Adjustable Width Vanity and Method for Securing an Adjustable Width Vanity

Abstract

An adjustable width vanity has a main body that can be positioned relative to a side unit so that the overall width of the vanity can be adjusted to fit within a variety of stalls having different widths.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to bathroom vanities and in particular to an adjustable width vanity and method for securing same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bathroom vanities are the countertops used typically with bathroom sinks and mirrors. Bathroom vanities, particularly those in hotels, are placed in a stall that has a left wall, a right wall, and rear wall.

In hotels, there can be a need to install thousands of similar vanities into the many rooms. When the size of the stall is universal, one sized vanity can be manufactured in quantity for discount and installed in all of the stalls.

Unfortunately, in many hotels the size of the stalls is not universal. That is, the stalls may come in a range of widths. Despite the different sizes, hoteliers are still seeking a vanity that can be provided at the low cost afforded by bulk manufacturing. Accordingly, there is a need for a vanity that can be in stalls having a range of widths.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,381 to Fitzgerald, Sr. teaches a, “Universal Fixture Support.” The support provides a means for support the weight of a fixture (i.e. a sink) with the floor rather than the wall. The fixture support is unable to telescope to accommodate different heights of roofs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,253 to Wasek teaches an, “Adjustable Vanity.” The device provides a means for adjusting the height of a sink. The adjustable vanity is unable to telescope to accommodate different heights of roofs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,109 teaches a, “Vertically Adjustable Lavatory Assembly.” The device describes a motorized assembly for moving a lavatory along a track. The vertically adjustable lavatory assembly is unable to telescope to accommodate different heights of roofs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,290 to Mullick et al. teaches “Movable Bathroom Fixtures.” Rails are provided within a room to allow fixtures to be changed as desired. The movable fixtures unable to telescope to fit into stalls with different widths.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,230,549 to McMurtrie et al. teaches a, “Modular Frame Construction and Installation of Bathroom Fixtures.” The system provides a system for interlocking fixtures. The system does not provide a system of telescoping widths to accommodate different sized stalls.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0222179 to Garcia teaches a, “Modular Rack System.” The rack has two legs. Items (i.e. boards) are placed on and span the legs for drying after being painted or stained. The legs rest on the floor. No vanity is taught. Likewise, the system suggests no solution for installation into bathroom stalls having a range of widths.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an adjustable width vanity and a method for installing an adjustable width vanity that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an adjustable width vanity that can have its width adjusted to be installable in stalls having different widths.

The vanity includes a main body and at least one side unit. The main body has a countertop. Typical cutouts can be made in the countertop for addition of a washbasin and faucets. The side unit telescopes laterally relative to the main body so that the overall width of the main body and side unit(s) span the width of the stall.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, an adjustable width vanity with a main body and two laterally opposed (i.e. a left and a right) side units is particularly useful for installation. First, each side unit is installed on a respective side wall of the stall. Then, the main body is rested on the side units, moved into place, and then fastened together. By installing the side units first, the weight of the main body can be born by the side units, rather than the installer.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, the side units are connected to the side walls of the stall. In cases where the rear wall of the stall is tiled or made of stone, the installer may not want to fasten the vanity to the rear wall. The adjustable width vanity is installed on the side walls of the stall. While it may be additionally connected to the rear wall of the stall, the adjustable width vanity does not necessarily need to be so attached.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, a socket and closing bracket can be used to connect a main body of to side units of the adjustable width vanity. A socket is placed on one of the main body and the side unit; a support is placed on the other of the main body and the side unit; then the support and the socket are connected. The socket includes a c-channel. The support seats in the c-channel. A closing bracket is then added to lock the support in the c-channel.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, the support has a flange for limiting travel of the support relative to the bracket. The flange abuts the bracket when the side unit is moved to a maximum width relative to the main body. The flange prevents the support from being overtelescoped in which case the main body could become unsupported by the side unit and fall to the ground.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, the bracket can have a c-channel opening rearward. When a rearward-opening c-channel is connected to the main body, the main body can be placed on the side units and pushed rearward. As the main body moves rearward, the rearward opening c-channels will receive the supports that are connected to the side units.

