Drainage Outlet for Installation in a Floor Opening of a Shower Stall

Abstract

A drainage outlet for installation in a floor opening of a shower stall. The drainage outlet includes an inlet part to be inserted in the floor opening that has an inlet opening open toward the top, into which a cover element is inserted, the height of which, inside the inlet opening, can be adjusted, and which covers the inlet opening while exposing at least one level opening. The cover element is rigidly connected, at the underside thereof, to a plurality of threaded sleeves, each having an internal thread. Threaded bushings, each having an external thread and interior cavity, are screwed adjustably over the partial lengths thereof into the internal threads of the threaded sleeves, the threaded bushings protruding downwardly from the threaded sleeves. The inlet part is provided with positioning pins, over which the interior cavities of the threaded bushings extend. A threaded sleeve, a threaded bushing, and a positioning pin together form an adjustment element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to German Utility model No. 20 2010 007 534.3, which was filed on Jun. 2, 2010, and which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a drainage outlet for installation in a floor opening of a shower stall, comprising an inlet part to be inserted in the floor opening that has an inlet opening open toward the top, into which a cover element is inserted, the height of which can be adjusted with respect to the inlet opening, and which covers the inlet opening while exposing at least one level opening.

A height-adjustable inlet grate is known from EP 1 782 721 (FIG. 8).

An aspect of the invention is to allow for adjustment of the cover element with respect to the floor opening and the inlet part, so that a wide variety of construction heights can be easily considered, allowing for height adjustment using just a few parts, which is easy-to-understand and moreover re-adjustable, and which prevents the inlet part from shifting.

The aspect is achieved by a height-adjustable drainage outlet having the following characteristics:

• • the cover element is rigidly connected, at the underside thereof, to a plurality of threaded sleeves, each having an internal thread;
  • threaded bushings, each having an external thread and interior cavity, are screwed adjustably over the partial lengths thereof into the internal threads of the threaded sleeves, the threaded bushings protruding downwardly beyond the threaded sleeves,
  • the inlet part is provided with positioning pins, over which the interior cavities of the threaded bushings extend.

Hereinafter, a threaded sleeve, a threaded bushing, and a positioning pin together form an adjustment element.

The positioning pins can be connected, for example, to a flange rim of the inlet part. Metals are particularly suitable materials for the positioning pins, however it is also possible to use synthetic parts.

The cover element can be constructed, for example, as a grate having areal openings, or as a closed cover element having an angled edge flange, wherein the outlet water drains between the edge flange and surrounding parts.

The positioning pin preferably has a cylindrically rounded configuration and is tapered toward the top in the tip region, so that no tilting can occur when it is pulled up, for example for readjustment.

It is particularly advantageous to associate the cover element with removable threaded bushings that can be selected according to the lengths thereof. For example, a kit may be supplied, which, without significantly increasing costs, contains two or more threaded bushings so as to create greater latitude for the required increase in height.

The threaded bushing can additionally be locked with a nut.

In the case of a round inlet opening, at least three or four adjustment elements are disposed peripherally on the insert part in a radially symmetrical manner.

The embodiment can also be employed for an inlet opening in the shape of a longitudinal channel having a U-shaped channel-like inlet part that is provided with a bottom, wherein at least two adjustment elements connect the bottom of the inlet part to the upper part of the elongated cover element or of the channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section of a round outlet provided with four adjustment elements;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a round cover element comprising the adjustment elements;

FIGS. 3a to 3c show possible adjustments, in the sectional view according to FIG. 1 (detail C); and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an adjustment element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

The terms “top” and “bottom” used hereinafter are defined by the conventional arrangement of an inlet in the illustration of the shower outlet that is shown, which is to say with the cover element at the “top” and the inlet opening at the “bottom”. However, it should be noted that the parts of the adjustment element described hereafter may also be disposed in reverse order from “bottom to top”.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a drainage outlet 100 for installation in a floor opening 4 of a shower stall.

The drainage outlet 100 is always kept open. An inlet part 1 is recessed in the floor opening 4 and rests with the flange collar 2 on the widened upper edge of a pipe socket 3, in which an odor trap 40 and a lateral outlet pipe (not shown) are located. The part of the drainage outlet 100 located beneath the floor opening 4 does not form part of the invention and may therefore also be designed in a different manner.

Above the flange rim 2, a cover element 5 is inserted in the stepped floor opening 4. In the present case, the cover element is configured in the shape of a round disk and provided with a flange rim 5.1. However, it is also possible to configure such a cover element as a grate, which ends in a planar manner at the rim. In both cases, a “level opening” 6 is obtained, into which the water can flow and drain downward.

Oval, rectangular or polygonal cover element units can also be accordingly provided with an adjustment device described hereinafter.

Four adjustment elements 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4, by which the height of the cover element 5 can be adjusted with respect to the flange collar 2, are connected to the upper side of the flange rim 2 of the inlet part 1. As is shown in the sectional view according to FIG. 4, a plurality of positioning pins 8 are fastened in an upwardly extending manner on a flange collar 2, for example by way of welding or bonding. The positioning pins 8 are made of brass or other corrosion-resistant materials and are configured in a tapered manner toward the top; they are smooth on the outside.

