WO2008153449A1

WO2008153449A1 - Fluid discharge unit for a bath device

Info

Publication number: WO2008153449A1
Application number: PCT/SE2007/000570
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonny Sandberg; Roger Johansson
Original assignee: Cyrba Ab
Priority date: 2007-06-11
Filing date: 2007-06-11
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid discharge unit (1) for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said discharge unit (1) comprising a tubular wall fitting member (14, 14') intended to be inserted in an axial direction (4) from an inside of the bath device through a corresponding hole (18, 18') in a delimiting surface (13), such as a wall, of the bath device and be attached to a back housing (3) connectable to a fluid supply system, said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a flange (12, 12') adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface (13) when attached to the back housing (3) such as to keep the back housing (3) in place. The invention is characterized in that the discharge unit (1) comprises a cover member (15, 15') intended to be attached to the wall fitting member (14, 14'), said cover member (15, 15') having an inner opening (22, 22') for allowing discharge of fluid and an outer part (25, 25') for covering the flange (12, 12'), said cover member (15, 15') further having at least one resilient locking member (16, 16') provided with a lip member (17, 17'), said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a deflecting part (19, 19') for deflecting and applying a tension to the resilient locking member (16, 16') when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought together in the axial direction (4), said wall fitting member (14, 14') further having a ridge (20, 20') that is positioned adjacent to the deflecting part (19, 19') and that extends at least partly in a circumferential direction along an inner wall (28, 28') of the wall fitting member (14, 14'), such that, when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought further together in the axial direction (4), the lip member (17, 17') interacts in a snap-locking manner with the ridge (20, 20'), wherein at least one releasing protrusion (21, 21') is arranged in connection with the ridge (20, 20') in such a way that, when the cover member (15, 15') is in its snap-locked position and is rotated in relation to the wall fitting member (14, 14'), the releasing protrusion (21, 21') interacts with the lip member (17, 17') so that the resilient locking member (16, 16') bends sufficiently for lifting the lip member (17, 17') from the ridge (20, 20') allowing the cover member (15, 15') to be released from the wall fitting member (14, 14').

Description

TITLE

Fluid discharge unit for a bath device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to fluid discharge units and related parts for bath devices, such as whirlpools, spas and steam/massage showers.

BACKGROUND ART

Bath devices having water jets and/or air bubbling means, such as whirlpools, spas, steam/massage showers etc., have become common also for domestic use.

A typical whirlpool includes a bath tub, a number of water jet nozzles positioned on the tub walls, a number of air nozzles positioned on the tub floor, a pump and water conduits for circulating water from the tub to the jet nozzles, and an air system for feeding air to the air nozzles.

Typically, the jet nozzles are mounted in a chromium-plated tubular wall fitting provided with a flange that is pressed towards the wall of the tub when the fitting is attached. The wall fitting is kept in place by screwing it through a hole in the tub into a back piece or back housing positioned on the back side of the tub wall. The back housing has the function of both holding the wall fitting, and thereby the jet nozzle, in place and of leading water to the nozzle.

Air nozzles normally include an air leading brass member that is screwed through the tub floor. The air is allowed to enter the tub at the upper side of this member via a number of small holes or via a circular opening around a center part of the brass member.

The nozzle positions are set when the tub is produced but when ordering such a tub a consumer is in many cases free to select, among a variety of jet and air nozzles having different functions and/or size, what types of nozzles that are to be installed.

Problems related to conventional air nozzles are that they are relatively costly to produce and tend to become clogged.

With regard to installation of nozzles there is generally a problem in that mounting of nozzles are time consuming, for instance because it normally is required to work from both sides of the tub.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide fluid discharge units and related parts for bath devices that exhibit improved properties with regard to installation, replacement and function compared to conventional equipment.

This object is achieved by the devices defined by the technical features contained in independent claims 1 , 9, 10, 11 , 12, 18 and 26. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments, further developments and variants of the invention.

The invention concerns a fluid discharge unit for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said discharge unit comprising: a tubular wall fitting member intended to be inserted in an axial direction from an inside of the bath device through a corresponding hole in a delimiting surface, such as a wall, of the bath device and be attached to a back housing connectable to a fluid supply system, said wall fitting member having a flange adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface when attached to the back housing such as to keep the back housing in place.

The inventive fluid discharge unit further comprises a cover member intended to be attached to the wall fitting member, said cover member having an inner opening for allowing discharge of fluid and an outer part for covering the flange, said cover member further having at least one resilient locking member provided with a lip member. Moreover, the wall fitting member has a deflecting part for deflecting and applying a tension to the resilient locking member when the cover member and the wall fitting member are brought together in the axial direction. The wall fitting member has further a ridge that is positioned adjacent to the deflecting part and that extends at least partly in a circumferential direction along an inner wall of the wall fitting member such that, when the cover member and the wall fitting member are brought further together in the axial direction, the lip member interacts in a snap-locking manner with the ridge. Furthermore, at least one releasing protrusion is arranged in connection with the ridge in such a way that, when the cover member is in its snap-locked position and is rotated in relation to the wall fitting member, the releasing protrusion interacts with the lip member so that the resilient locking member bends sufficiently for lifting the lip member from the ridge allowing the cover member to be released from the wall fitting member.

Such a design has the advantageous effect that the main part visible on the walls of the bathing device is the cover member which, due to the inventive release function of the snap-lock, easily can be released and replaced if damaged or if there is a desire to re-design the bathing device by switching to another type of cover member with another shape or colour. Further, this solution enables the main visible part, i.e. the cover member, to be adjusted rotationally, i.e. it can be turned after installation. This is of particular interest when the cover member is triangular, rectangular or has another non-circular shape where it is important to be able to align the visible parts.

