Connecting element and arrangement for positioning a sanitary fitting

Abstract

A connecting element for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate can be inserted into an opening in a fitting body of the sanitary fitting. The connecting element comprises a magnet or consists of a magnet that exerts an attractive force on the metal plate. An assembly comprises such a connecting element and the sanitary fitting with the fitting body and the metal plate. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a connecting element, the sanitary fitting, and the metal plate, wherein the assembly is connectable to a product presentation display.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate. The connecting element can be inserted into an opening in a fitting body of the sanitary fitting. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising such a connecting element and the sanitary fitting with the fitting body and the metal plate. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a connecting element, the sanitary fitting, and the metal plate, wherein the assembly can be connected to a product presentation display.

[0002] To present plumbing fixtures, such as kitchen faucets and bathroom fittings, in kitchen studios, hardware stores, bathroom showrooms, model homes, trade fair stands, and other sales displays, they are often permanently attached to display arrangements such as display walls or display racks. To present plumbing fixtures in a real-life setting, e.g., from a sink, countertop, or washbasin, a second fixture must be provided that is not connected to the display arrangement. Furthermore, it is often not possible to view the plumbing fixture from all sides in the display.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a connecting element for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate, which allows for easy handling of the sanitary fitting. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate.

[0004] This object is achieved by a connecting element having the features of claim 1 and by an arrangement having the features of the arrangement claim. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] A connecting element for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate with the features of claim 1 ensures that the sanitary fitting can be securely and detachably connected to the metal plate by the holding force of the magnet. This makes it possible to present the sanitary fitting on the metal plate and to detach it from there again in order to position it in a different location, such as a sink, a washbasin and / or a worktop. The connecting element can itself consist of a magnet or comprise a magnet. The magnet can then in particular be enclosed by a plastic or rubber or can be glued, pressed or otherwise firmly connected to a molded plastic part, a molded rubber part and / or a metal part, preferably in a way that cannot be separated during normal use.The connecting element can be glued, pressed, or otherwise firmly connected to the fitting body, preferably in a manner that cannot be separated during normal use. This allows for easy handling of the sanitary fitting.

[0006] It is advantageous if the magnet is a permanent magnet, preferably a rare earth magnet such as neodymium, samarium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gadolinium, and / or yttrium. This allows sufficient holding force to be generated to hold the plumbing fixture to the metal plate in a compact design. Such a permanent magnet is also referred to as a permanent magnet.

[0007] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting element is designed to connect the sanitary fitting to the metal plate via a magnetic connection. This allows for easy connection of the sanitary fitting to the metal plate and easy detachment of the sanitary fitting from the metal plate.

[0008] It is also advantageous if the magnet exerts a holding force on the metal plate in the range of 8 kg to 20 kg, preferably 10 kg to 15 kg, especially 13 kg. This allows for easy connection of the plumbing fixture to the metal plate and easy detachment of the plumbing fixture from the metal plate.

[0009] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting element can be screwed into an internal thread present in the opening. This enables a simple and secure connection of the connecting element to the sanitary fitting. Some designs of sanitary fittings, particularly some single-hole fittings, already have such an opening with an internal thread. In these fittings, the connecting element can have an external thread complementary to the existing internal thread.

[0010] The connecting element can also be designed to be pushed into the opening. This can be done with or without an internal thread. This allows for easy installation of the connecting element with the plumbing fixture. Furthermore, a secure connection between the plumbing fixture and the connecting element is achieved.

[0011] It is particularly advantageous if the connecting element has a cylindrical basic shape and if several circumferential sealing lips or circumferential sealing rings are formed on the circumference of the cylindrical basic shape, wherein the sealing lips are preferably inclined counter to the insertion direction and / or formed integrally with the base body. The sealing lips and the base body can be manufactured in one piece, i.e., monolithically, in particular in a single production step, and in particular can be designed like known rubber sleeves for siphons and rubber sleeves for flush pipes.

