US20230193602A1

US20230193602A1 - Sanitary fitting with plastic inner part

Info

Publication number: US20230193602A1
Application number: US17/914,824
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Schulte; David MAINKA
Original assignee: Grohe AG
Current assignee: Grohe AG
Priority date: 2020-03-27
Filing date: 2021-03-02
Publication date: 2023-06-22
Also published as: CN115461512A; DE102020108548A1; EP4127331A1; WO2021190877A1

Abstract

A kit for variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, comprising:

- a connection element that can be connected to the water connection and has an inner surface for guiding an adapter element of the kit in a longitudinal direction,
- an adapter element, which has an outer surface matching the inner surface of the connection element, such that the connection element can guide the adapter element in the longitudinal direction, wherein the adapter element further has a connecting means, by means of which the adapter element can be connected to a sanitary faucet connection of the sanitary faucet,
- a connecting element, which can be detachably connected to the connection element, wherein the connecting element is set up to guide the adapter element in the longitudinal direction and to secure it relative to the connection element.

Description

This invention relates to a kit for variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, to a system for installing a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, to a method for installing a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element by means of such a kit, and to a use of such a kit for installing a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element. In particular, the invention contributes to the provision of a telescopic sealing joint for flush mounting.
When installing a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, it is usually necessary to bridge a distance between the sanitary faucet and the water connection (so-called installation depth) that varies from case to case or depends on the individual installation situation. To be able to implement this while using components that are as uniform as possible, the sanitary faucets for such application purposes are often supplied with an installation kit that includes a connecting line that is sufficiently long to be able to provide a connection to the water supply between the sanitary faucet and the water connection at the maximum intended installation depth.
Because this connecting line is too long for many applications, it is usually necessary for the connecting line to be shortened or cut to the required length at the installation site, either manually or mechanically, for instance by sawing or cutting, by an installer. Furthermore, manual sealing of the components, for instance using sealing tape (e.g., Teflon) and/or hemp, is often required in this context. As a rule, appropriate sealing requires execution by a skilled craftsman. Furthermore, measurement errors may occur when determining the installation depth and/or when adjusting the components during the assembly described.
Based thereon, this invention addresses the problem of at least partially solving the problems indicated with reference to the prior art. In particular a kit, a system and a method for the variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, which provide a usability that is as universal as possible and at the same time as simple as possible, are to be specified. In particular, a layman should be able to install the kit, if possible.
These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the dependent claims. It will be appreciated that the features listed individually in the dependent claims may be combined in any technologically useful manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features indicated in the claims are further specified and explained in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
A kit for a variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, comprising at least the following elements contributes to solving the problem:

- a connection element that can be connected to the water connection and has an inner surface for guiding an adapter element of the kit in a longitudinal direction,
- an adapter element having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the connection element such that the adapter element can be guided longitudinally by the connection element, wherein the adapter element further has a connecting means, which can be used to connect the adapter element to a sanitary faucet connection of the sanitary faucet,
- a connecting element which can be detachably connected to the connection element, wherein the connecting element is arranged to guide the adapter element in the longitudinal direction and to secure it relative to the connection element.