In conventional discharge units or water jets there is no cover member of the inventive type which means that the main part visible is the flange of the wall fitting member. Since the wall fitting member holds the back housing in place it can not be turned after installation. Moreover, it becomes very complicated to replace the main visible part of such conventional units since, when the wall fitting member is removed, also the back housing comes loose at a back side of the bath device. This back side is normally concealed which makes it very difficult to get hold of the back housing when trying to install a new wall fitting member.

The invention also concerns a fluid discharge unit for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said discharge unit comprising: a back housing adapted to be positioned on a back side of a delimiting surface, such as a wall, of the bath device, said back housing being connectable to a fluid supply system; a tubular wall fitting member intended to be inserted in an axial direction from an inside of the bath device through a corresponding hole in the delimiting surface of the bath device and be attached to the back housing, said wall fitting member having a flange adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface when attached to the back housing such as to keep the back housing in place; and a nozzle unit intended to be arranged in association with the back housing and the wall fitting member for discharging the fluid into the bath device. In the inventive fluid discharge unit, the nozzle unit is provided with snap-locking means adapted to interact with corresponding snap-locking means arranged in the back housing. Further, the nozzle unit has dimensions allowing passage of the nozzle unit through the wall fitting member.

Such a design has the advantageous effect that, because the wall fitting member holds the back housing in place and because the nozzle unit is attached by snap-locking means and can be conveyed through the wall fitting member, it is possible to release and switch the nozzle unit after installation of the discharge unit. Thus, the inventive discharge unit allows that the back housing and the wall fitting member are installed in a bathing device in an assembly factory and that different types of nozzle units can be selected, tried out and replaced at a later stage.

Switching a nozzle unit in conventional fluid discharge units normally require that also the wall fitting member and the back housing has to be released which lead to difficulties in re-assembling the unit as described above. The invention also concerns a fluid discharge unit for a bath device, such as a whirlpool and the like, said discharge unit comprising a nozzle element intended to be arranged in a hole in a delimiting surface, such as a floor, of the bath device and be connected to a fluid supply system, wherein the nozzle element comprises a part adapted to fit in the hole, a flange adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface when the nozzle element is arranged in the hole, and at least one opening capable of distributing an outflow of fluid from the nozzle element. In the inventive fluid discharge unit, the nozzle element comprises a structural element and a covering element, wherein the structural element includes the hole-fitting part and the flange and is made of a material exhibiting a high strength, and wherein the structural element and the covering element are provided with snap-locking means for attachment to each other, and wherein the at least one opening is at least partly defined by the covering element when the covering element is attached to the structural element.

Such a design, which in particular is intended for discharging air from the floor of a bathing device, has the advantageous effect that only the structural element needs to be made of a high-strength material, such as brass, and because the covering element is used to define the fluid outflow opening, the structural element can have a relatively simple geometry. This makes the production of the fluid discharge unit simple and cost-effective. Production of conventional air discharge units, in which the nozzle element is formed of only one piece (of brass), is more complicated since it is necessary to create air flow passages in the structural material. A further advantageous effect of this design is that, because the covering element is snap-locked to (and thus releasable from) the structural element, it makes cleaning easier and makes it possible to replace the covering element if needed or desired. The covering element is preferably made of a plastic material which is less costly than brass and makes production of the covering element easy. Preferably, the at least one opening for discharging the fluid, such as air, comprises a slit formed between the structural element and the covering element when the covering element is attached to the structural element, and/or a plurality of through-holes distributed over the covering element. Such openings are easy to form due to the inventive two-part design of the discharge unit.

The invention also concerns a fluid discharge unit for a bath device, such as a whirlpool and the like, said discharge unit comprising: a nozzle element intended to be arranged in a hole in a delimiting surface, such as a floor, of the bath device; and means for connecting the nozzle element to a fluid supply system. In the inventive fluid discharge unit the connecting means comprises a tubular nozzle part connectable to the nozzle element, and a tubular connection part for connecting the tubular nozzle part to the fluid supply system, wherein the nozzle part and the connection part are arranged to allow insertion in an axial direction of one part into the other part such as to form an inner part and an outer part when connected. Moreover, the inner part is provided with at least three raised portions distributed in the axial direction along an outer side of the inner part, said raised portions extending at least partly in a circumferential direction of the inner part, and the outer part is provided with at least one resilient locking member extending in the axial direction, said resilient locking member being provided with a lip member protruding in a direction towards an interior of the outer part. Further, the circumferential raised portions, the resilient locking member and the lip member are arranged such that, when the inner part is inserted into the outer part, the lip member interacts with the raised portions in such a way that the resilient locking member is forced to deflect outwardly to allow the lip member to pass the raised portion. The invention is further characterized in that the outer part is provided with outer threads positioned in connection to the resilient locking member such as to allow a nut member to be threaded onto the threads and prevent the resilient locking member from deflecting outwardly. Thus, the circumferential raised portions of the inner part and the resilient locking member and the lip member of the outer part form an arrangement for snap-locking the inner and other parts in an axial direction. Since there is provided at least three circumferential raised portions between which the lip member can be positioned when the inner and the outer parts are snap- locked to each other, the inner and outer parts can be attached to each other in at least two positions where the inner part is inserted into the outer part to a different extent. Thereby the total length of the inner and outer parts can be varied. The feature that outer threads are positioned in connection to the resilient locking member allows the inner and outer parts to be firmly locked in the selected axial position by threading a nut member onto the threads. An advantageous effect of this design, which in particular is intended for an air discharge unit located in the floor of a bathing device, is that it can be adapted to different floor thicknesses, which can vary considerably between different bathing devices. In turn, this simplifies installation. After having connected the tubular nozzle part to the nozzle element and placed the nozzle element in the hole from an upper side of the floor, the tubular connection part can simply be pushed onto, or inside, the tubular nozzle part from a lower side of the floor until it is stopped by an underside of the floor.

