EP3222787A1 - Kit for assembling a mixing valve onto a bathtub and assembling process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit (1) for mounting a mixer on a bathtub, this kit comprising two columns (10), each comprising means (12) for connection to a bathtub mixer, two connectors (20), for connecting a water supply pipe to each standoff, two base plates (30), each comprising a mounting head (31), for fixing a standoff (10) from the top of the bath, and a threaded tube ( 32), intended to be engaged inside a hole of the bath, and two nuts (40), intended to be screwed each, from below the tub, around the threaded tube (32) of one bases, so as to fix each base (30) to the bath.

Description

The present invention relates to a kit for mounting a mixer on a bath. The invention also relates to a method of mounting a mixer on a bathtub using this kit.

A kit of the prior art comprises two columns, respectively for hot water and for cold water. These columns allow to install the mixer directly on the bath. Such a column is commonly offered for sale.

This type of column, called luxury, includes a chrome part provided with a threaded end for connection with the mixer tap, a threaded tube secured to the chrome part and a clamping nut. The nut is intended to be screwed, from below the tub, around the threaded tube so as to pinch the wall of the tub between the chrome part and the nut.

The balusters are mounted prior to the installation of the bathtub. Holes are drilled in the wall of the bath with a certain distance, depending on the dimensions of the mixer. The threaded tube is inserted from the top of the columns through the corresponding holes until the chrome part abuts against the upper face of the tub. Then screw a nut below the threaded tube of each column, so as to pinch the wall of the tub. At this stage, the balusters are integral with the bathtub. Generally, one or two plastic washers are interposed between the nut and the bath to avoid degrading the bath. When the bath is placed, that is to say is in a final position in the bathroom, is connected from the bottom of the bath, the hot water pipes and cold water with the respective columns , in particular by means of a screw connection. Access to the columns from the bottom of the bath is via a trap door.

A first disadvantage of this kit is that the connection from the bottom of the tub, hot and cold water supply pipes is tricky because the inspection door offers the installer reduced access.

A second disadvantage is that the columns are installed before the installation of the bathtub, so they are subject to degradation related to the environment of a building site, as well as flights during the period before the installation in the room. bath.

It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a kit with which the balusters can be installed at the last moment, that is after the bath has been laid in the bathroom and with which the connection of the water supply pipes can be made over the bath.

• deux colonnettes, comprenant chacune des moyens de raccordement à un mitigeur de baignoire,
• deux raccords, pour raccorder un tuyau d'alimentation en eau à chaque colonnette,
• deux embases, pour la fixation des colonnettes par le dessus de la baignoire, chaque colonnette comprenant un tube fileté, destiné à être engagé à l'intérieur d'un trou de la baignoire, et
• deux écrous, destinés à être vissés, par le dessous de la baignoire, autour du tube fileté des embases, de manière à fixer chaque embase à la baignoire.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a kit for mounting a mixer on a bath, this kit comprising:

• two columns, each comprising means for connection to a bath mixer,
• two connections, to connect a water supply pipe to each column,
• two bases, for fixing the columns by the top of the bath, each pillar comprising a threaded tube, intended to be engaged inside a hole of the bath, and
• two nuts, intended to be screwed from the bottom of the bath, around the threaded tube of the bases, so as to fix each base to the bath.

US 2010/170579 A1 discloses several embodiments of a faucet mounting kit. The embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3 is on a mounting kit for a lavatory faucet. In this embodiment, the kit comprises two columns which each delimit a thread for receiving a threaded rod of the valve. Two nuts are screwed from the underside of the washbasin around the balusters, so as to fix each small column to the wall of the sink. The kit also includes two fittings for connecting a water supply hose to the threaded portion of the faucet. Each connection comprises an outer ring and a locking jaw having a plurality of resilient teeth, two of which are provided with an internal radial protuberance intended to cooperate with the pipe. The outer ring comprises fins each configured to become wedged in a peripheral groove of the internal bore of the threaded portion of the valve. Thus, the ring is immobilized in translation inside the part. In this publication, the balusters are attached to the wash basin wall by nuts that are screwed into the underside of the tub. In addition, the kit therefore does not include bases for fixing the columns by the top of the bath.