For instance, the kit may be a pre-assembled assembly or a pre-assembled kit. For instance, the kit may further comprise a (flush-mounted) box, in which at least the connection element can be held. The connection element can also be used to hold the adapter element and/or the connecting element in the box and in that way be provided as a pre-assembled assembly, by way of example. In this context, provision can be made for at least a part of the assembly to be first removed again at the installation location. For instance, the adapter element and/or the connecting element for connection to the sanitary faucet and/or to a body at least partially accommodating the sanitary faucet can be removed and then re-installed together with the sanitary faucet or the body and the sanitary faucet in or at the box.
The variable-length installation advantageously enables the kit to bridge various distances between the water connection and the sanitary faucet, depending in particular on the individual installation location. For instance, the connection element, the adapter element and the connecting element (in the installed state) can form a telescope-like connection or telescopic connection, in particular a multi-stage telescopic connection, and/or be set up and/or interact to form such a connection. For instance, the adapter element can be guided in the connection element in the manner of a telescopic guide. A linear motion of the adapter element in this telescopic guide can be achieved, for instance, by rotating the adapter element relative to the connecting element. Furthermore, for instance, the body for at least partially mounting the sanitary faucet can be guided in the adapter element in the manner of a telescopic guide. In this context, for instance, the body for at least partially mounting the sanitary faucet and the adapter element may form a first stage of a multi-stage telescopic connection, and the adapter element and the connection element may form a second stage of the multi-stage telescopic connection. The connection element and the adapter element can (possibly together with the sanitary faucet connection) jointly form a telescopically length-adjustable (water-conveying) connecting line or a telescopically length-adjustable water route between a water connection and a sanitary faucet.
Sanitary faucets are conventionally used to provide a mixed water supply on demand at a washbasin, a sink, a shower or a bathtub. The sanitary faucet may be a hand shower for a shower for instance. It can be integrated, for instance, in a side wall of a shower stall. In this way, the shower faucet can be used to discharge water from the side onto a user, for instance. In particular, the shower faucet does not produce mixed water from cold water and hot water. Rather, only mixed water is preferably supplied to the shower faucet. The shower faucet may include adjustment means for adjusting, for instance, the amount and/or spray or jet characteristics of the water to be discharged. The adjustment means may be formed, for instance, in the form of at least one knob or at least one button and/or in the form of a rotatable actuator, such as a rotatable ring.
The kit comprises a connection element that can be connected to the water connection and has an inner surface for guiding an adapter element of the kit in a longitudinal direction. The water connection can, for instance, be an open end of a water pipe of the building. This is usually provided with a (standardized) male thread. The connection element can have a matching female thread (in a connecting area). The inner surface may, for instance, be at least a part of an inner wall of a channel extending within the adapter element. For instance, this channel may be substantially orthogonal to the connection area of the connection element. The connection area can, for instance, be connected to the channel via an opening in the rear area of the connection element. In this context, the rear area refers in particular to the area facing away from and/or opposite from the adapter element in the installed state. The rear area usually forms a closed end of the channel, whereas the other end of the channel (opposite therefrom) is open for insertion of the adapter element. The inner surface may further form a sealing surface, for instance. For instance, a seal provided at the periphery of an end face of the adapter element, such as an O-ring seal, may be in (sealing) contact with the inner surface during a longitudinal motion of the adapter element inside the connection element.
The kit also comprises an adapter element having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the connection element such that the connection element can guide the adapter element longitudinally, wherein the adapter element further has a connecting means, which can be used to connect the adapter element to a sanitary faucet connection of the sanitary faucet. The adapter element can, for instance, be formed (as a whole) in a tubular and/or sleeve shape. The outer surface of the adapter element can have, at least sectionally, a male thread which can interact, for instance, with a female thread of the connecting element in such a way that the adapter element can be moved or displaced linearly or in the longitudinal direction relative to the connecting element and/or the connection element by a rotary motion of the adapter element about the longitudinal axis. The adapter element can have a (radially) outwards pointing collar on its end face (pointing towards the connection element in the installed state), which collar is dimensioned in such a way that it can form a stop for the connecting element and thus advantageously prevent the adapter element from twisting out and/or falling out of the connecting element, by way of example. The adapter element can have a circumferential groove on its end face (facing the connection element in the installed state) into which a seal, such as an O-ring, can be inserted. The connecting means of the adapter element can be formed, for instance, by means of a female thread of the adapter element. This may, for instance, interact with a male thread of the exemplary tubular sanitary faucet connection. An outer surface of the sanitary faucet connection can form a (further) sealing surface. A (further) seal, such as a (further) O-ring seal, may be arranged in and/or on this (further) sealing surface, which is in (sealing) contact with the inner surface of the adapter element during the longitudinal motion of the sanitary faucet connection inside the adapter element. In this context, provision can be made in particular for the inner surface of the adapter element to have a first section intended for sealing purposes and a second section (arranged longitudinally therebehind), in which the connecting means (female thread of the adapter element) is formed. The adapter element can have a (radially) inward-facing collar on its end face (facing the connection element in the installed state), which is dimensioned to be able to form a stop for the sanitary faucet connection and thus limit its longitudinal motion within the adapter element.
