HRP960589A2 - Cover arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a covering panel (4) which can form a detachable connection to a frame (3), which can be installed in the region of the opening (2). At least one locking element (6) is used to form the connection, and can be unlocked in order to detach the panel from the frame. The element is arranged in a receptacle (7) so that it can move but cannot be released, and is associated with a corresponding element (17), with which it engages in order to connect the panel and the frame. It can also be disengaged from the corresponding element in order to free the locking element.

Description

The invention relates to the construction of covers for openings, especially for control openings in the sanitary area, according to the features listed in the introductory part of patent claim 1.

Cover constructions of this type are known, for example, from the German utility model DE 92 10 905 U1. This construction is added to the lining of the wall opening and contains a frame and a cover plate with a button for activating the exhaust valve of the cistern. The cover plate can be demountably fixed to the frame using screws, and the lining of the wall opening is fixed to the frame covered with the cover plate using a coupler. A total of four screws are provided for fixing the cover plate to the frame. The screw connection of the cover plate during assembly or removal during service and control work requires a cost that cannot be ignored. Care should be taken to avoid damage, for example due to excessive tightening of screws. There is also a risk that one or the other screw will be lost during assembly and disassembly, thus causing a loss of time in a harmful way.

Furthermore, from the German patent document DE 35 38 757 A1, a control cover with a frame and a control cover is known. In order to secure the control cover, there are stationary stops on it, which have stationary springs and spring supports that engage over the edge. Bumpers for said spring supports are arranged on the control frames, and locking devices are provided on the control cover. Stop locks arranged on the control cover require a complex construction of the control cover, which can also be designated as a cover plate.

From the German patent file DE 40 05 753 A1, a cistern for installation in the wall with a cover plate is also known, which, as a ceramic tile, is equipped with suspension attachments arranged on the back side. The frame, which can be connected to the wall, contains suspension elements that match the studs. On the lower side of the cover plate, there are screws that can be brought into contact with the lower edge of the frame during assembly. Although a ceramic cover plate is hung on the upper edge, screwing and setting the mentioned screws requires assembly costs and time that cannot be ignored. The screws are placed in the holes of the ceramic cover plate and there is a risk that during transport or during assembly these screws fall out of these holes and that they are not there during assembly.

Finally, from the German patent file 69 18 613 a cover plate is known, which rests on the supports connected to the cover via the holder. The holders contain two clutches that can be brought into engagement with the teeth of the holder. At least one coupling contains a movable locking element that acts by means of a spring and can be removed from the associated support if necessary. The coupling with the locking element, on the other hand, is connected to the plate and requires, all in all, a relatively large performance volume. Special measures are required to actuate the locking element.

The proposed invention is based on the task of creating a structure, which, based on the state of the art, aims to enable a simple and quick assembly of the cover plate with a simple structure and that later disassembly can be performed with a negligible cost. Insignificant costs must be sufficient for the production of the cover and it must have very few components and individual components. Also, even during re-disassembly or reassembly, the cover plate must enable a purposeful and reliable connection to the frame.

The solution to that task was obtained according to the features of the first patent claim.

The cover plate according to the invention has a construction suitable for the purpose and enables simple assembly of the cover plate without tools, whereby disassembly can be carried out by loosening the locking element using a suitable tool. At least one locking element that can be unblocked is provided to connect the cover plate to the frame. The structure contains at least one linearly movable blocking element, which is used to create a connection and can be unblocked if necessary. With the help of the locking element, it is possible to permanently lock it during assembly, and no tools are required for this. The opening is done in a purposeful way by the action of the pressure force and the movement of the locking element against the force of the spring, which, after mounting the cover plate, holds the locking element in engagement with the corresponding standing element and thus keeps the cover plate securely fixed with respect to the frame.

The linear displacement against the force of the elastically subsequently bent spring element is performed primarily from the outside, especially from the lower side of the frame. In order to avoid the risk of damage to the locking element due to improper storage of the cover plate after disassembly from the frame, the locking element is first placed on the frame. With this construction of the locking element on the frame, it is important that the locking element is accessible from the outside and can be activated from the outside when mounting the cover plate. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the frame has a seat for the locking element and contains the necessary guide channels for moving the locking element during closing and opening.

The locking element is purposely connected to the frame or cover plate so that it is fixed in the frame even when the cover plate is removed. The locking element cannot be "lost" with the cover plate or is movably connected to the frame and cannot be lost before assembly or during service work when removing the cover plate. The locking element can be actuated using an insert or pin and screwdrivers or spanners are unnecessary. To remove and release the cover plate, you only need to perform a simple pressure movement. Furthermore, the connection of the cover plate with the frame according to the invention succeeds with any tool due to the spring-elastic and/or yielding construction of the locking element.

