to climb over the high edge of the bathtub, which is an almost insurmountable obstacle in particular for the mobility-impaired and the elderly. For this reason, both a shower and a bathtub are often installed, which entails considerable space requirements and increased costs.

On the other hand, a bathtub and shower system is known from DE 299 14 087 U1, having a basin-like substructure whose height at the edge corresponds approximately to the edge height of a bathtub, and which has an approximately floor-level entry region which may be closed to the surroundings in a water-tight manner by means of a door which presses against a soft rubber seal provided on the substructure in the entry region. The door has locking means which allow the door to be pressed with sufficient force against the soft rubber seal so that in the closed state the door makes such close contact with the seal that water cannot escape from the substructure. In addition, a bathtub-shower combination is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,808, having an entry region which may be closed in a water-tight manner by a door, the door being lockable at the basin by means of a locking device, and having a discharge drain. For these basins, after closing the drain and while bath water fills into the bathtub the user may forget to lock the door, thus allowing bath water to escape from the basin.

To prevent this, according to EP 1 806 083 A2 the locking device for the door of a bathtub-shower combination is provided with a first sensor which identifies the locked state. A controllable closing mechanism is added to the drain. Controlled by the sensor, the closing mechanism cannot be closed unless the locking device is actually locked. If the user neglects to lock the door before drawing the bath water, the incoming water is able to flow through the drain, which is forcibly held open by the first sensor. In addition, a bathtub is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,345 A, having a tambour door which is provided with a locking system. By means of an electronic control system having a water level sensor, the locking system may be activated and the door held shut until the water level in the basin has dropped below a given level. The drain for the basin is in turn provided with a controllable valve which, by means of the electronic control system, cannot be closed until the door is determined to be in the locked state.

However, the use of electronics systems in wet cells and in particular the use of electrical current in the bathroom area is not desired, since the susceptibility of electronic devices to malfunction in a wet environment is disadvantageous. This disadvantage is not present for a hydraulically based locking device as described in JP 2531572 Y, for example. In this case, a float and a mechanical rod linkage are used to lock a bathtub door as the water level rises, but no measures are taken to prevent water from flowing in when the bathtub door is open, or at least to cause it to be immediately drained.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is a closing and securing arrangement which provides the greatest possible safety while essentially completely avoiding electrical or electronic components, and which prevents bath water from escaping via the entry region of the basin when the door is open or unlocked, and which allows the door to be opened when the basin is filled above the height of the entry region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve this object, an assembly as described at the outset is characterized according to the invention in that a mechanical transfer arrangement connects a locking device which operates in a strictly mechanical fashion to the closing mechanism, using a control system. In this manner, any desired functionality of mutual influencing of door locking and drainage control may be achieved mechanically, without electrical or electronic control or activating devices, and therefore with safety for the user and with operational reliability.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a movable locking pin of the door deflects a movable element in a locking housing at the basin against the action of an elastic element from a starting position, the transfer arrangement being released only in this deflected position.

The locking device advantageously has an actuating element for the mechanical transfer arrangement which is locked when the movable element is not in the deflected position.

Another alternative feature of the invention provides that the movable element cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks the movable element in the deflected position when the water is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

An advantageous variant may be provided in which the transfer arrangement is mechanically connected to a securing element or is provided with same, and in the closed position of the closing mechanism the securing element is in a position in which the movable element is blocked from swiveling back to the starting position.

It is also advantageous when the actuating element is mechanically connected to the securing element or is provided with same.

The secure locking of the door is preferably provided in that the movable element in its deflected position engages with the locking pin and thus holds it in its locked state.

According to the present invention, the second securing level is achieved in that in the deflected position of the movable element a further securing element may be moved into the pivot path of the element, thus blocking the element from swiveling back to the starting position, independently of the other securing element, and the further securing element provided with a system for resetting the securing element as a function of the water level.

In terms of mechanical design, this securing level is implemented in such a way that the further securing element is mechanically connected to a float which brings the securing element into the pivot path of the movable element when the water is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

However, an alternative embodiment for the second securing level may be designed so that the securing element is connected to the actuating element or to the transfer arrangement in such a way that, after passing into the position which blocks the movable element from swiveling back to the starting position, the securing element remains in this position independently of the further motions of the actuating element or the transfer arrangement, and an arrangement for resetting the securing element as a function of the water level is provided.