The kit further comprises a connecting element that can be detachably connected to the connection element, wherein the connecting element is set up to guide the adapter element in the longitudinal direction and to secure the adapter element relative to the connection element (if necessary). For instance, the adapter element can secured in the longitudinal direction until a rotary motion or a (sufficient) torque is applied to the adapter element. The connecting element can, for instance, be ring-shaped and/or formed in the manner of a nut, in particular in the manner of a union nut. The detachable connection between the connecting element and the connection element can be formed, for instance, by means of a screw connection, bayonet connection or the like. Preferably, a screw connection or bayonet connection is provided in this context. For instance, the detachable connection between the connecting element and the connection element can be set up such that it can be closed when the sanitary faucet connection and/or the adapter element are rotated in their screw-in direction. Furthermore, provision can be made for it to be able to open when the sanitary faucet connection and/or the adapter element is/are rotated in their unscrewing direction. This can be achieved, for instance, by adjusting the pitch or the directions of rotation of a screw connection or via matching stop surfaces of a bayonet connection. The other (threaded) connections of the kit or system can also be adjusted accordingly (for instance, via their screw-in torques) to contribute to such a functionality. This can help in a particularly advantageous way to enable blind installation, in which only a rotational motion is initiated from the outside (for instance, via the body or the sanitary faucet) and the connecting element is tightened or loosened depending on the direction of rotation (before any longitudinal adjustment of the sanitary faucet connection and/or adapter element).
According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the adapter element has a sealing means in the area of an end face that can be guided in the connection element for sealing against the inner surface of the connection element. The sealant may include, for instance, an O-ring that (sealingly) contacts the inner surface during the longitudinal motion of the adapter element within the connection element.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a screw connection is formed between the outer side of the adapter element and an inner side of the connecting element, by means of which the longitudinal position of the adapter element relative to the connection element can be changed. Thus, in an advantageous manner, a linear movability for adjusting the installation depth as required during assembly and linear securability of the adapter element after this installation depth has been reached can be achieved during assembly relative to the connection element.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the connecting element is set up in such a way that it secures the adapter element in a longitudinal position relative to the connection element until a predeterminable minimum torque is applied to the adapter element. For instance, screw connections provided between the sanitary faucet connection and the adapter element and between the adapter element and the connecting element can be set such that a (required) screw-in torque of the adapter element is greater than a (required) screw-in torque of the sanitary faucet connection.
According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that a female thread is formed on an inner side of the adapter element, by means of which female thread the adapter element can be screwed to the sanitary faucet connection in such a way that the longitudinal position of the sanitary faucet connection can be changed relative to the adapter element. The longitudinal position of the sanitary faucet connection usually also changes the longitudinal position of the body for at least partially accommodating the sanitary faucet and/or the sanitary faucet (if it is installed in or on the sanitary faucet connection).
According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the kit further comprises a box, in which at least the connection element, the adapter element and the connecting element can be arranged. The box can be, for instance, a flush-mounted box. The box can, for instance, be part of a pre-assembled kit explained in more detail above. Even though the solution described here advantageously eliminates the need to cut the water-conveying connecting line between the water connection and the sanitary faucet, it may still be advantageous to cut the box to suit the installation depth.
According to a further aspect, a system for installing a sanitary faucet to a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element is also proposed, comprising at least the sanitary faucet and a kit described herein. For instance, the system may be provided as a pre-assembled system.
Further, the system may include a body for at least partially mounting the sanitary faucet, wherein the sanitary faucet connection is disposed on the body and directed away from the sanitary faucet, and wherein the body and the kit interact such that rotational motion of the body causes a change in the longitudinal position of the body relative to the sanitary faucet connection. The body can, for instance, be cup-shaped or have a mount (open on one side) for at least part of the sanitary faucet. Starting from a bottom of the cup or mount, the sanitary faucet connection may extend away from the bottom, for instance, in the form of a tube (longitudinally).
According to a further aspect, a method for installing a sanitary faucet to a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element by means of a kit comprising a connection element, an adapter element and a connecting element is also proposed, comprising at least the steps outlined below:

