DK2664722T3 - Floor drain with a cover for picking up a tile - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a floor drain according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular for wet rooms.

The floor drain according to the invention is intended in particular for ground-level showers. DE 20 2005 004 087 U1 discloses a floor drain of the type in question that comprises an upwardly open seat for a cover. The cover is removably inserted in the seat such that a peripheral inlet slot is formed between the upper edge of the seat and the outer edge of the cover. The cover has a base and a peripheral trim in the form a thin, vertically upright frame, the frame, together with the base, defining a depression for inserting a freely selectable floor covering cut, for example a tile cut. The floor covering or tile cut inserted in the depression is then directly surrounded by the frame-like trim. This known floor drain makes it possible, in comparison with conventional floor drains that have a metal drain grate, for the drain to be visually adapted to the surrounding floor covering. In order for the depression to be filled in a technically correct manner, the floor covering has to be adapted to and incorporated into the depression. When largesized tiles (> 100 x 100 mm) are used, the tile insert is cut to a suitable size. However, if small tiles, e.g. 95 x 95 mm, are used on the floor, the tile insert has to be inserted having a peripheral silicone or adhesive edge. As a result of the now visible building materials and the two frames, the covering cap is not as discreet and cannot be integrated into the floor covering in a visually appealing manner. It also appears that this known floor drain can still be improved in terms of hygiene.

Furthermore, DE 20 2006 014 959 U1 discloses a floor drain that comprises a frame and a support that can be inserted therein from above, the frame and the outer edge of the support forming an inlet slot. The support is provided, on the upper face thereof, with a glass plate, the outer edge of which is smoothed or rounded. The glass plate does not have to be cut at the installation site. This is because the glass plate consists of pre-fabricated security glass and, depending on the design, can be tinted, colour-coated on the rear face thereof and/or frosted. The glass plate and the frame form an upper peripheral inlet slot to which the inlet slot formed by the frame and the outer edge of the support adjoins. This known floor drain does not therefore comprise a trim having an additional thin frame within the meaning of DE 20 2005 004 087 U1. The upper inlet slot is directly delimited by the outer edge of the glass plate and the inner face of the frame. Since the support, as a cover, does not comprise an additional frame as a trim, but rather consists, for example, of a flat support plate, no linings of dirt are formed that would otherwise be present between the trim and the glass plate. EP 2 113 614 A2 comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The problem addressed by the present invention is that of providing a floor drain of the type mentioned at the outset that makes it possible for a cut floor covering, a mosaic or even an individual tile to be arranged in a simple manner in such a way that the floor drain or the cover thereof does not contrast with the surrounding floor covering in an objectionable manner. Whilst having a sufficiently high drainage rate, the floor drain is also intended to be flat enough that it can be integrated into the tile grid on the sealing plane on the screed.

In order to solve this problem, a floor drain having the features of claim 1 is proposed.

The floor drain according to the invention is made up of a drain element which is to be integrally bonded to a body of setting building material and a plate-shaped cover for receiving a tile or a mosaic. The cover is connected to an annular positioning element that is arranged on the underside of the cover and that defines, together with said cover, at least one water inlet gap. A seat for removably receiving the annular positioning element is formed on the drain element.

The outer diameter of the positioning element is no larger than the largest outer dimension of the cover. The cover is designed without a frame such that the tile or the mosaic project beyond the sides of the cover or end substantially flush with the outer edge of the cover. The cover comprises at least two angled connecting pieces which protrude on opposite sides and are angled upwards. These connecting pieces or brackets are used to prevent the cover covered with an individual tile or a mosaic from rotating with respect to the adjacent tiles in order to ensure a uniform inlet gap width.

The drain element typically consists of a drain housing or for example an extension element (a height compensation element).