A first, advantageous mechanical embodiment for the system for resetting the securing elements includes a float which is mechanically connected to these securing elements and which moves the particular securing element out of the pivot path of the movable element when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

Alternatively, however, it may be provided that the system for resetting the securing elements includes an electromechanical device which is actuated by a water level sensor and which moves the particular securing element out of the pivot path of the movable element when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

One exemplary embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings and explained in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bathtub provided with a shower door,

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a top view of the locking device, and

FIGS. 3a through 3c show a side view, partially cut away, of the locking device in various locked states.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A bathtub and shower system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a basin 2 having a sunken entry region 3 situated approximately at floor level and which may be closed in a water-tight manner by a shower door 4 which projects vertically above the edge 5 of the basin 2. Of course, a basin 2 could also be provided in which the door 4 does not project above the edge 5. The bathtub and shower system has a bathing area, optionally having an integrated seating surface, and a shower area, and is advantageously manufactured as a coated, for example enameled, deep-drawn part made of a metallic material, or as an injection-molded or deep-drawn acrylic basin, or as a GFRP, CFRP, or some other fiber-reinforced plastic in the hand lay-up process or extrusion process.

The shower door 4 may be made of a clear, transparent material, for example mineral glass, Plexiglas, or acrylic glass. The bathtub and shower system 1 is particularly suitable for small bathrooms due to the inwardly opening door 4. For this purpose, a sealing face is provided on the basin 2 in the entry region 3, in the contact area 7 with the shower door 4, on which a seal, preferably made of silicone, which runs around the sunken entry region 3 and faces the shower door 4 is provided. For opening, a handle 6 is provided on the shower door 4 which, as explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 3a through 3c, is in functional connection with a locking device 8 for the door 4. When the basin 2 is full the shower door 4 is under water pressure, which contributes to seal-tightness, so that the referenced locking device 8 only has to perform a preferably two-level securing function. For other designs, the shower door 4 together with the hinges and the locking device 8 would have to have a much heavier construction.

At the lowest point of its base the bathtub 2 is provided with a drain 9, which has a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the locked state of the locking device 8.

A particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment of a locking device 8 is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b and FIGS. 3a through 3c.

The locking device 8 has a slider 10 as an actuating element which, by means of a mechanical transfer arrangement 11, preferably in the form of a cable pull or wire pull, or optionally designed as a rod linkage or the like, connects the locking device 8 to the closing mechanism of the drain 9 for controlling purposes. The slider 10 is directly coupled to the cable pull or any alternative mechanical transfer arrangement, without the need for additional actuating systems such as electric motors or the like. The closing mechanism which is held open for showering, in the present case the slider 10 in the position shown in FIG. 2a illustrated with a display 12 representing the shower function, may be brought into the closed position by actuating the transfer arrangement 11 by means of the slider 10. The slider 10 is in the position shown in FIG. 2b, in which a display 13 for bathing is visible. However, the transfer arrangement 11 and/or the slider 10 may be brought into the position which closes the closing mechanism of the drain 9 only when the door 4 is securely closed and locked. For this purpose, a mechanical arrangement is provided which, for example, may be designed according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3a through 3c. By means of the mechanical transfer arrangement 11, for example a valve for the drain 9 could be directly opened or closed, or an electric motor which actuates the valve could be switched on or off.

Connected to the door 4 is a locking pin 15 which may be moved against a return spring 14, and which, when the door 4 is closed, may either be lifted by means of the handle 6 or slid upwards against an inclined face 16 of a housing for the locking device 8. Also provided in the housing is a movable element in the form of a flap 17, which may be swiveled against the action of a further return spring 18. In its undeflected position illustrated in FIG. 3a, the flap 17 is located in the displacement path of the slider 10, or in some other way holds the mechanical transfer arrangement 11 fixed between the locking device 8 and the closing mechanism of the drain 9.

In the closed position of the door 4, the locking pin 15 is pushed by the return spring 14, preferably from above, into an opening 19, open at the top, in the housing of the locking device 8, resulting in a deflection of the flap 17 against the action of the return spring 18 of the flap, as illustrated in FIGS. 3b and 3c. The transfer arrangement 11 or the slider 10 is released only in this deflected position, thus allowing the closing mechanism of the drain 9 to be actuated. At the same time, the pivoting of the flap 17 causes an edge of the flap 17 to swivel into a recess in the locking pin 15, which in the completely swiveled position of the flap 17 prevents the locking pin 15 from being pulled out of the opening 19, and thus prevents the door 4 of the basin 2 from opening.

From the locking device 8 to the closing mechanism of the drain 9, the mechanical transfer arrangement 11 is mechanically connected to or provided with a securing element designed as a bolt 20. In the closed state of the closing mechanism, this bolt 20 is brought into a position in which it blocks the flap 17 from swiveling back to its starting position. It is preferred that the slider 10 is mechanically connected to the bolt 20, or, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, that this bolt 20 is mounted on the slider 10. Thus, as long as the closing mechanism holds the drain 9 closed, and the water in the basin cannot drain, this bolt 20 keeps the locking device 8 in the locked state, thus preventing the door 4 from being opened when the water level in the basin 2 is high.

