US2552546A - Prefabricated bathroom unit - Google Patents

Description

May 15, 1951 D. H. FERGUSSON 2,552,546

PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT Filed Sept 14, 1946 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Dan'a HEvyzmson BY y 1951 D. H. FERGUSSON 2,552,546

PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT Filed Sept. 14, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

y 5, 1951 D. H. FERGUSSON 2,552,546

PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT Filed Sept. 14, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR.

Dank! Evyusson BY y 1951 D. H. FERGUSSON 2,552,546

PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT Filed Sept. 14, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

'BYDa n'a H f?! 1155012 m4 a Hfforn P9 M 1951 D. H. FERGUSSON 2,552,546

PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT Filed Sept. 14, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VENT 0R.

Dank/H5791: 55 0/2 BY 75%.

Patented May 15, 1951 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE PREFABRICATED BATHROOM UNIT David Henry Fergusson, Baton Rouge, La. Application September 14, 1946, Serial No. 697,116

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a prefabricated bathroom unit.

One object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated bathroom unit for installation in a building or like structure, wherein all of the requisite bathroom fixtures including lavatory, water-closet and bathing facilities, are adapted to be contained in a, single chamber of relatively small size approximating at least the space normally required to accommodate any one of such fixtures.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bathroom unit of the character described, includin improved means for connecting lavatory and water-closet units to water supply and drainage facilities, and improved mounting means whereby the lavatory and watercloset units are retractible to positions for exclusive use of one or the other, or whereby both units may be retracted to provide free space in the chamber for other purposes.

These and other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a vertical cross-section of a bathroom unit embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure l, and illustrating the lavatory facilities. 1

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, illustrating the water-closet facilities.

Figure 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary cross-section, taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-section, on a reduced scale, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-section, on the same scale, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in general, the numeral l0 designates the complete prefabricated bathroom unit adapted to be installed in an existing building or other structure. This unit may include a substantially rectangular base II from which extends upwardly four wall panels l2, l3, l4 and I5, the panel l2, as shown, constituting a fixture panel and the four vertical panels defining a single relatively small chamber. A top or ceiling panel is also may be provided, and a door frame I! is provided in the vertical panel 14 or in vertical panels I3 or l5, accordin to the requirements of a particular installation. The side panels l3 and i5 may be extended at I3a and I5a to form with a panel l8, parallel to panel l2, a concealed compartment I 8a forthe usual plumbing piping for hot and cold water supply, as indicated at 2| and 22, and for drainage piping connecting to a main drain pipe [9 (see Figure 6). A panel l6a in spaced parallel relation to top panel 16 provides a compartment 16b communicating with the compartment I 8a, for a purpose to be described later. All of the panels are of metal or other suitable material, and the unit l0 may be of suitable segmental construction in which the segments are joined either at the factory or in situ.

The fixture panel [2 has a rectangular opening l2a provided therein, adjacent the bottom of the chamber, and mounted in association with the same is a, water-closet unit 23 adapted to be shifted between an inwardly extended position for use, as shown in full lines in Figures 1, 3 and 4, and a retracted position within the piping space when not in use, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. To this end, the unit 23 is suitably pivoted at 24, adjacent its bottom outer edge, to be swingable from said extended position outwardly through opening 12a to said retracted position, in which the bottom of the unit is generally flush with the inner surface of the fixture panel I 2 and in water-sealed relation over the opening. A channel strip 25 on the bottom of unit 23, adjacent the inner edge thereof, not only serves as hand grip, but lateral extensions 25a, 25a of this strip are engageable with inner face portions of panel 12 at the sides of opening l2a, to limit outward swinging of the unit beyond its retracted position. Similarly, a suitable stop strip 26 at the top outer edge of unit 23 is engageable with the inner face portions of panel 12, to limit downward swinging of the unit in the extended position thereof.

.The water-closet unit 23 may be of any desired construction and material, including the usual bowl 2! and associated passages at the top thereof for supplying flushing water. From the bottom of the bowl, in said extended position of the unit, there extends outwardly and upwardly a gooseneck 28 providing an S-shaped passage adapted to retain a predetermined volume of flushing water before overflowin to the drain piping l9. In the retracted position of the unit the flushing Water will flow into the drain pipmg.

. Incorporated in the water-closet unit may be a flush valve 29, of known type, including a springposition of the seat shown in Figures 1 and 4, this spring means, however, being adapted to retain the seat in position to move with the unit in all positions of the same.

As best illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, a fiexible connector 33 is provided between gooseneck conduit 28 and main drain pipe 19', to permit free swinging movement of the Water-closet unit 23 on its pivot 24. For this purpose, the connector 33 "may be in the fcrmof a toggle including. arms 33a and 33band having one swivel connection 34 to the gooseneck conduit to be relatively shift able therewith, a similar relatively fixed swivel connection '35 to the drain pipe, substantially below connection 34, and an intermediate free swivel connection 36', the arrangement being such that upon swingingunit 23 on pivot 24 theswivel point at '34 will describe an arc about said pivot 24, and the swivel point 35 being relatively fixed the two toggle arms 33c and 33b swiveled at 36 wiufouew correspondingly. The swivel connec Hons-'34, 35 andj36 may be of a leak-proof type, including ball-bearings (not shown) for free pivotalmovem'ent, such connections being readily available on the market.

