GB2479350A - Bath panel - Google Patents

Abstract

A bath panel comprises a door 50, the door arranged in use, to permit access to a storage area within at least a portion of the volume 20 defined by the panel 15 and the underside of a bath tub 5. Preferably, the storage area is cupboard and the cupboard is connected to or formed from the bath panel. The panel may comprise an integral recess which defines the cupboard. The door may be pivotally mounted about its base. The bath panel may comprise two or more doors.

Description

Bath Panel The present invention relates to a side panel for a bath and in particular to storage within an under-bath cavity.

Bath tubs are shaped for the comfort of the occupant and often include texturing for arm rests or the like. For this reason and in view of cost saving, the underside of the bath is often, therefore, unattractive and unappealing. In view of this, it is common to install a bath panel to conceal the underside of the bath on any exposed sides or ends. Bath panels are well known and are usually formed of acrylic or fibreglass. These panels are either flat or may be provided with surface texturing, for example to provide a bevelled edge.

Storage space in bathrooms is often at a premium, particularly for larger cleaning products such as bleach or toilet cleaner. Accordingly, there is a desire for a product that at least partially address the problems associated with the prior art or provides a useful alternative thereto.

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a bath panel comprising a door, the door arranged, in use, to permit access to a storage area within at least a portion of the volume defined by the panel and the underside of a bath tub. The advantage of this arrangement is that the otherwise-unused storage space defined between the underside of the bathtub and the panel may be utilised. This space is tall enough for cleaning products and provides a discreet location for their storage. This surprisingly useful space allows for extra storage in a bathroom which has until now been disregarded.

The term "bath panel" as used herein, refers to a mass producible panel for use in concealing the side or end of a bath tub. Such a panel preferably comprises acrylic or fibreglass. In an alternative embodiment, the panel could be provided as a flat packed kit made from wood or mdf or the like (IKEA Im style). Obviously, such materials would need to be waterproofed in view of the damp environment. This may be achieved by conventional methods such as laminating with a veneer or painting. Preferably the panel is designed, in use, to form a vertical wall substantially in line with the edge of a bath tub. The panel may be provided with cosmetic features to improve its appeal. The panel may be used to conceal the short or the long edge of a bath tub. Preferably, since the storage area can be larger, the panel is for the side of a bath tub.

Preferably the storage area is a cupboard. That is, there is a backing between the portion used for storage and the underside of the bathtub. Preferably the cupboard includes a base and sides as well as a backing. According to a preferred embodiment the cupboard does not include a roof, since this allows the installer to reach through the upper surface of the cupboard to connect the panel firmly to the edge of the bath. This more secure connection improves the rigidity of the bath panel. In another embodiment, the recess in the panel that provides the storage area may be attached to the bath through screw holes in its upper surface. Any suitable coupling is contemplated and these are well known in the art.

According to one embodiment the cupboard is connected to or formed from the bath panel.

Preferably the panel comprises an integral recess which defines the cupboard. In this way the panel may be simply manufactured by pressing out the form of the sheet desired.

According to another embodiment, the storage area is a cupboard connected to or formed is integrally from the door. This means that the back and base of the cupboard at least are connected to the door. Thus, opening the door causes the back to move in parallel with the door to prevent the user from reaching through into the under-bath cavity.

Preferably the door is pivotally mounted about its side. This may be by virtue of conventional hinges or the like. Alternatively, the door may be slideable mounted. This would require rails or the like. According to a most preferred embodiment the door is pivotally mounted about its base. This means that the user can open the door easily from its highest and most convenient point. When the cupboard is pivotally mounted about its base it is preferred that there is a system, such as a side strut, that prevents the door from over opening. This may be detachably mounted to allow for easier installation.

In a preferred embodiment, the storage area is a cupboard connected to or formed from the door and wherein the door is pivotally mounted about its base so that, in a first position the weight of the cupboard holds the door open and, in a second position, the weight of the cupboard holds the door closed. Thus, on opening the door the contents of the cupboard are tipped towards the user, preferably at an angle of around 60 to 85 degrees from horizontal.

This angle is sufficient to open the storage area without tipping over or disturbing the contents of the cupboard.

In view if the potentially wet conditions in a bathroom, preferably there is a seal is included between the door and the panel. This may be a rubber strip along the edge of the door.

Furthermore, alternatively, or in addition, the bottom of the cupboard may be provided with drainage holes or mesh to allow any accidental water spillage to pass through the cupboard into the under-bath cavity.

The bath panel may comprise several storage areas such as two or more cupboards, each covered by individual doors. When the doors are pivotally side-or slideably-mounted, each cupboard according to the present invention may be provided with two doors rather than one.

It is envisioned that the installation of the panel may be accompanied by the construction of a supporting wooden frame at the side of the bath. This would lend support, especially for acrylic or fibreglass panels. The recess of the storage area would provide a means of attaching the panel to the frame without the attachment means being visible with the door closed. Such a support frame would not be required when the panel is constructed of wood or mdf as a flat-packed kit.

The following figures are provided by way of example and show non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a conventional bath tub with side and end panels.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through a bath and panel configuration with the cross-hatched area indicating the volume of available space for storage.

Figure 3 shows the back of a conventional panel for a bath.

Figure 4 shows a bath panel with a bevelled design on the front surface.

