The present invention relates to a prefabricated structure for indoor dwelling environments.

The structure according to the present invention is designed for building or renovating environments, such as bathrooms, kitchens or rooms for other uses, of any size and shape.

At present, substantially two types of products are commercially available for providing bathrooms: prefabricated units and structures that can be defined as structural frames.

Prefabricated units are substantially blank rooms, i.e., rooms without their finish, or finished rooms, or cells, which arrive at the building site already assembled.

Those cells, i.e. actual rooms, which may also already contain the fixtures, are brought to the building site, carried to the installation floor with a crane, moved to the exact installation point and, in the case of blank structures, are finished with the wall covering that is chosen in each instance, in a practically traditional manner.

Since it is not practical to manufacture hundreds of different monolithic units, the cases in which such product can work are limited to situations with extremely regular and mutually identical geometries.

Also, the cell must be designed in a very early stage of the project in which they will be inserted, because the dimensions of the building must adapt to the dimensions of the cell that will have to be installed inside it.

The prior art products are units that, once they have reached the building yard, have to be connected to the services and in some cases finished with the covering materials.

A prefabricated unit is also known which is constituted by a monolithic element that includes a portion of the floor. Such product is not suitable for renovating an existing building, because it would make no sense to demolish the existing floor in order to insert the bathroom unit.

Another problem of monolithic units is that they necessarily entail providing a new structure inside the existing structure, with an increase in weight, mechanical work and therefore costs.

In other words, it is not possible to adapt a monolithic unit to an existing room if the room does not have dimensions that are studied in a compatible manner.

Therefore, the monolithic units are not adapted to complex layout situations or to the renovation of existing buildings, in which the perimeter of the rooms is to a large extent constrained.

An important problem of monolithic units is constituted by the fact that a crane is required in order to hoist the monolithic unit to the required level, because a bathroom unit has such dimensions that it cannot be loaded onto a lift. Also, once taken to the level, it is necessary to create a completely unhindered path, far wider than a normal corridor, up to the exact installation point. Since there are many activities in a building yard, it is highly constraining to provide, for all the duration of the installation, clear paths having such dimensions as to be able to move the bathroom unit through them.

Also, a complete bathroom unit requires a large truck for its transportation and also require special equipment for unloading.

Structural frame systems provide for the installation of a metallic structure, which contains the hydraulic systems, inside a room, for example a bathroom. After this, the structure is covered in a traditional manner. In this case, process optimization relates only to the utility step, but in practice the laying of the wall and of its covering occur in a traditional manner. A structural frame system is described for example in German patent application DE10018287.

DE102006008370 discloses a removable bath and dry wall module consisting of a construction plate and having several different integrated supply lines produced individually, and with different surfaces. The module may have suspension rails to join the wall modules and counter-rails fixed to the available walls or sub-structures.

DE102006008370 could be an improvement over the structural frame systems but in practice it lacks features necessary for providing a finished product that is easy to install and aesthetically acceptable.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a prefabricated structure for indoor dwelling environments that improves over cited prior art. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a structure that allows to build or renovate rooms of any shape and size and on any type of structure, including the existing structure of a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure that allows a much faster and easier installation with respect of conventional prefabricated systems.

Another object is to provide a structure that can be transported to an installation site and moved within a building, simply and easily, without the aid of special transport or lifting means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure that is adapted to provide any type of partitioning or lining for any type of room, such as bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure which, by virtue of its particular constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a prefabricated structure, for indoor dwelling environments, comprising a plurality of modular panels, characterized in that at least one panel comprises an external covering associated with an inner body and with one or more engagement members, said engagement members engaging respective supporting guides which are fastened to perimetral members of an environment; said inner body having cavities adapted to receive fittings, such as hydraulic and electrical fittings.

