Holding element for fixing sanitary pipes

Abstract

Holder element (10) for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame, comprising a base element (11) via which the holder element (10) can be attached to the mounting rail, and a fixing element (12) extending perpendicularly from the base element (11), via which at least one sanitary pipe can be connected to the holder element (10) via a mounting opening (13) of the fixing element (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a retaining element for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame.

[0002] From DE 202 11 758 U1, an installation unit for the pre-wall mounting of a flushing unit for toilets or urinals is known, in which a holder element made of plastic or metal is used with a semicircular segment-shaped recess in which an inlet pipe for the flushing water can be fixed. For connecting a drain bend for the wastewater, a retaining section of the holder element can be used, which, via spring-loaded legs, partially encompasses the drain bend around its circumference. The holder element can be attached to a profile strip extending horizontally in the transverse direction, which in turn can be fastened to the wall with screws. Sliding elements are accommodated within the profile strip, into which threaded bolts can be screwed. The holder element can be connected to the threaded bolts engaging in the profile strip via further threaded bolts and another strip.The well-known installation unit has a comparatively complex structure with many assembly elements to be connected, making the assembly of the installation unit quite time-consuming.

[0003] EP 2 299 012 A1 describes a support device for a sanitary fixture with a frame made of vertical struts connected to each other in the transverse direction by at least one horizontal strut (crossbar). The frame has mounting holes so that, for example, a wall-hung toilet can be attached to it. A front panel and a back panel can be attached to the frame, each with corresponding openings for a water supply and drain pipe. However, in this known support device, the front panel and the back panel are each made of sheet metal and each have only two openings for pipes, the diameters and positions of which are fixed within the frame, thus offering the installer little freedom during installation.

[0004] EP 1 798 354 B1 also shows a mounting device for a sanitary appliance with a typical mounting frame that forms a single unit and has a crossbar for mounting and connecting a toilet bowl, the crossbar having a central opening for connecting a flush pipe. Such mounting frames for pre-wall installation are usually clad with plasterboard after installation.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame, which on the one hand enables simple attachment to the pre-wall mounting frame, but is more versatile and offers the user various options for fixing a variable number of sanitary pipes.

[0006] The solution to the aforementioned problem is a retaining element for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame with the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, the retaining element comprises a base element, via which the retaining element can be attached to the mounting rail, and a fixing element extending perpendicularly from the base element, via which at least one sanitary pipe can be connected to the retaining element via a mounting opening of the fixing element.

[0008] The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the mounting element can be attached to the mounting rail with very little effort, since only one component, the mounting element, needs to be attached to the mounting rail. Subsequently, the sanitary pipes required for the sanitary fixture, such as wastewater pipes, fresh water pipes, and possibly other pipes for other applications, such as heating pipes or ventilation pipes, can be pushed through suitable mounting openings in the fixing element or permanently and securely fixed to the fixing element using suitable connecting elements. Since the mounting element can have several mounting openings of different sizes and, if necessary, different shapes, the user can select the appropriate mounting opening for the respective sanitary pipe.Even if it turns out that, in addition to a sanitary fixture such as a toilet or a urinal, heating pipes or ventilation pipes also need to be laid in this installation area, this is possible with the help of the retaining element according to the invention, without the need to attach further components for fixing the additional pipes.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined in a technologically meaningful manner and can define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base element comprises a contact surface with at least one bore, via which the holder element can be connected to the mounting rail by means of a connecting element in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner. This contact surface on the base element of the holder element can, for example, be adapted in size and shape to the shape of the mounting rail of a specific manufacturer, thereby providing the user with a suitable set which allows for rapid assembly via the connecting elements provided for this purpose, without the user having to make any time-consuming adjustments or modifications to the holder element or the mounting rail, or to procure any further components.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base element has two parallel, web-shaped limiting elements that define the two longitudinal sides of the contact surface. These limiting elements specify the precise mounting position of the holder element for the user, prevent the holder element from shifting laterally on the mounting rail, and thus ensure secure fixing of the holder element in a defined mounting position.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing element comprises a plurality of mounting openings for fixing a plurality of sanitary pipes to the retaining element. An advantage of this preferred embodiment of the invention is that the user only needs one retaining element to attach several sanitary pipes, which may serve different purposes. It is particularly advantageous if more mounting openings are provided on the fixing element than are required for the specific purpose, for example, the installation of a toilet or urinal, so that the retaining element still has additional unused mounting openings after installation. This allows the same retaining element to be used for fixing other pipes, such as heating pipes, ventilation pipes, or the like, even if the installation of such additional pipes was not originally planned.This clearly shows that the solution according to the invention provides the user with a high degree of flexibility and variability, and that the holding element can be used in a wide variety of assembly situations.

