EP1331335B1 - Shower partition - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shower enclosure according to the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Such a shower enclosure is from the EP 1 013 210 A2 known and includes a pivotable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation door element. The axis of rotation is predetermined by means of at least one hinge, wherein regularly spaced two such hinges in the vertical direction, advantageously in the region of the upper and at the lower end of the door element, are provided. Said door element is articulated by means of the hinges to a fixed wall element or to another likewise pivotally mounted door element, wherein for sealing in the closed position of the door element with respect to the further element in the region of the mutually facing vertical longitudinal edges thereof may be arranged a sealing element. The door element can be opened from the closed position, in which it is in particular in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the further element, only in one direction in the order of 90 degrees. The hinges contain on the one hand a bearing block and on the other hand a hinge pin, which defines the aforementioned axis of rotation. In the known shower enclosure, it has proved to be disadvantageous that the size of the torque for opening and / or closing the door element can vary within a wide range, due to changing environmental conditions, in particular the humidity, and the ingress of spray, if necessary in conjunction with soap, calcium deposits, penetrating dirt particles or the like. Furthermore, said torque may vary over the useful life of many years of such a shower enclosure. A low torque and thus too easy current pivoting of the door element is just as undesirable in terms of a possible impact with another component or the user as to be performed with too much effort pivoting of the door element, especially since there is a risk of injury to the user can.

Furthermore, from the EP 897 447 B 1 a hinge for two plate-shaped elements is known, which contains a return means by an elastic ring. The one element contains a recess open to the vertical longitudinal edge, in which part of the first hinge part and the hinge pin and further the elastic ring are arranged. In this recess also engages connected to the other hinge part bearing block or bearing body, in which the hinge pin also is introduced. The bearing block is integrally formed by means of a connecting member with the other hinge part, wherein in the closed position of the two elements between the mutually facing vertical longitudinal edges, a small gap is present. The connecting component and the said bearing block are arranged substantially in the center plane of the further element. The outer surface of the bearing block is formed as a prismatic cam and is applied to the elastic ring of the associated hinge part of the first element such that defined angular positions between the two elements can be predetermined. Due to the mentioned gap between the longitudinal edges of the two elements in the closed position, the use in shower enclosures is not readily possible.

Furthermore, from the DE 39 01 395 A1 which document discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1, discloses a hinged door for a shower enclosure with hinges, which on the one hand have a wall-side hinge or hinged part connected to an anchoring profile and, on the other hand, a door-side hinge or hinge part connected to the hinged door or the door element , With the anchoring profile, a seal is connected, which rests in the closed position of the door element with a sealing lip on the lateral surface of the door element. The wall-side hinge part has two halves which in the closed position penetrate the gap between the anchoring profile and the door element or protrude into said gap. Furthermore, the door-side hinge part protrudes in the closed position into said gap. The seal is arranged outside the gap and the wall-side hinge parts penetrate or engage in the gap.

Furthermore, from the DE 297 00 447 U1 a shower enclosure with a door element known, which is hinged to a relative to a room wall alignable door jambs by means of hinges. The substantially vertically oriented door jamb includes a longitudinal groove in which a seal associated with the door member is secured. In the closed position of the door element is located on the door jamb facing the vertical longitudinal edge of the seal, wherein in the region of the hinges, the seal is interrupted or additional measures for sealing are required.

Finally, out of the DE 33 35 575 A 1 a device for locking a shaft rotatable member in connection with a hinge known. The shaft has a polygonal cross-section with substantially rectilinear side surfaces, with a resilient plate of the rotatable member, such as a door, abutting directly on at least one of these side surfaces. The resilient plates may be part of a cross-section in particular square housing with elastic Be sidewalls. Although the rotatable part can be locked in predeterminable positions by means of this device, the skilled person does not take any suggestions for sealing in the region of the hinge of the rotatable part or the device for locking.

