BE1027465B1 - DEVICE FOR FIXING A SIDING ON A METAL WATER HEATER CLADDING, AND WATER HEATER SIDING KIT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fixing device (12) of a facing on a metal casing of a water heater, characterized in that said fixing device (12) comprises a first part (4) configured to be fixed from removably on the metal casing of a water heater, and a second part (13) configured to serve as a fixing support for a facing. A further subject of the present invention is a facing kit for a water heater comprising at least one fixing device (12) according to the present invention and a facing.

Description

DESCRIPTION TITLE OF THE INVENTION: DEVICE FOR FIXING A SIDING ON A METAL HEATER CLADDING, AND WATER HEATER SIDING KIT The present invention relates to the field of water heaters, and relates in particular to a water heater. fixing of a facing on a metal casing of water heater, and on a kit of facing of water heater including it.

Household water heaters are generally unsightly products that are often hidden in the home, for example with a hinged door, a shuttering associated with a door or a curtain.

There is currently no specific device for integrating a water heater into the furnishings of a home, such as kitchen or bathroom furnishings. Integration is generally guaranteed by a hinged door with simple opening. Often, the water heater is hidden in a sliding door or single opening cabinet.

The water heater can also be installed in so-called technical rooms, such as a laundry room or a saddlery, without particular integration into the furniture, which leaves visible the hydraulic and electrical connections of the water heater. In some cases, the water heater can also be placed in a formwork, which does not facilitate its upkeep and maintenance.

The present invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior state of the art, by proposing a device for fixing a facing on a metal casing of a water heater, said fixing device being configured to be fixed in a removable manner on the water heater. 'metal cladding of a water heater and serve as a fixing support for a facing, which allows the water heater to be integrated into the furnishings of a home, such as kitchen or bathroom furnishings , using the facing fixed on the fixing device itself fixed in a removable manner on the metal casing of the water heater.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for fixing a facing on a metal casing of a water heater, characterized in that said fixing device comprises a first part configured to be fixed in a removable manner on the metal casing of the water heater. 'a water heater, and a second part configured to serve as a mounting bracket for a siding.

The term “metal casing” is understood to mean the metal jacket covering the tank of a water heater, this metal jacket generally being made of painted sheet metal.

By facing is meant a covering making it possible to hide the water heater when the fixing device is installed on the latter, the facing being able, for example, to be a decorative facade of furniture.

The first part and the second part of the fixing device are connected to each other, so as to be integral with each other when the fixing device is installed on the water heater.

The fixing device according to the invention thus makes it possible to gain in perceived value, by rethinking the integration of water heaters into the home. The user is no longer forced to install his water heater in a closet or a technical room while having to find integration means himself. The user can, for example, install his water heater inside kitchen or bathroom furniture, then use the fixing device according to the invention to install a facade in front of the water heater in order to hide it, said facade preferably being matched to the rest of the furniture. The fixing device according to the invention thus allows the user to personalize his water heater by choosing the decorative front that he wishes to place in front of it.

The fixing device according to the invention thus allows the integration of the water heater into the home, allowing simple and economical dressing.

The fixing of the first part of the fixing device on the metal casing of the water heater is removable so as to allow the interchangeability of the facing by the user and also so as to guarantee accessibility to the water heater for repair. or maintenance of the water heater.

The fixing device according to the invention thus allows the association of two technical products: on the one hand a water heater and on the other hand a facing, such as a cabinet front of the kitchen or bathroom cabinet type. bath, the facing being firstly fixed to the second part of the fixing device and then the first part of the fixing device being directly fixed to the metal casing of the water heater without damaging the latter.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first part comprises at least one magnet configured to be removably attached by magnetization to the metal casing of the water heater.

Thus, the metallic character of the water heater casing allows the removable attachment of the first part of the attachment device to the water heater by magnetization using at least one magnet.

The at least one magnet is powerful enough to allow the fixing device bearing the facing to be attached to the metal casing of the water heater, while allowing the user to remove the fixing device when the latter wishes to access the heater. -water or change the facing.

Preferably, the first part comprises two magnets arranged on either side of it, so as to guarantee the attachment of the fastening device to the generally cylindrical metal casing of the water heater, which makes it possible to guarantee safety. of the user by preventing a risk of the facing falling.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first part comprises at least one strip configured to be removably secured by strapping around the metal casing of the water heater.