For supplying the flushing water to the water-- closet unit '23 atoggle connector 38, similar to theprevjiously described toggle connector'33, may be connected between cold water supply pipe 22a anda pipe "extension 39 fromvalve 29in said unit.

, Arranged in spaced superposed relation'above the unit 23, maybe a lavatory unit '40 of suitable; construction and material corresponding to' hand grip, the same having" extensions 43a and 43b at opposite sides of the unit adapted to engage'inner surface portions of the panel I2 to limit upward swinging movement of the unit on itshinge 4| beyondthe retracted position thereo'fQas indicated in chain-dotted lines in Figure 4. The unit 4! in this retracted position is received through an opening 44 in the panel l2, which is either-in spaced relation to opening 22 or an ex-,

tensiono'f thesame. In the extended'p'osition' of unit 40', best shown in Figure 4, a closure 45,

hinged adjacent the top of the opening 44 as indicated' at lfi, is adapted to be engaged by'portions ofthe unit, as it is swung toward said retracted-position, to urge theclosure inwardly as shown in chain-dottedlines in Figure 4. The bottomof the unit lii'is shaped and jarrangedto take the placeofthe closure member-45 for closingtheopening 44in the retracted position. Cold and hot water is supplied by'piping 22' and 2 I, 'respectively, to pipe extensions 41 and 48 incorporated infthe lavatory unit, through toggle joint connectors 49 and 50 arranged in a manner similar to the previously described toggle connectors of the water-closet unit 23. Another similar toggle connector 5| connects the drain of the unit 40 with a fixed drain pipe 52 which extends to the main drain pipe l9. As before these toggle pipe connectors permit free swinging movement of the lavatory unit 40 between the extended and retracted positions thereof.

A plate 53 is slidably mounted between guide members 54 on the underside of the lavatory unit 40, to be slidable downwardly when the unit is in retracted position, to close the opening in the panel 12 between units 40 and 23. Conversely, when itis desired .to move the unit 40 back to extended position, the plate 53 is first pulled upwardlyin the guides 54.

Arranged adjacent the top of the fixture panel l2 may be an angularly adjustable shower head 55,.which is suitably connected to cold and hot water pipes 22' and 2|, the flow of water being controlled by valves 56 and 51. This shower head is used while the lavatory and water- closet units 40 and 23 are in the above-described retracted positions, and the water from the shower may be drained through a pipe connection 58 at a low point in thebottom panel I! tothe main drain pipe M). A drain valve 59 ismounted in cooperation with pipe connection 58, to be operable to retainwater up to or below the level of the door opening, for bathing or other purposes, if desired. Auxiliaryspray nozzlesfifl, Ell-may be provided at a lower level, more nearly adjacent the: level of the lavatory, this spray being controlled ventilating means maybe provided in unit |'U,

utilizing thepompartments 16b and Illa, andior this purpose louvres 64, 64 maybe provided in the. fixture panel l2, 7

In the use or operation of the bathroom unit after installation, the lavatory unit 40 may be normally retained in extended position for use, withor without the water-closet unit 23 also extended (see Figure 4). The latter unit isrqui ck- 1y made ready for use by swinging lavatory unit 40 upwardly on its pivot 4|, to the retracted position thereof shown in chain-dotted lines in Figure 4. When it is desiredto use the chamber as a shower room the units 40 and 23 are both maintained in retracted positions thereof, to provide maximum clear 'fioor and Wall space, in which case either of the shower heads 55 or 69, or both, may 'be used, as controlled through the hand valves 56, 51, 60 and 62.

The single chamber bathroom'unit l0 described above, because of its relatively small compact to without departing from the spirit thereof or' the scope of the appended claims.

Whatis-claimed is: 1. A prefabricated bathroom unit for installation in anexisting building or other structure,

comprising a base and vertical wall panels defining a single chamber, said chamber having a door opening therein the bottom of which is above the bottom of the chamber a substantial distance, upper and lower openings in the wall paneling of said chamber arranged at vertically spaced levels from the bottom of the chamber, water Supply and drainage piping arranged behind said wall paneling, a lavatory unit, means for pivotally mounting said lavatory in association with said upper opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position of use and a retracted position outwardly through the upper opening, a water-closet unit pivotally mounted in association with said lower opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and retracted position through said lower opening when not in use, and

' flexible conduit means connecting between said water supply and drainage piping and said lavatory and water-closet to permit said selective shifting thereof, said upper and lower openings being disposed relatively of each other in said wall paneling whereby said lavatory and said water-closet units will be in superposed relation when both are in extended positions, said flexible conduit means each including a pipe rigidly connected to said movable lavatory unit or the water-closet unit as the case may be and movable therewith between said extended and retracted positions, a relatively fixed pipe, and a pair of intermediate pipes pivotally connected to said fixed and movable pipes in the manner of a toggle, said pair of intermediate toggle pipes being free to open and fold with respect to each other and to swing with respect to the fixed pivot of the respective movable unit to permit free pivotal movement of the latter.