Preferably, the inner part is further provided with at least one second raised portion extending in the axial direction along the outer side of the inner part, wherein the second, axial, raised portion is arranged such as to, when the lip member is positioned between two circumferential raised portions and the outer part is rotated in relation to the inner part, interact with the lip member so that the resilient locking member bends outwardly and to, when the lip member is positioned onto the second, axial, raised portion, allow the outer part to be released from the inner part. This facilitates removal of the outer part from the inner part which in turn simplifies replacement of the nozzle element. In a preferred embodiment of this fluid discharge unit, the tubular nozzle part forms the inner part and the tubular connection part forms the outer part, wherein the resilient locking member and the threads are positioned at an end portion of the connection part facing the nozzle element when the fluid discharge unit is assembled. Thereby the nut member can be used both to prevent outward deflection of the resilient locking member, which makes sure that the nozzle part and the connection part can not move in relation to each other in a longitudinal direction, and to fasten the air discharge unit to the floor. Further, because the total length of the nozzle part and the connection part is variable, the nut member needs only to be thread onto a relatively short threading length, i.e. the length of said outer threads, irrespective of the floor thickness. This is in contrast to conventional floor air nozzles where the nozzle element is provided with a very long threading length for being applicable also when the thickness of the floor is unusually large. Adaptation to floor thickness is carried out by threading the nut as far up along the nozzle element as needed. Installation of conventional floor air nozzles is therefore in most cases, i.e. in cases where the floor is not unusually thick, very time consuming since the major part of the threads just forms a distance for transporting the nut.

The invention also concerns a bath device comprising a discharge unit of any of the above types.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the description of the invention given below reference is made to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows, in an exploded perspective view, a first preferred embodiment of an inventive fluid discharge unit,

Figure 2 shows the embodiment according to figure 1 in an assembled state, Figure 3 shows a wall fitting member and a cover member according to the embodiment in figure 1 ,

Figure 4 shows, in a sectional perspective view, the wall fitting member according to figure 3,

Figure 5 shows, in a sectional perspective view, the cover member according to figure 3,

Figures 6a - 6c show the interaction between the wall fitting member and the cover member according to figures 3-5,

Figure 7 shows, in an exploded perspective view, an alternative nozzle unit applicable to the embodiment shown in figure 1 ,

Figure 8 shows the alternative nozzle unit according to figure 7 in an assembled state,

Figures 9a - 9c shows the interaction between a nozzle insert and a back housing according to the embodiment shown in figure 1 ,

Figure 10 shows a wall fitting member and a cover member according to a second preferred embodiment of an inventive fluid discharge unit,

Figure 11 shows the parts of figure 11 in an assembled state,

Figures 12a - 12c show the interaction between the wall fitting member and the cover member according to figures 10-11 ,

Figure 13 shows, in an exploded perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a second fluid discharge unit,

Figure 14 shows the embodiment according to figure 13 in an assembled state, Figure 15 shows, in a sectional perspective view, details of the embodiment according to figure 13.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an inventive fluid discharge unit 1 in a non-assembled state. The fluid discharge unit 1 includes a back housing

3, a nozzle unit 6, a ring-shaped gasket 11 , a wall fitting member 14 and a cover member 15. A dashed line 4 indicates an axial direction of the discharge unit 1. Fluid discharge units 1 of the type exemplified in figure 1 are intended to be distributed over the walls of a whirlpool or other bathing device and work as water-jets, i.e. to discharge water into the whirlpool.

The gasket 11 is adapted to fit in a circular through-hole 18 in a wall 13 of a whirlpool. The back housing 3 is provided with connecting members 26 for connection to water supply conduits (not shown) and is arranged on a backside, i.e. an outer side, of the whirlpool wall 13.

The wall fitting member 14 is tubular, i.e. it is open in the axial direction 4, and is adapted to fit through the hole 18 and the gasket 11. The wall fitting member 14 is provided with threads for interaction with corresponding threads in the back housing 3 for keeping the back housing 3 in place. A flange 12 is provided on the wall fitting member 14 for pressing towards the wall 13 of the whirlpool when attached to the back housing 3.

A nozzle insert 5, a nozzle seal 7 and a ball nozzle 9 make up the nozzle unit 6 which, when assembled, forms one single unit. The ball nozzle 9 is pressed in place inside the nozzle seal 7 and the nozzle seal 7 is attached to the nozzle insert 5 by snap-lock means (see figures 7 and 8). The nozzle insert 5, and thus the nozzle unit 6, is releasably attachable to the back housing 3 by means of another snap-lock arrangement (see figures 9a-9c). The cover member 15 is releasably attachable to the wall fitting member 12 by means of still another snap-lock arrangement which is further described below.

A suitable material for the back housing 3, the nozzle insert 5, the ball nozzle 9, the wall fitting member 14 and the cover member 15 is ABS-plastics.

Figure 2 shows the water discharge 1 according to figure 1 arranged in an assembled state on a whirlpool wall 13. The cover member 15 and the ball nozzle 9, which in principle are the only parts visible from the outside (i.e. from the inside the whirlpool), are chromium plated for proper appearance. The other parts are concealed behind the wall 13 and further wall members (not shown).

The water supply connecting members 26 of the back housing are arranged vertically to allow drainage of the water discharge unit 1. A slit 30 is arranged in a lower rear portion of the nozzle insert 5 (see figure 8) to enhance drainage as to avoid that water remains in the discharge unit 1 between use. Hygienic problems related to microbial growth are thereby avoided.

To install the water discharge unit 1 the gasket 11 is arranged in the hole 18 followed by positioning of the back housing 3. At this point the wall fitting member 14 can be inserted through the gasket 11 and the hole 18 in the axial direction 4 and be threaded to the back housing 3 so that the back housing 3 is held in place and such that the flange 12 is pressed against the gasket for sealing purposes. The nozzle unit 6 may or may not be mounted to the back housing 3 during installation of the water discharge unit 1. The cover member 15 is preferably mounted to the wall fitting member 14 afterwards.