Further characteristics and advantages will become better apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear side of a modular panel according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the front side of a panel applied to a wall;

figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a room, shown with some panels applied thereto;

figure 4 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a panel and of the corresponding portion of the wall to which the panel will be applied;

figure 5 is a sectional side view of a panel applied to an upright of a structure made of wood or steel;

figure 6 is an enlarged-scale view showing in detail a connecting element of the panel of the preceding figure;

figure 7 is a sectional side view of a panel applied to a plasterboard structure; figure 8 is an enlarged-scale view showing in detail a connecting member of the panel of the preceding figure;

figure 9 is a sectional side view, showing a panel applied to a masonry structure; figure 10 is an enlarged-scale view showing in detail a connecting element of the panel of the preceding figure before its engagement with the wall;

Figure 1 1 is an enlarged-scale view, showing in detail the connecting member of the preceding figure in the engaged position;

Figure 12 is a front view of a panel having a toilet module;

Figure 13 is a side view of the panel of the preceding figure;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the panel of the preceding figure;

Figure 15 is a plan view of an example of a room completed with the modular panels according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a room, shown with some panels applied thereto;

Figure 17 is a sectional side view of a supporting guide that comprises a spherical joint, according to a further aspect of the invention;

Figures 18-20 are views of the supporting guide associated with the wall in various positions, rotated about a third rotation axis;

Figure 21 is a front view schematically showing a portion of a panel fastened to the wall in two points at identical heights with respect to the floor;

Figure 22 is a view similar to the preceding one showing the panel fastened in two points with different heights with respect to the floor;

Figure 23 is a plan view of the panel of the preceding figure, fastened in two points at different distances with respect to the wall.

With reference to the cited figures, the prefabricated structure according to the invention comprises a plurality of modular panels 1.

Each modular panel 1 comprises an outer covering 2 that is associated with an inner body 4 and with one or more engagement members 3.

The engagement members 3 engage respective supporting guides 5 that are fastened to perimetral members of a room 6, for example the walls of a bathroom.

The inner body 4 is provided with cavities that are adapted to receive fittings of various types, for example hydraulic and/or electrical fittings.

The perimetral members of the room 6 may be constituted by uprights 61 , made of wood or metal, by a supporting structure for plasterboard walls 62, by a wall 63 made of concrete or bricks, etc.

The fittings may be hydraulic pipes and devices 7 for connection to the sanitary fixtures, designated generally by the reference numeral 8, to be installed in the room 6.

The herewith described embodiment comprises sanitary fittings and fixtures but it is apparent to the person skilled in the art that the structure according to the invention is adapted to fittings and fixtures of any type, such as electrical fittings, for example electrical boxes, required in a dwelling room such as a bathroom, kitchen, room, etc.

The fittings 7 are provided with external couplings 9 on the outer surface of the covering 2, which can be used for the connection of the sanitary fixtures 8.

In the case of electrical fixtures, the internal components of the fittings 7 are constituted by conduits that are connected to adapted boxes that are open on the outer surface of the covering 2.

Each engagement member 3 is constituted by an inner plate 10 extending horizontally within the covering 2 and fastened thereto for example by adhesive bonding.

An outer plate 1 1 , which is parallel to the inner plate 10, is fastened to the inner plate 10 by means of spacers 12, which lie within the inner body 4.

The inner body 4 is advantageously constituted by a panel made of insulating material, which is perforated at the spacers 12.

A first cross member 13 and a second cross member 14 are fastened to the outer plate 11 by means of bolts 15.

The second cross member 14 has a larger vertical size than the first cross member 13, so as to form a longitudinal seat 16 in which a longitudinal flap 17, formed within the supporting guide 5, will be inserted.

The inner body 4 of the panel 1 preferably has a lower height than the covering 2, so as to form a longitudinal cavity 18, which is open in the upper part of the panel 1.

The inner body 4 may also, or alternatively, have one or more side recesses 19, at the lateral edges, as can be seen in the example shown in figure 16. The side recesses 19 accommodate connecting ends 20 of the fittings 7, constituted by pipes, conduits, etc.

The prefabricated structure according to the present invention can be installed easily and quickly, as described herein, by way of example, for the case of a bathroom.

The various panels 1 are manufactured, in complete form, at the factory and each one comprises the required hydraulic and/or electrical fittings.