Proceeding from this, the invention has the object, the shower enclosure of the type mentioned with little design effort to the effect that the door element can be pivoted in a simple and defined manner both when opening and closing, in the closed position a functionally reliable seal, especially in Range of the hinge, to be guaranteed. The shower enclosure and in particular their hinge should have a low volume and allow easy handling. The hinge should be able to be produced with low production costs and require little installation effort for producing the connection of the pivotable door element or door leaf with the other element, be it a further door element or a fixed wall element or the like.

The solution of this task is carried out according to the features specified in claim 1.

The proposed shower enclosure is characterized by a simple and functional design and also ensures in the area of the hinge or hinges due to the continuous sealing element in the closed position of the door element a secure seal against the escape of spray water from the shower interior to the outside. Between the mutually facing vertical longitudinal edges of the door member and the further element a sufficiently large clearance for the sealing element is provided, which is arranged on one longitudinal edge and at least in the closed position on the opposite other longitudinal edge and in the region of the hinge on a sealing surface in particular of a body and / or the bearing body sealingly. The sealing element extends continuously, preferably at least approximately, over the entire vertical height of the longitudinal edges and is in particular integrally formed, wherein in the region of the hinge or hinges in cooperation with the existing there sealing surface of a recess of the door element odes of the further element associated body for Shower enclosures important sealing is realized with little effort. In an advantageous way The sealing surface of the body, in particular of the bearing body, is aligned at least approximately with that vertical longitudinal edge on which the sealing element rests.

The one or more hinges of the proposed shower enclosure are designed as pendulum hinges, which allow opening of the door element in both directions, expedient over at least approximately at least 90 degrees from the closed position. The one or more hinges each contain a cooperating with the hinge pin of the hinge spring element, which is preferably designed as a leaf spring and with which a preferably acting in the radial direction of braking force is exercised. By means of the spring element or the leaf spring a defined friction is given, due to which of external influences largely independently and over a long period of time a substantially constant torque for actuating or opening or closing the door element and thus the shower enclosure is ensured. The one hinge or bearing part arranged spring element abuts against the outer surface of the bearing or hinge pin with a predetermined bias, whereby a defined friction or friction between the mutually pivotable bearing or hinge parts is achieved. In contrast, the existing between the mutually movable hinge parts in the rest, storage or friction forces are practically negligible.

The hinge pin and the first hinge part are preferably arranged in the region of a recess, in particular the plate made of glass of the door element or the further element, wherein the axis of rotation is at least approximately in the plane passing through said plate vertical plane, so that as a result a compact Construction as well as a shapely design is guaranteed. By means of the pendulum hinges according to the invention, the door element can be pivoted from the closed position to the shower interior via the shower or bathtub or into the exterior space, in each case over a pivoting range of preferably at least 90 degrees. To seal the gap between the vertical longitudinal edge of the door element on the one hand and the other wall or door element, the continuous sealing element is provided in a particularly advantageous manner, which also in the region of the hinge or hinges on there provided sealing surface of said body, in particular the bearing body, ensures a functionally reliable seal. The recess is to the vertical longitudinal edge open, wherein the existing in the region of the longitudinal edge opening of the recess is closed by means of the body whose outer surface forms said sealing surface.

Preferably, the outer surface of the hinge pin is flattened in the region of the contact surface of the leaf spring or provided with such an outer contour that a defined closed position of the door member and / or a defined open position of the door element is predetermined.

Further developments and special embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the description of a particular embodiment.

Fig. 1

in einer seitlichen Ansicht eine Detaildarstellung der Duschabtrennung im Bereich eines Scharniers,

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht von oben in Blickrichtung II gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt entlang Schnittlinie III gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Aufsicht ähnlich Fig. 2, wobei das rechts dargestellte Türelement um 90° aufgeschwenkt ist,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 3 bei aufgeschwenktem Türelement gemäß Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt entlang Schnittlinie A gemäß Fig. 4.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing, without being limited in this respect. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a side view a detail of the shower enclosure in the region of a hinge,

Fig. 2

a top view in the direction of II according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a section along section line III according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

a supervision similar Fig. 2 , wherein the door element shown on the right is swung by 90 °,

