Washing place arrangement

Abstract

A washing place arrangement including a washstand having a wash-bowl sink, a first water discharge device, including a plurality of water discharge nozzles arranged in the wash-bowl sink and configured for discharging water in a fountain jet which issues in an arc shape up to a maximum height and returns to the wash-bowl sink, and a second water discharge device discharging water in a shower jet. A nozzle assignment region of the first water discharge device is located in a rear half of the wash-bowl sink and extends across at most half the sink circumference. A shower jet outlet body of the second water discharge device is located on a rear side of the wash-bowl sink and the washstand and above the wash-bowl sink and the washstand. The second water discharge device is configured for discharging the shower jet in a direction pointing obliquely to the front downwards.

Claims

1. A washing place arrangement comprising: a washstand having a wash-bowl sink; a first water discharge device comprising a plurality of water discharge nozzles arranged within a nozzle assignment region in the wash-bowl sink and configured for discharging water in the form of a fountain jet which issues in an arc shape with an up section from the wash-bowl sink upwards up to a maximum height and returns to the wash-bowl sink downwards with a down section; and a second water discharge device configured for discharging water in the form of a shower jet and including a shower jet outlet body; wherein: the nozzle assignment region of the first water discharge device is located in a rear half of the wash-bowl sink positioned opposite a user side and extending across at most half the sink circumference, and the shower jet outlet body of the second water discharge device is located on a rear side of the wash-bowl sink and the washstand positioned opposite the user side and on a height level above the wash-bowl sink and the washstand, and the second water discharge device is configured for discharging the shower jet in a shower jet direction pointing obliquely to the front downwards.

2. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second water discharge devices are configured to have the shower jet striking the fountain jet in the up section of the fountain jet.

3. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second water discharge devices are configured to have the shower jet striking the fountain jet in a height that is at least one quarter of the maximum height of the fountain jet above the wash-bowl sink.

4. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the height level of the shower jet outlet body of the second water discharge device is located at or above half the maximum height of the fountain jet above the wash-bowl sink.

5. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the water discharge nozzles of the first water discharge device are misting/fine jet nozzles.

6. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shower jet outlet body of the second water discharge device comprises fine/needle jet nozzles.

7. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a wall-mounted accommodation body in which the shower jet outlet body is accommodated.

8. The washing place arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the accommodation body is a placement body having a top-sided placement surface.

9. The washing place arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising a wall-mounted mirror, wherein the accommodation body is located at least with a section including the shower jet outlet body in front of the mirror and adjoins the mirror.

10. The washing place arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a third water discharge device which is configured for discharging water in the form of a laminar jet in a laminar jet direction pointing obliquely to the front downwards and comprises a laminar jet outlet body.

11. The washing place arrangement according to claim 10, wherein an angle difference of the laminar jet direction and the shower jet direction is at most 15°.

12. The washing place arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the laminar jet outlet body is accommodated in the accommodation body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and further embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a washing place arrangement,

(3) FIG. 2 a diagrammatic front view of the washing place arrangement from FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3 a diagrammatic top view from above onto the washing place arrangement from FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 a sectional view along line IV-IV in FIG. 3,

(6) FIG. 5 a side view in extract of the washing place arrangement with activated fountain jet,

(7) FIG. 6 the view from FIG. 5 with activated shower jet,

(8) FIG. 7 the view from FIG. 5 with activated laminar jet,

(9) FIG. 8 the view from FIG. 5 with activated fountain jet, shower jet and laminar jet, and

(10) FIG. 9 a perspective view in extract according to FIG. 1 with activated fountain jet, shower jet and laminar jet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(11) The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

(12) The washing place arrangement illustrated in the figures contains a washstand 1 with a wash-bowl sink 2, a first water discharge device 3 which has a plurality of water discharge nozzles 4 arranged inside a nozzle assignment region 6 in the wash-bowl sink 2 and configured to discharge water in the form of a fountain jet 5, and a second water discharge device 7 which is configured to discharge water in the form of a shower jet 8 and has a shower jet outlet body 9. The nozzle assignment region 6 of the first water discharge device 3 is situated in a rear half 2a of the wash-bowl sink 2 facing away from the user side, and extends at most over half the circumference of the wash-bowl sink 2. As evident in particular from FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, when the first water discharge device 3 is activated, the fountain jet 5 issues from the wash-bowl sink 2 in the form of an arc with an upward portion 5a directed upwards from the nozzle assignment region 6 or the water discharge nozzles 4, and then returns downwards into the wash-bowl sink 2 with a downward portion 5b.