Thus, at least one strap can be secured by strapping around the metal casing of the water heater, so as to allow the removable attachment of the fastening device to the water heater.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the shape of the first part is configured to at least partially match the shape of the metal casing of the water heater.

Thus, the first part is as close as possible to the outer surface of the metal casing of the water heater, so as to ensure optimum attachment of the first part of the fixing device to the water heater by magnetization or strapping.

The shape of the first part of the fixing device is preferably designed to ensure the adaptation of the fixing device to different diameters of cylindrical water heaters or to different widths of parallelepiped water heaters.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the second part comprises several through holes configured to allow the fixing thereon of the facing by screwing.

Thus, the holes formed in the second part of the fixing device allow the fixing by screwing of the facing on the fixing device.

The facing is preferably directly attached to the fixing device at at least three screwing points.

The fixing device is preferably universal and compatible with different sizes of standard facades (eg melamine).

It should be noted that the facing could also be attached to the second part of the fixing device by gluing or clipping, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second parts of the fixing device are contiguous and formed in one piece.

Thus, in this embodiment, the first and second parts being contiguous, once the fixing device is installed on the water heater, the facing is found as close as possible to the metal casing of the water heater, which makes it possible to '' avoid loss of space between the water heater and the siding.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the first part is formed by one of the faces of the fixing device and carries the at least one magnet or the at least one strip, and the second part is formed by the other opposite of the faces of the fixing device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the second part comprises a facing fixing surface spaced from the first part so as to obtain a spacing between the metal casing of the water heater and the facing.

Thus, the second part comprises the facing fixing surface and connecting means making it possible to connect the facing fixing surface to the first part while ensuring a spacing between the latter.

Said spacing thus makes it possible to obtain a spacing between the metal casing of the water heater and the facing, which allows the integration of the water heater in a layout while ensuring the continuity of the furniture.

According to a first variant of the invention, the first and second parts are formed integrally.

Thus, in this first variant, the spacing between the facing fixing surface of the second part and the first part is fixed during the manufacture of the fixing device and cannot be changed subsequently.

According to a second variant of the invention, the second part is mounted on the first part so as to obtain a clearance between the metal casing of the water heater and the facing.

Thus, in this second variant, the first and second parts of the fixing device are two separate parts assembled together so as to be able to obtain a clearance between the water heater and the facing.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the second part is fitted onto the first part and able to slide thereon so as to adjust the spacing between the metal casing of the water heater and the facing. Thus, sliding the second part over the first part adjusts the spacing between the water heater and the siding so as to ensure the continuity of the surrounding furnishings.

This sliding connection allows adjustment of the travel, preferably from 0 to 90 mm. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the position of the second part on the first part is fixed by means of two screws respectively passing through two slots formed respectively at two opposite ends of the second part, and coming to be screwed into two threads. formed respectively at two opposite ends of the first part.

Thus, the length of the two lights makes it possible to define the sliding stroke of the second part on the first part, and the two screws make it possible to fix the position of the second part on the first part once the user has moved the second. part on the first part until the desired spacing is obtained.

The two threads are preferably produced by two nuts crimped in the first part, the two screws being screwed into the two nuts, respectively.

The first and second parts of the fastening device are preferably metallic and made of sheet metal, but could also be made of aluminum, polymer or using textile straps, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

A further subject of the present invention is a facing kit for a water heater, comprising at least one fixing device as described above and a facing fixed to the second part of said at least one fixing device.

The facing is preferably fixed by screwing on the second part of the fixing device, the first part of the fixing device then being removably fixed to the metal casing of a water heater.

The shape of the siding is suitable to conceal the water heater when the fastener is installed. The facing can, for example, take the form of a facade of a kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

The facing is made of at least one material among wood, metal, plastic, melamine, glass and stone.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the facing kit for a water heater further comprises a drilling template for at least one facing.

Thus, the drilling jig can be used by the user to drill holes in the facing at locations corresponding to those of the holes formed in the second part of the fastener, which then allows the user to screw fasten the facing on the fixing device.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the facing kit for water heaters consists of two fixing devices, namely an upper fixing device and a lower fixing device, and of a facing fixed at the same time on the second part of the upper fixing device and on the second part of the lower fixing device.

