Overflow fitting, method for manufacturing an overflow fitting and bathtub

Abstract

Overflow fitting (1) for a bathtub (12), comprising a housing (15) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for water, to which at least one drain pipe (2) and at least one inlet pipe (3) for water can be connected, wherein a cover (6) with a top surface (7) and a rim (8) projecting at an angle from the top surface (7) is arranged on the housing, wherein the rim (8) has a maximum width (9) in the area of ​​the outlet (5) and a minimum width (10) in the area of ​​the inlet (4). The maximum width (10) of the rim (8) is greater than the minimum width (9) of the rim (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an overflow fitting for a bathtub, comprising a housing with an inlet and an outlet for water, to which at least one drain pipe and at least one inlet pipe for water can be connected, wherein a cover with a top surface and an rim projecting at an angle from the top surface is arranged on the housing, the rim having a maximum width in the area of ​​the outlet and a minimum width in the area of ​​the inlet. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an overflow fitting and a bathtub.

[0002] EP 3 632 277 A1 discloses a bathtub with an overflow opening. Overflow fittings for bathtubs include a drain and an inlet pipe that converge in a housing. The inlet pipe directs incoming water through an inlet opening in the housing, located at one end of the inlet pipe, into the interior of the bathtub. Simultaneously, the drain pipe, and in particular an outlet opening located at one end of the drain pipe in the housing, prevents excessive water from entering the bathtub and causing it to overflow. To conceal the inlet and drain area, especially the inlet and outlet openings, a plastic cover can be installed in this area.These covers usually have a side recess or notch, so that the cover can also be mounted in the area of ​​the supply line and especially the supply opening.

[0003] The problem with inlet pipes that conform to the state of the art is that plastic covers have a low durability and can break easily.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved overflow fitting that can be manufactured easily, as well as an optimized method for manufacturing an overflow fitting and a bathtub.

[0005] The present invention solves this problem with an overflow fitting having the features of claim 1, as well as a method for manufacturing an overflow fitting having the features of claim 16 and a bathtub having the features of claim 18.

[0006] According to the invention, the overflow fitting for a bathtub comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet for water, to which at least one drain pipe and at least one inlet pipe for water can be connected. A cover with a top surface and an rim projecting at an angle from the top surface is arranged on the housing. The rim has a maximum width in the area of ​​the outlet and a minimum width in the area of ​​the inlet, the maximum width of the rim being greater than the minimum width. This allows for easy installation of the cover in the area of ​​the inlet and outlet pipes, providing sufficient space for the inlet while simultaneously optimizing the concealment of the outlet, so that water can flow in through the inlet and out through the outlet essentially without obstruction.

[0007] In particular, the width of the rim can increase uniformly between the minimum and maximum widths, making the lid especially easy to manufacture. Preferably, the width of the rim increases uniformly on both sides of the minimum width towards the maximum width.

[0008] Preferably, the cover is made of enamelled sheet steel. This makes it particularly robust and gives it a high-quality appearance. Furthermore, the overflow fitting of the present invention can be designed to save space even when the cover is made of enamelled sheet steel, thanks to the inventive cover. The special shape of the cover allows for precise manufacturing using simple means, and when mounted on the overflow fitting, it can essentially conceal the drain and inlet so that they are not directly visible to a user. Preferably, the cover can be easily manufactured, particularly from enamelled sheet steel, by at least one pressure forming and / or stamping and / or embossing process.

[0009] The edge can be formed at an angle of, in particular, 60° to 120° and preferably perpendicular to the cover side of the lid, so that the overflow fitting and, in particular, the cover side of the lid can be easily inserted into an opening in a bathtub and could preferably also optionally be mounted essentially flush with a side wall of the bathtub, for example, if the cover is arranged in a recess, whereby at the same time the drain and the inlet can be optimally concealed by means of the lid.

[0010] In one embodiment, a fastening means is arranged on the lid, by means of which the lid can be detachably fixed to the housing. This simplifies cleaning of the overflow fitting.