(13) The shower jet outlet body 9 of the second water discharge device 7 is situated on a rear 10 of the wash-bowl sink 2 and the washstand 1 facing away from the user side, and at a height Hn which lies above the wash-bowl sink 2 and the washstand 1. The second water discharge device 7 is configured to discharge the shower jet 8 in a shower jet direction RB pointing obliquely downwards towards the front.

(14) The first water discharge device 3 is configured to discharge the fountain jet 5 in a fountain jet direction RF which, in the upward portion 5a of the fountain jet 5, points obliquely upwards towards the front and, in the downward portion 5b of the fountain jet 5, points obliquely downwards towards the front. In corresponding designs, the first water discharge device 3 is configured to generate the fountain jet 5 in the form of a fan-like parabola from individual jets of the water discharge nozzles 4, wherein the trajectory height i.e. the maximum height HF of the fountain jet 5 above the wash-bowl sink 2, amounts preferably to between 80% and 120% of the trajectory width of the fountain jet 5, i.e. a horizontal distance AF of a region FA, in which the fountain jet 5 strikes the wash-bowl sink 2 from the nozzle assignment region 6. In typical cases, this means a fountain jet height HF of between around 20 cm and around 40 cm above the sink 2. In advantageous embodiments, the water discharge nozzles 4 are configured as misting/fine jet nozzles of the PowderRain type.

(15) In advantageous illustrative embodiments, the water discharge nozzles 4 are arranged in several nozzle groups succeeding each other in the sink circumferential direction, wherein the water discharge nozzles 4 of a respective nozzle group have the same jet outlet directions or directions which differ comparatively little from each other, while two water discharge nozzles of two adjacent nozzle groups differ from each other more greatly.

(16) In the example shown, the water discharge nozzles 4 are specially arranged in three nozzle groups succeeding each other in the sink circumferential direction, wherein the water discharge nozzles 4 of a respective nozzle group have the same jet outlet directions, and the jet outlet directions of two lateral nozzle groups run angled by the same differential angular amount towards the jet outlet direction of a middle nozzle group. In particular, in this example the lateral jet strips are angled so as to converge towards the middle jet strip, and all three jet strips have practically the same trajectory height and width of their parabola-like arc form. The fountain jet 5 in its downward portion 5b retains a jet bundle form and/or a substantially constant jet width as far as its impact region FA on the sink 2.

(17) This gives a fountain jet with a highly advantageous, symmetrical jet pattern in which the three jet strips of the three nozzle groups combine into a comparatively homogenous complete jet as the fountain jet 5. For this, in advantageous embodiments, the water discharge nozzles 4 are arranged in the wash-bowl sink 2 in a single row or a few rows inside the nozzle assignment region 6, which in this case is preferably formed as a strip. Optionally, the water discharge nozzles 4 of two adjacent rows may be offset to each other in the lateral, i.e. horizontal, direction, e.g. offset centrally.

(18) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the first and the second water discharge devices 3, 7, as in the example shown, are configured such that the shower jet 8 strikes the fountain jet 5 in its upward portion 5a, as evident in particular from FIGS. 8 and 9.

(19) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the first and second water discharge devices 3, 7 are configured such that the shower jet 8 strikes the fountain jet 5 at a height HT which amounts to at least a quarter of the total height HF of the fountain jet 5 above the wash-bowl sink 2. Advantageously, as in the example shown, this height HT is at least a third or at least half, and preferably between 55% and 75% of the total fountain jet height HF, which has proved particularly advantageous in many applications for an optimal jet behaviour of the combined water jet of the fountain jet 5 and shower jet 8, and for the separate use of the individually activated fountain jet 5 or shower jet 8.

(20) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, the height level Hn at which the shower jet outlet body 9 of the second water discharge device 7 is arranged, as in the example shown, lies at or above half the total height HF of the fountain jet 5 above the wash-bowl sink 2. In corresponding embodiments, the shower jet outlet body 9 lies in height around the maximum height HF of the fountain jet 5 above the wash-bowl sink 2 or above, or at most only 20% below.

(21) In advantageous illustrative embodiments, the shower jet outlet body 9 of the second water discharge device 7 contains a plurality of fine/needle jet nozzles, as known to the person skilled in the art for equipping corresponding shower bodies, e.g. as bores with comparatively small diameter in a correspondingly perforated metal plate. In alternative embodiments, the shower jet outlet body 9 is equipped with so-called standard jet nozzles or a torrent jet nozzle, as known to the person skilled in the art for fitting to showerheads in order to provide a standard shower jet.

