DK2108750T3

DK2108750T3 - Drain faucet for bath or shower cubicles with floor inlets

Info

Publication number: DK2108750T3
Application number: DK09154095.5T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Frank Hennes; Bernd Klimpel
Original assignee: Viega Gmbh & Co Kg
Priority date: 2008-04-07
Filing date: 2009-03-02
Publication date: 2016-10-31
Also published as: PL2108751T3; EP2108751A2; ES2570403T3; DK2108751T3; EP2108750A3; DE202008004826U1; EP2108750B1; EP2108751B1; PL2108750T3; EP2108751A3; EP2108750A2; ES2588022T3

Description

The invention relates to a drain fitting, in particular for bathtubs, comprising a drain housing which defines a drainage channel and comprises a drain valve which can be actuated by means of an actuating element and is provided with fastening means for fluid-tight fastening to a tub base opening or basin base opening, and comprising a cover arranged above the drain valve, the drain housing comprising a water supply channel to which an inlet channel is connected which opens above the drain valve and below the cover. A drain fitting of this species is disclosed in CH-A-296 601.

Bathtubs are conventionally provided with an inlet fitting (supply fitting) which is installed outside the bathtub and the outflow opening of which is arranged above the bathtub.

Drain fittings for bathtubs are also known in which a single fitting performs a drainage function, an overflow function and a supply function, a housing (supply part) having an inflow channel being secured to the overflow opening arranged below the upper edge of the bathtub, which housing supports a rotary rosette for operating the drain valve. A multifunctional bathtub fitting of this type is for example disclosed in DE 87 07 328 U1. CH-A-296 601 discloses a conduit system for supplying liquid to and removing liquid from a bathtub. The conduit system comprises a connection piece that is connected to the bathtub opening from below, to which connection piece a drain pipe and a supply pipe are connected and which is designed to shut off the drain pipe by means of a closure pin. The closure pin is provided with a bar and forms a plug that can be inserted from above into the connection piece via the opening in order to shut off the drain pipe. Means for diverting the supplied liquid stream when the plug is inserted are attached to the closure pin. A plate is attached to the upper end of the plug, which plate rests at a distance above the opening in the base of the bathtub when the plug is inserted, thus producing a laterally oriented annular inlet opening. A bushing is also fastened to the plug so as to act as an additional diverting member, the wall of which bushing is opposite the inlet opening of the connected supply pipe when the plug is inserted. In this known conduit system is problematic, in terms of hygiene, that the water supply and the water drainage are not separated but rather both follow the same path through a threaded pipe comprising a flange as well as through a connecting branch which is arranged below the bathtub. Thus the fresh water supplied to the bathtub gets in touch over a relatively long way with sediment of contaminants caused by used water.

The object of the present invention is to provide a drain fitting of the type mentioned at the outset, which provides a sealing function against the ingress of contaminants into the supply channel. At the same time the drain fitting of the type mentioned at the outset should provide with a low overall height of the cover (cover cap) a high intake as high as possible or as large an intake cross section as possible.

This object is achieved by a drain fitting having the features of claim 1.

The drain fitting according to the invention comprises a base inlet. To this end, the drain housing comprises a water supply channel to which an inlet channel is connected which opens above the drain valve and below the cover (cover cap) .

Owing to its supply and inlet elements that form a base inlet, the drain fitting according to the invention makes it possible to fill a bathtub or shower tray in a particularly quiet manner. Since a visible water supply is omitted, there are new degrees of freedom in terms of the design of bathtubs. Furthermore, the fact that a conventional inlet fitting to be attached outside the bathtub is no longer required results in advantages in terms of cost.

The inlet channel is provided with a water-pressure actuated closure element, which is realised in the form of a rubber-elastic sealing ring. The sealing ring provides on the one hand in combination with a respective sealing seat a reliable sealing function against the intrusion of contaminants into the inlet channel, and on the other hand is a very simple closure element, which radially widens when a certain water pressure in the inlet channel is exceeded, and thus permits an outflow of water from the inlet channel into the bathtub.