2. A prefabricated bathroom unit for installation in an existing building or other structure, comprising a base and vertical wall panels defining a chamber, said chamber having a door opening therein the bottom of which is above the bottom of the chamber a substantial distance, one of the wall panels constituting a fixture panel, a lavatory unit, means for pivotally mounting said lavatory in association selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position of use and :a retracted position outwardly through the upper opening, a water-closet unit, means for pivotally mounting said water-closet in association with said lower opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and retracted position through said lower opening when not in use, and flexible conduit means connecting between said water supply and drainage piping and said lavatory and watercloset to permit said selective shifting thereof, said flexible conduit means each including a pipe rigidly connected to said movable lavatory unit or the water-closet unit as the case may be and movable therewith between said extended and retracted positions, a relatively fixed pipe, and a pair of intermediate pipes pivotally connected to said fixed and movable pipes in the manner of a toggle, said pair of intermediate toggle pipes being free to open and fold with respect to each other and to swing with respect to the fixed pivot of the respective movable unit to permit free pivotal movement or the latter.

3. A prefabricated bathroom unit for installation in an existing building or other structure, comprising a base and vertical wall panels defining a single chamber, said chamber having a door opening therein the bottom of which is above the bottom of the chamber a substantial distance, one of the wall panels constituting a fixture panel having vertically spaced upper and lower openings therein, water supply and drainage piping arranged behind said fixture panel, a lavatory unit, means for pivotally mounting said lavatory in association with said upper opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position of use and a retracted position outwardly through the upper opening, a watercloset unit pivotally mounted in association with said lower opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and retracted position through said lower opening when not in use, and flexible conduit means connecting between said water supply and drainage piping and said lavatory and water-closet units to permit said selective shifting thereof, said fiexible conduit means each including a pipe rigidly connected to said movable lavatory unit or the water-closet unit as the case may be and movable therewith between said extended and retracted positions, a relatively fixed pipe, and a pair of intermediate pipes pivotally connected to said fixed and movable pipes in the manner of a toggle, said pair of intermediate toggle pipes being free to open and fold with respect to each other and to swing with respect to the fixed pivot of the respective movable unit to permit free pivotal movement of the latter.

4. A prefabricated bathroom unit for installation in an existing building or other structure, comprising a base and vertical wall panels defining a single chamber, said chamber having a door opening therein the bottom of which is above the bottom of the chamber a substantial distance, one of the wall panels constituting a fixture panel having vertically spaced upper and lower openings therein, water supply and drainage piping arranged behind said fixture panel, a lavatory unit, means for pivotally mounting said lavatory unit in association with said upper opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position of use and a retracted position outwardly through the upper opening, a water-closet pivotally mounted in association with said lower opening to be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and retracted position through said lower opening when not in use, flexible conduit means connecting between said water supply and drainage piping and said lavatory and water-closet units to permit said selective shifting thereof, said flexible conduit means each including a pipe rigidly connected to said movable lavatory unit or the water-closet unit as the case may be and movable therewith between said extended and retracted positions, a relatively fixed pipe, and a pair of intermediate pipes pivotally connected to said fixed and movable pipes in the manner of a toggle, said pair of intermediate toggle pipes be ing free to open and fold with respect to each other and to swing with respect to the fixed pivot of the respective movable unit to permit free pivotal movement of the latter, a shower fixture mounted on one of said vertical wall panels and connected to said water supply piping, a drain in said base connected to said drainage piping, a spring-pressed valve operable for flushing said water-closet bowl, and means operable by shifting said water-closet unit to said retracted position for preventing operation of said valve for flushing purposes.

5. A bathroom unit comprising a vertical panel having an opening therein, a water closet including; a bowlopeningaat-the 1top andra hingedseat in cooperation withasaid top opening, said water.- closetiebeing. .pivotally mounted in association with said. opening inthevertical panelto beselectively-shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and a restricted position outwardly,-, flushing means for flushing said water'- closet bowl with water and including a valve having ayieldinglydepressible valve setting member, and-resilient means normally urging saidseat towards'yielding contact with'said member without depressingthesame sufficiently to operatesaid valve, said valve being set. fora bowl flushing cycle :by added pressure temporarily applied to said -seat torelease-and depress said member.

6. A bathroom unit comprising a vertical panel having an opening therein, a water-closet including a bowl opening at the top and a hinged seat in cooperationwith said top opening, said.

water-closet being pivotally mounted in association with said opening in the vertical panelto be selectively shiftable between an inwardly extended position for use and a, restricted position outwardly, flushing means for flushing said water-closet bowl with water and including a valve having a yieldingly depressible valve setting member, andresilient ,means normally urging said. seat "towards yielding contact-with saidmember without depressing'the samesufiicientlyto operate said valve,said valve beingvset for a bowl flushing cycle by added pressure DAVID HENRY FERGUSSON.

REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 14,902 Bookhout et al. May 20, 1856 819;562 Lazear May 1, 1906 1,859;'859 ,Zook May 24, 1-932 2,101,523 Willis Dec. 7, 1937

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