If the bracket is connected to the side units and the supports are connected to the main body, then forward opening c-channels are preferred. In this configuration, the supports move into the c-channels as the main body is pushed rearward during installation.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, a method for installing an adjustable width vanity in a stall having two opposing sidewalls and a rear wall is encompassed. The first step includes fastening the side unit to a first of the opposing sidewalls of the stall. The next step involves fastening a second side unit to the other wall of the stall. In the next step, the main body is connected to the two side sections by placing the main body on the side units and then pushing it rearward. Typically, the main body is pushed rearward to abut the rear wall of the stall.

The method can further include engaging supports on one of the side unit and the main body into sockets located on the other of the side unit and the main body.

In accordance with a further object of the invention, the method of installation can include connecting a closing bracket to the main body or side unit after sliding the support into the bracket in order to secure the support in the bracket.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an adjustable width vanity and a method for securing an adjustable width vanity, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a variable width vanity according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the variable width vanity shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the vanity shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear exploded view of the vanity shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a socket according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the socket shown in FIG. 5 with a closing bracket.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of a side section seated in a socket and closing bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is seen an adjustable width vanity. The adjustable width vanity includes a main body 200 and two laterally opposed (i.e. a left and a right) side units 100. A shelf assembly 300 can be included as well.

The main body 200 includes a countertop 203. The countertop 203 has a washbasin cutout 208 formed therein. A washbasin 205 is attached beneath the countertop 203. Alternatively, a drop-in sink or a vessel that rests on the countertop 203 could be used. Fixture cutouts 206 are formed in the countertop 203. Preferably, there are three fixture cutouts 206: one for a faucet, one for a hot-water knob, and one for a cold-water knob. A counter face 204 (also known as a valance) is connected to a front edge of the countertop 203. The counter face 204 hides plumbing and the side units 100 from sight. A lip 207 is disposed along a rear edge of the main body 200. The lip 207 abuts the rear wall of the stall.

The width of the main body 200 is approximately the same width or slightly narrower than the narrowest possible stall in which the adjustable width vanity is to be installed. By sizing the width of the main body 200 in this way, the adjustable width vanity can be guaranteed to fit in any stall. Furthermore, by matching the width of the stall, the amount of the side units 100 that is visible is minimized.

The shelf assembly 300 is an optional addition to the adjustable width vanity. The shelf assembly 300 includes a plurality of shelves 301. The shelves rest on respective shelf frames 302. The shelf assembly 300 has shelf upper legs 303 and shelf lower legs 304. Telescoping feet 305 telescope into the shelf lower legs 304 and allow the height of the legs to be adjustable.

FIG. 7 shows the side unit 100 in detail. The side unit includes a support top 104, a support rear 108, a support face 105, and a lateral face 102. A side-unit frame 107 reinforces the support top 104, the support rear 108, the support face 105, and the lateral face 102. The lateral face 102 has predrilled holes 103. The lateral face 102 is attached to the lateral wall of a stall by drilling screws into the lateral walls of the stall using the predrilled holes 103. Preferably, the support rear 108 is also attached to the rear wall of the stall. The support face 105 hides the underlying mechanism and piping from sight.

Supports 101 extend medially (i.e. orthogonally) from the lateral face 102. Preferably, at least two supports 101 are included. The two supports 101 are parallel to each other and level with each other. Braces 109 reinforce the supports 101 and connect at a diagonal to both the supports 101 and the side-unit frame 107. A flange 106 is located at the end of each support 101. The flange 106 acts as a stop to prevent the support 101 from being overextended.

FIG. 5 shows a socket 201. The socket 201 is connected to an underside of the countertop 203. The socket 201 includes a c-channel 2011. The c-channel 2011 is shaped to receive a support 101. A spine 2012 reinforces the c-channel 2011. A base 2013 is included to fasten the socket 201 to the underside of the countertop 203. The c-channel 2011 preferably opens facing the rear wall of the stall.