Fig. 5

a cut accordingly Fig. 3 with swung door element according to Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

a section along section line A according to Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 1 shows in a detailed view partially a view of the shower enclosure In the region of a hinge 2, by means of a soft door element 4 with respect to another Elements 6 is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis of rotation 8. The hinge 2 is located at a predetermined distance below the upper edge 10 of the door element 4 and the upper edge 12 of the further element 6. The further element 6 may be formed as a fixed wall element as well as a second door element, which by means of another left edge according to drawing of the element 6 is arranged. At the lower end of the door element and the further element 6, which usually have a vertical height in the order of 1.5 to 2 m, a second matching formed hinge is arranged, which also defines the axis of rotation 8. Between the vertical longitudinal edge 14 of the door element 4 and the associated vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the further element 6, which have a distance 23 from each other, a sealing element 18 is provided, by means of which the free space between said longitudinal edges is sealed. The sealing element 18 is advantageously arranged on the vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the element 6 and secured in a suitable manner. It is of particular importance that the sealing element 18 also extends continuously over the region of the hinge 2 shown here, as well as over the region of the mentioned further lower hinge, so that a functionally reliable seal is also ensured in the area of the hinge (s). The sealing element 18 is sealingly on the vertical longitudinal edge 14 as sealingly as on a provided in a vertical extension of the same sealing surface 19 of a body and / or a hinge part, as will be explained below. The hinge 2 includes a first hinge part 20, which is connected to the first door member 4 and has a hinge pin, and a further hinge part 22, which has a bearing body 24 for said hinge pin. In particular, the bearing body 24 forms said body with the sealing surface 19. The two hinge parts 20 and 22 are fixedly connected to the door element 4 and the other element 6, which will be discussed below.

It should be expressly stated at this point that in the context of the invention, the hinge 2 can be arranged about a vertical axis by 180 ° such that the hinge part 20 the further element 6 and the further hinge part 22 is associated with the door element 4, wherein the axis of rotation 8 is located in the region of the further element 6 and the sealing element 18 is arranged and fixed to the vertical longitudinal edge 14 of the door element 4 and thus sealingly abuts against the vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the further element 6.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the shower enclosure in the region of the hinge 2. The door element 4 is suitably formed as a plate, in particular of silicate glass, and correspondingly also the further element 6. A frame surrounding the plate is not present, and it lies thus a so-called frameless shower enclosure. Between the vertical longitudinal edges 14 and 16, a free space 25 is present in the closed position of the door element 4, in which the sealing element 18 is arranged. The sealing element contains the further element 6 on the longitudinal edge 16 U-shaped cross-leg, wherein preferably via a clamping connection and / or with adhesives secure attachment to or in the region of the longitudinal edge 16 is present. The elastic sealing element 18 is located on the opposite vertical longitudinal edge 14 and the hand of Fig. 1 explained sealing surface 19 sealingly and fills the rest of the space 25 at least partially. As already mentioned, the longitudinal edges 14 and 16 are in the closed position with the distance 23 opposite each other. As indicated by the arrows 26, 27, the door element 4 from the illustrated closed position in two directions, namely inwardly over the shower interior and outwardly into the outer space out, in each case at predetermined angles, preferably in the order of 90 ° , so that the entire rotation angle range is at least approximately 180 °. The predefined with the pendulum hinge 2 vertical axis of rotation 8 preferably extends approximately in the vertical center plane of the door member 4. As can be seen, in the space between the mutually facing vertical longitudinal edges of the door member 4 and the other element 6, the continuous sealing element 18 is arranged, which with the further element 6 is connected. The sealing element 18 includes a sealing surface 28 sealingly adjacent to the vertical longitudinal edge of the door element 4 and the said sealing surface 19 of the body 24, in particular of the bearing body.

