US2557470A - Unitary bathroom structure - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1951 R. D. ROLUE ET AL 2,557,470

UNITARY BATHROOM STRUCTURE Filed June 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l KOBERT 0. ROLL/E fly A04 Ao44/E ,4 7' TOR/VEY n 1 1 R. D. ROLL"; ET AL 2,557,470

UNITARY BATHROOM STRUCTURE Filed'June 9, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 19, 1951 UNITARY BATHROOM STRUCTURE Robert D'. Rollie and Ada E. Rollie, St. Paul, Minn.

Application June 9, 1948, Serial No. 31,936

4 Claims.

This invention relates to unitary bathroom structures, and particularly to a cabinet, which has compactlywithin it all the conventional fixtures, and which cabinet may be easily placed inv small space and easily removed, and no exterior fine finish of the difierent fixtures is required, because of finish provided by said cabinet.

Attempts have been made to provide bathroom fixtures in combination and as prefabricated bathroom units, but such constructions have not been sulficiently practical and serviceable, or have been too bulky, too complicated and too expensive to produce. Also, the fixtures have been quite unconventional and not of common construction, as to shape, size and manner of use. Bath tubs, for example, have been so small as to allow only for a standing position or a seated position, as in a chair, and even requiring a stool to get into the tub. Tubs, large enough to accommodate an adult individual in an extended position, have been provided, but same have been mounted on rollers, or have a construction over same that rolls out. Also, small tubs have been designed with a hinged wash bowl or other construction above same, to lift up, or have been arranged to revolve into position on a turntable. Flexible hot and cold water service tubes and flexible waste tubes have commonly been required. Special and involved manufacture of fixtures has been necessary, and

'no consideration given to economical arrangement and use of fixtures of standard shape and manufacture, set in a cabinet, which provides the exterior finish for all the fixtures.

An important object of our invention is to provide in a single portable cabinet, the three prin cipal bathroom fixtures with water heater and all the usual appointments. By merely providing a single drain with vent and a water pipe into the room to which connection is easily made, a complete bathroom is provided by the installation of the cabinet. It may also be easily removed and installed elsewhere.

Another important object is to provide a unitary construction, which, although having all the desired fixtures and appointments, will require a minimum sized room to serve as a bathroom. This meets a need in apartments, hotels, small houses, trailers, overnight cabins and summer cottages.

Another object is to provide a complete bathroom at a minimum cost, by means of a metal cabinet, which, in addition to providing fixtures and appointments in compact relationship, provides the entire exterior finish, so that only the interior surfaces of fixtures need have the regular finish.

Another object is to provide a unitary bathroom structure, which, although very compact, still employs fixtures, all having standard shapes and sizes and all in fixed position, by using a unique arrangement Within a single cabinet.

Other objects will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

For a full disclosure of-our invention, reference is made to;the description following and .to drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of our unitary bathroom structure, with panel removed to give access to plumbing connections. A section, below floor level, shows connections to drain, and dotted lines are employed to show hidden portion of hot water tank and also bafile plate in bath tub trap.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1, except that water pipe connections to wash basin are added.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line A--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawing, the reference character it! indicates a sheet metal cabinet with enameled surface. This cabinet construction is similar to kitchen cabinets, and may be in white or any desired color. For structural strength, this cabinet is provided with a closed back and ends and has a double partition II, which also provides support for water pipes. The cabinet is joined in the conventional manner, to provide rigidity and strength, and is provided with steel members across the bottom and at such points as needed, to support the loads imposed. In the front side, a removable panel is provided, which forms a closure over the opening indicated by numeral i2. Through this opening, access is had to drain and water connections, so that same are easily made, disconnected or serviced. Into this cabinet, we place a bath tub IS, a toilet stool M, a wash basin l5, and a hot water tank l6. Except for the hot water tank, these fixtures are conventional in shape, size and appointments, and are connected up with conventional fittings. Since the cabinet provides the exterior finish, only the interior surfaces of the fixtures require a finish. The exterior surface may be in the rough, and there is no need for plated traps and fittings, and the flush tank may be in the rough. Also, no wall finish, except rough plaster or it equivalent, need be provided behind the cabinet, and tile where used, brought only to the edge of the cabinet. It will be noted, that fixtures are so arranged, that although a minimum of space is required, there is free and full use of each fixture. Also, the arrangement requires a minimum of connections to drain and water supply. To suit different room conditions, the structure may be manufactured in both right and left hand models, with but little additional expense in the manufacturing set-up. The hot water tank It is heated by an electrode andinsulated in the conventional manner, but is of a special shape to fit the space allotted to it, and to give full use of the bath tub. The shape is such, however, that it can be economically manufactured. Being so closely coupled up to the point of use of water, rather than a remote point, it is economical in its operation. It may also serve a kitchen sink, where the kitchen in a compact living unit is located on the opposite side of the wall. It might also be for common use of two bath rooms, where the same adjoin.