Figure 3 shows the wall fitting member 14 and the cover member 15 in greater detail. The wall fitting member 14 has a tubular threaded part and a flange 12 adapted to be pressed onto the gasket 11 and thus towards a delimiting surface, i.e. in this case the wall 13, when attached to the back housing 3 such as to seal the opening 18 and keep the back housing 3 in place. Further, the wall fitting member 14 is provided with a plurality of positioning recesses 23 distributed around the flange 12. These recesses 23 are adapted to interact with corresponding positioning protrusions 24 arranged on the cover member 15 (see figure 5). To facilitate attachment of the wall fitting member 14, tool recesses 27 are provided on the outer rim of the flange 12.

The cover member 15 has a central inner opening 22 for allowing through flow of water to be discharged into the water and an outer part 25 for covering the flange 12 of the wall fitting member 14. The cover member 15 is further provided with three resilient locking members in the form of spring legs 16 (of which two are shown in figure 3) distributed around its circumference and directed in its axial direction 4. Each resilient locking member 16 is provided with a lip member 17.

As can be seen in figure 4, which shows the wall fitting member 14 in a sectional perspective view, the wall fitting member 14 has a part 19 that extends circumferentially around an inner wall 28 of the wall fitting member 14 and that, in the axial direction 4, gradually decreases the inner diameter of the wall fitting member 14. This part 19 is denoted a deflecting part. The function of this deflecting part 19 is to compress, i.e. to deflect and apply a tension to, the resilient locking members 16 when the cover member 15 and the wall fitting member 14 are to be attached to each other, i.e. when they are brought together in the axial direction 4. The interaction between the cover member 15 and the wall fitting member 14 is further described in relation to figures 6a-6c.

A ridge 20 is arranged as an inner terminator of the deflecting part 19. The ridge 20 extends along the deflecting part 19 and circumferentially along the inner wall 28 of the wall fitting member 14. The function of this arrangement is that, when the cover member 15 and the wall fitting member 14 are brought further together in the axial direction, the lip member 17 interacts in a snap-locking manner with the ridge 20.

The wall fitting member 14 is further provided with three releasing protrusions 21 (of which one is shown in figure 4) distributed around the inner wall 28 of the wall fitting member 14 in connection with the ridge 20. These releasing protrusions 21 are distributed in correspondence with the resilient locking members 16 of the cover member 15 as to allow interaction and release of the cover member 15. The releasing protrusions 21 rise to at least the same level or height as the ridge 20, with reference to the inner wall 28 of the wall fitting member 14.

As an alternative to the above arrangement, the inner wall 28 of the wall fitting member 14 can form the deflecting part 19 and a recess, extending along the inner wall 28 in a circumferential direction, can form the ridge 20. In such an alternative, the releasing protrusions 21 can be arranged in said recess. Which alternative to use depends for instance on the space available.

Figure 5 shows the cover member 15 in a sectional perspective view seen from the left so that a back side of the cover member 15 is shown. In addition to the axial opening 22, the outer part 25 and the resilient locking members

16 with its lip members 17, figure 5 shows that a plurality of positioning protrusions 24 are distributed around the back side of the outer part 25 of the cover member 15. As mentioned above, these protrusions 24 are adapted to interact with the positioning recesses 23 arranged on the flange 12 of the wall fitting member 14. The recesses 23 are arranged to receive the protrusions

24 such as to keep the cover member 15 rotationally in place when the cover member 15 has been attached to the wall fitting member 14. Whereas the extending ridge 20 enable the cover member 15 to be rotationally adjusted, the positioning recesses 23 and protrusions 24 enable the cover member 15 to be fixed in a certain rotational position. This is of particular importance when the outer part 25 of the cover member 15 is not circular, as in the example shown, but is for instance triangular and needs to be aligned for proper appearance. A similar positioning can be important also for a circular outer part 25 in order to align a certain pattern. Generally, the positioning recesses 23 and protrusions 24 have the function of preventing unintentional rotation.

Figures 6a - 6c show the interaction between the wall fitting member 14 and the cover member 15. In figure 6a the cover member 15 is in a snap-locked position, in figure 6b the cover member 15 is in a releasable position, and figure 6c the cover member 15 has been released from (or has not yet been attached to) the wall fitting member 14. When the cover member 15 and the wall fitting member 14 are to be attached to each other, they are simply brought together in the axial direction 4. In figure 6c the resilient locking members 16 are not deflected by the deflecting part 19. As the wall fitting and cover members 14, 15 are brought further together, the deflecting part 19 will come in contact with the lip members 17 and start to deflect the resilient locking members 16. When the wall fitting and cover members 14, 15 are brought sufficiently together, the lip members 17 will snap-lock at the backside (the left side in figures 6a-6c) of the ridge 20. The cover member 15 is now attached to the wall fitting member 14 as shown in figure 6a.

When the cover member 15 is in its snap-locked position (figure 6a) and is rotated in relation to the wall fitting member 14, the releasing protrusion 21 interacts with the lip member 17 so that the resilient locking member 16 bends sufficiently for lifting the lip member 17 from the ridge 20 allowing the cover member 15 to be released from the wall fitting member 14. This releasable position of the cover member 15 is shown in figure 6b. It may be noted that the cover member 15 has a similar rotational position in all figures 6a-6c whereas the wall fitting member 14 has a similar rotational position in figures 6a and 6c. In figure 6b, the wall fitting member has been slightly rotated as to show a cross section through the releasing protrusion 21. Figure 7 shows, in an exploded perspective view, an alternative nozzle unit 6' applicable to the embodiment of the water discharge unit 1 shown in figure 1. The alternative nozzle unit 6' comprises the same nozzle insert 5 and nozzle seal 7 as shown in figure 1. In the example shown in figure 7, the nozzle unit 6' comprises a rotor 10, a rotor insert 8 and an alternative ball nozzle 9', which are pressed in place inside the nozzle seal 7.

