EP3299527B1 - Cover for shower-wc attachment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an under-shower attachment for a toilet or a complete shower toilet with a cover plate.

Toilets with shower facilities have been known for a long time and are also increasingly in demand in Europe. The shower facility is used to clean people after using the toilet. There are basically two different designs, namely on the one hand integrated "complete systems", ie shower toilets, in which the shower facility cannot easily be separated from a toilet body having the toilet bowl, and under-shower attachments that can be combined with toilet bodies are, often as a retrofit solution, and only through these combinations become a shower toilet. In both cases, the actual shower facility is typically housed in a rear area (from the perspective of the user on the other side of the toilet bowl opening), usually (in the case of wall mounting), i.e. between the bowl opening and the wall.

The shower device is mounted in a housing which, for. B. combined with a seat ring and a toilet lid can form the shower attachment (hereinafter referred to as attachment). The housing could also be part of an integrated shower toilet and in this case, for. B. at the rear of or on the toilet body or completely or partially embedded in this on the rear side of the toilet body. In any case, such a housing has a top side, whereby here and below the orientation information is always based on the mounted state.

It is known per se to provide a movable cover plate on this upper side. For example, shower toilets are known in which this upper side is formed by cover plates that are connected to the housing on their rear side (i.e. on the distal side from the perspective of the user) via swivel joints and can be folded up about the axis of rotation defined thereby. Thereby controls can become accessible; but one could also imagine being able to access the interior of the housing and the shower facility in this form.

Regarding the state of the art, reference is also made to JP H08 105096 A , which shows a toilet with a rear-mounted under-shower attachment with a cover that can be pulled off vertically upwards, which cover is fastened by a latch. Furthermore, the GB 2315282 A a similar structure, with the text referring to a connection between a cover hood and ribs of a base plate of a snap connection. The preamble of claim 1 is based on the two cited documents. Reference is also made to the WO2013 / 056471 A1 , which again shows a shower attachment for a toilet with a vertically removable cover, whereby, according to the text, various mounting options are possible. In addition, the EP 1 745 955 A2 a cover of an air filter box in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle that can be placed on by a rotary movement, it being possible to lock it by moving a cover part. Finally, reference is made to the JP 2009 167627 A with a shower attachment, in which, in addition to a top cover, side parts of a housing cladding can also be removed, such a side cladding part being held by fastening elements apparently made in one piece and being removable without tools JP 2013 052032 shows a toilet shower attachment with a completely removable housing part.

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object of specifying an improved solution with regard to the cover plate. In the following, and above all in the claims, the term "under shower device" is used as a collective term for shower toilets on the one hand, whether integrated or with an attachment, and under shower attachments on the other.

The object is achieved by an under-shower device according to the invention, namely, on the one hand, an under-shower attachment for mounting on a toilet according to claim 1 and, on the other hand, by a corresponding shower toilet, i.e. a complete device or combination of a toilet with an attachment, namely according to claim 2.

In addition, the invention is also directed to the use of a kit for producing such an under shower device.

Preferred configurations are also shown in the dependent claims and are explained in more detail below together with the basic idea of the invention.

This basic idea of the invention consists in designing the cover plate to be removable, which is meant here as being removable without tools. In contrast to the prior art described, the cover plate can not only be folded up, whereby it remains firmly connected to the housing and device, but can be removed (without tools and, of course, non-destructively).

This means that it can be moved freely and can be cleaned much more easily and, if necessary, in a different location (for example in a sink or in a dishwasher). This plays a role because toilets and shower attachments have to be cleaned frequently and thoroughly, the top of the devices is particularly visible and experience has shown that it is particularly prone to contamination due to dust deposits, splashes and the like. The cover plate could also be used as a storage area, which also creates the need for cleaning.