a) connecting the connection element, which has an inner surface for guiding an adapter element of the kits in a longitudinal direction, to the water connection,
b) arranging the adapter element, which has an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the connection element, such that the adapter element can be guided by the connection element in the longitudinal direction,
c) securing the adapter element relative to the connection element by means of the connecting element, which is detachably connected to the connection element for this purpose, wherein the connecting element is set up in such a way that it can guide the adapter element in the longitudinal direction,
d) connecting a sanitary faucet connector of the sanitary faucet to a connecting means of the adapter element.

Steps a) to d) may be performed (in a regular course of the procedure) at least once in the specified order. Furthermore, steps a) to d) can also be performed at least partially in parallel or simultaneously. The procedure can be performed, for instance, using a kit described here.
According to a further aspect, a use of a kit described herein is also proposed for the (variable length) installation of a sanitary faucet to a concealed water connection or behind a pre-wall element.
The details, features and advantageous embodiments discussed in connection with the kit may similarly also occur in the system, method and/or use presented herein, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made in full to the explanations given there for a more detailed characterization of the features.

The invention and its technical environment presented here are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be restricted by the shown exemplary embodiments. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in or in the context of the Figures and combine them with other components and/or findings from other Figures and/or this description. Schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a kit described herein,

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an example of a system described here with the kit from FIG. 1 at its maximum installation depth,

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the example in FIG. 2 at minimum installation depth,

FIGS. 4 a, b show perspective detail views of the example in FIG. 2 ,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an example of a kit described herein,

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an example of a system described here with the kit of FIG. 5 at its maximum installation depth,

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the example in FIG. 5 at minimum installation depth,

FIGS. 8 a,b show perspective detail views of the example of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a kit 1 described here. The kit 1 is used for the variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet 2 (cf. FIG. 2 ) on a concealed water connection or behind a pre-wall element. The kit 1 comprises a connection element 3 that can be connected to the water connection and has an inner surface 4 for guiding an adapter element 5 of the kit 1 in a longitudinal direction 6. Furthermore, the kit 1 comprises an adapter element 5, which has an outer surface 7 matching the inner surface 4 of the connection element 3, such that the connection element 3 can guide the adapter element 5 in the longitudinal direction 6, wherein the adapter element 5 further has a connecting means 8, by means of which the adapter element 5 can be connected to a sanitary faucet connection 9 of the sanitary faucet 2. In addition, the kit 1 comprises a connecting element 10 that can be detachably connected to the connection element 3, wherein the connecting element 10 is set up to guide the adapter element 5 in the longitudinal direction 6 and to secure it relative to the connection element 3.
FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of an example of a system 17 described here with the kit 1 of FIG. 1 at its maximum installation depth. The reference numerals are used uniformly to be able to make reference to the explanations above. The system 17 also includes, for instance, a body 18 for at least partially mounting the sanitary faucet 2, wherein the sanitary faucet connection 9 is disposed on the body 18 and directed away from the sanitary faucet 2, and wherein the body 18 and the kit 1 interact such that rotational motion of the body 18 causes a change in the longitudinal position of the body 18 relative to the sanitary faucet connection. In addition, it is shown by way of example that the kit 1 can also comprise a (flush-mounted) box 16, in which at least the connection element 3, the adapter element 5 and the connecting element 10 can be arranged.
FIG. 2 also shows by way of example that the adapter element 5 can have a sealing means 12 in the area of an end face 11 that can be guided in the connection element 3 for sealing with respect to the inner surface 4 of the connection element 3. In addition, a screw connection 14 can be formed between the outer surface 7 of the adapter element 5 and an inner surface 13 of the connecting element 10, for instance, by means of which the longitudinal position of the adapter element 5 can be changed relative to the connection element 3. Furthermore, the connecting element 10 can be set up in such a way that it secures the adapter element 5 in a longitudinal position relative to the connection element 3 until a predefinable minimum torque is applied to the adapter element 5. In addition, a female thread 5 can be formed on an inner surface 14 of the adapter element 5, by means of which the adapter element 5 can be screwed to the sanitary faucet connection 9 in such a way that the longitudinal position of the sanitary faucet connection 9 can be changed relative to the adapter element 5. For instance, a (further) sealing means 21 is arranged between the sanitary faucet connection 9 and the adapter element 5.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the example in FIG. 2 at minimum installation depth. The reference numerals are used uniformly to be able to make reference to the explanations above.
FIGS. 4 a, b show schematic perspective detail views of the example of FIG. 2 . FIGS. 4 a, b are used to illustrate the mode of operation of the bayonet connection 19 used as an example in FIGS. 1 to 3 for the detachable connection between the connecting element 10 and the connection element 3. By way of example, the bayonet connection 19 is arranged such that it can close when the body 18 is rotated in the direction in which it is screwed in. Furthermore, it can open when the body 18 is rotated in its unscrewing direction. This is implemented here via corresponding stop surfaces of the bayonet connection 19.
FIG. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of a further example of a kit 1 described here. The reference numerals are used uniformly to be able to make reference to the explanations above. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 , a screw connection 20 is used here as an example instead of the bayonet connection 19.
FIG. 6 schematically shows a sectional view of an example of a system 17 described here with the kit 1 of FIG. 5 at its maximum installation depth. FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the example in FIG. 5 at minimum installation depth.
FIGS. 8 a, b show schematic perspective detail views of the example of FIG. 5 . FIGS. 8 a, b are used to illustrate the mode of operation of the screw connection 20 used as an example in FIGS. 5 to 7 for the detachable connection between the connecting element 10 and the connection element 3. By way of example, the screw connection 20 is arranged such that it can close when the body 18 is rotated in the direction in which it is screwed in. Furthermore, it can open when the body 18 is rotated in its unscrewing direction. This can be realized, for instance, by adjusting the pitch or the directions of rotation of the screw connection 20 accordingly.
Thus a kit, a system and a method for the variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a concealed water connection or behind a pre-wall element are specified, which at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular a kit, a system and a method for the variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, which provide a usability that is as universal as possible and at the same time as simple as possible, can be specified. In particular, the kit can be installed even by a layman.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 kit
2 sanitary faucet
3 connection element
4 inner surface
5 adapter element
6 longitudinal direction
7 outer surface
8 connecting means
9 sanitary faucet connection
10 connection element
11 front end
12 sealant
13 inner surface
14 inner surface
15 female thread
16 box
17 system
18 body
19 bayonet connection
20 screw connection
21 sealant

