Bathroom Fixtures and Components

The present application is a continuation of application under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(b) and 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/367,816, filed Sep. 13, 2023, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/692,907, filed Mar. 11, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/800,657, filed Feb. 25, 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/797,165, filed Oct. 30, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/415,911, filed Nov. 1, 2016, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application relates generally to bathrooms and fixtures and components intended for use within bathroom environments.

Various embodiments provide for a bathroom module. The bathroom module comprises a shower area, a toilet area, a grooming area, and plumbing inlet lines. The shower area comprises a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The toilet area comprises a toilet assembly. The toilet area and the shower area are separated from each other by a first wall. The grooming area comprises a sink assembly that comprises a faucet. The grooming area is separated from the shower area and the toilet area by a second wall. The second wall is substantially perpendicular to the first wall. Plumbing inlet lines are disposed within the first wall and the second wall and configured to supply water to the control valve assembly, the shower head, the toilet assembly, and the faucet.

Various other embodiments provide another bathroom module. The bathroom module comprises a shower area, a toilet area, a transition area, a shower area front wall, a shower area side wall, a toilet area front wall, a toilet area side wall, and a grooming area. The shower area comprises a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The toilet area comprises a toilet assembly. The transition area is disposed between the shower area and the toilet area. The shower area is disposed along a first side of the shower area front wall and a first side of the shower area side wall. The toilet area is disposed along a first side of the toilet area front wall and a first side of the toilet area side wall. The grooming area comprises a sink assembly that comprises a faucet. The grooming area is disposed along a second side of one of the shower area front wall, the shower area side wall, the toilet area front wall, the toilet area side wall. Another embodiment relates to a bathroom module that includes a shower area that includes a shower head, a control valve assembly, and a drain. The module also includes a toilet area including a toilet assembly and a transition area disposed between the shower area and the toilet area. The module also includes a shower area front wall and a shower area side wall, the shower area disposed along a first side of the shower area front wall and a first side of the shower area side wall. The module also includes a toilet area front wall and a toilet area side wall, the toilet area disposed along a first side of the toilet area front wall and a first side of the toilet area side wall. A grooming area includes a sink assembly that comprises a faucet, and the grooming area is disposed along a second side of at least one of the shower area front wall, the shower area side wall, the toilet area front wall, and the toilet area side wall. Another embodiment relates to a bathroom module that includes a shower area, a toilet area, and a transition area disposed between the shower area and the toilet area. The module includes a shower area front wall and a shower area side wall, the shower area disposed along a first side of the shower area front wall and a first side of the shower area side wall. The module also includes a toilet area front wall and a toilet area side wall, the toilet area disposed along a first side of the toilet area front wall and a first side of the toilet area side wall. A grooming area is disposed along at a second side of at least one of the shower area front wall, the shower area side wall, the toilet area front wall, and the toilet area side wall. Another embodiment relates to a toilet installed in a bathroom in which the toilet includes a toilet bowl and a tank coupled to the toilet bowl. The tank can contain fluid for the toilet bowl. A rear surface of the tank is flush against a wall of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the wall. A bottom surface of the tank is flush against a floor of the bathroom such that there is no gap between the tank and the floor. The tank extends longitudinally above and below the toilet bowl and laterally outward past the toilet bowl such that a first side surface and a second side surface of the tank define outermost side peripheries of the toilet. Another embodiment relates to a method of installing a toilet having a tank that can contain fluid for a toilet bowl of the toilet. The method includes positioning the tank against a wall of a bathroom such that an entirety of a rear surface of the tank lies against the wall. The method includes positioning the tank against a floor of the bathroom such that an entirety of a bottom surface of the tank lies against the floor. Another embodiment relates to a bathroom that includes a floor and a wall extending upward from the floor. The bathroom includes a toilet that includes a toilet bowl and a tank coupled to the toilet bowl. The tank can contain fluid for the toilet bowl. A rear surface of the tank is positioned against the wall such that the rear surface abuts the wall. A bottom surface of the tank is parallel to the floor and is positioned against the floor such that there is no space between the floor and the bottom surface.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following description.

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the various exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. An effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring generally to the figures, disclosed herein are bathrooms with various layouts and bathroom fixtures and components (e.g., amenities, products, and fixtures) including, but not limited to, the various layouts and features shown in the first bathroom and the second bathroom, as shown according to exemplary embodiments.