The floor drain according to the invention allows an arrangement in a tile grid or joint grid that has a precise fit and is as inconspicuous as possible. In this case, an individual commercially available tile can be placed onto or adhesively bonded to the plate-shaped cover without the laborious process of cutting. The edges of said tile and the edges of the directly adjacent tiles that face said edges define a peripheral water inlet gap, the width of which corresponds to the joint width. The floor drain according to the invention thus dispenses with a frame-shaped trim in the region of the water inlet gap. In spite of the relatively narrow water inlet gap, the floor drain according to the invention has a sufficiently high drainage rate. For example, in the case of a tile size of approximately 10 cm x 10 cm and a joint or inlet gap width of approximately 5 mm, a drainage rate of approximately 0.9 1/s can be achieved using the floor drain according to the invention.

Instead of a tile, mosaic, in particular glass mosaic, natural stone or another material such as a glass or wooden plate can also be adhesively bonded to the plate-shaped cover of the floor drain according to the invention as required.

The cover of the floor drain according to the invention preferably comprises a plate-shaped panel (plate) which is substantially square or rectangular. A further preferred embodiment of the floor drain according to the invention is characterised in that the angled connecting pieces protrude upwards above the upper face of the panel (plate) by a maximum of from 4 mm to 10 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 8 mm. If the connecting pieces protrude upwards above the upper face of the panel by such an amount, this generally ensures that the free ends (tips) of the connecting pieces project beyond the tile adhesive layer arranged under the adjacent tiles and extend as high as the edges of the adjacent tiles. The panel of the cover can, for example, have a thickness in the range of from 2 mm to 4 mm.

The floor drain according to the invention makes it possible in particular to implement the layer assembly made of the cover, the tile adhesive and the tile (or the cover, the tile adhesive and the mosaic) at a relatively low installation height. For the floor drain according to the invention, the installation height of said layer assembly is, for example, in the range of from approximately only 5 mm to 25 mm.

In order to achieve effective adhesion of the tile adhesive, the cover preferably has a coarse and/or three-dimensionally textured upper face.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the cover is connected to the positioning element with a positive fit and/or so as to be removable. This embodiment is favourable in particular from a manufacturing perspective. Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to remove the cover from the floor drain separately from the positioning element in order to be able to clean the floor drain where necessary. This makes it easier to access the floor drain when it needs to be cleaned. Preferably, the positioning element comprises upwardly protruding bolts which are inserted with a positive fit into recesses in the cover. The bolts are preferably fused to the cover at the factory. A further preferred embodiment of the floor drain according to the invention provides that the positioning element has upwardly protruding shoulders on which the cover rests. The shoulders define a plurality of water inlet gaps and bring about a sufficiently high component rigidity whilst relatively little material is used to produce the positioning element. Preferably, the positioning element comprises, on the shoulders thereof, connection elements, preferably positive-fit elements, that interact with the cover. A further advantageous embodiment of the floor drain according to the invention consists in the positioning element being provided with means for adjusting the height thereof relative to the drain element. This makes it possible to easily adjust the height of the positioning element or the cover mounted thereon in order to be able to adapt the height thereof to the height of a drain flange (attachment flange) of the drain element. The means for height adjustment are preferably formed as legs (support elements) that can be shortened using a cutting tool or as screw feet.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the floor drain according to the invention, the seat for removably receiving the annular positioning element is designed as an annular step of the drain element. This achieves a reliable mounting of the positioning element in the drain element in a manner that is advantageous in terms of manufacturing.

With regard to a precisely fitting orientation of the cover covered with a tile or a mosaic with respect to a joint grid, it is also advantageous, according to a further preferred embodiment of the floor drain according to the invention, for the positioning element to be rotatably received or mounted in the seat of the drain element.

Further preferred and advantageous embodiments of the floor drain according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to drawings which show a plurality of embodiments and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of components of a floor drain according to the invention, showing a protective plug and a floor covering portion formed of tiles;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an annular positioning element associated with the floor drain;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the positioning element from Fig. 2 having a plate-shaped cover connected thereto;

Fig. 4 to 10 are perspective, plan and perspective sectional views of different installation steps or installation situations of the floor drain from Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a decorative frame for a trim of a tile to be arranged on the cover for the floor drain from Fig. 1; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective sectional view of the installation situation, according to Fig. 9, in which the decorative frame from Fig. 11 has been integrated.