US 2009/250127 A1 discloses a bath mixer and a mixer mounting kit on the bath. The kit comprises two bases, which serve as support for the mixer taps and two nuts, which are screwed from below the tub around a respective threaded tube of the mixer tap. Thus, this publication does not disclose two Columns each comprising connecting means to a bath mixer. In addition, the bases do not have a threaded tube intended to be engaged inside a hole of the bath.

Thanks to the invention, the columns subject to damage and theft are installed at the last moment, that is to say at the time of installation of the mixer. Their installation poses no problem since they are fixed on the bases by the top of the bath.

• Chaque embase est creuse, de manière à pouvoir être traversée par un tuyau d'alimentation en eau.
• Chaque colonnette est creuse et chaque raccord est destiné à être vissé à l'intérieur de l'une des colonnettes.
• Chaque colonnette comprend des moyens de fixation, destinés à coopérer avec des moyens de fixation complémentaires prévus sur chaque embase. Les moyens de fixation et les moyens de fixation complémentaires forment ensemble un système de fixation à baïonnette.
• Les moyens de fixation complémentaires comprennent des protubérances radiales régulièrement réparties sur chaque embase, alors que les moyens de fixation comprennent des protubérances radiales internes délimitant un orifice de forme complémentaire à la tête de montage.
• Chaque raccord est un raccord à glissement, à sertir ou à visser.
• Chaque embase comprend une collerette destinée à venir en appui contre une face supérieure de la baignoire et comprenant une gorge périphérique de réception d'un joint d'étanchéité.
• Le kit comprend en outre un outil d'aide au montage.
• Chaque embase comprend une tête de montage d'une colonnette et l'outil d'aide au montage délimite deux ouvertures ayant une forme anti-rotation complémentaire de la tête de montage et un entraxe de 150 mm et l'outil comprend en outre un marquage indicatif du sens de montage.

According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a kit may include one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination:

• Each base is hollow, so that it can be crossed by a water supply pipe.
• Each column is hollow and each connection is intended to be screwed inside one of the columns.
• Each post comprises fastening means intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means provided on each base. The fastening means and the complementary fastening means together form a bayonet fastening system.
• The complementary fastening means comprise radial protuberances regularly distributed over each base, while the fastening means comprise internal radial protuberances delimiting a hole of complementary shape to the mounting head.
• Each fitting is a slip, crimp or screw fitting.
• Each base comprises a flange intended to bear against an upper face of the bath and comprising a peripheral groove for receiving a seal.
• The kit also includes a mounting aid.
• Each base comprises a mounting head of a small column and the mounting aid tool delimits two openings having an anti-rotation shape complementary to the mounting head and a center distance of 150 mm and the tool further comprises a marking. indicative of the direction of assembly.

1. a) percer deux trous dans la baignoire,
2. b) positionner deux embases à l'intérieur des trous,
3. c) fixer chaque embase à la baignoire au moyen d'un écrou respectif, vissé par le dessous de la baignoire,
4. d) passer les tuyaux d'alimentation en eau à travers les écrous et les embases,
5. e) connecter, par le dessus de la baignoire, un raccord à l'extrémité de chaque tuyau,
6. f) fixer chaque raccord avec une colonnette,
7. g) fixer, par le dessus de la baignoire, les deux colonnettes sur les embases, et
8. h) monter le mitigeur sur les deux colonnettes.

The invention relates to a method of mounting a mixer on a bath using a kit as described above, this method comprising the steps of:

1. a) drill two holes in the bathtub,
2. b) position two bases inside the holes,
3. c) fix each base to the bathtub by means of a respective nut, screwed from the bottom of the bath,
4. d) pass the water supply pipes through the nuts and the bases,
5. e) connect, from above the bathtub, a connection at the end of each pipe,
6. f) fix each connection with a small column,
7. g) fix, by the top of the bath, the two balusters on the bases, and
8. h) mount the mixer on the two balusters.

Advantageously, the method comprises a step after step b) and prior to step c) of orienting the bases in a configuration where the posts, once attached to the bases, are oriented in the right direction relative to the planned location for the mixer.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une baignoire équipée d'un mitigeur monté au moyen d'un kit conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle de l'encerclé Il de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe dans le plan III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective éclatée des pièces appartenant au kit de montage du mitigeur selon l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective représentant un outil d'aide au montage, utilisé pour orienter des embases de fixation de colonnettes dans une position prédéterminée,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective et de face de l'outil d'aide au montage seul, et
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective et de dos de l'outil d'aide au montage seul.

