bathtub

Abstract

To provide a bathtub that is low cost, highly durable, and has a warm feeling. [Solution] The bathtub 1 has a bathtub main body 2 and a wooden part 3. The bathtub main body 2 has a cylindrical, bottomed tubular part 23 consisting of a side part 21 and a bottom part 22, and a flange part extending horizontally outward formed around the entire circumference of the upper end of the side part 21 of the tubular part 23. The bathtub main body 2 is made of metal, with the tubular part 23 and flange part 24 integrally formed by molding a metal plate. The wooden part 3 is placed on the upper surface of the flange part 24 of the bathtub main body 2, and forms a ring shape extending circumferentially along the flange part 24. At least the surface of the wooden part 3 is formed from a wood material.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, bathtubs have often been made of resin, but resin bathtubs deteriorate over time, resulting in poor durability. This also poses a problem in terms of the SDGs, which have become an issue in recent years. A bathtub formed by press-forming a stainless steel plate is known as a solution to these problems (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-13285 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the bathtub described in Patent Document 1 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom by welding together a bottom plate and multiple side wall sections that are individually press-formed. A bathtub assembled by welding requires a post-processing step to smooth the welded joints, which increases costs. Furthermore, stainless steel is prone to high-temperature cracking during welding, making it difficult to ensure strength after welding, making it difficult to provide a bathtub with sufficient durability.

[0005] Another problem is that stainless steel bathtubs tend to have an inorganic and cold impression, which makes them unpopular with customers who prefer a warm bathtub.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub that is low cost, highly durable, and provides a warm feeling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the bathtub of the present invention comprises a cylindrical portion having a bottom and a side portion and a bottom, and a horizontally outward extending portion formed around the entire upper end of the side portion of the cylindrical portion. Flat shape Flange and a rising portion formed on the outer edge of the flange portion and extending upward from the upper edge portion; Equipped with By forming a single metal plate, the cylindrical portion 、 Flange , and erector and a metal bathtub body integrally formed with the flange portion of the bathtub body. And inside the upright part and a wooden portion disposed on the flange portion, extending in a circumferential direction along the flange portion, the wooden portion having at least a surface formed of a wood material.

[0008] In this way, when the cylindrical portion and flange portion that make up the bathtub body are integrally formed by molding metal sheets, welding is not necessary. This eliminates the need for post-processing of the welded parts, thereby reducing costs. Eliminating the need for welding also increases the rigidity of the bathtub body. Furthermore, the flange portion serves as a handle, making the bathtub portable. Additionally, since the bathtub has a hybrid structure of a metal bathtub body and a wooden portion, compared to a bathtub made solely of metal, the bathtub's exterior impression is reduced to a more warm, less inorganic feel, which is preferable for users who dislike such inorganic textures. Because the bathtub body is made of reusable metal, it is also excellent in terms of the SDGs.

[0009] The wooden part supports the bather's body (for example, the neck and back), and has the effect of increasing the height of the bathtub. When molding a single metal plate, there are restrictions on the dimensions of the metal plate, so there are concerns about the height of the bathtub, but by placing the wooden part on top of the flange, it is possible to make up for the lack of height with the wooden part, improving the usability.

[0010] In this bathtub, an upright section extending upward can be integrally formed with the flange at its edge, and the wooden section can be placed inside the upright section. This allows the wooden section to be positioned horizontally, reducing the number of fasteners (e.g., screws) used to secure the wooden section to the flange, thereby reducing weight and costs.

[0011] In this bathtub, a horizontally extending seat can be integrally attached to the side of the cylindrical section. This seat can be used as a space for bathers to sit on while bathing. It also reduces the volume inside the bathtub, resulting in water conservation, and the seat functions as a rib, increasing the rigidity of the bathtub body.

[0012] In this bathtub, the starting point of the flange can be positioned inside the wood part, which allows the lid to be supported by the flange when closing the opening of the bathtub body with the lid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bathtub that is low cost, highly durable, and has a warm feeling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 3) of the bathtub according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bathtub according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view of the bathtub according to the present embodiment as seen from the direction IV in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a bathtub according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a bathtub 1 according to the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a bathtub 1 according to this embodiment has a bathtub body 2 and a wooden part 3 arranged at the upper end of the bathtub body 2.