[0012] The sealing lips can also have the cross-section of an isosceles triangle. However, the sealing lips can also be angled so that the connecting element is easily inserted into the opening of the plumbing fixture but relatively difficult to remove. This ensures that the connecting element is securely connected to the plumbing fixture for its intended use in a presentation and / or sales environment.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the connecting element has a cylindrical basic shape and if a rolling ring seal is arranged between the outer surface of the cylindrical basic shape and the opening. This enables easy installation. Furthermore, a secure connection between the sanitary fitting and the connecting element is achieved.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the connecting element has a cylindrical basic shape and if the connecting element can be glued into the opening.

[0015] This also ensures a secure connection between the sanitary fitting and the connecting element.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the connecting element can be designed to be pressed into the opening. This also ensures a secure connection between the sanitary fitting and the connecting element.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the connecting element can be inserted into the opening in such a way that it is flush with the edge of the opening of the sanitary fitting or is countersunk into the opening. This ensures that the connecting element does not protrude from the opening. However, the connecting element can have a coating protruding from the opening, in particular a felt, rubber, or plastic coating. This ensures that the sanitary fitting does not cause damage to the metal plate when connecting to or detaching from the metal plate, in particular, that it does not scratch the metal plate or any coating of the metal plate.

[0018] A further aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a connecting element according to claim 1 or a previously specified development, with the sanitary fitting and with the metal plate, wherein the opening is formed in the fitting body of the sanitary fitting, in which opening the connecting element is arranged and connected to the fitting body in such a way that the sanitary fitting is connected to the metal plate exclusively via the holding force of the magnet exerted on the metal plate. This allows for a simple, secure connection between the metal plate and the sanitary fitting, which can also be easily removed again without the use of tools.

[0019] The metal plate can be an iron plate or a steel plate. In particular, the metal plate can be made of iron or steel sheet. Furthermore, an access opening can be formed in the metal plate. Alternatively or additionally, a handle can be connected to the metal plate. This makes it easy to handle when presenting the sanitary fitting in different positions. In particular, a sanitary fitting can be easily positioned in a model kitchen or a model bathroom. For this purpose, additional metal plates can be positioned in the model kitchen or model bathroom, for example on a washbasin, a worktop, or a sink, on which the sanitary fitting is then arranged and held by the holding force of the magnet.

[0020] The plumbing fixture can be placed on top of the metal plate, with the underside of the metal plate being coated, particularly with felt, rubber, or plastic. This allows the metal plate to be safely placed on sensitive or non-scratch-resistant surfaces, with or without the plumbing fixture.

[0021] The sanitary fitting can be separated from the metal plate by tilting it relative to the plate and reconnected using the magnet's holding force. This allows for easy handling of the assembly, particularly in a sales and / or presentation situation.

[0022] Preferably, the opening is formed on the underside of the fitting body. The underside is preferably the plane that runs orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of a mounting opening when the sanitary fitting is installed. The mounting opening is preferably a through hole in a sink and / or a countertop and / or a washbasin.

[0023] It is particularly advantageous if the sanitary fitting is a 1-hole basin faucet, a 1-hole kitchen faucet, especially a mixer or temperature control faucet, and / or a 3-way faucet. These faucets have a corresponding opening on the underside of the faucet body. Some of these faucets on the market already have an internal thread in this opening. This makes these faucets particularly suitable for inserting a connecting element into the opening. In particular, these openings are large enough to accommodate a suitable magnet.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the arrangement comprises a product presentation display which has a base body in which at least one horizontal slot is formed, into which one side of the metal plate can be inserted, wherein the slot is designed such that the metal plate with the sanitary fitting connected to the metal plate is held in the slot, wherein the product presentation display preferably has the basic shape of a cuboid, a cylinder or a presentation wall. Such product presentation displays are used in sales rooms (point of service) or at trade fairs for product presentation. This enables simple presentation and handling. The metal plates with the sanitary fittings can be easily pulled out of the slot(s) and taken to a sales location or an intended environment (model bathroom or model kitchen).