In addition to providing the three main bathroom fixtures and a water heater in a single unit, there are included all of the accessories ordinarily found in a bathroom. These include a medicine cabinet [1 with a mirrored door and usual arrangement of shelves, a recessed fluorescent light fixture |8 over the medicin cabinet, towel cabinets l9 and 20, a towel bar 2|, recessed soap receptacles 22, a shower head 23 with hot and cold water controls 24 and 25, which also serve the bath tub, by operation of the selector valve 26. For use in connection with the shower, a hinged drop seat 21 is provided, which, when in use, is supported by the two sides of the bath tub. A door 28 is provided for the shower compartment, which may be supplemented with a sliding curtain, or such curtain may be substituted for the door. To provide for easy access to water piping for shower and bath tub, a removable panel 29 is provided. This slips under the cabinet construction at the top and is secured by bolts or metal screws. By first removing hot and cold water control handles of 24 and 25, it is easily removed. The door 30, for the towel cabinet (9, is provided with a rubber gasket around its edge, to keep the contents of the cabinet dry. Likewise, the recessed fluorescent light fixture 31,

for the shower and bath, is provided with a glass front sealed with a rubber gasket. Switches 32 and 33, respectively, control this fixture and the fixture over the medicine cabinet. A plug receptacle 34 is provided for an electric razor, curling iron and the like. All electric wiring is provided in conduit in the cabinet, with no separate wiring necessary, except to hook up to leads for lights and water heater. In addition to the accessories mentioned, others may be readily included such as a recessed tissue holder, a wire basket magazine rack and a bowl brush holder.

From the foregoing, it is apparent how our unitary bathroom structure is constructed and how it must meet present day needs, relative to critical housing conditions. Instead of providing a separated fixture bathroom as heretofore, with a fixture in each corner, taking up much space and requiring individual water and drain connections; our structure can be moved in like a stove through any ordinary sized door, and easily installed by a single connection to drain and to water supply. Nevertheless, it serves every purpose of a large separated fixture bathroom. All fixtures meet standard requirements and are in fixed position, so there is no rolling out or swinging around of fixtures to be used, and no flexible tubing required for drainage or water supply. The unit has the fixtures so uniquely arranged, that full normal use of same is enjoyed, while a minimum space is required and a minimum cost of production is attained. Likewise, a minimum cost of installation and service is required. Any change is plans, permits full salvage, and the unit is readily disconnected and moved. It does not involve tearing up of floors or walls to install, like in present bathroom installations. It definitely meets the present day housing needs, and is well adapted to apartments, hotels, prefabricated houses, summer cabins, motor courts, trailer houses and even fine dwellings, where a complete bathroom in a minimum of space is desired. Such bathroom is provided merely by installation of cabinet and a single connection to drain, water supply and electric wiring. In a trailer installation, aluminum or an alloy thereof, might be used for fixtures, cabinet and connections, to minimize the weight.

While we have shown and described a preferred form of our invention, it is obvious that many changes, which are within the scope of our invention, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. We therefore desire to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a unitary bathroom structure, in combination, a wash basin, a bath tub, a toilet stool, all of said fixtures being in fixed position and of conventional shape and size, said bath tub being positioned with its foot end partly under said wash basin, an insulated electric water heating tank positioned between said bath tub and said wash basin and extending under said wash basin and a substantial distance over said bath tub, the under side of the end of said tank over said bath tub being inclined to permit full use of said bath tub, said toilet stool being positioned on side of wash basin opposite to said bath tub and in close proximity thereto and to the end of said water heating tank, and a supporting structure by which said fixtures and said water heating tank are maintained in said relative contiguous positions as a transportable and removable unit.

2. A unitary bathroom structure, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by an arrangement of fittings for connection of all of said fixtures collectively to a single drain pipe and a single water supply line to facilitate its installation as a unit.

3. A unitary bathroom structure, as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a sheet metal cabinet with the desired finish enclosing said fixtures and said water heating tank, whereby it is only necessary to provide the interior of said fixtures with the regular finish, the exterior of same and the water heating tank, flush tank and fittings as well as the wall surface concealed by the cabinet requiring no finish; said sheet metal cabinet having removable panels for access to piping and connections, and provided with desired appointments, such as a compartment with a shower, towel cabinets and bars, a medicine cabinet, mirrors, soap receptacles, light fixtures and plug in receptacles with switches and wiring.

4. A unitary bathroom structure, as claimed in claim 1 and disclosed by the drawings, characterized by a right hand and a left hand construction to meet requirements of room into which same is installed.

ROBERT D. ROLLIE. ADA E. ROLLIE.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number D. 139,090 275,011 1,277,502 1,277,709

Name Date Zavada Oct. 10, 1944 Backus -2 Apr. 3, 1883 Stryker Sept. 3, 1918 Ferrandini Sept. 3, 1918 w Number Number Name Date Bruder Jan. 27, 1920 Hooton Oct. 30, 1934 Smith Sept. 27, 1938 Fuller Nov. 5, 1940 Lankton Apr. 22, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Feb. 18, 1935

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