According to the invention, the cover plate and the frame each have at least one rotating element and a corresponding stationary element, which are arranged on one side, preferably in the area of the upper edge of the frame and the cover plate. On the other side, primarily in the area of the lower side of the cover plate and frame, at least one locking element with a corresponding standing element is provided. When making the joint, the cover plate is first connected to the frame by means of a rotating element and the corresponding standing element. After a small turn, associated with a small linear displacement, the locking element is brought into engagement with the corresponding standing element on the other side of the frame and/or cover plate. The connection is made manually, without the help of tools, by hanging the cover plate in the frame on one side, with a small pivoting movement, if necessary combined with a short linear movement, and then creating a solid connection of the cover plate on the frame by pressing the cover plate with an elastically made and/or elastically placed locking element.

In a particularly purposeful construction, two locking elements are provided, which can be unblocked, with corresponding standing elements. These locking elements are purposefully arranged at a distance from each other, so that the cover plate can be released from the frame only by a simultaneous mover, especially using a special tool. Fixing against "vandalism" is possible, because the cover plate cannot be removed with a nail, insert or something similar, since both locking elements must be activated.

Since the locking element, in the mounted cover plate attached to the frame, can be activated without effort from the outside, the cover plate has a break-off cavity through which the locking element can be reached and activated. A release element is advantageously provided for locking or release, extending preferably within the release cavity. On the one hand, with the covered construction of the actuating element inside the release cavity, activation by unauthorized persons is maximally avoided, especially when the cover of this type is fixed on the vertical wall of the associated frame, so that the release cavity, installed in the edge area, opens downwards. On the other hand, an optically efficient construction is achieved, because the stripping element does not stand out in front of the cover plate, i.e. its edge area, but is completely covered.

With regard to achieving low manufacturing costs, the release element, of the construction according to the preferred invention, is made as an integral part of the locking element, and protrudes into the release cavity at the point of locking. The one-piece construction keeps production costs low, although it would be conceivable to provide a cavity made as a positioning or guiding part, containing a separate tear-off element.

One particularly simple version of the closing element, inexpensive and therefore preferred, comprises a spring element, especially a return spring, the closing position of which is based on the unloaded state. When unlocking, the release element moves in the direction of the end of the return spring fixed on the frame, thereby simultaneously pressing the spring and releasing the locking element. Considering the insignificant distance between the frame and the cover plate and considering the maximum intentional movement of the cover plate, only over the edge area, the return spring is designed so that the direction of movement goes parallel to the vertical wall or the horizontal laying surface. The pressure stroke of the spring can only be performed by means of a tool inserted into the release cavity and acts on the release element. At the same time, the stripping element itself could form an abutment for the tool, which is thus surely introduced. An allen key or wedge could be used as a tool.

As for the example of the embodiment of the invention, in which the element for breaking off is made as an integral part of the closing element, an additional part made by injection molding is used. The U-shaped design has proven to be particularly suitable and stable - especially here due to the central arrangement of the release element on the basic part of the U-shape - an even introduction of force is obtained and two locking hooks can be placed at the ends of the U arm. In doing so, the length of the U arm determines the path of movement of the spring and the size of the return force acting in the locked position.

In a purposeful way, a means for connecting the locking element, which is in the form of engaging elements and cavities, could be added to the construction according to the invention. In accordance with the construction according to the invention, in the preferred embodiment, gripping elements are added to the cover plate, and cavities are added to the frame. In order to achieve a particularly simple assembly and disassembly and to further solve the task mentioned in the introduction, gripping elements are provided, which are located opposite each other, and are made on one side as a rotating element, and on the other side as a stationary element. During assembly, the rotating part is introduced between the wall or adjacent surface and the cavity for the rotating part, which is located in the frame, whereby a pivot axis is created there, around which the cover plate rotates in the direction of the wall or adjacent surface, until the standing element engages in the stand cavity in the frame. Depending on the purpose for which the cover plate is intended and the way in which the removal will be performed, the standing element can also be provided in a different position in relation to the pivoting element. In any case, it is important that during construction the standing element must work together with the locking element, that on the one hand it performs locking, and on the other hand - in the locked position - for additional fastening of the locking element, especially in the direction that goes vertically towards the wall or adjacent surface.