Figure 5a shows a conventional bath panel retention mechanism. Figure 5b shows a bath panel retention mechanism that is rendered possible by some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure GA shows a bath panel with an integrated storage area. Figure 6B shows shelves in the storage area. Figure 60 shows the bath panel with a door closing it.

Figure 7A shows a panel with a door mounted with vertical pivots or hinges. Figure 7B shows a panel with a door pivotally mounted about its base. Figure 7C shows a panel with a slideably mounted door.

Figures 8A and 8B show box-style cupboards mounted on the door. The doors are horizontally and vertically mounted respectively.

Figures 9A and 9B show a door seal for use in the present invention.

As shown in figure 1, a bath-tub arrangement 1 includes a bath tub 5 having a rim 6, the bath 5 being mounted so that the underside of the bath 5 is concealed by a panel 15. An end panel is also shown in this figure. The panel 1 5 has the advantage that the underlying support legs 7 and any plumbing required is not visible and the bathroom is provided with a neat finish.

As shown in figure 2, however, the arrangement of the panel 15 and the underside of the bath tub 5 leads to a volume of space 20 (cross-hatched) which is not used. It is this space which is partly filed with the storage area utilised in the present invention. The bath panel is commonly secured to the underside of the rim 6 of the bath 5 by an interference fit with a catch or fixing that utilises a lip 25 around the edge of the bath panel (see figure 5A).

Figures 3 and 4 show back and front sides of a conventional bath panel respectively. It is expected that these features such as bevelling 30 could be applied equally to the panel of the present invention. It could be on the doors or framing the doors as necessary.

Figures 5A shows how an interference fit can be used to retain a bath panel to the underside of the rim 6 of a bath tub 5. Figure SB shows how a more secure fitting such as a nut and bolt may be used. This does, however, require access to inside the panel. This is provided by the present invention where access may be obtained through the roof or side of the storage area, or screws may be used through the material of the panel itself which may then be concealed within the storage area behind the door.

The present invention will now be further described. In the following passages different aspects of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

Figures 6A and B show the storage area 45 within the panel 15 of the present invention.

Figure 6b shows further shelves 46 which may be included. In both figures the door 50 has been omitted from the drawing. In figure 60 the door 50 which is made of fibreglass has been shown in a closed position.

The panel is sized to the length of the bath which conventionally is 1600mm, 1500mm or 1700mm, though other lengths are contemplated. The panel is about 500mm high to match the height of the bath. The storage area is 450mm high and wide and 100mm deep. The panel and storage area are formed as a pressed sheet so that the storage area is a recess in the panel.

is In one aspect of the present invention it is considered that the door need not be present.

Thus the bath panel 15 may simply be provided with an integrally formed storage area 45.

This allows for efficient storage of bathroom products where the owner does not mind them being on constant display.

Figures 7A, B and C show different door 50 configurations.

Figures 8A and B show preferred configurations of the door whereby the storage area 45 is defined by the door 50, sides 55, a base (not shown) and a back 60. The two figures show different locations for the hinges 68. Figures 9A and 9B show a seal 65 attached to the door 50 in an open and a closed configuration.

In use, the user can simply open the storage arealcupboard to access their cleaning products or the like discreetly. The user can then close the storage area and the panel 15 appears to be a substantially smooth and continuous surface again. The details of the handle and the seam between the door and the panel may be concealed by the design and texturing of the surface of the panel and/or the door.

As an alternative, the panel 15 could be made of wooden panels and assembled so that the cupboard is formed from a base, sides and a roof with a backing panel, and mounted onto the back of a hole formed in the panel. This cupboard would preferably be mounted on the panel before installation of the panel. The door could then be mounted using conventional hinges. Handles and trim which are well known could be attached onto or formed within the door 50 if desired.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the doors are fitted with push catch so that, in order to open the door the user pushes the door more tightly closed and it springs open. In order to close the door again the user simply pushes the door closed so that the catch engages again.

Claims (18)

1. Claims: 1. A bath panel comprising a door, the door arranged, in use, to permit access to a storage area within at least a portion of the volume defined by the panel and the underside of abath tub.
2. 2. A bath panel according to claim 1, wherein the storage area is a cupboard.
3. 3. A bath panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cupboard is connected to or formed from the bath panel.
4. 4. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel comprises an integral recess which defines the cupboard.
5. 5. A bath panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the storage area is a cupboard connected to or formed integrally from the door.
6. 6. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door is pivotally mounted about its side.
7. 7. A bath panel according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the door is slideable mounted.
8. 8. A bath panel according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the door is pivotally mounted about its base.
9. 9. A bath panel according to any of claims 1, 2 or 5, wherein the storage area is a cupboard connected to or formed from the door and wherein the door is pivotally mounted about its base so that, in a first position the weight of the cupboard holds the door open and, in a second position, the weight of the cupboard holds the door closed.
10. 10. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a seal is included between the door and the panel.
11. 11. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two or more doors.
12. 12. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims for concealing the underneath of a bath.
13. 13. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the panel is designed, in use, to form a vertical wall substantially in line with the edge of a bath tub.
14. 14. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is for concealing the long edge of a bath tub.
15. 15. A bath panel according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bath panel is formed of acrylic or fibreglass.
16. 16. A bath panel according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the panel and/or storage area is formed of mdf and/or wooden panels.
17. 17. A flat-packed kit for forming a bath panel according to any of the preceding claims.
18. 18. A bath panel substantially as herein described with reference to figures 6, 7, 8 and/or 9.