[0011] The fastening element can be integrally or materially bonded to the lid, making it particularly easy to manufacture and allowing for especially simple and reliable lid assembly. In particular, the fastening element can be bonded to the lid, making manufacturing particularly simple and cost-effective.

[0012] For an advantageous design, the housing and / or the inlet and / or outlet pipes comprise, in particular, metal and / or plastic. Preferably, the fastening element can be made of plastic or metal for ease of manufacture and can be fixed to the housing by means of at least one snap hook.

[0013] Preferably, an aerator, also known as a flow regulator, can be arranged in and / or on the housing, particularly in and / or on the inlet and / or the inlet pipe, and can be fixed in and / or on the housing, especially by screwing it in and / or on the housing. This allows the water jet, which is directed into a bathtub via the inlet pipe, to be adjusted, so that, for example, the flow velocity of the water can be optimized.

[0014] Preferably, the lid can have rounded edges, particularly in the area of ​​the rim, wherein the rounding on each edge of the lid has a radius that corresponds to half the material thickness of the lid. This allows the lid to be designed particularly advantageously and manufactured particularly easily.

[0015] The angle of a line running along the circumferential free end of the edge from the minimum width to the maximum width is in particular from 2° to 10° and preferably from about 3° to 5° to a plane lying on the circumference of the cover side.

[0016] In particular, the cover can have a material thickness, especially that of the enamelled steel sheet, of 1 mm to 5 mm and preferably 2 mm to 4 mm. The cover's material thickness can be approximately 2.9 mm, enabling it to withstand bending forces, for example, when removing the cover and / or cleaning the overflow fitting.

[0017] The cover is preferably fixed to the housing by means of a fastening device to prevent damage to other parts of the housing caused by movement of the cover, particularly to the sections of varying heights at the angled edge of the cover. An anti-rotation device can be incorporated into the fastening device, preferably made of a single material. For ease of manufacture, this device can comprise at least one hook or locking lug, preferably located in an edge-side section, enabling simple and / or rotation-proof positioning of the cover. In particular, it can also include two, three, four, or more hooks and / or locking lugs.

[0018] For a particularly robust design of the lid's surface, it can have a convex shape, the center of which coincides with the center or a center of gravity of the lid.

[0019] The cover surface has a diameter of 4 cm to 15 cm, preferably 6 cm to 10 cm, and most preferably 8 cm, allowing for versatile use of the cover. The cover can be shaped in particular as a circle, an oval, or a square, for example, a rectangle, so that the cover, and thus the overflow fitting, can be adapted to a specific installation situation.

[0020] The maximum width of the edge can be, in particular, from 5 mm to 20 mm and preferably from 10 mm to 15 mm and / or the minimum width of the edge can be, in particular, from 0 mm to 15 mm and preferably from 5 mm to 10 mm.

[0021] This allows for optimization of the overflow fitting, ensuring the cover is optimally mounted to the housing. The rim width is measured as the distance, parallel to the rim, from the side of the cover facing away from the housing (specifically, from its top surface) to the tip of the rim, in the direction it projects. Alternatively, the rim width can be measured from the side of the cover where the fastening element may be located to the tip of the rim. In a version where the minimum rim width is 0 mm, the cover can taper flush on one side against an inner surface of the cover and / or top surface, with the rim width preferably increasing uniformly to its maximum width.

[0022] In one embodiment, the edge can have the minimum width and / or the maximum width along a circular arc, preferably with an arc dimension of π / 8 to π / 2 and even more preferably of π14 to π / 3, in order to conceal the inlet and / or the outlet particularly advantageously.

[0023] To optimize the size of the drain openings, particularly depending on the amount of water and the size of a bathtub, in a further embodiment the absolute difference between the maximum and minimum width of the rim can be, in particular, between 3 mm and 6 mm and preferably between 4 mm and 5 mm.