The nozzle insert 7 comprises a first and a second nozzle snap-locking means 31 , 32, each comprising spring legs and lips in similarity with what is described above in relation to the cover member 15. The first nozzle snap- locking means 31 is adapted to interact with a recess 31' arranged in an inner wall of the back housing 3 (see figures 9a-9c), whereas the second nozzle snap-locking means 32 is adapted to interact with a ridge 32' on the nozzle seal 7. When assembled, also the alternative nozzle unit 6' forms one single unit, see figure 8. The two nozzle units 6, 6' form different types of water jets.

Figures 9a - 9c shows the interaction between the nozzle insert 5 and the back housing 3, which are attached to each other simply by bringing them together in the axial direction 4. In figure 9c, the nozzle insert 5 is moved towards the back housing 3. In a typical situation the back housing 3 is already mounted to the whirlpool wall 13 by means of the wall fitting member 14 (not shown in figures 9a-9c) and the nozzle insert 5 is already mounted to the other parts of the nozzle unit 6, 6' (not shown in figures 9a-9c). In figure 9b, the nozzle insert 5 has been partly inserted into the back housing 3. The lips of the first snap-locking means 31 have not yet come in contact with any deflecting part, which in this case is the inner walls of the back housing 3, so the spring legs of the first snap-locking means 31 are not yet deflected. In figure 9a, the lips of the first snap-locking means 31 have engaged with the recess 31' such that the nozzle insert 5 becomes snap-locked to the back housing 3. No releasing protrusions are arranged for releasing the nozzle insert 5, and thereby the nozzle unit 6, 6', because this would increase the risk of releasing the nozzle unit 6, 6' by accident during use of the water discharge unit 1.

The nozzle unit 6, 6' is dimensioned such that it can pass through the wall fitting member 14 in the axial direction 4.

Because the wall fitting member 14 holds the back housing 3 in place, and because the nozzle unit 6, 6^f and the cover member 15 are attached by snap-locking means, it is easy to release and switch the nozzle unit 6, 6' and/or the cover member 15 after installation of the discharge unit 1. The cover member 15 is particularly easy to release due to the release function described above. To release and dissemble the nozzle unit 6, 6' a tool, such as a screwdriver, may be necessary but this is still much easier than switching a nozzle unit in known water discharge units where also the back housing 3 normally has to be released. Thus, the inventive water discharge unit 1 allows that the back housing 3 and the wall fitting member 14 are installed in a bathing device in an assembly factory and that different types of nozzle units and cover members easily can be selected, tried out and replaced at a later stage.

Figures 10 to 12 shows a wall fitting member 14' and a cover member 15' according to a second preferred embodiment of the inventive fluid discharge unit 1. This embodiment is in principle similar to the embodiment shown in figure 1 : the wall fitting member 14' comprises a flange 12' and positioning recesses 23' and the cover member 15' comprises a centrally placed inner opening 22', an outer part 25' and positioning recesses (not shown). The connections to the back housing 3 and the whirlpool wall 13 are also similar to what is shown in figure 1. A clear difference between the two embodiments is that in the embodiment shown in figures 10-12 the discharge unit forms an example of a so-called mini-jet that does not have any separate nozzle unit. Instead, the nozzle is formed of an opening 33 located in a backside of the wall fitting member 14' and an inner circular portion 29 extending in an axial direction inside the wall fitting member 14'. Thus, the nozzle forms in this case an integrated part of the wall fitting member 14'..

Another difference is the outline the snap-locking arrangement, which in this case may be regarded as inverted in relation to what is described in relation to figures 3-6. In similarity to what is described above, the cover member 15' comprises spring legs 16' provided with lips 17'. In this case, however, the number of spring legs 16' is two and the lips 17' are now instead protruding inwards. As shown in figure 10, the inner circular portion 29 of the wall fitting member 14' is provided with a deflecting zone 19' and a ridge 20' that both extend in a circumferential direction along a wall 28' of the inner portion 29.

It should be noted that the wall 28' forms an inner wall of the wall fitting member 14' although it may be regarded as an outer wall of the inner circular portion 29. Releasing protrusions 21' are also arranged on the inner portion 29 in a principally similar manner as described above.

Figures 12a - 12c show the interaction between the wall fitting member 14' and the cover member 15' shown in figures 10 and 11. This interaction is analogous to what is described in relation figures 6a - 6c.

Also in this case the wall fitting member 14' holds the back housing 3 in place, which means that it is easy to release and switch the cover member 15' after installation of the discharge unit 1.

Figure 13 shows, in an exploded perspective view, a preferred embodiment of a second type of fluid discharge unit 40 in particular adapted to discharge air from a floor 13' of a whirlpool. The air discharge unit 40 comprises a nut 42, a floor gasket 44, a connection pipe 46, O-rings 48, 56, 58, a lower nozzle part 50, a nozzle gasket 52, a nozzle ball 54, an upper nozzle part 60 and a cover cap 62. The air discharge unit 40 is intended to be arranged in a hole 18' in the whirlpool floor 13'.

The upper nozzle part 60 comprises a hole fitting part 60' and a flange 60" adapted to be pressed towards the O-ring 58 and the floor 13' when the air discharge unit 40 is arranged in the hole 18'. The upper nozzle part 60 is connected to the lower nozzle part 50 by means of threads.

Figure 14 shows the air discharge unit 40 in an assembled state and mounted to the floor 13'.

The lower part of the connection pipe 46 is connectable to an air supply system (not shown) such that air can flow through the air discharge unit 40 and out to the whirlpool through a circular slit 64 formed between the upper nozzle part 60 and the cover cap 62.