In addition, the cover plate is also very easy to replace, for. B. if it has become unsightly or defective or if you want to be replaced by a different cover plate for a change or because of a desired aesthetic change. It is possible, for example, to offer the user a selection of different cover plates from the manufacturer, from which a choice can be made depending on the usage requirements (surface properties) or aesthetic wishes. It is also conceivable that the user purchases such a cover plate later.

In particular, the already mentioned kit can contain the shower unit without the plate itself, but with fastening parts provided for this purpose, and the buyer and user of the kit can then, for. B. by his stonemason or carpenter as desired, for example to adapt to other bathroom equipment, produce an individual plate. This can then be combined with at least one fastening part from the component and used.

Preferably, in the non-removed state, the cover plate can only be moved in a translatory manner relative to the housing, that is, not in a rotating manner. For example, it can be a shifting movement for releasing from a latching or clamping in connection with a fastening by means of a form fit. Although a combination of the invention with an articulated connection between the cover plate and the housing is conceivable, for. B. with a joint solution that can be separated by releasing a latching, for example by snapping a joint part on another round joint part or can be removed from this. However, joints or hinges are preferably dispensed with because they cause a certain amount of constructional effort and, above all, require a certain construction depth in the vertical. If such solutions are dispensed with, the invention can be kept very flat with regard to the fastening of the cover plate on the housing, so that the device can remain flat overall or the installation space in the housing is not unnecessarily restricted.

The cover plate is fastened to the housing by means of at least one element fastened to the cover plate for this purpose, which element is referred to here as the fastening part. This can then be brought into connection with the housing, for example by means of a form fit, optionally in connection with clamping or locking, or simply by clamping. However, a magnetic fastening, that is to say a fastening part with a magnet that interacts with another magnet on the housing side, or a combination between a steel or iron part on the one hand and a magnet on the other, can also be considered. However, simple mechanical fastening options are associated with lower costs and, with a suitable construction, also with a smaller overall depth in the housing.

The at least one fastening part is glued to the cover plate and thus initially produced separately. This creates more flexibility with regard to the production of cover plates in different materials, because the fastening itself does not have to be taken into account.

Gluing can be carried out on practically all possible materials, such as plastic, glass, aluminum, stainless steel or other metals, stone, ceramics, which are also disclosed independently of the adhesive fastening.

At least two fastening parts are preferably provided, for example (based on the user's perspective) one further to the right and the other further to the left, see the exemplary embodiment.

The connection between the at least one fastening part and the housing is preferably latching, the latching itself producing a certain form fit (namely an elastically releasable one), but preferably also securing a form fit. For example, by placing the cover plate and then shifting it in the plane of the cover plate, a projection on the fastening part can grip under an undercut on a counterpart of the housing and this form fit can then be secured in a latching manner. For securing this form fit, however, z. B. also a simple clamping into consideration and in principle such a form fit can represent a sufficient fastening even without additional securing.

A favorable implementation consists in a clamping structure of the fastening part which, for. B. can be designed as a resilient arm over an undercut or as a resilient bridge over an opening and carries a corresponding latching device in the event of a latching. This clamping structure can then be bent somewhat resiliently, for example by moving the cover plate relative to the housing, and brought into a clamping position with corresponding pressure.

Furthermore, the at least one fastening part (or several of them) is completely covered at the top in the assembled state of the cover plate on the housing (and possibly in the assembled state of the attachment on the toilet body). When looking vertically downwards, nothing of the fastening part (s) can then be seen at the edges of the cover plate either.

In combination with this (and also independently of it), visibility of at least one front side edge of the cover plate in the horizontal viewing direction is preferred (the orientation relating to the horizontal direction to the bowl opening). In this case, the cover plate would in particular not be sunk into a recess or encompassed by a frame which covers this side edge. This preferably also applies to at least one side edge and / or one rear edge. The material quality and appearance of the cover plate are thus clearly visible and easy to grasp. At the same time, the slots or niches surrounding the side edge do not create any particular cleaning problems; rather, the top of the housing preferably remains as smooth and simple as possible in the vicinity of the side edge.