A complete series of panels for a bathroom, as exemplified in figure 15, comprises a panel with fittings for the shower, a panel for the sink, etc.

Some panels may be provided only with electrical fittings and others may have only connecting fittings or no fittings at all.

The finished panels are delivered to the building site and the installer must simply engage them with the guides 5, arranged beforehand on the perimetral members of the room, and perform the hydraulic and electrical connection between the panels.

These connections are performed in the longitudinal cavity 18, which is upwardly open between the various panels, or at the side recesses 19, before the panels are engaged. A side recess 19 forms an internal cavity that accommodates the bends of pipes or conduits that are joined, when the panels are engaged, as illustrated in figure 16.

Figures 17-23 show a supporting guide, according to a further aspect of the invention, which comprises a joint with a spherical hinge which allows to adjust the position of the panel with respect to three rotation axes.

It is in fact known that the walls, pillars, floors and in general all the building structures are mutually perpendicular only in the drawings but in reality there are always more or less large installation tolerances.

The spherical hinge of the supporting guide allows to compensate for any tolerance.

In figures 17-23, the reference numerals that are identical to the reference numerals of the preceding figures refer to identical or similar elements.

The supporting guide with spherical hinge, globally designated by the reference numeral 105, comprises a base plate 155 that is provided with a flap 117, which is inserted in the longitudinal seat 16 of the engagement member 3.

A first plate 160 and a second plate 161 are fastened to the base plate 155 by means of fasteners 162, for example bolts, and each has a hemispherical seat that receives and retains a ball 163.

The ball 163 is integral with the end of a fastening rod 164, which in turn is fastened to a perimetral element of the room 6.

Figures 17-23 shows a perimetral member constituted by a wall 63; however, the perimetral member might also be an upright, made of wood or metal, a supporting structure for plasterboard walls, etc.

The fastening rod 164 is associated with the perimetral member in an adjustable manner, i.e., so that the ball 163 is arranged at a selected distance from the surface of the wall.

The spherical hinge joint therefore allows to adjust and register the position of the panel, allowing to compensate for any installation tolerance of the bodies of the room in which the prefabricated structure according to the present invention is installed.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a prefabricated structure that has significant advantages in terms of flexibility, adaptability, handling and logistics with respect to prefabricated systems known so far.

The present structure offers absolute adaptability and it is possible to cover rooms of any shape and geometry.

It should be noted that it is sufficient to reduce the surface of the panels, for example from 600 mm to 400 or 450 mm, in order to adapt them to any type of room.

Each panel hangs from a guide which can discharge the loads onto any type of support, including the existing structure of a building. If the existing structure is insufficient, reinforcement members may be added where necessary.

Differently from conventional prefabricated systems, such as the structural frame type, the panel according to the present invention arrives at the building yard complete with its supports, fittings and coverings and must be simply engaged with the enclosure of the room.

Also, in case of subsequent maintenance, a single panel can be easily removed with two suckers and an ordinary cutter, and subsequently be reinstalled or replaced, without the need to damage the other panels and the rest of the room.

According to the present invention, the panels may have any size desired and the largest member may have, for example, maximum dimensions of 1200 x 2300-2400 mm. Therefore, there is no need for a crane and all the panels can be inserted in any lift and can pass through any door and corridor.

Also, a panel can be easily installed by two people equipped with two suckers.

An important advantage of the present invention is that the panel has a perfectly finished external covering.

The external covering 2 may be of any material and may have any finish. For example, the external covering 2 may be advantageously constituted by a slab of marble or other stone material, or by materials of a different nature, both synthetic and non- synthetic. The external covering may also comprise tiles and similar ceramic and non- ceramic materials.

The herein described embodiment refers to a bathroom and shows that the present invention is particularly advantageous in damp environments, in which it is customary to cover the walls with materials that can protect against moisture and have a decorative function.

Of course, the prefabricated structure according to the present invention is also well adapted to provide any type of partition wall or lining for existing walls, for any type of room, such as a living room, a bedroom, etc. This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. MI2014A000839, filed on May 8, 2014, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.