[0024] The inventive method for the simple and precise manufacture of an overflow fitting comprises the following steps for the manufacture of a lid: a. Providing a housing that has an inlet connectable to at least one inlet pipe and an outlet connectable to at least one outlet pipe, b. Punching a sheet of steel; c. Rounding of the edges of the steel sheet; d. Embossing and / or deep drawing of the steel sheet to produce a circumferential bent edge, wherein the maximum width of the edge is greater than the minimum width of the edge; e. Enameling of the embossed and / or deep-drawn sheet steel to form a lid; f. Fixing a fastener to the lid; and g. Attaching the cover to the housing to form an overflow fitting.

[0025] Preferably, steel sheet is punched in a substantially circular shape. During embossing and / or deep drawing of the steel sheet, a preferably circular die is pressed asymmetrically onto the steel sheet to advantageously produce a circumferential edge of varying width.

[0026] In particular, the cover is fixed to the housing of the overflow fitting by means of a fastening device, which is preferably glued to the cover. This makes it particularly easy to install.

[0027] The present invention further comprises a bathtub, which can also be used for other types of sanitary bathtubs, with a tub body having a side wall and a laterally arranged recess. An overflow fitting according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the recess. This allows an inlet, an outlet, and corresponding water lines to be mounted on the bathtub in a space-saving manner, preferably in just one recess in the bathtub. The cover according to the invention simultaneously makes it possible to substantially conceal the other components of the overflow fitting, in order to give the bathtub a particularly attractive appearance. Optionally, the bathtub also has a drain opening through which any excess water introduced into the tub that cannot drain through the outlet can escape.

[0028] Preferably, both the bathtub and the overflow fitting cover are made of enamelled sheet steel, so that a user or observer of the bathtub perceives an essentially uniform material appearance. Particularly in combination with bathtubs made of enamelled steel, the overflow fitting according to the invention can therefore be manufactured using simple means and simultaneously enable a uniform material appearance of the bathtub while ensuring a long service life.

[0029] Preferably, the shape of the lid and in particular the cover side is adapted to the shape of the recess in the side of the bathtub, which may be, for example, a circle, an oval or a square, in particular a rectangle.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the lid can be flush with the side wall in order to advantageously conceal the pipes of the overflow fitting.

[0031] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several drawings. These show: Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b a front and a side view of an overflow fitting according to the invention, Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the overflow fitting made of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b, Fig. 3 another cross-sectional view of the overflow fitting Fig. 2, Fig. Figures 4a to 4c show several views of a lid of an overflow fitting according to the invention. Fig. 5a to 5c several views of a cover with a fastening means of an overflow fitting according to the invention, Fig. 6 a bathtub according to the invention, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b a top view and a side view of the bathtub Fig. 6, Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b Cross-sectional views of the bathtub from Fig. 6.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1a shows a side view of an overflow fitting 1 according to the invention for a bathtub, which has a housing 15 to which a drain pipe 2 and at least one inlet pipe 3 are connected and / or connectable. The housing 15 also has an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 for water, which are connected to the inlet pipe 3 and the drain pipe 2 in such a way that water can be directed through them to or from the pipes. A cover 6 with a top surface 7 and an rim 8 projecting at an angle from the top surface 7 is arranged on the housing 15. The rim 8 has a maximum width 9 in the area of ​​the outlet 5 and a minimum width 10 in the area of ​​the inlet 4, wherein the width of the rim 8 increases uniformly between the minimum width 10 and the maximum width 9, or conversely, decreases uniformly from the maximum width 9 to the minimum width 10.The width of the rim 8 increases uniformly on both sides from the minimum width 10 to the maximum width 9. The cover 6 is made of enamelled sheet steel, but it can optionally also be made of or comprise other materials. The rim 8 preferably projects at an angle of 60° to 120° and, in the illustrated case, perpendicular to the cover surface 7 of the cover 6.

