ES2619316T3 - Universal device for fixing a shower system exposure model on a sample wall - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for hanging, to a sample wall (2), of a model (10, 11, 12) of a wall shower system, where it comprises: - a support (33) comprising a panel (34) substantially rectangular front delimited by two longitudinal lateral edges (35, 36), a lower transverse edge (36) and an upper transverse edge (37); the front panel (34) being perforated by a longitudinally extending main groove (40), and by a pair of cuts (43) each delimiting a circular contour opening (44), made in the vicinity of the edge (36 ) lower, on either side transversely of the main slot (40); - the support (33) comprising a pair of lateral flanges (50) that extend squarely from the side edges (35) of the panel (34), characterized in that said device further comprises a secondary groove (41) extending transversely near the upper edge (37), on either side of the main groove (40), and at least one hook (49) integral with the support (33) for hanging from it to a bar (6) ) of load mounted on the sample wall (2) where each hook (49) is integrated in the support and formed by a recess made in a lateral flange (50).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Universal device for fixing a shower system exposure model on a sample wall

The invention relates to the scope of the presentation for sale of exhibition models of wall-mounted shower systems.

Three types of wall-mounted shower systems are generally known, in order of increasing sophistication:

- the shower set comprising a tap (with mixer or regulator - thermostatic or not), a vertical bar fixed to the wall independent of the tap by two sconces, and a telephone shower connected to the tap by a hose and fitted in a bearing mounted (usually sliding) on the vertical bar;

- the shower combination, comprising a faucet (with mixer or regulator - thermostatic or not), a high fixed shower knob, connected to the faucet by a vertical nested duct also fixed to the wall by a wall lamp, and a shower telephone connected to the tap by a hose and can be fitted in a mounted bracket (usually sliding) on the vertical duct;

- the shower column, which comprises a box, a tap (usually with regulator) mounted on a façade of the box, a high fixed shower handle, integral with the box, hydromassage nozzles mounted on the façade of the box, being the high knob and the nozzles connected to the tap by means of conduits housed in the box, as well as, where appropriate, an external telephone shower connected to the tap by a hose and can be fitted in a carrier mounted by a side edge of the box.

These shower systems have different sizes and shapes. Its wall fixing is not standardized. The fixing of a shower set is done by tapping the tap to the two water inlet ducts (hot water, cold water), and tapping each wall. The fixing of a shower combination is done by tapping the tap to the water inlet ducts and tapping the vertical duct wall. The fixing of a shower column is generally carried out by means of screws through a box, namely one (or two) screws with a lower end of the box, and two (respectively one) screws with an upper end of the box . Some shower column models include fixing hooks intended to fit on hangers previously fixed to the wall.

Whatever the shower system model, the operator in charge of the department (warehouseman, salesman, department head) has to mount it on a hook wall as if it were a wall. In other words, the operator must perform perforations in the wall and fix the shower system by screwing through it. This assembly is annoying; In addition, the back of the wall is not always accessible, and the operator is then obliged to move it as a whole (with the items it supports).

A device describing the preamble of claim 1 is known from US4561136A.

A first objective is to propose a fixing device that allows most of the shower system models to be attached to a sample wall.

A second objective is to propose a fixing device with at least one (and preferably the set) of following advantages:

- ease of use, ergonoirna;

- safety of use;

- lightness;

- robustness;

- reliability;

- esthetic;

- simplicity of manufacture.

In this regard, it has been proposed, first; a hanging device, to a sample wall, of a wall shower system exposure model, this device comprising:

- a support comprising a substantially rectangular front panel delimited by two longitudinal side edges, a lower transverse edge and an upper transverse edge, the front panel being perforated by a longitudinally extending main groove, by a secondary groove that extends transversely in the proximity of the upper edge, on either side of the main groove, and by a pair of cutouts that each delimit a circular contour opening, made in the vicinity of the lower edge, on either side transversely of the main groove ;

- at least one support hook of the support for its suspension in a loading bar mounted on the sample wall.

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The fixing of the shower system exposure model is done by threading in the main groove and / or in the secondary groove, and, eventually, in the openings. Together, the grooves and openings allow to fix most of the shower system models, which makes the device universal, or almost universal.

Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination:

- the main slot extends centrally in relation to the front panel;

- the hook is integrated in the support;

- the support comprises a pair of lateral flanges that extend squarely from the side edges of the panel, and each hook is formed by a recess made in a lateral flange;

- the main groove is locally interrupted by a tongue of material;

- the material tongue extends substantially halfway up the support;

- each opening is sealed by a collapsible disk connected to the opening contour by at least one

breakable bridge;

- the circular contour cuts are separated by a wheelbase of approximately 150 mm;

- each slot is approximately 6 mm wide.

Secondly, an assembly comprising a hanging device such as the one presented above has been proposed, and a shower system fixed to the panel of the hanging device by threading through at least one of the slots, and, when the case, through the openings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the light of the description of an embodiment, given below with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support intended to accommodate an exposure model of

shower system for a presentation on a sample wall with, in detail, details of

structure;

- Figure 2 is a detail view illustrating the preparation of the sinking support that releases a screw hole with a view to fixing a shower assembly;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating, behind, the fixing, on a support prepared as illustrated in Figure 2, of a shower assembly;

- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating the fixing, on a support, of a shower combination;

- Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, illustrating the fixing, on a support, of a shower column;

- Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating, behind, the coupling of the supports of Figures 3, 4 and 5 to the load bars mounted on a sample wall (not shown for clarity purposes);

- Figure 7 is a perspective view, in front, of the assembly of Figure 6, and showing the sample wall with, in circle, a detail illustrating the assembly of a loading bar on the wall;

- Figure 8 is a view similar to Figures 3 to 5 showing the fixing, on a support, of a shower column, according to a variant.

In the figures, a suspension device 1 is shown, to a vertical sample wall 2, of an exhibition model of a wall-mounted shower system.

A typical sample wall 2 is partially illustrated in Figure 7. This wall 2 is formed by the juxtaposition of vertical panels 3 (generally painted steel) provided, at the lateral edges 4, with equidistant slots 5 designed to allow the coupling of loading bars 6. Each loading bar 6 typically comprises a traverse 7 (for example, as illustrated, in rectangular section) and, at each end of the traverse 7, a hitch pin 8, provided with a pair of jaws 9 in projection. The hooking of the loading bar 6 on a panel 3 is carried out by means of frontal introduction of the claws 9 into two slots 5, then by interlocking the claws 9 in the slots 5 by means of a downward vertical movement.

The hanging device 1 is designed to accommodate different types of shower systems, and particularly a shower assembly 10, a shower combination 11 and a shower column 12.

A shower assembly 10, as illustrated in Figure 3, comprises:

- a tap 13 (with mixer or, as illustrated, with regulator) with a body 14, a lever 15 of

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drive and a pair of fittings 16 for hot and cold water inlet conduits, these fittings 16 extending outgoing from the body 14 and each carrying a free nut 17,

- a vertical bar 18 separated from the tap 13 and on which two sconces are fixed, namely a lower wall lamp 19 and an upper wall lamp 20,

- a telephone shower 21 connected to the tap 13 by means of a hose 22 and fitted in a carrier 23 mounted (fixedly or slidably) on the vertical bar 18.

A shower combination 11, as illustrated in Figure 4, comprises:

- a tap 13 (with mixer or, as illustrated, with regulator) with a body 14, a lever 15 of

drive and a pair of fittings 16 for hot and cold water inlet conduits, these fittings 16 extending outgoing from the body 14 and each carrying a free nut 17,

- a fixed high shower head 24, connected to the tap 13 by a nipple duct 25 having a

vertical section 26 on which at least one wall 27 is fixed,

- a telephone shower 21 connected to the tap 13 (or, as in the example illustrated, with the duct) by

a hose 22, and fit on a carrier 23 mounted (fixedly or slidably) on the section

26 vertical duct 25.

A shower column 12, such as that illustrated in Figure 5, comprises:

- a box 28, which can be hollow (or as in the example illustrated, compact), this box 28 being provided with a facade 29 and being perforated with fixing holes, for example (as illustrated) a lower hole 30 and a pair of upper holes 31;

- a tap 13 (usually with regulator) mounted on the facade 29 of the box 28,

- a high fixed shower head 24, integral with box 28,

- hydromassage nozzles 32 mounted on the facade 29 of box 28,

- ducts (not visible) housed in box 28 and connecting the shower head 24 and the nozzles 32 with the tap 13,

- an external telephone shower 21 connected to the tap 13 by means of a hose 22 and fitted in a carrier 23 mounted for example on a side edge of the box 28.