The opposing underside 5.2 of the cover element 5 is provided with four threaded sleeves 9 comprising internal threads 9.1. The threaded sleeve 9 has a height of h₁. A threaded bushing 10 comprising an external thread 10.2 and interior cavity 10.1 is screwed over part of the length thereof into the internal thread 9.1 of the threaded sleeve 9. The threaded bushing 10 has a length of l₁≧h₁ and thus protrudes downward beyond the threaded sleeve 9, even if screwed in partially.

The interior cavity 10.1 of the partially screwed-in threaded bushing 10 is pushed over a positioning pin 8 until the lower edge of the threaded bushing 10 abuts the flange collar 2. This establishes the height of the cover element 5 with respect to the inlet part 1. To lock the position of the threaded bushing 10 with respect to the threaded sleeve 9, a nut 11 can further be screwed onto the threaded bushing 10. For this purpose, fixable nuts are preferably selected.

The cover element 5 can be lifted out of the floor opening 4 as needed, in particular to clean the drainage outlet. It is also easily possible to readjust the height. Lifting off the cover element is facilitated, because tilting with respect to the positioning pin 8 is prevented by the design.

FIGS. 3a to 3c schematically illustrate a detail C according to FIG. 1 at different height adjustments. Using threaded bushings 10, and notably threaded bushings 10 having different lengths, it is possible to set multiple height and distance ranges between the cover element 5 and inlet part 1. Continuous adjustment is possible.

FIG. 3a shows that the threaded sleeve 9 can be pushed onto the positioning pin 8 with the threaded bushing completely screwed in. This applies, for example, with a standard distance from the flange 2 to the underside 5.1 of 15 mm, for example. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3b, a threaded bushing 10 having a length of 14 mm is screwed in, so that a total distance range of approximately 15 to 25 mm is covered in this case.

If instead of the threaded bushing having a length of 14 mm, one measuring 22 mm is used (FIG. 3c), an adjustment range of 25 to 37 mm is obtained.

Depending on the requirements, it is also possible to select additional threaded bushings, or those having other dimensions.

In the overall, this facilitates the use of cover elements having varying heights with respect to the inlet part, in keeping with the floor and outlet configuration. To this end, the solution according to the invention can be employed both for round and elongated-channel shaped drainage outlets.

Although selected embodiment(s) of the present invention has/have been shown and described, it is to be understood the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment(s). Instead, it is to be appreciated that changes may be made to this/these embodiment(s) without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A drainage outlet (100) for installation in a floor opening (4) of a shower stall, comprising an inlet part (1) to be inserted in the floor opening that has an inlet opening open toward the top, into which a cover element is inserted, the height of which, inside the inlet opening, can be adjusted, and which covers the inlet opening while exposing at least one level opening, characterized in that

the cover element (5) is rigidly connected, at the underside thereof, to a plurality of threaded sleeves (9), each having an internal thread (9.1);

threaded bushings (10), each having an external thread (10.2) and interior cavity (10.1), are screwed adjustably over the partial lengths thereof into the internal threads (9.1) of the threaded sleeves (9), the threaded bushings protruding downwardly from the threaded sleeves (9), and

the inlet part is provided with positioning pins (8), over which the interior cavities (10.1) of the threaded bushings extend,

wherein a threaded sleeve (9), a threaded bushing (10), and a positioning pin (8) together form an adjustment element (7).

2. The drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning pins (8) are connected to a flange rim (2) of the inlet part (1).

3. The drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (5) is provided at least partially with an angled edge flange.

4. A drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning pins (8) have a cylindrically rounded configuration and are tapered toward the top, but the threaded bushings (10) extend thereover without play.

5. A drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover element (5) with the threaded sleeve (9) is associated with removable threaded bushings (10) that can be selected according to the lengths thereof.

6. A drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of a round inlet opening, at least three adjustment elements (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) are disposed peripherally on the inlet part (1) in a radially symmetrical manner.

7. A drainage outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that, with an inlet opening in the shape of a longitudinal channel having a U-shaped channel-like inlet part that is provided with a bottom, at least two adjustment elements (7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4) connect the bottom of the inlet part (1) to the underside of the elongated cover element (5).

8. A drainage outlet for installation in a floor opening of a shower stall, comprising

an inlet part that is insertable into the floor opening that has an inlet opening open toward the top, into which a cover element is inserted, the height of which, inside the inlet opening, can be adjusted, and which covers the inlet opening while exposing at least one level opening,

wherein the cover element is rigidly connected, at the underside thereof, to a plurality of threaded sleeves each of which has an internal thread,

wherein threaded bushings, each of which has an external thread and interior cavity, are screwed adjustably over partial lengths thereof into the internal threads of the threaded sleeves so that the threaded bushings protrude downwardly from the threaded sleeves,

wherein the inlet part includes positioning pins over which the interior cavities of the threaded bushings extend, and

wherein one of the threaded sleeves, the threaded bushings, and the positioning pins together form an adjustment element.