The invention and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a mounting kit of a mixer on a bathtub in accordance with its principle, given only by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a bathtub equipped with a mixer mounted by means of a kit according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a larger-scale view of the circled it from the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a sectional view in the plane III of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts belonging to the mixer mounting kit according to the invention,
• the figure 5 is a perspective view showing a mounting aid tool, used to orient balancers fixing bases in a predetermined position,
• the figure 6 is a perspective and front view of the assembly aid tool alone, and
• the figure 7 is a perspective view and back of the assembly help tool alone.

On the figure 1 is shown a bath 2 on which is mounted a mixer 4. The bath 2 may be a bath tub steel, synthetic material or cast iron.

As visible at figure 2 , the mixer 4 is fixed to two columns 10, which are attached to the bath 2 and which are connected to two respective pipes 6 and 8 of water supply. In the example, the pipe 6 is dedicated to the hot water inlet, while the pipe 8 is dedicated to the cold water inlet. The pipes 6 and 8 may be cross-linked polyethylene (PER) or multilayer material.

The posts 10 belong to a mounting kit 1, which is shown in assembled configuration at the figure 3 and in exploded configuration at the figure 4 . As visible on figures 3 and 4 , the component parts of the kit 1 are aligned along a common axis X1, which is vertical in the installed configuration of the mixer 4 on the bath 2, that is to say in the configuration of the figure 3 .

In this document, the terms "upper" or "top" and "bottom" or "bottom" are to be interpreted in relation to the horizontal wall of bathtub 2 as shown in figure 3 .

The kit also comprises two bases 30 intended to be fixed to the bath 2. Each base 30 comprises a hollow body, generally with a geometry of revolution about the axis X1, so as to be traversed by a water supply pipe 6, 8.

Each base 30 comprises a flange 34 intended to bear against an upper face S2s of the bath 2.

Each base 30 also comprises a mounting head 31 for attaching a small column 10 from the top of the bath 2. This mounting head 31 extends upwardly from the flange 34. The mounting head 31 comprises a protuberance radial 36, advantageously several radial protuberances 36.

In the example, the mounting head 31 comprises three radial protuberances 36 distributed regularly over the circumference of the head 31.

A tube 32 extends from the flange 34, the side opposite the mounting head 31, that is to say down. This tube 32 comprises an external thread 32.1. The tube 32 is intended to be engaged inside a through-hole 200 of the bath 2. In practice, two holes 200 are therefore drilled in the bath 2, a hole 200 for each base 30.

The flange 34 delimits a peripheral groove for receiving a seal 50 intended to come into contact with the upper surface S2s of the bath 2 in the assembled configuration of the kit 1.

The kit 1 also comprises two nuts 40, intended to be screwed each, from the bottom of the bath 2, around the threaded tube 32 of one of the bases 30, in order to fix each base 30 to the bath 2. Each nut 40 is intended to bear against a lower face S2i of the bath 2. Each nut 40 comprises a tapping 42 complementary to the thread 32.1 of the tubes 32.

Each column 10 comprises a chromium hollow body, extending bent between two orifices, respectively an upstream orifice 14 and a downstream orifice 16. In the example, the body of the columns 10 is bent at 90 °. Each small column 10 comprises means 12 for connection to the mixing valve 4 of the bath 2. These connecting means 12 consist of a nozzle, which extends perpendicular to the axis X1, which comprises an external thread and which delimits the downstream orifice. 16 of the body.

The upstream orifice 14 is delimited by three internal radial protuberances 14b which project inwards with respect to the inner wall of the column 10 and which are regularly distributed around the axis X1. The orifice 14 has a shape complementary to that of the mounting head 31. The three internal radial protuberances 14b delimit between them axial grooves 14a for the radial protuberances 36 of the mounting head 31.

Each post 10 is adapted to be secured to the mounting head 31 of one of the bases 30 by a translational movement, along the axis X1, relative to the mounting head 31 and by a rotational movement, around the axis X1, relative to the mounting head 31.

Indeed, the mounting of the columns 10 is carried out as follows. The radial protrusions 36 of the mounting head 31 are axially engaged in the axial grooves 14a to protrude axially from them. The column 10 is then pivoted to position the protuberances 14b in correspondence with the protrusions 36. The internal radial protuberances 14b then oppose the axial withdrawal of the column 10 relative to the base 30 because they abut respectively against the protuberances 36.