The floor drain shown in the drawings comprises a drain element 1 that consists, for example, of a height compensation piece or what is referred to as an extension element. The height compensation piece 1 can be placed on a drain housing or a drain pipe (not shown) and guides the accumulating water directly into the drain housing or drain pipe in order to prevent damage by moisture. The drain housing can, in this case, contain an odour trap.

The height compensation piece 1 is installed, in conjunction with a drain housing, in a recess, in an opening or on the bare floor and, in the process, is connected to a drain line (not shown). After this installation, the height compensation piece or the drain element 1 is integrally bonded to the bare floor using a mass of setting building material 2, typically screed (cf. Fig. 4).

The floor drain according to the invention also comprises a plate-shaped cover 3 for receiving an individual tile 4' or a mosaic formed of a plurality of small tiles. The cover 3 is of such a size that it can receive an individual commercially available tile 4' having a size of, for example, approximately 9.4 cm x 9.4 cm, 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm, 10 cm x 10 cm, or approximately 15 cm x 15 cm.

The cover 3 consists of a plate-shaped panel (plate) 3.1 which is substantially square and has angled connecting pieces (tabs) 3.2 which protrude on opposite sides and are angled upwards. In the embodiment, the cover 3 comprises four tabs (connecting pieces) 3.2, each tab 3.2 being arranged on one of the four sides of the panel 3.1. Each pair of tabs 3.2 is preferably arranged near to a corner of the panel 3.1, specifically such that the two tab pairs are at diametrically opposite corners of the panel.

The side lengths of the panel or plate 3.1 are, for example, approximately 92 mm x 92 mm. The corners of the plate 3.1 are preferably slightly rounded. The cover 3 is made of plastics material or preferably stainless steel sheet. The thickness of the plate 3 is, for example, in the range of from 1 mm to 3 mm. The angled connecting pieces 3.2 protrude outwards beyond the sides of the plate 3.1 and upwards above the upper face 3.3 of the plate 3.1 by an amount in the approximate range of from 4 mm to 10 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 8 mm. The upper face 3.3 of the cover 3 is coarse or three-dimensionally textured in order to achieve effective adhesion of the tile adhesive used to attach the tile 4' or the mosaic.

The cover 3 is designed without a frame such that the tile 4' or the mosaic projects beyond the sides of the cover 3 or ends substantially flush with the outer edge of the cover 3.

An annular positioning element 5 that, together with the cover, defines one or more water inlet gaps 6, is arranged on the underside of the cover 3. The positioning element 5 can be removably connected to the cover 3 (plate 3.1). However, the positioning element 5 is preferably integrally connected, preferably welded, to the cover 3.

Instead of using a height compensation piece 1, the covering cap according to the invention, which is formed of the cover 3 and the positioning element 5, can also be placed without a height compensation piece, e.g. directly into a drain housing having a connection sealing flange or into another drain element.

The positioning element 5 comprises upwardly protruding shoulders 5.1 on which the cover 3 rests. Connection elements 5.2 that interact with the cover are formed on the shoulders 5.1. The connection elements 5.2 preferably consist of upwardly protruding bolts which are integrally formed on the positioning element and can be inserted with a positive fit into recesses 3.4 in the cover 3. The recesses 3.4 are preferably designed as through holes. They can also be designed as blind holes. The bolts 5.2 lie, in the same way as the recesses or holes 3.4, on a common reference circle and are uniformly mutually spaced. In the inserted state, the ends (tips) of the bolts 5.2 project slightly above the upper face 3.3 of the plate 3.1. Said ends are, however, considerably lower than the upwardly facing tips of the angled connecting pieces 3.2 in the inserted state. The tips of the bolts 5.2 are preferably connected to the cover 3 by thermal deformation and subsequently embedded or covered by the tile adhesive applied to the upper face 3.3 of the plate 3.1.