Thus, the two upper and lower fixing devices of the kit allow the adjustment of the verticality of the facing, in addition to the clearance.

The fasteners are also provided to allow configurations with several facings per water heater (for example, two facings for a water heater arranged in a corner) but still with two fasteners installed per facing.

To better illustrate the object of the present invention, three preferred embodiments will be described below, by way of illustration and without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings: [FIG. 1] is a front perspective view of a fastening device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 2] is a rear perspective view of the fixing device of Figure 1; [FIG. 3] is a side view of the fastener of Figure 1 when it is used to fasten a siding on a water heater; [FIG. 4] is a front perspective view of a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [FIG. 5] is a rear perspective view of the fastener of Figure 4; [FIG. 6] is a side view of the fastener of Figure 4 when it is used to fasten a siding on a water heater; [FIG. 7] is a perspective view of a fastening device according to a third embodiment of the present invention associated with a water heater and a facing.

If one refers to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it can be seen that there is shown a fixing device 1 of a facing 2 on a metal casing of water heater 3 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

By metal casing 3 is meant the metal jacket covering the tank of a water heater, this metal jacket being generally made of painted sheet metal.

By facing 2 is meant a covering making it possible to hide the water heater when the fixing device 1 is installed on the latter, the facing 2 being able, for example, to be a decorative facade of furniture.

The fixing device 1 comprises a one-piece sheet metal body 4 comprising a first part 5 configured to be removably fixed to the metal casing of the water heater 3, and a second part 6 configured to serve as a fixing support for the facing 2.

It should be noted that the fixing device 1 could also be made of any other material, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The second part 6 of the sheet metal body 4 has a flat inverted T shape, so as to allow the attachment of a facing 2 plane thereon.

It should be noted that the second part 6 could also take any other planar shape, or could also be curved so as to allow the attachment of a curved facing thereon, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The first part 5 comprises two opposite wings 5a extending on either side of the shaft of the shape of an inverted T of the second part 6, the two wings 5a being bent at a certain angle with respect to the plane of the second part 6 so that the first part 5 substantially matches the cylindrical shape of the metal casing of the water heater 3.

Thus, one of the faces of the sheet body 4 (corresponding to the first part 5) is provided to be fixed to the metal casing of the water heater 3 and the other opposite of the faces of the sheet body 4 (corresponding to the second part 6) is designed to be fixed to the facing 2.

The first and second parts 5 and 6 being contiguous, once the fixing device 1 is installed on the metal casing of the water heater 3 as shown in Figure

3, the facing 2 is found as close as possible to the metal casing of the water heater 3, which prevents a loss of space between the metal casing of the water heater 3 and the facing 2.

Each wing 5a of the first part 5 comprises a magnet 7 arranged on the face of the wing 5a intended to be opposite the metal casing of the water heater 3, the two magnets 7 allowing the removable fixing of the fixing device 1. on the metal casing of the water heater 3 by magnetization.

The first part 5 could also include a single magnet 7 or at least three magnets 7, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Each magnet 7 is fixed on its corresponding wing 5a using a fixing screw 8, but could also be fixed by gluing, welding, crimping or clipping, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The two magnets 7 are sufficiently powerful to allow the fixing device 1, carrying the facing 2, to be fixed to the metal casing of the water heater 3, while allowing the easy removal of the fixing device 1 by the user when this the latter wishes to access the water heater for maintenance or to change the facing 2.

It should be noted that the first part 5 could also include, in place of the magnets 7, at least one strip configured to be fixed by strapping around the metal casing of the water heater 3, without deviating from the frame of the present invention.

Several through holes 9 are formed on the second part 6 of the sheet metal body 4, the through holes 9 being formed at different specific locations and having different specific shapes.

The various through-holes 9 thus allow fixing by screwing the facing 2 on the second part 6 of the fixing device 1. The facing 2 is directly fixed on the fixing device 1, preferably at at least three screwing points corresponding to three holes. through 9 separate.

It should be noted that the facing 2 could also be fixed to the second part 6 of the fixing device 1 by gluing or clipping, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The facing 2 is first of all fixed by screwing on the second part 6 of the fixing device 1, then the first part 5 of the fixing device 1 is directly fixed by magnetization on the metal casing of the water heater 3 without damaging it. -this.

