Water Drainage Device for a Sanitary Facility, Such as a Floor-Level Shower Area
A water drainage device for sanitary installations, such as in a walk-in shower stall. The device includes: a pan-shaped water drainage element that is fluidically connected or connectable, to a drain pipe; a channel cover that is inserted into the water drainage element and that covers the water drainage element; and at least one height adjustment unit for the channel cover that includes a foot part and a head part.
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The invention relates to a water drainage device for a sanitary installation, such as a walk-in shower stall, comprising:
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- an oblong, pan-shaped water drainage element, which is open toward the top when installed and to which an drain pipe is connected or can be connected;
- a channel cover, which is inserted into the water drainage element and covers the water drainage element toward the top when installed, wherein at least one opening remains in or on the channel cover for feeding waste water into the water drainage element;
- at least one height adjustment unit for the channel cover, comprising a foot part and a head part, the height of which can be adjusted in relation to the foot part.
A water drainage device of the type mentioned above is disclosed in DE 20 2010 007 534 A1 by the applicant. The foot part represents a smooth, slightly conical pin, which projects in the direction of the channel cover and is disposed on the water drainage element. The disadvantage of the known water drainage device is that the foot part remains on the water drainage element—projecting upwardly—after the channel cover has been removed, whereby cleaning is made more difficult.
Moreover, a height-adjustable water drainage device is known from DE 10 2004 049 944 A1, comprising multiple retaining means having a threaded pin and a threaded sleeve. The threaded sleeve is attached to a base of a drain pan. The upwardly projecting threaded sleeves can likewise prove to be disadvantageous for the same reason.
BRIEF SUMMARYTherefore, the object that arises is that of designing a novel water drainage device having improved access for cleaning and inspection. The water drainage device should also allow easy removal and insertion of the channel cover, together with the height adjustment unit, with one simple hand-movement and without the use of tools.
This object is achieved by a water drainage device of the type described in the preamble of claim 1, in which
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- the head part comprises a support element that is compatible with the channel cover and faces away from the foot part and that is non-positively or positively connected to the channel cover,
- the water drainage element comprises at least one recess on which the foot part is loosely supported,
- wherein the entire height adjustment unit can be removed from the channel-shaped water drainage element, and inserted into the water drainage element, together with the channel cover.
The channel cover can be planar and strip-shaped, in the manner of a section of flat steel, or it can be profiled. The profiled channel cover preferably has a C profile. However, the use of other profile types, such as an H or U profile, is also possible.
The support element can be a section of a C or U profile, which fits into the interior of the channel cover. This creates a non-positive connection between the channel cover and the support element, which can be implemented by simple clamping. For example, clamping takes place between the U limbs of the support element and the channel cover. The clamping action can be supported by the elasticity of the U limbs of the support element being greater than that of the channel cover, and by the U limbs deforming under stress.
The support element can enter into a detent connection with the channel cover by at least one detent protrusion engaging in a corresponding cut-out of the mating element. The detent protrusions are preferably provided on the U limbs of the support element, and the cut-outs are preferably provided on the U limbs of the channel cover.
In a variant embodiment, the support element can be bonded to the channel cover at least in a punctiform manner. It is likewise possible to materially integrate the support element into the channel cover if the two parts are produced in one material piece, for example made of a thermoplastic synthetic material.
An essential feature of invention is thus a detachable accommodation of the foot part in the recess of the pan-shaped water drainage element, while assuring sufficient positional stability of the channel cover. So as to achieve the object, a positive connection between the foot part and the recess is proposed.
In the present case, the positive connection between the foot part and the recess can be composed of two cylinder surfaces that are coaxial with respect to each other, such as a pin inserted into a blind hole. This creates a positive fit in all directions of a plane that is perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The cylinder surfaces can be stepped or combined with conical surfaces that mutually contact each other. The positive fit requires play-free, or substantially play-free, contact between the two surfaces. The positive connection can also be formed by two mutually compatible oval, reniform or polygonal surfaces. In any case, the foot part, and thus the entire height adjustment unit together with the channel cover, can be removed from, and be re-inserted into, the recess with one simple hand-movement.
The head part can form a screw connection, a detent connection, and more particularly a spring-loaded detent connection, or a combined screw connection with the foot part, in which the head part gliding over the foot part can be fixed on the foot part. This is advantageous in particular because the installation height of the cover element requires adjustment in relation to the surface of the finished shower base, which is covered with tiles, for example, only once, which is to say in connection with the initial installation. After the desired installation height has been established, this installation height can be fixed by bracing the foot part and the head part with respect to each other by way of a screw.