The outer diameter of the positioning element 5 is smaller than the diagonal of the cover 3. The outer diameter of the positioning element 5 also substantially corresponds to the side length of the plate 3.1. The outer diameter of the positioning element 5 can be slightly larger or smaller than the side length of the plate 3.1 (cf. Fig. 3) . A seat 1.1 for removably receiving the annular positioning element 5 is formed on the drain element 1. The seat 1.1 for receiving the positioning element 5 consists of an annular step on the inner wall side of the drain element 1. The seat or step 1.1 is annular. The positioning element 5 is rotatably mounted on the step 1.1. The invention also comprises embodiments in which, in addition to the inlet gap 6 formed between the cover 3 and the positioning element 5, at least one further water inlet gap is formed optionally also between the positioning element 5 and the drain element 1.

The drain element 1 comprises a sealing flange 1.2, the upper face of which defines a sealing plane. The upper face 3.3 of the plate 3.1 of the cover 3 is at the same level as or below the level of the upper face of the attachment flange 1.2 in the assembled state.

The positioning element 5 is provided with means for adjusting the height thereof relative to the drain element 1. In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the means for height adjustment are designed in the form of leg-like projections (tabs) 5.3 that can be shortened to a suitable length using a cutting tool, for example a knife. In order to make it easier to shorten said legs (projections) 5.3, guide ribs 5.31 or grooves that extend in parallel with one another are arranged on the outer side of said legs in each case, along which ribs or grooves the blade of a knife (not shown) can be guided. The projections 5.3 taper to the lower end thereof. Instead of legs 5.3 that can be shortened using a cutting a tool, the positioning element 5 can also be provided with screw feet (not shown) for height adjustment.

Fig. 4 to 10 show different installation situations of the floor drain. In Fig. 4, a protective plug 7 is inserted in the drain element or extension element 1. The protective plug 7 is intended to allow the tile layer to lay the tiles such that they are straight and in parallel around the inlet opening and also to prevent building material from passing into the drain or the waste water line connected thereto during the preliminary construction stage. The protective plug 7 comprises a cylindrical insertion portion and a box-shaped or shell-shaped placeholder portion 7.1. The protective plug is preferably made of plastics material as an injection-moulded part. Reinforcing ribs 7.2 are integrally formed on the inner surfaces of the shell-shaped placeholder portion 7.1. The protective plug 7 is used as an aid in order to apply screed 2, tile adhesive 8 and tiles 4 right up to the inlet opening of the floor drain without screed 2 and/or tile adhesive 8 passing into the drain. In particular, the protective plug 7 is used to produce a uniform peripheral water inlet gap 4.1 in the floor covering made of tiles 4 or mosaic. In addition, a seal (not shown), for example a watertight film, in particular a liquid film, can be applied to the screed 2.

Fig. 5 shows the installation situation in which tile adhesive 8 has been applied to the screed 2 and tiles 4 have been laid and joined around the protective plug 7.

In the installation situation according to Fig. 6, the protective plug has been removed. The annular positioning element 5, together with the cover 3, is then inserted into the seat 1.1 of the drain element 1. The positioning element 5 and the cover 3 can be inserted into the drain element 1 individually, consecutively or, as shown in Fig. 6, as an interconnected unit. The angled tabs (brackets) 3.2 of the cover 3 are used to prevent rotation. In the installed state of the cover 3, said tabs abut the edges of the surrounding tiles 4 which define the inlet opening of the floor drain (cf. Fig. 7) .

As already mentioned, the positioning element 5 is adjusted or the legs 5.3 thereof are shortened such that the upper face of the plate 3.1 is at the same level as or slightly below the level of the upper face of the attachment flange 1.2 of the drain element 1 in the assembled state. The upper edge of the plate 3.1 thus corresponds to the upper edge of the sealing plane . A tile 4' is subseguently adhesively bonded to the upper face 3.3 of the cover 3. The edges of said tile 4' can be slightly abraded or polished as reguired. Once the tile adhesive that connects the tile 4' to the cover 3 has set, the assembly of the floor drain is complete.

