WO1996032046A1 - Shower unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A shower unit comprising a shower stall (2) and a vestibule (3) with a first frame defining an access opening (7) to the vestibule (3) and a second frame defining a communication opening (9) between said vestibule (3) and said shower stall (2). Said unit is characterised in that said frames have exactly the same width and comprise a common post (5) forming a pivot for a single door (4) that is used to close each of said openings (7, 9) alternately.

Description

 SHOWER STRUCTURE

The present invention relates to a shower structure comprising a shower cabin and an airlock, a first frame providing an access opening to said airlock and a second frame providing a communication opening between said airlock and said cabin.

It is understood that said airlock can be designed for any use related to taking a shower, for example as a space for undressing, drying, washing, hairdressing, shaving, makeup, etc.

Frequently, a door is provided to close the opening between the shower enclosure itself and the airlock, so that the clothes and other objects contained in the latter are not sprayed with water from the shower. To preserve the user's privacy, especially during undressing and when getting out of the shower, a second door is often also provided to close the access opening to the airlock and thus allow the latter to be isolated from the rest of the 'apartment. This complicates the construction of this shower structure as well as its cost price, and imposes a constraint which can be troublesome, since it is preferable to design an airlock of dimensions and shapes such that the two doors do not collide.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks, and for this purpose a shower structure of the general type defined at the start is, in accordance with the present invention, characterized in that said frames have exactly the same width and include an amount common arranged to serve as a pivot axis to a single door capable of alternately closing one and the other of said openings.

So this structure is greatly simplified, since we save a door; we eliminate the risk of knocking doors, and we are free to give the airlock a fairly small volume, just enough for its use.

Besides, we can make the door open to the outside of the airlock, which facilitates access. An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the figures of the appended drawing which shows five views in horizontal section of a possible shower structure, with different positions of the common door, in different phases of use.

In all these figures, the shower structure is referenced 1, the actual shower enclosure 2, the airlock 3 and the common door 4. This structure comprises two uprights 5 and 6 of a first frame defining an opening 7 for access to the airlock 3. With a third upright 8, the upright 5 defines a second frame for a communication opening 9 between the airlock 3 and the cabin 2. The frames thus defined have exactly the same width, and possibly also the same height. In this way, one can use the single door 4 to alternately close the opening 7 and the opening 9, using the common upright 5 as a support for the hinges of the door. This door can be maintained in the closed position of the opening 7 or the opening 9 by any suitable means, for example by a system of magnets, some placed in the outside edge of the door, others in the uprights. 6 and 8, respectively.

With the exception of door 4 and the accessories, it should be noted that such a structure can be made of molded synthetic material in one piece, and be made for example of an acrylic resin reinforced with glass fibers. The figures also show the different phases of use: FIG. 1, the user opens the door 4, preferably towards the outside, and enters the airlock 3;

- figure 2, he undresses after closing the door to close the opening 7;

- Figure 3, after entering the cabin 2, he pulls the door 4 to close the opening 9;

- Figure 4, after taking a shower, the user opens the door by pushing it, enters the airlock 3 and returns the door to the closed position of the opening 7; Figure 5, after getting dressed, styled etc, the user pushes the door 4 outward to exit the airlock 3. Thus the privacy of users is fully preserved in the airlock, and during the shower there is there is no risk of splashing objects contained in the airlock or in the bathroom, even when using high pressure jets; this result is obtained with the use of a single door, which greatly simplifies the fabrication of the structure, and makes it possible to reduce the cost price.

Claims

1. Shower structure comprising a shower cabin (2) and an airlock (3), a first frame providing an access opening (7) to said airlock (3) and a second frame providing an opening (9) for communication between said airlock (3) and said cabin (2), characterized in that said frames have exactly the same width and comprise a common upright (5) arranged to serve as a pivot axis for a single door (4) capable of closing in alternating one and the other of said openings (7, 9). 2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said door (4) can open towards the outside of the airlock (3). 3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the door (4) can be maintained in the closed position of the opening (7) or the opening (9) by any suitable means, for example by a system of magnets, some placed in the outside edge of the door, others in the uprights (6 and 8), respectively. 4. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a molded synthetic material, in particular an acrylic resin reinforced with glass fibers.