JP2005510684A - Adapter device for mounting products on smooth walls, especially for fixing to walls in clean rooms, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an adapter device essentially consisting of a main support plate (1) which forms an upper part (2) provided with means for vacuum fixing on a smooth wall, comprising a suction cup (5) arranged on an inner surface of said plate urged opposite said wall and a mechanism for controlling said suction cup including a lever (8) accessible on an outer surface of said plate opposite said inner surface, and which forms a lower part (3) wherewith is associated a wedge (9) for receiving a base plate or like support plate for said article being fixed on said outer surface of the plate and which includes, on the inner surface of said plate, pads (12) for non-slipping support on said smooth wall.

Description

  The present invention is designed to allow different products to be fixed to a smooth surface and is used to fix devices implemented, for example accessories that are movable and / or alternatively provided in the bathroom. It relates to the adapter device. The application of this type of the present invention is in no way limiting, and the advantages of the present invention can be particularly appreciated when the smooth surface is more often a vertical or nearly vertical wall and / or This is the case when these walls tend to be damp.

  In this sense, those skilled in the art may apply the present invention to a so-called clean room or all similar types of rooms when referred to in this specification for a bathroom. You will understand that easily. As is known, the characteristics of these rooms are as follows: all the surfaces of these rooms, and in particular the walls that delimit these rooms, are subject to frequent cleaning or decontamination operations, This is because the surface of the room does not have any area where water, cleaning liquid, dust or dirt stagnate.

  However, primarily to clarify what is described below, reference is made most often to the advantageous fields of application of the invention, as found, for example, in households or larger buildings for private or public use. Considering products that are desired to be installed on a modern kitchen, bathroom, shower room or toilet wall. However, the same provisions of the present invention apply to other situations, for example in the case of an object that is attached to a surface that has been coated, or to an object that is suspended on the side of furniture or on another surface that is painted The case will apply as well.

  Regarding the prior art in the field of the invention, reference is made to the French patent specification which became known on July 30, 1999 under specification No. 2774148. This specification describes a complex adapter device. This adapter device is characterized by a shower head holder clamp and a link arm provided between the suction cup for fixing the shower head holder clamp to the wall. In this case, different types of shower heads are used. Is due to the variable width of the clamp finger or jaw opening.

  This type of device has the obvious advantage of avoiding the need to drill holes in the wall where it is desired to secure the object to be supported. However, it has actually become clear that these devices are not convenient enough to use. The construction of these devices is also relatively complex and requires a large number of components, which leads to high manufacturing costs. These devices have inadequate compatibility and a number of different variations need to be formed for the different objects being supported.

  The object of the present invention is to prevent the disadvantages of the known devices, thereby making the devices easier and cheaper to manufacture, and to improve the conditions of compatibility for different types of products. . Another object of the present invention is to make the device very easy to use even by a user who is not necessarily a skilled worker. From this point of view, for example, at least for certain applications, it is advantageous to provide the possibility of having to start over and over again until the user somehow secures the accessory in the desired location. It may be.

  For this purpose, the present invention provides an adapter device for fixing a product supported on a smooth surface. This adapter device is specially designed for fixing to the wall of bathroom accessories (but not limited to this) and mainly consists of a main support plate, which is advantageously Is formed as one member.

  On the one hand, a so-called “top” is provided. This upper part is provided with means for fixing to a smooth surface by adsorption. This means constitutes a so-called “inner surface” facing the surface of the wall, a suction cup disposed on the first surface of the plate, and an outer surface provided on the side opposite to the inner surface, The second surface of the plate consists of a mechanism for operating the suction cup.

  On the other hand, a lower part is provided. A mounting block is coupled to the lower part. This mounting block contains a special plate in the product, and is preferably fixed to the outer surface of the plate by being screwed through the plate. Furthermore, the lower part preferably has a contact pad on the inner surface of the plate that does not slip with a smooth surface.