In order to allow the fixing of all these types of shower systems 10, 11, 12, the device 1 comprises a support 33 provided with a front panel 34 of substantially rectangular contour, delimited by two longitudinal lateral edges 35, an edge 36 lower transverse and an upper transverse edge 37. The panel 34 which is intended to extend in a vertical plane, the terms "longitudinal" and "vertical" are considered synonymous in the following, just as the terms "transversal" and "horizontal" are considered synonymous. The panel has a height H and a width L. According to a preferred embodiment, the height H is greater than the width L. The height H is for example approximately 1300 mm. As for the width L, it is for example approximately 250 mm. These values are provided by way of example only, and should not therefore be considered as limiting. In particular, the width L could be different, for example of the order of 330 mm.

The front panel 34 is for example made of a metal sheet, for example a steel sheet. This sheet, which has a thickness of the order of the millimeter for example, is advantageously treated against corrosion and / or painted. The front panel 34 has an opposite surface 38 and an opposite rear surface 39.

The front panel 34 is perforated by a longitudinally extending main groove 40 and by a secondary groove 41 extending transversely to the proximity of the upper edge 37, on either side of the main groove 40. These slots 40, 41 are for example laser cut.

As in the illustrated example, the main slot 40 advantageously extends centrally relative to the panel 34, and preferably over substantially the entire height of the panel 34, in order to maximize the number of shower system models capable of being fixed on the support. The length (measured vertically) of the main groove is indicated by L1 and its width (measured horizontally) by L2. The length L1 is preferably greater than 800 mm, and for example approximately 1200 mm. The width L2 is preferably between 5 mm and 20 mm, and is for example approximately 6 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main groove 40 is locally interrupted by a tongue 42 of material that performs a stiffening function, limiting the risks of bending of the two parts of the panel 34 separated by the main groove 40. Advantageously (as in the illustrated example), the tongue 42 of material extends substantially halfway up the panel 34.

The secondary groove 41 preferably extends over an upper end of the main groove 40, so that they define, when considered together, a T-shaped profile. The length (measured horizontally) of the groove is indicated by L3. 41 secondary and for L4 its width (measured vertically). The length L3 is preferably between 150 mm and 220 mm, and for example approximately 200 mm. Width L4

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it can be equal to the width L2 of the main groove; it is preferably between 5 mm and 20 mm and is for example approximately 6 mm.

The front panel 34 is also perforated by a pair of cuts 43 that each delimit an opening 44 of circular contour, made in the vicinity of the lower edge 36, on either side transversely of the main groove 40.

These openings 44 form passages for fixing screws of a tap 13 by means of screws that are helically coupled with a free nut 17 supported by a fitting 16 of the tap 13. The cuts 43 and consequently the openings 44) are preferably separated by an E-axis of approximately 150 mm, which corresponds to the nominal distance between the fittings of the standard taps. These cuts 43 are for example made by laser.

According to a preferred embodiment, each opening 44 is sealed by a disk 46 joined with the contour of the opening 44 by one or more (two in the illustrated example) breakable bridge (s) 47. This disk 46 can be sunk by means of a tool 48 such as a screwdriver, as illustrated in Figure 2. The breaking of the bridges 47 leads to the separation of the disk 46 from the panel 34 (as illustrated by the arrow in Figure 2) and the release of the opening 44, which allows the passage of threaded bushes 45 for fixing the tap 13, each bushing 45 presenting a threaded front section suitable for threading into a free nut 17, and a subsequent section also threaded, of smaller diameter, suitable for cooperating with a tightening nut 54 on the panel 34. Each opening 44 has a diameter D between 10 mm and 30 mm.

The device 1 comprises, on the other hand, one or more (four in the illustrated example) hook (s) 49 integral with the support 33, for hanging it on a loading bar 6 mounted on the sample wall 2 .

According to an embodiment not shown, each hook 49 is presented in the form of an additional piece fixed on the support 33 by any appropriate means (such as welding, riveting, threading).