The layout (e.g., the overall design of the bathrooms and the positions or arrangement of each of the bathroom fixtures and components) allows the entire bathroom to work together and provide a continuous “flow” for the user. The various bathroom fixtures and components disclosed herein are designed to cater to the experience of the user and to optimize the user's interaction with the bathroom. Each of the various bathroom fixtures and components are designed to be in harmony with the space (e.g., the spatial layout of the bathroom and the other nearby bathroom fixtures and components) and to take into account the end user activities in order to provide user-centric bathroom solutions.

The various bathroom fixtures and components are designed to be used by a variety of different users (e.g., users of all ages, sizes, and abilities). The various bathroom fixtures and components also take into account the needs within a variety of different locations, such as a hotel or a residence.

The various bathroom fixtures and components are also designed to be easy to clean, look clean, and easy to inspect whether or not they have been cleaned, which may be particularly beneficial for hotel bathrooms that are used by many different people and require frequent cleaning. Since the bathroom fixtures and components are easy to clean, hotel guests are less likely to see that another guest previously was previously using the same bathroom.

The various bathroom fixtures and components and spatial layout may also increase or improve the safety and support, privacy, adaptability (e.g., adaptable to different user needs, preferences, and sizes), and comfort (e.g., spacious, warm, and relaxing, yet efficient) within the bathroom and may be more intuitive and obvious to use and interact with (e.g., no learning curve), even when the bathroom is unfamiliar. The layout of the bathroom fixtures and components may also help the user easily and effortlessly transition between different activities, tasks, or areas within the bathroom.

The bathroom fixtures and components may be positioned and used within a variety of different types of bathrooms, including but not limited to hotel bathrooms (e.g., hospitality), residential bathrooms, or other commercial settings. It is understood that the various bathroom fixtures and components may be used within any non-bathroom applications.

The bathroom spatial layouts, fixtures, and components are designed around and can be used by a variety of different users, including business, leisure, or vacation travelers within a hotel. The bathroom spatial layouts, fixtures, and components may be designed to provide a more enjoyable and intuitive end user experience within the bathroom.

As shown in, the first bathroom module or bathroommay include a variety of different bathroom fixtures and components and features. A layout of the first bathroom(e.g., the “privately open bathroom”) is shown in. The first bathroommay connect to, for example, a room(such a sleeping space or bedroom in a hotel or a home).

The first bathroomincludes at least three spaces or areas: a shower space or area, a toilet space or area, and a grooming space or area, as described further herein. The shower areamay include (among other features) a shower valve assemblyand a shower head assembly(that comprises a shower head), a drain, and an area for the occupant to use the shower valve assemblyand the shower head assembly. The toilet areamay include (among other features) a toilet assemblyand an area for the occupant to use the toilet assembly. The grooming areamay include (among other features) a sink assembly(that comprises a faucet) and other grooming area accessories, including but not limited to a towel bar assembly, cabinets, drawers, a storage area, electrical outlets, lights, mirrors,, a storage space, and seating(e.g., a stool, a seat, or a chair) and designated space for the occupant to use these features.

As shown in, the grooming areamay include additional storage areasto allow the occupant to access and store items, such as luggage and other amenities (such as coffee and a coffee maker), within the grooming areaof the first bathroom. This allows the occupant to access everything needed while in the first bathroomand reduces the need to leave the first bathroomduring use to obtain necessary items from the room, thus providing a set-apart space from the roomfor the occupant to get ready in.

As shown in, a first occupant can move around the first bathroomwithout disturbing a second occupant in the room. The occupant may not have to enter into the room(which may wake or disturb the second occupant) while using the first bathroomsince their items can be stored within the additional storage areasof the grooming areaof the first bathroom. Accordingly, the first occupant still has access to their luggage within the grooming areawithout having to go back into the room. Furthermore, by closing the grooming area door, the first occupant has privacy from the room. In a hotel, this may be particularly beneficial since the second occupant may want to rest or sleep undisturbed within the room(in the quiet and with the lights off, for example) while the first occupant is using the first bathroom. In conventional bathrooms(as shown, for example, in), however, the first occupant may have to move between the bathroomand the room(due to the layout of the bathroom) while getting ready, which may be both inconvenient and inefficient and may further disturb the second occupant.