Claims

1. A kit (1) for the variable-length installation of a sanitary faucet (2) on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, comprising at least the elements outlines below:

a connection element (3) that can be connected to the water connection and has an inner surface (4) for guiding an adapter element (5) of the kit (1) in a longitudinal direction (6),

an adapter element (5), which has an outer surface (7) matching the inner surface (4) of the connection element (3), such that the connection element (3) can guide the adapter element (5) in the longitudinal direction (6), wherein the adapter element (5) further has a connecting means (8), by means of which the adapter element (5) can be connected to a sanitary faucet connection (9) of the sanitary faucet (2),

a connecting element (10), which can be detachably connected to the connection element (3), wherein the connecting element (10) is set up to guide the adapter element (5) in the longitudinal direction (6) and to secure it relative to the connection element (3).

2. The kit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the adapter element (5) has, in the area of an end face (11) that can be guided in the connection element (3), a sealing means (12) for sealing with respect to the inner surface (4) of the connection element (3).

3. The kit (1) according to claim 1, wherein a screw connection is formed between the outer surface (7) of the adapter element (5) and an inner surface (13) of the connecting element (10), by means of which screw connection the longitudinal position of the adapter element (5) can be changed relative to the connection element (3).

4. The kit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (10) is set up such that it secures the adapter element (5) in a longitudinal position relative to the connection element (3) until a predeterminable minimum torque is applied to the adapter element (5).

5. The kit (1) according to claim 1, wherein a female thread (15) is formed on an inner surface (14) of the adapter element (5), by means of which the adapter element (5) can be screwed to the sanitary faucet connection (9) in such a way that the longitudinal position of the sanitary faucet connection (9) can be changed relative to the adapter element (5).

6. The kit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the kit (1) further comprises a box (16) in which at least the connection element (3), the adapter element (5) and the connecting element (10) can be arranged.

7. A system (17) for installing a sanitary faucet (2) on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element, comprising at least the sanitary faucet (2) and a kit (1) according to claim 1.

8. The system (17) of claim 7, further comprising a body (18) for at least partially mounting the sanitary faucet (2), wherein the sanitary faucet connector (9) is disposed on the body (18) and directed away from the sanitary faucet (2), and wherein the body (18) and the kit (1) interact such that rotational motion of the body (18) causes a change in longitudinal position of the body (18) relative to the sanitary faucet.

9. A method for installing a sanitary faucet (2) on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element by means of a kit (1) using a connection element (3), an adapter element (5) and a connecting element (10), comprising at least the steps outlined below:

a) connecting the connection element (3), which has an inner surface (4) for guiding the adapter element (5) in a longitudinal direction (6), to the water connection,

b) arranging the adapter element (5), which has an outer surface (7) matching the inner surface (4) of the connection element, such that the adapter element (5) can be guided by the connection element (3) in the longitudinal direction (6),

c) securing the adapter element (5) relative to the connection element (3) by means of the connecting element (10), which is detachably connected to the connection element (3) for this purpose, wherein the connecting element (10) is set up in such a way that it can guide the adapter element (5) in the longitudinal direction (6),

d) connecting a sanitary faucet connection (9) of the sanitary faucet (2) to a connecting means (8) of the adapter element (5).

10. A use of a kit (1) according to claim 1 for installing a sanitary faucet (2) on a water connection arranged flush-mounted or behind a pre-wall element.