In principle, apart from the fastening part or parts, the cover plate is a simple flat plate, that is to say has a plane-parallel top and bottom. It can be rectangular in plan, optionally with rounded corners. In general, however, other shapes are also conceivable, for example with rounded edges, in particular on the side and / or in the front, or with a trapezoidal shape. A simple flat plate, in particular in a rectangular shape, can be easily produced in a wide variety of materials, if necessary also independently of the manufacturer of the device. Appropriate fasteners can, as already mentioned, z. B. can simply be glued on. But it is also conceivable to use the simple flat plate itself, for. B. push it into a form-fitting connection.

Under the cover plate z. B. a power switch of the device, a filler opening for decalcifying agent or other fragrance or cleaning additives, housing screws and / or nameplates, etc. can be provided. As a rule, such facilities are not very attractive and, above all, have an unnecessarily complicated shape for frequent cleaning in the event of direct exposure to dust. They are also not needed every time they are used, so that they can be accommodated under the cover plate. The standard usage functions of the device can also be operated independently, e.g. B. by a remote control or on the side of the device.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment, wherein the individual features can also be essential to the invention in other combinations and, as already mentioned, relate implicitly to all categories of the invention.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Aufsatzes;

Figur 2

eine entsprechende perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Dusch-WCs;

Figur 3

eine Ausschnittdarstellung zu Figur 2 eines Gehäuses im Heckbereich des WCs mit abgenommener Abdeckplatte;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Befestigungsteils in einer entsprechenden Ausnehmung des Gehäuses bei zeichnerisch weggelassener Abdeckplatte und im unverriegelten Zustand;

Figur 5

eine Figur 4 entsprechende Ansicht im verriegelten Zustand;

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht entsprechend Figur 4;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht entsprechend Figur 5.

Shows in detail

Figure 1

a perspective view of an attachment according to the invention;

Figure 2

a corresponding perspective view of a shower toilet according to the invention;

Figure 3

a detail view Figure 2 a housing in the rear area of the toilet with the cover plate removed;

Figure 4

a perspective view of a fastening part in a corresponding recess of the housing with the cover plate omitted in the drawing and in the unlocked state;

Figure 5

a Figure 4 corresponding view in the locked state;

Figure 6

a top view accordingly Figure 4 ;

Figure 7

a top view accordingly Figure 5 .

Figure 1 shows a shower attachment according to the invention for a toilet, with a box-like housing 1 in the rear right area and an articulated toilet lid 2 in the front area, which covers a conventional toilet seat (not shown). The housing 1 has on the sides (in Figure 1 i.e. to the front right to the left rear) and to the rear (in Figure 1 to the right rear) vertical side walls. The front wall of the housing 1 (in Figure 1 to the left front) cannot be seen, but in Figure 3 partially visible, and in any case adapted to the contour of the toilet lid 2 and the toilet seat. These side walls contain a volume in which a shower device with, in particular, an extendable shower arm for the abdominal cleaning of a user is installed.

Figure 2 shows a complete shower toilet with such an attachment Figure 1 on an otherwise conventional toilet ceramic body 3. The attachment largely covers the ceramic body 3 from above; the toilet lid 2 is adapted to the ceramic body 3 in a vertical projection and covers it almost all the way to the rear. However, since the toilet lid 2 laterally overlaps the housing 1 and this therefore jumps back a little laterally, a small part of the upper side of the ceramic body 3 is exposed in the rear lateral area. The rest of the upward-facing surface of the toilet Figure 2 is formed by the toilet lid 2 and by a cover plate 4, which covers the top of the housing 1 and borders on parts of the toilet lid 2 to the front and (largely) to the sides.

Incidentally, you could look at Figure 2 also imagine an integrated complete shower toilet, for example, if one thinks of the housing 1 as being continued downward into the ceramic body 3 and being integrated into it. This does not play a decisive role for the invention, because the situation of the cover plate 4 is not dependent on it.