In order to provide privacy between the shower area, the toilet area, the grooming area, and the room, the first bathroommay include various doors,,that divide and separate each of the areas or rooms, as shown in. For example, as shown in, the first or shower area doormay be positioned between the grooming areaand the shower areato provide access to the shower areafrom the grooming areaand the second or toilet area doormay be positioned between the grooming areaand the toilet areato provide access to the toilet areafrom the grooming area. The shower area doorand the toilet area doormay each be movable between an open position and a closed position (as shown, for example, in).

As shown in, the shower area dooris positioned within a first side of the grooming area. The shower area dooris movably attached to a wall across from a first endof the second wall. In the closed position, the shower area dooris substantially parallel to the second walland an end of the shower area doordirectly abuts or is very close to the first endof the second wall. The toilet area dooris positioned within a second side of the grooming area. The toilet area dooris movably attached to a wall across from a second endof the second wall. In the closed position, the toilet area dooris substantially parallel to the second walland an end of the toilet area doordirectly abuts or is very close to the second endof the second wall. The first endand the second endof the second wallare opposite each other along the length of the second wall.

As shown in, the third or grooming area doormay be positioned between the grooming areaand the roomto provide access to the grooming areafrom an area outside of the first bathroom(e.g., the room) and may be movable between an open position (as shown in) and a closed position (as shown in). Each of the doors,,may be a variety of different type of doors, such as a hinged door or a sliding door. The doors,,may move or pivot in either direction if the doors,,are hinged doors.

As shown in, the layout of the first bathroom(which includes the doors,,) provides privacy and personal space for each of the grooming area, the toilet area, and the shower area, even if they are simultaneously being used. For example, the enclosed toilet areaconceals sights, smells, and sounds and the enclosed shower areaprovides visual privacy and contains humidity. Accordingly, multiple occupants may simultaneously use each of the grooming area, the toilet area, and the shower areawithout invading each other's personal space and privacy. Furthermore, the toilet assemblyis no longer positioned in a central area within the first bathroom(compared to traditional bathrooms) in order to provide more privacy and a layout that is easier for the user to navigate. As shown in, multiple occupants may also simultaneously use the first bathroomand the roomwithout disturbing each other.

According to one embodiment, the roommay be approximately 368 feetand the first bathroommay be approximately 75 feet.

According to one embodiment, the first bathroomis a prefabricated as a transportable bathroom module that can be used within a variety of different spaces and next to a variety of different rooms.

As shown in, the grooming area, the toilet area, and the shower areamay be separated or divided by a divider wall assembly. The divider wall assemblymay be approximately in the shape of a “T,” with a first wallsubstantially perpendicular to a second wall. As shown in, the first endof the first wallintersects or abuts a first sideof the second wallin approximately the middle of the length of the second wall, which creates the “T” shape of the divider wall assembly.

The second endof the first wallmay be bolted to another wall (such as a main wall that may be substantially perpendicular to the first wall, and therefore substantially parallel to the second wall). Accordingly, the divider wall assemblymay be easily installed into the first bathroomby attaching to the main wall and connecting to the plumbing and/or electricity within the main wall. The first endand the second endof the first wallare opposite each other along the length of the first wall.

As shown in, the first wallseparates the toilet areaand the shower areafrom each other. According to one embodiment, the shower areais on a first sideof the first walland the toilet areais on a second sideof the first wall. The first sideand the second sideare on opposite sides from each other on the first wall.

Additionally, the second wallseparates the grooming areafrom the toilet areaand the shower area. According to one embodiment, a first sideof the second walldirectly abuts the first endof the first wall. The shower areaand the toilet areaare positioned along the first sideof the second walland the grooming areais positioned along the second sideof the second wall. Accordingly, the sink assembly, the storage area, and the mirrors,extend along the second sideof the second wall. The first sideand the second sideare on opposite sides from each other on the second wall.

As shown in, the divider wall assemblyincludes interior or back-end plumbing or plumbing pipes or lines extending through the walls and connecting to external plumbing to easily and seamlessly integrate with various appliances or fixtures within the first bathroomby, for example, providing water to and removing water or waste from the sink, the toilet assembly, and the shower area. The plumbing is a part of the architecture of the divider wall assembly. For example, the divider wall assemblyincludes water inlet plumbing(as shown in) and drainage plumbing(as shown in). The divider wall assemblymay also include electricity lines to provide power to, for example, various lightsand/or power outlets.