With regard to the already described example of the construction according to the invention, where the release element and the locking element are made in one piece and mainly in the shape of the letter U, the joint action of the cover plate with the standing element is achieved through the basic part of the U shape. In this case, two standing elements are provided which are connected in the opening cavity and during assembly are introduced along the echoes of the basic part arranged on both sides of the opening element. The return spring of the locking element thus presses together until the stationary elements pass through both sections of the base and finally fit into the table recesses. In this way, a locked state was achieved on the one hand, and a connection was obtained on the other.

Since there is enough space to accept the locking element, it is of particular advantage to make a curved cover plate and to add a suitable flange to the cover plate frame, between the frame and the cover plate, which in the assembled state adjoins that segment, which, that is, which shape fits the cover plate . In the area of the greatest distance between the frame and the cover plate, it is expedient to install a holder for the locking element in one segment or in the flange.

A further embodiment of the construction according to the invention, which refers to a special application for a cistern, foresees a button that initiates flushing. The cover plate can now be shaped so that a recess for the button is provided. In addition, the frame can have a recess that forms a bearing for the recess after mounting the cover plate.

Special constructions and further embodiments of the invention are listed in the subclaims. Special examples of the construction of the cover according to the invention are explained in more detail with the help of drawings. Thereby:

Figure 1 shows a section in a vertical plane through the structure with the built-in frame during the installation of the cover plate,

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the construction of Fig. 1 with a part of the cover plate removed in a locked state,

figure 3 shows a section along the line A-A from figure 2,

figure 4 shows in detail the corresponding locking element from figure 2,

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the construction of Fig. 1 with part of the cover plate removed during removal with a tool,

Figure 6 shows a cross-section along line B-B from Figure 5,

Figure 7 shows a section as in Figure 1 when the cover plate is removed,

Figure 8 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the frame,

Figure 9 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the cover plate,

Figures 10-11 show sections along line G from Figure 9.

Figure 1 shows a vertical section of wall 1 with an opening, especially control opening 2, behind which there is a cistern not shown. In the area of the opening 2, a frame is firmly connected to the wall 1, on which the cover plate 4 can be detached. To adjust the opening 2, the frame 3 has a circumferential flange 5.

For connecting the cover plate 4 with the frame 3 according to the invention, two locking elements are provided, which can be unblocked, of which only one locking element can be seen. Each locking element 6 is placed in the seat 7 of the frame 3 and can be activated from the outside. In addition, in its edge area 8, made as a border of the frame 3, the cover plate 4 has one cavity 9 for removal.

In pictures 2 and 3, cover plate 4 is mounted and locked. Here, each release element 10 extends inside the respective release element cavity 9. In this embodiment, the release element 10 is an integral part of the locking element 6.

In particular, in Figure 4 it can be seen that the locking element 6 includes the return spring 11. In Figures 1 to 3 and further 5 to 7, it can be seen that the return spring 11 is supported at one end in the abutment 7, which therefore has an insert that is not marked in detail, on which the return spring 11 is attached. The other end of the return spring 11 carries the element 10 for detaching. To detach the locking element 6, the return spring 11 is pressed using the tool 12, in the direction of movement, indicated by C in Figure 6, parallel to the wall 1. The tool 12 has an extension that is inserted into the cavity 13 provided for the tool of the detaching element 10.

With the help of figure 5, a special embodiment will be explained in which the tool usefully has two extensions 12, which are connected to each other in a single tool with a basic part 12'. This special tool is available to the installer, and when removing the cover plate, he can easily start both locking elements 6, 6'. This enables the fixing of the cover plate, at least as safe as possible from vandalism, because the necessary simultaneous movement of the locking elements 6, 6' cannot be carried out without further ado with a simple tool, nails or the like. Understandably, if necessary, an experienced installer can perform the removal with two separate tools.

Each of the two locking elements 6 - as can be seen in particular in Figure 6 - has a mostly U-shaped part, whereby the locking element 10 is integrated in front of the central part 14 of the U-shaped part. The arms 15 of the U-shaped part have hooked extensions 16 which lie in the place of locking on the abutment 7. The abutment 7 has extensions indicated in Figures 2 and 5, not described in detail, into which the arms of the locking element 6 extend.