[0013] Preferably, the retaining element is formed in one piece. This facilitates the attachment of the retaining element in a single operation and also simplifies its manufacture, which, for example, can be produced industrially in large quantities cost-effectively from plastic using a plastic forming process, preferably requiring only one tool.

[0014] Preferably, the retaining element is made of plastic, for example, a polyester, in particular polylactic acid (PLA). The retaining element can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding or other suitable plastic forming processes. Manufacturing with polylactic acid is sustainable and environmentally friendly, as it is a biodegradable plastic.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining element is in particular a 3D-printed part. Manufacturing by 3D printing is potentially less complex and more cost-effective than other plastics engineering processes, which often require the production of very expensive tooling. Polylactic acid, as a sustainable, biodegradable plastic, is well-suited for use in 3D printing processes.

[0016] The present invention further relates to an arrangement for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame, comprising at least one retaining element of the type described above and at least one or more sanitary pipes that can be fixed by means of such a retaining element, wherein the sanitary pipe(s) are selected from the group comprising drinking water pipes, wastewater pipes, heating pipes and / or ventilation pipes. The versatile applicability of the retaining element according to the invention for attaching and fixing a different number of pipes in various areas of sanitary and ventilation technology is particularly advantageous, wherein both the cross-sectional shapes (outline shapes) and the respective dimensions of the pipes to be attached can vary over a wide range.

[0017] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract aspects of the concepts illustrated in the figures and combine them with other elements and findings from the present description and / or figures. It should be emphasized that the figures, and especially the depicted dimensions, are only schematic.

[0018] The same reference symbols denote the same objects, so that explanations from other figures can be used as a supplement if necessary. They show: Fig. 1 a view of a retaining element according to the invention for fixing sanitary pipes according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a top view of the retaining element according to the design variant of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the holder element according to the design variant of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a view of a retaining element according to the invention for fixing sanitary pipes according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 a top view of the retaining element according to the design variant of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the holder element according to the design variant of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 a view of a retaining element according to the invention for fixing sanitary pipes according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 a top view of the retaining element according to the design variant of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 a perspective view of the holder element according to the design variant of Fig. 7.

[0019] First, attention will be drawn to the Fig. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 3, and a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to these figures. This embodiment is a retaining element 10 suitable for fixing wastewater pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame. The retaining element 10 comprises a base element 11, via which the retaining element 10 can be attached to the mounting rail (not shown), and a fixing element 12 extending perpendicularly from the base element 11, via which at least one sanitary pipe can be connected to the retaining element 10 through a mounting opening 13 of the fixing element 12. The relative arrangement of the base element 11 and the fixing element 12 is such that, in the mounted state, when the retaining element 10 is attached to a mounting rail, the base element 11 is aligned according to the orientation of the mounting rail, for example, vertically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the fixing element 12 extends perpendicularly to the orientation of the base element 11 towards one side of the base element 11, so that the lower boundary surface 21 of the fixing element 12 is horizontal. It is also possible to attach the retaining element 10 to a horizontal strut of a mounting frame, for example, a crossbeam, so that the base element 11 is then horizontally oriented and, in this case, the fixing element 12 extends vertically. The geometry and outline of the base element 11 and the fixing element 12 can vary considerably. Further details of the shape of the retaining element 10 will become apparent from the following description and the drawings.

[0020] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. The basic element 11 shown in 1 to 3 has a front face 14, which in the perspective view according to Fig. 3 is turned away from the viewer and is in perspective view according to Fig. 3. Rear side 15 facing the viewer. On this rear side 15, the base element 11 has a contact surface 16 with at least one bore 17a, via which the retaining element 10 can be positively and / or force-fit connected to the mounting rail by means of a connecting element (not shown) such as a screw, bolt, threaded rod, or the like. In the present embodiment according to Fig. For example, there are three such bores in total: an upper bore 17 a, a middle bore 17 b and a lower bore 17 c.

[0021] In the area of ​​the mounting surface 16, the base element 11 has two parallel, spaced-apart, and vertically extending, web-shaped limiting elements 18, which define the two longitudinal sides of the mounting surface 16, such that the mounting surface 16, which is slightly recessed compared to the protruding web-shaped limiting elements 18, extends between the two limiting elements 18.