As shown in, the water inlet plumbingcomprises plumbing inlet lines disposed within and extending through the divider wall assembly(i.e., disposed within the first walland the second wall). The plumbing inlet lines lead to and are configured to supply water to the shower valve assembly, the shower head assembly, the toilet assembly, and the faucetof the sink assembly. Accordingly, the plumbing inlet lines include a hot water line, a cold water line, and a connector line. The hot water lineand the cold water lineprovide hot water and cold water, respectively, to the first bathroomand the connector linefluidly connects the shower valve assemblyto the shower headof the shower head assembly. Specifically, the cold water lineleads to and provides cold water for the toilet assembly, the sink assembly, and the shower valve assembly. The hot water lineleads to and provides hot water for the sink assemblyand the shower valve assembly. In order to control the temperature of the water being expelled by the shower head assemblywith the shower valve assembly, the cold water lineand the hot water linelead directly to and provide cold and hot water, respectively, directly to the shower valve assembly. The shower valve assemblymixes the cold water and the hot water according to the user's desired water temperature and outputs the mixed water to the connector line. The connector linethen directs the mixed water from the shower valve assemblyto the shower headof the shower head assembly, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, in order to be accessible to the plumbing inlet lines, the shower valve assemblyis positioned along the first sideof the second wall, the shower head assemblyis positioned along the first sideof the first wall, the toilet assemblyis positioned along the second sideof the first wall, and the sink assemblyis positioned along the second sideof the second wall.

As shown in, the evacuation or drainage plumbingcomprises plumbing drainage lines that remove or drain water and waste away from the first bathroom(e.g., from the shower area, the toilet area, and the grooming area). The plumbing drainage lines comprise water outlet linesand a sewage line. The water outlet linesconnect to the drainin the sinkand the drainin the shower areato allow water and waste to be drained from the sinkand the shower area. The sewage lineconnects to the toilet assemblyand allows waste to be removed from the toilet assembly. The plumbing drainage lines may be disposed within the first walland the second walland/or may be positioned beneath or below the first walland the second wall.

The various plumbing features are ready to be fitted to various fixtures or appliances (such as the sink, the drain, the toilet assembly, the shower valve assembly, the shower head assembly, and the drain) and accordingly may include connectors with a universal fit.

As shown in, the shower areais shown in greater detail. The shower areamay include (among other features) a shower valve assembly, a shower head assembly, a perch, a drain, a grab bar, and a foot ledge/doorstop. A storage spacemay be positioned just outside of the shower area.

The entrance and exit to the shower areamay include a doorthat can be opened (as shown in) for the user to access inside the shower areaor closed (as shown in) to contain humidity, prevent water leakage, and for privacy from the rest of the first bathroom.

As shown in, a shower control valve assemblymay be used within the shower areain order to control the water flowing from the hand showerand/or the shower head assembly. For example, the shower valve assemblycontrols whether or not water flows through the hand showerand/or the shower head assemblyand the temperature of the water.

The shower valve assemblymay include a basethat is statically attached to the first sideof the second wallof the shower areaand holds various components of the shower valve assembly. The basecan be attached to the second wallthrough a variety of different mechanisms, including but not limited to magnets or bolts.

As shown in, the base(and therefore the rest of the components of the shower valve assembly) may be positioned near the shower area doorand thus near the entrance to the shower area. For example, the basemay be positioned along the first sideof the second wall(near the first endof the second wall). Accordingly, the user may easily access and control the shower valve assemblyby slightly opening the shower area doorof the shower area(as shown in) and reaching through the gap between the doorand the second wallof the shower area. If the dooris on a hinge, the doormay be slightly opened into the shower area. Accordingly, the user does not have to enter into the shower areato control the shower valve assemblyand therefore does not have to get wet while controlling the shower valve assemblyor while the water is warming up.

As shown in, the shower valve assemblyalso includes a handle, valve control, or leverthat is movably or rotatably attached to the baseof the shower valve assemblyand may be used to control the water in the shower area. By moving the leverrelative to the base, the hand showerand/or the shower head assemblyare turned on and water is released (or turned off and the water is stopped). According to one embodiment, the flow rate of the water is uniform or consistent when the shower valve assemblyis turned on, regardless of the position of the leveror the temperature of the water. However, it is understood that the shower valve assemblycould also control the flow rate of the water.

As shown in, the leveris rotatable a certain number of degrees relative to the base. The levermay optionally be rotatable beyond at least one of a cold temperature indicatoror a hot temperature indicatorin order to turn on or off the water flow. Additionally, the levermay be positioned and movable along the side and/or the top of the baseand extend along the front of the basein order to be easily accessible to the user from a variety of different positions.