The two hinge parts 20 and 22 are opposite on the other side of the door element 4 and the other element 6 covers 30 and 32 indicated. With dashed lines 34, in particular screw connections of the first hinge part 20 with the one cover 30 and between the other hinge part 22 and the cover 32 are indicated, wherein the door member 4 and the further element 6 associated holes for the corresponding fasteners or screws included. Alternatively, the connection of said hinge parts 20, 22 and / or the covers 30, 32 with the door element 4 and the further element 6 may be made by adhesive.

Fig. 3 shows a section through the hinge in a horizontal sectional plane, on the one hand, the already mentioned hinge pin 35 of the first hinge part 20 and on the other hand, the bearing body 24 of the further hinge part 22 are clearly visible. The bearing body 24 includes with respect to the vertical longitudinal edge 16 and spaced therefrom, the said sealing surface 19, on which the arranged in the free space 25 and attached to the vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the further element 6 sealing element 18 sealingly. The bearing body 24 is connected by means of a connecting arm 37 with the plate-shaped part 39 of the further hinge part 22. The connecting arm 37 is arranged in extension of the plate-shaped part 39, which is arranged on the outer side of the further element 6, and thus bridges the free space 25. Based on the center plane passing through the further element 6, the connecting arm 37 of the further hinge part 22 is arranged laterally of the free space 25, which is open in an advantageous manner to the other side of the further element 6. The further hinge part 22 projects beyond the vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the further element 6 with the connecting arm 37, to which the bearing body 24 thus has a predetermined distance. The sealing surface 19 is aligned at least approximately with the vertical longitudinal edge of the door member 4, not shown here, and consequently the distance between the sealing surface 19 and the longitudinal edge 16 at least approximately the same size as the above-explained distance between the vertical longitudinal edge of the door member 4 and the vertical longitudinal edge 16 of the further element 6.

The bearing body 24 contains inside a cavity 38, in which the hinge pin 35 protrudes. In the cavity 38, two leaf springs 40, 41 are further arranged, which bear against the outer surface of the hinge pin 35 under predetermined and / or at least approximately radial bias. According to the invention, a single such leaf spring is sufficient in principle, but in a preferred manner, the two leaf springs 40, 41 are provided, between which the hinge pin 35 is located. For receiving and bearing the free ends of the at least one leaf spring 40, 41, the bearing body 24 to the cavity 38 open recesses 42. By means of the leaf springs 40, 41 is defined in a defined manner a friction with respect to the hinge pin 35, so that as far as possible from external influences independent torque for pivoting the door member 4 is present. In a particularly advantageous manner, the outer surface of the hinge pin 35 is preferably provided with two diametrically arranged flats 43 or flattened in the contact region of the leaf springs 40, 41, so that a defined closing position for the door element 4 is predetermined.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the shower enclosure similar Fig. 2 However, wherein the door member 4 is pivoted with respect to the further element 6 by an angle of 90 °. In this open position of the door element 4, the passage from an outside space into a shower interior or vice versa is given freely, while in the closed position of the door element 4 according to FIG Fig. 1 to 3 the passage is shut off. In the open position, in which a seal between the further element 6 and the door element 4 is not required, the sealing element 18 is no longer sealingly against the vertical longitudinal edge 14 of the door leaf 4, but on the free surface of the cover 30, where appropriate to the free surface of the door member 4, a gap may be present.

This in Fig. 5 represented detail V according to Fig. 4 shows a section through the hinge in a horizontal sectional plane accordingly Fig. 3 , but with the door element 4 is pivoted with respect to the further element 6 by 90 °. As can be seen, the sealing element 18 abuts unchanged on the sealing surface 19 of the bearing body 24. Moreover, the bearing body 24 has a coaxial to the rotation axis 8 outer surface 44, and corresponding thereto, a part of the first hinge part 20 has a partially hollow cylindrical inner surface 45. The said surfaces 44, 45 are in particular with little play or against each other, so that a secure guidance of the door element 4 is ensured when pivoting about the axis of rotation 8. According to this particular embodiment, the hinge pin 35 has additional lateral flats 46 for the spring elements or leaf springs in such a way that a closer locking of the door element is ensured even in the open position. Preferably, the hinge pin 35 thus has two further, diametrically arranged flats 46, which with respect to the axis of rotation 8 to the on hand of Fig. 3 explained flats 43 are arranged offset by 90 °. As can be seen, the hinge pin 35 in the region of the leaf springs four each offset by 90 ° to each other lying flats 43, 46 and thus a rectangular and preferably square cross section.