Examples of suitable materials are brass for the upper nozzle part 60, stainless steel for the nozzle ball 54, and a suitable plastic material, such as

ABS, for the connection pipe 46, the lower nozzle part 50 and the cover cap

62. The upper nozzle part 60 and the cover cap 62 are chromium plated for proper appearance. The upper nozzle part 60 can alternatively be made in another material exhibiting a high strength, such as another metallic material or certain types of plastic materials.

The cover cap 62 is provided with spring legs 63 having lips 65 extending in an outward direction. These legs 63 and lips 65 cooperate with inwardly extending ridges 66 (see figure 15) circumferentially distributed along an upper part of the inner wall of the lower nozzle part 50 such that the cover cap 62 can be snap-locked in place. Protrusions 67 are circumferentially distributed along an upper portion of the cover cap 62 in order to position the cover cap 62 centrally when fastened. These protrusions thus form interruptions in the circular slit 64 formed. A further function of these protrusions 67 is to prevent the cover cap 62 from moving further towards the upper nozzle part 60. Also a flange 68 (see figure 15) in the lower nozzle part 50 prevents movement in this direction.

Figure 15 shows a sectional perspective view of the connection pipe 46 and the lower nozzle part 50. The connection pipe 46 is provided with two resilient locking members in the form of spring legs 70 arranged on opposite sides of an upper end (the end facing the floor 13' when the air discharge unit 40 is installed) of the connection pipe 46. Each of these spring legs 70 is provided with a lip member 71 protruding in a direction towards the interior of the connection pipe 46. The lower nozzle part 50 is provided with a plurality of circular raised portions 72 distributed along the lower nozzle part 50 on an outside thereof. The spring legs 70, with its lip members 71 , and the raised portions 72 are arranged to cooperate in a snap-locking manner in that the outer diameter of the raised portions 72 is slightly larger than the distance between the lip members 71. The lip member 71 interacts with a ridge formed by an upper side of the circular raised portions 72 in similarity with the snap-locks described above. When the lower nozzle part 50 is inserted into the connection pipe 46, the spring legs 70 need to be bent outwards each time the lip members 71 are to pass a raised portion 72. Whereas the upper side of the raised portions 72 is flat to prevent that the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46 are pulled apart, the lower side of the raised portions 72 is bevelled to facilitate insertion of the lower nozzle part 50 into the connection pipe 46.

Because there are at least three circular raised portions 72 axially distributed along the lower nozzle part 50, there is provided at least two spaces between the circular raised portions 72 where the lip members 71 can be positioned when the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46 are snap-locked to each other. This means that the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46 can be positioned in at least two different positions in relation to each other when mounted to each other, which in turn means that the total length of the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46 can be varied and thus adapted to different floor thicknesses.

An upper portion of the connection pipe 46 is provided with outer threads 73 that "cover" the spring legs 70. A nut 42 is provided with corresponding threads. By threading the nut 42 onto the threads 73, the spring legs 70 are prevented from being deflected outwards, i.e. they become locked. Longitudinal movement of the connection pipe 46 in relation to the lower nozzle part 50 is thereby prevented. The nut 42 is also used to fasten the air discharge unit 40, via the floor gasket 44, to an underside of the floor 13'. Also the outer side of the spring legs may be provided with threads in order to lock them even more firmly.

The lower nozzle part 50 is further provided with two second raised portions 74 (of which only one is shown in figure 13), axial raised portions, extending in the axial direction along opposite outer sides of the lower nozzle part 50. A main function of these second raised portions 74 is to simplify detachment of the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46. When the lip members 71 are positioned between two circumferentially extending raised portions 72, the lower nozzle part 50 and the connection pipe 46 are in a snap-locked position. When the connection pipe 46 is rotated in relation to the lower nozzle part 50, the axial raised portions 74 interact with the lip members 71 so that the resilient locking members 70 bend outwardly and lift sufficiently for avoiding interaction with the circular, circumferential raised portions 72. When the connection pipe 46 and the lower nozzle part 50 are located in this particular rotational position, i.e. when the lip members 71 are positioned onto the second, axial raised portions 74, the connection pipe 46 can easily be released from the lower nozzle part inner part 50 without interference from the circular, circumferential raised portions 72. During this release, the lip members 71 slide on the axial raised portions 74.

When the nut 42 locks the spring legs 70, the second raised portions 74 prevents rotational movement of the connection pip 46 in relation to the lower nozzle part 50 which is useful during installation. A lower portion of the inside of the lower nozzle part 50 is designed to receive an Allen key for preventing rotational movement of the lower nozzle part 50 during installation. This design is partly shown in figure 15.

In order to simplify handling and installation, the O-rings 48, 56, 58, the lower nozzle part 50, the nozzle gasket 52, the nozzle ball 54, the upper nozzle part 60 and the cover cap 62 are preferably preassembled as to constitute one single unit.

The air discharge unit 40 is preferably installed in the following way: Firstly, the preassembled single unit (see above), including the lower and upper nozzle parts 50, 60, is placed in the hole 18'. Secondly, the floor gasket 44 is put in place towards un underside of the floor 13'. Thirdly, the connection pipe 46 is pushed onto the lower nozzle part 50 until it is stopped by the floor gasket 44. Fourthly, the nut 42 is threaded onto the threads 73 in order to tighten the air discharge unit 40 to the floor 13' and to lock the spring legs 70.

The installation procedure for the inventive air discharge unit 40 is thus very simple. For instance, after having placed the single unit in the hole 18', all subsequent steps can be performed from the back or underside of the bath device. A significant advantage is that the total length of the lower nozzle part

50 and the connection pipe 46 is adaptable to varying thicknesses of different whirlpool floors, or to different parts of a certain floor. If the floor is thin, most of the lower nozzle part 50 is inserted into the connection pipe 46, and if the floor is thick, only a part of the lower nozzle part 50 is inserted. In any case, the nut 42 needs to be thread only onto a relatively short threading length, i.e. the length of the threads 73.