  The device according to the invention designed in this way is particularly well suited when the smooth surface is the surface of a vertical wall. This is generally true for most bathroom accessories. In this specification, a shower head holder is given as an example of a bathroom accessory. At the same time, it is pointed out once again that there are other examples of bathroom accessories for which the present invention is directed. Of these, mention is made in particular in the case of a sink or a soap holder placed on the wall above the basin, or a kitchen towel. The device according to the invention can also be used to hold products of different sizes and weights. The dimensions of the components making up the device can be easily determined depending on factors such as the suction force applied to the receiving surface by the suction cup under the action of the control mechanism, and the effect of adhesion provided on this surface.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the device according to the invention has another second characteristic. In this case, the device not only fulfills the above-mentioned problems, but also holds the product supported in a stable and accurate position, whereas the conventional one was rather aimed at meeting aesthetic demands. The challenge is to provide high reliability. Again, the present invention may take many different forms depending on the conditions of use of the device. Because requirements may vary due to technical details, including, for example, indicator plates placed on painted or top-coated indoor doors, or fixed public support members exposed to the weather. Because. In this case, it is advisable to take into account in particular the roughness of the receiving surface and the exposure of the device to the risk of more or less humidity and fogging, as is usually encountered in bathrooms.

  In order to facilitate an understanding of these features and advantages, it is often desirable to limit in particular within the context of the advantageous application of the present invention. In this case, the device is intended to be fixed flat against a smooth vertical surface, to which the device is attached by means of a suction cup provided at the top. Furthermore, this device is intended to fix a bathroom accessory, for example a shower head holder (whether turning or not turning) by means of a block provided at the bottom. However, it will be appreciated that such devices may be used in very different conditions, even if they are the same type or slightly different types, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, it is known that walls located around water, such as sinks, basins, bathtubs or shower stalls, are usually covered with fayence baked or another ceramic tile or a corresponding plastic material. . However, it should be clear that the present invention need not be interpreted strictly in this respect. In particular, the present invention has a number of implementation variants, according to which the method of fixing with a suction cup is modified within the reach of the skilled worker and a slightly smoother surface. It can be adapted to.

  Some of the second features of the present invention relate to a suction cup. This suction cup is operated on the suction cup itself and in relation to the main support plate and by control means coupled to the main support plate by creating a vacuum to fix the suction cup on a smooth surface. The In this way, the means for controlling the suction cup is preferably operated by translation in the transverse direction with respect to the main plate, this means preferably having a lever. The lever operates a cam supported on the outer surface of the plate to press or pull a control rod integral with a disk provided on the bottom of the suction cup in a direction transverse to the plate. In this case, the main support plate further forms a cavity on the inner surface, preferably when the suction cup is brought into the position retracted by the pulling force applied to the control rod by the operating lever. The suction cup is at least partially housed in this cavity.

  As far as the construction of the component of the part of the device known as the lower part is concerned, it is advantageous to provide a large number of interchangeable mounting blocks. These blocks are optionally selected in relation to the product to be supported. In general, it is recommended that the block be given a uniform thickness according to a contour equal to the thickness of the support plate of the product to be supported. The main use of the block is to make it possible to fix the plate to the block in the same way that it is generally fixed directly to the wall. This provides the advantage that no changes need to be made to the commercial hygiene item product. For this purpose, it is desirable to form in advance a hole for receiving a screw in the block, according to a special embodiment of the device according to the invention. These screws are often supplied to a plate or another base, or a product mounting support, to be secured to a smooth receiving wall. Where appropriate, the same block is provided with such screw holes in a number of places and is used in conjunction with different types of commercially available support members for the same type of object.

  In order to define the thickness, the replaceable block is advantageously fixed by screws to the main plate of the device. This screw is threaded through and engaged at a different location from that used to secure the product to be supported in the hole formed in the other side of the block, ie the surface facing the plate. The main plate itself is advantageously drilled in the corresponding position. It is therefore recommended to adopt a single arrangement for these holes that can fit all replaceable blocks of the same series. In this way, it is ensured that the product is screwed to the support plate in a location that does not interfere with the holes used to screw the block to the main plate. From this point of view, it is advantageous to place the holes at the four trapezoidal nodes so that the optimum conditions of suitability for all types of different types of showerhead holders are obtained. I understood.

