Patent Publication Number: US-2004040085-A1

Title: Built-up washbasin stand

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a built-up washbasin stand, and particularly to a washbasin stand, which is simple in structure and easy for being set up and can be fabricated with facility such that an economic benefit can be attained substantially.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] It is often to be heard about accident resulting from the conventional washbasin being broken fiercely in recent years. There are many reasons such as being heavily pressed, forcedly struck, hot expanding and cold shrinking swiftly and being full of cracks of wall due to earthquake, which cause the fastening screws to become loose and result in the washbasin falling down to the ground and broken fiercely. One type of the washbasins is provided with a support stand at the bottom thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and it can be seen that the washbasin  20  is supported with a stand  21 . However, the support spots are disposed at the rear part of the washbasin  20  touching the wall  80  so that it provides a very limited function for distributing the integral weight of the washbasin  20 . Although the actual reason for a specific fierce break might not be so sure, an ascertained point is that the accident resulting from the washbasin fierce break or falling by the external force can be reduced if the strength of the support structure is intensified significantly.  
       [0005] Hence, a washbasin set available in the market is provided with a stand as shown in FIG. 7 and the washbasin set  90  has a tabletop  91  with a hollow part  911  for being inserted with a washbasin  92 . The tabletop  91  at the bottom thereof extends downward two symmetrical lateral leg parts  93 . Each leg part  93  is composed of a floor support leg  931 , a tabletop support lever  932  and a wall support rod  933  so that the leg part  93  is formed an approximate U shape. The wall support rod  933  is fixedly attached to the wall  80  and the floor support leg  931  props up the floor  70 . The tabletop  91  is placed on top of the leg parts  93  and the washbasin is inset to the hollow part  911 . It is emphasized that the washbasin  92  of the washbasin device  90  is made of stainless so as to avoid the deficiency of the ceramic washbasin of being possible to be broken fiercely in addition to the leg parts  93  increasing the stability of the tabletop  91  and the washbasin  92 . However, the washbasin set  90  still has the following disadvantages:  
       [0006] 1. The conventional washbasin device is provided with complicated parts so that it is hard to be set up by the user himself with the help of the supplier.  
       [0007] 2. The old washbasin has to be replaced entirely before the washbasin set  90  can be installed.  
       [0008] 3. It is hard to fix the leg parts  93  firmly because the two leg parts  93  have to have the same height before the tabletop  91  being able to be disposed steadily.  
       [0009] 4. Both of the leg parts  93  have a stationary height respectively so that it is not possible for the leg parts  93  being adjustable in their height.  
       [0010] 5. The leg parts  93  have to be fixedly attached to the wall  80  such that the wall  80  becomes damaged.  
       [0011] 6. It is easy for the stainless washbasin  92  to be stained with oil sludge and it is hard to clean the oil sludge.  
       [0012] 7. The stainless washbasin  92  is good for heat conduction and the whole washbasin becomes very hot in case of the hot water or a hot substance being received in the washbasin so that it is very easy to result in being scalded accidentally.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a built-up washbasin stand, which includes a support part and at least a leg part with the support part having a shape surrounding a space at the top thereof for receiving the bottom of a washbasin and the leg part being provided with a fitting end at the upper end thereof for the support part being inserted through the fitting end. Hence, the washbasin stand can support the weight of the washbasin at the front part thereof.  
       [0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a built-up washbasin stand, which is possible to accommodate any conventional washbasin so as to comply with the need of economical benefit.  
       [0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a built-up washbasin stand, which has simple parts for being possible to be set up by the user himself conveniently and speedily without the need of special tools.  
       [0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a built-up washbasin stand, which is built up as an independent unit instead of being attached to the wall so that the wall can be free from being damaged.  
       [0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a built-up washbasin stand, which is suitable for the conventional ceramic washbasin set so that the features such as easily being cleaned, low heat conduction and high heat preservation can be retained effectively. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0018] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:  
     [0019]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a built-up washbasin stand according to the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of a built-up washbasin stand of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the washbasin stand shown in FIG. 2 supporting a washbasin;  
     [0022]FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the support part and the fitting parts shown in FIG. 1 being in a state of fitting with each other;  
     [0023]FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of the support part fitting with the fitting part;  
     [0024]FIG. 6A is a front view of FIG. 3;  
     [0025]FIG. 6B is a side view of FIG. 3;  
     [0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional washbasin stand. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0027] Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the present invention discloses a built-up washbasin stand ( 10 ), which is comprised of a support part ( 11 ) and at least one leg part ( 12 ). The support part ( 11 ) is formed by bending an aluminum rod into a U-shaped structure and on each of the two corresponding sides of the support part ( 11 ), adjustable screws ( 13 ) can be located. The adjustable screws ( 13 ) penetrate the support part from the bottom thereof and extend outward a suitable length respectively from the top of the support part ( 11 ). An appropriate number of nuts ( 14 ) can be screwed onto the adjustable screws ( 13 ). As shown in the figure, each of the adjustable screws ( 13 ) at both end parts thereof engaging a nut ( 14 ) respectively in a way of being disposed above and under the support part ( 11 ) such that the adjustable screws ( 13 ) can be fixed in position and are not possible to become loose easily. Each of the leg parts ( 12 ) at the top thereof is provided with a fitting end ( 121 ) for the support part ( 11 ) being able to pass through. The respective leg part ( 12 ) can be provided with either a fixed length or an extensible length. It is preferable that the leg parts ( 12 ) are provided with an extensible and adjustable length shown in the figures. Although it is the most appropriate design with the two leg parts ( 12 ) but the number of leg parts can be increased or decreased depending on the actual application. Different types adjustable structures can be used, for example, the conventional mop or bar adjustable type or the locating pin type is possible to be applied advantageously.  