[0025] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which: Fig. 1 an exploded view of an arrangement with a sanitary fitting and a connecting element according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 an exploded view of an arrangement with a sanitary fitting and a connecting element according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a product presentation display with several sanitary fittings according to a first embodiment; Fig. 4 a sectional view of a section of the product presentation display according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a product presentation display with several sanitary fittings according to a second embodiment, Fig. 6 a perspective view of a product presentation display with several sanitary fittings according to a third embodiment, and. Fig. 7 a perspective view of a product presentation display with several sanitary fittings according to a fourth embodiment.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an assembly 100 comprising a sanitary fitting 10 and a connecting element 12 according to a first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the sanitary fitting 10 is a washbasin fitting for single-hole installation. In other embodiments, the fitting can also be another sanitary fitting, such as a kitchen fitting, preferably a kitchen fitting for single-hole installation.

[0027] An opening 18 is provided on the underside 14 of a base body 16 of the sanitary fitting 10. This opening 18 has a diameter in the range from 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably in the range from 26 mm to 46 mm, in particular 46 mm. Connecting elements such as a threaded rod are screwed into this opening 18 for mounting the sanitary fitting 10 to a washbasin, sink or worktop. These connecting elements then protrude through an opening in the washbasin, sink or worktop and serve to fasten the sanitary fitting 10. Furthermore, connecting lines of the sanitary fitting 10 are led through this opening 18 when the sanitary fitting 10 is mounted on the washbasin, sink or worktop. For presentation in sales rooms or at trade fairs, it is not necessary to connect the fitting. Rather, easy handling and presentation of the sanitary fitting are desirable.

[0028] In this first embodiment, the opening 18 has no internal thread. The connecting element 12 comprises an adapter 20 and a magnet 22, the adapter having an opening 24 for receiving the magnet 22. In this first embodiment, the adapter 20 is made of an elastically deformable material, in particular an elastically deformable plastic or rubber, and has a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the opening 18.

[0029] To assemble the assembly 10, the magnet 22 is first inserted into the opening 24 of the adapter 20, and the adapter 20, together with the magnet 22, is then inserted into the opening 18 of the fitting body. The elastically deformable material of the adapter 20 is compressed in such a way that both the adapter 20 is firmly arranged in the opening 18 and cannot be easily pulled out, and the magnet 22 remains firmly in the opening 24 when the holding force of the magnet 22 acts on another object, such as a metal plate. The magnet 22 exerts a holding force in the range of 8 kg to 20 kg, preferably 10 kg to 15 kg, in particular 13 kg, on the metal plate. The holding force of the magnet 22 is in particular the removal force required to remove the magnet from a polished 10 mm thick steel plate.

[0030] In other embodiments, the magnet 22 can also be glued into the opening 24 of the adapter 20, or cast into the adapter 20, or otherwise inserted and / or enclosed. In further embodiments, a coating, in particular a felt, rubber, or plastic coating, can be provided on the underside of the connecting element 12, e.g., on the underside of the magnet 22, which coating preferably protrudes from the opening 18 of the fitting body 16 when the connecting element 12 is assembled. This prevents damage to surfaces on which the arrangement 100 is arranged, such as, for example, on the aforementioned metal plate.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an assembly 200 with a sanitary fitting 30 and a connecting element 32 according to a second embodiment. Elements with the same structure and / or the same function have the same reference numerals.