  As stated above, the present invention is advantageously implemented with a removable and replaceable block of this type. However, it is anticipated that the mounting block may be formed integrally with the main plate in the actual case where exchangeability is not required within the framework of the present invention. In some cases it may be interesting to implement the plate and block in the form of a single piece, in particular as molded plastic.

  As for the suction cup, a generally manufactured one may be used. Accordingly, the suction cup is generally composed of a member made of an auxiliary material such as an elastomer. This member has a shallow cup flare shape, which opens outward as it moves away from the plate and is rotationally symmetric due to the advantageous circular shape. The suction cup is more characteristically a straight cone tapered shape, and the angle of the tip of the cone is 90 ° or more.

  According to another feature of the invention, the control rod may have an adjustable length that can be obtained by means of a screw and nut mechanism, in particular between two coaxial parts of the rod. Each of the two parts is one part in which a pivot pin around which a lever pivots a cam is incorporated, and the other part forming a tie rod integral with the bottom of the suction cup. These devices make it possible to adjust the suction force used by slightly increasing the length of travel from the rest position between the bottom of the suction cup and the cam of the operating lever. Another way to adjust the effect of the suction cup is by adding an intermediate ring to the main plate. This intermediate ring is fitted between the outer surface of the plate and the lever, whereby the lever forms the seat of the cam. It is also possible to move the seat in and out of the plate by adjusting the thickness of the intermediate ring or by screwing the intermediate ring into the plate thickness, thus the plate and suction cup in the rest position The distance between is adjusted.

  According to another feature of the invention, the suction cup has a release knob. This release knob is incorporated in an advantageously elastic material which generally forms a suction cup. Such a knob projecting outside the area covered by the main plate supporting the suction cup is lateral to break the internal vacuum by the user pulling it when the suction cup is in the operating position. Makes it possible to act on In this way, the effect of the lever control mechanism, which is advantageously operated by an axial tensile force, is advantageously achieved.

  A contact pad which is part of the suction cup device of the present invention and does not slip on a smooth receiving wall is attached to the inner surface of the main plate in the simplest form. However, these contact pads may take the form of complementary bosses provided on the mass of the plate itself. In this case, the contact pad provides an optimum attachment to the smooth surface of the wall on which the device is fixed or suspended. The role of these contact pads is not limited to preventing the risk of damage to the receiving surface by the hard material of the main plate. Furthermore, the contact pad serves to stabilize the position of the device on the surface. This role is particularly effective when it is necessary to maintain the vertical orientation of a selected long length plate in response to the lever arm required to resist the weight of a heavy object. is there.

  The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with advantageous features and advantages. In this case, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 11 which show the application of the invention by means of an embodiment of the device according to the invention (but not exclusively), by way of example, the present invention can be used for smoothing a bathroom accessory, It is considered advantageous, especially when used for fixing to vertical walls covered with ceramic tiles.

  The device particularly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is shown in its normal position fixed to the wall. The upper part 2 and the lower part 3 can be identified on the main plate 1 that supports the different components that make up the device.

  The upper part 2 which accommodates the suction cup 5 is arranged on the inner surface of the plate 1 and this inner surface faces the wall to which the device is fixed.

  The upper part 2 also supports a mechanism for operating the suction cup, and this mechanism 6 is accessible to the user on the outer surface of the plate 1, ie on the side opposite to the inner surface.

  As well as FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the operating position, the suction cup 5 is accommodated in a cavity 7 provided in the plate 1 for suction. Facing the inside. Otherwise, the plate 1 has a uniform thickness and a defined shape, which meets the aesthetic demands as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 and at the same time a variety of devices. Constitutes a suitable support for the part. In a special embodiment of the design according to the invention, the plate 1 is made of a transparent plastic, the two parts 2 and 3 are combined into a single modular member, and the plate 1 includes a rod for operating the suction cup. A hole for penetrating is formed.