FIG. 6 shows a closing bracket 202 and how it works in conjunction with the socket 201. The closing bracket 202 is formed by a mounting plate 2023 connected to a cantilever 2021. The mounting plate 2023 has holes 2022 preformed therein. Screws, which are not shown, are inserted through the holes 2022 to fasten the closing bracket 202 to the underside of the countertop 203. The cantilever 2021 is used to close the opening of the c-channel 2011 after the support 101 is installed in the c-channel 2011. So, the closing bracket 202 is installed after the support 101 has been installed in the c-channel 2011. A bolt 2024 with a tip 2026 is threaded through the cantilever 2021. The bolt 2024 has a socket 2025, which is preferably hexagonal for receiving an Allen wrench. The bolt 2024 is tightened so that the tip 2026 forms a firm abutment with the support 101. The bolt 2024 prevents the support 101 from wiggling within the c-channel 2011. FIG. 7 shows the supports 101 installed in brackets 101 with a closing bracket 202 installed.

FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate an initial step in the installation of the adjustable width vanity. In the first step, each side unit 100 is connected to a respective lateral wall in a stall. The stall is not shown. When installing the side units 100, normal carpentry techniques are used to align and level the side units to each other at the same height and distance (preferably abutting) from the rear wall of the stall.

In the next step, the main body 200, and in particular the countertop 203, is rested on the supports 101. The main body 200 is then pushed towards the rear of the stall. The c-channels 2011 of the sockets 201 become engaged with supports 101 as the main body 203 is moved rearward. The closing bracket 202 is then installed at least on the front supports 101 to secure the main body 200 to the side units 100. The final installed position can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An adjustable width vanity for fitting in a stall having a width, the vanity comprising: a main body including a countertop; anda side unit telescoped laterally relative to said main body so that said main body and said side unit span the stall.

2. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 1, further comprising a further side unit laterally opposing said side unit, said further side unit being telescoped laterally relative to said main body; said side unit, said main body, and said further side unit spanning the stall.

3. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 2, wherein: said side unit is connected to a first side wall of the stall; andsaid further side unit is connected to a second side wall of the stall.

4. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 1, wherein: one of said main body and said side unit has a socket connected thereto; andthe other of said main body and said unit has a support connected thereto, said support being seated within said socket.

5. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 4, further comprising a closing bracket holding said support within said socket.

6. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 4, wherein said support has a flange abutting said bracket when said side unit is moved to a maximum width relative to said main body.

7. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 4, wherein: said bracket is attached to said main body and said support is attached to said side unit; andsaid bracket has a c-channel opening rearward and holding said support.

8. The adjustable width vanity according to claim 5, wherein: said bracket has a c-channel opening rearward and holding said support; andsaid closing bracket has a plate being disposed rearward relative to said c-channel and holding said support in said c-channel.

9. A method for installing an adjustable width vanity in a stall having two opposing sidewalls and a rear wall, the method which comprises: providing an adjustable width vanity according to claim 2;fastening said side unit to a first of the opposing sidewalls;fastening said further side unit to a second of the opposing sidewalls; andconnecting said main body to said side unit and said further side unit.

10. A method for installing an adjustable width vanity in a stall having two opposing sidewalls and a rear wall, the method which comprises: providing an adjustable width vanity including a main body having a countertop and two laterally opposed side units, each of said side units being telescopable laterally relative to said main body, one of said main body and each of said side units having a socket connected thereto, and the other of said main body and each of said units having a support connected thereto, said support being seatable within a respective one of said sockets, said brackets each having a c-channel opening rearward and receiving said support;fastening a first of said side units to a first of the sidewalls of the stall;fastening a second of said side units to a second of the sidewalls;sliding said main body backward until said brackets engage said support.

11. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises connecting a closing bracket to said main body after the sliding step to block said support in said bracket.