[0022] In Fig. 2. Looking at the holder element 10, one can see that the base element 11 has a flat top surface 19, which, like the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 3 shows that the base element 11 extends further upwards than the fixing element 12, which has the mounting opening 13. This means that the base element 11 projects upwards beyond the fixing element 12. This is due to the mounting opening 13 in the fixing element 12, which is suitable and dimensioned for a pipe with a larger diameter, such as a wastewater pipe. The inner contour line 13a of this mounting opening 13 in Fig. 1 describes approximately a quarter circle, whereby the contour line 13a does not necessarily run in a circular arc over its entire length. The contour line 13a begins in the lower distal area of ​​the fixing element 12, where a mounting bore 20 is preferably located (see Fig. 3), whose axis runs perpendicular to the axes of the bores 17a, 17b, 17c in the base element 11. Further fastening of the retaining element 10 can be achieved via this mounting bore 20. Starting from this lower distal area, the concave contour line 13a then extends in an arc to its proximal end and terminates approximately at the level of the upper surface 19 of the base element 11 or slightly below (see Fig. 1) The arc-shaped concave contour line 13 a extends at a distance above the straight lower boundary surface 21 of the fixing element 12, which is at the same height as the lower boundary surface 22 of the base element 11, so that the lower boundary surface 21 of the fixing element 12 can transition seamlessly into the lower boundary surface 22 of the base element.

[0023] The mounting of the retaining element 10 according to the invention can be carried out by first setting up a mounting frame, such as is commonly used for the pre-wall installation of sanitary fixtures such as toilets, urinals, etc. The retaining element 10 is then positioned, for example, on a vertical mounting rail of the mounting frame, such that the contact surface 16 of the base element 11 faces the mounting rail. The fixing element 12 projects laterally from the base element 11, so that the fixing element 12 then extends perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical direction of the base element 11 and laterally, such that the lower boundary surface 21 (see Fig. 1) the fixing element 12 runs approximately horizontally in the assembled position. Subsequently, the retaining element 10 can be connected to the mounting rail by means of one or more connecting elements, each of which engages through the bores 17 a, 17 b, 17 c of the base element 11, in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner.

[0024] The following refers to the Fig. Figures 4 to 6 explain an alternative embodiment of the invention in more detail. Identical components of the retaining element 10 are provided with the same reference numerals in these drawings as in the embodiment according to the illustrations. Fig. 1 to 3. It can be seen that geometry and outline shape are important in the variant of Fig. 4 differs considerably from the variant described above, which, however, is immaterial for the present invention. Both variants have in common that the retaining element 10 comprises a base element 11 from which a fixing element 12 projects laterally at an approximately right angle. Of importance for the present invention is the lower, downwardly open mounting opening 13 of the fixing element 12, which is suitable, for example, for receiving a wastewater pipe, wherein in the variant of Fig. 4 the mounting opening 13 differs from the variant described above. Fig. 1. Its outline has approximately the shape of a semicircular arc. Another difference lies in the fact that in the embodiment of Fig. 1 the mounting opening 13 is located on the top of the fixing element 12, whereas in the variant of Fig. 4 is located on the underside of the fixing element 12 and is open at the bottom.

[0025] From the presentation of Fig. Figure 5 shows that the fixing element 12 has a slightly lower material thickness than the base element 11 with the two limiting elements 18, the latter of which protrude slightly beyond the contact surface 16 of the base element 11.

[0026] The mounting surface 16 on the base element 11 with the bores 17 a, 17 b, 17 c for attaching the holder element 10 to a mounting frame and the two web-shaped limiting elements 18 is in the variant of Fig. 4 similarly designed as in the embodiment described above according to Fig. 1, the difference being that in Fig. 4. The upper bore 17a and the lower bore 17c have a larger diameter, while the middle bore 17b has a smaller diameter. This allows the use of other fasteners for attaching the retaining element 10. However, in the variant of Fig. 4 in the fixing element 12 further mounting openings 13 are present, which are explained below.

[0027] Overall, the fixing element 12 of the holding element 10 exhibits according to the Fig. In addition to the semicircular, downward-facing mounting opening 13, sections 4 to 6 provide six further mounting openings with different diameters and shapes. These include a first oval upper mounting opening 23 for the passage of, for example, a drinking water pipe; a second oval mounting opening 24 in a central area with a larger diameter than the mounting opening 23, but smaller than that of the mounting opening 13 for the wastewater pipe; and two small round mounting openings 25, which can be used, for example, for the passage of small water pipes or, if necessary, for inserting additional connecting elements for attaching the retaining element 10.