  In the lower part 3, the main plate 1 has two specially formed pads, which can also be seen as 11 and 12 in FIGS. These pads are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the plate passing through the center of the suction cup. These pads do not have the role of a suction cup, but provide an anti-slip effect on the smooth surface where the device is secured by the suction cup 5. For this purpose, the pads are shown in the form of bosses formed with an extra thickness on the inner surface of the plate. These pads are made of a relatively soft material, in particular an elastomer, whereas the main plate member is relatively hard. When the suction cup is in the operating position, the pad protrudes from the inner surface of the plate by a thickness approximately equal to the distance formed by the material of the suction cup.

  The same lower part of the plate 1 is now adapted to accommodate on the outer surface a mounting block for supporting accessories. This block is not shown in FIGS. This is shown as member 9 in FIGS. 1 to 4 show four holes 13. These holes 13 allow the block 9 to be screwed to the plate 1. In the particular embodiment described above, it was not planned to provide a thread in the hole that was complementary to the thread of the screw. This is because it is assumed that the screw is self-tapping.

  As can be seen from the drawing, the holes 13 are arranged at the four nodes of the trapezoid, and the two lower parts of the trapezoid are located horizontally across the vertical axis X of the plate 1 and the trapezoid 2 One side is aligned with the center of the pads 11 and 12, respectively, at a predetermined angle according to an axis X 'corresponding to the cross-sectional line selected for the lower portion of the plate in FIG.

  The reason for this arrangement of the holes 13 to secure the block 9 can be understood with reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D. 8A to 8D show four types of blocks that can be used interchangeably with the plate 1 shown above. These four types of blocks are perforated on the inner surface to accommodate the screws 14. These screws 14 are engaged with the holes 13 through the plate from the inner surface of the plate before the suction cup 5 is fixed to the wall. The outer surface has a plurality of holes based on the relative number, size, and placement requirements adapted to cooperate with different types of showerhead holder fixing screws that may be readily available to the user. Is formed. The arrangement of the holes 13 does not interfere with the position of the holes 18 used to fix the shower head holder. These holes 18 are perforated from the outer surface of the block, not from the inner surface. Furthermore, the holes 18 are always arranged in the area covered by the respective blocks, so that they are always hidden no matter which special block of the replaceable series is used. . In this way, the holes 18 are invisible from the outside once the plate is secured to the wall.

  The different interchangeable blocks all have an equal uniform thickness. As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, these shapes are variable. The circular block shown in FIG. 8B is generally most advantageous. This is because the circular block has a central hole 15, two separate holes 16 provided relatively close to the vertical axis X of the plate and symmetrically with respect to the center of the circle, and a vertical passing through the center of the circle. This is because it is suitable for different types of support plates for commercial showerheads, so long as it has two holes 17 which are also symmetrical on the directional axis and are provided relatively far apart. .

  9 and 10 show how the block is used for fixing to the support plate. In this case, a screw 19 and a cup 31 are used that embody what has been said as a support plate for a product supported by the adapter device of the present invention. This block is an intermediate member, and the shower head holder 32 itself is screwed to the intermediate member. In the case of FIG. 10, another intermediate member 33 similarly fixed to the block 9 by a central screw has a peg 34 protruding upward in the vertical direction, and a base 35 is inserted into the peg 34. The base 35 supports a shower head mounted so as to pivot about a horizontal hinge pin 36 above the base 35.

  Returning to FIGS. 1-7, the suction cup constructed in a particular embodiment selected herein to describe the present invention and the control mechanism of this suction cup will be described more precisely.

  These components themselves are general purpose. The control mechanism mainly includes a lever 8. The lever 8 can be easily operated by the user pressing the tip 21 with one finger. In this way, the user rotates the lever 8 around the horizontal pin 22. The horizontal pin 22 is swung by a rod 23 that connects the horizontal pin 22 to the suction cup 5.