     [0028] As the support part ( 11 ) is passed through the fitting end ( 121 ) at the top of the leg part ( 12 ). The axial direction of the leg part ( 12 ) on the support part ( 11 ) can be adjusted to accommodate the shape and size of the washbasin ( 20 ). Furthermore, the length of the leg part ( 12 ) can be adjusted according to the height of the washbasin ( 20 ). The top of the support part ( 11 ) forms an insertion space ( 111 ) for the placement of a washbasin ( 20 ) and provides a support point between the bottom of the washbasin ( 20 ) and the support part ( 11 ).  
     [0029] Referring FIG. 4, the fitting end ( 121 ) has a straight through cylindrical shape while the support part ( 11 ) has straight section A and a curve section B. When the fitting end ( 121 ) is inserted with the straight section A of the support part ( 11 ), the fitting end ( 121 ) and the support part ( 11 ) are loosely connected so that the fitting end ( 121 ) can be inserted easily. As the fitting end ( 121 ) continues to move forward into the curve section B of the support part ( 11 ), due to the straight through cylindrical shape thereof, it results in friction with the curve section B of the support part ( 11 ) and thus the fitting end ( 121 ) is not be able to move freely. Therefore, due to this feature of connection, the fitting end ( 121 ) can be fixed in place and it disallows the curve section B of the support part ( 11 ) from moving freely.  
     [0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the support part ( 11 A) and fitting end ( 121 A) shown in FIG. 5 also can be used instead of the preceding support part ( 11 ) and fitting end ( 121 ). The support part ( 11 A) has a continuous curve shape while the inner side of the fitting end ( 121 A) is curvedly piercing to correspond to the circular measure of the support part ( 11 A). The advantage of this embodiment is that the fitting end ( 121 A) can be easily inserted with the support part ( 11 A). When the washbasin presses onto the fitting end ( 121 A), it makes the fitting end ( 121 A) unable to move due to the weight of the washbasin. Furthermore, screws or locating pins can be installed to fix the fitting end ( 121 A) in position.  
     [0031] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B in company with FIG. 3, the conventional washbasin ( 20 ) usually has a concave downward bottom ( 22 ), which can be inset to the support part ( 11 ). Because the leg parts ( 12 ) and adjustable screws ( 13 ) can be adjusted in lengths thereof, a suitable length of the washbasin can be adjusted properly so that the bottom of the washbasin ( 20 ), fitting end ( 121 ) and the adjustable screws ( 13 ) can be disposed to support one another and making use of the leg parts ( 12 ) and the support base ( 21 ) at the bottom of the washbasin ( 20 ) to be a three-point support, the back of the washbasin ( 20 ) can lean firmly against the wall ( 80 ). The weight of the washbasin is partially supported by the support base ( 21 ), while the weight of the washbasin ( 20 ) at the front part thereof is supported with the leg parts ( 12 ), which are attached firmly onto the floor ( 70 ). In this way, the weight of the washbasin ( 20 ) is evenly distributed so that even if the washbasin ( 20 ) explodes under an external force, with the support of the support part ( 11 ) and the leg parts ( 12 ), the velocity of the broken washbasin ( 20 ) falling onto the ground will be slowed down. To increase the friction between the bottom of each leg part ( 12 ) and the floor surface ( 70 ) or the friction between each screw ( 13 ) and the bottom of the washbasin ( 20 ), anti-slippery plastic pad can be provided at the bottom of each leg part ( 12 ) and the rear end of each screw ( 13 ). It is noted that this part belongs to the prior art and no detail will be described further.  
     [0032] Regarding the practicality of this invention, a prototype washbasin stand of the present invention with a series of experiments has been performed to prove the capability thereof. As the forgoing, the invention has the following advantages:  
     [0033] 1. The washbasin stand of the present invention is applicable to conventional washbasins so that the required economic benefit can be achieved substantially.  
     [0034] 2. The washbasin stand of the present invention provides a simple structure so that it is possible for the consumers to fix up the washbasin fast and conveniently without the need of any special tools.  
     [0035] 3. The leg parts are extensible so it is suitable for washbasins with different heights to be adjusted simply and fast.  
     [0036] 4. The washbasin stand of the present invention can be set up as an independent unit and does not have to be fixed onto to the wall, which might be damaged during the conventional washbasin being used.  
     [0037] 5. The washbasin stand is suitable for the conventional ceramic washbasin, which provides features such as easily cleaned, low heat conductivity and high heat preservation.  
     [0038] While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.