The internal radial protuberances 14b thus form fastening means intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means provided on each mounting head 31. These complementary fastening means comprise the protuberances 36 of the mounting head 31. The fastening means 14b and the complementary fastening means 36 together form a bayonet fastening system.

As visible at figure 3 each column 10 also comprises an inner tube 18 extending on the opposite side to the upstream orifice 14. This tube 18 is arranged above the internal radial protuberances 14b. It is connected to the inner surface of the column 10 by an annular portion centered on the axis X1. The tube 18 further defines a tapping 19.

The kit 1 finally comprises two connectors 20, for connecting the supply pipes 6 and 8 to the columns 10.

In the example, each connector 20 is a crimp fitting comprising an insert 24 intended to be inserted inside a respective pipe of the pipes 6 and 8. The insert 24 has the shape of a "fir tree" characteristic of the crimp fittings.

Each connector 20 also comprises a threaded tubular portion 22, which extends above the insert 24 and which is intended to be screwed inside the tapping 19 of the column 10.

The method of mounting the mixer 4 on the bath 2 by means of the kit 1 is described below.

A first step a) is to drill two holes 200 in the wall of the bath 2, in the location provided for the mixer 4. These two holes must be separated by a certain distance, depending on the dimensions of the mixer used. In practice, this distance is equal to 150 mm, which corresponds to the standard spacing of a bathtub mixer.

A second step b) consists of positioning the two bases 30 inside the holes 200 drilled in the bath 2. At this stage, the flange 34 of the bases 30 then bears against the upper surface S2s of the bath 2 and the tube 32 protrudes downwardly relative to the bottom surface S2i of the bath 2.

A subsequent step is to orient the bases 30 in a certain configuration, in which the posts can be mounted without being crooked relative to the location provided for the mixer. This configuration is represented in figure 5 . Indeed, the final orientation of the columns 10 depends on the orientation of the bases 30. For the columns 10 are oriented in the configuration of the figure 2 it is advisable to orient the bases 30 in a certain configuration before their attachment to the bath 2, that is to say before screwing the nuts 40.

As visible on the figure 5 , a tool 60 for mounting assistance can be used to orient the bases 30 in this configuration.

The mounting aid 60 comprises a body extending along a longitudinal axis X60. This body comprises two end portions 60a and 60b with a circular contour and a rectilinear central portion 60c connecting the end portions 60a and 60b. The end portions 60a and 60b each delimit an opening, respectively 62a and 62b. The openings 62a and 62b have a shape complementary to the section of the mounting head 31 of the bases 30.

The openings 62a and 62b each delimit a central axis, respectively Y62a and Y62b. The axes Y62a and Y62b are separated by a spacing e62 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X60. In the example, the center distance e62 is equal to 150 mm, which corresponds to the standard dimensions of a bath mixer. Moreover, the mounting aid tool 60 comprises two notches 66 for marking the center distance e62. The installer can then use the assembly aid tool 60 to locate the center distance e62 before drilling the holes in the bath, that is to say in a preliminary manner to step a) described above. . To do this, the plumber can pass a pencil inside the two notches 66 to mark two lines on the surface of the bathtub. It is then certain that these two lines correspond to the good spacing. The drilling operation of the holes 200 is then facilitated.

The mounting aid 60 also includes a marking 68 indicative of the mounting direction of the valve. This marking 68 comprises an inscription 68a "taps" and two arrows 68b representative of the direction of assembly.

As visible at figure 7 , the tool 60 comprises, on the side opposite the marking 68, feet 69 for placing the tool 60 flat on the upper surface S2s of the bath 2. The feet are evenly distributed around the openings 62a and 62b. In the example, the tool 60 comprises three feet 69 around each opening 62a and 62b.

The installer orients the bases 30 so that the mounting heads 31 can penetrate inside the respective openings 62a and 62b of the tool 60, as shown in FIG. figure 5 . The installer also takes care to orient the assembly assistance tool 60 in the right direction relative to the marking 68.

Advantageously, the openings 62a and 62b each have an anti-rotation shape, so that the mounting tool 60 thus maintains the bases 30 in the orientation of the figure 5 .

In a subsequent step c), the installer can then screw the nuts 40 without rotating the bases 30. By screwing a nut 40 around the tube 32 of each base 30, the installer fixes the bases 30 to the bath B by pinching the tub wall. This operation is performed before the final installation of the bath, for example in the workshop.