Fig. 6 shows a section along section line A according to Fig. 4 In the vertical center plane of the door element 4. Here, the vertical longitudinal edge 14 open recess 48 is clearly visible in the plate-shaped door element 4. The bearing body 24 engages partially in the recess 48 and also a hinge body 50 of the first hinge part. The hinge body 50 is preferably formed integrally with the first hinge part, but it may alternatively, in particular via a screw connection, with be connected to the first hinge part and the associated cover. The hinge pin 35 penetrates the bearing body 24 and protrudes with its cylindrical ends 52, 53 into corresponding recesses of the hinge body 50. The bearing body 24 engages in a free space between an upper and a lower leg 54, 55 of the hinge body 50, wherein between said Legs 54, 55 and the engaging part of the bearing body 24, a disc-shaped element 56, 57 is arranged. The disc-shaped elements 56, 57 are part of a body arranged in the hinge body 50, which preferably consists of a material with good sliding properties, in particular PTFE. As a result, a small, practically negligible friction when pivoting the door member 4 is specified. On the other hand, a defined friction is predetermined by means of the leaf springs 40, 41 resting under pretension on the outer surface of the hinge pin 35. Finally, one of the holes 60 already mentioned can be seen in the door element 4, through which a connection or fastening element 62 of the first hinge part engages with the door element 4 or the cover element mentioned. Since the bore 60 has a larger inner diameter by a predetermined amount than the outer diameter of the connecting element 62, a corresponding alignment of the first hinge part with respect to the door element 4 can be made in a preferred manner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivotable door member 4 includes the recess 48 for receiving the hinge pin 35 and the hinge body 50, wherein the bearing body 24 of the further hinge part 22 is fixedly connected to the further element 6. Alternatively, according to the invention, the further element 6 may include the recess and the bearing body 24 may be connected by analogy with the door element by means of the further hinge part. For this embodiment, the above explanations apply analogously.

reference numeral

2

hinge

4

door element

6

another element

8th

axis of rotation

10

Top edge of 4

12

Top edge of 6

14

vertical longitudinal edge of 4

16

vertical longitudinal edge of 6

18

sealing element

19

Sealing surface of 24

20

first hinge part

22

another hinge part

23

Distance between 14 and 16

24

Body / bearing body of 22

25

Free space between 14 and 16

26, 27

angle of rotation

28

Sealing surface of 18

30, 32

cover

34

dashed line / connector

35

hinge pin

37

Connecting arm of 22

38

Cavity in 24

39

plate-shaped part of 22

40, 41

Spring element / leaf spring

42

Recess for 40, 41

43

Flattening at 35

44

Outer surface of 24

45

Inside surface of 22

46

Flattening at 35

48

Recess in 4

50

Hinge body from 20

52, 53

cylindrical end of 36

54, 55

Upper or lower leg of 50

56, 57

disk-shaped element

58

Body with 56, 57

60

Hole in 4

62

connecting element

Claims (13)