Thus, the user can, for example, install his water heater inside kitchen or bathroom furniture, then use the fixing device 1 according to the invention to install the facing 2 in front of the metal casing of water heater 3 in order to hide it, said facing 2 being able, for example, to be a front of furniture.

The fixing device 1 according to the invention thus allows the user to personalize his water heater by choosing the decorative facade he wishes to place in front of it.

The present invention also relates to a facing kit for a water heater, comprising at least one fixing device 1 as described above and a facing 2 fixed to the second part 6 of said at least one fixing device 1.

The shape of the facing 2 must be suitable to conceal the water heater when the fixing device 1 is installed on the latter.

The facing 2 can, for example, take the form of a facade of a kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

The facing 2 is made of at least one material among wood, metal, plastic, melamine, glass and stone.

The water heater siding kit may also include a drilling template for the at least one facing 2, said drilling template being usable by the user to drill holes in the facing 2 at locations corresponding to those of. 'at least some of the through holes 9 formed in the second part 6 of the fastening device 1, which then allows the user to screw the facing 2 onto the fastening device 1. The second part 6 of the sheet body 4 of the fixing device 1 further comprises, at each end of the cross member of the inverted T-shape of the second part 6, a curved part 10 orthogonal to the plane of the inverted T-shape of the second part 6, a nut 11 being crimped in each of the two curved parts 10. These two curved parts 10 and these two nuts 11 have no use in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, and are only useful for a second embodiment re shown in Figures 4 to 6. Thus, the fixing device 1 according to the first embodiment could also not include these curved parts 10 and these nuts 11, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

If we refer to Figures 4, 5 and 6, we can see that there is shown a fixing device 12 of a facing

2 on a metal casing of a water heater 3 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The fixing device 12 according to the second embodiment comprises a one-piece sheet metal body 4 which is identical to that of the first embodiment and which will not be described in more detail hereinafter.

The fixing device 12 according to the second embodiment further comprises an additional sheet metal body 13 assembled to the sheet metal body 4 and serving as a fixing support for the facing 2.

Thus, in this second embodiment, the sheet metal body 4 serves as the first part configured to be fixed in a removable manner by magnetization on the metal casing of the water heater 3, and the additional sheet body 13 serves as the second configured part. to serve as a mounting bracket for the siding 2.

The additional sheet metal body 13 includes a facing attachment surface 13a parallel to the plane of the inverted T-shape of the sheet metal body 4 and spaced therefrom so as to provide a spacing between the water heater metal casing 3. and the facing 2 as due shown in Figure 6, which allows the integration of the water heater in an arrangement while ensuring the continuity of the furniture.

Several through holes 14 are formed on the facing attachment surface 13a of the additional sheet metal body 13, the through holes 14 being formed at different specific locations and having different specific shapes.

The various through holes 14 thus allow fixing by screwing the facing 2 on the additional sheet body 13 of the fixing device 12.

It should be noted that the facing 2 could also be fixed to the additional sheet body 13 of the fixing device 12 by gluing or clipping, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The additional sheet body 13 further comprises, at each end of its facing attachment surface 13a, a curved portion 15 orthogonal to the plane of the facing attachment surface 13a.

The two curved parts 15 of the additional sheet body 13 are respectively fitted onto the two curved parts 10 of the sheet body 4, the additional sheet body 13 thus being able to slide on the sheet body 4, which makes it possible to obtain a clearance between the metal casing of the water heater 3 and the facing 2, preferably between 0 and 90 mm.

An oblong lumen 16 is formed in each curved portion 15 of the additional sheet metal body 13.

The fixing device 12 further comprises two adjusting screws 17 passing respectively through the two slots 16, and coming to be screwed respectively into the threads of the two nuts 11 crimped in the curved parts 10 of the sheet metal body 4.

Thus, the predefined length of the two slots 16 makes it possible to define the sliding stroke of the additional sheet metal body 13 on the sheet metal body 4, and the two adjustment screws 17 make it possible to lock the position of the additional sheet body 13 relative to the sheet metal body 4 after the user has moved the additional sheet metal body 13 over the sheet metal body 4 until the desired spacing is achieved.