[0032] In contrast to the sanitary fitting 10 according to Fig. 1, the sanitary fitting 30 has an internal thread 36 in the opening 18. On the outer surface of the adapter 40 of the connecting element 32, there is an external thread 34 that complements the internal thread 36. The adapter 32 is made of plastic or metal and is strong enough to allow it to be easily screwed into the internal thread 36 of the fitting body 16. For screwing in, a tool 50 with two protruding pins 52, 54 is provided; the tool can be inserted into the opening 24 of the adapter 20 so that the pins protrude into two of the four holes 60, 62, 64, 66 provided in the base of the adapter 20. With the help of the tool, the adapter can thus be easily screwed into the opening 18 by hand. After removing the tool 50 from the opening 24, the magnet 22 is then inserted into the opening 28, in particular pressed or glued in.In other embodiments, the magnet 22 is already firmly connected to the adapter 32, or the entire adapter consists of a magnet. In this case, an engagement area for the engagement of a tool, e.g., a slot or several holes 60, 62, 64, 66, can be provided in the magnet 22.

[0033] In this embodiment, too, the magnet 22 exerts a holding force in the range of 8 kg to 20 kg, preferably 10 kg to 15 kg, in particular 13 kg, on a metal plate.

[0034] In a further development of this embodiment, a coating, in particular a felt, rubber, or plastic coating, can be provided on the underside of the connecting element 12, e.g., on the underside of the magnet 22, which coating preferably protrudes from the opening 18 of the fitting body 16 when the connecting element 12 is mounted. This prevents damage to surfaces on which the arrangement 100 is arranged, such as, for example, on the aforementioned metal plate.

[0035] The magnet 22 is a permanent magnet, preferably a rare earth magnet such as a neodymium, samarium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gadolinium, and / or yttrium magnet. This allows sufficient holding force to be generated to hold the sanitary fitting 10 on the metal plate, even with a compact design.

[0036] The internal thread 36 and the external thread 34 preferably have a dimension of M32 or M34 as a normal thread or fine thread with a smaller pitch.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a product presentation display 300 with a plurality of sanitary fittings 70 to 84 according to a first embodiment. The sanitary fittings 70 to 84 are each connected to metal plates 85 to 98 by a respective connecting element 12, 32. Due to the holding force of the magnets 22, the sanitary fittings 70 to 84 are firmly connected to the metal plates 85 to 98, but can be relatively easily detached from the metal plates 85 to 98 without the need for tools and arranged in another location, e.g., on a washstand, a sink, or a worktop. The fittings 70 to 84 can also be removed from the product presentation display 300 with the respective metal plate 85 to 98 and placed on a sales table or another location. This ensures that the sanitary fittings 70 to 84 are securely positioned. The product presentation display 300 has a cuboid basic shape with three cubes separated by slots 302.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a portion of the product presentation display 300 according to Fig. 3 with the fitting 76 and the metal plate 96. The metal plate 96 has been inserted into the slot 302 provided in the product presentation display 300 and is held securely in the slot 302 without any further measures. Preferably, the slot 302 has a slot depth S, which limits the insertion depth of the metal plate 96. With uniform metal plates 85 to 98 and uniform slot depths S, the metal plates 85 to 98 then protrude the same distance from the product presentation display 300, so that a uniform alignment and positioning of the metal plates 85 to 98 in the product presentation display 300 is easily possible. This allows a uniform appearance of the metal plates 85 to 98 and the sanitary fittings 70 to 84 to be achieved.

[0039] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a product presentation display 400 with a plurality of sanitary fittings 70 to 82 and metal plates 90 to 94, 86 according to a second embodiment. The product presentation display 400 has the basic shape of a presentation wall.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a product presentation display 500 with a plurality of sanitary fittings 70 to 74 and metal plates 90 to 94 according to a third embodiment. The product presentation display 500 is integrated into a wall or arranged on a wall.

[0041] Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a product presentation display 600 with a plurality of sanitary fittings 70 to 84 and metal plates 85 to 98 according to a fourth embodiment. The product presentation display 600 has a cylindrical basic shape.