[0018] The bathtub body 2 comprises a cylindrical, bottomed tubular portion 23 consisting of a side portion 21 and a bottom portion 22, and a flange portion 24 extending horizontally outward and provided around the entire periphery at the upper end of the side portion 21 of the tubular portion 23. The side portion 21 may have any shape in plan view, but in this embodiment, the side portion 21 is formed to have an oval shape, as shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 2, an upright portion 25 extending upward is provided integrally with the flange portion 24 on the outer edge of the flange portion 24. The upright portion 25 may be formed around the entire periphery of the flange portion, or may be provided only in a partial circumferential region of the circumferentially extending flange portion 24.

[0019] The wooden part 3 is placed on the upper surface of the flange 24 of the bathtub main body 2 and is formed in a ring shape extending circumferentially along the flange 24. At least the surface of the wooden part 3 is formed from a wood material. For example, the entire wooden part 3 can be formed from wood. Alternatively, the wooden part 3 can be formed by attaching a wooden plate to the surface of a core material made of metal, resin, etc. In any case, it is preferable to form the wood from a tree species that is highly water-resistant (zelkova, cedar, cypress, etc.). The wooden part 3 can be formed in a continuous ring shape around the entire circumference, or it can be divided into segments at multiple points around the circumference and then formed into a ring shape by arranging these segments.

[0020] The wood part 3 is placed inside the standing part 25. In this case, it is preferable that the inner surface of the standing part 25 contacts the wood part 3 around the entire circumference of the standing part 25. This allows the standing part 25 to position the wood part 3 horizontally. The wood part 3 is fixed to the flange part 24 using fastening members such as screws or a water-resistant adhesive. Using fastening members to fix the wood part 3 makes it easy to replace the wood part 3 when it needs to be replaced due to deterioration over time, etc.

[0021] Between the top end of the side portion 21 of the cylindrical portion 23 and the bottom portion 22, the side portion 21 is bulged inward to form a horizontally extending seat portion 26 integral with the side portion 21. This seat portion 26 can be used, for example, as a space for a user to sit in the bathtub 1. As shown in Figure 3, the seat portion 26 protrudes inward from the side portion 21, and its inner edge portion 26a is formed in a straight line. The inner edge portion 26a of the seat portion 26 extends downward and connects to the bottom portion 22. The seat portion 26 also functions as a rib, which is effective in increasing the rigidity of the bathtub body 2. The seat portion 26 is provided on one side of the bathtub 1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] A cushion 5 (see FIG. 1) made of a flexible material such as sponge is placed on the seat 26 as needed. The cushion 5 can be positioned relative to the seat 26 by providing a recess 29 on either the cushion 5 or the seat 26 and providing a protrusion on the other that fits into the recess 29. If the seat 26 is made of a magnetic material, the cushion 5 can also be positioned by attaching a permanent magnet to the cushion 5 and magnetically attaching the permanent magnet to the seat 26. Alternatively, the underside of the cushion 5 and the seat 26 can be tapered downwards toward the outside of the bathtub, and the fit of the tapered surfaces can prevent the cushion 5 from shifting position.

[0023] The cylindrical portion 23 (including the seat portion 26) and flange portion 24 (including the upright portion 25) that make up the bathtub body 2 described above are integrally formed by molding a metal plate, for example, a stainless steel plate. The metal plate can be molded, for example, by drawing using press molding. During the drawing process, the flange portion 24 (excluding the upright portion 25) and the cylindrical portion 23 (including the seat portion 26) are molded integrally in a first drawing process, and the upright portion 25 can be formed by molding the outer edge of the flange portion 24 so that it stands upright in a second drawing process. The unnecessary portion at the upper end of the upright portion 25 is cut off and removed using laser processing or the like.

[0024] The bathtub body 2 manufactured using the above procedure has no seams between the metal plates or traces of welding the metal plates together. In addition, there are no edges at the corners of the bathtub body 2, and adjacent corners are connected via smooth arcs.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the starting point of flange portion 24 is located inside wood portion 3. Here, "starting point" refers to the point of contact between horizontally extending flange portion 24 and curved portion 21a formed at the upper end of side portion 24. By locating the starting point of flange portion 24 inside wood portion 3 in this way, it becomes possible to support lid 4 with flange portion 24 when closing the opening of bathtub body 2 with lid 4, as shown in Figure 1.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, legs 6 are arranged between the bottom 22 of the bathtub body 2 and the floor F. The legs 6 can be made of, for example, a rubber material or a resin material. The legs 6 are not fixed to the bathtub body 2, but are sandwiched between the bottom 22 and the floor F.