In order to realize with a low overall height of the cover (cover cap) a high intake as high as possible or as large an intake cross section as possible, the invention provides in addition that the inlet channel is provided with an annular inlet piece comprising an annular gap which extends in a substantially radial manner and is closed towards the inner periphery of the inlet piece. The annular inlet piece can be formed relatively low. The perimeter or circumference of the annular gap results in a relatively large free flow cross section despite the narrow design of the annular gap. A preferred embodiment of the drain fitting according to the invention is that the cover (cover cap), which is arranged above the drain valve, comprises at least one protrusion on the lower side thereof which restricts an expansion of the sealing ring. This ensures that the sealing ring does not jump from its seat when water is supplied via the inlet channel, which would abrogate its sealing function.

Regarding the use of a sealing ring as a water-pressure actuated closure member it is also advantageous if, according to another embodiment of the invention, the inlet piece comprises a plurality of outflow openings which communicate with the annular gap. In this case, the outflow openings preferably open on the lower side of the annular inlet piece. The latter is advantageous for a reliable function of the sealing ring and also ensures that in the case of a high or the highest water supply while the cover has been removed no water is splashed upwards or out off the bathtub.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is non-rotatably and detachably held on the inlet piece. This provides for cleaning purposes a quick and simple removal of the cover. The non-rotatable, however detachable fixing of the cover on the inlet piece is realized according to a preferred embodiment of the drain fitting according to the invention in that the cover comprises protrusions on the lower side thereof, by means of which protrusions the cover can be connected to the inlet piece with a positive and frictional fit. In this case an embodiment is particularly preferred wherein ribs for fixing the cover are formed on the inner periphery of the inlet piece. In this case the ribs serve as contact surfaces and/or as clamping elements for protrusions arranged on the lower side of the cover.

Further preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention will be described in greater detail in the following with reference to a drawing illustrating an embodiment. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a section of a perspective interior view of a bathtub provided with a drain fitting according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective exterior view of a bathtub provided with a drain fitting according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the drain housing of the drain fitting according to the invention;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the drain housing in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view (view from above) of an inlet piece and fastening means of the drain fitting in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view (view from below) of the inlet piece and the cover cap of the drain fitting in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet piece with a fastening flange and the cover cap in Fig. 4, wherein a sealing ring associated to the inlet piece is pushed out of its seat and uncovers an annular gap;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the detail D of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the inlet piece with the fastening flange and the cover cap in Fig. 4, wherein the sealing ring rests in its seat on the annular gap and closes the latter; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the detail B of Fig. 9.

The drain fitting shown in the drawing comprises a drain housing 1 that comprises a connecting-piece-shaped portion 1.1 and a planar drainage channel 1.2 integrally moulded thereon. The drainage channel 1.2 has an arcuately rising portion 1.3, which portion ends in a drain connection piece 1.4 having an outer thread. Together with the planar drainage channel 1.2, the portion 1.3 of the drain housing forms a stench trap. An outflow bend 3 is connected to the drain connection piece 1.4 by means of a union nut 2. The two end portions of the outflow bend 3 form an angle of approximately 45°.

Two connection pieces 1.5, 1.6 are formed on the sides of the connecting-piece-shaped portion 1.1 of the drain housing (drain body) 1. The larger (1.6) of these two connection pieces is for connecting an overflow pipe 4 that is releasably attached to an overflow housing 5 arranged below the upper tub edge. The overflow housing 5 is secured to an overflow opening formed in the tub wall 6. The overflow opening in the tub wall 6 is covered on the inside of the tub by a rotary rosette 7 which functions as an actuation element for a drain valve integrated in the drain housing 1. The rotary rosette 7 is coupled to a Bowden cable (not shown) via a mechanism, the bottom end of which cable is connected to a lever mechanism by means of which a valve cone 8 of the drain valve can be raised and lowered. The connection piece 1.6 for the overflow pipe 4 is provided with an outer thread on which a union nut 9 is screwed.