However, according to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, each hook 49 is integrated in the support 33, which is thus presented in the form of a monobloc piece.

Thus, in the illustrated example, the support 33 comprises a pair of lateral flanges 50 which squarely extend from the 4 lateral edges of the panel 3 on the side of the rear surface 39 thereof, and each hook 49 is formed by a recess made in a lateral flange 50. In this example, the support 33 comprises two pairs of hooks 49, namely a pair of upper hooks 49, which extend at the same height and are intended to fit on the same upper load bar 6, and a pair of lower hooks 49, which also extend at the same height (although at a lower level than the upper hooks 49) and are intended to fit in the same lower load bar 6, as illustrated in Figure 6. The flanges 50 are example formed by folding. As for the hooks 49, they are for example cut by laser.

As can be seen in the upper detail circle of Figure 1, as well as in the detail circle of Figure 6, each hook 49 has a shape corresponding to the section of the load bar 6. In the illustrated example, where this loading bar 6 is rectangular in section, the hook 49 is also rectangular in shape. The hook 49 comprises, in this case, an upper edge 51 extending from a proximity of the front panel 34, to a protruding vertical tooth 52 that prevents the removal of the support 33 when it is engaged on the load bar 6 while being supported over it by the upper edge 51 of the hook 49.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the assembly of the three models 10, 11, 12 mentioned above of shower systems.

A shower assembly 10 is fixed to the support 33 as follows. First, the openings 44 are released by sinking the disks 46 for example by means of a screwdriver 48, as illustrated in Figure 2. Next, the tap 13 is fixed on the support 33 by means of a pair of bushings 45, whose threaded front sections are coupled with the nuts 17 free of the fittings 16, and whose rear sections are coupled with nuts 54 through the openings 44. Then the appliques 19, 20 are fixed on the support 33 by means of screws 53 through , together, of the sconces 19, 20 and the main groove 40, these screws 53 being coupled with tightening nuts 54 on the panel 34. Washers 55 can be interposed between the nuts 54 and the support 33, to distribute the forces. The threading is tight enough to prevent slipping of the appliques 19, 20 under the weight of the vertical bar 18 and the telephone shower 21.

A shower combination 11 is fixed on the support 33 in a similar manner (Figure 4). After releasing the openings 44 by sinking the discs 46, the tap 13 is fixed on the support 33 by means of bushings 45 which are coupled with the nuts 17 free of the fittings 16 and with nuts 54 through the openings 44 The fixture 27 is then fixed on the support 33 by means of a screw 53 through the main groove 40, this being coupled with a nut 54 with eventual interposition of a washer 55.

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A shower column 12 is fixed in a different way when the openings 44 are not used. In the case illustrated in Figure 5, column 12 is fixed at its top by means of a pair of screws 53 and nuts 54, together, of the case 28 and the secondary groove 41, and its lower part by means of a screw 53 and a nut 54, together, of the case 28 and the main groove 40, with, where appropriate, interposition of washers 55.

Whatever the model of shower system 10, 11, 12 fixed on the support 33, it is then hung on the load bars 6 by simple coupling, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, where the three models of shower systems 10, 11, 12 are represented together.

The suspension device 1 just described provides several advantages.

First of all, thanks to the arrangement and dimensions of the slots 40, 41 and the openings 44, the device allows to hook, on a sample wall 2, most of the models of shower systems 10, 11, 12 . This produces a homogenous (and therefore aesthetic) presentation of the different models, whatever their type and dimensions, as shown in Figure 7.

Secondly, this device 1 is easy to use, since it is sufficient to fix the shower system 10, 11, 12 (whatever the model) by threading on the support 33, then hooking it onto the load bars 6.

Thirdly, this device 1 is ergonomic, the handle 33 being comfortable handling in view of its dimensions (particularly its small width) and its lightness thanks to the use of a thin sheet (1 mm in the example indicated above) .

Fourth, this device 1 is for safe use. In fact, the fixing of the shower system 10, 11, 12 on the support 33 can be carried out flat (for example on the floor or on stands), then the assembly comprising the support 33 and the system 10, 11, 12 The shower set asf is attached vertically without risk of coffee from one of the elements. It will be appreciated that the set of operations can be performed by a single person.