By moving the leverrelative to the base, the temperature of the water can be controlled. As shown in, the levercan be moved between the cold temperature indicatorand the hot temperature indicator, each of which are statically located on the base. By moving the levercloser to or further from the cold temperature indicatoror the hot temperature indicator, the temperature of the output water is changed. For example, if the leveris closer to the cold temperature indicator, the water is relatively colder. Conversely, if the leveris closer to the hot temperature indicator, the water is relatively hotter.

According to one embodiment, the cold temperature indicatormay be a blue marking and the hot temperature indicatormay be a red marking. Both the cold temperature indicatorand the hot temperature indicatormay be immediately visible from the entrance to the shower areato allow the user to easily use and control the shower valve assemblywithout being in the shower area. The cold temperature indicatorand the hot temperature indicatormay be positioned on both the top and side of the base, as well as the front of the basein order to be visible from both the entrance to the shower areaas well as from within the shower area.

The shower valve assemblymay also include a mixer valve to combine and mix the hot water and the cold water from the hot water lineand the cold water line, respectively.

The shower valve assemblymay also include and hold a hand showerthat sprays water and is removably attachable to the base. For example, the user may use the hand showerand then secure the hand showerback onto the basefor storage. The basemay secure the hand showersuch that, when turned on, the hand showersprays water approximately perpendicularly from the second wallof the shower area, as shown in. When the shower valve assemblyis first turned on, the water will first spray out of the hand shower, allowing the user to first test the water before entering into the shower areaand getting wet (for example, the user may test the temperature of the water with their hand through the entrance to the shower area).

The hand showermay include a handle portionand a spraying portion. The handle portionmay provide an area for the user to grasp while using the hand showerand the spraying portionmay provide an area for the water to spray or be expelled from. As shown in, the basemay hold or secure the hand showerby the spraying portionof the hand shower. However, it is understood that the basemay hold the handle portionof the hand shower. The hand showercan be secured to the basethrough a variety of different mechanisms, including, but not limited to, magnets, a frictional fit, snaps, a ledge, or clips.

The hand showerand the leverare positioned with each other as one unit on the base. Since the hand showeris positioned on the baseof the shower valve assembly, and is therefore near the leverof the shower valve assembly, the user has direct access to the water at the point of control (e.g., the lever). Accordingly, the user can easily test or feel the actual temperature of the water from the hand showerand adjust the leveraccordingly without moving their hand far.

The shower valve assemblymay also include a knob, switch, or diverterto change whether the water is being expelled through the hand showeror through the shower head assembly. The divertermay include a movable valve. The divertermay be pushed, pulled, or rotated according to various embodiments in order to change where the water is being diverted to. As described further herein, the connector linemay fluidly connect the hand showerof the shower valve assemblyand the shower head assemblysuch that the same temperature water is expelled through each of the hand showerand the shower head assembly.

It is understood that the shower valve assemblymay not include the hand showerand instead may only control the shower head assembly. It is also understood that the shower areamay not include the shower head assemblyand instead the shower valve assemblymay only control the hand shower.

The shower valve assemblycan be designed to be easily controlled by a right-handed person or a left-handed person, depending on the desired configuration.

As shown in, the shower areamay include a shower head assemblythat can be adjusted or articulated to accommodate different user heights or desired angles of water spray. The shower head assemblyallows the user to have a wide range of choices as to where the water spray is being directed. For example, both the height and the angle of the shower headof the shower head assemblycan be adjusted independently to change where the water spray is expelled from and where the water spray is directed.

As shown in, the shower head assemblymay be adjusted to or positioned at multiple or a range of different heights and angles according to the user's preference. Accordingly, the shower head assemblycan accommodate users that are relatively taller (as shown in) or shorter (as shown in) and users that are standing up (as shown in) or sitting down (as shown in). Accordingly, the user does not have to stand up and can instead sit down (on the perch, for example) and relax while still using and getting wet from the shower head assembly.

The angle of water spray can also be adjusted in order to attain, for example, the feeling of a rainhead (as shown in) or body spray (as shown in). The user can also position and angle the shower head assemblysuch that their hair does not get wet while showering (if, for example, they do not want to wash or wet their hair). By adjusting the shower head assembly, the user can position the water at different angles and heights to create a more luxurious shower experience, giving the feeling that a hydrorail, a rain head, and a body spray have been integrated into one product.