[0028] Furthermore, in the proximal area adjacent to the base element 11, a larger, approximately trapezoidal mounting opening 26 is provided, which has convexly curved outlines 27 on two opposite sides. Finally, a mounting opening 28, approximately T-shaped in outline, is also provided in a distal area of ​​the fixing element 12. It becomes clear here that round, oval, T-shaped, and trapezoidal mounting openings of varying numbers, shapes, and sizes can be provided in the fixing element 12, allowing different numbers of different pipes with varying shapes and diameters, such as drinking water pipes, to be routed through the fixing element 12 or connected to it using additional connecting elements. The different outline shapes and sizes offer a high degree of variability for routing a wide variety of pipes, making the retaining element very versatile.

[0029] The following refers to the Fig. Figures 7 to 9 explain a third alternative embodiment of the invention in more detail. Identical components of the retaining element 10 are provided with the same reference numerals in these drawings as in the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 3.

[0030] The in the Fig. The variant shown in figures 7 to 9 has slightly larger dimensions overall than the variant shown in [reference missing]. Fig. 4, where the base element 11 is slightly higher than in Fig. 4. The overall length of the retaining element 10 and the length of the fixing element 12 are also greater, so that the retaining element 10 of Fig. It can fix 7 larger pipes and, if necessary, also withstand higher forces than the one from Fig. 4. The retaining element 10 of Fig. However, 7 shows similarities to the one previously based on Fig. Variant 4 described above differs in that it provides a downwardly open lower mounting opening 13 with a larger diameter, which is suitable, for example, for the passage of a wastewater pipe. The outline shape of the fixing element 12 is different in the variant described above. Fig. 7 is designed differently, as a concave shape forms a kind of support recess in the area of ​​the upper contour line 29, so that another pipe with a larger diameter could potentially be placed on it. Furthermore, in this variant, the fixing element 12 has six additional mounting openings besides the lower, downward-facing mounting opening 13. One of these mounting openings 26 is approximately trapezoidal in outline, while two mounting openings 24 and 30 are oval in outline and both slightly larger in diameter. A T-shaped mounting opening 28 is also present. In contrast to the variant of Fig. 4 are in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. However, 7 to 9 have two slightly larger round mounting openings 25 in diameter, which are positioned somewhat differently than the small round openings in the variant of Fig. 4. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 7 more possibilities to guide larger diameter pipes, such as pipes that have a covering for insulation, through the fixing element 12 of the holder element and thus fix them. Reference symbol list 10 Holder element 11 Basic element 12 fixing elements 13 Mounting opening 13a Contour line 14 Front 15 Back 16 Plant area 17 a upper bore 17 b middle bore 17 c lower bore 18 rib-shaped boundary elements 19 flat top surfaces 20 mounting holes 21 lower boundary surface of the fixing element 22 lower boundary surface of the base element 23 upper oval mounting opening 24 medium oval mounting opening 25 small round mounting holes 26 trapezoidal mounting openings 27 convex outlines 28 T-shaped mounting opening 29 upper contour line 30 oval mounting openings QUOTES INCLUDED 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] DE 202 11 758 U1

[0002] EP 2 299 012 A1

[0003] EP 1 798 354 B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Holder element (10) for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame, comprising a base element (11), via which the holder element (10) can be attached to the mounting rail, and a fixing element (12) extending perpendicularly from the base element (11), via which at least one sanitary pipe can be connected to the holder element (10) via a mounting opening (13) of the fixing element (12). [2] Holder element (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the base element (11) comprises a contact surface (16) with at least one bore (17 a, 17 b, 17 c), via which the holder element (10) can be positively and / or non-positively connected to the mounting rail by means of a connecting means. [3] Holder element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the base element (11) has two web-shaped limiting elements (18) running parallel to one another, which limit the two longitudinal sides of the contact surface (16). [4] Holder element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fixing element (12) comprises a plurality of mounting openings (13) for fixing a plurality of sanitary pipes to the holder element (10). [5] Holder element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is formed in one piece. [6] Holder element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is formed from polylactide (PLA). [7] Holder element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is a 3D printed part. [8] Arrangement for fixing sanitary pipes to a mounting rail of a pre-wall mounting frame, comprising at least one holder element (10) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one or more sanitary pipes that can be fixed by means of such a holder element (10), wherein the sanitary pipes are selected from the series comprising drinking water pipes, waste water pipes, heating pipes and / or ventilation pipes.

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