  More precisely, when the pivot shaft 22 is located on the outer surface of the plate 1 and at the level of the cavity 7, the rod 23 forms a tie rod through the plate. The other end of the tie rod is integral with the rigid disk forming the bottom of the suction cup 5 on the inner surface of the plate. In addition, the suction cup is typically made of an elastically deformable material, which has the shape of a cup with an annular side that extends outwardly towards the annular edge. Yes. This results in an airtight pressure on the smooth surface of the wall. An insert embedded in this material provides rigidity to the bottom of the cup occupied by the disk 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the suction cup between the resting position and the operating position is such that the lever forms an eccentric cam with the pivot shaft pin 22 as the center. 7 is achieved by pressing the rear part 7 and thereby causing the tie rod 23 to be pulled out from the inside to the outside via the plate 1. Also, as can be seen from the drawing showing the cross section of the lever 8, the lever has a flat surface 25 which presses the rear of the cavity 7 outside the main plate in the operating position. More generally speaking, when the seat is not directly formed by the main plate 1, the smooth surface 25 is supported by the seat integral with the main plate 1.

  According to another advantageous device formed according to the invention, the variable elastic material of the suction cup 5 incorporates a release knob 26. The release knob 26 protrudes beyond the area covered by the plate 1 so that the user can always access the release knob 26 when the device is fixed to the wall. In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the presence of this knob makes it possible to consider the use of a suction cup with a considerable suction power. By pulling the knob, the user applies a radial pull force to the suction cup from the side, which acts to release the suction cup by breaking the vacuum formed inside the suction cup. .

  The above description clearly explains how the present invention can achieve the set tasks. In particular, the device described above provides a very effective fixation of different objects on different types of smooth surfaces. In the present invention, these objects are illustrated as bathroom accessories that are typically secured to the surface of a vertical wall. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described and shown in the drawings, but rather the application of the invention extends to all variants using equivalent means.

  Among variations, FIG. 7 shows a special embodiment of the device according to the invention. This embodiment has the advantage of being completed by means for adjusting the suction force of the suction cup 5 compared to the previously described embodiments. These means determine the adhesion force to the wall that the end user applies by the suction cup, especially based on the weight of the special product to be supported, or on another acting force that the assembly suffers. It makes it possible to select a suction cup. These means allow the user to increase the effectiveness of the suction cup when the effectiveness of the suction cup is reduced by repeated fixation and removal.

  For this purpose, this means acts on the distance between the bottom of the suction cup (and thus the disk 24) and the cam of the operating lever 8 by fixing the travel of the rods constituting the tie rods with different lengths. To do. The tie rod pulls the suction cup to a position in the gap 7 drawn toward the plate 1. In order to make this adjustment, the user has an intermediate ring 27 that can be operated freely. This intermediate ring 27 has a threaded link with the plate 1 on the inside, around the hole in the rear of the cavity 7 through which the tie rod 23 passes. Furthermore, this intermediate ring 7 forms a knurled head 28 on the outside. The knurled head 28 facilitates the rotation of the intermediate ring 7 by the user. The cam seat formed in the mass of the lever 8 is no longer formed directly by the plate 1 but by the outer surface of the ring 27 fitted between the plate and the cam.

  FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the device has two similar plates, each plate associated with a unique associated component. That is, mainly the suction cup, the control mechanism of the suction cup, and at least one or a series of replaceable mounting blocks are combined. The two assemblies are complementary and are completed by respective supports used to hold the shower bar that slides the shower head. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of this bar is fitted into a holder in the vertical direction, and these holders are fixed to the respective mounting blocks of the two plates, and the plate is fixed to the wall entirely. Has been. These plates are arranged vertically in the vertical direction, but for the plate of the lower device, the so-called “upper” holding the suction cup of the plate is the lower, ie the so-called “lower” It is arranged below “ However, a variant in which the mounting block is simply rotated 180 ° so that the upper part holds the suction cup above the lower part and the lower part arranges both plates to accommodate the mounting block for fixing the corresponding holder. Is generally advantageous.