All snap-lock arrangements described above have resilient locking members (spring legs) extending in a direction essentially parallel to the axial direction 4 with lip members arranged to interact with ridges and recesses providing a surface essentially perpendicular to the axial direction 4.

The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, the fluid discharge unit described in relation to e.g. figure 1 does not necessarily have to be installed in a wall of a bath device and the fluid discharge unit described in relation to e.g. figure 13 does not necessarily have to installed in a floor of a bath device.

Claims

1. Fluid discharge unit (1) for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said discharge unit (1) comprising

- a tubular wall fitting member (14, 14') intended to be inserted in an axial direction (4) from an inside of the bath device through a corresponding hole

(18, 18') in a delimiting surface (13), such as a wall, of the bath device and be attached to a back housing (3) connectable to a fluid supply system, said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a flange (12, 12') adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface (13) when attached to the back housing (3) such as to keep the back housing (3) in place, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the discharge unit (1) comprises a cover member (15, 15') intended to be attached to the wall fitting member (14, 14'), said cover member (15, 15') having an inner opening (22, 22') for allowing discharge of fluid and an outer part (25, 25') for covering the flange (12, 12'), said cover member (15, 15') further having at least one resilient locking member (16, 16') provided with a lip member (17, 17'), said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a deflecting part (19,

19') for deflecting and applying a tension to the resilient locking member (16, 16') when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought together in the axial direction (4), said wall fitting member (14, 14') further having a ridge (20, 20') that is positioned adjacent to the deflecting part (19, 19') and that extends at least partly in a circumferential direction along an inner wall (28, 28') of the wall fitting member (14, 14'), such that, when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought further together in the axial direction (4), the lip member (17, 17') interacts in a snap-locking manner with the ridge (20, 20'), wherein at least one releasing protrusion (21 , 21') is arranged in connection with the ridge (20 , 20') in such a way that, when the cover member (15, 15') is in its snap-locked position and is rotated in relation to the wall fitting member (14, 14'), the releasing protrusion (21, 21') interacts with the lip member (17, 17') so that the resilient locking member (16, 16') bends sufficiently for lifting the lip member (17, 17') from the ridge (20, 20') allowing the cover member (15, 15') to be released from the wall fitting member (14, 14').

2. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to claim 1, anyone of the above claims, characterized in that the deflecting part (19, 19') protrudes from the inner wall (28, 28') and that the ridge (20, 20') forms a termination of deflecting part (19, 19').

3. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the releasing protrusion (21, 21') is positioned adjacent the ridge (20, 20') at a side facing away from the cover member (15, 15') when the cover member (15, 15') is attached to the wall fitting member (14, 14').

4. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to anyone of the above claims, characterized in that the releasing protrusion (21, 21') extends in the circumferential direction of the wall fitting member (14, 14') along a distance that is shorter than the distance along which the ridge (20, 20') extends.

5. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to anyone of the above claims, characterized in that the cover member (15, 15') comprises a plurality of resilient locking members (16, 16') distributed circumferentially, and that the number of releasing protrusions (21, 21') are at least as many as the resilient locking members (16, 16'), wherein the releasing protrusions (21, 21') are positioned in correspondence with the resilient locking members (16, 16') such that all locking members (16, 16') can interact with the releasing protrusions (21, 21') simultaneously.

6. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to anyone of the above claims, characterized in that the ridge (20, 20') extends along essentially the whole inner wall (28, 28') of the wall fitting member (14, 14').

7. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to anyone of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises a nozzle unit (6, 6') provided with snap-locking means (31) adapted to interact with corresponding snap-locking means (31') arranged in the back housing (3), said nozzle unit (6, 6') further having dimensions allowing passage through the wall fitting member (14, 14').

8. Fluid discharge unit (1) according to anyone of the above claims, characterized in that the fluid is water.

9. Wall fitting member (14, 14') for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said wall fitting member (14, 14') being intended to be inserted in an axial direction (4) from an inside of a bath device through a corresponding hole (18) in a delimiting surface (13), such as a wall, of the bath device and be attached to a back housing (3) connectable to a fluid supply system, said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a tubular shape and a flange (12, 12') adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface (13) when attached to the back housing (3) such as to keep the back housing (3) in place, characterized in that the wall fitting member (14, 14') is arranged to interact with a cover member (15, 15') intended to be attached to the wall fitting member (14, 14') for covering the flange (12, 12'), said cover member (15, 15') having at least one resilient locking member (16, 16') provided with a lip member (17, 17'), said wall fitting member (14, 14') having a deflecting part (19, 19') for deflecting and applying a tension to the resilient locking member (16, 16') when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought together in the axial direction (4), said wall fitting member (14) further having a ridge (20, 20') that is positioned adjacent to the deflecting part (19, 19') and that extends at least partly in a circumferential direction along an inner wall (28, 287) of the wall fitting member (14, 14'), such that, when the cover member (15, 15') and the wall fitting member (14, 14') are brought further together in the axial direction, the lip member (17, 17') interacts in a snap-locking manner with the ridge (20, 20'), wherein at least one releasing protrusion (21 , 21') is arranged in connection with the ridge (20, 20') in such a way that, when the cover member (15, 15') is in its snap-locked position and is rotated in relation to the wall fitting member (14, 14'), the releasing protrusion (21 , 21') interacts with the lip member (17, 17') so that the resilient locking member (16, 16') bends sufficiently for lifting the lip member (17, 17') from the ridge (20, 20') allowing the cover member (15, 15') to be released from the wall fitting member (14, 14').