The bath 2 is then ready to be placed inside a bathroom.

Once the bath 2 is placed in the bathroom, it is advisable, during a step d), to pass the water supply pipes 6 and 8 through the holes drilled in the bath 2 and therefore, through the hollow bases 30.

A further step e) is to connect, from above the tub, each pipe 6 and 8 with a corresponding connector 20. To do this, the plumber puts a crimp ring around the water supply pipe and pushes the insert 24 of the fitting 20 inside the pipe. With a crimping tool, it crimp the crimp ring around the tube, thereby compressing the material of the pipe between the insert 24 and the ring. In this configuration, the connector 20 is rigidly attached to the end of the pipe 6 or 8.

A subsequent step f) then consists in fixing each connector 20 inside a corresponding column 10. To do this, the plumber screws the threaded end 22 of the fitting 20 inside the tapping 19 of the inner tube 18 of the the column 10.

A subsequent step g) then consists in fixing the columns 10 on the bases 30. For this, the columns 10 are positioned, by the top of the bath 2, around the mounting heads 31 in an orientation where the radial protuberances 36 of the mounting head 31 can slide inside the grooves 14a of the orifice 14. The columns 10 are then pressed around the mounting heads 31.

As soon as the radial protuberances 36 of the mounting head 31 have passed the radial protuberances 14b of the orifice 14, the plumber pivots each pin 10 relative to its respective base 30, so that the radial protuberances 14b of the orifice 14 oppose the removal of the column 10.

The posts 10 are mounted once the bath 2 is permanently placed inside the bathroom, which avoids leaving the balusters 10 on the bath while the mixer 4 is not yet installed.

The last step i) consists in mounting the mixing valve 4 on the two columns 10, by screwing mounting nuts around the threaded end 12 of each column 10. The mixer 4 then maintains the columns 10 in the orientation of the figure 2 .

According to a variant not shown, the connector 20 and the column 10 are monobloc.

According to another variant not shown, the connector 20 is a sliding connection or screw.

The features of the embodiment and alternatives contemplated above may be combined with one another to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims (10)

Kit (1) for mounting a mixer (4) on a bathtub (2), this kit comprising: - two posts (10), each comprising means (12) for connection to a bath mixer, two connectors (20) for connecting a water supply pipe (6, 8) to each small column, the kit being characterized in that it further comprises: - two bases (30), for fixing the columns (10) from the top of the bath, each base comprising a threaded tube (32) intended to be engaged inside a hole (200) of the bathtub , and - Two nuts (40), to be screwed from below the bath, around the threaded tube (32) of the bases, so as to fix each base (30) to the bath. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that each base (30) is hollow, so as to be traversed by a water supply pipe (6, 8). Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each column (10) is hollow and in that each connection (20) is intended to be screwed inside one of the columns. Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each column (10) comprises fastening means (14b) for cooperating with complementary fixing means (36) provided on each base (30) and in that the fastening means and the complementary fastening means together form a bayonet fastening system. Kit according to claim 4, characterized in that the complementary fastening means comprise radial protuberances (36) evenly distributed on each base, while the fastening means comprise internal radial protuberances (14b) delimiting a hole (14) of shape. complementary to the mounting head. Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each connection (20) is a slip, crimp or screw connection. Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each base (30) comprises a flange (34) intended to bear against an upper face (S2s) of the bath and comprising a peripheral groove for receiving a joint sealing (50). Kit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kit (1) further comprises a tool (60) for mounting assistance. Kit according to claim 8, characterized in that each base (30) comprises a mounting head (31) of a small column (10) and in that the tool (60) for mounting assistance defines two openings (62a , 62b) having an anti-rotation shape complementary to the mounting head (31) and a center distance of 150 mm and in that the tool further comprises a marking (68) indicative of the mounting direction. Method for mounting a mixing valve (4) on a bath (2) by means of a kit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, this method comprising the steps of: a) drill two holes (200) in the bathtub, b) position two bases (30) inside the holes, c) fixing each base to the bath by means of a respective nut (40), screwed from the bottom of the bath, d) passing the supply pipes (6, 8) with water through the nuts and the bases, e) connecting, from above the bath, a connection (20) to the end of each pipe, f) fixing each connection with a column (10), g) fix, by the top of the bath, the two balusters on the bases, and h) mount the mixer on the two balusters.

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