Figure 3 shows the housing 1 from Figure 2 and a rear part of the ceramic body 3 and forward (in Figure 3 to the front left) part of the Figures 1 and 2 non-visible toilet seat 5. The cover plate 4 is removed and drawn behind the housing 1, with its underside facing forward and up. Therefore, on the upper side of the housing 1 under the cover plate 4 on the left and right, molded-in receptacles 6 for fastening parts 7, which in turn are glued to the underside of the cover plate 4 on the right and left. The fastening parts 7 can be inserted into the receptacles 6, the cover plate 4 then being opposite to that in the Figures 1 and 2 position shown is slightly offset backwards. From this offset position, the cover plate 4 can then be shifted horizontally forwards, as a result of which projections 8 on the fastening parts 7 engage under corresponding undercuts in the receptacles 6. At the end of this horizontal translational movement, the fastening parts 7 can lock into the receptacles 6, but this is not mandatory.

Incidentally, you can see in Figure 3 a circular stopper 9 for decalcifying solution for occasional decalcifying of the shower device in the housing 1. Furthermore, a power switch 10 is provided on the top and under the cover plate 4. Strictly speaking, the figure shows a transparent elastic cover that protects a toggle switch underneath against water.

In addition, the cover plate 4 in the assembled state is slightly raised compared to the parts of the toilet lid 2 that surround it, because the top of the housing 1 lying below it is approximately flush with these parts of the toilet lid 2. As a result, the cover plate 4 appears to be resting on the housing 1 with a small shadow gap, so to speak, and the edge of the cover plate 4 is visible from the front and from both sides.

As can be seen, the mounted cover plate 4 can only be moved to the rear and only translationally horizontally for dismantling and is otherwise fixed. With a snap-in connection and also with a snap-in clamping connection, a certain amount of force is required for the movement. The cover plate has no hinges and the fastening parts 7 are extremely flat. Accordingly, the receptacles 6 only have to have a small depth and therefore hardly impair the space available inside the housing 1.

The fastening parts 7 can easily be glued to a wide variety of flat, rectangular plates as cover plates 4, for example with the aid of a dimensional template. Accordingly, the essay can be made from Figure 1 or the shower toilet Figure 2 offered with different variants to choose from or provided by the user with other cover plates 4 as a replacement or retrofit part. If the attachment or toilet is delivered without a plate 4, but with fastening parts 7, the user can have a cover plate made particularly well for his individual bathroom design, for example by his stonemason or tiler.

Figure 4 shows in a perspective view obliquely from above a rear left corner of the in Figure 3 shown housing with the already mentioned receptacle 6 and the fastening part 7 located therein, but which is not yet locked by sliding it forward. The cover plate 4 is omitted here (that is, assumed to be transparent). For comparison shows Figure 5 the same situation in the locking position, so in which the fastening part 7 is moved forward. The Figures 6 and 7th show the same situations in plan view.

One recognizes in the figures first of all the projections 8, in each case bottom left and top right in the Figures 4 and 6th that are in the Figures 5 and 7th have moved into corresponding undercuts. Furthermore, a projection 11 can be seen at the front right, to which a corresponding bulge is assigned in a side edge of the receptacle 6 in which it moves. It is not used for locking, but is, so to speak, an anti-twist device in order to counteract an unintentional gluing or mounting of the fastening parts 7 on the cover plate 4 or in the receptacles 6 that is rotated by 180 °.

Furthermore, one recognizes laterally and approximately halfway between a front and a rear end of the fastening part 7 each a locking lug 12 and these corresponding locking lugs 13 in the side walls of the receptacle 6. The comparison of the figures clearly shows how the locking lugs after the displacement Latch forwards or come out of engagement with each other again in front of and in the event of a releasing shift backwards.