For the detachable connection of the cover plate 4 with the frame 3, the cover plate 4 also has four stationary elements 17 and two rotating elements 18, which work together with the corresponding table and rotating cavities 20 of the frame 3. The rotating element 18 and the stationary element 17 are arranged on opposite longitudinal sides cover plates 4. The standing elements 17 have purposefully bevelled surfaces over which the associated locking elements 6, i.e. their sections of the base part 22, slide over during assembly, while the latter then come into engagement with the standing elements 17. Furthermore, the locking elements, i.e. their sections of the base part 22 they have beveled surfaces facing outwards in the direction of the cover plate. During assembly, the corresponding beveled surfaces of the standing element 17, as well as the locking element 6, facing each other, slide purposefully towards each other, which avoids mutual clutching, and the assembly is purposefully and reliably facilitated.

Figure 1 explains the mounting of the cover plate 4 on the frame. In the direction of arrow D, i.e. parallel to the wall 1, both rotating elements 18 of the cover plate 4 are introduced into the rotating cavity 20. The rotating element 18 is a section with a slight conical section, bent mostly at a right angle from the edge area 8 of the cover plate 4, which facilitates the introduction of the rotating element 20, which is also made slightly conical. When the bent area of the rotating element 18 sits on the edge area 21 of the frame 3, the cover plate 4 is turned in the direction of arrow E, so that the standing element 17 engages in the part of the base 14. The standing elements 17 - as it follows from figures 2 and 5 - they are arranged on both sides of the cavity for the release element 9. During engagement, the stop elements 17 meet at the sections of the base part 22 of the stop element 6, which extend on both sides of the release element 10 and press the return spring li until they temporarily engage in the stop cavity 19. The sections of the base part 22 and the standing elements 17 have bevels facing each other, which facilitate the passage of the locking element. After the section of the base part 22 of the locking element 6 has passed, not only the permanent connection has been achieved, but also the locking of the cover plate 4 and the frame 3 has been achieved, because now the return spring 11 is tightened again, so the release element 10 extends in the cavity 9 for removal, and the section of the base part 11 extends in the free edge area 8 of the cover plate 4 behind the standing element 17. In the assembled and locked state, the resulting flat side surfaces of the section 22 of the base part and the standing element 17 now lie on top of each other (see Figure 3 ).

The opening is done by introducing the tool 12 into the recess for the tool 13 of the opening element 10 and by jointly pressing the return spring 11. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7, disassembly is achieved by turning the now released, i.e. unlocked, cover plate 4 in the direction of arrow F, whereby, not shown here, the rotation axis is located in the region of the rotating element 18 and the rotation cavity 20, and is pulled out of the rotation cavity 20 in the direction of the arrow G.

From figures 1, 3, 6 and 7 it follows, moreover, that the frame 3 has two segments 23, which in the assembled state touch the cover plate 4, as shown in figure 3, and extend to the longitudinal side of the frame 3. At least one segment 23, and purposefully both segments 23, according to the invention, serve to secure the frame 3 and/or to support the cover plate 4. Further, it can be seen in Figures 2 and 5 that the cover plate is convexly folded and that the segment 23 in the region of the maximum height of the fold forms both abutments 7, in which both locking elements 6 are located.

Finally, in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, it is clearly seen that the cover plate 4 is connected to a centrally placed trigger element 24 for activating the toilet-cistern valve or for flushing the urinal. The trigger element 24 is located in the recess 25 of the cover plate 4. The recess 25 is made, for example, as a protective window for control using infrared light. Furthermore, in an alternative form of execution, the trigger element can be made as a load-bearing pressure button, inserted movably in the cover plate and via an insert, lever or the like enables activation of the valve to start flushing.

Figure 8 shows a top view of a special design of the frame 3, which has a bent edge 26 at its lower end. The design of the locking element 6 with the return spring 11 corresponds to the above-explained design example. In the four corner areas, the frame has a flange 28 with openings 30, through which special screws are inserted for fixing the frame to the wall or other mounting parts. In a particularly expedient manner, this particular frame has at least two segments 32 to 35, which extend from the edge to the center towards the adjacent body 36. The adjacent body 36 serves. for supporting or guiding parts of said trigger element. If the trigger element contains electronic elements, especially with infrared sensors, then this electronic element must be attached to the central adjacent body 36 in frame 3. On the cover plate, the trigger element contains, for example, protective glass that lets in infrared rays or the like. When mounting or removing the cover plate, the infrared sensor can thus remain unchanged on the frame 3, and no additional measures, such as disconnecting the cable or the like, are necessary.