Fifth, despite its lightness, the support 33 offers great robustness (and therefore good reliability) particularly when it is made of a steel sheet.

Sixthly, the manufacture of the support 33 is relatively simple. More precisely, when the support 33 is made of sheet metal, this manufacturing typically comprises (starting from a blank sheet), two phases: a cutting phase (for example with laser, as already indicated) of the slots 40, 41, of the openings 44 and of the hooks 49, and a folding phase of the lateral flanges 50.

Various variants can be considered.

In a first variant, the hooks can (as already indicated) be formed by additional pieces fixed to the rear surface of the front panel of the support. These are, for example, current U-shaped hardware of complementary dimensions to the load bars 6.

It is finally possible to think that a single hook is, in this case, sufficient. This hook is then fixed in the vicinity of the upper edge 37 of the front panel 34, in the extension of the main groove 40, in order to ensure a good load balance.

In a second variant, the support 33 is made of another material, for example a rigid plastic material, or also in wood (or in a wood derivative). In this case, the grooves 40, 41 can be machined by simple milling. The hook (s) are in this case added (s); it is, for example, a common U-shaped hardware complementary to those of the load bars 6.

In a third variant, illustrated in Figure 8, the support 33 is provided with at least one groove 56 horizontally made in the front panel 34, remote from the main groove 40.

This slot 56, parallel to the secondary slot 41, preferably has the same width (measured vertically) as this. Its length (measured horizontally, indicated by L5) on the contrary is shorter. This length L5 is for example between 40 and 60 mm. As can be seen in Figure 8, the groove 56 extends in the vicinity of the lateral edge 35. In addition, the distance from the groove to the lower edge 36 is for example between half and two thirds of the total height H of the support 33.

The function of this slot 56 is to allow the fixing of the carrier 23 when it is separated from the shower system. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, a shower column 12 is shown equipped with a telephone shower mounted on a carrier 23 dissociated from the box 28, and the fixing of which must be carried out independently of it by means of a screw 53 .

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the fixing of the carrier 23 on the support 33 is carried out by means of said screw 53, inserted in the carrier 23 and through the groove 56, ensuring a nut 54 the tightening of the carrier 23 on the panel 34, preferably with interposition of a washer 55.

Like the openings 44, the groove 56 can be sealed by a disk attached to the contour of the groove 56 by one 5 or several breakable bridge (s) 47. This disc remains intact when the shower system comprises an integrated support 23, and must be sunk (for example by means of a blunt tool such as a screwdriver) to release the slot 56 when on the contrary the holder 23 is separated and must be fixed. in an independent way.

The groove 56 thus contributes to the universality of the support 33 by increasing the number of shower systems it can accommodate.

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Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 1. Device (1) for hanging, to a sample wall (2), of a model (10, 11, 12) of a wall shower system exposure, which comprises: - a support (33) comprising a substantially rectangular front panel (34) delimited by two longitudinal lateral edges (35, 36), a lower transverse edge (36) and an upper transverse edge (37); the front panel (34) being perforated by a longitudinally extending main groove (40), and by a pair of cuts (43) each delimiting a circular contour opening (44), made in the vicinity of the edge (36 ) lower, on either side transversely of the main groove (40); - the support (33) comprising a pair of lateral flanges (50) that extend squarely from the lateral edges (35) of the panel (34), characterized in that said device also comprises a secondary groove (41) extending transversely near the upper edge (37), on either side of the main groove (40), and at least one hook (49) integral with the support (33) for hanging from it to a bar (6) ) of load mounted on the sample wall (2) where each hook (49) is integrated in the support and formed by a recess made in a lateral flange (50). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main slot (40) extends centrally in relation to the front panel (34). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main groove (40) is locally interrupted by a tongue (42) of material. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tongue (42) of material extends substantially midway to the support (33). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each opening (44) is sealed by a collapsible disk (46) attached to the contour of the opening (44) by at least one breakable bridge (47). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circular contour cuts (43) are separated by an axis (E) of approximately 150 mm. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each slot (40, 41) has a width of approximately 6 mm. 8. Assembly comprising a hanging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and a shower system (10, 11, 12) fixed on the panel (34) of the hanging device (1) by screwing through at least one of the slots (40, 41), and, where appropriate, through the openings (44).