These functions are supported by the fact that the latching lugs 12 are mounted on bridges 14 on both sides of the fastening part, which are defined by openings 15 located further inside in the fastening part and, as a result of these openings 15, can be resiliently deformed inwards into them. This can be seen in the top views in the Figures 6 and 7th especially clear. The particular shape of the openings 15 is optimized with regard to these spring properties.

Finally, one recognizes in the figures a wall-like boundary 16 on the upper side of the fastening part 7, which is consequently shown in FIG Figure 3 is not visible and facing the cover plate 4. This delimitation 16 defines and limits the area for the application of liquid adhesive by an automatic machine. It ensures against a possibly somewhat too high dosage and prevents the liquid adhesive from running out in the direction of the resilient bridges 14. The inner surface can therefore be thought of as being completely or partially filled with liquid adhesive or, in FIGS Think of solidified adhesive adhering and not drawn cover plate 4.

The figures show that the fastening is extremely flat and, with the (easily watertight) injection molding in the top of the housing 1 and the two mutually identical fastening parts 7 with their extremely simple assembly on the cover plate 4, form an efficient and inexpensive solution.

Claims (13)

1. A bidet device, namely a bidet attachment for mounting on a toilet (3) to create a shower-toilet, said attachment comprising:

   a housing for mounting on a rear portion of the toilet (3),

   a shower device in the housing (1) and

   a movable cover plate (4) on the upper side, relative to the mounted position, of the housing (1),

   wherein the cover plate (4) is removable from the housing (1) without tools and is free from the housing (1) in the removed state and

   the cover plate (4) is removable by releasing a connection between at least one fastening part (7) glued to the cover plate, and the housing (1).
2. A bidet device, namely a shower-toilet, which comprises:

   a toilet and a housing (1) in or on a rear portion of the toilet (3),

   a shower device in the housing (1) and

   a movable cover plate (4) on the upper side,

   wherein the cover plate (4) is removable from the housing (1) without tools and is free from the housing (1) in the removed state and

   the cover plate (4) is removable by releasing a connection between at least one fastening part (7) glued to the cover plate, and the housing (1).
3. The bidet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover plate (4) in the non-removed stated is only movable in a translatory manner relative to the housing (1).
4. The bidet device according to claim 3, wherein the connection between the fastening part (7) and the housing (1) is a latching connection.
5. The bidet device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the fastening part (7) comprises a spring-yielding clamping structure which engages into an undercut or an opening of the fastening part (7), for example as a bridge next to an opening or as an arm next to an undercut, wherein this clamping structure supports a latching device in the case of claim 4.
6. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover plate (4) can be removed by a movement in the plane of the cover plate (4) and a subsequent lifting off, wherein the movement in the plane of the cover plate (4) releases a form closure.
7. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening part (7) in the mounted state and in a vertical projection is completely covered on its upper side by the cover plate (4).
8. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one front side edge of the cover plate (4) is visible in the horizontal direction of view when the cover plate (4) is in the mounted state on the housing (1) and, if applicable, when the attachment is in the mounted state.
9. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover plate (4), apart from one or a plurality of possible fastening parts (7), comprises a plane-parallel upper side and lower side.
10. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a mains switch (10) and / or a feed opening (9) for descaling agent is / are installed on the upper side of the housing (1) and is / are covered by the cover plate (4) in the mounted state.
11. The bidet device according to one of the preceding claims, namely the shower-toilet according to claim 2, wherein an attachment according to claim 1 is mounted on a toilet body (3).
12. A use of a kit for making a bidet device according to one of claims 1 to 11, said kit comprising
    a housing (1) for mounting in or on a rear portion of the toilet (3),
    a shower facility in the housing (1) and
    a fastening part (7) for mounting a cover plate (4) on the upper side, relative to the mounted position, of the housing (1)
    wherein the fastening part (7) is glued to a plate, which is thereby mountable as a cover plate (4) according to one of claims 1 to 11.
13. The use according to claim 12, wherein the cover plate (4) is mounted on the upper side of the housing (1) after the gluing on.

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