10. Cover member (15, 15') for attachment to a wall fitting member (14, 14') according to claim X, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the cover member (15, 15') has an inner opening (22, 22') for allowing discharge of fluid and an outer part (25, 25') for covering the flange (12, 12') of the wall fitting member (14, 14'), said cover member (15, 15') further having at least one resilient locking member (16, 16') provided with a lip member (17, 17') for interaction with the wall fitting member (14, 14') according to claim X.

11. Fluid discharge unit (1) for a bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, said discharge unit (1) comprising - a back housing (3) adapted to be positioned on a back side of a delimiting surface (13), such as a wall, of the bath device, said back housing (3) being connectable to a fluid supply system,

- a tubular wall fitting member (14) intended to be inserted in an axial direction (4) from an inside of the bath device through a corresponding hole

(18) in the delimiting surface (13) of the bath device and be attached to the back housing (3), said wall fitting member (14) having a flange (12) adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface (13) when attached to the back housing (3) such as to keep the back housing (3) in place, and - a nozzle unit (6, 6') intended to be arranged in association with the back housing (3) and the wall fitting member (14) for discharging the fluid into the bath device, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the nozzle unit (6, 6') is provided with snap-locking means (31) adapted to interact with corresponding snap-locking means (31') arranged in the back housing (3), said nozzle unit (6, 6') further having dimensions allowing passage of the nozzle unit (6, 6') through the wall fitting member (14).

12. Fluid discharge unit (40) for a bath device, such as a whirlpool and the like, said discharge unit (40) comprising

- a nozzle element (60, 62) intended to be arranged in a hole (18') in a delimiting surface (13'), such as a floor, of the bath device and be connected to a fluid supply system, wherein the nozzle element (60, 62) comprises - a part (60') adapted to fit in the hole (18'),

- a flange (60") adapted to be pressed towards the delimiting surface (13) when the nozzle element (60, 62) is arranged in the hole (18'), and

- at least one opening (64) capable of distributing an outflow of fluid from the nozzle element (60, 62), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the nozzle element (60, 62) comprises a structural element (60) and a covering element (62), wherein the structural element (60) includes the hole-fitting part (60') and the flange (60") and is made of a material exhibiting a high strength, and wherein the structural element (60) and the covering element (62) are provided with snap-locking means (63, 65, 66) for attachment to each other, and wherein the at least one opening (64) is at least partly defined by the covering element (62) when the covering element (62) is attached to the structural element (60).

13. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 12, characterized in that the structural element (60) is made of brass.

14. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the covering element (62) is made of a plastic material.

15. Fluid discharge unit (40) according anyone of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the at least one opening (64) comprises a slit formed between the structural element (60) and the covering element (62) when the covering element (62) is attached to the structural element (60).

16. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to anyone of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the at least one opening (64) comprises a plurality of through-holes distributed over the covering element (62).

17. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to anyone of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the fluid is air.

18. Fluid discharge unit (40) for a bath device, such as a whirlpool and the like, said discharge unit (40) comprising

- a nozzle element (60, 62) intended to be arranged in a hole (18') in a delimiting surface (13'), such as a floor, of the bath device, and

- means for connecting the nozzle element (60, 62) to a fluid supply system, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the connecting means comprises

- a tubular nozzle part (50) connectable to the nozzle element (60, 62), and - a tubular connection part (46) for connecting the tubular nozzle part (50) to the fluid supply system, wherein the nozzle part (50) and the connection part (46) are arranged to allow insertion in an axial direction of one part into the other part such as to form an inner part (50) and an outer part (46) when connected, wherein the inner part (50) is provided with at least three raised portions (72) distributed in the axial direction along an outer side of the inner part (50), said raised portions (72) extending at least partly in a circumferential direction of the inner part (50), wherein the outer part (46) is provided with at least one resilient locking member (70) extending in the axial direction, said resilient locking member (70) being provided with a lip member (71) protruding in a direction towards an interior of the outer part (46), wherein the circumferential raised portions (72), the resilient locking member (70) and the lip member (71) are arranged such that, when the inner part (50) is inserted into the outer part (46), the lip member (71) interacts with the raised portions (72) in such a way that the resilient locking member (70) is forced to deflect outwardly to allow the lip member (71) to pass the raised portion (72), and wherein the outer part (46) is provided with outer threads (73) positioned in connection to the resilient locking member (70) such as to allow a nut member (42) to be threaded onto the threads (73) and prevent the resilient locking member (70) from deflecting outwardly.

19. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 18, characterized in that the inner part (50) further is provided with at least one second raised portion (74) extending in the axial direction along the outer side of the inner part (50), wherein the second, axial, raised portion (74) is arranged such as to, when the lip member (71) is positioned between two circumferential raised portions (72) and the outer part (46) is rotated in relation to the inner part

(50), interact with the lip member (71) so that the resilient locking member (70) bends outwardly and to, when the lip member (71) is positioned onto the second, axial, raised portion (74), allow the outer part (46) to be released from the inner part (50).

20. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the circumferential raised portions (72) have a circular shape.

21. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to anyone of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that two resilient locking members (70) are arranged on opposite sides of the outer part (46).

22. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 19, characterized in that two second, axial, raised portions (74) are arranged on opposite sides of the inner part (50).

23. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to anyone of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the tubular nozzle part (50) forms the inner part and the tubular connection part (46) forms the outer part.

24. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to claim 23, characterized in that the resilient locking member (70) and the threads (73) are positioned at an end portion of the connection part (46) facing the nozzle element (60, 62) when the fluid discharge unit (40) is assembled.

25. Fluid discharge unit (40) according to anyone of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that the fluid is air.

26. A bath device, such as a whirlpool, a massage shower and the like, characterized in that it comprises a fluid discharge unit (1, 40) according to anyone of claims 1, 11, 12or18.