1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention, arranged in a vertical direction for use.

It is the top view which looked at the same apparatus from upper direction.

It is the figure which shows the apparatus seen from the outer side to the side from the right side of FIG. 1 which showed the broken line XX 'of the cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG.

It is a figure equivalent to FIG. 3 seen from the left side of FIG. 1 which shows what is called an "inner surface" facing a wall.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the device in a position where the suction cup is rested before being secured to the wall.

FIG. 6 is a view equivalent to FIG. 5 of the same device fixed to the wall, showing the suction cup in the operating position.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view equivalent to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the device.

8A, 8B, 8C and 8D schematically illustrate the shapes of four blocks that may be used with the main plate (shown in the previous drawing) of the device that constitutes the device for securing the showerhead holder to the wall. FIG.

It is a figure which shows the usage method of the said block for fixing a shower head holder in the case of a 1st conventional type holder.

FIG. 6 shows the use of the same device with the same circular block to accommodate a movable showerhead holder.

By way of example, a third type of commercially available showerhead holder shows a method for fixing two devices according to the invention with a sliding rod to a wall in a face-to-face relationship.

Claims (11)

In an adapter device for fixing a product to a smooth surface, the adapter device mainly comprises a main support plate (1), and the main support plate (1)
-On the other hand, a so-called "upper part (2)" is formed, and the upper part (2) is provided with means for fixing to a smooth surface by adsorption, which means has an adsorption cup (5). The suction cup (5) is disposed on the inner surface of the plate facing the smooth surface, and the means has a mechanism (6) for operating the suction cup The mechanism (6) is accessible on the outer surface of the plate opposite the inner surface;
-On the other hand, a so-called "lower part (3)" is formed, to which the mounting block (9) is coupled, which is fixed to the outer surface of the plate And a lower part (3) having contact pads (11, 12) on the inner surface of the plate, the contact pads (11, 12). An adapter device for fixing a product to a smooth surface, wherein the adapter is designed not to slip on the smooth surface.   2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the plate consists of only one member, and the upper part (2) and the lower part (3) are advantageously integrated by molded plastic.   The means for operating the suction cup (5) has a lever (8), the lever (8) has a cam, and the cam is supported on the outer surface of the main plate (1). 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in this way, the control rod integral with the disc (24) provided at the bottom of the suction cup is pressed or pulled in a translational direction transverse to the plate. .   When the main plate forms a cavity (7) on the inner surface and the suction cup (5) is brought into the retracted position by the pulling force applied to the control rod by the operating lever (8) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cavity (7) at least partially contains a suction cup.   The travel length of the rod (23) operating the suction cup (5) is adjustable by means of an intermediate ring (27) having a threaded link with said plate, in particular with a knurled head (28); The intermediate ring (27) is fitted between the plate and the cam, which is advantageously formed in the mass of the lever (8), so that the ring (27) 5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 adapted to cooperate with a formed seat.   6. The cam according to claim 1, wherein said cam has a flat surface (25), said surface (25) cooperating with a seat integral with the main plate in the operating position of the suction cup. The apparatus of any one of Claims.   7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a number of interchangeable mounting blocks that are selected depending on the product to be supported.   The mounting block (9) is fastened to the plate (1) by being screwed from the inner side via the plate (1), which is advantageously for this purpose the corresponding screw (14). 2. The device of claim 1 having a pre-drilled hole for passage through.   The support plate of the product to be supported is fixed to the block (9) at a plurality of points by screwing, and the points include holes provided for screws fixing the block to the main plate. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is configured not to interfere with each other.   The suction cup (5) has a release knob (26), which is advantageously incorporated in the variable elastic material that normally forms the suction cup. The knob protrudes outside the area covered by the main plate, which allows the user to apply a tensile force laterally to the suction cup, which facilitates the release of the knob. 10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The anti-slip pad is composed of a boss formed with an additional thickness on the inner surface of the main plate, and is symmetrically arranged with respect to the vertical axis of the plate passing through the center of the suction cup. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images