(22) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the washing place arrangement comprises a wall-mounted accommodation body 11 in which the shower jet outlet body 9 is accommodated. An associated wall surface 13 on the rear 10 of the washstand 1, on which the accommodation body 11 can be mounted and which forms a rear termination of the washing place arrangement, is indicated diagrammatically in the figures. Alternatively, the shower jet outlet body 9 may be situated in a water outlet fitting mounted on the washstand 1.

(23) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the accommodation body 11 is configured as a placement body with a placement surface 12 on the top. Utensils which are typically used at a washing place arrangement can be laid on the placement surface 12 in the usual fashion.

(24) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the washing place arrangement comprises a wall-mounted mirror 14, wherein the accommodation body 11 is located, at least with a portion 11a containing the shower jet outlet body 9, in front of the mirror 14 and adjoins the mirror 14.

(25) In advantageous illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the washing place arrangement has a third water discharge device 15 which is configured to discharge water in the form of a laminar jet 16 in a laminar jet direction RL pointing obliquely downwards towards the front, and has a laminar jet outlet body 17. Such water discharge devices and associated laminar jet outlet bodies are well known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. from outlet fittings which have a tubular water outlet as a laminar jet outlet body that typically is provided with a jet regulator, perlator, particle screen or similar on the end, and therefore requires no further explanation.

(26) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, an angle difference between the laminar jet direction RL of the laminar jet 16 and the shower jet direction RB of the shower jet 8 amounts to maximum 15°. In corresponding embodiments, the laminar jet direction RL and the shower jet direction RB are identical or differ from each other at most by only a few angular degrees, of e.g. maximum 5°.

(27) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the laminar jet outlet body 17 is arranged offset in the forward direction relative to the shower jet outlet body 9, i.e. towards the front side 1a of the washstand 1 facing the user, wherein—as in the example shown—at the same time it may also be arranged slightly offset in the vertical direction. The horizontal and/or vertical offset is relatively slight and in advantageous embodiments amounts at most to between 3 cm and 6 cm. In advantageous embodiments, as in the example shown, the shower jet outlet body 9 and the laminar jet outlet body 17 are arranged together in the same accommodation body 11. In alternative embodiments, the shower jet outlet body 9 and the laminar jet outlet body 17 are accommodated in different accommodation bodies.

(28) In corresponding illustrative embodiments, as in the example shown, the wash-bowl sink 2 has a water drain 19 situated in a region 2b of the sink 2 facing the user side, and e.g. in the form of a slot with slot longitudinal axis parallel to a front side 1a of the washstand facing the user. In advantageous embodiments, the water drain 19 lies in the fountain jet impact region FA of the sink 2 or slightly in front of this, i.e. between the fountain jet impact region FA and the front termination of the sink 2 facing the washstand front side 1a.

(29) In advantageous illustrative embodiments, for the first and second water discharge devices 3, 7 and for the optional third water discharge device 15, in a conventional manner, and therefore not shown, electrically actuatable valves are provided in order to regulate the water flow and water temperature of the water supplied to the respective water discharge device 3, 7, 15. An also conventional control unit, therefore not shown in more detail, is assigned to these valves. In corresponding embodiments, as in the example shown, remote-control operating elements 18 are provided as operating elements which can be operated by the user to adjust the water flow and/or the water temperature, wherein these operating elements 18 are configured as freely movable, puck-like operating elements which can be positioned at any point, e.g. on the top side of the washstand 1 outside the wash-bowl sink 2 as shown, and moved or displaced there freely. Alternatively, conventional manually operated elements and valves for the water discharge devices 3, 7, 15 may be used, such as manually operated shut-off, mixer or changeover valves, e.g. in the form of valves or fittings actuated by rotary knob or lever.

(30) As the exemplary embodiments shown and explained above clearly illustrate, the invention provides a washing place arrangement with clear advantages for the user. The water may be provided either as a fountain jet and/or a shower jet and/or optionally also as a laminar jet at the washing place or above the wash-bowl sink 2. Conventional plumbing outlet fittings with an outlet pipe ending above the sink may be omitted. This has advantages for the usability of the washing place arrangement, since no regard need be taken of an outlet pipe of an outlet fitting. The combination of fountain jet and shower jet and optional laminar jet offers advantages in particular e.g. for washing hair and washing beards at the washing place over the wash-bowl sink.

(31) Also, the washstand as a whole may be formed with a very flat surface which can significantly facilitate cleaning of the washstand arrangement. In particular, in corresponding embodiments, the wash-bowl sink may transform seamlessly and/or steplessly into the adjacent flat region of the washstand. Also, the absence of an outlet fitting typically mounted on the washstand in the region of the wash-bowl sink, with outlet pipe ending above the sink, facilitates cleaning of the washstand arrangement.

(32) Although the invention has been described in detailed with reference to preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.