If, furthermore, the trigger element contains a button for mechanically activating the valve, then this button is purposefully associated with the cover plate. The central adjacent body 36 of the frame 3 contains a through cavity 38, through which an insert corresponding to the button of the cover plate penetrates. In this embodiment, the adjacent body 36 serves primarily to support or as a stop for the button and/or to guide the insert connected to the button, which enables functionally reliable activation over many years. The frame 3 gains stability and strength with little consumption of material due to the two star-shaped segments 32, 33, provided according to the invention, which are purposefully connected to both further segments 34 and 35.

With the help of figures 9 and 11, a further special form of execution of the cover construction will be explained. The cover plate 4 has a base body 40, which is purposefully made of plastic. The basic body 40 can be made of colored plastic of the desired color or on its surface 42 it can have a layer of paint or a layer of varnish of the desired color. There are often requirements for metal surfaces, where, although in principle, evaporation from thin metal layers is possible, which, however, often does not correspond to heavy loads and wear. For this reason, according to the invention, a liner 44 is added to the surface 42. This liner consists purposefully of thin metal and completely wraps the basic body of the cover plate on the visible side, as can be clearly seen in Figure 11. In addition, the liner 44 is primarily glued to the surface 42 of the basic bodies. As can also be seen in Figure 10, the liner 44 in an alternative version of the structure has couplings 46, which engage behind the edge 48 of the basic tentacle 40. According to the invention, the metal liner 44 protects the basic body 40 in a purposeful way from external influences, and the cover plate constructed in this way is characterized by with high functionality and service life. It is also important that the same basic body 40 is used in

normally colored variant. and for special variants of the cover plate, it comes with an additional metal liner 44.

Claims (10)

1. The construction of the cover of the opening (2), especially the control opening for the sanitary element, which in the area of the opening (2) has a frame (3) that can be installed and a cover plate (4) that can be detachably connected to it, while for the connection is provided with at least one locking element (6), which can be unlocked in the event of the need to disassemble the connection, indicated by the fact that the locking element (6) is arranged in a movable manner in the adjacent position (7) and fixed so that it cannot be lost, and that the locking element (6) is associated with a corresponding opposite standing element (17), with which the locking element (6) is engaged due to the formation of a connection between the frame (3) and the cover plate (4), whereby to detach the locking element (6) apply an external grip with a standing element. 2. Construction according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the locking element (6) is designed to be elastically yielding and/or that the elastically yielding spring element (11) is added in such a way that it can be brought into engagement with the standing element (17) and /or that the spring element (11) is arranged in the seat (7). 3. Construction according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the locking element (6) is arranged in the seat (7) linearly movable and can be activated from the outside and/or is covered with a cover plate (4), whereby the cover plate ( 4) has a cavity (9) for starting the locking element (6). 4. Construction according to claim 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the frame (3) has a locking element (6) and that the corresponding stop element (17) is located on the cover plate (4) and/or that the release element ( 10) attached to the locking element (6) and/or that the releasing element (10) is an integral part of the locking element (6) and/or that the releasing element (10) protrudes from the locking element (6) and is at least partially located in the cavity (9) to remove. 5. Construction according to claim 4, characterized in that the frame (3) has a receiving body (36) for the trigger element (24) and/or that the cover plate (4) has a special trigger element (24) placed in the middle, especially for starting flushing system. 6. Construction, especially according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the spring element (11) is made as a return spring (11) and can be pressed to release the stop element (6) and/or that the spring element is arranged between of the locking element (6) and adjacent area, especially the edge area (21) of the frame (3). 7. The construction according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the locking element is made mainly in the shape of the letter U and/or has hooked extensions (16), which in the closed position rest on the seat (7), and/or that the frame (3) and the cover plate (4) have a connecting means in the form of engaging elements and cavities. 8. Construction, especially according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the frame (3) and the cover plate (4) have at least one rotating element (18) and at least one corresponding standing element (17) and/or that the cover plate (4) or the frame (3) have at least one rotating element (18) or rotating cavity (20) which corresponds to the standing element (17) or the standing cavity (19), which is located primarily on the upper side of the frame (3) and the cavity ( 19, 20) on the other, lower side of the frame (3), and/or that the standing cavity (19) is located in the area of the seat (7) for the locking element (6). 9. Construction according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the cover plate (4) can be rotated around the pivot axis, by means of the pivoting element (18) which engages in the pivoting cavity (20) during assembly, the pivot axis can be pivoted, whereby it stops the element (17) can be introduced into the stop cavity (19) and by means of the spring element (11) the locking element (6) can be temporarily pressed until it engages in the stop cavity (19). 10. Construction, especially according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover plate (4) has a base body (40) and a liner (44) connected to it, wherein the base body (40) is primarily made of plastic, and liner (44) made of metal.