The connecting-piece-shaped portion 1.1 of the drain housing 1 has a peripheral flange 1.7 on the upper end thereof, by means of which the drain housing is secured to the underside of the bathtub. An upwardly projecting collar 1.8 is formed inside the flange 1.7 and protrudes into the drain opening of the tub base when the drain fitting is assembled. The drain housing 1 comprises an annular shoulder 1.9 inside the collar 1.8, which annular shoulder defines an outlet opening 11 having an annular valve seat and is inclined towards the outlet opening 11. The outlet opening 11 can be closed by means of the valve cone (valve body) 8 which can be lowered for this purpose onto the valve seat by actuating the rotary rosette 7 by means of the Bowden cable and the lever mechanism.

The connecting-piece-shaped portion 1.1 of the drain housing 1 is also provided with threaded holes. The threaded holes are preferably formed by metal threaded sleeves that are integrated in or cast into the drain housing 1 made of plastics material. The threaded holes or threaded sleeves are arranged between the flange 1.7 and the collar 1.8 of the drain housing 1, the collar 1.8 comprising, in the region of the threaded holes or threaded sleeves, cavities 1.81 directed towards the outlet opening.

An annular fastening flange 12 also serves to attach the drain housing 1 to the underside of the tub 10, which fastening flange is placed inside the edge of the base opening in the tub for this purpose. The fastening flange 12 has drilled holes or holes 12.1 that are flush with the threaded holes of the drain housing. The fastening holes 12.1 are formed in bulgings 12.2 of the fastening flange 12 that protrude inwardly. The fastening flange 12 also comprises a downwardly directed collar 12.3 that is dimensioned such that it can positively engage the collar 1.8 of the drain housing 1.

Fastening screws 13 are inserted into the holes 12.1 of the fastening flange 12, which fastening screws are screwed and tightened in the threaded holes of the drain housing 1 from inside the tub 10. In this case, an annular profile gasket 14 made of rubber or the like and arranged between the flange 1.7 of the drain housing and the fastening flange 12 is pressed in a sealed manner on the edge of the outlet opening in the tub base .

Reference numeral 15 denotes a cover (cover cap) that covers the valve cone 8, and yet leaves a drainage gap 16 of several millimetres when in the assembled state on the tub base (Fig. 3) .

According to the invention the drain housing 1 comprises a water supply channel (overflow channel) 1.10. The water supply channel 1.10 is connected to the smaller (1.5) of the two connection pieces of the drain housing (drain body) 1. The connection piece 1.5 is also provided with an outer thread. In the embodiment shown, an arcuate connection pipe piece 17 is connected to the connection piece 1.5 by means of a union nut 18. The function of the connection pipe piece 17 is to connect a water supply line (not shown).

The water supply channel (overflow channel) 1.10 is integrated in the wall of the connecting-piece-shaped portion 1.1 of the drain housing 1. Said water supply channel passes through the annular shoulder 1.9 at a radial distance from the circular disc-shaped outlet opening 11 and the valve cone 8 and ends in a flush manner by the upper edge of the collar 1.8. In this case, the upper edge of the water supply channel 1.10 is oblique. Said upper edge extends substantially in parallel with the surface of the conical shoulder 1.9.

An inlet channel 19 is connected to the water supply channel 1.10, which inlet channel opens, in the assembled state, above the drain valve and below the cover 15.