[0027] A drain outlet 28 is provided in the bottom 22. The drain outlet 28 is closed with a rubber stopper (not shown) while the bathtub is in use. For drainage purposes, it is preferable that the top surface of the bottom 22 be slightly inclined so that the drain outlet 28 side is lower. The drain outlet 28 can also be provided in the lower part of the side 21.

[0028] In this embodiment, a handrail 7 is provided at one longitudinal end of the bathtub 1 to assist users when entering and exiting the bathtub 1. The handrail 7 is formed into a pipe shape using steel or resin material, and both ends are attached to the wooden part 3 using screws or the like. A shower pole 9 is attached to the handrail 7 via a bracket 8. The shower pole supports a shower head (not shown) connected to an external water source. Bathtub 1 can be filled with water using the shower head, or a hot water faucet can be installed on the bathtub 1 separately from the shower. The handrail 7, bracket 8, and shower pole 9 may be relocatable to the opposite longitudinal end.

[0029] According to the bathtub 1 described above, the cylindrical portion 23 and flange portion 24 that make up the bathtub body 2 are integrally formed by molding metal plates, eliminating the need for welding. This eliminates the need for post-processing of the welded parts, thereby reducing costs. Eliminating the need for welding also increases the rigidity of the bathtub body 2. Additionally, because the bathtub 1 has a hybrid structure of metal material (bathtub body 2) and wood material (wood portion 3), the bathtub 1's exterior has a less inorganic feel and a more warm feel than a bathtub made entirely of metal, making it preferable for users who dislike such inorganic feel. Because the bathtub body 2 is made of reusable metal, it is also excellent in terms of the SDGs.

[0030] Additionally, the wooden part 3 serves to support the bather's body (for example, the neck and back), and has the function of raising the height of the bathtub 1. When molding a single metal plate, there are restrictions on the dimensions of the metal plate, which can cause concerns about the height of the bathtub, but by placing the wooden part 3 on top of the flange part 24, the lack of height can be compensated for, improving the comfort of use. Specifically, the water surface can be raised to the same level as the flange part 24.

[0031] In addition, the bathtub body 2 is provided with a flange 24, which can be used as a handle, making the bathtub 1 portable. This allows for flexible installation of the bathtub 3, allowing for use not only indoors at home but also outdoors at campsites, etc. When installing the bathtub at home, an apron can be attached to the flange 24 to add a decorative touch to the surface visible to users in the bathroom.

[0032] Furthermore, the flange 24 has an upwardly extending upright portion 25 formed integrally with it, and the wooden portion 3 is positioned inside the upright portion 25, allowing the wooden portion 3 to be positioned horizontally. This reduces the number of fastening members (e.g., screws) used to secure the wooden portion 3 to the flange 24, resulting in weight and cost savings. Using fastening members to secure the wooden portion 3 also makes it easier to replace the wooden portion 3 due to deterioration over time, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, since the seat 26 extending horizontally is integrally provided on the side 21 of the cylindrical portion 23, the seat 26 can be used as a space for the user to sit on. When the seat 26 is provided in this way, the volume inside the bathtub is reduced, which results in a water-saving effect, and the seat 26 functions as a rib, which increases the rigidity of the bathtub body 2.

[0034] In addition, by positioning the starting point of the flange portion 25 inside the wooden portion 3, when closing the opening of the bathtub body 2 with the lid 4, the lid 4 can be supported by the flange portion 24, and the closing function of the lid 4 can be stably maintained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 bathtub 2 Bathtub body 3 Woody part 4 Lid 6 legs 21 Side 22 Bottom 23 Cylindrical part 24 flange 25 Seat

Claims

1. a metal bathtub body comprising a cylindrical, bottomed section consisting of sides and a bottom; a flat flange section extending horizontally outward around the entire periphery of the upper end of the side section of the cylindrical section; and an upright section formed on the outer edge of the flange section and extending upward from the upper edge section, the metal bathtub body being formed by molding a single metal plate, with the cylindrical section, flange section, and upright section being integrally formed; a wooden part that is arranged on the upper surface of the flange part of the bathtub body and inside the upright part, has a ring shape that extends circumferentially along the flange part, and at least the surface of which is made of a wooden material; A bathtub characterized by having:

2. 2. The bathtub according to claim 1, wherein a seat extending horizontally is integrally provided on the side of the cylindrical portion.

3. The bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion has a starting point positioned inside the wood portion.

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