[0033] For attachment to the housing 15, the cover 6 is bonded to a fastening element 11, in particular by adhesive bonding. The fastening element 11 is inserted into the housing 15 and optionally secured to it by snapping it into place, and in particular held in a non-rotatable position.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1b shows a front view of overflow fitting 1. Fig. 1a. The cover side 7 of the lid 6 can be seen as having a circular shape.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the overflow fitting 1. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b. Water can flow via the inlet pipe 3 through an optional aerator and into the inlet 4 in a lower section of the overflow fitting 1, so that it can be directed, for example, into a bathtub. Due to the minimum width 10 of the rim 8, the cover 6, when installed, can be positioned in the area of ​​the inlet 4 and / or the aerator without obstructing the water flow. Simultaneously, the cover 6, with its maximum width 9 of the rim 8, can conceal the drain 5 in the upper section, thus blocking it from view.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 3 shows another sectional view of the overflow fitting 1. It is particularly evident how the cover 6 is secured against rotation relative to the housing by means of optional hooks or locking hooks, which are designed as part of the fastening element 11, in an outer area of ​​the fastening element 11.

[0037] The Fig. Figures 4a to 4c show several views of the cover 6 without the fastening element 11, with which it is not formed integrally in this case, so that it can be glued to the cover 6. As in Fig. As can be seen in 4b, the angle of a line running on the circumferential free end of the edge 8 from the minimum width 10 to the maximum width 9 is in particular from 2° to 10° and preferably from about 3° to 5° to a plane lying on the circumference of the cover side.

[0038] In Fig. Figures 5a to 5d show the cover 6 with the fastening element 11 mounted, i.e., glued in place. The cover 6 optionally has a circular base 7 with a diameter of 4 cm to 30 cm, preferably 6 cm to 20 cm, and particularly preferably 8 cm. The material thickness T of the cover 6, corresponding to its thickness, is 2 mm to 10 mm, and preferably 3 mm to 5 mm. The edge 8 of the cover 6 preferably has a rounded edge, which at each edge of the cover 6 has a dimension, i.e., a radius, that corresponds to half the material thickness T. The cover 6 can be mounted non-rotatably on the housing 15 by means of at least one locking lug 16, which here comprises two locking lugs 16 integrally formed with the fastening element 11.

[0039] The maximum width 9 of the rim 8 is particularly from 5 mm to 20 mm and preferably from 10 mm to 15 mm, and / or the minimum width 10 of the rim 8 is particularly from 0 mm to 15 mm and preferably from 5 mm to 10 mm, wherein the absolute difference between the maximum and minimum widths 9, 10 of the rim 8 is particularly between 3 mm and 6 mm and preferably from 4 mm to 5 mm. The radius of curvature of the rim 8 is preferably between 2 mm and 8 mm.

[0040] Fig. Figure 6 shows a bathtub 12 according to the invention, which is designed as a bathtub with a tub body having a side wall that has a laterally arranged recess 14 in which an overflow fitting 1 according to the invention is arranged. The overflow fitting 1 is optionally fixed to the bathtub 1. The cover 6 of the overflow fitting 1 is arranged centrally over the recess 14, so that it essentially conceals it from view, wherein the shape of its cover 7 optionally corresponds substantially to the shape of the recess 14.

[0041] Fig. Figure 7a shows a top view of the bathtub according to the invention, which also has a drain opening 13 for water that cannot drain through the overflow fitting 1. In the illustrated case, the cover 6 is not flush with the side wall of the bathtub 12, particularly to allow for easy filling of the bathtub with water; however, it can alternatively be flush with the side wall. Preferably, both the bathtub 12 and the cover 6 are made of enamelled sheet steel.

[0042] Fig. Figure 7b shows a side view of bathtub 12 in Fig. 7a.