If thereafter, for example for cleaning purposes, the cover element is removed, there is no risk of the set height being inadvertently changed. The cover element comprising the fixed foot parts can rather be installed and removed any arbitrary number of times, without the height changing. However, the fixation is not precluded from being detached since this may be necessary, for example, for replacing defective parts.
The entire height adjustment unit, which is to include the channel cover, can be produced from metal, and more particularly from a stainless steel, and/or from plastic material.
The connections of the head part to the foot part are described in detail hereafter. The invention will be described in more detail in exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. In the drawings:
Expressions such as “top”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “lowermost” and the like refer to the water drainage device installed into a base plate of the shower stall, as is also shown in the drawings.
A water drainage device 100 shown in
The water drainage element 3 is recessed in a base plate 51 (see
The water drainage element 3 shown in
As is apparent from
According to
The foot part 2 can optionally be made of a slanted disk-shaped base 62 having an upwardly projecting threaded pin 63. The threaded pin 63 of the foot part is screwed into a sleeve 65 of the head part having an internal thread 64. Such a simple embodiment (height adjustment unit 10.7) is shown in
Together with the foot part 2, the head part 1 forms a screw connection 20, which can also be seen in
The height adjustment unit 10.1 is shown in a simple embodiment thereof in
The dimensions of the support element 7 are designed for a detachable detent or bayonet connection with the channel cover 4. The clamping connection holds the entire height adjustment unit 10.1 in the interior of the channel cover in a stable manner. The foot part 2, which is positively inserted into the recess 6, also contributes to the stability.
A height adjustment unit 10.2 shown in
According to
All height adjustment units 10.1 to 10.4 are formed by screw connections 20 and include the external thread 23 on the head part 1 and the internal thread 24 on the foot part 2.
According to
The retaining devices 33 in each case comprise a cross pin 34, on which the helical tension spring is suspended, wherein the length of the cross pin 34 exceeds an inner diameter of an opening 35 of the support element 7 and, in corresponding fashion, of an opening 36 of the foot part 2.
As is apparent from
The bearing pin 45.2 disposed on the foot part 2 has a through-hole 47, which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the screw 43, so that the screw 43 can be displaced along the through-hole 47. The bearing pin 45.1 disposed on the head part 1 has a threaded borehole 46 (see
In this way, the head part 1 and the foot part 2 are connected to each other. If this screw 43 is rotated, the head part 1 glides over the wedge surface 15.2 of the foot part 2 and, at the same time, a distance A (see
Finally,
The foot part 2 comprises an approximately oval disk-shaped base 70 and a body 71 protruding over the disk-shaped base 70, wherein a straight section 72 is provided in each case on the longer sides of the oval disk-shaped base 70. The body 71 has a shape streamlined in such a way that waste water can flow around the same along the two hull-like (such as port side and starboard) shaped lateral surfaces 73.1, 73.2.
The support element 7 of the head part 1 is circular and transitions into a relatively shallow sleeve 75 having an external thread 23.
When installed (see
The height adjustment unit 10.8 includes the screw connection 20 comprising the external thread 23 on the head part 1 and the internal thread 24 on the foot part 2, as can also be seen in
The foot part 2 shown in
So as to be able to adjust the foot part 2 to a minimal installation height of the water drainage device, the body 71 is simply sawed off along a plane E indicated in
As is apparent from
As is shown in
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A water drainage device (100) for a sanitary installation, comprising:
- an oblong, pan-shaped water drainage element (3), which is open toward the top when installed and to which a drain pipe (5) is fluidically connected, or can be fluidically connected;
- a channel cover (4), which is inserted into the water drainage element (3) and covers the water drainage element (3) toward the top when installed, at least one opening (9) remaining in or on the channel cover for feeding waste water into the water drainage element (3); and
- at least one height adjustment unit (10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.7; 10.8) for a channel cover (4), comprising a foot part (2) and a head part (1), the height of which in relation to the foot part (2) can be adjusted,
- wherein: the head part (1) comprises a support element (7) that is compatible with the channel cover (4) and faces away from the foot part (2) and that is non-positively or positively connected to the channel cover (4); the water drainage element (3) comprises at least one recess (6) on which the foot part (2) is loosely supported; and the entire height adjustment unit (10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.7; 10.8) being removable from the channel-shaped water drainage element (3), and being insertable into the water drainage element (3), together with the channel cover (4).
28. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the channel cover (4) is planar and strip-shaped, or profiled, preferably in the form of a U or H profile.
29. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the head part (1) is detachably connected to the channel cover (4).
30. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the support element (7) engages in the interior (14) of the channel cover (4) in a clamping and/or latching manner.
31. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the support element (7) is a section of a U profile, at the at least one U limb (17.1, 17.2) of which at least one outwardly projecting detent protrusion (11.1, 11.2) is disposed, by way of which a pressure force is exerted on a U limb (8.1, 8.2) of the channel cover (4).
32. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 31, wherein at least one cut-out (12), in which the detent protrusion (11.1, 11.2) engages, is incorporated on at least one U limb (8.1, 8.2) of the channel cover (4).
33. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the recess (6) comprises at least two steps.
34. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the recess (6), in a projection onto the water drainage element (3) is at least partially polygonal, circular or oval.
35. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the foot parts (2) and/or the recesses (6) have a conical design at least regionally.
36. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the foot part (2) is adapted without play to the recess (6).
37. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the foot parts (2) and/or the recesses (6) comprise at least one groove (21), which is suitable for accommodating a sealing element (22).
38. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the foot parts (2) are mounted on load distribution elements (18).
39. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein, together with the foot part (2), the head part (1) forms a screw connection (20).
40. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 39, wherein the head part (1) and the foot part (2) of the height adjustment unit (10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.8) can be adjusted by way of mutually engaging threaded elements, the head part (1) preferably comprising an external thread (23) and the foot part (2) preferably comprising an internal thread (24).
41. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 39, wherein a measuring scale (25) is incorporated on the head part (1) or on the foot part (2).
42. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 41, wherein the measuring scale (25) is provided on a surface (26) or on a thread-free jacket (68) of the foot part (2) or of the head part (1).
43. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 39, wherein a locking element (19) is provided on the screw connection (20), by way of which the head part (1) can be fixed in relation to the foot part (2).
44. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 39, wherein the height of the head part (1) or the foot part (2) is adjustable by severing the head part (1) or the foot part (2) along a groove (77), which is defined by a plane (E) extending parallel to the visible surface (69) of the installed channel cover (4).
45. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 43, wherein the locking element (19) is a threaded bushing (27) or an expansion cone (57), which braces the foot part (2) with respect to the head part (1) by way of a screw (28).
46. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 43, wherein the locking element (19) is a grub screw (29), which can be rotated through a threaded borehole (37) extending transversely to the internal thread (24) of the foot part (2) until the grub screw (29) exerts a pressing force on the head part (1), so that the head part (1) and the foot part (2) are braced with respect to each other.
47. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the head part (1), together with the foot part (2), forms a detent connection (30), in which the head part (1) and the foot part (2) are braced with respect to each other under a spring force (F) that is directed perpendicularly to the support element (7), the head part (1) and the foot part (2) each comprising detent elements (31; 32) having offset heights.
48. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 47, wherein the head part (1) and the foot part (2) of the height adjustment unit (10.5) in each case comprise a retaining device (33) for a spring (48), preferably a helical tension spring.
49. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 48, wherein the retaining device (33) comprises a cotter pin or a cross pin (34), on which the helical tension spring is suspended, the cross pin (34) being longer than the inner diameter of an opening (35) of the support element (7) and, in corresponding fashion, of an opening (36) of the foot part (2).
50. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the foot part (2) comprises a threaded sleeve (38), a clamping element (39), a clamping plate (40) having a threaded borehole (41) and a screw (42), a deformation of the clamping element (39) taking place as a result of the tightening of the screw (42), which brings about an anti-turn mechanism of the thread.
51. A water drainage device (100) according to claim 27, wherein the head part (1) and the foot part (2) comprise mutually contacting wedge surfaces (15.1, 15.2), which can be fixed in relation to each other by a fixing device (16).
52. The water drainage device (100) according to claim 51, wherein:
- the fixing device (16) comprises a screw (43) and two pivot bearings (44.1; 44.2), which extend perpendicularly to the U limbs (17.1, 17.2) of the support element (7) and each comprise a bearing pin (45.1; 45.2), the one pivot bearing (44.1) being disposed on the head part (1), and the other pivot bearing (44.2) being disposed on the foot part (2);
- the one bearing pin has a threaded borehole (46) for accommodating the screw (43), and the other bearing pin has a through-hole (47), which is slightly larger than the thread diameter of the screw (43); and
- the head part (1) and the foot part (2) are connected to each other via the screw (43), so that the rotating of the screw (43) brings about a change in a distance (A) between the center lines of the bearing pins (45.1; 45.2), and thus an upward or downward gliding of the head part (1) relative to the foot part (2).
Type: Application
Filed: May 29, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Applicant: wedi GmbH (Emsdetten)
Inventor: Stephan Wedi (Emsdetten)
Application Number: 14/290,116
International Classification: E03F 5/04 (20060101);