It should be noted that the sheet metal body 4 and the additional sheet body 13 could also be formed integrally, the spacing between the two then being fixed, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7, it can be seen that there is shown a device 18 for fixing a facing 2 on a metal casing of a water heater 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The fixing device 18 according to the third embodiment comprises a first upper curved part 19a and a first lower curved part 19b both carrying magnets 7 at their ends to be removably fixed to the metal casing of the water heater. 3 by magnetization, the radius of curvature of the two first parts 19a and 19b corresponding substantially to that of the metal casing of the water heater 3.

The fixing device 18 according to the third embodiment further comprises a second part 20 configured to serve as a fixing support for the facing 2, said second part 20 having the shape of an H, the cross member of which is vertical.

The first upper part 19a is integral with the upper shank of the H-shape of the second part 20, and the first lower part 19b is integral with the lower shank of the H-shape of the second part 20.

A through hole 21 is formed at each end of the two H-shaped shanks of the second part 20.

Holes 22 are also formed in the rear face of the facing 2 opposite the through holes 21 of the fixing device 18, so as to allow the fixing of the facing 2 on the second part 20 of the fixing device 18 by screwing.

Thus, the fixing device 18 according to the third embodiment makes it possible to guarantee the verticality of the facing 2. It should be noted that two fixing devices 1 or 12 (namely, an upper fixing device and a lower fixing device) could also be used to allow adjustment of the verticality of the facing 2. The fasteners 1, 12, 18 are also provided to allow configurations with several faces 2 per water heater (for example, two faces 2 for a heater. water disposed in an angle) but always with two fixing devices 1, 12 installed by facing 2 or with a fixing device 18 installed by facing 2. It is understood that the three particular embodiments which have just been described have been given as an indication and without limitation, and that modifications can be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS 1 - Fixing device (1; 12; 18) of a facing (2) on a metal casing of a water heater (3), characterized in that said fixing device (1; 12; 18) comprises a first part (5; 4; 19a, 19b) configured to be removably attached to = the metal casing (3) of a water heater, and a second part (6; 13; 20) configured to act as a support fixing for a facing (2). 2 - Fastening device (1; 12; 18) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (5; 4; 19a, 19b) comprises at least one magnet (7) configured to be fixed removably by magnetization on the metal casing (3) of the water heater. 3 - Fastening device (1; 12; 18) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (5; 4; 19a, 19b) comprises at least one strip configured to be removably fixed by strapping around the metal casing (3) of the water heater. 4 - Fastening device (1; 12; 18) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shape of the first part (5; 4; 19a, 19b) is configured to at least partially match the shape of the metal casing (3) of the water heater. 5 - Fastening device (1; 12; 18) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second part (6; 13; 20) comprises several through holes (9; 14; 21) configured for allow the facing (2) to be attached thereto by screwing. 6 - Fastening device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first (5) and second (6) parts of the fastening device (1) are contiguous and formed integrally . 7 - Fastening device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second part (13) comprises a facing fastening surface (13a) spaced from the first part (4) so as to obtain a spacing between the metal casing (3) of the water heater and the facing (2). 8 - Fastening device (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first (4) and second (13) parts are formed integrally. 9 - Fastening device (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second part (13) is mounted on the first part (4) so as to obtain a clearance between the metal casing (3) of the heater water and siding (2). 10 - Fastening device (12) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second part (13) is fitted onto the first part (4) and able to slide thereon so as to adjust the spacing between the 'metal casing (3) of the water heater and the facing (2). 11 - Fastening device (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that the position of the second part (13) on the first part (4) is fixed by means of two screws (17) respectively passing through two slots (16) formed respectively at two opposite ends of the second part (13), and being screwed into two threads (11) formed respectively at two opposite ends of the first part (4). 12 - Facing kit for water heater, comprising at least one fixing device (1; 12; 18) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a facing (2) fixed to the second part (6; 13; 20) ) of said at least one fixing device (1; 12; 18). 13 - A facing kit for a water heater according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a drilling template for at least one facing (2). 14 - Facing kit for water heater according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it consists of two fixing devices (1; 12; 18), namely an upper fixing device and a fixing device lower, and a facing (2) fixed both on the second part (6; 13; 20) of the upper fixing device and on the second part (6; 13; 20) of the lower fixing device.