[0043] In Fig. Figure 8a shows a cross-section of the bathtub 12 according to the invention, which has the overflow fitting 1, while Fig. 8b the section of the bathtub Fig.Figure 8a shows the arrangement of the overflow fitting 1. After the housing 15 of the overflow fitting has been installed, the cover 6 is fixed to it by means of the fastening element 11, so that it can be removed from the housing 15, for example, for cleaning the overflow fitting 1. The minimal width 9 of the rim 8 allows the cover 6 to be mounted on the side wall of the bathtub 12 despite its angle, in such a way that its installation is space-saving and still provides sufficient space for the inlet 4 and / or an aerator. List of reference symbols 1 overflow fitting 2 Drain line 3 Inlet line 4 Inlet 5 Procedure 6 lids 7 Cover page 8 rand 9 Maximum width 10 Minimum width 11 Fasteners 12 Bathtub 13 Drain opening 14 recess 15 housings 16 Rastnase T Material thickness QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 632 277 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Overflow fitting (1) for a bathtub (12), which has a housing (15) which has an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for water, to which at least one outlet line (2) and at least one inlet line (3) for water can be connected, wherein a cover (6) with a cover side (7) and an edge (8) projecting at an angle from the cover side (7) is arranged on the housing (15), wherein the edge (8) has a maximum width (9) in the area of ​​the outlet (5) and a minimum width (10) in the area of ​​the inlet (4), characterized by that the maximum width (9) of the edge (8) is greater than the minimum width (10) of the edge (8). [2] Overflow fitting (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the width of the edge (8) increases evenly between the minimum and the maximum width (10, 9). [3] Overflow fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the lid (6) is made of enamelled sheet steel. [4] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the edge (8) is formed at an angle of in particular 80° to 120° and preferably perpendicular to the cover side (7) of the lid (6). [5] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a fastening means (11) is arranged on the cover (6), by means of which the cover (6) can be releasably fixed to the housing (15). [6] Overflow fitting (1) according to claim 5, characterized by that the fastening means (11) is connected to the cover (6) integrally or materially, in particular by means of gluing. [7] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one jet regulator is arranged in or on the inlet (4) of the housing (15). [8] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lid (6) has rounded edges in the area of ​​the edge (8). [9] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover (6) essentially has a material thickness (T) of 1 mm to 5 mm and preferably of 2 mm to 4 mm. [10] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover (6) is non-rotatably fastened to the housing (15) via the fastening means (11). [11] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover side (7) has a crowning, the center point of which coincides in particular with the center of the cover side (7). [12] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover side (7) has in particular a diameter of 4 cm to 15 cm, preferably of 6 cm to 10 cm. [13] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the maximum width (9) of the edge (8) is in particular from 5 mm to 20 mm and preferably from 10 mm to 15 mm and / or the minimum width (10) of the edge (8) is in particular from 0 mm to 15 mm and preferably from 5 mm to 10 mm. [14] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an absolute difference between the maximum and the minimum width (9, 10) of the edge (8) is in particular between 3 mm and 6 mm and preferably from 4 mm to 5 mm. [15] Overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a radius of the bend of the edge (8) is between 2mm and 8mm. [16] Method for producing an overflow fitting (1), comprising the following steps: a. Providing a housing (15) having an inlet (4) connectable to at least one inlet line (3) and an outlet (5) connectable to at least one outlet line (2), b. Punching a steel sheet; c. Rounding of the edges of the steel sheet; d. Embossing and / or deep drawing the steel sheet to produce a circumferential bent edge, wherein the maximum width (9) of the edge (8) is greater than the minimum width (10) of the edge (8); e. Enamelling the embossed and / or deep-drawn steel sheet to form a lid (6); f. fixing a fastening means (11) to the cover (6); and g. Attaching the cover (6) to the housing (15) to form an overflow fitting (1). [17] Method according to claim 16, characterized by that the steel sheet is punched out essentially in a circular shape and during embossing and / or deep drawing of the steel sheet, a circular punch is pressed asymmetrically onto the steel sheet in order to produce a circumferential edge (8) of varying width. [18] Bathtub (12) with a tub body with a side wall having a laterally arranged recess (14), characterized by that an overflow fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the recess (14).

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