A further securing level is provided so that the door 4 cannot be opened until the water in the basin 2 has dropped to a level below the height of the lower edge of the entry region 3. For this purpose, the pivotable flap 17 cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks same in the deflected position when the water level exceeds the edge height in the entry region 3. For this purpose, for example a second bolt 21 may be provided as a further securing element which likewise may be moved into the pivot path of the flap 17. This may be carried out mechanically, or also by mechanically connecting the second bolt 21 to a float (not illustrated) which is raised or lowered by the water in the basin 2, thus bringing the bolt 21 into the pivot path of the flap 17 when the water is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region 3 of the basin 2. A sensor element which responds to the water pressure of the water present in the basin 2 could also be coupled to the securing arrangement by means of a mechanical connection in order to maintain the lock as the water level, and therefore the water pressure, increases, and to release the lock when the water level and water pressure fall below a predefined level.

Alternatively, for this purpose only a bolt 20 by itself could be provided, which in the above-described manner is connected to the mechanical transfer arrangement 11, and which after passing into the position which blocks the flap 17 from swiveling back to the starting position remains in this position, independently of the further motions of the slider 10 or the transfer arrangement 11. In that case, however, a system for resetting the bolt 20 when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region 3 must be provided. This system could also have a float, which by means of a mechanical connection with the bolt 20 moves the bolt out of the pivot path of the flap 17. An electromechanical device could also be provided for one or both bolts 20 and 21 in order to return the bolts from the pivot path of the flap 17, actuated by a water level sensor when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region 3 of the basin 2.

Thus, with reduced use of electrical and/or electronic devices, and if desired, in a completely mechanical/hydraulic manner, a two-level locking and securing arrangement may be implemented, by means of which the drain 9 cannot be closed until the locking pin 15 of the door 4 has correctly engaged with the locking housing and the flap 17 has swiveled. In addition, it is ensured that the door 4 cannot be reopened until the water in the basin 2 has dropped to below the specified water level.

Claims

1. A closing and securing assembly for a bathtub and/or shower basin (2), having an entry region (3) which may be closed in a water-tight manner using a door (4) which optionally extends at least to standing height and which may be locked using a locking device (8), and having a discharge drain (9) having a closing mechanism which may be closed only in the locked state of the locking device (8), comprising a mechanical transfer arrangement (11) connecting the locking device (8), which operates in a strictly mechanical fashion, to the closing mechanism, for control purposes.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, including a movable locking pin (15) of the door (4) deflects a movable element (17) in a locking housing at the basin (2) against the action of an elastic element (18) from a starting position, the transfer arrangement (11) being released only in this deflected position.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the locking device (8) has an actuating element (10) for the mechanical transfer arrangement (11) which is locked when the movable element (17) is not in the deflected position.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the movable element (17) cooperates with a securing arrangement which locks the movable element in the deflected position when the water is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region of the basin.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the transfer arrangement (11) is mechanically connected to a securing element (20) or is provided with same, and in the closed position of the closing mechanism the securing element is in a position in which the movable element (17) is blocked from swiveling back to the starting position.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the actuating element (10) is mechanically connected to the securing element (20) or is provided with same.

7. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the movable element (17) in its deflected position engages with the locking pin (14) and thus holds it in its locked state.

8. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein in the deflected position of the movable element (17) a further securing element (21) may be moved into the pivot path of the element (17), thus blocking the element (17) from swiveling back to the starting position, independently of the other securing element (20), and the further securing element (21) provided with a system for resetting the securing element (21) as a function of the water level.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the further securing element (21) is mechanically connected to a float which brings the securing element (21) into the pivot path of the movable element (17) when the water is above a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region (3) of the basin (2).

10. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the securing element (20) is connected to the actuating element (10) or to the transfer arrangement (11) in such a way that, after passing into the position which blocks the movable element (17) from swiveling back to the starting position, the securing element remains in this position independently of the further motions of the actuating element (10) or the transfer arrangement (11), and an arrangement for resetting the securing element (20) as a function of the water level is provided.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement for resetting the securing elements (20, 21) includes a float which is mechanically connected to these securing elements (20, 21) and which moves the particular securing element (20, 21) out of the pivot path of the movable element (17) when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region (3) of the basin (2).

12. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement for resetting the securing elements (20, 21) includes an electromechanical device which is actuated by a water level sensor and which moves the particular securing element (20, 21) out of the pivot path of the movable element (17) when the water is below a level corresponding to the edge height in the entry region (3) of the basin (2).