Fig. 8 and 9 are a plan view and an isometric view of the floor drain, respectively, whilst Fig. 10 is an isometric vertical section. Fig. 8 and 10 show clearly that the floor drain according to the invention produces a relatively inconspicuous inlet gap 4.1 in the tile covering 4, which gap is integrated into the tile grid (joint grid) in an inconspicuous manner and conceals the relatively large drain opening 1.3 in the drain element 1.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 11 and 12 differs from the embodiment from Fig. 1 to 10 on account of a decorative frame (ornamental frame) 9, which can be connected to the cover 3 or the positioning element 5, as a trim for a tile or mosaic adhesively bonded to the cover 3. The decorative frame 9 comprises, on its underside, plastically deformable protruding tabs 9.1. Preferably, a tab 9.1 is formed on each side of the frame 9 at the centre. The tabs 9.1 can be shortened to the desired installation height, for example by being inwardly folded by approximately 90° such that they rest on the upper face 3.3 of the cover 3 and are secured thus in the tile adhesive. Each tab 9.1 can be provided with perforations and/or indentations 9.2 in order to make it easier to bend (fold) the tabs 9.1 at the installation site. The decorative frame 9 is preferably made of stainless steel. Said frame comprises, on its upper face, an outwardly angled collar 9.3 that is rounded when viewed in cross section.

The implementation of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Rather, it is possible for there to be numerous variants that make use of the invention specified in the accompanying claims even if the design varies from the embodiments shown. For example, in order for the cover 3 to be connected to the positioning element 5, it is also possible to form only three shoulders 5.1 having bolts 5.2 on the positioning element and a corresponding number of recesses 3.4 in the cover 3.

Claims (13)

A floor drain with a plate-shaped cover (3) for receiving a tile (4 ') or a mosaic and a drain element (1), which can be connected formally to a hardening building material mass, where the cover (3) is connected to an annular positioning element (3). 5), which is arranged on the underside of the cover (3), where the outside diameter of the positioning element (5) is less than or equal to the largest external dimension of the cover (3), and a fitting (1) is formed on the drain element (1). 1.1) for releasably accommodating the annular positioning element (5), wherein the annular positioning element (5) together with the cover (3) defines at least one water inlet gap (6), characterized in that the cover (3) is designed without a frame, so that the tile (4 ') or the mosaic protrudes beyond the cover (3) on the side or substantially ends flushly up to the outer edge of the cover (3), and the cover (3) having at least two upwardly angled ribs (3.2) which act on opposite sides. Floor drain according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) has a plate-shaped, substantially square or square shaped disc (3.1). Floor drainage according to claim 2, characterized in that the angled ribs (3.2) protrude upwards by not more than 4 mm to 10 mm, preferably 4 mm to 8 mm, relative to the upper side (3.3) of the disc (3.1). Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (3) can be connected form-fitting and / or releasably with the positioning element (5). Floor drain according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the positioning element (5) has upwardly projecting shoulders (5.1) on which the cover (3) lies on top. Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning element (5) has upwardly projecting bolts (5.2) which are inserted into recesses (3.4) in the cover (3) in a mold-closing manner. Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover (3) has a rough and / or three-dimensional structured upper surface (3.3). Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the positioning element (5) is provided with means (5.3) for adjusting its height relative to the drain element (1). Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the passageway (1.1) for releasably receiving the annular positioning element (5) is formed as an annular ledge of the drain element (1). Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the positioning element (5) is pivotally accommodated in the fit (1.1) of the drain element (1). Gold drain according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a decorative frame (9) which can be connected to the cover (3) or the positioning element (5) as a frame for the tile or mosaic. Floor drains according to claim 11, characterized in that the decoration frame (9) has plastic deformable grooves (9.1) which protrude on its underside, wherein said groove (9.1) preferably has perforations and / or notches (9.2). Floor drain according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the drain element (1) has a sealing flange (1.2), the upper side of which defines a sealing plane where the top of the disc (3) of the cover (3) in the mounted state is level with or below the level of the upper side of the seal flange (1.2).