At the inlet channel 19 an annular inlet piece 19.1 is formed, which comprises an annular gap 19.2 extending in a substantially radial manner. The annular gap 19.2 is closed towards the inner periphery of the inlet piece 19 and communicates with a plurality of outflow openings 19.3. The outflow openings 19.3 are arranged near the outer periphery of the annular inlet piece 19.1 and open on the lower side thereof. Said outflow openings are preferably arranged uniformly spaced from one another on a common pitch circle.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the height or width of the annular gap 19.2 is extended at the outer periphery of the inlet piece 19.1. The extension forms a lower and an upper annular shoulder 19.4, 19.5. The outflow openings 19.3 are branching off from the lower shoulder 19.4.

In the extension of the annular gap 19.2 a rubber-elastic sealing ring (O-ring) 20 is received. In this case the peripheral edges of the two shoulders 19.4, 19.5 of the annular gap form a sealing seat for the sealing ring 20. The sealing ring 20 has a substantially annular disc-shaped cross-sectional profile and is sized so that it rests with slight pretension in its rest position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 to the peripheral edges of the shoulders 19.4, 19.5 and so seals (closes) the annular gap 19.2.

In the assembled state, the inlet channel 19 is pushed or inserted into the water supply channel 1.10. Figs. 5 and 6 show that the end of the inlet channel 19 that can be inserted into the water supply channel 1.10 slopes with respect to its longitudinal axis.

The inlet channel 19 is provided, on the outer side thereof, with a ring groove 19.6 that also extends obliquely towards the longitudinal axis and into which a sealing ring 21 is inserted. Alternatively, for this purpose the water supply channel 10.1 may also be provided, on the inner side thereof, with a ring groove and a corresponding sealing ring.

The inlet piece 19.1 integrally moulded on the inlet channel 19 has downwardly projecting spacers 19.7.

The spacers 19.7 are annular or designed as sockets and are arranged such that at least two of them each receive and engage one head of one of the fastening screws 13 with a positive fit. The heads of the fastening screws 13 received in the spacers 19.7 in this manner comprise ring grooves 13.1 having clamping rings (rubber rings) 22 inserted therein. The clamping ring 22 held in the ring groove 13.1 with a positive fit results in a frictional connection between the fastening screw 13 and the spacer 19.7 of the inlet piece 19.1. Furthermore, the sealing ring 21 held on the inlet channel 19 results in a frictional connection between the inlet piece 19.1 and the drain housing 1.

In order to prevent the inlet channel 19 from detaching from the water supply channel 1.10 as a result of the water pressure, one (13') of the fastening screws is provided with a threaded hole 13.2 for screwing in a retaining screw 23 that fixes the inlet piece 19.1. In this case, the threaded hole 13.2 opens onto the upper side of the head of the fastening screw 13' (Fig. 5).

For the purpose of screwing in the retaining screw 23, the inlet piece 19.1 has a drilled hole (aperture) that opens into the hollow space of one of the annular spacers 19.7. The head of the retaining screw 23 is received in a recess 19.8 in the upper side of the inlet piece 19.1 so that the screw head does not project beyond the upper side of the inlet piece 19.1.

The cover (cover cap) 15 comprises on its underside protrusions 15.1, by means of which the cover can be connected to the inlet piece 19.1 in a positive and non-positive manner. For this purpose ribs (struts) 19.9 for a non-rotatable fixing of the cover 15 are formed on the inner periphery of the inlet piece. The ribs (struts) 19.9 are connected to or formed like bridges on the inner periphery of the inlet piece 19.1. Said ribs (struts) extend substantially linear and each of them define with the annular inlet piece 19.1 a gap having the form of a section of a circular disc.

The protrusions 15.1 of the cover 15, which can frictionally engage between the ribs 19.9, are formed as an arc of a circle and are arranged uniformly spaced from one another on a common pitch circle. In addition the cover comprises on its lower side a protrusion 15.2 which delimits the expansion of the sealing ring 20 (see Fig. 8) .

Below the functioning of the drain fitting is briefly explained. The drain fitting according to the invention makes it possible to fill a bathtub 10 with water and to empty the bathtub which is filled with water. In case of continuous water intake the overflow connection prevents that water flows over the top of the bathtub 10 into the bathroom.