1. A shower partition, comprising a door element (4), which is supported so as to be pivotable from a closed position into an open position and vice versa about an axis of rotation (8) relative to a further element (6) by means of at least one hinge (2), wherein the hinge (2) comprises a first hinge part (20) comprising a hinge pin (35) and a further hinge part (22) comprising a bearing body (24) of the hinge pin (35), and wherein the door element (4) and the further element (6) in each case encompass vertical longitudinal edges (14, 16), which are assigned to one another, wherein the bearing body (24) engages at least partially with a recess (48) of the door element (4), which accommodates the hinge pin (35), or of the further element (6), wherein the recess (48) is embodied so as to be open towards the vertical longitudinal edge (14, 16) and an opening is thus present in the area of the longitudinal edge (14, 16), characterized in that, in the bearing body (24), at least one spring element (40, 41) is arranged, which rests against the outer surface of the hinge pin (35) with a predetermined prestress, that a clearance (25) is present in the closed position between the vertical longitudinal edges (14, 16) and that a sealing element (18) is arranged in the clearance (25) at the vertical longitudinal edge (16, 14) of the further element (6) or of the door element (4), respectively, said sealing element being embodied so as to be continuous across the area of the hinge (2) and so as to rest against a sealing surface (19) of a bearing body (24), which is assigned to the recess (48) and by means of which the opening of the recess (48) is closed, as well as so as to rest against the longitudinal edge (14, 16) of the door element (4) or of the further element (6), respectively, which connects to the sealing surface (19) of the bearing body (24) vertically on the top and on the bottom, so as to form a seal, and that the further hinge part (22) encompasses a connecting arm (37) for the bearing body (24) laterally next to the clearance (25) and bridging it.
2. The shower partition according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting arm (37) is embodied as extension for a preferably plate-shaped part (38) of the further hinge part (22).
3. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate-shaped part (38) is arranged on the lateral surface of the further element (6) and/or that the bearing body (24) and the connecting arm (37) as well as the mentioned part (38) of the further hinge part (22) are embodied in one piece.
4. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the body (24) is the bearing body and/or in that the sealing surface (19) of the body (24) is at least approximately arranged in the same vertical plane as the vertical longitudinal edge (14) of the door element (4).
5. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring element is embodied as leaf spring (40, 41) and/or rest against the hinge pin (35) under prestress at least approximately in radial direction and/or that the hinge pin (35) is at least partially arranged between two opposite spring elements (40, 41).
6. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a hinge body (50), in which the hinge pin (35), in particular the cylindrical ends (52, 53) thereof, are supported, is arranged in the recess (48).
7. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, on an outer surface, against which the at least one spring element (40, 41) rests, the hinge pin (35) encompasses at least one flattening (43, 46) and/or an outer contour such that at least one defined position, in particular a closed position of the door element (4) is predetermined relative to the further element (6).
8. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bearing body (24) encompasses a cavity (38), with which the hinge pin (35) engages at least partially, and/or that the bearing body (24) comprises recesses (42), which are open towards the cavity (38), for accommodating the ends of the leaf spring (40, 41).
9. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sealing element (18) is arranged in the clearance (25) between the vertical longitudinal edges (14) or (16), respectively, which face one another in the closed position, of the door element (4) or of the further element (6), respectively.
10. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sealing element (18) extends continuously substantially across the entire vertical height of the door element (4) and/or of the further element (6) and is embodied so as to be continuous in particular in the area of the hinge (2), wherein the sealing element (18) is fastened to the one vertical longitudinal edge (16) and rests against the other longitudinal edge (14) in the closed position so as to form a seal.
11. The shower partition according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the bearing body (24) is arranged between two journals (54, 55) of the hinge body (50), which are arranged so as to be axially spaced apart, and/or that a disk-shaped element (56, 57), which in particular encompasses a low friction coefficient, is arranged axially between the bearing body (24) and the mentioned journals (54, 55), and/or that the disk-shaped element (56, 57) is part of a body (58), which consists in particular of plastic.
12. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, on the outer surface, the hinge pin (35) encompasses at least two flattenings (43, 46) which are offset by a predetermined angle, which is preferably at least approximately 90°, to which flattenings the at least one spring leaf (40, 41) for providing two positions of the door element (4), which are rotated against each other by the mentioned predetermined angle, relative to the further element (6).
13. The shower partition according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bearing body (24) encompasses an outer surface (44), which is substantially coaxial and/or cylindrical to the axis of rotation (8), and in that the first hinge part (20) comprises a corresponding, partially cylindrical inner surface (45), wherein provision is preferably made for a predetermined play to the mentioned outer surface (44).

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