[0042] Other product presentation displays may also have short slots with a cutting width approximately corresponding to the width of the metal plates 85 to 98. Furthermore, other product presentation displays may have a plurality of slots, which do not have to be arranged in a fixed grid, but can be. Reference symbol: 100, 200 arrangement 10, 30, 70 to 84 sanitary fittings 12, 32 connecting element 14 Bottom 16 valve body 18, 24 Opening 20.40 adapter 22 Magnet 34, 36 thread 50 tools 52, 54 cones 60 to 66 holes 85 to 98 metal plate 300, 400, 500,600 product presentation display 302 slot S Slot depth

Claims

[1] Connecting element for positioning a sanitary fitting on a metal plate, wherein the connecting element (12) is designed to be inserted into an opening (18) of a fitting body (16) of the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84), wherein the connecting element (12) comprises or consists of a magnet (22) which exerts an attractive force on the metal plate (85 to 98). [2] Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized by that the magnet (22) is a permanent magnet, preferably a rare earth magnet, such as a neodymium, samarium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, gadolinium and / or yttrium magnet. [3] Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the connecting element (12) is designed to connect the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) to the metal plate (85 to 98) via a magnetic connection. [4] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the magnet (22) exerts a holding force in the range of 8 kg to 20 kg, preferably 10 kg to 15 kg, in particular 13 kg, on the metal plate (85 to 98). [5] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element (12) can be screwed into an internal thread (36) present in the opening (18) [6] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the connecting element (12) is designed to be pressed into the opening (18). [7] Connecting element according to claim 6, characterized by that the connecting element (12) has a cylindrical basic shape and that a plurality of circumferential sealing lips or circumferential sealing rings are formed on the circumference of the cylindrical basic shape, wherein the sealing lips are preferably inclined counter to the insertion direction and / or formed integrally with the base body. [8] Connecting element according to claim 6, characterized by that the connecting element (12) has a cylindrical basic shape and that a rolling ring seal is arranged between the outer surface of the cylindrical basic shape and the opening (18). [9] Connecting element according to claim 6, characterized by that the connecting element has a cylindrical basic shape and that the connecting element can be glued into the opening (18). [10] Connecting element according to claim 6, characterized by that the connecting element (12) is designed to be pressed into the opening (18). [11] Connecting element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the connecting element (12) can be introduced into the opening (18) in such a way that it is flush with the edge of the opening (18) of the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) or is countersunk in the opening (18), wherein the connecting element (12) preferably has a coating protruding from the opening (18), in particular a felt, rubber or plastic coating. [12] Arrangement with a connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 11, the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) with the fitting base body (16) and with the metal plate (85 to 98), wherein the opening (18) is formed in the fitting base body (16), in which opening the connecting element (12) is arranged and is connected to the fitting base body (16) in such a way that the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) is connected to the metal plate (85 to 98) exclusively via the holding force of the magnet (22) exerted on the metal plate (85 to 98). [13] Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized bythat the metal plate (85 to 98) is an iron plate or steel plate, in particular an iron sheet or a steel sheet, and that preferably an engagement opening is formed in the metal plate (85 to 98) or a handle is connected to the metal plate (85 to 98). [14] Arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) can be arranged on the upper side of the metal plate (85 to 98) and that the underside of the metal plate (85 to 98) is provided with a coating, in particular a felt, rubber or plastic coating. [15] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) can be separated from the metal plate (85 to 98) in particular by tilting the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) relative to the latter and can be reconnected with the aid of the holding force of the magnet (22) [16] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the opening (18) is formed on the underside of the fitting body (16). [17] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) is a 1-hole washbasin fitting, a 1-hole kitchen fitting, in particular a mixing or temperature control fitting and / or a 3-way fitting. [18] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the arrangement comprises a product presentation display (300, 400, 500, 600) which has a base body in which at least one horizontal slot (302) is formed, into which one side of the metal plate (85 to 98) can be inserted, wherein the slot (302) is designed such that the metal plate (85 to 98) with the sanitary fitting (10, 70 to 84) connected to the metal plate (85 to 98) is held in the slot (302), wherein the product presentation display (300, 400, 500, 600) preferably has the basic shape of a cuboid, a cylinder or a presentation wall.

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