The filling of the bathtub 10 takes place via the water supply channel 1.10 built-in the drain housing 1 and the inlet channel 19 inserted therein, wherein the inlet channel 19 is provided with the annular inlet piece 19.1, the outflow openings 19.3 of which open above the drain valve and below the cover 15. The annular gap 19.2 of the inlet piece 19 is protected against the ingress of contaminants from the bathtub 10 by the rubber-elastic sealing ring 20.

Once the pressure of the water supplied via the connection piece 1.5 exceeds a certain value, the sealing ring (O-ring) 20 is radially expanded and the water flows via the outflow openings 19.3 into the tub 10. If the water supply is stopped or the pressure of the water supplied falls below a certain value, then the rubber-elastic sealing ring 20 resets and seals the annular gap 19.2 of the inlet piece 19.1.

Claims

1. A drain fitting, especially for a bath, with a drain housing (1) defining a drain channel and having a drain valve operable by means of an actuator element and provided with liquid-tight fasteners for a vessel bottom or basin opening and having a cover (15) disposed over the drain valve, wherein the drain housing (1) has a water inlet duct (1.10) to which an inlet duct (19) is connected, which opens over the drain valve and under the cover (15), characterized by the inlet channel (19) being provided with an annular inlet piece (19.1) and a rubber elastic sealing ring (20) acting as a water pressure operated closure element, the annular inlet piece (19.1) having a ring slot (19.2) extending substantially radially , which is secured by the rubber-elastic sealing ring (20) against the penetration of dirt from the bathtub and is closed towards the inside of the inlet piece (19.1).

Drain fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring (20) has a substantially circular disc shaped cross-sectional profile.

Drain fitting according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover (15) on the underside has at least one projection (15.2) which limits an extension of the sealing ring (20).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the inlet piece (19.1) has a plurality of outflow openings (19.3) which are connected to the annular gap (19.2) and preferably open on the underside of the annular inlet piece (19.1).

Drain fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the width of the annular gap (19.2) is extended at the outer extent of the inlet piece (19.1), so that the annular gap (19.2) has a lower and an upper annular ledge (19.4, 19.5), where the outflow openings (19.3) ) preferably branching from the lower ledge (19.4).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fastening means for liquid-tight fastening of the drain housing (1) to a vessel or basin opening comprises threaded bores provided in the drain housing (1), a fastening flange (12), having a plurality of fastening holes (12.1) and fastening screws (13) which are attached to the fastening holes (12.1) and can be screwed into the threaded bores.

Drain fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one (13 ') of the fastening screws (13) has a threaded bore (13.2) for screwing in a holding screw (23) which fixes the inlet piece (19.1), the threaded bore (13.2) opening at the main top of the fastening screw (13 ').

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the annular inlet piece (19.1) has at its underside spacers (19.7) which project in a downward direction.

Drain fitting according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the spacers (19.7) are formed annular or sleeve-shaped for forming and / or frictionally closing the head of at least one of the fastening screws (13).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 6, 7 or 9, characterized in that at least one of the fastening screws (13) is provided on its head with a clamping ring (22) which is preferably held in a ring groove (13.1) formed by the extent of the head of the fastening screw (13).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover (15) is held pivotally and releasably on the inlet piece (19.1).

Drain fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover (15) has a projection (15.1) on the underside by means of which the cover (15) can be connected formally and forcefully to the inlet piece (19.1).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that ribs (19.9) are provided for fixing the cover (15) on the inner extent of the inlet piece (19.1).

Drain fitting according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the inlet duct (19) is removably inserted into the water inlet duct (1) of the outlet housing (1), the inlet duct (19) on its outer side and / or the water inlet duct (1.10) on its the inside is provided with a sealing ring (21) and the end of the inlet channel (19) which can be inserted into the water inlet channel (1.10) preferably slopes with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.